October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month — a time to remember, reflect, and show support for families who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a baby.
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Shawnee Health, I have met many parents who carry that loss with them every day. The grief that follows can feel overwhelming and isolating. It’s something few people expect to face, and it often leaves families unsure where to turn. This month serves as a reminder that they are not alone — and that it’s okay to talk about their experience.
Pregnancy and infant loss can happen in many different ways — miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss shortly after birth. No matter when it happens, the pain is real and the love is lasting. Every family’s journey is unique, and there’s no single “right” way to grieve. Some parents find comfort in sharing their story. Others prefer quiet reflection. Some light candles, write letters, or find other personal ways to honor their baby’s memory.
What’s most important is allowing yourself to grieve in your own way, at your own pace. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. It may come in waves, and that’s completely normal.
At Shawnee Health, we believe in caring for the whole person — body, mind, and heart. Our providers understand that emotional healing is just as important as physical recovery. We have counselors, midwives, OB-GYNs, and behavioral health specialists who work together to support families through this difficult time. Sometimes that looks like individual counseling or therapy; other times it’s connecting parents to community support groups or simply listening without judgment.
If you or someone you love has experienced pregnancy or infant loss, please know that help is available. You don’t have to face this alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Healing takes time, but you don’t have to walk that path by yourself.
At Shawnee Health, we are here to listen, to care, and to help families find hope again — one step at a time.
Your grief matters. Your story matters. And most of all, you are not alone.
بواسطة Amanda Bowers, PMHNP – Shawnee Health