By: John Glover (MBA)
October is a month celebrating and educating people about women’s health. It’s a month to bring awareness to breast cancer and menopause, but it’s also a time to remember all the babies and infants that were lost during pregnancy and after. October 15th marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, and it’s important to bring to light these losses. Even though this month can be difficult for mothers and families to live through, it can give them a sense of comfort knowing that people across the world are supporting them.
Unfortunately, miscarriages and infant losses are more common than you might realize. Studies show that 10% to 20% of known pregnancies do not make it to full term and end in a miscarriage. This number could even be higher because some miscarriages happen before the woman knows that she is pregnant. The CDC also reports that for every 1,000 births, there were 5.6 infant deaths due to multiple causes. These numbers show that thousands of families are affected each year, and that’s why having a month like this is so important. Mothers and families affected by this deserve year-round support, but one national day is a good step in the right direction.
“The journey to pregnancy is tough no matter how it happens. On this day specifically, it’s important to be a support system for those who have experienced miscarriages and/or infant losses and show them love and compassion as they work through this difficult time,” says Proov CEO Amy Beckley.
Not only does this day show family support, but it also gives people a safe space to share their stories and hear from other mothers who have gone through the same thing. When people go through a traumatic event like this, sometimes they can feel alone. A support system that encourages people to share can help them feel closure and comfort as they navigate this tough time. This can help mothers and families heal as they mourn their loss.
“I’ve gone through seven miscarriages in my life, and it never gets easier, but having a day like this makes me feel heard and validated. Having a community that is bringing awareness to this helps me feel less alone and has given me a safe space to heal. That’s what I hope this day can do for other mothers and families who have been affected,” shares Beckley.
This Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is also another chance to talk about women’s health and the need for universal healthcare. Far too often, women’s health gets put on the back burner, and this is putting mothers and their babies at risk. The healthcare industry and government programs need to start investing in women’s health research and initiatives so that women can understand more about their bodies and get the help they need when something goes wrong.
When women’s health is not taken seriously, it creates an unequal divide in the type of care women receive. From menstruation, fertility, birth, and menopause, women go through so many different phases in their lives, and they all coincide in one way or another. Sometimes, things happen to pregnancies that cannot always be helped, but a lack of health education can create risks that could otherwise have been prevented. To ensure that babies are happy and healthy, society needs to prioritize women’s health education instead of stigmatizing it.
Pregnancy and infant loss are the worst things that can happen for many families, and unfortunately, some pregnancies end in a miscarriages. The goal for this Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is to support those families and give them a space to share their stories. Some families might feel alone in their struggles, but a day like this can help them not feel so isolated.
Having hard conversations and hearing sad stories can help promote the need for accessible and in-depth women’s health education. It could save not only women’s lives but also their future children.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
