October is International SIDS, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (and also Breast Cancer Awareness Month). This article will shine a light on the history and meaning for our community (specifically the Grieving Parents Community), and provide a resource of events and projects you can take part in, if you wish, to make this month meaningful for you. It will also offer a list of ways you can support yourself.
History
According to Wikipedia, the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement began in the United States in 1987. On October 25, 1988, American President Ronald Reagan designated the entire month of October 1988 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. (Read more about the history here.)
In 2007, Congressman Tom Latham of Iowa introduced a House Resolution supporting the Goals and Ideals of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, October 15th, and called on the President of the United States to issue a proclamation encouraging the American people to honour this special day of remembrance.
October 15th and the Wave of Light
On October 15th, now called Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (PAILRD), at 7:00 pm in all time zones, families around the world will light candles (and leave the candle burning for at least an hour) in memory of all of the precious babies who have been lost during pregnancy or in infancy. Too many families grieve in silence, sometimes never coming to terms with their loss.
If you or someone you know has suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss due to SIDS/SUID, prematurity or other cause, we hope you will join us in this national tribute to create awareness of these tragic infant deaths and provide support to those that are suffering. For suggestions, check out the image and please feel free to share it.
How to support yourself
Reach out for support
Grief is isolating. To steer away from isolating yourself, make sure you let those around know, how you’re feeling. Connect with those you feel understood by.
Grief work
Grief work is finding a way to put your loss into perspective and weave your loss into the fabric of your life. It is allowing feelings, working through them, and asking for and receiving comfort. It is remembering the good times and the bad and getting them in perspective.
It is remembering and honouring your lost loved one in your heart or many other ways and going forward a better person for the gift of that person’s life in your life, no matter how brief.
Depending on your use of Facebook, it may be wise to post a comment on your personal page, explaining why and what you’re going to post about during October, for example, if you re-post a lot about Pregnancy and Infant Loss to raise awareness. If not, this can be misinterpreted by your friends.
Several groups on Facebook may be supportive for you. Be aware of the public nature of posting on Facebook, even if it is a private group, so only post what you’re comfortable sharing.
I found the grieving parents community on Instagram to be tremendously supportive and nurturing of each other. How to find them? Search for example #grievingparents and check out the comments underneath the images shared there to find your tribe of like-minded and like-hearted people.
Help us create a ‘wave’ of light across our nation!
Share this post with your network of people to create awareness and understanding.
