October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Did you know that former President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as “Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month”?  It was in October of 1988 that he put this provision in place, and now parents throughout the world have a month dedicated to reflecting on their loss and feeling the support of their friends and family. 

​Over 15% of all pregnancies in the year 2000 ended in miscarriage or a stillbirth, and this statistic has not improved since.  The pain experienced from losing a baby is like no other.  When an individual loses a spouse, he is called a widow, when a child loses his parents, he is called an orphan, but when a parent loses a child, there is no word to describe them.   The month of October is used to recognize all of these parents and provide them with the support and resources they need after losing a child.  Many times, women do not share that they had a miscarriage with their friends and family, but discussing this difficult experience with loved ones is often a helpful step in the grieving process.

Robyn Bear created the website www.oct15.com to help parents around the world to join together on one specific day in October to grieve their loss and feel the support and love from their friends and family.  On this Thursday, October 15th, there will be a candle-light ceremony called Sam’s Pond on the Plaza in Kansas City.  The Event will take place at the J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain at 47th and Main at 7:00 pm (registration is free and will begin at 6:00 pm).  If you or someone you know has experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage, SIDS, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, birth defect or other situation, please join in this special night.   The pain from losing a child is like no other, and this will be a night filled with love and support.

For more information, please go to: www.samspond.org

Shannon DeSalvo, PT