Last October, we found ourselves fully immersing ourselves in a cause we never imagined would be such a huge part of our lives. Each October, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness is recognized worldwide by families who've experienced the "unimaginable" - losing their sweet babies. Before Charlie passed away, the idea of not bringing her home had never crossed our minds. We truly didn't know a full term healthy baby could die right before our eyes. 

 

I was blown away by the community of other families who had also lost their children waiting for us with their arms wide open. The only other people left in my life that I could truly relate to, that completely understood the darkness our lives had become in just minutes. 

 

Their babies names became the names of our sweet angels friends. We honored them during Charlie’s walk by reading them out loud to the incredible crowd that joined us that day. Name’s I’d come to know even a year later. This year, we’ll be doing the same walk but reading triple the amount of names we collected last year. 

 

We have also created these pieces in honor of all our babies taken way too soon. Honoring our sweet Charlie will forever be a part of our lives but so will honoring your sweeties as well.

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6 WAYS TO COMMEMORATE PREGNANCY & INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH

1. LIGHT A CANDLE: October 15th is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day. On this day it is tradition to light a candle at 7pm to honor babies in heaven and keep it burning for an hour. If you keep it burning for at least an hour there will be a continual wave of light across the world all day. This is a small act that anyone can do. If you are a grieving parent, invite your friends or family to light a candle in memory of your baby on this day at 7pm. If you are a friend or family member, share a photo or video of your candle burning with your friend, letting them know you lit a candle in memory of their baby. This is an incredibly meaningful way to say “I remember with you.” Additionally you can go to october15th.com to find specific candle lighting ceremonies that are taking place in your area. If there aren’t any scheduled events in your area and this sounds like something you would like to see happen, consider organizing such an event at a church or park or hospital to help bring light to the darkness and isolation of pregnancy and infant loss. 

2. PARTICIPATE IN AN EVENT: You can find specific events in your area that you could participate in with friends and family, events such as remembrance walks or butterfly releases. See what events are being hosted in your area by going to October15th.com. If there isn’t an event planned, you could plan a simple remembrance walk or butterfly release. Ideas and planning help can be found at the website above.

3. SHARE YOUR STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Join along with our social share prompts each day by downloading the prompt guide below. Each day there is a prompt that will help you share your story and bring awareness to this often silent pain. And because sometimes words feel hard, 

4. RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS: Do a random act of kindness in honor of your baby. Getting our eyes off of our own pain and looking for ways to bring light and hope to others will forever be one of the best medicines to a hurting heart. Pick a day and a few acts of kindness, you could even make little cards that say “random act of kindness in honor of my baby in heaven.” You could ask a friends and families to join in. Or you could simply buy someone a coffee and let them know you did so in honor of your baby in heaven or your friend who is grieving a miscarriage -- invite that person who benefited from your kindness to spread the kindness onward. 

5. SEND A CARD: Chances are you know someone who has also experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Send them a note letting them know that you are thinking of them and that you remember their loss. Reminding another mama that their baby is never forgotten is one of the sweetest ways to honor your own baby. 

6. DISPLAY THE PINK & BLUE RIBBON: Displaying the designated pink & blue Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Ribbon immediately brings attention to this special month. It provides an opportunity for people to ask what the ribbon is for and in turn an opportunity for you to share your story or to even simply say “October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month -- did you know that 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in miscarriage?” Wearing a ribbon whether in the form of a pin or actual ribbon or a even picture of a ribbon on a t-shirt or tying a ribbon on your front door or around a tree in your yard all provide a communication opportunity that will naturally bring awareness to pregnancy and infant loss. 

No matter how you decide to commemorate Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month -- whether publicly or privately, whether with a big event or simple candle lighting in the quiet of your home -- I hope that you know you are not alone. And you are seen and heard, remembered and loved.