Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 Oct) is now in it’s 18th year.
We hope you have all had a gentle Baby Loss Awareness Week. It has been a wonderful opportunity to bring everyone together, reduce feelings of isolation, and give anyone touched by pregnancy and baby loss a safe and supportive space to share their experiences and feel that they are not alone.
You helped us to highlight the isolation many parents feel during a time when safety concerns around Covid19 have restricted what is offered in bereavement care. We know that many health workers continue to look after families with empathy and kindness and we are here to support them too.
All week we have been talking about the isolation that many people experience after pregnancy and baby loss (including partners, other family members and friends), how this has been complicated by the Covid19 pandemic, and its impact on their mental wellbeing.
Parents and families tell us how important it is that they each find a way to remember their baby in a way that suits them . Some join with others at special services organised by their local hospital or a local support organisation, some find solace in events organised by their faith community while others will remember alone in a way unique to them. It is important to remember there is no right or wrong way and it can change as the years pass too.
During last night’s #WaveOfLight messages of remembrance and hope brought many people together. As we close this immensely important week please take care of yourselves and know that we are here for you now and throughout the year. You really don’t have to feel alone.
Each day we have explored a different topic, sharing the Alliance’s wide range of excellent support and information and coping techniques, and engaging with people from all backgrounds and experiences of loss. If you missed any of the live panel discussions this week you can watch the recordings on Facebook
Now more than ever, we need to let those affected by pregnancy and baby loss know they are not alone and that we are all here to support them.
Friday 9th October
Introduction to the week, mental wellbeing, a day for those directly affected
Saturday 10th
Partners
Please take action, so no parent has to receive bad news alone and partners are included
Sunday 11th
Wider family (including children) and friends – support for them and how they can support someone they know
Monday 12th
Workplace – how to support employees, advice for employers/managers, HR departments, and colleagues
Tuesday 13th
Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities – including issues around access to care and to information/support, higher risk pregnancies, assumptions regarding family support systems or culture or religious beliefs and language barriers
Wednesday 14th
LGBTQ+ – including trans parents, male couples, those using surrogates and non-biological parents/parents-to-be
Thursday 15th
Remembering your baby – different ways you can do this, cultures, traditions and Wave of Light
Want to share your story? Find out more here.
Our Out of Sight, Out of Mind Report
In 2019 we gathered parent experiences to prepare our report Out of Sight, Out of Mind to ensure that all parents who experience pregnancy or baby loss and need specialist psychological support can access it, at a time and place that is right for them, free of charge, wherever they live.
Watch our animation here
Ways to get involved with Baby Loss Awareness Week
Your Stories
“Nobody knows how baby loss will affect them, and sadly the pain doesn’t just go away.”
“Like lots of other people in this sad situation, acknowledgement was what we were seeking and to those who gave that and asked about our babies and our experiences, I will always be grateful.”
We’ve spoken to some incredible people who have joined us in breaking the taboo around baby loss.
This short video from 2019 includes Will & Caro Greenwood, Malin Andersson, Game of Thrones actor Lino Facioli, Nigel Martyn, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists RCOG
President – Professor Lesley Regan, Hannah Miley, Rachaele Hambleton – Part-Time Working Mummy, Sands Founders Bel Mooney & Hazelanne Lewis, Erin Corrigan, Jen from It’s The Fergusons , Al from The DadsNet, Rebecca Wilson from You Me Raising Three, Natalie Miller from We’re The Millers and Libby from Baby Toddler Foods.
This special video expresses their support and speak about the importance of breaking the taboo on pregnancy and baby loss. Thank you to everyone involved.
Together we can help to break the silence.
More ways to get involved
Baby Loss Awareness Alliance Members
