Health Department observes pregnancy and infant loss awareness month

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Health Department is raising awareness of its IRIS program, which stands for Increase Rate of Infant Survival.

The department is observing pregnancy and infant loss awareness for the month of October.

Displays are located within and around the facility that signify infant lives lost in Hamilton County.

Angel bears, onesies, and pinwheels are displayed in remembrance.

“We want to make sure our community can come together and find support and resources so that we can honor the loss that we had in 2021 of 47 babies,” Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program Manager with the Hamilton County Health Department Marissa Thompson said.

The department gathered on Friday to remember the lives lost in pregnancy, birth, and infancy.

47 lives were lost in Hamilton County as of 2021.

“Infant mortality in Hamilton County is more prominent than you think. The loss of one baby is enough, but losing almost 21 infants in 2021 is like almost losing two classrooms of babies that didn’t reach Kindergarten,” Thompson said.

The department also honors pregnancy losses, which totaled to 26 lives lost.

The IRIS program wants to bring that number down and support bereaved families.

“It was hard going from having a baby, to having empty arms. No one really talks about pregnancy and infant loss.It’s just uncomfortable, people don’t want to talk about it, and it just needs to be talked about,” bereaved mother Rachel Cresswell said.

For the month of October, the department is aiming to comfort those who have been impacted by lives gone too soon.

They are also supporting “The Wave of Light” Worldwide Remembrance event on Sunday, Oct. 15.

Bereaved parents can remember their child by lighting a candle at 7 p.m. Sunday.

You can visit the department’s website for more bereavement resources and support.

The department also encourages those that would like to honor their child with an angel bear to fill out the form by clicking the link or scanning their QR code.