Kalamazoo Times

Michigan families who've suffered a miscarriage or who have lost a baby now have a day to pay tribute and raise awareness for what they've been through.

Rep. Beth Griffin (R-Mattawan) wrote a resolution to make Thursday, Oct. 15, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It was passed by the Michigan House of Representatives last month. 

"Every life is precious, no matter how short-lived," Griffin said, according to the Michigan House Republicans website. "It's my sincere hope Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day will provide people with an increased understanding of the great tragedy involved in the deaths of unborn and newborn babies and enable our communities to better comfort families in a time of pain and heartache."

Rep. Beth Griffin | Michigan House Republicans

About one in four pregnancies, which equals about a million overall, ends in either a miscarriage, stillbirth or death of a newborn baby each year in the United States. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is a way to raise awareness and teach others about the tremendous loss and suffering families who've experienced such a tragedy may be going through. 

"As mothers and fathers, we always imagine we will be gone before our children, but for many families, life doesn't play out that way," Griffin told Michigan House Republicans.

Griffin said having a day set aside to recognize the issue helps enlighten people about how to react and talk to families who've suffered a loss of pregnancy with sympathy and empathy.  It also helps authenticate the feelings for families who are in mourning after suffering this traumatic and tragic loss.

October 15 is nationally recognized as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. It also falls in the month set aside to raise awareness for the loss of babies, whether it happens in the womb or after birth.