The anxiety of pregnancy after loss was greater than anything I’d experienced before and there were many days I wondered if I would be able to make it through.

Throughout all of my pregnancies after loss, I didn’t have the tools or skills to help me ease my fears and alleviate my anxiety. Years later, however, I know there are many effective ways to help reduce anxiety during a pregnancy after loss. While the anxiety of dealing with another loss never fully goes away- reclaiming hope after loss, while incredibly difficult, is NOT impossible.

Here are 10 tips and mantras to help you or a loved one get through the difficult times and reduce anxiety during pregnancy after loss:

While most birth doulas provide non-clinical support during healthy and positive delivery outcomes, a certified bereavement doula is specially trained to support families who are experiencing the loss of a baby or during a subsequent pregnancy after a previous miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or terminal fetal diagnosis.

Birth and Bereavement Doulas are uniquely qualified to serve families through all types of pregnancies and births- including miscarriages and stillbirths, TFMR (Termination for Medical Reasons) deliveries, and “happy” pregnancies and deliveries with positive outcomes that occur after a prior loss. Whether you plan to have a medicated or unmedicated birth, a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section, a hospital birth or a home birth, a doula is a vital part of your birth support team to help you have an empowered and supportive birthing experience.