Australian charities that provide support for expectant parents grieving their miscarriages have praised US television personality Hilaria Baldwin for sharing about her experience on Instagram, saying it could help others suffering from pregnancy loss.

Key points: Baldwin posted about her miscarriage on social media, saying her baby's growth had slowed

Baldwin posted about her miscarriage on social media, saying her baby's growth had slowed Australian pregnancy loss support groups said the post could help break down the stigma surrounding miscarriage

Australian pregnancy loss support groups said the post could help break down the stigma surrounding miscarriage People grieving a lost baby need support and acknowledgement of their loss, charities said

Baldwin has documented her likely miscarriage on Instagram, saying she wanted to end the secrecy around the topic and "help people by being real and open".

"The embryo has a heartbeat, but it isn't strong, and the baby isn't growing very much," she said.

"So we wait — and this is hard.

"So much uncertainty … but the chances are very, very small that this is a viable pregnancy."

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Baldwin is married to actor Alec Baldwin and regularly appears on US broadcaster NBC's Today show.

In her Instagram post, she posed with her hand on her stomach, which appears to show the early signs of pregnancy.

In less than 12 hours, the photograph had attracted almost 90,000 likes.

Sharing could 'help women feel less alone'

A spokesperson for miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands, Jackie Mead, said a message from someone with such a high profile could help to reduce the stigma about pregnancy loss.

Miscarrying is a different experience for each individual woman, Ms Mead said, as people deal with the loss in different ways.

"It's a strange situation to be in," she said.

"Hopefully her sharing will help women feel less alone in their journey.

"What she did is make it clear what she needed — she called for love and support and kind thoughts.

"I think those things are appropriate."

Chief executive of the Bears Of Hope Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support organisation, Amanda Bowles, agreed.

"If Hilaria felt that she was feeling fragile and needed some support or reassurance about this baby, why should we not allow her to reach out and receive that?" she said.

"I think it's incredible that miscarriage and baby loss is finally being discussed more openly.

"I think it has a lot to do with celebrities being more open to sharing their not-always-perfect lives."

According to the Federal Department of Health, miscarriage generally occurs for reasons outside a woman's control and most expectant parents will never learn what caused the loss of pregnancy.

Government figures estimate that as many one in five pregnancies end in miscarriage.

That's 93,000 miscarriages in Australia each year, according to statistics published by Sands, which estimates a further 2,500 babies are either stillborn or die within 28 days of birth.

Despite how commonly it occurs, the topic is one that many people feel uneasy talking about.

But miscarriage support groups say that being open to discussing what has happened is the best way to help others cope with a pregnancy loss.

Baldwin thanked her followers for their support following her initial Instagram post. ( Instagram: Hilaria Baldwin )

Ms Bowles said it was important to try to avoid cliches when talking to someone who had experienced a pregnancy loss.

"No discussion about the loss of a baby should ever include the words 'at least'," she said.

"Acknowledge the loss, acknowledge the sadness and grief — allow the family to be sad and to talk openly about their baby they loved and longed for."

'Speak with people who support you'

There is nothing that can be done to stop a miscarriage once it has begun, according to the Department of Health.

Pregnancy loss support: Sands: 1300 072 637

Sands: 1300 072 637 Bears of Support: 1300 114 673

Bears of Support: 1300 114 673 Federal Government's Pregnancy, Birth and Baby hotline: 1800 882 436

Ms Mead said it is important to acknowledge the grief that comes with pregnancy loss. ( Supplied: SANDS Australia )

Doctors will recommend treatment in cases of heavy bleeding or if there is a risk of infection, but sometimes no treatment is necessary.

Eventually the pregnancy tissue will pass, a process that can take a few days or as long as four weeks.

"It's important to allow yourself to feel the emotions," Ms Bowles said.

"Sometimes they are truly ugly and scary, but sitting with them, allowing them to pass through and process them will help to release the pressure valve you can feel when having to pretend it's all ok.

"Take time to speak with people [who] support you, spend time on the things you enjoy to help bring back some balance to your sadness.

"There is no timeframe for grief, be kind to yourself and connect with others [who] understand."

Ms Mead said talking to people who have been through a similar experiences can make a difference.

Her organisation Sands runs a 24-hour helpline staffed by people trained to help people dealing with loss.

"It's a peer-support model," she said.

"Every single person who answers that phone has their own experience of loss and really understands the difficulties, the ugliness and the sadness that comes with grief."

"Talking to some who truly understands can be very helpful."