Updated April 02, 2010.

Research shows that journaling can be a helpful tool in dealing with stress, but if you're interested in not only writing but also potentially connecting with others, a miscarriage blog can be a wonderful coping tool and outlet for your feelings. Getting started with blogging is much easier than you might think.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 15 minutes to several hours

Here's How:

1. Think about whether you want to have your own website or use a free blog service. If you want your own site, you'll need to choose a domain name and/or a hosting package. This can be done for less than 20 dollars much of the time. Having your own site might be best if you're hoping to run ads or if you intend to blog long-term. If you're not sure or don't want to make any monetary investment, a free blog might be best.
   

1. If you are running your own site, install a blog software program on your site. That sounds harder than it is -- nowadays you usually don't need any computer programming know-how to launch a blog software package. Many web hosts have pre-existing script packages that can be installed with a few mouse clicks. Research the common blog software options to decide which is best for you.
   
2. If you will be using a free blog service, go to the blog host you have chosen and sign up for a free account. You will be prompted to select a user name and most likely to give your blog a title. If you don't know which service you want to use, try searching the Internet for "free blog" and see what you find. About.com's Weblog Guide has a helpful article on how to start a free blog.
   
3. Log into the administrative area for your blog. You should find a selection of features where you can customize your blog's appearance, such as choosing a tag line, background colors, fonts, et cetera. Fiddle with the features until you are satisfied with how the blog looks.
   

1. Start blogging. Your blog's administrative area will probably have a button or link that you click on to write and publish a post. Type your entries in this area of your blog as you see fit, and publish them to your blog's main page.
   
2. Once you have a handful of blog posts, you might want to let people know about your blog so that readers might find it. Many blog services include automated features allowing you to add your blog to various directories. If you are a member of a miscarriage support group, you might want to tell your fellow group members about your blog or add it to your email or forum signature for the online groups you visit. While you're at it, don't forget to submit your blog to this site's miscarriage blog roll.
   

Tips:

1. Remember that anything you publish to the Internet may be read by others. Don't write anything on a public blog that you wouldn't want someone else to be able to read.
   
2. Be mindful of common-sense blog safety tips. Be careful about which personal details you choose to reveal, and remember that if you are mentioning friends or relatives in your posts, you might not want to refer to them by their real names. If you're worried that others might be able to identify you from your blog, consider writing the blog under an alias rather than your real name to protect your privacy.