"Losing our daughter at 28 weeks pregnant"

In September 2022, we lost our daughter when I was 28 weeks pregnant due to severe preeclampsia. In the months that followed the sadness and grief consumed me. Now facing a future without our girl I genuinely didn’t know if I would ever experience true happiness again. In January 2023 I was referred to Psychological Services. During our sessions I talked through my grief and allowed the sadness to sit with me rather than be suppressed or pushed away. During this time I also became pregnant with my second daughter which lead to heightened anxiety and fear that I would lose her too. Again I was taught that these reactions are normal and that I could use techniques and breathing to stop myself spiralling with worry. Once our second baby was born I then struggled with anxious thoughts and again worry that something would happen to her.

Now I feel that light and happiness is finally back in my life again. The care and advice I received was beyond fantastic and I don’t know what I would have done without the sessions. I feel as though this type of care is so crucial to anyone going through the loss of a baby. There are so many feelings of blame and what ifs. Every Christmas, birthday, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day will always have an element of sadness but being able to talk to someone who understood and could rationalise the thoughts was key.