Miscarriage devastates expectant couple

Dear Amy: My partner and I were so excited last year when we learned we were pregnant. We waited to tell our families until the end of the first trimester. Then I had a miscarriage.

I feel I’ve been struggling to move forward.

I’m having a hard time going to work, staying in touch with friends, exercising, sometimes even getting out of bed.

My partner has been struggling with the loss in his own way.

Do you have any advice about what I can do? — Feeling lost in Cheyenne

Dear Feeling Lost: I am so sorry you are going through this. My first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, and I can relate to your experience.

Some of what you are experiencing might be triggered by hormonal changes. Your body needs time to adjust. Contact your doctor, describe your depression and exhaustion, and ask for advice regarding possible treatments. Ask for a referral to a mental health professional.

It is vital that you continue to take care of your body with nutrition, exercise, and sleep.

Ask your most supportive friend or family member to call you every day.

Your partner is hurting, too and may be worried about you, so he doesn’t want to burden you further.

Take time every day to hold hands, make eye contact, and show deliberate compassion toward one another. Consider ways to memorialize this loss.

There are many support groups for families experiencing the loss of a child through miscarriage. Mymiscarriagematters.org offers one-on-one supportive mentoring with a volunteer. The organization has a separate group for men.