North Yorkshire mums share their heart-breaking stories of baby loss
We're opening up the conversation about the hidden heartbreak of miscarriage, stillbirth and neo-natal death
Last updated 10th Oct 2022
13 babies die in the UK each day through miscarriage, still birth, pregnancy complications and neo-natal death.
The effects can be devastating and long lasting.
At the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022, we're opening up the conversation and creating a platform for mums who would like to share their stories to speak out.
We'll hear how they were impacted personally, we'll take a look at the long-term consequences of baby loss, and we'll provide links to support services where you can find more information.
Emily's story
Emily Nelson from York says she and her husband were over the moon to find out she was pregnant. After experiencing excruciating pain, she went to hospital but during a scan was reassured when the nurse found a heartbeat.
She says they then continued to plan for their arrival of their baby and had told friends and family their happy news. It wasn't until another routine scan when the nurse explained she couldn't find a heartbeat. "All of our hopes and everything that we had dreamed about felt like it just got crushed in that moment."
Mental health impact
Emily says it wasn't until several months later that she spiralled into depression "I just couldn't stop cry. It was just daily I was really, really sad."
Emily wanted to tell her story to help other families feel less alone "I remember actually having this feeling of am I not good enough to be a Mum, obviously I wouldn't want any other woman to feel that or like their body has let them down. So I think the more we talk about it and share, the more we can build each other up and encourage each other".
Baby Loss Awareness Week
We'll be hearing more stories from people like Emily throughout the week, plus we'll be looking at what services are like nationally and locally to support women and their families experiencing baby loss.
There are organisations and resources available where you can get support.
The Baby Loss Awareness Alliance has links to national and local services.
To find out more about the work of Twins Trust, you can visit the bereavement section of their website