OCTOBER is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month – a single month that seeks to increase awareness of the loss of a little loved one.
“Those who’ve lost, painfully suffer every single day. While a single month of focus would never suffice to ease their agony, we look at October awareness month as a time to help others who may be struggling. This help is often done by way of sharing their journeys and learning from such,” said Michelle Groenewald a Perinatal Bereavement Worker and director of Empty Wombs – Pregnancy and Baby Loss Support Group.
“South Africa has outstanding support groups,” said Groenewald.
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“Empty Wombs, for example, is a pregnancy loss and baby loss support group that provides, among other services, support groups for bereaved parents and grandparents. Such groups continuously strive to educate individuals of the possible grief journey ahead,” said Groewnewald.
Within Empty Wombs, the focus is on grieving through creativity.
“We do this through creating beautiful Hope Boxes that are filled with special gifts for a newly bereaved mother, in the hope that she will know that she is not alone,” said Groenewald.
According to the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa, roughly one in four pregnancies end in miscarriages worldwide, and the death of a baby could occur in many ways.
To honour the babies gone too soon, participate in the International Wave of Light on October 15, World Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
You can participate in the International Wave of Light by lighting a candle at 19:00 to honour all babies gone too soon.
“Keep your candle lit for at least one hour to create a continuous wave of light across all time zones, covering the entire globe,” said Groewnewald.
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