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Your support makes all the difference.When someone has a miscarriage, it can be difficult to know what to say out of fear for coming across as tactless or insensitive.
But, a new range of cards is aiming to change that.
British charity Miscarriage Association has launched a range of cards designed specifically for people who have experienced pregnancy loss.
With one in four pregnancies ending in miscarriage, according to the charity, the Miscarriage Association says it is important to break the taboo and recognise that pregnancy loss can be an “intensely distressing and lonely experience”.
“Shockingly, greetings card retailers stock a card for almost every important life event, except one,” says Ruth Bender Atik, national director of the Miscarriage Association.
“These cards recognise miscarriage, and give words to those friends and loved ones who can’t find them.
“Losing a pregnancy is heart-breaking and can be very lonely. Close family and friends often don’t know what to say, say the wrong thing, or just say nothing at all.
“The new cards have been launched to fill that gap. They may even become a treasured memento, the acknowledgement of the briefest of lives.”
The set of four cards have been created in collaboration with a panel women who have had miscarriages themselves and include the details of the Miscarriage Association inside.
Each of the cards feature thoughtful messages, such as: “This is the worst. But I've got your back. And your front. And everything in between.”
Another reads: “This is totally ****! So here's a hug in an envelope. A folded squeeze. From me. To you.”
The third card says: “There's no good card for this. I'm so sorry for your loss.”
While the fourth reads: “I wish this wasn't happening to you. I don't know what to say but I promise I'm here for you."
Natasha Necati, who has had eight miscarriages, says she would have loved to have received one of the cards.
“When I had my miscarriages, people meant to be kind, but I did have comments like ‘Sorry for your loss, but at least you know you can get pregnant’ and ‘Don’t worry, you’re still young,’ whereas others just didn’t say anything at all,” she explains.
“I would have loved to receive cards like these. I especially like the one that says I wish this wasn’t happening to you. I don’t know what to say. But I promise I am here for you. It says it all.”
Earlier this month, Hilaria Baldwin revealed in an Instagram post that she was expecting the her fifth child with husband, Alec Baldwin.
However, in the same post, she also disclosed that she was likely in the process of experiencing a miscarriage, stating in the picture's caption that she felt it was “important to show the truth”.
In a subsequent interview with Glamour magazine, Mrs Baldwin explained why she chose to speak openly about the realities of her pregnancy, saying: "Having a miscarriage would hurt if I went through it in silence and it would hurt if I lose the pregnancy in front of everybody, I realised.
“At least sharing my story might help me and other women dealing with a miscarriage to find support.”
On April 10, Mrs Baldwin confirmed on Instagram that she did experience a miscarriage, writing: "There was no heartbeat today at my scan...so it's over."
The NHS says that miscarriages are much more common than most people realise.
"Among women who know they're pregnant, it's estimated about one in eight pregnancies will end in miscarriage, it states.
"Many more miscarriages occur before a woman is even aware she has become pregnant."
For confidential support and advice regarding miscarriage, you can contact the Miscarriage Association on their helpline by calling 01924 200799 or emailing info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
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