After three years of secondary infertility, countless blood draws and ultrasounds, several failed embryo transfers, two pregnancy losses, and a fresh round of IVF, I’m finally pregnant with my third IVF baby.  But that still feels weird to say out loud, when it’s been hard enough to believe for myself.  I should say that this experience has been nothing like my previous attempts at getting pregnant. Following years of heartbreak and (unexpected) IVF failure after the birth of my twins in 2018, I took an indefinite break from treatment, unsure of what our next steps would...

Pregnancy loss is awful for everyone, but what about people dealing with conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? Not only does PCOS cause a slew of aggravating symptoms, but it also can have a serious impact on your fertility and any potential pregnancies. PCOS is a hormone imbalance affecting 1 in 10 menstruating people, or about 7 million women of reproductive age in the United States. The hormonal imbalance can mess with ovulation by interfering with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries. Common symptoms include irregular or absent periods, difficulty losing weight, and...

No matter when pregnancy loss occurs, and no matter which word is used to define the experience, it is a crushing time for the intended parents as they navigate their grief. A pregnancy loss is usually described as either a “miscarriage” or a “stillbirth.” Although “a lot of people use these terms interchangeably,” says Dorothy Bestoyong, DO, an OB/GYN based in Orlando, Florida, “the biggest difference between [miscarriage and stillbirth] is the timeframe or gestational age at which the pregnancy loss occurs.”  The biggest similarity between miscarriage and stillbirth? Neither should ever be dismissed as a...

Pregnancy loss is a traumatic time for most people, so the last thing anyone wants to hear is the word “stress” in the same sentence as “miscarriage.” At the same time, this topic warrants discussion, if anything, to avoid the spread of misinformation. While increased stress can potentially cause some health issues in pregnancy, let's be clear: Stress itself can't trigger a miscarriage. First of all, it’s always important to remember some basic facts about miscarriage, which is the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 10% to 20%...

Experiencing a miscarriage is a scary and painful time, filled with a rollercoaster of emotions — sadness, fear, loneliness — plus all those uncomfortable and often unfamiliar physical symptoms, like blood clots.  The presence of blood clots, particularly very large ones, can trigger feelings of worry and anxiety. And if you’re unfamiliar with what to expect during a miscarriage, this adds another layer of confusion and concern. We’ve talked with Massachusetts-based physician Jessica Ryniec, MD, a double board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist, to help you understand what's normal or not when it comes to blood clots...

Pregnancy can be a time of immense joy, but it can also be accompanied by intense worry and anxiety, especially for those who have experienced loss before. In the digital age, we have access to various online tools designed to provide information and reassurance. One such resource that has gained popularity is the Miscarriage Reassurer. But what exactly is this tool, and should expectant parents rely on it? Let's dive in, so you can manage your expectations as best as possible during pregnancy.  What is the Miscarriage Reassurer? The Miscarriage Reassurer, developed by Datayze, is an...

Finding out your pregnancy is nonviable can be one of the most devastating experiences for an intended parent. Adding to this pain are the multiple — and sometimes confusing — ways pregnancy loss can manifest in the first place. Words like “miscarriage,” “spontaneous abortion,” and “early pregnancy loss” tend to be used interchangeably to describe a nonviable pregnancy within the first 12 weeks. But there’s another term that’s also synonymous with pregnancy loss called a chemical pregnancy that denotes a specific type of early miscarriage. So, what is a chemical pregnancy? “A chemical or biochemical pregnancy is a...

Let’s face it: pregnancy after loss can make for a complex and emotionally charged nine months. While the joy of a new pregnancy is undeniable, it often comes intertwined with a wide range of feelings stemming from past grief.  First, it’s crucial to recognize that these difficult (and often opposing) emotions are completely normal and valid. However, there are ways to honor these feelings while also making room for joy and happiness on your pregnancy journey. Read on for expert tips on incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine during pregnancy after loss.  Understanding the emotional complexity...

Experiencing a miscarriage can be one of the most emotionally devastating times in a person’s life. The grief, guilt, and sense of emptiness can feel overwhelming, leaving many individuals and couples struggling to find a path toward healing.  While nothing can take the pain away, in recent years, meditation has emerged as a powerful tool for emotional recovery after such a profound loss. So, how exactly can mindfulness and meditation help you get on the path to healing? Read on for practical tips from an expert in the field. Miscarriage affirmations: Your first step to mindfulness...

Pregnancy will always be synonymous with a whirlwind of emotions – joy, fear, stress, excitement, to name a few. And sometimes, heartbreak weasels its way into this momentous time of your life in the form of an ectopic pregnancy. While it’s difficult to talk about, it’s worth arming yourself with the facts about this condition, because ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of U.S. maternal mortality in the first trimester.  An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside of the endometrial cavity instead of attaching to the lining of the uterus. In about...