Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

As many as one in five pregnancies end in miscarriage, and each year in Canada there are approximately six stillborn infants in 1000 total births.

On October 15, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, we acknowledge and remember these losses, as well as the unique grief bereaved parents experience. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day also provides the opportunity to show support to the many families across Canada who have suffered the loss of a pregnancy or the death of an infant.

In Ontario, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day was officially declared on December 8, 2015 as one of the many elements of Bill 141: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness, Research, and Care Act.

The day is observed with remembrance ceremonies, candle-lighting vigils and concludes with the International Wave of Light.

The International Wave of Light invites participants from around the world to light a candle at 7 p.m. in their respective time zones and to leave the candle burning for at least an hour. The result is a continuous chain of light spanning the globe for a 24-hour period in honour and remembrance of the children who passed away in pregnancy or as infants.

To get involved in PAIL Network’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day campaign, or to host an awareness event in your community, please review our October 15 Community Toolkit. For all additional questions, please contact us at pailnetwork@sunnybrook.ca.