Much too often celebrities and those living in the limelight seem far away from the basic realm of reality for many others. Yet, there are reminders that celebrities struggle just like anyone else, regardless of what sits in their bank account. Facebook founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg announced on his page that he and his beautiful wife, Priscilla Chan, are expecting a baby girl. The Friday announcement sparked off words of congratulations from thousands of people, but it was Zuckerberg’s heartfelt explanation that touched the hearts of millions more.
Zuckerberg admitted he and Chan tried for two years to have a baby. The couple suffered three miscarriages prior to Chan’s current pregnancy. In his status, the social media prodigy shares the previous stigma of discussing such a personal loss.
Many people commented sharing their own losses, and how they felt they could not be open around friends and family during that time. There is this hidden concept of grief when it comes to a miscarriage. Sadly, many times, couples feel as if they have “failed” one another as they struggle to overcome the pain of a loss.
Nearly a half million pregnancies lead to miscarriages in the first trimester. Miscarriage statistics are not easily found, and many medical experts do not linger over the post-care of the mental and emotional state of a patient. The physical recovery is fast, but the emotional centering can take much longer. Many women and men bond with their unborn child the minute the pregnancy is discovered. There is a newness, the concept of new life growing and being responsible for that life that humbles most.
That connection, when lost due to a miscarriage can bring about a pain that cannot be monitored or located, because it is a deeply, personal loss. Zuckerberg and Chan show that celebrities and those in the limelight undergo the same real world losses that affect millions of couples. There is no one cause that leads to a miscarriage. Recurring miscarriages can result in further testing by a medical expert to check for any underlying issues, but the fault sits with no one.
It is exciting to know Zuckerberg and Chan have surpassed the first trimester and look forward to meeting their little girl. Congratulations!