The loss of a baby (or babies) in pregnancy, during birth or in the first year of life can have a profound impact on all members of the family. Here are some national and local sources of professional and peer support, as well as some other resources.
Support Following Perinatal Loss - Self Referral
Aching Arms: Offering peer support and the opportunity to talk to someone who has an understanding of what you’re going through after the loss of a baby before, during or after birth. Email: [email protected] Tel: 07464 508994 Website: www.achingarms.co.uk.
Birth Afterthoughts: If birth was at The Rosie Hospital (Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) or was supported by a local community midwife at home, Birth Afterthoughts is a confidential service run by specialist midwives giving you and your partner the opportunity to discuss and understand what happened during labour and birth. Email: [email protected] Website: www.cuh.nhs.uk/our-services/birth-afterthoughts
Petals: Specialist counselling after baby loss. Referrals for counselling can be made by your GP or midwife. Alternatively, you can complete a self-referral via the website: www.petalscharity.org.
Sands: Offering support groups, resources and advice for anyone affected by loss of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. Email: [email protected] Tel: 0808 164332 Website: www.sands.org.uk.
Saying Goodbye: Befriending service to support people who have experienced baby loss. Email: [email protected] Tel: 0300 323 1350 Website: www.sayinggoodbye.org.
Teddy’s Wish: Providing fully funded bereavement counselling to parents who have lost a baby from stillbirth (from 24 weeks), neonatal death or SIDS. www.teddyswish.org.
Tommy’s: The largest UK pregnancy and baby loss charity providing trusted advice and support. The Tommy's Midwives' Helpline is a freephone line open 9-5, Monday to Friday, staffed by a specialist team of midwives, for anyone who needs advice, reassurance or support on any pregnancy or planning for pregnancy issue, including mental health. Email: [email protected] Tel: 0800 0147 800 Website: www.tommys.org.
Support Following a Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR) - Self Referral
TFMR Mamas: Offering peer support through free monthly support groups and by sharing stories, poems and a podcast from those who have an understanding of what you’re going through www.tfmrmamas.com.
Time to Talk TFMR Podcast: Talking to those who work with birthing people and families around TFMR or who have directly experienced TFMR themselves www.talktfmr.podbean.com
Support Following Miscarriage, Ectopic Pregnancy or Stillbirth - Self Referral
The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust: Supporting parents through ectopic pregnancy. Provides information and resources alongside peer support. Tel: 020 773 32653 Website: www.ectopic.org.uk
The Miscarriage Association: For those affected by miscarriage, molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy. Email: [email protected], Tel: 01924 200799 Website: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Teddy’s Wish: Providing fully funded bereavement counselling to parents who have lost a baby from stillbirth (from 24 weeks), neonatal death or SIDS. www.teddyswish.org.
Support Following Loss Due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - Self Referral
The Lullaby Trust: Raising awareness of SIDs and offering emotional support for bereaved families affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby. Email: [email protected], Tel: 0808 802 6868 Website: www.lullabytrust.org.uk.
Teddy’s Wish: provides fully funded bereavement counselling to parents who have lost a baby from stillbirth (from 24 weeks), neonatal death or SIDS. www.teddyswish.org.
Support Following Loss after a Multiples Pregnancy - Self Referral
Twins Trust: For parents of twins, triplets or more who have died during or after pregnancy. Website: www.twinstrust.org/bereavement.html
Support During Pregnancy Following Loss - GP or Midwife Referral
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust Perinatal Trauma & Loss Service: CPFT's Perinatal Trauma & Loss Service offers assessment, psychological treatment and midwifery support to birthing women & people experiencing moderate to severe mental health difficulties after experiencing a perinatal loss or separation within the last two years. Website: NHS CPFT - Perinatal Trauma & Loss Service (PTLS)
Support for Dads, Partners and Co-Parents - Self Referral
Andy’s Man Club: A national charity that supports men going through a challenging time. Provides a safe space where men can feel comfortable to talk and open up about their experiences in a room free of judgment. Support groups are run online and in person (Coleridge Community College, Cambridge, Monday evenings 7-9pm). Email: [email protected] Website: www.andysmanclub.co.uk.
For Men To Talk: Informal online and in person groups to support men experiencing anxiety, depression and grief. Email: [email protected] Website: www.formentotalk.co.uk.
StrongMen: Counselling, peer support and activity weekends for men who have experienced any type of bereavement. Email: [email protected] Telephone: 0800 9150400 Website: UK Mens Bereavement Charity - StrongMen
The Legacy of Leo: Supporting same sex couples through the heart break of baby loss. An online community providing resources and the stories of other couples who experienced loss. Website: www.thelegacyofleo.com/lgbt-baby-loss
The Tiny Footprints Brotherhood: An online support network for fathers in the UK and Australia who have experienced the heart ache of losing a child. Providing a safe space where fathers can share their grief, find solace, and embark on a journey towards healing. Website: https://4louis.co.uk/tfb
Dad Still Standing Podcast: A podcast hosting two dads discussing baby loss, coping with life, and working their way through grief. Website: www.dadstillstanding.com/podcast.
Still Parents Podcast: A podcast supporting fathers through baby loss. Website: www.stillparentspodcast.co.uk.
Tommy's: Information, videos and personal stories of baby loss and the impact on dads and partners. Website: Baby loss support - for dads and partners | Tommy's (tommys.org)
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 111 and select the mental health option.
