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Life After Stillbirth and Miscarriage

One Woman's Story of Pregnancy Loss and Survival

By Jessica Frank

The next few weeks my life revolved around my progesterone. No matter where I was at 5:30 p.m. on the nose, I had to make sure that I "launched" my progesterone and hoped that it landed by my cervix. Most times I was very lucky, except for the time at the movies. I accidentally launched the progesterone into the next stall. It projected and hit a poor woman. I heard her scream and tried to control my laughter as I apologized. I think that she was disgusted, and I heard her storm out. I learned from that experience to always have backup progesterone and to "launch" carefully!

Week 8 came upon me very quickly. It was the last day of school, and I waved goodbye to my students for the summer. It was going to be my time now – time to take classes, relax by the pool and take care of my future little one. My mom picked me up for my appointment. They put me back into the sonogram room, back to the place that I hated most – and with good reason. This time I received bad news. The same news that I had heard seven months earlier. "We're sorry, Jessica, but there isn't a heartbeat."

I looked at my mom and said "Again?" She had tears in her eyes when she looked back at me. Just like I had seven months before, I broke the news to my husband. Once again I had to make plans to go to the hospital and say goodbye.

Want to see more?

• Peaceful Pregnancy with Progesterone: Can Progesterone Treatment Help Prevent Miscarriage and Preterm Birth?
• You've Had a Miscarriage: Taking Steps to Reduce the Risk of Miscarrying Again
• Pregnancy After Miscarriage: What to Expect from Pregnancy After Miscarriage
• Life after Miscarriage: Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy After Miscarriage
• Join the discussion on our Family.com community!