You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and the remembrance events held then are, for many families, the first place they meet anyone who has been through the same thing.
Losing a pregnancy or a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a newborn, is one of the most painful experiences a family can face. It is also common, and yet many parents feel isolated, as if the world expects them to move on quickly.
Support from people who understand can make a real difference. This page covers where to find support groups and organizations, what bereaved parents say helps, and how to support someone you love after a loss. For the mental health effects of loss, including depression, anxiety and PTSD, see depression after miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Organizations
| Organization | What it offers |
| Postpartum Support International (PSI) | Free online peer support groups for pregnancy loss, infant loss, fertility challenges and parenting after loss, held on Zoom and led by trained peer supporters |
| Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support | Support for families after pregnancy loss, stillbirth or the death of a baby in the first few months, including chapters and online groups |
| Star Legacy Foundation | Family support, support groups, education and research focused on pregnancy loss, stillbirth and newborn death |
| MISS Foundation | Counseling, advocacy and support for families after the death of a child, including support groups and grief retreats |
| Return to Zero: H.O.P.E. | Support groups, workshops, retreats and a directory of loss-informed providers, with resources for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families |
| Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep | Free remembrance portraits of babies, taken by volunteer professional photographers |
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) specifically mentions Share as a source of support after miscarriage. You can also ask your hospital or ob-gyn about local bereavement programs, and find more options on our support groups page.
Do Support Groups Help?
Parents consistently describe support groups and peer support as meaningful:
- A recent review of peer support after miscarriage found parents valued the validation and connection that came from talking with others who had been through the same thing, especially when they felt left out of broader social or clinical support.
- The review also noted that clinical guidelines don’t clearly say how to support mental health after miscarriage, which is part of why peer support fills an important gap.
The research on whether support groups reduce depression is more limited. A large 2026 review of bereavement care in general found stronger evidence for individual therapy, and lower-strength evidence that professionally facilitated support groups may improve depression symptoms. A review focused on bereaved parents called the overall research quality poor.
The practical takeaway: support groups are a valuable source of connection, and if you’re experiencing ongoing depression, anxiety or trauma symptoms, therapy is also worth considering.
What Bereaved Parents Say Helps
Studies of parents after pregnancy and infant loss point to what matters most:
- Being recognized as a parent and having your baby acknowledged as real
- Clear, honest communication from health care providers
- Being able to make informed decisions about your care and your baby
- Compassion from professionals, whose interactions have a lasting effect on how parents remember the experience
- Ongoing support from family, friends and community, not just in the first weeks
Partners and Fathers Grieve Too
Grief after a loss can look different for each partner. A review of 46 studies found men may face “double-disenfranchised grief”: their loss is often under-recognized, and they may feel expected to stay strong for their partner rather than grieve themselves. The researchers called for more accessible support for fathers.
If you’re a partner, your grief deserves space too. PSI’s groups and several of the organizations above welcome partners. See support for partners.
How to Support Someone After a Miscarriage or Stillbirth
Research shows that friends and family are often parents’ main source of support, but they don’t always know what to do. Some ways to help:
- Acknowledge the loss. Saying “I’m so sorry about your baby” is better than saying nothing.
- Use the baby’s name if the parents have chosen one.
- Avoid minimizing phrases like “at least it was early” or “you can try again.”
- Listen more than you advise. Let them share as much or as little as they want.
- Offer specific, practical help, such as meals, errands or care for older children.
- Remember important dates, like the due date or the anniversary of the loss.
- Check in over time. Grief doesn’t end after the first few weeks.
- Include both partners in your support.
Researchers describe supporting families after perinatal loss as a shared community responsibility that requires ongoing compassion.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in the United States. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first observance in October 1988, noting that support groups were helping parents cope with their loss. October 15 is widely observed as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, when many families light candles in memory of their babies. Congress introduced a resolution supporting the Remembrance Day in the mid-2000s.
Returning to Work After a Loss
Whether you’re entitled to job-protected leave after a miscarriage or stillbirth depends on federal and state law and your employer’s policies. Federal Family and Medical Leave Act guidance doesn’t specifically address pregnancy loss, so talk with your employer’s HR department, and consider asking your doctor for documentation of your physical and emotional recovery needs.
When Grief Becomes Something More
Grief comes in waves and can last a long time. But talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if you notice:
- Low mood, hopelessness or loss of interest that doesn’t ease
- Anxiety or panic that interferes with daily life
- Flashbacks, nightmares or avoiding anything that reminds you of the loss
- Trouble functioning at home or work months later
Screening tools like the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 can help. If you’ve had a traumatic birth or loss, see birth trauma.
Find a therapist who specializes in pregnancy and infant loss
If you are having thoughts of ending your life, call or text 988, available 24 hours a day. You can also call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a miscarriage support group?
Postpartum Support International offers free online pregnancy and infant loss groups. Share, Star Legacy Foundation, the MISS Foundation and Return to Zero: H.O.P.E. also offer groups. Your hospital may have a local program.
Do support groups help after pregnancy loss?
Parents describe support groups as validating and connecting. Evidence that they reduce depression is limited, so therapy can be a helpful addition if symptoms persist.
What should I say to someone who had a miscarriage?
Acknowledge the loss simply and sincerely, avoid minimizing comments, listen and offer practical help.
When is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?
October 15, during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month in October.
Do fathers grieve after a miscarriage?
Yes. Fathers grieve too, though their grief is often overlooked and they may receive less support.
