October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month

2024-03-28 2085

Pregnancy and child lo...

October month signifies the start of the cold season where trees start to shed their leaves and stay naked until the next spring season ushers. Hence, this month is also linked to awareness about Pregnancy and Infant Loss where the rays of Hope is spread among such community of people who have lost their infants either within a few months of pregnancy or within few days of birth that Springs are soon to come.

People also celebrate October as a month to raise awareness about successful pregnancies and using modern treatment methods to stop any further loss of children in mother’s womb or soon after being born.

Pregnancy is now no longer a matter of God’s will or a pre-defined thing in fate to happen. It is much of a planned event by the couples to bring their new ones into this beautiful world with all preparations necessary. But sometimes things don’t happen as wanted. Even after due care and planning people experience pregnancy and infant loss. These experiences are accompanied by overwhelming emotions – fear, worry, sadness, anger, denial, guilt, grief and even depression – and often cause parents to question themselves and their choices – Why did this happen to me? What did I do wrong? etc. People often start to underestimate their potentials or believe that children are not in their fate. Although they might have occurred due to causes like diabetes, smoking, drinking, drugs, maternal hormone issues, thyroid disease or fetal abnormalities which if known beforehand precautions could have been taken to minimize the chances. People give up hope only after a few attempts.

Pregnancy and Infant loss are not rare case. Often most of them get unnoticed as people don’t want to discuss about their tough experience.

  • An estimated 10 to 20% of pregnancies are known to end in miscarriage, shares the Mayo Clinic.
  • “For women in their childbearing years, the chances of having a miscarriage can range from 10-25%, and in most healthy women the average is about a 15-20% chance.” ~ AmericanPregnancy.org
  • “Stillbirth affects about 1% of all pregnancies, and each year about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States,” according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The most troubling part about miscarriage, pregnancy or infant loss is that sadly, most often the cause is unable to be identified. Hence, it becomes important for people who are experiencing it, who have overcome some situations and specialist who know about such situation to talk about it to educate people and minimize the possibility of these problems.

The lifestyle of people is changing and getting more of unbalanced as the habits of fast-food, smoking & drinking, sleep deprival, late marriage, improper use of contraceptives has become a common ordeal.  In this changing scenario, in order to give birth to healthy children and minimize the experience of infertility and child loss the awareness should spread right from the basic level.

Fertility Education

The birth process, the factors affecting birth, healthy habits to protect fertility in humans should be a part of the basic school education so that people can take care of their body well. Safe sex and preventing unwanted births should also be well communicated to the students at appropriate age so that they can be aware of any future challenges related to fertility.

Besides, the clubs and other groups can even involve actively in remote areas of Nepal to spread awareness on these matters. As a responsible healthcare center Vatsalya is committed to run such educational programs from time to time.

Fertility in Workplace

Workplaces are where fertile people spend much of their time. The work conditions and policies should facilitate them to plan for babies and take necessary time off for that. Females can specially be given flexibility on working from their comfort places during pregnancy period. Sometimes they might require off to schedule visits with doctors on a period basis. This should not be of a more hassle.

Workplaces can also provide medical insurance covering matters related to pregnancy or infertility so that people can feel secure about their future.

Infertility and Mentality

Infertility is more traumatic than we suppose. People going through these conditions needs proper counseling and emotional support along with medical treatment. Friends and families of people struggling with TTC (trying to conceive) should try not to hurt their feelings in any manner. Besides, they should suggest them with exploring new medical treatment options rather than giving up with the hope.

Men Fertility Matters

Our societies have always been male dominated. Although people realize weaknesses at their end, they are unable to accept it openly as they link these matters with prestige. Open discussions through public forums and medias about male infertility and the fact that 1/3rd of the infertility conditions are related to male factor can help to change their mentality and induce them to come forward for treatment plans or contribute towards making a complete and happy family.

Support Groups

Couples who are facing the problem of infertility or infant loss are emotionally weak. When successes can’t be achieved even after long struggles and opting modern methodologies, heart breaks down in tears. They actually don’t know what to do. Sometimes, some symptoms get unnoticed even after rigorous check of medical background, this is where support groups can come to help.

There are many people around the world who might have experienced the similar problem, who openly share their experiences for the benefits of others who might experience the similar symptoms. Connecting with such group can help to know where to go for further diagnosis.

Stories of those who have struggled can be a strong motivation for the strugglers to start again with new hope and achieve the desired goal.

Modern Medical Alternatives

In countries like Nepal, people are skeptical about modern infertility treatments. Many are even unknown about them. Those who have already experienced such treatments can be a face for those who are getting through that pain. Even doctors, clinics and front-end medias should take that responsibility to spread awareness about these treatment options.

We can advance towards better tomorrow if we try together and help each other in times of difficulties. Let’s make this October month a success by creating a difference in at least one person who is experiencing such difficulty.

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