Chesterfield marks Baby Loss Awareness Week
There have been a number of events going on to remember babies taken too soon
Last updated 13th Oct 2021
The stillbirth and neonatal death society branch in Chesterfield is holding a number of events this week to to raise awareness for families affected by miscarriages and stillbirths as well as offering them the chance to remember their babies and connect with others going through the same thing.
They held a ribbon display on the railings outside the crooked spire in Chesterfield; each ribbon holding the name of a baby that has been born too soon or didn't survive.
On Sunday they also held a 5k 'run, hop, or dance' according to the SANDS chair in the town to have fun as well as raise awareness for the cause.
On Friday they will be ending Baby Loss Awareness week with their annual wave of light which will be held in the crooked spire; inviting people to join in solidarity to remember babies taken too soon.
Every day in the UK around 14 babies die before, during or soon after birth, so the week aims to draw attention to the issue and encourage people to feel less alone.
The week is also dedicated to driving change to improve the care and support that is available to families, as well as prevent more baby losses in the future.
Normalizing grief
SANDs in Chesterfield wants to normalize parents being able to talk about the loss of their babies if they have had to experience this, and want other people to open up the conversation for them to do this and process their loss.
Previously they have received a positive reception for the week's initiative; with supporters getting involved in their events and donating money to the cause. In 2019 ambassadors including Will and Caro Greenwood, Malin Andersson, Nigel Martyn and lots of other celebrities, sports stars, bloggers and vloggers all got involved and were keen to make a difference.
The Chair of the SANDS branch in Chesterfield Nicky Whealen said: "The grief doesn't end, it just changes as time passes. You never forget that baby, you don't forget it. You don't move on. And it's nice to be around other people that can empathise, not sympathise."
"Most people have the misconception that it's hard to talk about baby loss but for the parents and families going through it, it's the most natural thing in the world. It's harder for people around them to talk about it."
"Losing a baby in pregnancy or after birth affects the whole family. As a parent you're grieving for a life that will never be lived. You're grieving for all the hopes and dreams you had for the future. You're grieving those milestones. Those firsts."