Massachusetts Proclaims Pregnancy Loss Awareness Day
Governor Maura Healey signed an official proclamation recognizing October 15 to address pregnancy and infant loss.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Pregnancy
Governor Maura Healey has officially designated October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day in Massachusetts. The proclamation aims to encourage open conversations among healthcare professionals and residents to reduce the stigma surrounding bereavement.
Why it matters
The recognition seeks to provide support for families navigating the grief associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death. It highlights the need for better resources and community awareness regarding these frequent but often private experiences.
Nationally, more than 1 million pregnancies end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death annually. In Massachusetts, roughly 250 families experience a stillbirth each year.
The players
Maura Healey
Maura Healey is the Governor of Massachusetts who officially signed the state proclamation.
Kimberley Driscoll
Kimberley Driscoll is the Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts who participated in the signing.
William Francis Galvin
William Francis Galvin is the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who oversaw the signing.
Empty Arms Bereavement Support
Empty Arms Bereavement Support is a nonprofit organization based in Florence that provides peer and hospital-based services.
The details
The proclamation was signed in Boston alongside Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll and Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin. This action originated from a formal request by two mothers connected to the Florence-based nonprofit Empty Arms Bereavement Support, which offers hospital-based bereavement services.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Governor Healey signed the official proclamation.
October 15, 2026: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day occurs.
Culture Shift
This proclamation acknowledges the national trend of 1 million annual pregnancy losses by prioritizing state-level awareness. It reflects a growing societal move toward destigmatizing grief related to reproductive health outcomes.
The designation encourages residents and healthcare providers to engage in open dialogue to support those grieving the loss of a pregnancy or infant. It may lead to increased accessibility to specialized bereavement support services throughout the state.
The takeaway
Recognizing this day helps validate the experiences of families who often face isolation after a loss. Residents can honor this day by supporting local bereavement services or fostering supportive environments for those in their own circles.
Further reading
For more information on family resources, visit the Massachusetts Pregnancy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 22 News WWLP.
