October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
last year I didn’t know that October was pregnancy and infant loss awareness month.
But this year I very much do. For those new around here, I had a stillbirth at 40 weeks last year in November. I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Zade. The love of my life. My star child.
Losing a child is incredibly devastating. My personal journey began the day before I gave birth, when the OB looked at me and said “I’m so sorry, your baby does not have a heartbeat.” I remember staring at her so blankly, so unbelievably. How could this happen after a textbook pregnancy. During that first month I felt so broken, so alone, so helpless. I knew that I needed help, and so I found the brochures that the social worker at the hospital gave us and began researching.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has a Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program where they provide six free therapy sessions to parents who’ve experienced loss, and also their family members such as the grandparents and siblings. (https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/fmc/Page16422.aspx)
The Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre (PILSC) offers services via donation. Their services include therapy, coaching, support groups, alternative healing, etc. They also host events such as the Legacy Walk and a Bereavement and Beyond Conference. (https://pilsc.org/)
Tiny Footprints hosts an annual fundraiser gala where the donations go towards supporting pregnancy & infant loss programs, such as the ones mentioned above. (https://www.tinyfootprints.ca/)
I’m incredibly glad to have had so many avenue’s of support. To be able to talk to others who have also experienced loss. To gain an entire community and have a sense of belonging. I have so much respect for the founders of these organizations and programs, especially Aditi, the founder of the PILSC. A true inspiration in my grief journey.
October is about spreading awareness, it’s about honouring our babies in Heaven, it’s about gratitude for these charities and programs.
International Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day is on October 15th. On this day the Wave of Light takes place. Simply light a candle at 7pm local time and leave it burning for at least 1 hour to honour and remember all babies that have died too soon and are now amongst the stars. It’s a beautiful tradition that we plan to uphold in our house this year and every year to come.
I encourage you to reach out to friends and family that you know who’ve experienced pregnancy & infant loss. I know how much a simple “I’m thinking of you” text would mean.
