1 in every 3 pregnancies ends in loss. Across the developed world alone:
- An estimated 500,000 miscarriages happen each year;
- 1 in every 148 births are stillbirths; and
- 3 in every 1000 babies die shortly after their birth.
The loss of most pregnancies is currently unavoidable. But disturbingly, the loss of many healthy babies is preventable by non-intrusive medical procedures (e.g. ultrasound to diagnose Vasa Praveia) – yet such prenatal testing is not mandatory.
This website aims to:
- Support people who have been affected by pregnancy and infant loss (personally or professionally);
- Raise more awareness of its prevalence; and
- Attract more medical research into this area.
Recent News
Raising Awareness of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
- Published 8/07/2008
The two MP's were truly 'taken back'. I had just approached them at a black tie gala. They certainly weren't expecting someone to draw their attention to Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day -- about letters I had only recently delivered to their offices....
A little history:
In 2004, State Leader for New York, Melissa Flood, passed a resolution that Oct 15th be recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in New York.
In 2005, Terra-Lynn Coggan, New Brunswick mother of a stillborn son, brought awareness to Canada. Elvy Robichaud, New Brunswick Minister of Health and Wellness, declared October 15th as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the province of New Brunswick.
In 2006, Robyn Bear, survivor of six miscarriages, rallied US Congress. Oct 15th was then recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day throughout the US.
It’s now 2008. I am indebted to Melissa and Elvy, and I applaud Terra-Lynn and Robyn for their courage. They prove that one person can make a difference: with passion and determination. Inspired, I'm giving it a go here.
Last month, I wrote to my two local MP’s: representatives at both the Federal and State levels. I gave them the straightforward facts and the bottom line: that Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day should be recognized in Australia too.
I had yet to hear back from them.
But last Saturday, I just happened to be sitting near them at a black tie event. So I approached them with a friendly smile, and said: “I’m the woman who wrote to both of you recently about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day. Just thought I’d give you a ‘face to the name’.”
They both appeared a little surprised, but thankfully did not lose their composure. The Federal MP looked me straight in the eye and said, “We must get together and talk about this.” I said that yes, thank you we must, and that I looked forward to hearing soon from both of them (!). I invited them to enjoy the rest of the evening and returned to my seat.
Wish me luck! I’ll keep you posted here on this website, with updates.
Nicole B.
Sources:
US Congress declaration
New Brunswick (Canada) declaration
Pregnancy_and_Infant_Loss_Remembrance_Day
A little history:
In 2004, State Leader for New York, Melissa Flood, passed a resolution that Oct 15th be recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in New York.
In 2005, Terra-Lynn Coggan, New Brunswick mother of a stillborn son, brought awareness to Canada. Elvy Robichaud, New Brunswick Minister of Health and Wellness, declared October 15th as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the province of New Brunswick.
In 2006, Robyn Bear, survivor of six miscarriages, rallied US Congress. Oct 15th was then recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day throughout the US.
It’s now 2008. I am indebted to Melissa and Elvy, and I applaud Terra-Lynn and Robyn for their courage. They prove that one person can make a difference: with passion and determination. Inspired, I'm giving it a go here.
Last month, I wrote to my two local MP’s: representatives at both the Federal and State levels. I gave them the straightforward facts and the bottom line: that Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day should be recognized in Australia too.
I had yet to hear back from them.
But last Saturday, I just happened to be sitting near them at a black tie event. So I approached them with a friendly smile, and said: “I’m the woman who wrote to both of you recently about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day. Just thought I’d give you a ‘face to the name’.”
They both appeared a little surprised, but thankfully did not lose their composure. The Federal MP looked me straight in the eye and said, “We must get together and talk about this.” I said that yes, thank you we must, and that I looked forward to hearing soon from both of them (!). I invited them to enjoy the rest of the evening and returned to my seat.
Wish me luck! I’ll keep you posted here on this website, with updates.
Nicole B.
Sources:
US Congress declaration
New Brunswick (Canada) declaration
Pregnancy_and_Infant_Loss_Remembrance_Day
Recent Articles
“There must have been something wrong with the baby.”
- By Penny .
- Published 6/08/2008
- What Can I Say?
- Unrated
Said with the best of intentions -- even mean to comfort -- these words actually make it even worse.
“You’re Lucky it was Early” (i.e. a Miscarriage)
- By Bridget .
- Published 6/08/2008
- What Can I Say?
- Unrated
People who have had a miscarriage are not luckier than others, because their loss happened early in the pregnancy. Here’s why.
“How do I break the news to my other children?”
- By Dr Susan Ballinger
- Published 4/08/2008
- For Parents
- Unrated
Practical and caring suggestions for what to tell the baby's siblings: if they knew about the pregnancy, but now the baby is lost. Suggestions for small children and older ones.
What You Can Do -- When You Feel so Powerless
- By Nicole .
- Published 21/07/2008
- For Parents
- Unrated
In most cases, nothing could have prevented our pregnancy and infant loss. So we felt so very powerless. Here are ways for grieving parents to feel empowered again
Respect for grieving parents of babies has been part of Japanese culture for centuries. Here’s a window into their world, and faith in things to come for the West.
“You’re Young. You have Plenty of Time to get Pregnant Again.”
- By Penny .
- Published 15/07/2008
- What Can I Say?
- Unrated
When a young woman loses a baby, please don’t tell her she’s lucky she’s young enough to try again. Here’s why these words don’t help, as well as options you can offer your patients that do
“Aren’t you Over it Yet? You Need to see a Shrink”
- By Bridget .
- Published 15/07/2008
- What Can I Say?
- Unrated
If you're one of the lucky ones who's never lost a baby, it probably surprises you how long our grief lasts. This article helps explain why...
"You're Lucky You have Other Children”
- By Bridget .
- Published 2/07/2008
- What Can I Say?
- Unrated
When loved ones say this, they're right of course: I'm very lucky to have living children. But this doesn't make losing a baby any easier.
Blog Boards Heal!
- By Penny .
- Published 28/06/2008
- For Parents
- Unrated
Join a blog board for pregnancy and infant loss: it helps us get through our grief more quickly