On October 25, 1988, President Ronald Reagan gave an official proclamation naming October of 1988 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. He said it provided an “opportunity to increase our understanding of the great tragedy involved in the deaths of unborn and newborn babies. It also enables us to consider how, as individuals and communities, we can meet the needs of bereaved parents and family members and work to prevent causes of these problems.”
President Reagan was not a stranger to pregnancy and infant loss. Ronald Reagan and his first wife Jane Wyman’s third child was Christine Reagan. She was born June 26, 1947, apparently 4 weeks premature. Some reports say that she was stillborn. Others say she lived for 9 hours, dying on June 27, 1947. (stillbirthday.com/2012/10/christine-reagan/) Jane Wyman filed for divorce in 1948, citing political differences. However, those of us who have grieved the loss of a child understand how much this loss could have affected their marital relationship.
In 2002, a small group of Americans began a grassroots effort to have Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day recognized annually by state and federal governments. Concurrent resolution 222 was passed in Congress in 2006, proclaiming every October 15th to be Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in the United States. Since that time, many other nations, both formally and informally, have joined in the October 15th observation of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance. Many now refer to the day as International or World Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
For the past several years Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day has culminated in an International Wave of Light from 7 PM – 8 PM in all time zones. Families light candles in honor of the loved babies they have lost. Families around the world who are remembering their babies, create a virtual wave of light around the globe.
If you are looking for ways to acknowledge your loss or memorialize your baby there are typically a variety of events in October in which you could participate. Many support groups like Share hold Walks of Remembrance. Some groups do balloon releases. This year wildflower seed drops were held by both Stillbirthday and Eve’s Victory. Also, you could consider participating in research that will hopefully lead to less miscarriages, stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Star Legacy Foundation currently has a couple of different research programs that you may qualify for, and your data can only benefit their pool of research.
I am remembering your babies with you this month. God bless you.
