Pregnancy
Often accompanied by severe bleeding and pain, miscarriage is the most common form of pregnancy loss. It occurs before the 20th week and affects 10–20% of all pregnancies. The real number is even higher as many miscarriages occur so early that a woman hasn’t yet realized she’s pregnant. Depending on the case, medical or surgical treatment is sometimes necessary. Most often, a miscarriage will not influence future pregnancies.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of great vulnerability for women. It has always been accompanied by some risk, especially in the past when we knew less than we do now about gestation and birth. Experience, while it is our fundamental source of knowledge, can also be misleading—one woman’s experience does not, cannot, and should not define another’s. A woman’s health, support network, emotional preparedness, and doctor/midwife can all influence her experience.
Pregnancy
Most people are aware that pregnancy and especially childbirth come with extreme challenges for the female body—the body does not magically reset the minute the baby is born. Although it is a natural part of the childbirth process, the struggles of the post-partum recovery period may come as a surprise to some because it is discussed much less often. However, with proper care and preparation, new mothers will be better able to take care of themselves and their babies and will be more confident in asking for the support they need.
