National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day is observed on October 15th every year. It is a day when people can reflect on pregnancy loss or infant death among their family or friends. It is a day when people can remember these children and honor their memory, all while supporting each other and helping them through their grief.

The History of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

This holiday dates back to October 25, 1988, when then U.S. President Ronald Reagan designated October as Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month.

Years later, in 2002, Robyn Bear, Tammy Novak, and Lisa Brown petitioned the U.S. federal government and the governors of all 50 U.S. states to recognize Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day as its own holiday.

This effort resulted in approximately 20 U.S. states signing proclamations that recognized October 15th as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. The first official observance of this day was in 2002. Four years later, the U.S. Congress passed H.Con.Res. 222 on September 28th.

This resolution supported the goals of this holiday. Today, all 50 U.S. states proclaim this day as a holiday. It is also observed in Canada, the U.K., Australia, Italy, and Southern Wales.

Facts About Pregnancy and Infant Loss

As we researched this observation day, we thought it might be helpful to share some facts about pregnancy and infant loss. Below are some of the facts that we uncovered.

• The purpose of this day is to bring awareness to a topic that many people do not discuss.
• One out of four pregnancies ends in loss.
• In the U.S., approximately 24,000 babies are stillborn.
• In 2000, 1 million of the 6 million pregnancies in the U.S. ended in a stillbirth or miscarriage.
• In 2003, of the four million babies born that year, 27,500 of them died before the age of one.
• Most miscarriages occur in the first trimester.
• Most miscarriages are not anyone’s fault and could not have been prevented.
• Only about 0.5% to 1% of women will experience three or more consecutive miscarriages.
• Symptoms of a miscarriage include bleeding and pain.
• The risk of miscarriage is higher if both parents are 35 years or older.
• If the mother is 42 years or older, the chance of a miscarriage increases by 50%.

Observing National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

People can observe this day by visiting nationalshare.org to find support for their pregnancy and/or infant loss, and they can help support the people they love who might be suffering from the loss of a child. To spread the word about this observation day, you can also use the hashtag #NationalPregnancyAndInfantLossDay on your social media accounts.