Baby Loss Awareness Week | Why Talking About Loss Matters
Every October, people across Ireland and beyond take part in Baby Loss Awareness Week. The week runs from 9th–15th October, ending with Baby Loss Remembrance Day on the 15th. It offers space to remember babies who have died, support families who have experienced loss, and raise awareness of how we can all make a difference.
At Sims IVF, we recognise how important it is to talk about baby loss. Too often, this topic is surrounded by silence. For those affected, that silence can make grief heavier to carry. Opening up about loss does not erase the pain, but it helps create connection, understanding, and hope.
Understanding Baby Loss
Baby loss refers to the death of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or soon after birth. This can include miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Each experience is deeply personal, yet many people go through it.
Statistics show that roughly 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Even though it’s something many people experience, it’s rarely spoken about openly. Friends may struggle to find the right words, families might not know how to approach it, and in many ways, society still struggles to replace silence with understanding.
This lack of conversation means that many parents grieve in silence. They may feel isolated or unsure where to turn for help. Talking about loss, even in small ways, helps reduce that isolation and encourages others to reach out for support when they need it.
Why Talking About Baby Loss Matters
When we share experiences of baby loss, it reminds others that they are not alone. Every conversation helps to normalise grief and validate the emotions that come with it.
Talking also helps those around us understand how to provide support. People often want to help but fear saying the wrong thing. Open discussion helps shift that uncertainty and builds empathy within communities.
It also encourages healthcare providers and policymakers to recognise that emotional recovery is as important as physical recovery. Awareness leads to improvements in bereavement care and mental health support, which is vital for long-term healing.
The Emotional Impact of Baby Loss
Baby loss affects everyone differently. Some people experience intense sadness and guilt. Others feel numbness and anger. Every emotion is valid.
For some, grief comes in waves that ease and return unexpectedly. Anniversaries, due dates, or seeing other babies can trigger renewed feelings of loss. Many describe feeling detached from others who cannot understand what they are going through.
Partners may also grieve in silence, unsure how to express emotions or support one another. This can put strain on relationships if communication breaks down.
Acknowledging these emotions is an important step in healing. Counselling or peer support can help process those feelings in a healthy way. At Sims IVF we offer access to counselling services for anyone who has experienced loss or is struggling emotionally during treatment. Our team understands that fertility care is not only medical but deeply emotional.
Breaking the Stigma Around Loss
Despite progress, stigma still surrounds baby loss. Some people feel pressured to keep their experiences private because they fear being judged or misunderstood. Others worry that sharing grief might make others uncomfortable.
This stigma often stems from discomfort with grief itself. Society tends to avoid conversations about death, particularly when it involves babies or pregnancy. Yet silence prevents healing.
By speaking openly, we help others understand that grief after baby loss is not something to be hidden or rushed. It deserves the same compassion as any other bereavement.
Public awareness campaigns like Baby Loss Awareness Week help shift this narrative. Across Ireland, buildings are lit in pink and blue, candlelight vigils are held, and families come together to remember and reflect. These gestures make an enormous difference. They show bereaved parents that their loss matters and that their babies are not forgotten.
The Role of Awareness Events
Baby Loss Awareness Week has grown significantly in recent years. Many hospitals and maternity units now take part in remembrance services or information sessions. Charities and support groups host walks, talks, and community gatherings where families can share their experiences in safe spaces.
At 7pm on 15 October, many people take part in the Global Wave of Light by lighting a candle for one hour to honour the memory of babies who have died. This simple act connects people worldwide, symbolising unity and remembrance.
Taking part in events like this helps break the silence that often surrounds loss. It also allows families to connect with others who understand their grief, offering a sense of community and shared strength.
How Sims IVF Supports Emotional Wellbeing
At Sims IVF, we believe emotional support should always be part of fertility care. When patients come to us after experiencing miscarriage or failed treatment cycles, we understand that the journey can be emotionally demanding and sometimes heartbreaking.
Our counsellors and team are available to listen, guide, and help individuals and couples navigate the emotions that arise before, during, or after treatment. Support is available whether you are in the early stages of trying to conceive or dealing with the pain of loss.
For some men they may find it difficult to express their emotions following loss. Our counsellors encourage open communication between partners and provide strategies to strengthen understanding and connection during difficult times.
Practical Ways to Support Someone Experiencing Loss
If someone close to you has experienced baby loss, you may wonder what to say or how to help. The truth is, you do not need the perfect words. Listening with compassion and acknowledging their grief can mean more than anything else.
Here are some gentle ways to offer support:
- Acknowledge their loss. Use the baby’s name if one was given. Simple phrases like “I’m so sorry for your loss” are enough.
- Avoid comparisons. Everyone grieves differently, and each experience is unique.
- Offer practical help. Providing meals, running errands, or simply checking in can ease emotional strain.
- Be patient. Grief does not follow a timeline. Allow space for sadness, even months or years later.
- Encourage professional help. Suggest counselling or support groups if they seem open to it.
Many find comfort in small acts of remembrance. Lighting a candle, planting a tree, or creating a keepsake can help honour the baby’s memory in a personal way.
Finding Hope After Loss
For many, hope feels distant after baby loss. It may take time to imagine a future that looks different from what was planned. Yet hope often returns in unexpected ways, through connection, compassion, or the quiet strength built by enduring something so painful.
Some people choose to try again, while others take longer to heal or explore different paths. Whatever the journey, it’s important to move at your own pace. No one should feel pressured to make decisions before they are ready.
We meet people who have experienced loss. Their journeys remind us that healing is possible, even if it takes time. Sharing these stories helps others see that there is no single path to recovery, but that support and care can make a profound difference along the way.
How Talking Creates Change
Every conversation about baby loss, whether public or private, helps to reshape how society views grief and fertility. When we talk about loss, we acknowledge that it is part of life, not something to hide or be ashamed of.
For healthcare professionals, these discussions lead to better policies and more compassionate care. For families, they bring connection, understanding, and the knowledge that they are not alone.
By speaking up, supporting awareness events, or simply sharing a story, each person contributes to breaking the stigma surrounding loss.
Taking the First Step
If you have experienced baby loss and are struggling emotionally, you are not alone. Support is available. Reaching out to a counsellor, support group, or trusted friend can help you begin to heal.
We offer dedicated emotional care for all patients. Whether you are in treatment, considering your next steps, or reflecting after loss, we are here to help you feel supported in every way possible.
Continuing the Conversation
Baby Loss Awareness Week reminds us of the importance of compassion, understanding, and open conversation. For many, it is a time to honour the memory of their baby and to recognise how far they have come.
Talking about loss will never remove the pain, but it helps people feel seen and supported. When we speak, we connect. When we listen, we heal together.
At Sims IVF, we continue to support all those who have experienced loss and remain committed to fostering an environment of empathy, care, and hope, not only during Baby Loss Awareness Week but every day of the year.
