How does a miscarriage compare to the death of a child?

Question

How does a miscarriage compare to the death of a child?

Answer 1

not really similar at all...........except that LOSS is LOSS

Answer 2

Both are really hard.  I have been through both, but I have to say that the death of a child is the worse experience I have ever experienced.  However, I didn't really get to have long with my child who died because she died 8 hours after birth (she was full term).  Still, I had time to hold her, feed her, and form an attachment, only to have it snatched away.  It is a devasting loss.  If one of my three children were to die now, I would be heartbroke, and I would be an emotional mess.  The thought just makes me want to cry right now.

Answer 3

I think the only person who could really answer that question would be someone who has experienced both.  If I were that person, I don't think I would want to share those thoughts and feelings on Y!A.  

The person above has a great point:  A loss is a loss.

Answer 4

When you miscarry you've had a certain amount of emotional interaction with the baby.  When a child dies you have had total interaction both physically and mentally.  You have looked into the child's eyes and bonded.  You know your child on a very deep personal level.

Answer 5

The death of a child is far greater then a miscarriage. With a child you've had the time to build a bond and go through all the experiences that come with pregnancy, child birth, and then their growing up and learning and growing. But with a miscarriage you have nothing to build a bond with and you haven't even had nearly the amount of time to build the emotional connection. I'm guessing you've neither been pregnant, had a child, or had a miscarriage before.

Answer 6

I don't believe it does, much!  There is no way you can love a fetus that never really existed as much as a child that was already here that you went through giving birth to and held in your arms!

Answer 7

in a miscarriage you never have to greive the lost of a parental relationship or the child itself... you only grieve what could have been... both are very hard but if i had to choose one or the other... miscarrage it is...

Answer 8

I only experienced miscarriage as a sister and grandmother, but both were profoundly sad times for the mom to be (and dad, too). However, I think a late term miscarriage can be as painful as the loss of a child who had been born and lived in your family for some time.  In the case of my sister, the loss occurred early in the pregnancy and she had another child a few years later. In my daughter's case,we lost a fully formed baby girl weighing only about 1 pound who became ill in utero and was spontaneously delivered. She survived for about an hour after birth. We all still miss and love this wee angel baby.

Answer 9

miscarriage is when  a fetus dies of course but it all depends on how close you were to it and how bad you wanted a child

and a death of a child is always sad

Answer 10

The death of a child is worse IMO. However, I can't speak for how painful a miscarriage would be because I am a male. I would not wish either on anyone.

Answer 11

Either way each is a loss of life but I would think it is definitely more difficult to lose a child after birth no matter what age

Answer 12

I have had a miscarriage myself.  I was far enough along that I knew I was carrying a girl.  To me this was not only a loss, but a loss of a child.  I think that you have to answer that question for yourself.  If you feel your pregnancy was a child lost then don't deny yourself that.  Grieve as though you have lost a child.  The thought of them might never go away.  I often think of "Alanna" and how old she would be today.  What she might look like and what she might enjoy.  I miss her, and love her as though she was mine.  I am sorry for your loss.