BREAKING THE SILENCE ON PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS

October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. This day helps us to

recognize the complex grieving experiences of individuals and families affected by pregnancy loss and infant death, including but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and ectopic pregnancy. Those who grieve pregnancy and infant loss often do so in silence and it is understood to be a hidden grief.

Dr. Julie Bindeman is a reproductive psychologist in Rockville, Maryland. In an article published by the American Psychological Association (June, 2024), Dr. Bindeman stated the following regarding the experience of pregnancy loss:

“The idea that continues to be pervasive to a degree is that the less time that you have spent with the [developing] baby, the less emotional attachment a person should have to it, and thus a shorter grieving period [is needed]. And yet what people tend not to understand is that oftentimes a pregnancy is a realization of a dream that might have started in a person’s childhood.”

Whether you have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, or have known someone who has,

these words from Dr. Bindeman hopefully help to validate the level of grief that is experienced.

Talking about pregnancy and infant loss and breaking the silence can help us to continue

acknowledging the complex type of grief that is felt.

This October 15th , help to break this silence by participating in the following ways:

1. Honour the baby: Use your baby’s name or the baby’s name that a loved one has shared

with you.

2. Light a candle in remembrance: There is something special about light. It can help us

see past darkness and can give hope in that darkness that there is a future. Join the

“Wave of Light” by lighting a candle at 7:00 p.m. on October 15th .

3. Share and/or listen: If you are willing to share about a personal experience with

pregnancy and infant loss, this can help play a role in reducing the stigma that others

may feel when deciding whether to share their own stories. If you have not had personal

experiences with this type of loss, be open to listening with a compassionate heart and

know that offering your listening ear will also play an important role in breaking the

silence.

4. Seek out and share about resources: There are books, articles, poems, music, and

support groups available that can be helpful for yourself or a loved one.

Regardless of how you choose to participate, taking time to recognize October 15th as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day helps to break the silence.

Submitted by: Walking Through Grief Society

Funded by FCSS; City of Lloydminster, Towns of Vermilion and Wainwright, Village of Kitscoty, and County of Vermilion River.