Aibu not to know what's right in this situation (warning:sad)

[Octopuses]

A woman knocks on her neighbour's door to retrieve a parcel. Neighbour has just had a baby. Neighbour asks how she is feeling, knowing woman was 5 months pregnant and having lots of sickness. Woman says she has lost the baby. Neighbour begins to cry and say she's sorry. The women are not close friends.

Is it strange that the neighbour cried? How would you feel if this was you? Won't say which party I am just yet.

(Ps, mnhq, please amend my warning if it is insufficient)

I am sobbing

I think you are a lovely neighbour and a potential good friend, OP. Far better to acknowledge the awfulness of someones loss, whatever sort of loss, than to just pretend you haven't seen them next time you cross paths, or make banal chitchat instead of asking how they are doing or just giving a gentle touch or look that can express so much compassion.

I lost a baby at 5 months too. I can vividly remember the first time I braved Tescos, about 2 weeks after our loss, and a few days after the funeral - needs must because I had two other DC to look after/feed,and DH back at work by then. I met a mum from toddler group who had not been for a while and only knew I had been having horrendous sickness. she smiled and asked me how I was, the look on my face must have said it all as I pleaded with her 'please don't ask' and almost ran off :( for fear of bursting into tears.
Another mum was 6months pg at the time. she cried her eyes out at our babys funeral and gave me the biggest hug. Going to see her DD when she ws born was incredibly hard, we both cried again.

Life is so precious, and so fragile.

It is a normal human behaviour. I am so sorry that it happened to you.

Maybe both women have lost babies? A male colleague told me his wife had lost their baby recently and I hugged him and we both cried. I was crying for them and for me.

Op you sound lovely and even though I had my 'baby' nearly 5 years ago, to think of being in that situation brings tears to my eyes too. It's called being human and having the ability to empathise.

You're lovely