BFC Honors Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

The month of October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. This provides an opportunity to educate the public on such sensitive topics as miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the death of a newborn. It also acknowledges those who have endured such a loss to let them know they are not alone.

How it is honored globally

Globally, the fifteenth of October is recognized with remembrance ceremonies and candle-lighting vigils across the world, concluding with what is known as the “Lights of Love International Wave of Light”. The lighting of candles, monuments and landmarks lit in the campaign’s colors, pink and blue, is a continuous chain of light spanning the globe for a 24-hour period in honor and remembrance of those lost and the families left behind. This symbolic ritual is observed in Canada, United Kingdom, Australian States of Western Australia, New South Wales, Italy and the United States.

Emotional aspects of a pregnancy loss

One of the goals of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month is to remind you that you’re not alone. Women from every ethnicity, economic background, and religion have experienced a pregnancy loss. Fertility issues in general do not discriminate. While we hope you always feel supported and heard, October is a chance to connect with others who can empathize and remind you that if you’re suffering a loss, you do not have to suffer alone or in silence. There are many online support groups or, you can find a local one (or even start one of your own) to seek out those who can fully understand the range of emotions that accompany loss.

How reproductive technology can help

Depending on how far along you were in the pregnancy and what your reproductive endocrinologist recommends, they may suggest waiting several cycles before trying to conceive. We should also mention that while pregnancy losses do happen, if you were to review the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommendation, if you’ve experienced more than miscarriages, you and your doctor should discuss whether Recurrent Pregnancy Loss is a concern. This way, your doctor can explore whether there may be any autoimmune issues, uterine anomalies or possible genetic or chromosomal abnormalities that might potentially be interfering with your ability to carry a successful pregnancy to term.

What should be comforting is there are many options you can pursue when it comes to reproductive technology. Even if you did not pursue fertility treatment to conceive, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) plus Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A, previously known as PGS) might be helpful to help build your family. Most often, miscarriages occur due to some chromosomal or genetic factor. PGT-A can assist in increasing your chances of having a healthy pregnancy and child as well as decrease your chances of a miscarriage by selecting chromosomally normal embryos to transfer.

Barbados Fertility Center is here for you

This month, as we educate, empower and remember, please know that everyone at Barbados Fertility Center is here to support all of your family building goals. There are options and insight we can offer and, as we always take pride in mentioning, if you have gone through the stress of trying to conceive or pregnancy losses, we double our efforts to make the stay at our clinic the best possible and tranquil experience. We want you at your optimum of relaxation and increasing your chance of a successful outcome. Please don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more.