Holding Women Through Grief | Miscarriage, Still Birth, Loss, Death, Grief Support Group

# 24| How Can Couples Stay Connected After Baby Loss? Using Love Languages While You’re Grieving

After baby loss, it’s common for couples to grieve differently. One person may want to talk while the other shuts down. One may want closeness while the other needs space. One may be drowning in emotions while the other is just trying to function. In this episode, we talk about how love languages can become a translation tool during grief not a magic fix, not pressure, and not a cute checklist. Just a simple way to ask: “What kind of love feels possible today?” We cover: * why connection can break down after baby loss * how grief can change the way you give and receive love * what each love language can look like during grief * tiny 2–5 minute connection rituals for couples * scripts to help reduce arguments and misunderstandings * one simple text you can send your partner when you need closeness Text to try: “Hey I know we grieve differently. I’m not asking you to be like me. I just need a little closeness. Can we do 5 minutes tonight no fixing, just us?” If you and your partner are grieving differently, this is your reminder: Different coping doesn’t mean different love. You don’t have to fix each other. You just have to keep choosing small moments of connection. For more support, resources, and coaching, visit my website. [https://www.holdingwomenthroughgrief.com/] Disclaimer: This podcast is for supportive and educational purposes only. I am not a licensed therapist. If you need professional mental health support, please reach out to a licensed therapist, grief counselor, or medical provider.

#23| Why I Do This Work: My Miscarriage Story & The Silence Nobody Talks About

This episode is personal. I’m sharing my miscarriage story because I never want you to feel like you’re listening to someone who only understands grief from the outside. I talk about the whiplash of going from a positive test to a negative one, the silence that can feel like control at first (and loneliness later), and the guilt spiral so many women carry when they’re trying to make sense of something they couldn’t fix. If you’ve ever minimized your own loss because other people did or felt like you had to grieve quietly to stay “strong” I hope this episode gives you permission to say it out loud: this was a loss. And your grief is valid. For more support beyond the podcast, my website [https://www.holdingwomenthroughgrief.com/] is here (About Me, the Podcast, and Coaching).No pressure just there when you need it. Disclaimer: This podcast is for supportive and educational purposes only. I am not a licensed therapist. If you need professional mental health support, please reach out to a licensed therapist  or medical provider.

Encore Episode: Loving Yourself After Loss — Finding Your Way Back to You

Encore Episode: Loving Yourself After Loss — Finding Your Way Back to You Some conversations are worth revisiting. This week, I'm bringing back one of the most meaningful episodes from earlier this season because the message is just as important today as it was when it first aired. Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, "I don't recognize myself anymore?" Do you feel like grief has taken not only your baby, but pieces of who you used to be? Are you wondering who you are now and whether this version of you is still deserving of love? In this episode, we explore one of the most tender realities of grief: how loss changes your identity and how difficult it can feel to love the woman you are becoming. Grief can leave you feeling disconnected from yourself. Your reflection may look different. Your energy may feel unfamiliar. Your purpose may seem unclear. The version of you before loss can begin to feel like someone you used to know rather than someone you still are. Together, we'll talk about why self-love often feels out of reach after loss, why that distance has nothing to do with your worth, and gentle ways to begin reconnecting with yourself again. Because loving yourself after loss isn't about returning to who you were before. It's about learning to honor who you are today. In This Episode You'll Hear: Why grief often impacts your sense of identity  The hidden guilt many grieving women carry Gentle ways to reconnect with yourself after loss How self-compassion can become part of your healing journey Why becoming someone different doesn't mean you've lost your value Related Episodes: • Episode 5: What Healing After Loss Really Looks Like • Episode 6: Am I Still a Mother After Loss? Resources & Support: Visit Holding Women Through Grief for podcast episodes, grief resources, blog articles, and ways to work together: www.holdingwomenthroughgrief.com [http://www.holdingwomenthroughgrief.com/] Join the email community for weekly encouragement, reflections, and support delivered directly to your inbox. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and supportive purposes only and is not a substitute for mental health care. I am not a licensed therapist. Please reach out to a licensed mental health professional if you need additional support. Next Steps: Follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Share this episode with someone struggling to recognize themselves after loss. Leave a review to help more grieving women find support. Visit www.holdingwomenthroughgrief.com [http://www.holdingwomenthroughgrief.com/] for additional resources and encouragement.

#22| How Do I Find a Therapist or Support Person Who Understands Grief? What to Ask Before You Book

What to Ask Before You Book If you’ve ever tried to get support after loss and thought, “This person doesn’t get it,” this episode is for you. We’re talking about how to find a therapist or support person who actually understands grief, what to ask before you book, and how to tell if someone is a good fit without wasting your energy explaining your pain to the wrong person. In this episode, we cover: how to decide what you need right now: clinical therapy, grief coaching/support, or both where to look for grief-informed support (directories, loss organizations, hospital programs, referrals, etc.) the questions to ask before you schedule (experience with pregnancy/infant loss, trauma-informed approach, triggers/anniversaries, faith preferences, virtual options, policies) the questions to ask yourself after session one: Did I feel safe? Did I feel minimized? Did I leave with even 5% more breath? reminders you may need to hear: you’re allowed to “interview” support, and you don’t owe loyalty to the first person you try For more support beyond this episode—resources, coaching, and a place to land—visit my website [https://www.holdingwomenthroughgrief.com/].  Disclaimer: This podcast is for supportive and educational purposes only. I am not a licensed therapist. This does not replace medical or mental health care. If you need professional support, please reach out to a licensed therapist, grief counselor, or medical provider.

#21| Is This Grief or Depression After Baby Loss? How to Tell the Difference

If you’ve been wondering, ‘Is this grief… or is something else happening to me?’ this episode is for you. After baby loss, it’s normal to feel shattered. But sometimes the heaviness becomes depression and it can be hard to tell the difference. Today we’ll talk about what’s common, what’s a red flag, and what to do next. In this episode, we talk about: why grief can look like depression on the outside (sleep, appetite, fog, numbness, anger) the simplest way to tell the difference: grief is usually loss-centered, depression is often self-attacking + future-collapsed green flags vs red flags (in plain language, not clinical) the myths that keep women stuck in silence (“I’m failing,” “others have it worse,” “I’m supposed to suffer forever”) what to do next if it feels like grief, depression, or both including how to ask for help using simple words If you want support beyond this episode resources, coaching, and a place to land  my website is here [https://www.holdingwomenthroughgrief.com/] Disclaimer: This podcast is for supportive and educational purposes only. I am not a licensed therapist and I’m not diagnosing you in a podcast episode. This does not replace a doctor or therapist. If you’re experiencing ongoing hopelessness, panic, intrusive thoughts, feeling unsafe, or any thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to a licensed professional or emergency support immediately.