Emma’s story

19 Sep Emma’s story

My name is Emma and I fell pregnant with my son in 2019. Our pregnancy was textbook and we just spent all of our time planning our future as a family. Two days after my due date contractions began, we called the hospital, loaded the car, and got ready to meet the little man.

Midwives spent time trying to find a heartbeat, another midwife came to try, then a doctor with a portable scanner, and we were told “your baby no longer has a heartbeat”. We were inconsolable, everything had been fine, and there were no warning signs. I delivered our son Jackson naturally and the process was mostly a blur. It was the week before lockdown began and we were supported by our families as best they could and had counselling from a local charity Abigail’s Footsteps.

After 6 months we were open to trying to conceive again and after months of negative tests we finally got a positive. This pregnancy was stressful but our second Son was born in 2022. We miss and speak about Jackson daily to his brother James.

There are many organisations that offer support to anyone affected by pregnancy and baby loss.

Sands supports anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby and works to save babies’ lives. Contact their Helpline via phone (0808 154 3332) or email, or visit their Support Groups online or via Zoom.

Tommy’s is the largest UK pregnancy and baby loss charity, funding research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriage. Dedicated to finding causes and treatments to save babies’ lives as well as providing trusted pregnancy and baby loss information and support. For more information and support visit tommys.org.