#IHadAMiscarriage: Woman creates empathy cards for miscarriages

Mary Bowerman | USA TODAY Network

After Jessica Zucker had a miscarriage, she watched as friends and family struggled to find the words to say, while some said nothing at all.

The experience of a miscarriage is extremely "isolating for women," as those closest to them try at all costs to avoid the "uncomfortable" aspect of acknowledging the miscarriage, Zucker said.

And with about 10% of known pregnancies ending in miscarriage, it's not as rare as some might think, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

"We need to be comfortable talking about these types of losses because they are normative," she told USA TODAY Network. "If we endeavor to create life, we are vulnerable to losing life, and that is a fact."

Zucker, a clinical psychologist, specializing in women's reproductive and maternal mental health, created a set of empathy cards specifically for women who have experienced a miscarriage. She said she hopes the cards provide a "tool for talking about things that are messy."

With titles like "grief knows no timelines," and "missing in action," the cards help family and friends acknowledge the loss and sadness a woman may be feeling.

Gallery: Woman creates empathy cards for miscarriages

She said the cards were a natural progression in her quest to empower women to share their miscarriage experiences. Last year, Zucker started using the hashtag #IHadAMiscarriage to encourage women to talk about what happened to them.

"My vision was that it would help people feel less alone, and show the world in general how frequently this is happening," she said. "It invites people in, to share their story if they want to and feel validated in their experiences.

The cards are available on Zucker's website for $4.50, and in select stores in Los Angeles, Calif.

Follow @MaryBowerman on Twitter.