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Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month takes place every October to recognize miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, and infant loss while honoring the babies who are deeply missed. It offers grieving parents, family members, and communities a dedicated space to break the silence surrounding baby loss, share memories, and access emotional support resources. Through global events like the Wave of Light on October 15, this observance connects families worldwide in a shared movement of remembrance and compassion.
Key takeaways
- October raises baby loss awareness: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month provides national recognition, education, and community support for families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death.
- The Wave of Light unites families globally: Lighting a candle at 7:00 p.m. local time on October 15 creates a continuous 24-hour chain of remembrance across every time zone.
- Honoring a loss takes many meaningful forms: Parents and loved ones can choose between public ceremonies, private candle lightings, memory keepsakes, or charitable contributions.
- Support resources are available year-round: Dedicated support groups, peer companion programs, and clinical guidance help individuals navigate grief and family planning.
What is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month?
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a dedicated time each year to honor and raise awareness for families impacted by early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, neonatal death, and infant loss. First proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in October 1988 under Proclamation 5890, the movement acknowledges the deep grief parents carry while working to reduce the social stigma long associated with baby loss.
Each year, approximately one million pregnancies in the United States end in early pregnancy loss or stillbirth. Despite how common these experiences are, many families grieve in isolation. October provides a vital opportunity for open conversation, public education, and compassionate healthcare initiatives that support grieving parents.
Why does Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month matter?
Raising public awareness helps society recognize that grief after pregnancy loss is deep, valid, and deserving of recognition. When communities acknowledge baby loss openly, grieving parents feel less isolated in their emotional journey.
Public observances also push for better healthcare protocols, including standardized bereavement care guidelines and expanded research into the underlying causes of stillbirth and recurrent pregnancy loss.
The Wave of Light: A global moment of remembrance
The Wave of Light is an international remembrance event held every year on October 15, which coincides with World Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. At 7:00 p.m. local time, participants light a candle and leave it burning for at least one hour in memory of all babies gone too soon. The flame moves continuously from one region to the next, creating an unbroken wave of light around the globe and a shared sign of love and remembrance.
Wave of Light baby loss prayer and rituals
Participants take part in the Wave of Light in ways that feel personally meaningful, whether at home or in community gatherings. Some families read a poem or a quiet prayer, speak their baby’s name aloud, or observe a period of silent reflection.
Many families also share photos of their lit candles on social media using dedicated tags. This virtual gathering allows bereaved parents, relatives, and friends to connect across distances and show mutual support.
Meaningful ways to honor a miscarried or stillborn baby
Honoring the memory of a baby is a deeply personal experience, and there is no single right way to commemorate a loss. How a family chooses to remember a child often depends on whether it finds comfort in shared community experiences or quiet personal reflection.
The following table compares public and private approaches to help you find a tribute that fits your emotional needs.
| Approach | Examples | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Public remembrance | Participating in the Wave of Light, attending a local memorial walk, or sharing a social media tribute | Individuals who feel comforted by shared community support and collective recognition |
| Private ritual | Lighting a candle at home, writing a letter in a journal, or spending time in quiet reflection | Those who prefer processing grief in a personal, intimate setting |
| Physical keepsake | Creating a memory box, displaying ultrasound artwork, or wearing personalized memorial jewelry | Parents looking for a long-term, tangible connection to their baby’s memory |
| Charitable action | Donating to a loss support organization, organizing a fundraiser, or sponsoring care packages | Turning personal grief into meaningful action that assists other families |
Creating a pregnancy loss remembrance
Creating a dedicated keepsake or tradition allows families to carry their baby’s memory forward into daily life. Many parents assemble a memory box containing ultrasound photos, hospital bands, sympathy cards, or a special blanket. Others plant a memorial garden or display a personalized ornament during the holidays.
Sustained rituals, such as lighting a candle on anniversaries or due dates, offer ongoing moments of connection and comfort long after October ends.
Types of pregnancy loss compared
Knowing the clinical terms can make it easier to follow what a provider is saying and to ask the questions you need answered.
The table below outlines common clinical terms and typical timing associated with different types of pregnancy loss.
| Type | Definition | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Early pregnancy loss / Miscarriage | Loss of an intrauterine pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation | Most frequently occurs during the first trimester |
| Missed miscarriage | Pregnancy loss where development ceases without immediate physical symptoms or bleeding | Typically identified during early pregnancy ultrasound evaluations |
| Stillbirth | Loss of a baby occurring at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy | Second or third trimester of pregnancy |
What is a missed miscarriage
A missed miscarriage, also referred to as a silent miscarriage, occurs when an embryo or fetus stops developing, but the body does not immediately recognize the loss. As a result, typical physical signs such as heavy bleeding or severe cramping may be absent.
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Many individuals only learn of a missed miscarriage during a routine prenatal ultrasound when a doctor notes the absence of a fetal heartbeat. Medical management or a minor surgical procedure may be required to safely remove the tissue and support maternal physical recovery.
Signs and causes of stillbirth
A stillbirth occurs when a baby is lost at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is an experience shared by many families; according to the CDC, roughly 21,000 babies in the U.S. are stillborn each year (CDC, 2026).
A key indicator of potential stillbirth is a change in the baby’s usual behavior, which makes daily kick counting a helpful tool for identifying distress before total movement stops. Noticing a drop in movement early gives your care team the chance to evaluate fetal health sooner. Report any change in movement to your provider right away.
Potential signs of stillbirth include a noticeable decrease or cessation in fetal movement, vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, or fluid leakage. Causes of stillbirth can include placental complications, birth defects, umbilical cord accidents, maternal health conditions, or severe infections, although many cases remain unexplained despite medical evaluation.
Finding support during and after awareness month
Navigating life after a pregnancy loss requires gentle self-compassion and reliable emotional care. Professional counseling, peer mentorship programs, bereavement doulas, and clinical evaluations can play vital roles in physical and emotional healing.
Pregnancy loss support groups: finding your community
Support groups provide a safe environment where bereaved parents can express their feelings without fear of judgment. Connecting with peers who have experienced similar losses helps normalize complex emotions like grief, anxiety, and guilt.
Working with a bereavement doula (also known as a loss doula) can also offer compassionate, one-on-one care tailored to your immediate needs. Bereavement doulas provide emotional validation, assist with physical recovery measures, help navigate difficult hospital choices, and guide families through creating personalized keepsakes or remembrance rituals.
National organizations offer virtual support group meetings, phone helplines, and local community chapters. Seeking professional mental health support from counselors who specialize in perinatal grief is also strongly recommended. If you live with an underlying hormone condition such as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a reproductive specialist can help you think through what comes next when and if you feel ready to talk about future pregnancies.
Related observances throughout the year
While October serves as the primary national awareness month, several related observances throughout the year focus on specific aspects of reproductive health and bereavement care.
The graphic below summarizes key observances that honor loss and support maternal health.
| Observance | Date | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month | October | Broad awareness for miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, and infant death |
| Wave of Light | October 15 | Global candle lighting ceremony |
| Bereaved Mother’s Day | Sunday before Mother’s Day | Dedicated day honoring mothers who are grieving the loss of a child |
| Black Maternal Health Week | April 11 to 17 | Focuses on addressing disparities in maternal healthcare access and outcomes |
| Prematurity Awareness Month | November | Educates on premature birth risks, NICU support, and infant care |
Miscarriage Awareness Day and Bereaved Mother’s Day
Special days like Bereaved Mother’s Day offer dedicated support for mothers who find traditional family holidays emotionally challenging. These observances recognize that motherhood includes those who carry their children in their hearts rather than their arms. Acknowledging these days helps family members offer thoughtful check-ins and support when grieving mothers need it most.
How Premom and easy@Home support your journey after loss
When you feel ready to monitor your reproductive health again or explore getting pregnant after miscarriage, having reliable tracking tools can help you understand your body’s recovery. The Premom app charts your cycle day by day so you can see your patterns returning at your own pace. Premom reads easy@Home ovulation test strips and turns each strip into a data point in your cycle trend. Whenever you feel ready, you can start charting at your own pace. There is no rush, and there is no wrong timeline.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or OBGYN regarding any questions you may have about your reproductive health or medical conditions.
Key terms explained
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month: October observance to support grieving families and educate the public on baby loss.
- Wave of Light: A global event on October 15 where people light candles to create a 24-hour chain of remembrance.
- Missed miscarriage: A pregnancy loss where the fetus stops developing, but the body has not started to show symptoms like bleeding or cramping.
- Stillbirth: The loss of a baby at 20 weeks of pregnancy or later.
