Baby Loss Awareness Week: Bloggers speak out

The 9th  –  15th October is baby loss awareness week in the UK. BritMums will be publishing one post a day over the course of the week by bloggers who sadly have had first hand experience both mums and dads, plus we have the point of view of a neonatal nurse who works closely with those affected. To start the week off we’re passing the word to SANDS the stillborn and neonatal death charity.

One in five families in the UK are affected by the tragedy of pregnancy and infant loss. Baby Loss Awareness Week is a campaign led by Sands in collaboration with a number of other charities united in their support for families who experience the death of a baby, including Action on Pre-eclampsia, ARC (Antenatal Results and Choices), Bliss, Child Bereavement UK, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, Group B Strep Support, The Lullaby Trust, The Miscarriage Association, The Multiple Births Foundation, Petals, The Scottish Cot Death Trust, TAMBA (The Twins and Multiple Births Association), Together for Short Lives, and Tommy’s.

It has come to light that many people don’t know how to offer support to someone they know who has been affected and are often too scared to bring up the subject, Baby Loss Awareness week wants to lift that taboo and show how you can help and stay close to those affected by a bereavement.

You will see via social media bereaved parents and their families share examples throughout the week of things people have said or done that helped after a baby has died. It is hoped it will boost confidence of those supporting families and more confidence to continue.

How you can help

Buy and wear a Baby Loss Awareness pin from participating charities via the Baby Loss website.

Participate in the Global ‘Wave of Light’ on Thursday 15 October, light a candle and leave it burning for at least one hour to mark the international Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Special edition tea lights are available from the participating charities via the Baby Loss website. Post an image of your candle on social media with the hashtag #waveoflight.

For further information or for details on how you can support the campaign and the week please visit www.babyloss-awareness.org.

 

Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, was established by bereaved parents in 1978. Sands supports anyone affected by the death of a baby; works in partnership with health professionals to improve the quality of care and services offered to bereaved families; and promotes and funds research and changes in practice that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives. It is a national organisation, with around 100 regional support groups across the UK. 

Thousands of babies tragically die each year. In 2013, 5712 babies were stillborn or died soon after birth in the UK, shattering the lives of expectant parents, their families and their friends and the people who have cared for them. Stillbirth is not a rare event and it’s a tragedy that doesn’t discriminate. Although the UK’s stillbirth rate has fallen slightly in recent years, it remains unacceptably high. More research is needed to help identify babies at risk and reduce the loss of babies’ lives.

Sands would not exist without the generosity of its supporters. Every penny raised is gratefully received and helps to fund and expand its vital work. 

To find out how to get involved or donate to this charity please visit www.uk-sands.org.