October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month; a month we remember all those babies lost through miscarriage, stillbirth, or at less then a year old. We remember the mothers too. Losing a baby no matter the age is a very difficult thing for the mother to go through. Mothers generally have support with the loss of an infant or with a still birth. With a miscarriage not so much. So many times women grieve in silence at the early loss of a baby because they hadn't even told anyone they were pregnant yet. Or if they had, the baby wasn't real enough to anyone other then the mother who knew its presence inside her. Many people don't know how to deal with the situation, so instead they avoid it. It is estimated that 1 in 4 women experience a pregnancy loss; with such a high percentage everyone knows one (or is one). Don't avoid it. Remember she is grieving emotionally and is likely dealing with physical pain as well. If she wants to talk, let her, if she wants to be silent let her, but please offer to help her in any way she might need. Please do not try to comfort her with the thought of her other children or the idea of having another child. No child, no matter how small, can be replaced.
Many of you know this has personally touched my life. I have had 2 miscarriages (one at 10 weeks and 1 at 6 weeks). Both were natural miscarriages and both made the way for me to have a healthy pregnancy a couple months later. Bria after the first and Eli after the second. I am grateful to have had my losses as without them I wouldn't have Bria or Eli. At the same time I am still terribly saddened by them as that is two children I didn't have and have never met or held.
For stories of hope following loss head over to Frugal Homeschool Family and pick up your free ebook, From Expectation to Miscarriage!
On October 15, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, candles will be lite from 7 to 8 pm in remembrance of all these babies. Consider lighting a candle in their honor; for all the babies we never met, never held, or were just gone too soon.
For more information visit Remembering Our Babies.
