Families in Stroud and across the surrounding area affected by miscarriage, stillbirth or the death of a baby have been signposted to local and national support during Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Simon Opher MP used a column published by Stroud Times to draw attention to an experience that can be deeply painful but is often not openly discussed. He described the death of a baby as terrible and mercifully rare, while noting that miscarriage is much more common and can be no less devastating.

Dr Opher said pregnancy and infant loss had affected his own family, as well as the families of friends and colleagues. He said the annual awareness week gives parents, relatives and friends an opportunity to remember the young lives lost and to talk about an experience that can otherwise be personal and isolating.

Candlelight remembrance in Gloucester

The awareness week was due to conclude at 7pm on Thursday 15 October. At that time, people around the world were expected to light candles in memory of babies who have died.

In Gloucestershire, the Women’s Centre and Forget-me-not Garden at Gloucester Royal Hospital were due to be illuminated on Thursday evening. The local act of remembrance forms part of a continuous wave of light across the globe.

The candlelight tradition was described as a shared expression of remembrance, love and enduring hope. It offers families a quiet way to acknowledge babies who have died, while showing that bereaved parents, relatives and friends are not alone in remembering them.

Local bereavement support

The Bereavement Support Midwives team in Gloucester can be contacted on 0300 4225 564. The source article also says statutory bereavement leave rights for people affected by baby loss are being extended from April the following year. It does not provide further details about the planned change or explain how the revised rights will operate.

A number of national organisations were also listed as offering specialist help:

  • Tommy’s: 0800 0147 800 and www.tommys.org. The charity researches the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.
  • Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society, or Sands: 0207 436 5881 and www.sands.org.uk. The organisation supports everyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss.
  • Antenatal Results and Choices: 0207 631 0285 and www.arc-uk.org. It provides support to people bereaved after losing a baby following a prenatal diagnosis.
  • The Miscarriage Association: 01924 200 799 and www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk. It supports people affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
  • Child Bereavement UK: 01494 446648 and www.childbereavementuk.org. Its support includes grieving children and young people, and parents whose baby or child has died or is expected to die before their 26th birthday.

The range of services reflects the different circumstances in which pregnancy or infant loss can occur. Families, relatives and friends can use the contact most relevant to their experience, while the Gloucester midwives team provides a local point of support.