Maternity Units turns pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week
The Maternity Units at Nottingham City Hospital and Queen’s Medical Centre will be illuminated with pink and blue lights from 9 – 15 October, to show Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s (NUH) support for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2019.
The annual awareness week, now in its 17th year, is an opportunity for all those affected by the loss of a baby including parents, families and friends, to commemorate babies’ lives and to discuss this important issue.
The NUH Family Health Bereavement Team includes specialist midwives and nurses, who provide support to families at any stage of the pregnancy or post-birth. The Team works with charities dedicated to supporting families.
Forever Stars, a charity set up by Richard and Michelle Daniels, whose daughter Emily was delivered stillborn at Queen’s Medical Centre, in December 2013 is part of the network of support provided in Nottingham.
Richard Daniels from Forever Stars said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is a great opportunity for Nottingham to showcase the wealth of support that is available to families that lose a baby.
“We are so fortunate that NUH have a dedicated bereavement service for baby and child loss, which not only helps families in the immediate aftermath of their loss, but will continue to be there for many years to come.
“With NUH providing such professional baby loss support, it has allowed Forever Stars and others to create a local network, that will help families find ways to come to terms with their loss and talk about their baby.”
Christa Burgess, Bereavement Midwife at NUH said: “We are joining Nottingham in turning our Maternity Units pink and blue to help raise awareness on pregnancy loss and hope it will start conversations about baby loss and give local bereaved parents and families an opportunity to talk about their precious babies.
“The week will end on the 15th October with a global ‘Wave of Light’, please light a candle at 7pm to 8pm and if you feel able to, to share this on social medial. You will be joining a global ‘Wave of Light’ in memory of all the babies who lit up our lives for such a short time. I am so proud to work in Nottingham and see the love and support that we have”
Christa works in close partnership with Zephyr’s who provide loving care and support to families who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or the death of a baby or child.
Zephyr’s are staying open late tonight (Thurs 10th Oct 7-9pm) to all those touched by the loss of a baby or child, however long ago, at whatever age or gestation for cuppa, chat, cake & gentle crafts.
All of the buildings and landmarks turning pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2019 will be featured on the interactive map and the Facebook album Nottingham families are being invited to share their photos from the NUH Maternity Units on social media with the hashtag #BLAW2019 as part of showing their support.