Out of the several natural things that still remain a taboo across the world, miscarriage holds an important position. A lot of stigma, shame, and secrecy is attached to the subject of miscarriage, even though there’s a 30% chance that a pregnancy might end in one, reports The Washington Post. So, for women, especially influential women, to speak about this subject is crucial for us to dissociate the taboo that is attached to it.
Recently, Meghan Markle opened up about suffering a miscarriage in a column she wrote for The New York Times named ‘The Losses We Share’. While it is an extraordinary revelation coming from a British Royal, it is also terribly human.
According to The Indian Express, it happened one day in July when Meghan was changing her first-born Archie’s diaper.
“It was a July morning that began as ordinarily as any other day: Make breakfast. Feed the dogs. Take vitamins. Find that missing sock. Pick up the rogue crayon that rolled under the table. Throw my hair in a ponytail before getting my son from his crib.”
She went on to write, “After changing his diaper, I felt a sharp cramp. I dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm, the cheerful tune a stark contrast to my sense that something was not right.”
“I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second.”
She goes on to mention lying on a hospital bed in Los Angeles, watching her husband Prince Harry’s “heart break as he tried to hold the shattered pieces” of her. Both were in tears and grieved the loss of their baby, trying to figure out how they would heal from the pain.
“Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by a few. In the pain of our loss, my husband and I discovered that in a room of 100 women, 10 to 20 of them will have suffered from a miscarriage. Yet despite the staggering commonality of this pain, the conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame and perpetual cycle of solitary mourning.”
According to NDTV, Meghan Markle received tremendous support online as her column was widely read and touched many hearts. Many talked about their own miscarriages and how for Meghan to share her experience is nothing but brave:
When I had a miscarriage, I remember scouring the internet for articles by women who had been through the same thing. Because reading that you're not alone is helpful and it's comforting. So thank you to Meghan Markle for writing about something so difficult
— Anita Singh (@anitathetweeter) November 25, 2020
About three weeks ago, I miscarried my triplets. This isn't the first of my miscarriages, but it was the most difficult. When women in the public eye step up and share their experiences, it empowers and comforts us all. Thank you, Meghan Markle. #areyouok https://t.co/A0NCpSzwiH
— we won by a landslide (@linkandfire) November 25, 2020
I had a miscarriage. It was my first pregnancy. I was 13 wks. It was awful. The grief was immense. I still think about that baby. I don’t know why that’s all so hard to write. If more ppl feel able to talk about their losses then #MeghanMarkle has done a great thing. V sad news.
— Jemma Forte (@jemmaforte) November 25, 2020
In gratitude to Meghan Markle for this powerful piece about the miscarriage of her second child. Speaking on it, helps to de-stigmatize the experience for those of us who know first hand. Also, horrified by comments to Meghan sharing her vulnerability.https://t.co/qVIYB9OHlf
— uché blackstock, md (@uche_blackstock) November 25, 2020
When I had my miscarriage, I learned from my OBGYN that it occurs 1 in 4 pregnancies! THAT info astounded me.
I asked, “Why isn’t it more common knowledge?”
“Very few want to talk about it.”
Thank you, Meghan Markle, for sharing. Sorry for your & Prince Harry’s loss. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/YOhHvcjSaU
— Ming-Na Wen (@MingNa) November 25, 2020
Miscarriages are far too common, heartbreakingly painful and not talked about anywhere near enough. The Duchess of Sussex should be applauded for this. https://t.co/CuyXHQPzu4
— David Hughes (@DavidHughesPA) November 25, 2020
Thank you to Meghan Markle for opening up about the grief of her miscarriage. Like her, I had a miscarriage in July, and another in October. It's all still so raw for me, so I thank her for breaking a taboo that perpetuates a cycle of solitary mourning. https://t.co/Bq5jfgEIqm
— Dr Rebecca Steinfeld (@beccasteinfeld) November 25, 2020
More power to you, Meghan! We hope the couple heals from this terrible loss.
Cover image source: left.