TOP TAKE-AWAY: Born After Infant Loss: The Experiences of Subsequent Children

Children born after a sibling’s death, often called “subsequent” or “rainbow” children, grow up aware of their family’s loss, but this study shows that their emotional well-being is strong, stable, and resilient. In interviews with ten teenagers born after an infant death (i,e., stillbirth, neonatal death, SIDS or sudden death in infancy), researchers found that these adolescents clearly understood their family’s grief, and many actually felt more loved and valued because of it. Rather than viewing the loss as a negative part of their story, they described feeling secure, emotionally supported, and special within their families.

A key takeaway from the study is that these children did not feel the usual pressure to replace their siblings or feel overprotected, as past research often suggests. None of the children felt compared to their deceased sibling or weighed down by their parents’ grief. Instead, they described their relationships as warm and trusting, especially with their mothers, and said their home life was open, communicative, and emotionally safe. 

Another important note is that all adolescents knew about the sibling who died. Some grew up always knowing; others learned suddenly later in childhood. No matter how they learned, each teen processed the information in a healthy, balanced way. Several even expressed awareness that they might not have been born had the prior child lived, but they described this realization with maturity, acceptance, and gratitude rather than despair. 

The study highlights that when grieving parents receive early emotional or bereavement support, it can positively impact the lives of their future children. Families who openly talk about the loss, answer questions honestly, and encourage emotional expression help their children feel more grounded, connected, and safe. This kind of openness strengthens bonds, builds resilience, and supports healthy identity development.

Overall, these findings show that with the proper support, open communication, and healthy grieving, children born after infant loss can thrive. They often grow up with strong self-esteem, feel genuinely valued, and have a meaningful sense of connection to both their family and the sibling they never knew they had.

Warland, J., O’Leary, J., & McCutcheon, H. (2010). Born after infant loss: The experiences of subsequent children. Midwifery, 27(4), 533–538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2010.06.019

TOP TAKE-AWAY: Sharing Grief and Healing Online — How Social Media Brings Awareness to Pregnancy Loss

In the wake of pregnancy loss, expectant parents often ask themselves questions such as, "Why me?" or "What went wrong?" For many individuals, it is not just the loss of a pregnancy; it represents the loss of imagined futures, hopes, and their sense of identity as a parent. Although grief after a miscarriage is often a private and isolating experience, social media platforms like Instagram are increasingly becoming spaces where people can share their stories, open up, and find a supportive community.

Putri et al. (2025) examined how people worldwide used Instagram to share posts for International Pregnancy Loss Day from 2022 to 2024. Researchers analyzed 600 posts using hashtags such as #pregnancyloss, #pregnancylossawareness, and #pregnancylossjourney to understand how individuals and communities express grief and raise awareness about this topic. Most of the posts were personal stories of loss (approximately 56%). In comparison, others focused on education and support (44%), demonstrating how the platform has evolved into a space for both healing and advocacy. 

Many people shared heartfelt reflections about their grieving process, healing, and moving forward. Others offered messages of encouragement and advice for supporting “loss moms.” Many users described how posting their thoughts helped them process their emotions, honor their baby's memory, and connect with others who truly understood their experiences. This sense of belonging and not having to grieve alone provided significant comfort.

This study ultimately demonstrates that social media can serve a purpose beyond just showcasing highlights; it can act as a lifeline. For individuals coping with the pain of pregnancy loss, social media platforms such as Instagram provide a digital space to share their stories, find hope, and connect with others who are also grieving, reinforcing the message that they are not alone. Platforms like Instagram are playing a crucial role in transforming silence into support by giving people a voice to share, heal, and connect after experiencing pregnancy loss. However, increased professional involvement could further strengthen this support. 

If you’re reading this, we want you to know that your experiences are important. If you feel comfortable sharing and would like your story to be featured on our blog, please email your story to smcdonald1040@holyfamily.edu. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and your voice truly matters. 

TOP TAKE-AWAY: Finding Growth After Pregnancy Loss

Pregnancy loss can be one of the most devastating experiences someone goes through. It can evoke feelings such as intense despair, a sense of emptiness, and feelings of self-blame, failure, as well as the "what-ifs," when the “what could’ve been” hopes and dreams unexpectedly disappear. For numerous individuals, it can also alter their sense of identity as a parent and cause them to lose their sense of self as well. This can quickly develop into a deep emotional void, which may impact daily functioning, intrapersonal relationships, and social interactions. While pregnancy loss has been traditionally viewed mainly through the perspective of grief and trauma, research shows that recovery and even personal growth can come to light from such loss. 

In this study, Krosch and Shakespeare-Finch (2016) studied how women who experienced pregnancy loss through miscarriage or stillbirth, process their emotions, reveal new meanings, and “come to light” with their loss. Three hundred twenty-eight women were surveyed on how they viewed grief, stress, and how their beliefs changed after experiencing pregnancy loss. It was found that, despite how grief and emotional distress were extensive and real, many women also uncovered something in them called Posttraumatic growth (PTG). What is PTG?  PTG is a positive psychological change that can occur in some individuals after experiencing a life crisis or traumatic event. 

Posttraumatic growth is not something that transpires by chance or luck, as it is influenced by personality, social support, and behavioral factors. For example, reflective thinking, open-mindedness, hopefulness, and selflessness, as well as reframing one’s life story, can help shift grief into an insightful experience and help one to attain a stronger sense of self. Social support from family, friends, and other close relationships, along with access to counseling or mental health resources, provides significant support. Behavioral influences, such as reading about trauma, sharing experiences, and helping others, can contribute to the blossoming of a renewed sense of meaning, purpose, and internal resilience. 

PTG is not erasing your grief; it reshapes one's thought process into a way that allows one to process emotions, discover new strengths, and grow more hope and appreciation for life after loss. Overall, the women in the study reported growth in various areas of their lives, with the greatest PTG reported in appreciation of life and personal strength. This increases connections to others who have shared similar experiences and builds resilience within. 

The study revealed that many women experienced growth when they took the time to reflect on and reevaluate their core values and beliefs. These values were often challenged by personal loss, such as experiencing pregnancy loss, but many women rebuilt them and found a renewed sense of purpose and direction in their lives. 

Overall, these findings remind us that pregnancy loss should be recognized not only as a source of grief but also as an opportunity to grow and heal personally. Support should be redirected to helping women process their emotions while also encouraging self-reflection, making sense of the event, and relearning genuine self-love. As every individual’s experience is unique, positive change is possible. 

Krosch, D. J., & Shakespeare-Finch, J. (2016). Grief, traumatic stress, and posttraumatic growth in women who have experienced pregnancy loss. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 9(4), 425–433. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000183

SAY HELLO TO OUR FALL INTERN!

Say hello to our intern, Grace Ramberg!

Grace is a Psychology major at Holy Family University, pursuing three minors in Mental Health Services, Childhood Studies, and Gerontology. She is enrolled in the university’s 4+2 Dual Degree Program, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Psychology, and is expected to receive her Bachelor’s degree in May 2026. Grace is passionate about psychological research and clinical psychology, with plans to pursue her Doctoral degree and work in a hospital setting. We're excited to have her working on the blog this semester!