NCIC is marking Baby Loss Awareness week by highlighting the vital work its specialist bereavement teams provide.
This week, landmarks in Carlisle – including the Civic Centre and former Citadel buildings – will be lit up in pink and blue to mark the week.
Emma Jackson is a bereavement midwife at NCIC.
She initially trained and worked in Edinburgh but moved back to Cumbria when she had her first child and started working at the Cumberland Infirmary in 2018.
She said: “I moved into my new role as bereavement midwife last November. I love being a midwife and alongside my specialist role continue to work one shift a week on labour ward.
“Moving into the bereavement role has been a massive change for me but after a long time working clinically I love the challenge of learning so many new things.
“The hardest but most rewarding part of the role is supporting families through what might be the most difficult time of their lives. Looking after any family during the birth of their baby is a huge honour but to look after a bereaved family when they have such a short amount of time with their baby is incredibly moving and a massive privilege.”
Emma explains why she decided to specialise as a bereavement midwife.
She said: “I love so many different parts of being a midwife but developing an emotional connection with families has always meant a lot to me.
“I also like being in a position to change and improve bereavement services for both families and staff, for example Kerry Pape (Bereavement Midwife at WCH) and myself are in the process of developing new bereavement training for staff and we’re also planning to redecorate out bereavement suite which we hope will benefit the families in our care.”
Emma says to do a job like hers you need to be compassionate, adaptable and have a passion to provide the best care in the most difficult circumstances.
The team are currently planning for Baby Loss Awareness Week from October 9 to 15.
Emma said: “Our annual Baby Loss Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 10 at 6pm at Carlisle Cemetery Chapel on Dalston Road. The service is open to anyone wishing to attend. From October 9 to 11, there will be an information stand in the main hospital atrium with details about some of the amazing charities who support families after the loss of a baby.
“Silent Footprints (www.silentfootprintsfoundation.org), a local charity supporting families across North and West Cumbria will be at Carlisle United tomorrow night (OCT 8) sharing information about their charity and giving out ribbons which can be added to a ribbon display which will be on display all week at Brunton Park.
“And Cumberland Council will be lighting up buildings pink and blue to help raise awareness across the region.”
Kerry Pape is a bereavement midwife at the West Cumberland Hospital. She said: “A similar service – for west Cumbrian families - will be held in Whitehaven, Monday 18th November 2024, St John’s church, Hensingham, Whitehaven, At 7pm."
For more information visit: www.ncic.nhs.uk/news/baby-loss-resources
Other support organisations:
- Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) – offers non-directive information and support for parents making decisions around antenatal testing, including when a baby has a significant anomaly.
- Bliss – Offers support for families of premature or sick babies, including bereaved families.
- Child Bereavement UK (CBUK) – offers support for families when a baby or child has died or is dying and offers support for children faced with bereavement.
- Cruse Bereavement care – Offers support to bereaved people.
- Jobcentre Plus – Bereavement Services Helpline – provides information about benefit claims.
- Lullaby Trust – offers support and advice for parents whose baby dies suddenly and advice on safer sleep.
- Money advice service – provides free and impartial money advice, including information for bereaved parents about benefits and entitlements after the death of their baby.
- Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity – provides support and information for anyone affected by the death of a baby, before or after birth. National helpline, local parent-led support, literature and online support.
- Local Sands group number (Carlisle) 07923 480416
- Tamba Bereavement support group – offers support for families who have lost one or more children from a multiple birth during pregnancy, birth or at any time afterwards. Htpps://tamba.org.uk/bereavement (part of the twins and multiple births association.
- Winstons Wish – offers support to bereaved children, their families and professionals.
- Team Evie is a local are a local charity who help support families who have suffered loss of baby and sick children.
- Tommy’s offer a wide range of resources, tools and services for families who experience baby loss or premature birth.
- Tigerlily Trust are passionate about helping to break the silence surrounding baby loss, and uniting people travelling this often very lonely path.