Understanding Pregnancy and Infant Loss: A Closer Look

Pregnancy and infant loss is a tough topic, but it's important to talk about it. Health professionals are working hard to spread awareness about this issue. They want everyone to understand that this kind of loss can happen in different ways. For example, a miscarriage usually happens early in the pregnancy, often before 20 weeks. A stillbirth, on the other hand, occurs later, after 20 weeks, but the baby is not born alive. Sometimes, these losses happen because of problems with the baby's development or chromosomes. Other times, it might be due to issues with the uterus, umbilical cord, or placenta. Sadly, there's often nothing that can be done to prevent these tragedies. In Wisconsin, about 5% of pregnancies result in a stillbirth. The risk goes up for women who are 40 or older. It's also more common in non-Hispanic Black communities, as well as Native American and Native Alaskan communities, compared to Caucasian communities. Experts say that regular prenatal check-ups, staying healthy, and paying attention to the baby's movements can make a difference. In fact, about 30% of stillbirths could potentially be helped by monitoring the baby's kicks. That's around 100 births a year in Wisconsin. Even though this issue is common, it's usually not preventable. It's important to remember that it's not the mother's fault. Grief is different for everyone, and it's okay to acknowledge the loss in whatever way feels right. Talking about it can be a big part of the healing process.