'Bachelor' star Vanessa Grimaldi opens up about 'shock' and 'pain' following miscarriage: 'It's never easy at any stage'
The 36-year-old Montreal native shared her story after fans asked if she planned to have more children.
Vanessa Grimaldi is sharing her experience with pregnancy loss. On Monday, the Canadian former “Bachelor” star took to Instagram to discuss her recent miscarriage with followers after fielding questions about her plans for more children.
Grimaldi, who welcomed son Winston with husband Joshua Wolfe in October 2022, told followers she initially wasn’t sure if she would share her miscarriage experience on social media.
“I knew I wanted to help other women feel less alone in their miscarriage journey,” the Montreal native wrote. “I know the shock, the pain, the confusion, the feeling of hopelessness and uncomfortable ‘When are you having another?’ Conversations all too well.”
Grimaldi said she received the two “biggest surprises” months ago: Finding out she was pregnant and then finding out she miscarried.
The 36-year-old said the months that followed were filled with doctor’s appointment and conversations with friends, family and “sometimes strangers.”
“It was a hard yet bonding process that made me feel less alone and ultimately helped me heal,” she said. “…To all the mamas experiencing something similar, [I’m] sending you love and strength.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 1 in 4 known pregnancies end in miscarriage — although the number could be higher, since many women can miscarry before they know they’re pregnant. Eighty per cent of miscarriages occur within the first trimester (before the 12th week of pregnancy), however, the term applies to pregnancy loss before the 20th week. Pregnancy loss after the 20th week - the halfway point of a full gestation- is considered a stillbirth.
In the caption of her post, Grimaldi said she needed “time to heal emotionally and physically before I shared the news…. I feel good about sharing my story with you, but the tears still happen and the sadness still comes every now and then. And that’s ok.”
Grimaldi’s post earned praise from followers who thanked her for her vulnerability — and shared their own stories of miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
“So sorry for your loss and pain, it’s never easy at any stage,” one follower wrote. “I also had several miscarriages and infertility issues. I never felt so alone and ashamed while others were able to have babies so quickly and easily.”
“You never realize how much it actually happens until it happens to you,” another wrote. “Sorry you had to go through this. It’s one of the most traumatic things I have ever been through.”
Others addressed how difficult it can be to field questions about having more children amid pregnancy loss.
“It’s so sad that people still ask these questions,” someone said. “Regardless if it comes from a good and caring place, I wish they would just keep these outcomes in mind. I’m so sorry you had to experience this and pray for your healing.”
“I honestly don’t understand how this is anyone’s business….We don’t know whats going on behind closed doors,” a follower wrote. “Not sure why people ask these questions in today’s day and age. And if you were one and done? Nothing wrong with that either.”
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