I worry that the secret is leading to far bigger problems.
Every year for the past 18 years, I would look forward to spotting. It was, “Congratulations, you aren’t pregnant, your period will be with you in the next 24 to 48 hours”.
Except for the last time. When it showed at 9pm one night when I was eight weeks pregnant.
I immediately turned to Dr Google and typed, “Signs I’m miscarrying“. As I read every morsel of information I could find, I replayed what I did over the last few days. What could I have done to cause my possible miscarriage?
Right there. That’s where I cringed and hated myself.
Although it is my first pregnancy and I, fortunately, haven’t had a miscarriage in my lifetime, I know that miscarriages are never a woman’s fault. But I know I’m not the only one to think that thought.
Those first 12 weeks should be about celebrating your pregnancy announcement, not fearing it. Image via Pinterest.[/img_caption]
According to the New York Times, “In many individual cases, the cause of the miscarriage remains unknown; statistically, about 60 per cent of miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities, and most of the rest are caused by factors outside of the control of the mother, such as uterine abnormalities, endocrine or autoimmune disorders, or infection.”
This week marks the start of Never Forgotten: Mamamia’s Pregnancy Loss Awareness Week.
But the New York Times goes on to say that many women don’t actually know or understand that. Instead, they still believe that their miscarriage is caused by something they did. Lifting a heavy object. Being stressed. Taking contraception in the past.
In my opinion, women have these thoughts because miscarriage is still a taboo subject. Miscarriage is still considered a bad word. And the word still comes with shame and guilt.
Keeping it secret
While some women just can’t wait to spread the good news, many still prefer to keep things under wraps until the 12 week mark, when there’s less risk of miscarrying.
Zev Williams, director of the Program for Early and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss, or Pearl, at Einstein and Montefiore told the New York Times, "The vast majority of women I see blame themselves. Miscarriage is unique in the amount of self-blame and shame involved."