yin wellness fertility acupuncture logo
BOOK HERE

Coping with Grief around Pregnancy Loss and Fertility

by | Jun 13, 2025 | Pregnancy Loss

A young woman in Brisbane speaking to a psychologist about coping with grief around pregnancy loss & fertility

Grief is one of the most profound human experiences. It doesn’t follow a neat path and it doesn’t have a set timeline. It can arrive with the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a miscarriage or stillbirth, or even with experiences that are harder to name – like the slow ache of infertility, or the life you imagined that hasn’t come to be.

We often walk alongside people navigating these deeply emotional experiences. In Chinese medicine, grief is not just emotional, it is physical, energetic and spiritual. It has weight. It has presence. Understanding how it moves through the body can help us find gentle ways to support healing.

Grief Comes in Many Forms

Grief isn’t only about death – though that, of course, can be the deepest and most devastating kind. Our clients often come to us with grief that may not even feel like it “counts,” because it hasn’t been socially acknowledged in the same way. But it does count. You might be grieving:

  • Pregnancy loss, whether early miscarriage or stillbirth

  • Infertility, and the cycle of hope and disappointment that can come with trying to conceive

  • The loss of a relationship, friendship, or the future you imagined

  • A medical diagnosis, or change in health

  • Parenting a child with additional needs, or caring for a loved one with chronic illness

  • The cumulative weight of long-term stress, anxiety, or burnout

  • Death of a family member, friend or pet.

These experiences are valid, and the grief they bring deserves recognition and care.

Understanding Grief Through Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each emotion is connected to an organ system. Grief is associated with the Lungs. When someone is grieving, we often see signs of Lung Qi being depleted or blocked. This might show up as:

  • A feeling of tightness or emptiness in the chest

  • Shallow breathing or sighing

  • Sadness that feels “stuck” or overwhelming

  • Difficulty speaking or expressing emotion

  • A tendency to get sick easily, especially respiratory illnesses

  • Fatigue or a sense of heaviness

We sometimes observe clients waking around 3–5am, a time associated with the Lung channel on the Chinese body clock. This is often when grief is stirring quietly, just below the surface.

A Gentle Breathing Practice for Grief

Because of this strong connection between the Lungs and grief, breathwork can be a simple and powerful support. Here’s a quick grounding breath to try:

4-7-8 Breathing for Calm:

  1. Inhale through your nose for 4 counts
  2. Hold your breath for 7 counts
  3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 counts
  4. Repeat for 3 to 5 rounds

This activates your parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and restore” part of your body), helping to calm the mind and settle the nervous system.

Professional Counselling Support (In-Person)

Support comes in many forms, and for some, in-person counselling offers a grounded, compassionate space to gently process what they’re going through. We work closely with a group of trusted professionals (including psychologists based here at Yin) who are experienced in supporting clients through pregnancy loss, fertility grief and emotional overwhelm.

If one-on-one support feels like the right next step for you, we’re happy to share details and help you connect with the person or service that best suits your needs.

Medicare Rebates

You may be eligible for Medicare rebates through a Mental Health Care Plan (for up to 10 sessions per year) or the Pregnancy Support Counselling program, which offers up to three non-directive counselling sessions related to a recent pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, or termination. Your GP can help guide you through which option best suits your situation.

Free Support Services

There are also a number of compassionate, no-cost support options for anyone grieving pregnancy or fertility loss:

Bereavement Leave and Workplace Rights

Since 2021, the Fair Work Act recognises bereavement leave after a miscarriage. Both the person who miscarried and their partner are entitled to two days of paid compassionate leave. You do not need to apply or provide details to access this leave.

New Guidelines and Improved Access to Testing

As of 2025, new national guidelines by RANZCOG have made significant changes in how miscarriage is managed in Australia. You can view them here.

Some key updates include:

  • Recurrent miscarriage is now defined as two or more losses, rather than three

  • Earlier referral to specialists and investigations is recommended

  • Access to broader testing, including parental chromosomal testing and sperm quality testing, is now advised sooner

This represents a more compassionate and proactive approach and may help people access support and answers earlier in their journey.

How We Support Grief at Yin

Grief takes many forms, and there is no right way to move through it – only your way.  Whether your loss is recent or something you’ve carried quietly for some time, please know that you are not alone. 

At Yin, we meet you wherever you’re at.  Sometimes that means simply offering a quiet space to rest, breathe, or be. Other times, it’s helping you access counselling or breathwork. And when (or if) you feel ready, we’re here to gently sit alongside you and reflect on what might support you next – especially if your grief relates to fertility or pregnancy loss.

Acupuncture can be one of those supports, especially when talking feels too hard or you’re not ready to put things into words. In Chinese medicine, grief often settles in the Lungs, and we see this show up through breath, energy, sleep, and emotional overwhelm. Acupuncture offers a quiet, non-verbal way to support the movement and nourishment of Lung Qi, helping to ease emotional heaviness, steady the nervous system, and bring a sense of calm. It also supports the Heart-mind (Shen), which can feel unsettled in times of sadness or loss.

Whatever the shape of your grief, we’re here to walk with you, at your pace, in a way that honours your experience and supports your healing.

BOOK HERE