October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

Honoring Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month: Holding Space for Grief, Hope, and Healing

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month—a time set aside to recognize a profound and often unspoken loss experienced by families across the country. Today, that recognition remains as important as ever.

Each year in the United States, approximately one million pregnancies end in early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or the death of a newborn child. Behind each of these numbers is a story—a family, a set of hopes and dreams, and a love that does not end with loss.

At Carolinas Fertility Institute, we believe these stories deserve to be acknowledged, honored, and held with compassion.

Breaking the Silence Around Loss

Pregnancy and infant loss can be an incredibly isolating experience. While the grief is lifelong, many parents find that others struggle to understand the depth of their emotional and physical pain. Too often, this leads to silence—at a time when support is needed most.

Awareness initiatives throughout October aim to change that. By creating space for open conversation, we can foster greater empathy and ensure that no family feels alone in their grief. At CFI, we are proud to support this effort each year through our social media awareness campaign, helping to amplify voices, share stories, and build a more compassionate community.

Understanding the Scope of Loss

These experiences, while deeply personal, are more common than many realize:

• Early pregnancy loss—defined as loss before 20 weeks—affects an estimated 10–25% of clinically recognized pregnancies, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

• Stillbirth, which occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy, impacts approximately 1 in 160 pregnancies.

• In the United States, more than 21,000 infants die each year.

These statistics are sobering, but they also underscore the importance of awareness, research, and compassionate care.

Supporting Families Through Grief and Beyond

The loss of a child changes a family forever. Grief does not follow a timeline, and healing looks different for everyone. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month invites all of us—friends, family members, healthcare providers, and communities—to consider how we can better support those navigating this difficult path.

At Carolinas Fertility Institute, we are committed to ensuring that no parent walks through this loss alone. We believe in the power of compassionate care, open dialogue, and community support.

Moving Toward Hope and Healing

Talking openly about pregnancy and infant loss is not easy, but it is essential. It helps break down stigma, encourages connection, and ensures that families receive the empathy and care they deserve. It also strengthens our collective commitment to understanding and preventing the causes of these tragedies wherever possible.

Most importantly, it reminds those who are grieving that they are not alone.

This October, and every day, we stand with the families who have experienced loss. We honor their love, we acknowledge their grief, and we remain dedicated to supporting them on their journey toward healing.

You are not alone. And you never have to grieve in silence.