Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness

When a child looses his parent they are called an orphan. When a spouse looses her or his partner they are called a Widow or Widower. When a parent looses a child there isn’t a word to describe them.’ Ronald Regan

Yesterday (oct 8^th) marked the start of Baby Loss Awareness week which ends on the 15th with the Wave of Light.

There are many people whose lives have been touched by the loss of a baby before or just after birth.

Understandably, it can be heart-breaking to deal with such a loss.

The Baby Loss Awareness Campaign recognises how alone and alienated bereaved mothers often feel. This is why they are encouraging people to try and understand pregnancy and the depth of the devastation experienced. Baby Loss Awareness Week was set up to coincide with International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day on 15 October.

British and US studies have shown that the psychological impact of losing a baby can last for many years. And considering one in five pregnancies result in a miscarriage, it just conveys how important it is to spend time on caring for affected mothers.

Throughout the week, volunteers around the world will be hosting a number of events so that parents who have lost a baby know that they are not alone and that there is help available to help them with their grieving.

Hopefully, it will also show them that they have the support of other women who have experienced similar trauma.

You can show your support by taking part in the ‘Wave of Light’ on 15 October, which is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The idea is to light a candle at 7.00pm and let it burn for at least an hour in remembrance of all babies that have died during pregnancy, at, during or after birth. People will be taking part across the globe to create a ‘Wave of Light’ to recognise the memory of the babies who lit up our lives.

 

 

A poem for three special angels – Lily Iris Gibson my grand daughter, Michael James Jones and Andrew Jones my two sons, And for all angel babies.

For all the babies we have lost

Now sleeping up in heaven
Taken from us early
Not permanently given
We think about you every day
You’re always in our heart
We’ll always share a special bond
Formed at the very start
Although you weren’t allowed to stay
We’ll always remember you
Forever in our hearts and minds

Until our days are through

Goodnight to all the sweet babies until we meet again.

By the end of today 34 babies will have died already this week in the UK through stillbirth alone, numerous more not included in these figures will have passed through neonatal loss, miscarriage, SIDS and other illness, that’s a lot of babies in 2 days just in the UK! 1 in 4 women are affected! Look around you, how many people do you know who’ve experienced the heartbreak?

Sending all of those who this week effects massive hugs and love.

Join the wave of light here:
Lisa’s Stars
Upon Butterfly Wings
Bear for an angel

Empty Arms, Shattered Dreams

Breaking the silence surrounding the aftermath of pregnancy loss.

This Week (9th-15th October) is pregnancy and Infant Loss Rememberance Week.
By the end of today 34 babies will have died already this week in the UK through stillbirth alone, numerous more not included in these figures will have passed through neonatal loss, miscarriage, SIDS and other illness, that’s a lot of babies in 2 days just in the UK! 1 in 4 women are affected! Look around you, how many people do you know who’ve experienced the heartbreak?

October 15th is Worldwide Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.

People whose lives have been touched by the loss of a baby during pregnancy or just after birth, will be uniting with others across the World to show their support for the Baby Loss Awareness campaign 2011. It is hoped that the Awareness campaign will give bereaved parents, their families and friends the opportunity to commemorate the brief lives and loss of their babies.

In rememberance of my grand daughter Lily Iris Gibson born sleeping July 18th 2010

I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.                   
I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.
All I have are too brief memories and a picture in a frame.
Your memory is a keepsake in which I’ll never part.
We don’t have you in our keeping but I have you in my heart.
 

I would like to invite you to take part in the global ‘Wave of Light’. I ask you to light a candle at 7pm on 15th October, and leave it burning for at least 1 hour to join me in remembering  Lily Iris,

Michael James, Andrew and all babies that have died during pregnancy, at, during or after birth.Having the world light a candle at 7pm, in theory means that a flame will burn continuously for 24 hours.

Feathers are hosting a combined rally and Wave of Light this year on the 15th October – Wave of Light Day. The point of the rally is to hand a petition into 10 Downing Street regarding the treatment of parents who lose their babies.                     

 Please have a read of the following and try to go along if you are able to make it.

                                                                                                                               We will be meeting at 6pm at Trafalgar Square then off to Downing Street for 7pm Wave of Light.

For anyone that is unable to make the event and would like their angel/angels to be included.

We will be selling lanterns so your angel will be remembered. A picture of these have now been posted on the wall. I have been informed by the powers that be we are not allowed to use an open flame. The Lanterns will cost £3.00 each inc P+P (overseas will need to check)

Your angels name and dates will be added, along with a short message from you and the date, place and time of event.

Before the event we are hoping to hand in a petition to the Prime Minister. If you wish to attend this please contact me.

We also hope to have the national news papers there so please show your support.

Lets light up Downing Street with all our angels.

Please note, if you would like to participate in lighting a candle please contact Feathers direct to make the purchase
                 http://www.facebook.com/pages/feathers/175047039199005

There are various events being held throughout the UK to find one near you see the events list at:  http://www.babyloss-awareness.org

Throuought the US:  http://www.october15th.com

A Reminder to Knitters

Sands have recently had a large numbers of orders for their Always Loved, Never Forgotten Memory Boxes, and stock of hand knitted blankets is beginning to run low. These handmade blankets form a very special part of the box provided to bereaved parents and we have been told how much comfort they bring parents at such a difficult time. For more information please see a previous post on this blog : Knitting For Sands.
                  also
Lisa’s Stars need: Blankets, Hats, Booties, Cardigans, Angel Pockets, Burial Gowns, Buntings and Sleeping Sacks. For more information please see a previous post on this blog: Knit for Lisa’s Stars