April Fools’ Day – the day where people prank family members, friends, co-workers, and strangers for a good laugh. Sometimes, it can be hard to understand that jokes go too far. Too often, people joke about being pregnant without taking other people into consideration. Indeed, pregnancy is not a joke.
People want to share an innocent laugh with good intent. The fact of the matter is that some people struggle with seeing other people enjoy pregnancy, even as a joke. Whether a woman has miscarried, experienced an abortion of her own, has experienced infertility, or has not enjoyed the feeling of motherhood, the talk of pregnancy for these women may be difficult to deal with. For these women, let us consider the pain they have experienced and stop using pregnancy as a joke.
Miscarriage Facts
Miscarriages are difficult. Whether you have experienced your own or know someone who has, you are familiar with the pain that miscarriages bring. Things like the due date, each year, bring up painful reminders. There is an understandable empty-feeling that women go through.
Did you know:
- “Around 80 percent of miscarriages occur in the first trimester, which is between 0 and 13 weeks,” Medical News Today confirms.
- Anywhere from 10% to 20% of pregnancies will end in miscarriage. This number may be potentially higher as some women do not realize that they are pregnant.
- When a baby is lost from the 0 to 20 week mark it is considered a miscarriage; anytime after that is considered a stillbirth.
There is still much to learn about the reasons miscarriages happen. Help yourself or other women and couples to heal by understanding the facts related to miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
Abortion Facts
Give women and couples the time to grieve as they need to. Jokes on April Fools’ Day, in regards to pregnancy, hinder the opportunity for women and couples to seek the closure they are looking for.
Did you know:
- A study from June 2020 shared that one in four women will have an abortion before the age of 45.
- Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS) has been recognized by many psychologists and doctors. Post-Abortion Syndrome is defined as a “form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)”. This condition recognizes that women often experience psychological trauma following an abortion. Symptoms of PAS include, but are not limited to: initial relief that later subsides, emotional numbness, anxiety attacks, relationship difficulties, and more. Symptoms are different from woman to woman.
Dealing with loss is painful. Those that are processing the trauma of an abortion can find healing. There are community grief support groups who want to help you process your change.
How Can I Encourage Other People Not To Make Jokes?
This can be a difficult conversation to have.
Whether you see someone post a joke on social media or hear someone talking about a joke their friend did, you can respectfully redirect the conversation.
Take this as an opportunity to share facts and statistics on the things women who have experienced pregnancy loss face.
Options for Women is a good place to start when seeking support in pregnancy loss. We offer personal support for those who have suffered through a miscarrage or an abortion. We offer community resources for grief support.
The loss of a child at any stage of life is difficult and should never be treated as a joke. In moments of heartache, you can be the support a family member or friend needs.
Have you experienced a miscarriage or an abortion before? Please call us at (715) 425-8539 to schedule an appointment or visit us online. Meet with a client advocate who will be there to support you during your grieving process.
