October Awareness

When we think of October, we usually think "Breast Cancer Awareness" month.  This is what always came to my mind.  I am a supporter of this and am always amazed by the amount of support Breast Cancer Awareness receives.  For example, Scott was watching an NFL game Sunday and I was overwhelmed by the amount of pink on the field.  It is amazing to see so many people coming together for a great cause.

I never thought about October being awareness for anything else until about 6 months ago.  Did you know that October is also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month?  Yep.  Thanks to President Reagan it is.  See his Presidential Proclamation here.  In addition October 15th is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. 

Here are a few states on Pregnancy and Infant Loss....

• On average 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage
• An estimated 500,000 miscarriages will happen each year
• 1 in every 148 babies are stillborn
• 3 in every 1000 babies die shortly after birth

These stats can be found here.

While the Awareness is on Pregnancy and Infant Loss, many of the people who suffer from this also suffer with Infertility .  Infertility is the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive.
Here are some stats on Infertility....

• 1 in 6 couples between the ages of 15-44 currently deal with infertility.
• More than 9.3 million women and 2 million men seek fertility treatment annually.
• Male infertility has been found to be the major cause of a couple’s inability to conceive in 50% of childless couples.
• Most insurance companies in most states view fertility treatments as "elective procedures", and only 15 states currently have laws that require any sort of insurance coverage for this process.

These stats and more can be found here.

As someone who has experienced early pregnancy loss (February 2010) and is still battling infertility, I have found comfort in knowing I am not alone.

Below are a few links with more information for anyone wanting to learn more.....

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness & Research Institute
Remembering Our Babies
Hiring for Hope