Losing a loved one is probably one of the most difficult experiences in the world and when that loved one is your unborn baby or your newborn it is even more difficult to face. Unfortunately, pregnancy and infant loss is more common than many people realise and for this reason it is very important that there is an extensive support network for all of those parents who experience such a loss.
In 1988, after recognising this fact and the lack of support for parents who had experienced the loss of a pregnancy or an infant, then US President Ronald Reagan declared October the month of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance. In 2006, Robyn Bear took this one step forward and had October 15th officially declared as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. She had experienced 6 miscarriages and realised there was still too little awareness and support for those affected by pregnancy and infant loss.
The main aims of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day are to offer support to affected families, to educate the public and to raise awareness about parents and families who have experienced such a sad loss. This loss can be the result of a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, a stillbirth or the loss of a newborn. In every case the families, especially the mother and father, need a means to work through their loss so they can come to terms with what has happened in a comforting and supportive environment. Recognising October 15th gives us all that opportunity to either offer or find support for pregnancy and infant loss.
What can I do to recognise Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?
There is a lot you can do within your local community on October 15th whether you are a parent who has lost a baby or you just want to let others know that you are there for them. Here are some ideas:
- Light a candle. On October 15th the goal is to get everyone to light a candle at 19:00 in their timezone in remembrance of every pregnancy and infant that has been loss.
- Raise awareness. You can inform your local radio station or news channel about the day and any activities associated with it in your local community. You can also write about the day or your own experience and publish it in a local journal or online.
- Offer support. Do you have a friend or family who has experienced child loss? Why not pop in to say hi and talk to them and let them know you’re there for them if they ever need you.
- Find or create your own local community support group. This is a lot easier than you think, sometimes just sitting and talking in a living room with a group of people who have been through the same experience as you can really help you face the difficulty of pregnancy and infant loss.
- Volunteer. Choose an organisation that is important to you and volunteer with them in remembrance of your or your loved one’s loss.
- Get involved in a local activity or walk. Check out https://www.october15th.com/activities-walks/ to see if there’s an activity near you, if not why not organise your own?
- Hold a butterfly or dove release ceremony in remembrance of each child lost. Butterflies are one of the symbols of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and this can be a perfect way to release the pain you or a loved one is feeling.
Remember, there will always be someone there to offer you support and we’re here if you need us.