As Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022 draws to a close, we at Enable Law are joining the Wave of Light and reflecting on the steps that have been made in raising awareness about baby loss and breaking the silence.
Wave of Light
The Wave of Light is a global event that asks people around the world to light a candle in support of those who have suffered the devastating effects of pregnancy and baby loss and in memory of those babies who have gone too soon. The light symbolises the memory of the babies who lit up the world for such a short time.
The Wave of Light begins at 7pm on 15 October 2022 in the far west of the globe. As the various time zones across the globe reach 7pm local time, the wave of light moves from West to East. Most will light a candle and place it in their windows to show their support of the cause and businesses and key landmarks across the globe will also light up in pink and blue to show their support.
Take a photo of your candle and share it on social media using #WaveOfLight at 7pm on 15 October 2022 to show your support. We will be sharing ours.
Breaking the Silence
In supporting the Wave of Light and in engaging with conversations surrounding baby loss, it is hoped that the stigma attached will reduce and productive steps will be taken by policy makers to ensure that baby loss becomes less and less prevalent in our society.
In recent years, we have seen an increase in the amount of press and publicity baby loss receives. There is an increased spotlight on standards of maternity care with several high profile investigations and inquiries taking place. Both medical professionals and parents are now more willing than ever to share their stories and experiences.
Several celebrities have also come forward to share their stories of baby loss.
Chrissy Teigen, American model and wife of singer, John Legend, announced that she had suffered the devastating loss of her son, Jack, at 20 weeks gestation. This story went viral across the globe as people praised Chrissy for opening up about such a sensitive and personal subject in the wake of enormous heartbreak.
Shortly afterwards, Meghan Markle wrote an article in the New York Times describing the “almost unbearable grief” that she experienced when she suffered a miscarriage with her second pregnancy. It is reported that Megan felt the need to write this article as it was apparent how common miscarriage is and how little it is spoken about. She wants to ensure that women’s voices and women’s experiences are acknowledged and heard.
Markle wrote:
“The conversation remains taboo, riddled with (unwarranted) shame, and perpetuating a cycle of solitary mourning. Some have bravely shared their stories; they have opened the door, knowing that when one person speaks the truth, it gives licence for all of us to do the same”.
The story also went viral, with charities such as Tommy’s, Sands and the Miscarriage Association showing their support for those who have suffered pregnancy and baby loss and promoting this discussion in an open forum.
Chrissy and Meghan’s voices were joined in late 2021 by Maya Vander, star of Netflix TV show Selling Sunsets, who spoke openly on her Instagram about the stillbirth of her son, Mason, at 38 weeks gestation. She shared that she had heard of baby loss but never expected it to happen to her. This is part of the problem with stories not being shared. Once again, her story went viral as people around the world shared their support for Maya’s courage in telling her story. Sadly, in her subsequent pregnancy in 2022, Maya suffered a miscarriage at 10 weeks. Once again, she shared this with her social media platform in an attempt to further raise awareness of the rainbow pregnancy struggles that many experience.
While this is only the beginning, it demonstrates the rise in sharing stories about baby loss and, therefore, raising awareness that this happens to many people across the world and is a topic that should be openly discussed. Chrissy, Meghan and Maya join other celebrities such as Michelle and Barrack Obama, Beyoncé and Jay-Z and Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, to name a few, who have spoken about their experience of baby loss. Their stories were told in newspaper/magazine articles before social media became more popular.
We hope that, with the expansion of social media and the courage of parents coming forward to talk about baby loss, many mothers, fathers, family members and friends who have felt the impact of baby loss will realise they are not alone and will find the support they need.
How Enable Law can help you
At Enable Law we have many years’ experience of talking to parents regarding the loss of their babies. We are acutely aware of the emotional and physical strain that pregnancy and baby loss can put on a person, their families and loved ones and will always be sensitive when dealing with any queries that you may have.
We are committed to ensuring that your babies are spoken about, that we help you obtain answers to as many questions as we can about the care you or your baby received and that the memory of your baby is respected and kept alive.
If you believe that you may have lost your baby due to medical negligence by the doctors/maternity staff caring for you or your baby, please get in touch with our specialist baby loss team.
