What is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed annually on October 15th to honor and remember babies who have died due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or in the early stages of infancy. The day offers an opportunity for bereaved families to come together, reflect, and pay tribute to their lost children. It also aims to raise awareness about the emotional impact of pregnancy and infant loss and the need for more support for affected families. Around the world, this day is marked by remembrance events, ceremonies, and the Global Wave of Light;a worldwide candle-lighting at 7:00 PM to honor lost babies.

The day provides a sense of community and healing, offering comfort to families who may feel isolated in their grief while fostering public awareness about a sensitive yet common experience.

History and Origin

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day was established in the United States in 2002 through the efforts of various advocacy groups and parents who had experienced the loss of a baby. The goal was to create a national day of recognition for pregnancy and infant loss, offering families a specific time to reflect, remember, and raise awareness. The U.S. House of Representatives officially recognized October 15th as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in 2006, and since then, the day has been observed globally.

The creation of this day has brought greater attention to the often overlooked grief of parents who experience pregnancy and infant loss, prompting more conversations about emotional support, research, and healthcare improvements for bereaved families.

Who Celebrates Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day?

• Bereaved Parents and Families: Families who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal loss use this day to remember their babies and connect with others who have gone through similar experiences.
• Baby Loss Charities and Support Groups: Organizations dedicated to helping families cope with pregnancy and infant loss hold memorials, share resources, and offer emotional support during the day’s events.
• Healthcare Providers: Doctors, midwives, and counselors often participate in the day by offering specialized care and acknowledging the emotional challenges faced by grieving families.
• Friends and Loved Ones: Many friends and extended family members join in support by lighting candles, attending events, and showing solidarity for grieving parents.
• General Public and Advocates: Awareness is spread by individuals and organizations working to ensure that pregnancy and infant loss are openly discussed, and that more resources are available to support affected families.

Slogans and Themes

The themes of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day focus on remembrance, unity, and healing. Slogans such as “Never Forgotten” and “Remembering Our Angels” encapsulate the heart of the day, emphasizing that the babies lost are still cherished and remembered by their families. Another core theme is breaking the silence around pregnancy and infant loss, encouraging more open conversations to support families and bring about positive changes in healthcare.

Colors, Symbols, and Patterns

• Colors:
  • Pink and blue, representing pregnancy and infant loss awareness, frequently used in ribbons, candles, and memorial decorations.
  • White, symbolizing purity and innocence, often associated with the babies who are being remembered.
  • Purple, a color used to symbolize grief and healing, fostering a sense of unity among those mourning their loss.
• Symbols:
  • Candle, representing remembrance, with the act of lighting a candle at 7: 00 PM symbolizing the ongoing love and memory of the lost babies.
  • Butterfly, symbolizing transformation, remembrance, and the fleeting nature of life, often used in memorial art or jewelry.
  • Angel wings, symbolizing the idea of the babies as angels who remain in the hearts of their families, offering comfort and remembrance.
• Patterns:
  • Heart motifs, representing the love parents have for their lost children, frequently seen in memorial art and tokens of remembrance.
  • Star patterns, symbolizing lost babies as “little stars” who continue to shine in their parents’ hearts and memories.
  • Wave patterns, reflecting the Global Wave of Light, where families from different time zones light candles to create a continuous wave of light around the world.

Most Used Hashtags

• #PregnancyAndInfantLoss
• #RememberingOurBabies
• #NeverForgotten
• #WaveOfLight
• #InfantLossAwareness
• #PregnancyLoss
• #StillbirthAwareness

How to Celebrate Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

• Participate in the Global Wave of Light: At 7:00 PM local time, light a candle for an hour in memory of your baby or to show support for others, sharing your candle’s light on social media with the hashtag #WaveOfLight.
• Attend a Memorial Event: Many communities, hospitals, and organizations hold remembrance ceremonies or walks in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, offering a place for families to grieve and find support.
• Create a Memory Space at Home: Set up a dedicated space with candles, photographs, or mementos to honor your baby, allowing a personal moment of reflection and remembrance.
• Donate to or Support a Baby Loss Charity: Support organizations that provide counseling, research, and medical support for families dealing with pregnancy or infant loss.
• Raise Awareness on Social Media: Share your story or information about pregnancy and infant loss using the event’s hashtags, helping to break the silence around the issue and offering support to others.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day offers a profound moment of connection, healing, and reflection for families worldwide. Through remembrance ceremonies, candle-lighting, and community support, the day serves as a reminder that the babies lost during pregnancy and infancy are never forgotten, and their memories continue to shine in the hearts of their families.