TOP TAKE-AWAYS: HOW RELIGION HELPS COPING WITH PREGNANCY LOSS

Experiencing pregnancy loss is heartbreaking. Women who go through this heartache sometimes do not know how to cope with this loss. This can put women at risk for developing mental issues such as:  depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.  Suffering from heartbreak and a series of mental health issues puts women in an extremely vulnerable state. With that being said, it is imperative for women to look for different outlets that may help them cope with their loss.  For some, Religion can be one of those outlets.  

Religion as a Support Group
Religion is a way women can cope with pregnancy loss. Attending church services and meeting individuals who care about your well-being serves as a great coping method. Some may call this a “social network” where you can rely on people for help (Petts, 2018). Women who experience pregnancy loss often search for therapists or support groups to help alleviate some of their pain. When participating in religious groups, there is not always a need to go searching for these outlets. Religious groups are very much similar to support groups. Both groups tend to offer encouragement, comfort, and advice to individuals who are in need. In addition, what makes this even better is that religious participation is free of cost.
Protection Against Psychological Distress
Religious services are said to help individuals better cope with difficult situations. These situations are no longer a burden because individuals consider it God’s will. Women who have lost a child are content knowing everything will be fine because this is God’s plan. The messages taught at religious services become a framework for understanding and coping with difficulties in life (Petts, 2018). This then promotes lower levels of depression and anxiety and gives women a sense of hope and reassurance. Attending religious services routinely can foster better mental health for women who have had a pregnancy loss. This is because they are provided with emotional support, comfort, and encouraging words to get through life each day.

Remain Positive & Keep Away From Negativity
The most important thing to do when considering religious participation as a coping method for pregnancy loss is to remain positive. Viewing religion as a positive coping method results in positive outcomes (Petts, 2018). Petts (2018) also stated, “... that individuals who engage in positive religious coping are generally better able to deal with stressful situations.” When seeking religion, it is important to abstain from doubtfulness and negativity. The article states that,  “viewing God as punishment, feeling frustrated with one’s religious community, and feeling abandoned by God may increase the likelihood of experiencing psychological distress following a stressful event” (Petts, 2018). Entertaining these thoughts leads to an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is why it is important to remain positive when seeking help. Seek religion with an open mind. Attend services with the expectations of leaving to gain new information about coping with your current situation. When done in this way, religious participation will be extremely beneficial for you.

Finding Meaning and Purpose That Was Once Lost
Participating in religious ceremonies can help women find meaning after a pregnancy loss. The messages received at religious ceremonies are internalized which allows women to view their loss as something positive. Not only do the messages help, but individuals who are also active in religious participation care about the wellbeing of others. After a miscarriage/pregnancy loss it is sometimes hard to find people who acknowledge your grieving which results in women feeling isolated. Research suggests that having strong religious beliefs may help women grieve in more positive ways than women who are less religious (Petts, 2018). 

Ultimately, religion can help women cope with pregnancy loss. Everyone has their own way of coping with loss but if anyone is looking for other methods, considering religion an option is a great alternative. 


Petts, R.J. (2018). Miscarriage, religious participation, and mental health. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 57(1), 109-122.