We are 1 in 4 {Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month}

We are 1 in 4.

One in four pregnancies ends in the loss of a baby. 

More than 80% of miscarriages occur within the first three months of pregnancy but when experiencing a loss it feels anything but normal. 

Often times because of the taboo of miscarriage we are left to mourn our loss in silence. You may be sharing a coffee with a friend who is suffering a miscarriage or you could be beside a woman who experienced a loss just days previously.

And never know it. 

Because miscarriages are often not talked about women are left feeling that we did something wrong or there was something wrong with us.

Many times because of this a woman feels isolated during her loss. This could be physical isolation or emotional. Even if a woman doesn’t physically isolate herself she may feel alone in a group of people because of the lack of ability to talk about her loss.

She may feel no option but to bottle it up and go on pretending everything is okay. 

When planning this project, Indianapolis Moms Blog wanted to put a face to the 1 in 4 pregnancies.

This project is for the mother suffering a loss so she didn’t just see a statistic but a person. By seeing a person behind the statistic we hope you feel less alone. We are talking about our losses so we can begin healing and hopefully helping other women and also bring light to the stigma.

There is always hope.

We want to change the narrative and educate other women about pregnancy loss. There is nothing “wrong” with you.

You are strong.

You are not alone.

Indy Mama, we see you. We hear you. We are with you.

Photography and Project Credit: Amanda Shaffer Photography 

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Month. If you are someone you know has suffered from a loss and need additional support we have compiled a short list of local resources for you:

http://www.neofight.org Neo-Fight is an Indianapolis based organization dedicated to helping families experiencing a perinatal/neonatal crisis.

https://www.ecommunity.com/services/womens-care/pregnancy/pregnancy-loss-support

http://www.hendricksangel.org

https://www.hendricks.org/support-groups

https://www.franciscanhealth.org/health-care-services/pregnancy-loss-support-program-239

https://www.peacecounselinggroup.com

Most hospitals in the area offer support and counseling groups for a mother or family suffering the loss of a pregnancy or child. If you need additional support, please do not hesitate to receive it.