Episode 12: The Hidden Grief of Infertility, IVF, and Pregnancy Loss

For resources, support, or to contact Maria, visit reimaginedmind.com AND reimaginedmotherhood.com Episode 12: The Hidden Grief of Infertility, IVF, and Pregnancy Loss Many people go through infertility, IVF, pregnancy loss and adoption in silence. In this episode of Reimagined Motherhood, host Maria Clemente Morresi, a licensed professional counselor, talks with fellow counselor Stephanie Mechmann. Stephanie has worked as a caseworker at an adoption agency. Together they talk about: • Feeling joy and grief at the same time, such as being happy for a friend's pregnancy while hurting yourself, and how to handle baby showers and social media • How friends and family can share good news kindly, and how to say what you need • Why pregnancy loss and fertility struggles can feel so isolating, and why Stephanie calls it "disenfranchised grief" • Why one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage, and why so few people talk about it • How partners can grieve in different ways and still support each other • Rebuilding your identity and sense of control when things feel out of your hands • Why adoption is a way to grow your family, not a fix for infertility, and the myths people hold about adoption • How to respond when someone says "just try again," and how to support a loved one who is grieving • A simple five-senses grounding exercise for when your mind keeps spinning If you or someone you love is on this road, you're not alone. To learn more or find support, visit reimaginedmind.com. You can also look out for the upcoming Mama Method program, a 360-degree view of the support available during pregnancy and postpartum.