National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day Oct 15th

Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, where we remember all of the babies that left us all too soon. In October 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn't a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes."

Many of us have experienced a loss of a child, whether it was from miscarriage or SIDS. Because of our miscarriage with our first round of IUI, we were blessed with Hayleigh going through our second round of IUI. Going through a miscarriage was one of the hardest things I have ever had to endure in my life, because the one I had in 2009 was not the first. It was in fact my second. While we don't understand why it happens, or what we could have done different, it seems like a failed attempt at being a woman for many. So, tonight, remember the babies we couldn't hold, and the ones that left us all too soon. Be educated on trying to prevent SIDS, and on taking care of yourself during your pregnancy. While I do not advocate abortion, I am a fighter for infertility, and miscarriage and have beat it- with one 2 year old to prove this along with the little boy we are expecting in the next month.  Chemical miscarriages account for over 40% of all miscarriages- which was what our miscarriages were a result of. I would imagine that the percentage of miscarriages among infertility treatment patients is quite high as well. So, just remember that 1 in 3 women experience this loss. What breaks my heart the most is the ones fighting just to conceive and carry a healthy baby experience this all at once.

Miscarriage Statistics

Sadly, miscarriages are a very common occurrence. Sources vary, but many estimate that approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage; and some estimates are as high as 1 in 3. If you include loss that occurs before a positive pregnancy test, some estimate that 40% of all conceptions result in loss. 

Although statistics can vary slightly from one source to the next, here is a general account (based primarily on information provided by the March of Dimes) of the frequency of miscarriages in the United States:

•       There are about 4.4 million confirmed pregnancies in the U.S. every year.
•       900,000 to 1 million of those end in pregnancy losses EVERY year.
•       More than 500,000 pregnancies each year end in miscarriage (occurring during the first 20 weeks).
•       Approximately 26,000 end in stillbirth (considered stillbirth after 20 weeks)
•       Approximately 19,000 end in infant death during the first month.
•       Approximately 39,000 end in infant death during the first year.
•       Approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage; some estimates are as high as 1 in 3. If you include loss that occurs before a positive pregnancy test, some estimate that 40% of all conceptions result in loss.
•       Approximately 75% of all miscarriages occur in the first trimester.
•       An estimated 80% of all miscarriages are single miscarriages.  The vast majority of women suffering one miscarriage can expect to have a normal pregnancy next time.
•       An estimated 19% of the adult population has experienced the death of a child (this includes miscarriages through adult-aged children).
  
  
  SIDS Statistics by the numbers
  2,226

  SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants aged one month to one year. In 2009, 2,226 infants passed away from SIDS (2009 reflects the most recent data available).¹

  3

  Babies of mothers who smoke during pregnancyhave a 3 times greater risk of SIDS. Babies who breath secondhand smoke have a 2.5 times greater risk of SIDS.

  40

  Babies who sleep in an adult bed have a 40 times greater risk of SIDS.

  2

  African American Babieshave a 2 times greater risk of SIDS.

  5

  Babies who sleep on their tummies have a 5 times greater risk of SIDS.

  5

  Babies who sleep on soft bedding have a 5 times greater risk of SIDS.

  21

  Babies who sleep on their tummies on top of soft bedding have a 21 times greater risk of SIDS.

  87%

  A Scottish study showed that 87% of SIDS deaths occurred in unsafe sleep environments, only 13% were found in a crib or bassinet.

  60%

  Studies show that for infantswho received any breastmilk for any duration, the likelihood of SIDS was 60% lower.

  665

  Accidental Suffocation or Strangulation in Bed (ASSB) claims the lives of 665 infants per year.¹