The Emotional Side of Pregnancy and Loss
Pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of joy and expectation. But it’s not always a straightforward journey. For some women, it’s marked by anxiety, uncertainty, and difficult choices. For others, the heartbreak of miscarriage, stillbirth, or other forms of pregnancy loss changes everything in an instant.
When loss happens, it can feel like the world keeps turning while yours has stopped. You may feel a mix of sadness, anger, guilt, and numbness — sometimes all in the same day. And if you’re pregnant again after a loss, that joy can be shadowed by fear, making it hard to relax or trust the process.
It can also be hard to talk about. People may not know what to say, avoid the subject entirely, or offer well-meaning but painful comments. This silence can make an already difficult experience feel even more isolating.
Understanding the Emotional Impact
Pregnancy and loss can stir up a wide range of emotions, including:
- Persistent worry about your own health or the baby’s wellbeing
- Shock and disbelief after loss
- Feelings of guilt or self-blame, even when the loss was outside your control
- Anger or resentment towards others who are pregnant or have children
- Fear of trying to conceive again or facing another loss
- Emotional detachment or difficulty bonding in a new pregnancy
The Miscarriage Association (2023) estimates that 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage. The NHS (2023) reports that around 1 in 200 pregnancies ends in stillbirth. These numbers are a reminder that loss is common — but that doesn’t make it any less personal or painful when it happens to you.
Pregnancy loss and complicated pregnancies are not just physical experiences. They can trigger long-lasting emotional responses, including:
- Postnatal depression or anxiety (even if the pregnancy didn’t reach full term)
- Symptoms of post-traumatic stress, especially after a traumatic birth or sudden loss
- Strain on relationships due to grief, differences in coping styles, or unspoken feelings
- Ongoing anxiety in future pregnancies, sometimes called “pregnancy after loss anxiety”
How Counselling Can Help
Counselling gives you space to speak honestly about your experience — even the thoughts or feelings you might not share with anyone else. It can help you:
Prepare emotionally for future pregnancies or decisions about family planning
Process grief and loss at your own pace
Manage anxiety during pregnancy, especially after loss
Explore feelings of guilt, anger, or emotional numbness
Strengthen communication with partners and family
Our Approach
At Hope Therapy & Counselling Services, we:
- Work with UK-based counsellors who are experienced in perinatal loss and pregnancy-related mental health
- Offer online, phone, and in-person sessions to fit around your needs
- Provide a free 15-minute consultation so you can see if we’re the right match for you
- Keep all sessions confidential and free from judgement
FAQs – Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy Loss Counselling
Q: Is it normal to still feel upset months or years after a loss?
Yes. Grief doesn’t have an expiry date. It’s common for feelings to resurface around anniversaries, due dates, or life milestones.
Q: Can counselling help if I’m pregnant again but feel too anxious to enjoy it?
Absolutely. We can work on strategies to manage fear and create space for hope in your pregnancy.
Q: Will counselling pressure me to try for another baby?
No. All decisions about the future are yours. Our role is to support you in whatever path you choose.
Q: Can my partner attend sessions with me?
Yes. We can offer joint or individual sessions depending on what feels most helpful.
Q: Do you also support people after pregnancy termination?
Yes. We offer compassionate, confidential support for all forms of pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination.