Calls for increased mental health support for those experiencing baby loss
Jane Philip's daughter Alba was stillborn in 2012, she spent time in a bereavement room which is still part of the main maternity ward at Raigmore Hospital.
Last updated 12th Oct 2022
A Highland mum feels there should be more support for those going through losing a baby.
Jane Philip's daughter Alba was stillborn in 2012, she spent time in a bereavement room which is still part of the main maternity ward at Raigmore Hospital.
The Cawdor mum wants to see an increase in mental health support after leaving hospital, to help those who may be at a loss as to where to turn to.
We're speaking to Jane as part of our Baby Loss Awareness Week Coverage, looking into facilities and training provided across Scotland to support women going through a tragic loss.
Bereavement room close to maternity ward "torture" for some
Jane says she was very happy with the support she received from NHS staff while in hospital, but the bereavement room being part of the maternity ward didn't help.
She said: "The support we got in Raigmore was amazing, we had fantastic midwives who looked after us and looked after Alba.
"The midwives on the labour ward helped us take hand and footprints, helped us bath her, clothe her and they took loads of photos.
"You could hear other babies crying and things like that which wasn't great.
"It is an amazing time for them (other parents) and you on the other hand are in this room, it's a living hell.
"You are trying to deal and process with the fact that you're not going to be taking your baby home.
"To hear other babies, for some people that would be absolute torture.
"However, I do know the charity SIMBA are raising funds to improve the room and services to make it as comfortable as possible for parents going through something like that."
"Huge" lasting impact of baby loss
Jane feels more support after leaving hospital would help others going through a similar experience.
She added: "I was very fortunate because my partner and I were very open and we talked about it.
"We had great family support and we worked through it altogether.
"But a lot of families are torn apart by something like that and the support is not there.
"The lasting impact is huge. I suffered from anxiety and worried overly about my other children, about bad things happening to them.
"Because the worst has happened to you and suddenly that opens up this whole new world of worry and concern.
"I went along to a support group run by the charity SIMBA, it's peer support, people who have gone through similar experiences chatting.
"Which is very helpful, but sometimes for some people that's not enough, they need professional help.
"Some men in particular don't want to talk about it they just want to shut down and deal with it internally in their own way.
"You might have a woman who is desperate to talk to someone, but if she can't get that from her partner, where does she go?"
Review of bereavement training ongoing - NHS Highland
NHS Highland say work is ongoing to redesign Raigmore's Bereavement room and families are supported by their maternity team before being followed up by a GP.
A spokesperson said: "Due to the footprint of the maternity unit in Raigmore Hospital, the bereavement room is still part of the ward.
"SIMBA have done a lot of fundraising around the redecoration of the Bereavement room that we have here in the Maternity Unit at Raigmore Hospital.
"We are soon to be undergoing some redesign work and as part of that process we will improve on the environment.
"A representative from SIMBA has been invited to attend the project group to help progress this work.
"All bereaved families are supported by the maternity team within Raigmore then follow up in the community by their named midwife and/or GP.
"If the team feel they need more specialist support, they will discuss with the Perinatal Mental Health Team and a referral can be made if required.
"Families are also signposted to appropriate peer support and third sector organisations for bereavement support.
"All maternity professional groups have bereavement training as part of their undergraduate courses.
"There is a suite of training available online from NHS Education for Scotland for professionals to access and complete.
"NHS Highland are reviewing what is considered appropriate for each level of staff and will develop a training plan that ensures staff are enabled to undertake the training at the appropriate level and at a time and venue that is suitable to them."