Tips from Pregnancy After Loss Support to Survive Mother’s Day

On the first Sunday of May, we recognize Bereaved Mother’s Day, which is followed the next Sunday by Mother’s Day. Loss parents experience many feelings around these holidays. Know that whatever you are feeling, those feelings are valid.

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To help you cope as we approach Mother’s Day, we wanted to share our five tips for surviving Mother’s Day.

Tip #1: It’s OK to remind people that this is not your first Mother’s Day.

No matter where you on your journey after loss–whether you just experienced your loss, you’re trying to conceive after your loss, you’re pregnant after loss, or your parenting your child born after loss–you are a mother and deserve to be celebrated and acknowledged on Mother’s Day. If you are pregnant or parenting after loss, it’s OK to remind people that this is not your first Mother’s Day.

Tip #2: Feel free to ask people to include all of your children in your Mother’s Day cards.

Loss parents love to see and hear their babies names. Let your loved ones know how much it would mean to you to have all of your children included in your Mother’s Day cards.

Tip #3: Be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to feel all of the feelings you have.

Mother’s Day is such a bittersweet day for loss moms. And not everyone experiences the holiday in the same way. Feel what you need to feel. Validate each one of those feelings.

Tip #4: There is no “right” or “wrong” way to celebrate Mother’s Day. Do what works for you.

Only you know what will be most helpful and validating for you on Mother’s Day. Want to celebrate your motherhood? Go for it! Want to hide under the covers all day? That’s a completely valid response. Want to have a quiet day with a special activity to remember your baby who died? That sounds lovely. Do what you need to do. There is no right or wrong way for you to acknowledge (or not) this day.

Tip #5: Remember, you are still a mother to all of your children, even if you can only hold some in your heart.

Hear this. It is important. You are a mother. You are a mother to all of your children. The world may not see you as such, but they don’t know the love you hold in your heart for your babies who are not with you. You. Are. A. Mother.

Our hearts are with you. May your day be just what you need it to be. May you feel loved and supported. And may your babies be remembered.

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Give yourself the gift of the extra support you need during your pregnancy after loss.

Register for our 6-week Pregnancy After Loss Support Group, Holding Hope. This group offers a supportive environment led by a social worker who specializes in pregnancy after loss. Join us to find comfort, share experiences, and build a community of understanding. Holding Hope starts this Thursday, May 15, 2025. Get all the details and register here.

More articles to help you survive Mother’s Day:

• Life After Loss: When Mother’s Day Isn’t So Black and White
• Mother’s Day Cards to a Loss Mom from a Loss Mom
• Mother’s Day is Different When Parenting After Loss
• Six Normal Mother’s Day Emotions on the Pregnancy after Loss Journey
• What to Do For a Bereaved Mother on Mother’s Day
• My First Mother’s Day as a Rainbow Mama
• Supporting the Mama Who is Pregnant After Loss on Mother’s Day

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