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round 285 families in Australia experience a miscarriage every day, yet many people still go through the loss in silence.
Miscarriage Australia estimates that one in four confirmed pregnancies ends in miscarriage. Despite how common it is, stigma, cultural expectations and fear of judgement can make it difficult for women and families to speak openly about what they have experienced.
A new national program, Miscarriage Matters, has been launched to help Australians better understand early pregnancy loss and support those affected by it.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the program includes practical information on what to say and do when someone has experienced a miscarriage.
Support can be simple. It might mean helping with household chores, leaving a meal or flowers, or making time to listen without trying to offer answers.
The resources also explain what miscarriage is and emphasise that it is not anyone’s fault.
Dr Fatima El-Assaad, a medical researcher, lived-experience advocate and founder of The Still Nest, said multicultural families can face additional challenges when seeking help.
“We know that for multicultural communities, there are many barriers in accessing support for early pregnancy loss,” she said.
“Some families may experience language barriers, unfamiliarity with the healthcare system, separation from family and support networks, stigma, and limited access to culturally responsive care.”
For migrant families, the experience can be particularly isolating when close relatives live overseas or when cultural beliefs make pregnancy loss difficult to discuss.
The program also draws attention to the effect miscarriage can have on partners and other family members.
“Pregnancy loss can affect the whole family, although each person may experience and express grief differently,” Dr El-Assaad said.
“Fathers can be overlooked or feel expected to remain strong rather than acknowledge their own grief. It is important that everyone affected is given space to seek support in a way that feels safe and appropriate for them.”
Many people avoid contacting someone after a miscarriage because they are worried about saying the wrong thing. The new resources encourage people not to let that fear result in silence.
“Supporting someone after miscarriage is not about finding the perfect words,” Dr El-Assaad said.“It begins with acknowledging the loss, listening without judgement and following the bereaved person’s lead.”
She said silence could make an already painful experience even lonelier. “Silence can deepen isolation, while compassionate presence can help someone feel seen, supported and less alone.”
The Miscarriage Matters program was developed following consultation and testing with experts, advocacy groups, key audiences and people with lived experience.
It aims to improve public understanding of how common miscarriage is, the emotional impact it can have and the importance of responding with empathy.
The message is a simple one: people do not need to have the perfect response. Acknowledging the loss and being present can make a meaningful difference.
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