Social Media After a Miscarriage: Coping with Triggers
Jul 01, 2023
Losing a pregnancy can be a devastating time for women and couples and in the world we live in today, how to handle social media after a miscarriage is real. The pain of losing a baby is hard and the process of healing can be difficult. Using social media after a miscarriage can exacerbate these feelings.
If you have recently had a miscarriage and find yourself struggling to cope with the constant reminders of other people’s pregnancies on social media, know that you are not alone. In this blog post, we’ll explore how social media can impact your mental health after a miscarriage and provide some tips for coping with overwhelming emotions.
Social Media and Pregnancy Announcements
Social media has become a major source of communication, and it has transformed how we interact with the world. Platforms such as Instagram, Facebook & Tik Tok allow us to connect with people from all over the world and share our personal experiences. While this can be positive in many ways, it can also be incredibly challenging for those who have experienced a miscarriage.
Every time you log onto social media, you are bombarded with images of pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and newborn babies. These images can be triggering and evoke feelings of sadness, anger, and jealousy. It can feel like everyone around you is pregnant, and you’re the only one who isn't.
It’s important to recognize that these feelings are normal and valid. The grief and sadness that come with a miscarriage are complex and can be difficult to navigate. It’s important to prioritize your mental health and well-being during this time and find ways to cope with your emotions.
Tips for Coping with Social Media After a Miscarriage
- Take a Break from Social Media
One of the best ways to cope with social media after a miscarriage is to take a break. It’s okay to step away from social media if it’s causing you more harm than good. Consider deleting the apps from your phone or taking a break from your accounts altogether. You can always come back to social media when you feel ready.
- Unfollow or Mute Triggers
Another way to cope with social media after a miscarriage is to unfollow or mute triggers. You don’t have to subject yourself to constant reminders of other people’s pregnancies. Unfollow accounts that are triggering and mute hashtags that are related to pregnancy or parenthood. It’s important to create a social media environment that is supportive of your mental health and well-being.
- Find Supportive Online Communities
While social media can be a source of triggers, it can also be a source of support. Look for online communities that are supportive of people who have experienced a miscarriage. These communities can provide a safe space to share your emotions and connect with others who have had similar experiences. You can connect with our community on instagram here.
- Connect with Friends and Family
While it’s important to find support online, it’s also important to connect with friends and family in person. Lean on your loved ones for emotional support and connect with people who have had similar experiences. Talking about your emotions and sharing your feelings with others can be incredibly healing.
- Be Bold
Social media often isn't the place to share the hard news, it's a place for good news. You could share your loss on social media. The likelihood of multiple friends of yours also having had a miscarriage is extremely high. By doing this you may find there is a big support network out there that you didn't know exist - and those people are likely your friends to begin with.
- Find Support Resources
We've created an online, on-demand course to help those who have had a miscarriage understand it better. The care in our healthcare systems is limited and we want to ensure all women and couples have the access to the post-miscarriage care they deserve. Check it out here: Miscarriage Support Course.
Losing a pregnancy can be an incredibly challenging experience. The grief and emotions that come with a miscarriage can be overwhelming and isolating and what was once a fun and simple activity can turn into a deep hole of grief. Be mindful of your needs and mental health so you are equipped with navigating social media after a miscarriage.
