Geelong honours pregnancy and infant loss

FAMILIES will come together this October for International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

The Month is a time for people to share their memories of those lost during pregnancy, infancy and childhood.

Geelong’s Hope Bereavement Care, also referred to as Hope, will mark International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 13 with their Walk of Hope event.

The walk will honour babies and children who have passed away with a short ceremony followed by a walk from Rippleside Park to Cunningham Pier and back.

Hope Bereavement Care founder and president doctor Bernie Jenner said the remembrance events are important for a number of reasons and through these participants are able to share their stories.

“A problem shared is a problem halved, a lot of it is to do with sharing your emotion but also to not feel alone in your grief.

“When you connect with others who have gone through the same experience and share it with them and also pick up on ways they’ve progressed and moved on and moved forward.

“Even though they carry the loss in their heart, being able to move forward with their lives and hear that from others is empowering.”

As part of the awareness month, the City of Greater Geelong will also light up the catenary lights on Moorabool street pink and blue on October 15.

Also on October 15, people around the world are invited to light a candle at 7pm to participate in the Wave of Light as another way of remembering and honouring those who have passed away.

Hope has been providing free support, information, groupwork and counselling for those grieving since 1985, with the belief nobody should grieve alone.

Dr Jenner said of the 700 referrals they received at Hope for an unexpected death within the region, about a quarter involved pregnancy and infant loss.

“The ultimate tragedy in ones life is the loss of a child, it’s the loss of a dream, a hope, a desire and a loss of the part of you and it’s lifelong.

“The evidence is, without support and being able to talk it through and work with your own emotions and share your own emotions it can definitely lead to mental health issues.”

For more information, head to bereavement.org.au