Losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy is heart-breaking. Every family's experience is individual and their circumstances are different, but the death of a baby is a very distressing experience and one that is generally unexpected.
Losing a baby brings grief that is much deeper than you may have ever experienced before and can last much longer than most people expect. There is no time limit to grief, so take it one day at a time.
Everyone's experience of baby loss is unique and circumstances can be very different, there is a wealth of support and advice available as well as practical support. All of our midwives are trained in bereavement care and are here to provide compassionate and individualised care assisting you to make memories and spending time with your baby.
We have a dedicated bereavement midwife Shelley who is happy to have contact with you throughout your stay whilst in hospital. She is here to offer you, your partner/husband and family emotional and practical support following your loss. She is also here to provide additional support for the Midwives.
Bereavement Lead Midwife - Shelley Blake - Shelley.Blake@gov.gg or tel. 01481 224377
Support is also available locally from:
The Ivy Trust are a local charity who provide practical and emotional support. They furnished our bereavement room on Loveridge Ward and provide our memory boxes and bags. They also have a garden of remembrance at the hospital.
- Email: contact@theivytrust.org
- Web: www.theivytrust.org
Guernsey Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) is part of a nationwide network of local groups who provide emotional support, practical help and care to anyone affected by the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth of shortly afterwards.
- Tel: 07911715973
- Email: guernseysands@gmail.com
- Web: www.guernseysands.org.gg/
The Guernsey Bereavement Service provides emotional support to adults (over 16 years of age) who are struggling to cope with a significant loss, usually, but not always a death. This support can take the form of one-to-one, group or telephone support.
- Tel: 01481 257778
- Email: gsybereavement@cwgsy.net or admin@gbs.org.gg
- Web: www.guernseybereavementservice.com
The Sunflower Project - A Barnardo's service which aims to enable children and young people experiencing a bereavement or serious illness in the family to come to terms with their situation and move positively forward with their lives by improving their emotional wellbeing.
- Tel: 01481 724421
- Web: http://thehub.gg/our-support.html
The Samaritans are a local and national support helpline, they can offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way - about whatever's getting to you. You don't have to be suicidal.
- Tel: 01481 715515, National telephone 116 123
- Email: jo@samaritans.org
Nationally, there are many support groups who provide online or telephone support and advice:
The miscarriage association provide support and information for anyone affected by pregnancy loss.
- Tel: 01924 200799
- Web: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) - providing information and support for parents before, during and after undergoing prenatal tests.
- Tel: 02077137486
- Web: www.arc-uk.org
- Email: info@arc-uk.org
Tommy's - Information and support for any type of pregnancy or baby loss.
