Dear Reader,

Tomorrow is the global Wave of Light event dedicated to raising awareness and providing support to those who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. During the Wave of Light event, people all over the world light candles for one hour to honor the memories of babies gone too soon.

Here are some ways you can participate:

Light a candle. At 7:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, Oct. 15, light a candle as a symbol of remembrance. This can be done individually at home or in a communal space with others.
Share your story. Consider sharing your story if you have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, to support others who may be going through a similar experience.
Wear pink and blue. These colors symbolize pregnancy and infant loss awareness.

Miscarriages, especially early pregnancy losses, are much more common than most people realize. More than a quarter of pregnancies end in miscarriage. However, people rarely talk about their pregnancy losses, so you probably don't know that many people in your life had miscarriages. Chances are that someone in your family has had one that they’ve never discussed. Multiple people in your social media feed have probably had more than one.

Kate White, M.D.

OB-GYN and miscarriage survivor