We invite you to join other families across the world by lighting a candle at 7 pm on Friday, 15 October, and leaving it burning for at least one hour to remember all babies that have died too soon.

READ ALSO: SA statistics

To join the virtual Wave of Light, take a photo of your candle and post it to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #WaveOfLight.

Wherever you do this, you will be joining a global ‘Wave of Light’ in memory of all the babies who lit up our lives for such a short time. Click here for more: https://babyloss-awareness.org/.

In the podcast below, Yolanda Maartens chats to Portia Thekiso, a social worker at MEDICLINIC BLOEMFONTEIN, about coping mechanisms.

Click here for more useful tips on how to cope. 

The interview concerns pregnancy loss and may be upsetting to listeners who've been affected by similar experiences. Listener discretion is advised. 

You can find crisis resources here:

1. SADAG is Africa’s largest mental health support and advocacy group. Visit their website here: https://www.sadag.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1835&Itemid=174
   
   
2. For support groups contact Carina de Klerk 071 360 2159 (Upington) or
   Amanda Loots 082 229 3666 (Kimberley).
   
   
3. IFAASA, the Infertility Awareness Association of South Africa NPC, established in 2013, is a non-profit organisation with the aim of supporting Southern Africans living with reproductive health issues through education, research, and advocacy, and educating the public about the reproductive disease. Get in touch with IFAASA by email at info@ifaasa.co.za.
   
   

4. Contact Portia Thekiso (social worker) on 051 404 6974. She is based at MEDICLINIC BLOEMFONTEIN.

5. Empty Wombs SA provides essential support for bereaved parents through creative coffee dates and initiatives that provide encouragement, love, support, and give hope to women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss by grieving through creativity. More here: https://www.houseoffertility.org/Pregnancyloss.html