October 15

It amazes me that October is already here. Here in New England we're almost already at peak fall foliage. Harvest festivals abound and breast cancer awareness ribbons are everywhere. If you've had a miscarriage, October is important for another reason too.

We are fast approaching October 15 which is pregnancy and infant loss remembrance day. Every year there are 900,000 miscarriages, 26,000 stillbirths and 19,000 neonatal losses in the United States alone. The statistics are scary and most people aren't even aware of them until they become one of them.

According to the October 15 website “Too many families grieve in silence, sometimes never coming to terms with their loss.” This is so true and at times, you've probably felt very alone and isolated with your loss. The goal of October 15 is to lend support and increase awareness.

The website now includes an international list of events such as walks, benefits and remembrance ceremonies most of which will take place in October. The website also lists some suggestions for planning your own event as well as some ideas about coping with grief and some general information about pregnancy and infant loss. The website also includes a memorial wall and an online store which sells jewelry, bumper stickers and other items to increase awareness and/or memorialize your baby.

One of the biggest activities of October 15 is a wave of light ceremony. Anyone who has lost a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death etc. is invited to light a candle at 7pm and leave it burning for one hour. If people in every time zone across the world do this at 7pm their time, there will be a wave of light across the planet.

If you've had a miscarriage, you may seriously want to consider participating in this event. No only is it a way to remember the baby (or babies) or lost but it's a good way to show support for others who have also lost babies. Additionally, when your friends and neighbors ask what you're doing, you'll be able to talk about your loss and increase awareness of these losses.