Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. So as we read through these numbers and consider their meaning, remember the mothers who never got to hold their baby. Remember the mothers who will never get that first smile or that first day of school. Remember the mothers who said goodbye too soon.

Did you know that 10-15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage? There were approximately 4 million babies born in the US in 2011. That means there were 400,000-600,000 pregnancies that ended as a miscarriage in 2011. That's 800,000-1,200,000 mothers and fathers that have to say goodbye too soon. Approximately 1 in 50 pregnancies become ectopic pregnancies and 1 in 1,500 pregnancies become molar pregnancies. That's another 83,000 babies that are never born and another 166,000 parents that never get to hold their child. Approximately 1 in 160 pregnancies end with a stillborn child. That's 25,000 babies who are deprived of their first breath and 50,000 parents that must lay their child to rest far too soon. And let's not forget the 90,000 babies who never see their first birthday.

So, our running total is nearly half a million hopeful mothers and fathers that have felt the sting of loss. That number is staggering, but what is even more depressing is the number who suffer alone. I can't understand why, but our society does not know how to deal with grief! What's with that? We've all felt sorrow, so why can't we reach out to those currently experiencing it? 

Today, I wanted to share those numbers not to bring down your spirits, but to increase awareness. Odds are someone you know is grieving today. If you're reading this blog because you know it's author, then I can guarantee you know at least one. We, as women, need to be aware that our friends and our sisters are grieving! Each person grieves differently, but we all need to grieve. If you know someone who has experiences loss, give them that chance. Of course you won't know exactly what they need, but I promise they need a friend. No matter how these women choose to grieve, they should never feel unwanted or unsupported. They deserve your friendship. They deserve your love and your strength, for in this moment, they may have none of their own. I promise one day you will be grateful that you stood by them while they grieved because when your sorrows come, they will stand by you.