UK mummies is the support out there?

[george1995]

Hi I'm doing a wee "straw" poll to see if we feel thet we as mothers of stillborn, or neonatal or to be honest all devastating loss of our babies.....well to see if we feel we are ablt to access support in the uk.

I live in rural north yorkshire and am finding people are having trouble accessing good, helpful support.

So here is my question, have you or did you get the support you needed? I think I am asking to see if it is just our area or if there is something that needs to be tackled country wide?

If you did get your help how easy was it for you to talk to some one.....ie how available where they? Our sands line runs on office hours, our grief doesn't

Do we think there is anyway we could set up a national support link, with phone numbers for access to help when you need it most.

Any suggestions welcome,

This is as a result of talking to a newly berieved mum, who is suffering and we could have helped her had she been sent our number quicker.

Sending everyone love and PLEASE if anyone in any other countries has any helpful hints, maybe how you guys cope, they are MOST welcome

[selmasings]

Hi Alison,

I live in the Orkney Isles - After we lost Thomas I found that we recieved quite a bit of support from the midwives here but as far as counselling goes, if we needed it I guess we would have had to seek help ourselves. It was never an option offered to us. I was given a phone number for a lady who works for SANDS and represents them in Orkney, but the few times I tried to call her she wasn't home.

I noticed quite some time after losing Thomas that a support group had been set up here for those affected by the death of a baby (during pregnancy or neonatally) However, as I was pregnant again (with Milly) at that time I didn't feel I could show face at such a group for fear of upsetting anyone there.

When I had my 1st miscarraige, I recieved no support whatsoever and was very dismayed by that. When we went on to lose Thomas we found that the community was very kind and showed thier sympathies by sending many cards and flowers but I simply needed someone to talk to, but people avoided us in the street.

I think a national support link would be a marvellous idea - you are completely right....the sands line runs on office hours, our grief doesn't. I sat up awake, crying uncontrollably and never feeling more alone for many nights after losing Thomas - if only I could have called someone then.

Love

Vicky xXx

[george1995]

Thanks for the reply Vicky

A few of us are feeling we could change the way support is offered, being more personal, you know putting people in touch with a support close by them and at a more personal level. It sounds like your community did that for you......I think it's about time ours did here

[shortycram]

Hi there

My name is Crystal and i live in Glasgow. We lost our daughter Riley on October 12 2005, the day before she was due. I have been trying to join the SANDS website but am problems with the website, so i gave up and came here. I am from canada, so on top of the lack of support in britain, my family is a long ways away. It's helps to know that you all are here to talk with.

xxxxCrystal
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