Pregnancy After Loss Therapy 

Pregnancy After Loss: Hope, Fear, and Everything In Between

A new pregnancy after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss can bring a mix of emotions — joy for what’s ahead, fear that history will repeat itself, and grief for the baby you’ll always miss.

For many Black women, those emotions are layered with anxiety about medical racism, past traumatic care, and the pressure to appear “strong” in the face of uncertainty. Even routine prenatal appointments can feel overwhelming, triggering memories of what went wrong before.

You might find yourself:

  • Checking for symptoms constantly.

  • Avoiding baby showers or planning for the nursery until the last minute.

  • Feeling guilty for moments of joy.

  • Over-preparing for emergencies, “just in case.”

  • Worrying more than sharing your excitement.

This experience — often called a rainbow pregnancy — is not just about carrying a new life; it’s about carrying both your love and your loss at the same time.

What Pregnancy After Loss Can Look Like for Black Women

Pregnancy after loss carries both hope and heartbreak. For Black women, it can mean navigating joy while bracing for grief, often without the understanding or support they deserve. The journey may bring shifts in the body, emotions, relationships, and mind, shaped by the memory of what was lost and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

IN YOUR EMOTIONS Joy and fear in rapid cycles. Persistent anxiety or panic. Grief for your previous baby alongside love for your new one.
IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS Difficulty letting loved ones share in your excitement. Avoiding questions about due dates or preparations. Disconnection from friends or family who don’t understand pregnancy after loss.
IN YOUR MIND Constant “what if” thinking. Fear of bonding too much, too soon. Mental replay of your previous loss, especially near the same gestational point.
IN YOUR BODY Heightened physical awareness — every cramp, twinge, or movement feels urgent. Trouble sleeping, especially before appointments or milestones tied to your previous loss. Fatigue from the emotional weight of constant vigilance
A pregnant woman with dark skin and curly black hair stands indoors with sunlight casting shadows of leaves on the wall behind her. She is wearing a black, semi-transparent top and has her hands resting on her belly, with a peaceful expression on her face.

Why Black Women Face Unique Challenges in a Rainbow Pregnancy

  • Medical mistrust: Past dismissal or neglect during loss can make it hard to trust providers.

  • Racial disparities in outcomes: Black women are more likely to experience stillbirth and maternal complications, adding to anxiety.

  • Silence in community spaces: Talking about pregnancy after loss is often avoided, leaving you without shared experiences.

  • Stereotypes: The “Strong Black Woman” expectation can make vulnerability feel unsafe, even in supportive environments.

Therapy for Pregnancy After Loss: Finding Steady Ground

You don’t have to go through this alone — therapy can help you feel more grounded, supported, and prepared for the journey ahead.

At Black Girls Mental Health Collective, we offer in-person sessions in Long Beach, Concord, and Atlanta, as well as online therapy statewide in California and Georgia. Our therapists — all Black women — specialize in perinatal mental health and understand the deep cultural and personal complexities of this experience. We may use:

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Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

How it helps: Processes trauma from the previous loss so you can engage more fully in your current pregnancy.

What it looks like: Gradual, guided work on distressing memories tied to medical events or loss.

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How it helps: Teaches tools to anchor yourself in the present rather than living in future fears.

What it looks like: Breathing exercises, body scans, and guided imagery tailored to pregnancy.

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How it helps: Challenges intrusive “what if” thoughts and creates coping strategies for anxiety.

What it looks like:  Identifying thought patterns and practicing reframes between sessions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

The Role of Faith in Therapy

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For many Black women, faith is not just belief — it’s the anchor that carries us through storms. But after loss, even the strongest faith can be tested. We honor both your spiritual resilience and your right to wrestle with questions, doubts, and grief.

Faith integration in therapy can look like:

  • Prayer at the start or close of sessions.

  • Reading scripture alongside mental health strategies.

  • Gospel music, meditation, or affirmations grounded in your cultural roots.

  • Navigating how to maintain community connection while setting boundaries.

We also create space for those who’ve experienced spiritual pain or “church hurt” tied to loss — whether through insensitive comments, exclusion, or pressure to “just have faith.” Here, you can heal spiritually in ways that align with your heart, your culture, and your personal journey.

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Online & In-Person Therapy for Pregnancy After Loss — Accessible and Confidential

Whether you’re in Los Angeles, Long Beach, Concord, Atlanta, or anywhere in California or Georgia, you can choose what works best for you. Our secure telehealth platform connects you with a Black woman therapist from the comfort of your home, and our in-person sessions provide a safe, supportive space to grieve and heal.

Meet Our Black Women Therapists

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A smiling woman with long dark wavy hair wearing a black satin blouse and layered necklaces, posing against a beige background.
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Pregnancy After Loss Therapy FAQs

  • Yes — we accept multiple insurance plans in California and Georgia. These include: United Healthcare (Optum), Oxford (Optum), United Healthcare Medicare Advantage, Anthem Blue Cross California, Anthem EAP (Bank of America), Blue Shield of California, Carelon Behavioral Health, Magellan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Quest Behavioral Health, Aetna, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey, Independence Blue Cross Pennsylvania, and Cigna. We also offer therapy vouchers for eligible Black women currently pregnant or within one year postpartum.

  • Only if you want to — your pace and comfort lead the process.

  • Yes — partners can be part of therapy to build shared coping strategies.

  • It’s never too late to start therapy; support at any stage can make a difference.

Additional Resources