In 1988, President
Ronald Reagan
designated October as Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month – an
action that launched the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement.
Although over a quarter century has passed, this issue remains prevalent
as, each year, approximately a million pregnancies in
the United States end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of the newborn child.
Did you know that:
- One in four pregnancies ends in the loss of a baby
- The loss of a child is recognized as the most intense cause of grief
- Parents never "get over" the loss of a child – no matter the age
- Parents experiencing grief without supportive care can have
debilitating consequences such as PTSD, depression and anxiety that
could further result in job loss, divorce, difficulties in daily living,
or impediments with parenting of living children
Wave of Light Celebration:October 15, 2014
is a universal day of remembrance for pregnancy loss and infant death.
This day is observed with remembrance ceremonies and candle-lighting
vigils, concluding with the International Wave of Light worldwide
lighting of candles at
7 p.m.