Understanding types
of pregnancy loss

After the loss

The emotions that follow pregnancy loss can be layered and deeply personal. You may feel sadness, love, guilt, relief, or confusion — all at once. Some people find their grief is complicated by having had to make the decision to end the pregnancy, and may question or minimise their own feelings as a result.  Others feel isolated or worry about being misunderstood. 

Please know that your feelings are valid regardless of the circumstances, and support is available.  

Creating memories with your baby can be deeply meaningful.  What’s possible will depend on your baby’s gestation and how your baby is born, but whether that is through photographs, keepsakes like hand or footprints, or time spent together. Your care team will support you in honouring your baby in whatever way feels right for your family.

Memory making around the time of loss 

There may be ways to create meaningful memories at the time of loss. These small acts can help you feel connected to your baby and supported in your grief. They may also reduce regrets later, especially is the loss was unexpected or happened quickly. 

Memory making during immediate care might include:

• Asking for a recording of your baby’s heartbeat while they are still in your belly.
• Creating a memory box of keepsakes.
• Writing a letter to your baby.
• Choosing a name. 
• Having a teddy bear or soft toy to help symbolise the pregnancy.
• Taking photos of items like an ultrasound image or a pregnancy test.
• Lighting a candle or holding a quiet moment of reflection.

These are personal choices. It’s okay to say yes or no. Your care team will explain what’s possible and support you 
either way.

If your miscarriage happened later in pregnancy

For miscarriage between 14–20 weeks, it may be possible to see or hold your baby and create keepsakes after birth — such as handprints, footprints, or a lock of hair. This depends on your situation. If your baby died some time before the miscarriage was found, their body may have changed. Your care team will gently explain what to expect and what may be possible.

If your loss was part of a multiple pregnancy

If you’ve lost one baby in a multiple pregnancy, you may want to honour that baby in your own way. You may choose to honour both babies in ways that feel right for your family — together or individually. 

You may choose to name both babies, include them in family stories, or create keepsakes. Some parents choose to:

•  Name both babies
•  Create keepsakes or photos
•  Pursue formal registration if available and desired
•  Hold private ceremonies or acknowledgements

Others prefer to focus on the surviving baby. There is no right or wrong way to grieve.

You may also be offered the option to register the birth and death of the baby that died. This depends on your situation and local laws. If this is important to you, your care team can explain what’s possible and help with the process. 

If your pregnancy was further along, you may have been offered the chance to see or hold your baby or create keepsakes like photos or footprints. Some parents are also involved in decisions about their baby’s remains, which may include:

• Hospital-arranged cremation or communal burial.
• Private cremation or burial.
• Taking remains home (where legally allowed).

Your care team can explain what is possible based on your situation. Even if choices were limited or things happened quickly, your grief and your connection to your baby are real.

There’s no right or wrong way to acknowledge pregnancy loss. What matters is what feels right for you. If memory making isn’t mentioned by your care team, it’s okay to ask. Your care team is there to support your choices.

What’s next

You may now understand the type of pregnancy loss you’ve experienced — or you might still be waiting for answers. Each situation is different, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. The next part of this guide looks at what care you might need after a pregnancy loss. This includes medical follow-up, physical recovery, and your choices for moving forward. Whether you’re waiting, recovering, or looking ahead, we hope this guide helps you take things one step at a time.