At 32, Ananya (name changed) had finally felt ready to embrace motherhood. After years of balancing a demanding corporate job, she and her husband were overjoyed when she became pregnant. Their days filled with dreams of birthdays, school days, and family celebrations yet to come.

But in her seventh month, tragedy struck. During a routine check-up, the doctor couldn’t find the baby’s heartbeat. Ananya describes that moment as the day her world collapsed.

Her grief was silent, invisible, and unbearably heavy. Friends avoided the subject, unsure of what to say. She replayed every choice she had made during pregnancy, asking herself:

“Am I still a mother?”

The Rising Crisis in Urban India

Ananya’s story is deeply personal, but it reflects a growing public health crisis. Recent reports from Karnataka reveal an alarming surge in stillbirths:

• Bengaluru Urban reports 9.3 stillbirths per 1,000 births, far above the state average of 3.41.

• Urban areas now account for the majority of stillbirths, reversing earlier trends where rural regions carried the burden.

• Contributing factors include delayed pregnancies, diabetes, hypertension, lifestyle diseases, high stress, and poor emotional support systems.

Stillbirth is not just a medical event — it is a profound psychological, emotional, and social trauma.

The Psychological Scars of Stillbirth

The emotional wounds of stillbirth often last far beyond physical recovery:

• Deep Grief: Parents grieve not only the child they lost but also the future they imagined.

• Depression & Anxiety: Studies show mothers who experience stillbirth are up to 23 times more likely to develop depression or PTSD compared to mothers of live births.

• Guilt & Self-Blame: Even when medical causes are clear, mothers often question themselves — “Did I do something wrong?”

• Relationship Strain: Different grieving styles between partners can create distance and misunderstandings.

• Stigma & Silence: In India, stillbirth is rarely spoken about, leaving parents with what psychologists call disenfranchised grief — grief that is not socially acknowledged.

This silence deepens pain. Healing begins when grief is recognized, supported, and honored.

Pathways to Healing

Healing does not mean forgetting; it means learning to carry the memory of the child without being consumed by loss. Evidence-based interventions can make a profound difference:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – to reduce guilt and negative thought patterns.

• Trauma-Focused Therapies (e.g., EMDR) – for flashbacks and PTSD symptoms.

• Mindfulness & Stress Reduction – to regulate emotions and ease anxiety.

• Narrative Therapy – giving parents space to tell their story and find meaning.

• Support Groups – breaking isolation through shared experiences.

• Memory Rituals – creating keepsakes, letters, or rituals to honor the child.

The MaaTru Resilience Program: Standing Beside Mothers and Families

At MHITR, we created the MaaTru Resilience Program with one mission: to ensure no mother or family faces this journey alone.

Our Approach

• Preconception: Emotional health assessments, stress management, and counselling.

• During Pregnancy: Emotional preparedness, mindfulness practices, and partner-inclusive sessions.

• After Stillbirth or Loss: Trauma-sensitive grief counselling, family therapy, and long-term follow-up.

• Memory and Meaning-Making: Helping parents honor their child in ways that bring comfort and continuity.

By combining clinical expertise with compassion, we help families rebuild resilience and rediscover hope.

A Message of Hope

Stillbirth leaves emotional scars, but with timely psychological support, life can regain meaning. Healing begins when grief is seen, heard, and honored. If you or someone you know is struggling after stillbirth, reach out to us:

📱 WhatsApp: 9964911991
🔗 https://mhitr.in/maatru-resilience

No parent should have to walk this journey alone.