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    Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

    Kelsie Tarter, RN at The Women's Hospital 10/01/2021
    October is the start of my favorite season.  I love the cooler weather, the pumpkins, football and all of the other things fall brings.  October is also a time of remembrance as it is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
    It is a time of remembering the little ones we had for a short time and all of the hopes and dreams we had for them.

    Statistically, one in every four women will experience the loss of a pregnancy.  It amazes me that something that happens so often is still rarely talked about.  Talking about the loss of a pregnancy or infant is somewhat taboo in our society.

    I understand that sharing the loss of your pregnancy or infant can make some people uncomfortable.  It is heartbreaking!  What do you say to someone who lost their precious baby?
    However, I also know firsthand how sharing my story with others can be incredibly healing.

    Here are a few things I know:
    • Pregnancy and infant loss do not discriminate.
    • It can happen to anyone 
    • Sometimes you get answers as to why it happened and, sometimes you don’t. 
    • It doesn’t matter what gestation your baby is, it hurts to get the news. 
    • Grief is an emotional rollercoaster.
    I could not imagine experiencing the loss of my son and not talking about it with others. It affected my entire family and there were times I’m sure I made someone else uncomfortable by talking about it. I cried. A lot. 

    But you know what? 
    It was also nice to speak his name and share details of him that others didn’t get to see.
    It was a weight lifted off of my shoulders to be able to share him with others. My support system let me talk and they just listened. They didn’t try to take my pain away because they couldn’t.

    In sharing his story, I was able to move forward purposefully. If you are reading this and have experienced a loss, my heart goes out to you. Tell your story. Do something this month to honor your baby. Light a candle, talk a walk, or make a donation in honor of your little one. Take time to reflect and see how far you have come. Help break the silence on Pregnancy and Infant Loss.
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