Opening Up in October

October is here and in my area, we are still waiting on fall!  If you have spent any time on this blog, you know that I love FALL!  October 'usually' means fall is in full swing with cooler weather, enjoying chili for supper, fall festivals and simply spending time outside enjoying the fresh air.

But October is also Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. Through this month I'm going to open up a little bit more than usual and share about the pain of miscarriage. Here are a few staggering statistics.

• One in four pregnancies ends in the loss of a baby
• The loss of a child is recognized as the most intense cause of grief
• Parents never “get over” the loss of a child – no matter the age
• Parents experiencing grief without supportive care can have debilitating consequences such as PTSD, depression and anxiety

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan had proclaimed the whole month of October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  Baby Loss Awareness Week is held annually from October 9 to 15. It’s a special opportunity to mark the brief lives of babies lost in pregnancy or at or soon after birth.

Throughout the week bereaved parents, their families and friends, unite with each other and others across the world to commemorate their babies’ lives.

For Robyn Bear, the woman behind National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, there needed to be a place for these losses. According to her Web site, Ms. Bear began the campaign to make Oct. 15th a national day of remembrance “after having had five miscarriages with little to no support.” She wanted a day for people to grieve visibly, get the support they needed, and unite around the world by lighting candles.

Parents who lose babies usually feel alone.  Treatment for mothers generally ends once the physical symptoms of loss have abated. Friends and family may not know how to help. It is easy to suppress the hurt and grief and suffer in silence. Since miscarriages can happen early in pregnancy, there often isn't a physical reminder or memorial for the baby.  But a mother will forever feel the loss.

Through the month, I will be sharing about pregnancy loss due to miscarriage in our family. It is with hope that our story will provide comfort and extend love and empathy to others who have walked this path. It will also be a time to reflect and remember and mark the brief miracles that were given to us and live forever in our hearts.