How to feel more Like Yourself After Pregnancy Loss

When we experienced a pregnancy loss I didn’t feel like myself. Although I’d gotten right back to work and thrown myself into many projects, it wasn’t the same. I wasn’t the same. I was thinking of how to feel more like myself after pregnancy loss and the thing I wanted to celebrate was the love that brought this baby into the world and the body that allowed it to happen.

After the pregnancy loss as much I wanted to put this into a box on the shelf, my body was a constant reminder as to what had happened. I look at myself in the photo above and even after two months, when this photo was taken, my body and breasts were still quite full. Moving through the world was a constant reminder as to what had happened.

How to feel more Like Yourself After Pregnancy Loss

CELEBRATE YOUR JOURNEY

For me the way I could move forward was to celebrate our love and my body. To look at the good. I booked a photoshoot for our one year wedding anniversary. Although Mark does not like photos, he agreed and got dressed up. He knew how important this was for me and us. It was honestly such a fun afternoon. It felt like a new beginning.

EMBRACE YOUR GRIEF

I think it’s so important to give yourself a moment to grieve. This is something I didn’t do and I needed to give myself permission to grieve. Grieving looks different for everyone, so you do what feels right for you mama. You can journal, talk with a friend or family member, let your tears flow, dance with loud music, whatever honors your journey.

LEAN ON YOUR SUPPORT TEAM

I wouldn’t be here without Mark. He was my support through this as he listened, cared for me and made me food. My girlfriends were also unbelievable they all came to my home one snowy night for a mediation and ceremony to honor the loss. It was so powerful and beautiful. You don’t need to be alone, connect with those close to you.

FIND TIME FOR SELF-CARE

This is essentially a postpartum period. Your body needs time to adjust and settle and your hormones, depending on how far along you were. If you want to get back to feeling like yourself during pregnancy loss what nourishes your body and soul? Is it long baths or quiet walks in nature, or is it resting without guilt, all of these can help you heal. I took long hot baths, A LOT! This made my body feel good and it quieted my mind.

FOCUS ON PASSIONS

To reconnect with myself I focused on yoga and mediation. This was a way to really feel my body and to slow down, both physically and mentally. What brings you joy? Painting or gardening or reading, it can be anything that allows you to feel more like yourself. Make sure you take the time!

SPEAK WITH A COUNSELOR

Sometimes our friends and family are not enough, we need further help to let go of a pregnancy loss. This can be a huge step towards healing. A counselor or therapist can help people navigate grief, offering tools and strategies to help you feel more like yourself and to process the pregnancy loss. For me personally, I definitely spoke with a counsellor. This was very difficult for me to process on my own.

EMBRACE HOPE

The photoshoot Mark and I did was to celebrate but also to start again, a new beginning. We knew we would try again, it was only a matter of time. There definitely needed to be time in-between, but there was hope for the future. Recovering from a pregnancy loss is not a straightforward road, but it can lead to a place of hope and happiness.

Pregnancy loss can be very difficult, remember healing is a journey and it’s ok to take the time you need to grieve, take care of yourself, share your story and find your way back to feeling like yourself. You are not alone. You have the strength, and resilience to make it through. I believe in you.