Sixteen weeks into her second pregnancy, psychologist Jessica Zucker miscarried at home, alone. Suddenly, her career, spent specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health, was rendered corporeal, no longer just theoretical. She now had a changed perspective on her life’s work, her patients’ pain, and the crucial need for a zeitgeist shift. Navigating this nascent transition amid her own grief became a catalyst for Jessica to bring voice to this ubiquitous experience. She embarked on a mission to upend the strident trifecta of silence, shame, and stigma that surrounds reproductive loss—and the result is her striking memoir meets manifesto.
Drawing from her psychological expertise and her work as the creator of the #IHadaMiscarriage campaign, I Had a Miscarriage is a heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and validating book about navigating these liminal spaces and the vitality of truth telling—an urgent reminder of the power of speaking openly and unapologetically about the complexities of our lives.
Jessica Zucker weaves her own experience and other women’s stories into a compassionate and compelling exploration of grief as a necessary, nuanced personal and communal process. She inspires her readers to speak their truth and, in turn, to ignite transformative change within themselves and in our culture.
Evaluation comments:
“Miscarriage is something that is traditionally not talked about, but through this book and Jessica Zucker’s “I had a miscarriage” campaign (#IHadaMiscarriage), she is making this a topic that is open for women to discuss. She shares her journey of grief in the aftermath and shares the stories of other women.”
“I like that the women featured have a variety of stories and backgrounds. They are relatable to woman of any religion, ethnicity and background.”
“Jessica does a good job of expressing that miscarriage is common, just not talked about. Through her story and the stories of other women, she explores grief and helps take away the stigma and the shame women experience.”
“My own mom had a miscarriage, but never really talked about it. I like that this book normalizes a miscarriage and the grief that follows.”
“I like that the author takes the reader through her personal journey after the miscarriage, including her first time going out and returning to work and the challenges of all of that.”
“I like that stories she shares are varied.”
“The stories are real, raw and makes miscarriage a topic that can and should be discussed.”