Noah came into the world at sunrise, but was born still. His umbilical cord prolapsed, despite having had two loving, proactive parents and a seemingly healthy pregnancy for 9 months.
For the past 6 years his parents, one of whom is UNECOM professor Dr. Mark Schuenke, have organized a walk through Biddeford and Saco in his honor, happening this Saturday, Oct. 17th at 10 a.m. More than just remembering and honoring Noah, their goal is to foster a stronger sense of awareness of how prevalent miscarriages, stillbirths and infant deaths are. They want to open a dialogue so people (doctors, potential parents, families and friends) can know what to say, and what not to say. They want to promote training for medical staff, and raise money for an organization that supports research, education, and prevention of pregnancy and infancy issues.
One in three pregnancies ends in miscarriages (not including abortions). Most people know more than three couples who have children, or might be trying to have children. But how many people do we know of who have had miscarriages? If you do know someone who has had a miscarriage or lost a child before their first birthday, what do you know about their experience? Did they feel comfortable talking to people about what they were going through? Did you know what to say to them?
There’s a lot that can be done to support, rather than ostracize people going through these issues. For the medical professionals out there, “You’re going to encounter this no matter what your specialty,” says Dr. Schuenke, “you might be the one to look them in the face and tell them that all hope is lost.” Know that there are resources to make the loss easier to bear, like the “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep” organization that will come to the hospital and take high-quality photographs of those parents’ baby. There are ways for the mother to donate the breast milk her body is going to continue producing, which can be a very therapeutic way for her to cope with her loss by helping others. There are also some hospitals that have counselors available specifically trained to help with childbirth issues. Being aware of the prevalence and being open to talking about it and offering support and empathy is a way that anyone can help.
Before support is needed, though, there are ways to help prevent miscarriages and infant deaths. Proceeds from Noah’s Walk go to an organization called First Candle, and in recent years they have used the money to fund grief counselor positions and to buy swaddling blankets for newborns at Southern Maine Medical Center, which keep babies from rolling over, which can suffocate them. Other ways to help keep infant deaths and miscarriages from happening is to promote regular ultrasounds for those who are pregnant, keeping track of kick counts, checking thyroid function, and generally staying healthy.
Noah’s Walk stands for bringing people together, and opening lines of communication that have the potential to save lives, and promote healing when lives are lost. This is not a matter of pro-life or pro-choice; it’s not about politics. It’s about fostering awareness, and working towards a future where empathizing and supporting each other is a norm.

If you’re interested in joining the walk, it’s FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Registration opens at 9:30am this Saturday, Oct. 17th at the North Dam Mill at 2 Main St., Biddeford, ME. The walk is a 2 mile loop down Main St. into Saco, and back to Biddeford via Rt. 1. There will be an informal reception before and after with water and snacks at the Mill. Signs, T-shirts, and dogs welcome!
More details can be found at: http://www.noahswalk.com and there will be updates posted to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook. com/pages/Noahs-Walk/ 211037192289377.