Lost babies are to be remembered in a week of activities at an NHS trust in Cumbria.
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is marking Baby Loss Awareness Week by talking with people to understand the heartbreak that families go through when suffering pregnancy and infant loss.
Throughout the week, bereaved parents, and their families and friends, unite with others across the world to commemorate the lives of babies who died during pregnancy, at or soon after birth, and in infancy.
Amanda Kennett, associate director of midwifery at the Trust, said: “We know that losing a baby can be the hardest thing anyone can go through. At NCIC, we offer a holistic bereavement service to provide emotional and practical support during this challenging time.”
Nurse Joanne Dempsey provides a pivotal link between A&E and the gynaecology service at the West Cumberland Hospital.
Joanne started working in the emergency department 18 months ago after more than five years in gynaecology. She has been devising take-home packs for patients with information and advice for women who have lost a baby.
Joanne said: “I provided a competency pack for all staff and individually provided training on basic things to look out for like how patients may be feeling.
“Staff have been provided with some resources to improve the care of patients when tackling this emotional subject.
“I intend to, over a period of time, provide regular training and initiatives for staff to improve care over a range of illnesses surrounding pregnancy.”
Staff at the West Cumberland Hospital have been illuminating some of the ward windows with pink and blue ribbons.
The Ward 1 staff will also be holding a bake sale on October 15 from 1pm to 3pm, to raise funds for the Miscarriage Association. So far they have raised in excess of £600.
A wave of light in memory of all babies’ lives gone too soon will be lit on Friday night at 7pm to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.
People are invited to light a candle to remember all the babies lost.
For more information about baby loss visit https://sands.org.uk/about-sands/our-work/baby-loss-awareness-week-2021
For more information visit www.ncic.nhs.uk/news/baby-loss-resources.
