Anniversary Grief after Infertility and Perinatal Loss

Key points

Traumatic memories tied to miscarriage or infertility can resurface on anniversaries, sparking grief.

These reactions may appear as anxiety, insomnia, intrusive thoughts, or even physical distress.

Seasons, holidays, milestones, and the body’s own memory often act as powerful grief triggers.

Coping strategies like rituals, support groups, and self-care help transform grief into resilience.

Sometimes, you find yourself feeling off. Maybe you're extra tired, more emotional than usual, or just not yourself. Then you check the calendar and it makes sense. It’s that time of year again.

The anniversary of your pregnancy loss.

The due date that never arrived.

The start of a fertility treatment cycle that ended in heartbreak.

You didn’t mark it down. You didn’t plan for it.