Families who have experienced the loss of a baby are invited to attend a series of remembrance services taking place across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in the lead up to and during Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Running from 9 to 15 October, Baby Loss Awareness Week is an opportunity to remember babies who have died during pregnancy, birth or infancy, while raising awareness of the impact of pregnancy and baby loss on families.
A number of services will be held across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, offering a safe and compassionate space for parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and loved ones to come together in remembrance, support and hope.
In Inverclyde, the So Briefly Known baby loss service will take place at Inverclyde Royal Hospital Sanctuary at 6.30pm on Sunday 11 October.
In Glasgow, a So Briefly Known service has been organised by the Princess Royal Maternity hospital at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary Sanctuary at 7pm on Sunday 4 October.
A special Wave of Light remembrance service will also take place from 7pm on Wednesday 14 October at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow.
Organised by the Queen Elizabeth Maternity Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children, the event welcomes all families who have been touched by pregnancy loss or the loss of a baby.
The service is supported by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, whose Child Bereavement Support Team at Crossbasket House provides support to families who have experienced the loss of a baby or child through the children’s and maternity hospitals in Glasgow.
In Renfrewshire, the Royal Alexandra Hospital’s So Briefly Known service will take place in the hospital Sanctuary at 7pm on Sunday 4 October.
There is no need to RSVP for any of the services and anyone is welcome to attend if they feel able.
The remembrance events provide families with an opportunity to acknowledge the lives of babies who have been lost and to connect with others who understand the impact of bereavement.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde continues to support families affected by pregnancy and baby loss throughout the year through specialist bereavement services, maternity teams, spiritual care staff and partner organisations.
Dr Mary Ross-Davie, NHSGGC Director of Midwifery, said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is an important opportunity to remember babies who have died and to acknowledge the profound impact that pregnancy and baby loss can have on parents, families and loved ones.
“For many people, the grief of losing a baby stays with them throughout their lives. These remembrance services provide a compassionate space where families can come together, reflect, share memories and know they are not alone.
“Our midwifery, bereavement and spiritual care teams are committed to supporting families through some of the most difficult experiences they will ever face, and I would encourage anyone affected by baby loss to join us if they feel able. Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, you will be warmly welcomed and supported.”
Event details:
So Briefly Known, Princess Royal Maternity/Glasgow Royal Infirmary
- Sanctuary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Sunday 4 October, 7pm
So Briefly Known, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
- Hospital Sanctuary, Sunday 4 October, 7pm
So Briefly Known, Inverclyde Royal Hospital
- Hospital Sanctuary, Sunday 11 October, 6.30pm
Wave of Light Service, Glasgow
- DoubleTree by Hilton, Wednesday 14 October, 7pm to 8pm
All services are free to attend and no RSVP is required. Further information on the support available to those who have experienced baby loss can be found at the following sites:
https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
https://www.childbereavementuk.org
https://babylossretreat.org.uk
https://scottishcotdeathtrust.org