Approximately 1 in 4 pregnancies in the UK end in loss, and around 13 babies pass away every single day in the UK shortly before, during, or soon after birth.
For countless parents, the loss of a baby changes their life in an unimaginable way. The pain, confusion and anger felt are something that nobody should have to experience and often results in parents shutting down and not accessing support.
What is Baby Loss Awareness Week?
Baby Loss Awareness Week, led by Sands and partner charities, takes place every year from 9 October to 15 October to raise awareness of baby loss, encourage conversations, and remind families they are not alone. The week provides an opportunity for families, friends, healthcare professionals and communities to come together to remember babies who have sadly died during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy. It is also a time to support bereaved families and to break the silence surrounding pregnancy and baby loss.
An important aspect of Baby Loss Awareness Week is promoting understanding within society. Many people want to support bereaved families but may be unsure of what to say or do. Simple acts of kindness, listening without judgement, remembering important dates, or acknowledging a baby's name can make a significant difference. Compassion and empathy can help families feel seen and supported during the most difficult moments of their lives.
You can support Baby Loss Awareness Week by wearing a pink and blue ribbon to show your support and unity with those experiencing unimaginable grief. You can also join the global "Wave of Light" by lighting a candle at 7pm on 15 October in memory of every baby who has passed away. You can use #WaveofLight to share messages of remembrance and support and also make donations to the charity.
Baby loss due to substandard care
Many baby losses occur despite appropriate medical care and could not have been prevented. However, some losses sadly occur as a result of substandard medical care during pregnancy and labour, including delayed treatment, failures in monitoring and/or missed diagnoses.
When a death may have been avoidable, families are often left with traumatic questions about what happened. Seeking legal advice can provide answers and an independent expert view on whether different care could have avoided the tragic outcome. Our specialist birth injury solicitors also support families where substandard care has caused lasting harm to a mother or baby.
Case study
Chloe Partridge, a paralegal in our specialist team is currently instructed on multiple stillbirth and neonatal claims.
Chloe is currently representing a mother who sadly lost her child at less than one day old. Names have been removed from this case study.
The mother's pregnancy was healthy with no complications, and an induction of labour was planned at full term. Following the induction, the mother experienced excessive frequency of contractions despite not being in active labour, and so a plan was made to break her waters. However, this could not take place until the following day.
By the following day, the baby's heart rate had decelerated and there was an extensive period of significant loss of contact on the CTG trace. There were also numerous equipment issues.
As active labour progressed, there were concerns that the baby's head was not descending enough, and so a decision was made for an emergency trial of birth in theatre. During the time waiting for theatre and spinal anaesthesia, there were further significant concerns, and so an emergency caesarean section was performed.
The mother's baby girl was born with no heartbeat and had to be resuscitated for 20 minutes before she took her first breath. It was confirmed that the baby had suffered a severe brain injury and that the best course of action was to make her comfortable. The baby girl was therefore moved to palliative care and sadly passed away at 23 hours old.
The Maternity and Safety Investigations programme (part of a national strategy to improve maternity safety across the NHS in England) conducted an investigation. This identified multiple findings and safety recommendations.
Following the traumatic events and the loss of her baby, the mother in this case has instructed us to investigate a birth injury claim.
"There are no words that can truly describe the pain of losing my daughter. We have been left grieving not only for the daughter, granddaughter, sister and family member we lost, but also for the future we had imagined with her. We grieve all the birthdays, Christmases, family occasions, milestones and everyday moments that we will never get to share with her. As her family, we will always wonder who she would have been. We will always wonder what her personality would have been like, what she would have enjoyed and what kind of person she would have grown into. Those unanswered questions are part of the pain of losing her."
Mother of the baby
If this article and case study have impacted you, or you have concerns about the maternity care you or your baby received, our specialist team is here to listen, provide guidance and help you understand your legal options.
This information is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend you seek legal advice before acting on any information given.
