Resources and Memorial Items Help Process Grief after Loss
SAN DIEGO – The Institute of Reproductive Grief Care, the global leader in reproductive grief care, research and education, today announced that it would honor October’s Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with resources designed to help anyone touched by pregnancy and reproductive loss.
STATISTICS
- 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage
- Busy hospital Emergency Departments report an average of 5 pregnancy losses each day
- 2.4 million fetal and neonatal deaths occur in the perinatal period in the U.S. – 4 times more than the annual number of deaths from cancer!
- These numbers don’t include infertility, which carries its own repeated, emotional pain.
Reproductive loss impacts millions each year. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month is designed to bring these losses to light, give those impacted a way to tell their story and process their loss, and for their loved ones to find ways to help them through it.
“The grief and pain of those touched by reproductive loss is often marginalized and hidden and unresolved for years – even decades,” said Michaelene Fredenburg, President and CEO of the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care and Institute of Reproductive Grief Care. “We’re changing this.”
LIVE, ONLINE EVENTS
As part of this important Month, the Institute is hosting two exciting, live events:
“Igniting Compassion in Emergency Care” – Tuesday, October 10 – 5:00 pm PT / 8:00 pm PT (30 minutes) Free!
In this quick and exciting event, witness the deeply personal and powerful impact of reproductive loss. We interview three healthcare workers who have witnessed the inspiring and powerful changes created in the care of those grieving reproductive loss through our new Emergency Care Program. See the amazing results of this new Program, and how it’s bringing hope and healing to millions.
Helping Loved Ones Through Reproductive Loss – Tuesday, October 17th – 11:00 am PT / 2:00 pm ET (45 minutes) Free!
Join us for a casual but intimate conversation about supporting family members and friends impacted by reproductive loss. You are invited – not just to listen – but to join the conversation by submitting questions and actively engaging through the chat feature as we explore together how to comfort those closest to us. This event will change everything you know about grief and reproductive loss.
The “Forget Me Not” flower honors those impacted by pregnancy and reproductive loss, raises awareness for the millions of people impacted, and gives those grieving a way to tell their story and process their loss.
“The ‘Forget Me Not’ flower assures those impacted that we are remembering them, and remembering their children with them,” explained Fredenburg. “We encourage everyone to wear a ‘Forget Me Not’ flower, especially in October, to show your support, care and compassion for anyone impacted by pregnancy and reproductive loss.”
The Institute offers its award-winning “Forget Me Not” Signature Collection of memorial and remembrance items, including jewelry, like pins and bracelets, along with sympathy cards, at its online shop. “Forget Me Not” pins are available as traditional pins or magnetic pins that can be placed on clothes, purses, and, for medical professionals, on ID badges or lab coats. All proceeds support those impacted by reproductive loss. On a budget? Download our free “Forget Me Not” Flower cards. Wear and share these cards to open the door to a conversation about reproductive loss. Great for clipboards, handouts, the back of IDs, reception desks or just about anywhere.
Join us in honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month! Follow #ForgetMeNot on social media for updates throughout October.
HELPFUL TOOLKITS
“Everyone knows someone who has experienced a pregnancy or reproductive loss,” said Michaelene Fredenburg, President and CEO of Institute of Reproductive Grief Care. “Unfortunately, even though we want to support them, most of us do not know what to do or say.”
Are you, or do you know, someone impacted by pregnancy and reproductive loss? Not sure what to say or do? Institute of Reproductive Grief Care’ Helpful Toolkits are free resources for anyone who needs help, hope and healing after this unique kind of loss. “Helpful Toolkits” are for:
- Women who have experienced reproductive loss
- Men who have experienced reproductive loss
- Family and friends who want to help
- Healthcare professionals
“TOP 10 TERRIBLE” AND TOP 10 TERRIFIC”
Our popular “Top 10” lists are inside our Helpful Toolkits for Everyone:
MISCARRIAGE VIDEO
Within the Helpful Toolkits for Everyone, is our short video for those who experience miscarriage. This 3-minute video let’s those touched by miscarriage to know that they are not alone. This same video is also available in Spanish.
“Our Helpful Toolkits, Top 10 Lists, videos and ‘Forget Me Not’ Signature Collection are all wonderful ways to learn, show support, and symbolize your care and concern for those impacted by pregnancy and reproductive loss,” said Fredenburg. “And October, during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, is the perfect time to do this.”
OUR VISION
We bring to light the widespread need for help that is faced by the millions impacted by miscarriage and other reproductive losses. We change the way that people think and talk about reproductive loss, and create traditions that focus on healing, remembrance and hope. We offer a safe place, for those impacted, to receive the support that they need in kindness and without judgement.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF REPRODUCTIVE GRIEF CARE
The Institute of Reproductive Grief Care is the global authority on reproductive grief care. It offers education, research, expertise and support after reproductive loss without religious or political affiliation. Its goal is to accelerate the widespread adoption of a reproductive grief standard of care, bringing comfort and hope to millions who often grieve alone and in silence for years or decades.
The Institute’s online courses are accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The Institute of Reproductive Grief Care is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #17434. It is also approved by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. We maintain responsibility for our program and its content. The Institute also certifies healthcare professionals and others in reproductive grief care.
The Institute offers books, memorial items, and other healing resources directly to those affected, including the “Forget Me Not Signature Collection” of sympathy cards, jewelry and comfort boxes. The national campaign, promoting the “Forget Me Not” flower as a symbol of reproductive loss remembrance, won the grand prize of “Nonprofit Communications Campaign of the Year” by Public Relations Daily in 2022. All Institute proceeds from sales of “Forget Me Not” items go directly to helping those impacted. The Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information, see the Institute’s introductory video and visit ReproductiveGrief.org.