Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month: Our Fight Continues

By: Nick Carrington​ EPLA Editor

October is pregnancy loss awareness month, and our culture has come a long way in understanding miscarriage over the last few years. With high profile celebrities openly talking about losing their babies, more people recognize just how frequent it is and are willing to have conversations. Miscarriage is less taboo than it used to be. The Early Pregnancy Loss Association celebrates this progress.

But we have so much work left to do.

Too many grieving families fall through the cracks between organizations or friends that could help, and are left alone to pick up the pieces. Too many careless words are uttered. Too many people have harmful misconceptions that shove miscarriage back into the shadows.

In October, we remember your babies and reaffirm our commitment to our core values.

AFFIRMING LIFE
Early pregnancy loss is the loss of a unique and infinitely valuable life often bringing great grief to women and families as they suffer this loss.

BEARING BURDENS
Women and families experiencing early pregnancy loss are carrying the weight of death. In isolation, this weight seems too great for one to bear. But together, when we carry one another's burdens, the weight is eased by making room for peace and hope.

LOVING PEOPLE
Early pregnancy loss brings anger, confusion, frustration, and sorrow. These emotions can lead to both emotional sensitivity and a hardening heart in order to cope with the grief. To meet their unique needs during this time, women and families should be treated in a loving, nurturing, and respectful way.

ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY
Together we can do more. To better bear the burdens of women and families, a variety of organizations and professionals can work together to meet their needs. Medical professionals, counselors, churches, and related nonprofits all offer unique services to help ease the emotional, psychological, and financial burden of early pregnancy loss.​

GRIEVING TOGETHER
Because of the hushed culture concerning pregnancy loss, many women do not know how to understand their heartache. Everyone grieves differently, and, though common, early pregnancy loss is an intensely personal experience. Whether they choose to grieve publicly or privately, women and families need a safe environment to experience grief. By acknowledging the frequency of early pregnancy loss and recognizing it as a death, families are granted space to grieve.

With these core values, we renew our resolve to educate the masses, grieve with the broken, and foster a community of healing. The EPLA encourages families and loved ones to send us your stories and let us know how we can help you as you deal with your loss.​

In October, we remember your babies and reaffirm our commitment to our core values.

Nick Carrington is an Editor for the EPLA and Assistant Professor of Professional Writing at Cedarville University​​.