World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day 2021
On Friday, October 15th, we recognize World Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day and the International Wave of Light Initiative by lighting a candle at 7:00 pm local time to honor all who have been lost and impacted.
The trauma of pregnancy and infant loss is immeasurable and the act of moving forward for many is hard to fathom. We took a few minutes to talk with Jen Noonan, MA, LPC a psychological counselor partner of the Conceptions mental wellness team to gain more insight about coping with an infant or pregnancy loss.
“With infertility, there are so many components to care – physical, financial, and emotional. Often the emotional aspects get lost, so having a counselor to share with can help.” Jen added, “patients suffering from a failed cycle, recurrent miscarriage, or infant loss need to know they are not alone.”
According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), about 25% of pregnancies result in a loss, and if you’re an infertility patient, pregnancy loss can often be even harder to cope with. “Patients who suffer a loss after multiple treatment cycles of IUI or IVF carry more emotional weight. Their path has been harder already. As a counselor, I try to address each story and setbacks individually,” offered Jen who has first-hand experience with pregnancy loss. “I have a good understanding of what patients might be feeling, as I’ve been there myself and found that having a peer support group helped me cope with my feelings of devastation and isolation.”
Conceptions has posted a short support video from Jen Noonan, MA, LPC on our social pages to help provide some guidance and coping strategies for dealing with pregnancy and infant loss.
“The number one thing you can do is talk about the experience, whether to a professional counselor or a peer who has had a similar experience. I highly recommend a group called NationalShare.org, that offers phone support, face-to-face support group meetings, resource packets, private online communities, memorial events, and training for caregivers,” suggested Jen.
With resources like in-person and online support groups as well as books and articles, Jen discussed how both patients and their partners need to connect and support each other. “Partners are also struggling in their own way, and the signs of grief and stress are often not as visible. I was pleased that a partner like Mark Zuckerberg from Facebook came out to talk about the feelings he experienced when he and his partner had a miscarriage.”
“It’s important to take a moment on the 15th and light a candle to offer our support and keep those affected by pregnancy and infant loss in our hearts.”
Need to talk to someone about pregnancy and infant loss? Connect with Jen Noonan, MA, LPC here at Conceptions or via her private practice www.kiaorawellness.com.