National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day: October 15
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Approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies worldwide will end in miscarriage. According to the World Health Organization, 4.5 million stillbirths occur each year worldwide.
Approximately 1.2 million stillbirths happen during birth, usually because of delivery complications, and 1.4 million stillbirths happen before birth, usually because of maternal infections or fetal growth abnormalities.
In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month saying, "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them." (October15th.com)
No, there is no name for those parents who have lost a child. There seems to be a divide between those who lose their babies as embryos, those who miscarry later or whose babies are stillborn, and those who lose their children after birth.
It is devastating to have a child who is stillborn or to lose a child after having a chance to hold and get to know them. The pain is more obvious and tangible and people are more understanding of the grief that accompanies such an event.
But for those who miscarry (a term use to describe the loss of a baby before week 20), the pain can be so easily dismissed by onlookers. “Oh, you can try again,” “you have a long life to live, "another baby will come along,” “get over it, move on and try again,” they might say.
What many people don’t realize, however, is that the pain is just as real for these parents because they missed the opportunity to hold their baby. It is extremely difficult to try again, some never do and people who haven’t gone through it are confounded as to why.
Light a Candle Together
Unfortunately, regardless of the circumstances, we who have suffered miscarriages all have something in common, we have all lost a child and reality doesn’t change that truth.
There is an increasing movement to help families remember and support one another on October 15.
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Add a Comment3 Comments
Thank you for helping Break the Silence:)
http://www.ourbreathtakinglife.com/2011/10/october-15thbreaking-silence....
October 15, 2011 - 7:18amThis Comment
You're welcome.
I forgot to add a reminder that there is an "Empty Arms" support group on this site for families who have lost a child. Anyone is welcome to join.
October 15, 2011 - 7:46amthanks for the informaithion
October 15, 2011 - 9:31pm