Justin Tomlinson MP gives his support to Baby Loss Awareness Week

By Claire Dukes - 9 October 2017

Family

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, has given his support to Baby Loss Awareness Week.

The week runs from the 9 October to 15 October, and aims to help bereaved parents and their families unite with others to commemorate their babies’ lives.

It also hopes to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss in the UK, push for improvements in bereavement support, and let people know what charities and other organisations available to assist families who have lost a baby.

In the UK 15 babies die every day either before, during or shortly after birth, 1 in 4 pregnancies are thought to end is miscarriage, and 4.7 per 1,000 births are still born.

The impact on families is far reaching, with siblings, grandparents also affected. Baby Loss Awareness week aims to help improve the services available to support those affected by the loss of a baby.

The end of Baby Loss Awareness Week coincides with International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day which is recognised across the world. To commemorate this people are being asked to take part in the ‘Wave of Light.’

As part of the ‘Wave of Light’, parents and others supportive of those who have lost babies are asked to share a photo of a candle at 7pm local time using #babyloss.  The Wave then ‘travels’ across the world over 24 hours as more people light candles at their local time and share these photos on social media.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Losing a baby is a tragic event which deeply impacts on parents, families and friends. It is vital to offer support to those going through such an awful experience.

"Events like Baby Loss Awareness Week are important in providing this support, as well as offering advice and raising awareness.”

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