06/17/2025

Loss During Pregnancy

Loss of a pregnancy can be overwhelming, and people experiencing the loss can feel a range of emotions from fear, anxiety, anger, relief, etc.  In Canada, 15%-25% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies occur in approximately 1-2% of diagnosed pregnanciesi. Loss can happen later in a pregnancy after 20 weeks gestation, which is known as a stillbirth.

Some pregnancies end when the pregnant person needs a medical induction and/or chooses to end the pregnancy for various reasons. Whenever a pregnancy ends, the person who was pregnant deserves timely access to safe and supportive services that meet their needs.

Choose the type of pregnancy loss you would like to learn more about:

Ectopic/Tubal Pregnancy (click to expand) »
  • This type of pregnancy is usually diagnosed in the first trimester and happens when the pregnancy develops outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes.
  • Visit this website from HealthLink BC to learn more about the symptoms, what happens, treatment and care.
  • If you are looking for support for yourself, your partner and/or your family, visit the website The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust.

 
Miscarriage (click to expand) »
  • This type of pregnancy loss may also be called spontaneous abortion and happens when the fetus stops growing in the womb during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy.
  • To learn more about the types of miscarriages, the signs & symptoms, when to seek help, treatment and support, visit PregnancyED. This website will give you information about first-trimester pregnancy loss including what to expect if you go to the emergency room, common questions about pregnancy loss and where to get support and resources.

 
Stillbirth (click to expand) »
  • Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, a stillbirth is considered to happen when the fetus stops growing and developing after 20 weeks of pregnancy, this type of loss is considered a stillbirth.
  • Stillbirth happens in about 5 in 1000 pregnanciesii.
  • You may have lots of questions about this is happening, what to expect during and after your stillbirth and where to get help and support. Here are a couple of websites to help you find what you are looking for:
Abortion/Medical induction (click to expand) »
  • This is a procedure that ends a pregnancy either for personal reasons, the fetus may have a life-limiting anomaly or there is a significant medical concern for the person who is pregnant.
  • No matter what the reason for ending a pregnancy, a person who is pregnant may experience various feelings before, during and after. It’s also normal to have mixed feelings and emotions.  Each reason and each situation is unique and every person deserves to have access to support that meets their needs.
  • To learn more about abortion or medical induction, including where to support, visit Health Information – Abortion
  • For those that make the decision to terminate a pregnancy due to medical reasons, Postpartum Support International offers a free, online support group for the person who was expecting. Click here to learn more.

No matter how a pregnancy ends, the process may be traumatic and there are supports available to help. Pregnancy and Support International offers various groups for those who have experienced any type of pregnancy loss. Their groups are free and virtual so you can join from anywhere. Click here to visit their website and learn more.

Services related to this information:

  • Contact your Public Health Nurse for immunizations and other prenatal support.
  • Mental health and addictions services
  • Berevement Services, Eastern Zone, NL Health Services
  • 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
    • 811 is free and confidential. 811 is available 24/7 and can provide support with mental health and addictions issues and more.
    • Services formerly offered by the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line are now offered by 811. Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who is also a trained crisis intervener.
  • Bridge the gapp
    Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘go-to’ website for mental health information. Bridge the gapp offers self-help resources, links to local services, and invites people to share their personal stories. Bridge the gapp is free of cost and available to every resident in the province. The site is divided into adult and youth sections, however many services are appropriate for both.

 

[i] Chapter 7 Infographic: Perinatal Loss in Canada. (2020). Public Health Agency of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/infographic-perinatal-loss-canada.html

[ii] Stillbirth. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca/birth/special-considerations/stillbirth/

http://hi.easternhealth.ca/experiencing-loss/loss-during-pregnancy/
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Last updated: 2025-06-04