Silence Has a Cost: Honoring Life, Loss, and the Sacred Voice Within
- thegrovega
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
"Silence can be taught long before we understand what it costs.”
October has been a month of awareness at IWC Primary Care, a time to highlight the connection between knowledge, empowerment, and whole-person health. We began this month by exploring health literacy and the importance of understanding your body and your care. Today, as the month draws to a close, we reflect on another kind of awareness, one rooted in compassion, remembrance, and the courage to speak about loss.
Breaking the Silence
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month invites us to acknowledge a quiet grief that too often goes unseen. Many families experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss without the space, language, or support to share their pain. In San Diego County, fetal mortality remains a significant public health concern, reminding us that awareness and advocacy are vital to improving outcomes and ensuring every voice is heard.
At IWC Primary Care, we believe that listening is a form of healing. When patients feel heard, they are empowered to participate fully in their wellness journey, even when that journey involves grief. Compassionate care means holding space for sorrow while gently guiding families toward understanding, trust, and hope.
Listening also begins within. If something feels off during pregnancy, honor that inner voice. It is not overreacting; it is awareness. The body often speaks before the mind can find words, and every instinct deserves attention. If you feel that something is not right, please contact your healthcare provider, visit an urgent care facility, or go to the emergency room for immediate attention. You are not being difficult; you are advocating for your health and your baby's well-being.
And if you have experienced loss and find yourself thinking, I should have said something, please know this: silence is often taught, not chosen. You did the best you could with the knowledge and support available to you at that time. Healing begins with compassion for yourself first.
Health literacy is more than medical vocabulary; it is the bridge between silence and understanding. When patients know what questions to ask, what symptoms to monitor, and how to advocate for themselves, outcomes improve and lives are changed. For many women, pregnancy loss reveals how vital it is to be informed and supported.
The body often speaks before the crisis comes, and every person deserves to have their voice, their instincts, and their pain taken seriously.
Honoring Life
Every life, no matter how brief, has meaning. Every story deserves acknowledgment. Whether a child took their first breath or never opened their eyes, the love remains real and the bond eternal. We honor every woman and family who has carried life, carried love, and learned to trust their voice again.
Loss is not the end of the story. Through remembrance, advocacy, and awareness, we transform pain into purpose. It is in speaking aloud what was once held in silence that healing begins.
IWC's Commitment
Breaking the silence begins within each of us. It asks us to unlearn the lessons of quiet endurance and replace them with self-trust, self-advocacy, and self-compassion. Because silence has a cost, and the loss of our hope and our voices is far too high a price to pay.
At IWC Primary Care, we are committed to creating a compassionate space for every stage of a woman's life, from navigating fertility challenges to pregnancy, menopause, and beyond. Our providers listen, educate, and walk beside our patients through moments of joy, uncertainty, and grief. We believe that knowledge and empathy are the cornerstones of healing.
If you or someone you love has experienced pregnancy or infant loss, know that you are not alone. Your story matters, your voice matters, and we are here to listen.
Resources and Support
For families in San Diego County seeking support:
At IWC Primary Care, we honor all voices, especially those that have felt unheard. Silence has a cost, but speaking truth can bring light, understanding, and healing.
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