October is big “awareness month” for a lot of things here in the US – Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Liver Awareness Month, National Spina Bifida Awareness Month, Rett Syndrome Awareness Month, SIDS Awareness Month, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (these were the handful I was able to pull up on a list, but there may be more and many you may not know about), but one that wasn’t listed and many do not know about is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. This was officially declared in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. He also made a beautiful statement to go along with his declaration, which can be found on Remembering Our Babies October 15th. October 9th – 15th, specifically, is Baby Loss Awareness Week.
I think many are aware of Pregnancy and Infant loss, but how aware? Do you know how common it is? Do you know what to say to someone who has experienced a loss? Do you know that they don’t want to forget their angel baby (or babies) and pretend like nothing ever happened? Or that saying things like “it was just too soon” or “well, you should be happy you have other children (or another child)” (both are things I was told) REALLY hurts?
There are a lot of things I think people aren’t aware of when it comes to pregnancy and infant loss. I think sharing your love with those that have lost a baby or babies by participating in the Wave of Light on October 15th is a great way to show your support. Maybe you don’t understand the grief and pain (and if you haven’t experienced it I pray you never will), then this is a great way to say “I may not understand your pain directly but I love you and want to help you remember your baby (or babies).” Here is great information about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness in general on Facebook.
To participate in the Wave of Light, you light a candle (or candles if you want to honor the memory of more than one angel baby) at 7pm in whatever time zone you are in on October 15th and leave it lit for one hour. Then the next time zone will be lighting their candle(s). This will send a wave of light around the world in remembrance of all the angel babies. If you follow me on Twitter, I will be posting reminders at the beginning of each hour! For more information be sure to visit the websites I have listed above. I do hope you will join us in the Wave of Light and that you will take the time to learn more about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness. Chances are if you haven’t been affected you know someone who has, and they may be grieving in silence waiting for someone to acknowledge that their grief is real!
Great post, thanks for sharing with us at the CREW. I recently wrote about the same subject:
http://homeschoolhighplains.blogspot.com/2013/01/job-and-mayda.html
Thank-you for sharing your story!
Thank you for talking about this. I had a miscarriage with twins. As soon as I started to bleed I went to the doctor. I was sent home and told it was spotting. For three days I bled I went to the er I was told I was hemrroging I was again sent home and told to call my normal doctor. The next day we called as soon as they opened at 8 te earliest appointment they would give me was 2 pm. I received the news that I had loss my angels and the had to sit for another two hours before I was told I had to have surgery. I am now over $1500 in debt and having to pay monthly payments so that I am not taken to court for the cost of surgery. It is a constant and hurtful remainder of my lose. Thank you for the encouragement.
I am so sorry for your loss and the financial hurt as well. 🙁 I want to create a “Memorial Wall” this year in honor of our angel babies. If you would like to be included please let me know, and I will send you the information with how to participate when I post it.
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I really apperciate you sharing this with us! I have witnessed a friend of mine lose her baby in a very unfortunate accident, the sorrow in her eyes make me pray that this wont happen to anyone in the world. Thank you again for such a meaningful post! Best wishes for you!
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You’re welcome. Thank-you for sharing.
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Great article, thanks for sharing. i will recoment with my best friend today.
Thank you so much.