Please note that this article may trigger emotional responses in some readers.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (October 15) is a day to break the silence around the thousands of people across Canada who are mourning the loss of their babies as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth, or death within a year of being born. It is a day to remember these babies.
The experience of pregnancy and infant loss is different for each individual and family, but will generally see similar effects, such as depression (sometimes post-partum depression), anxiety, shock, numbness, anger, sadness, fear, changes in relationships, development of unhealthy coping mechanisms, sometimes post-traumatic stress disorder, and more. These are valid and normal reactions to grief.
If you, or someone you know, has experienced pregnancy, infant, or child loss, please reach out to a doctor, therapist, counselor, Elder, support group (the PG Hospice Society has several available, as well as one-to-one grief support, which can be accessed virtually or over the telephone), or another trusted, trained support person. Remember to connect with the social support of your friends and family, allow yourself to be taken care of, and engage in self-care as best you can.
Visit the First Nations Health Authority website for more information about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
For a list of local, regional, and provincial resources, please visit
- Northern Health Dealing With Grief booklet
- Prince George Hospice Society
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- BC Bereavement Help Line
- Toll-Free: 1-877-779-2223 (M-F 9 AM - 5 PM), or contact@bcbh.ca
- HealthLinkBC
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day
It’s important that you know you are not alone and that there are people who can and will listen to you and support you through your grief. It is not easy to reach out, but please do.
Comments