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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Handling friend's miscarriage

5 replies

applebottomjeans2010 · 24/02/2023 23:15

Will try to keep this brief. Met someone at a toddler group (Sally) and became great friends with her, as well as two other women who we met up with but were slightly less close. Sally has a son the same age as my DS. She had fertility issues and endometriosis so had previously had many miscarriages and conceiving was a really stressful and sensitive topic for her.

A year later, DP and I then conceived DD. Sally said she wasn't yet ready to try for a second herself (she has minimal childcare help from family etc outside of nursery) and she tried very hard to be happy for us and made a real effort but it was definitely a sore spot. It didn't help that one of the other women in the group also had a second child at a similar time.

Fast forward a year and Sally started trying but various obstacles got in the way for a good 6-9months. When she started trying properly, the stakes were much higher because she and her husband were getting older and didn't have the smaller age gap she wanted which was only increasing with every failed month. Our friendship survived it though even though it was obviously upsetting for her.

Fast forward another two years and Sally is thinking about to give up trying when I find out I'm pregnant with our third child. Sally coincidentally also found out she is pregnant and 6 weeks behind me. I was so happy for her and was really excited about spending maternity leave doing things together but she's obviously been bitten before and was understandably afraid of letting herself happy. She said she was worried about the torture of her miscarrying and me bringing home a baby. All seemed okay but she went for her consultant appointment yesterday and found out she's miscarried. I am beyond devastated for her as I really view her as someone I hugely respect, care for and sort of love in a platonic way. I always try to champion her and encourage her.

I'm at a total loss over how to handle this though. Obviously I am being sympathetic but neither want to suffocate her when she probably wants space from me nor want to make her feel like I'm awkward and withdrawing from the friendship. My husband things our friendship won't survive because it will be just too painful for her to see me pregnant and then with three children. Any tips on how to handle it would be greatly appreciated.

AIBU to think our friendship can survive?

OP posts:
Hooverthestairs · 24/02/2023 23:32

Apologise for her loss, let her know that you are there for her to talk to but don't say any of the "you can try again" or "it just wasn't meant to be" crap.

Avoid spamming her with your own pregnancy right now.

Understand that she may want time away from you and may struggle when your baby is born but is your friendship is a strong one you can come back together in time.

I would also possibly let her know you are conscious that she might find it difficult to be around you and invite her to be open about that, I appreciated this understanding when I was Sally in your situation.

Hooverthestairs · 24/02/2023 23:32

And yes your friendship can survive if you're good enough friends

applebottomjeans2010 · 25/02/2023 10:18

That's really helpful advice, thank you. The message I sent back to her just said how sorry I was and offering to help look after her DS if she needed some rest this weekend. Am not expecting to hear back and probably won't hear from her for a while but will use some of your suggestions when/if I do. Thank you

OP posts:
Vonniee7 · 25/02/2023 10:22

As someone who has been in your friends position more than once, just don't push her. You have to just let her know you're there and let her come to you when she's ready. And honestly, be prepared for the possibility that it may just be too painful for her.

applebottomjeans2010 · 25/02/2023 10:58

Thank you for your advice and honesty x

OP posts:
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