Navigating the Unspoken Pain and Bringing Awareness to Pregnancy and Infant Loss

 1 in 4. That is the statistic of how many families have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss. 

October is recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a topic that is often covered in silence and stigma. Pregnancy and infant loss is one of the hardest experiences that someone can go through in their lifetime. It is deeply personal, the pain can be overwhelming both physically and mentally, and the effect it can have on relationships can be challenging. In this blog, I aim to address some of the most frequently asked questions about pregnancy and infant loss. As a mom who has experienced 6 pregnancy losses, I am offering both empathy and information that I wish I had during one of the most trying times of my journey into motherhood.

What is pregnancy and infant loss?

Pregnancy and infant loss covers a range of experiences, including miscarriage (a loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation), stillbirth (the loss of a pregnancy at 20 weeks or later), neonatal death (the death of a baby within the first 28 days of life), and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

How common is pregnancy and infant loss?

About 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. 1 pregnancy in 100 at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later is affected by stillbirth, and each year about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States. And Infant mortality in the US was 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021.

What can I do to support someone who has experienced pregnancy or infant loss?

Support from loved ones is invaluable during these difficult times. Offer a listening ear, be present, and allow the grieving individual to express their feelings. Avoid offering unsolicited advice and instead ask how you can help. A simple "I'm here for you" can go a long way.

How can we raise awareness during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month?

Awareness begins with conversations. Share your own story if you feel comfortable, or support those who do. Utilize your platforms, whether that is on social media, within healthcare organizations and even within your extended families. Attend awareness events, and encourage open dialogue about pregnancy and infant loss. And participate in awareness events throughout the year and during October. By doing this, we contribute to the much-needed destigmatization of this matter.

Pregnancy and infant loss has been a silent grief that affects countless families worldwide. By having the conversations and asking the questions, I hope to foster empathy and awareness, not just in the month of October, but on an ongoing basis. It's crucial that we continue to break the silence surrounding this topic, support those who have experienced these losses, and work towards a more compassionate and understanding society.

Source Url: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/stillbirth/features/pregnancy-infant-loss.html

https://www.winniepalmerhospital.com/content-hub/pregnancy-loss-1-in-4

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm