October 9th to 15th is Baby Loss Awareness Week. This is organised by a number of pregnancy and baby loss charities. It is a special opportunity to mark the brief lives of babies lost in pregnancy, or during or shortly after birth.
Doulas may play a role in supporting parents through pregnancy and baby loss. Doula UK supports Baby Loss Awareness Week 2014 and the work of pregnancy and baby loss organisations.
Michelle Every, Doula UK doula and facilitator of ‘Supporting Every Birth’ an interactive workshop for doulas looking at supporting both clients and themselves through all birth journeys including baby loss, said:
“Doulas have a special role in supporting couples experiencing loss at every stage. From valuing the pregnancy to validating the loss, as doulas we have an opportunity to provide a safe place for remembrance.
Doulas can also choose to join in with others who are using this week to talk openly about the subject of stillbirth and neonatal death and raise awareness of an issue that is often taboo and needs more attention.”
On October 15th everyone is encouraged to light a candle at 7pm and leave it burning for at least an hour. This is a global initiative to remember all the babies who have died in pregnancy and early after birth.
Doula UK Press Release_141009_Statement Baby Loss Week 2014 (PDF 304KB)
