According to the Mayo Clinic: Miscarriage is the sudden loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is likely higher. This is because many miscarriages happen early on, before people realize they’re pregnant.
According to March of Dimes: Miscarriage is very common. Some research suggests that more than 30 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and many end before a person even knows they’re pregnant.
From what I’ve seen recently, it seems that the percentage of miscarriages is pretty high, especially among couples who are open to life and not using contraception.
I’m a celibate woman. I haven’t experienced pregnancy and don’t have any children.
Even though I haven’t experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage, I’ve witnessed its effects — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
I have great empathy for those who experience this heavy and often hidden cross.
“We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials.” ~ St. Teresa of Ávila
I’ve been suffering from chronic illness for over 15 years.
One of my biggest struggles is feeling like my suffering is unnoticed and forgotten, and that I’m suffering alone. Even though it’s not true, the feeling is very real.
If you’re a woman or man who has ever lost a child to miscarriage, I’m so sorry for your loss.
Please know that it’s natural and healthy to grieve, no matter when and how you experienced the loss.
Please know that you’re not suffering alone!
There are many people who share this cross with you.
There are many people who love you and pray for you, including me!
In this post, I want to provide support and Catholic resources for those suffering from miscarriage.
Please pass on this information to anyone you think could benefit from it. Also, consider holding onto this information in case you or someone else could use it in the future.
Saints
A great resource and support system is the communion of saints.
When we pray to the saints, they intercede for us before Almighty God.
They are our friends who desire to help us in every situation, especially in our trials and suffering!
Below is a list of Saints related to pregnancy, miscarriage, birth, parenthood etc.
If you click on the name, it will direct you to a website where you can learn more about the Saint.
Consider praying to them for any and all of your needs.
Our Lady of Sorrows / The Sorrowful Mother
- Feast Day: September 15
Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery / Our Lady of La Leche
- Feast Day: October 11
- Protectress of the unborn
- Feast Day: December 12
- Patron of fathers
- Titles include: Head of the Holy Family, Pillar of families, Comfort of the afflicted
- Feast Day: March 19
- Patron for healing and protection from miscarriage
- Counseled women who had suffered a miscarriage or illness during pregnancy
- Feast Day: March 24
- Patron of pregnancy
- Was barren and miraculously conceived at an old age
- Her son, John the Baptist, was miraculously protected during the Massacre of the Innocents
- Feast Day: November 5, June 24 (Birth of St. John the Baptist)
- Patron of unborn children, expectant mothers, women in childbirth, motherhood
- Known as “the saint of happy child births” because his intercession saved a woman and her child from dying during the birth
- Feast Day: October 16
- Patron of unborn children, mothers, physicians
- Had six difficult pregnancies including two miscarriages
- Sacrificed her life to save her last child
- Feast Day: April 28
St. Margaret of Antioch / Marina the Great Martyr
- Patron of pregnancy and women in childbirth
- Feast Day: July 20
- Was an only child and his parents struggled with infertility. Exactly four years after his death, his 44-year-old mother gave birth to twins, which she attributes to Carlo’s intercession
- A 44-year-old woman was unable to have children. She prayed at Carlo’s funeral and became pregnant after one month
- Feast Day: October 12
Additional Resources
Below is a list of Catholic ministries, books etc. If you click on the name, it will direct you to the website.
- Miscarriage Prayer & Blessing
- Catholic Miscarriage Support – two Catholic couples began this website in the hopes that it would provide immediate, practical support for others who have lost a child to miscarriage
- Morning Light Ministry – a Catholic ministry for bereaved mothers and bereaved fathers who have experienced the death of their baby through ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death up to one year old
- Red Bird Ministries – a non-profit, pro-life, pro-family, Catholic grief support ministry serving individuals and couples who have experienced the loss of a child from pregnancy through adulthood
- A Mom’s Peace – a lay apostolate for mothers of miscarried and stillborn souls
- A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss – a book with compassionate answers to difficult questions
- Life-Giving Love : Embracing God’s Beautiful Design for Marriage – a chapter in the book is dedicated to miscarriage and stillbirth
- Gianna Center for Women’s Health and Fertility – offers nationally-recognized reproductive medicine, restorative medicine and treatment for women’s health disorders; uses natural and moral approaches to help couples who are struggling with infertility; several locations in the USA
One Small Rose 