North Yorkshire Mum shares story of baby loss in hopes others will seek support
Jodi Marks says there is still a taboo
A North Yorkshire Mum is sharing her experience of baby loss in the hopes it'll encourage others to reach out for support.
Jodi Marks from Skipton gave birth to Adam and Henry in 2020 - but Henry died at just six days old from a bowel condition which lead to sepsis.
"I expected to bring home both my boys"
She says there needs to be more awareness particularly around loss in twins and triplets:
"I remember at the time getting congratulation cards through the post at the same time as bereavement cards and that was really hard to comprehend that juxtaposition of real sorrow and sadness mixed with, you know, joy and love and happiness."
She says as she watches Adam grown up there isn't a day when she doesn't think of Henry:
"That initial putting him in a car seat and turning around and there being 2 car seats there and one empty and one not. I think that's where the awareness, especially around those that have had multiples, really needs increasing."
"His first word, his first smile, the first time he walked. You know, there's always that real bittersweet feeling of real joy and excitement that he's doing it, but also real sadness that Henry's not here alongside him."
"And this kind of mentality of like, but at least you've got one, or at least you're bringing home one or two and that's so wrong. You don't go into a multiple pregnancy thinking well, you know, I'm pregnant with two, but here's hoping I at least bring home one. I expected to bring home both my boys."
Jodi now supports a charity called footprints that offer support to parents and families who experience the death of one or more of their twins or triplets, before, during or after birth.
Where to get support
You can contact Footprints baby loss by clicking here
Support is also available from the baby loss charity Sands which you can call on 0808 164 3332 or going to their website