National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, October 2022
"National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month occurs every October. During the entire month, we take time to honor and remember those who have lost a child during pregnancy or lost a child in infancy.
Dealing with death in the family is never easy. The death of a baby, either through miscarriage or during infancy, is no exception. There are no instructions on how to grieve the loss of a child. A number of feelings will be experienced. It’s important to make sure you allow yourself as much time necessary to recover from the grieving process. Healing time between family members will vary, but eventually, you will find peace again.
Support groups are important for those families grieving the loss of a child. There is comfort in knowing there are other people out there that are going through the same emotions as you. Many parents blame themselves when they lose a child. A good support group will guide you to come to terms with the loss and hopefully help you realize you are not to blame. You need to open up about what you are experiencing. Talking about your emotions with your partner, a friend, a counselor or spiritual leader will help you make sense of your loss. You don’t have to face this loss alone.
Taking care of yourself physically is just as important as taking care of yourself emotionally. Eat healthily. Take an extra nap. Get some fresh air. A healthy body often promotes a healthy mind and visa-versa, and healing means taking care of yourself and learning to refocus. Some parents might be afraid to heal for fear of forgetting their child. That will never happen. You will have their memory forever. Your child will always be in your heart."
