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Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to give voice to the often unspoken grief of those who have experienced the profound loss of a baby. Whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death, pregnancy and infant loss affects millions of families worldwide, leaving emotional footprints that last a lifetime.
What is Pregnancy and Infant Loss?
Roughly one-quarter of all women are affected by pregnancy and infant loss. The term encompasses different types of loss, including:
Miscarriage: The death of a baby before 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Stillbirth: The death of a baby at or after 28 weeks.
Infant Loss: The death of a baby post-birth due to conditions like preterm labor, life-limiting diagnoses, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
While pregnancy loss rates are not systematically recorded in many parts of the world, it is estimated that 2 million babies are stillborn each year globally. In the United States alone, approximately 1 in 100 pregnancies at 20 weeks or later is affected by stillbirth, resulting in about 24,000 stillbirths annually. Miscarriages are even more common, with 10-15% of known pregnancies ending in miscarriage, according to the March of Dimes.
Despite the staggering numbers, pregnancy and infant loss remains a largely silent subject. By dedicating October to raising awareness, we help give grieving families a voice, honor the lives lost, and foster a community of understanding and support.
The Emotional Toll of Pregnancy and Infant Loss
For many families, losing a baby brings overwhelming feelings of grief, anxiety, guilt, and confusion. These emotions are not limited to the loss itself but often carry over into subsequent pregnancies. Studies show that 50-80% of women who experience a loss become pregnant again within a year, but these pregnancies are often marked by increased anxiety, fear, and emotional distress.
Pregnancy after loss comes with its own set of challenges. Women who are pregnant again after a loss are at a higher risk for postpartum anxiety and depression, even if the subsequent pregnancy results in a healthy birth. Fathers and partners also experience emotional stress and anxiety, further demonstrating that pregnancy loss affects the entire family unit.
How You Can Get Involved
There are many opportunities to participate this month. Nora Madelyn's Remembrance Walk is Sunday October 6th, Salem Health is hosting a remembrance event on Thursday October 17th.
One of the most powerful ways to show support during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month is by joining the global Wave of Light on October 15th. Families worldwide will light candles at 7 PM (your local time), creating a wave of light that circles the globe to honor the babies who have passed.
You can participate in person or virtually. No Foot Too Small is hosting a virtual Wave of Light event, while Brief Encounters will be holding an in-person ceremony at The PeaceHouse (2116 NE 18th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97212.) and a remembrance walk on Sunday, October 6th from 10 AM to 12 PM.
Additionally, you can show your support online by sharing your story or sending words of encouragement to those affected by loss. Use the hashtag #BecauseOfYouMyChild to join the conversation and raise awareness.
Organizations like Pregnancy After Loss Support (PALS) also provide resources for those going through subsequent pregnancies after a loss, creating spaces of connection, community, and healing.
Finding Support and Solace: Grief Circles
If you’ve experienced the heartbreak of pregnancy or infant loss, it’s important to know you are not alone. There are many resources available, from support groups to counseling, designed to help navigate this journey of grief and healing.
We offer an intimate, in-person circles offer a compassionate space for clients to share their story, find comfort, and connect with a supportive community. Each session features guided meditation, small group discussions, gratitude practices, and holistic healing and grief integration approaches.
The upcoming monthly themes include:
10/17: Navigating Social Interactions and Returning to Daily Life
11/21: Relationship Dynamics and Support Systems
12/19: Self-Care and Grief Rituals
Circles are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:30 – 8:30 PM PDTat The Flanders House Healing Center (2926 NE Flanders Street, Portland, OR 97232). Anyone who has carried a baby who has died is welcome to join. Suggested donation: $10-30.
For more information, visit Pregnancy Loss Grief Circles, or reserve your spot on Eventbrite.
To further support you, we’ve created a free guide on life after loss, offering tips on self-care, grief rituals, and ways to honor your baby’s memory. You can download it here.
By raising awareness, sharing stories, and coming together as a community, we can create a culture of understanding and compassion for families who have faced the loss of a child. Together, we honor their babies’ legacies, ensuring their memories live on in our hearts and stories.
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