How we can help you
There are choices you can make about what happens to your baby and to you in the early hours and days of their death. These decisions, whether they involve keeping mementos of your baby or decisions about naming your baby, can have an impact on how you will feel about this time in years to come. You may want to talk to someone or read about the feelings of other parents who have been through the same experience.
Important practial information
There are some things that you may have to do after your baby dies including registering your baby's death and deciding about a post mortem and funeral. In this section we also include information about your post-natal check as well as any benefits you may be eligible for.
We understand that the death of a baby is not a one-off event but an emotional journey, that affects every aspect of your life. In this section we look at issues such as going home and back to work, thinking about a new baby, and remembering your baby in the years to come.
As well as supporting mothers and fathers, we are also here to help other members of your family, especially other children you may have and grandparents. Many people may be touched by your baby's death, whether they be close friends or relations, and all are welcome to contact us for support and information.
Your baby may have died during its 2nd trimester. The death of a baby can happen to any one of us at any stage and Sands aims to provide support no matter what your situation.
You may want to talk to someone who can listen to how you feel or can help you think through what you want to do. You can do this by:
· by contacting one of the befrienders.
· calling our national helpline.
· exchanging experiences via our forum. It may help to hear the stories of other bereaved parents in our personal experiences section, from our list of publications, or indeed from the various articles and media which have covered the issue of baby loss.