One of our many strengths as midwives on the Birthing Centre is the creating of precious memories for families to remember those precious moments with their babies. However, these memories wouldn’t be possible without the support from a number of charities.

Our maternity service at Northumbria follows the National Bereavement Care Pathway. The pathway ensures all families experiencing a pregnancy loss are provided with the same high standard of care.

The Willow Room is our dedicated bereavement room and is situated on the Birthing Centre at The Northumbria.  The room provides a homely feel with soft furnishings and lighting to create a calm atmosphere for bereaved families to meet and spend time with their baby

A reflective diary in the Willow Room offers families the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences. These documented powerful moments create the message to others, “They are not alone.”

  • Teardrop, a charity initially set up by a small group of midwives at Ashington hospital many years ago, is now run by bereaved families.  Teardrop have funded numerous equipment and soft furnishings for the Willow Room.
  • 4Louis provides the Willow Room with memory boxes, ensuring all precious memories are encapsulated in a beautiful box. The 4Louis clay and ink prints within the box provide a tangible memory for parents to take home. Baskets of all sizes are also provided by 4Louis to keep baby safe and keep dignity intact.
  • Remember My Baby is a charity that can provide beautiful images for families of their babies. These images are created by a professional photographer who will attend the Willow Room and spend unlimited time to create those precious images.
  • Little Things is a charity that provide clothes for the smaller gestation of babies.  These bespoke items of clothing ensure baby is dressed in a dignified way for the families and all staff coming into contact with babies. 4Louis provide angel pocket to place those tiny babies in, keeping them comfortable and safe

Training for staff in the topic of bereavement within maternity is provided by two bereavement midwives experienced in the bereavement field.  The charities 4Louis, Beyond Bea and SANDS also provide bereavement training within the topic area, ensuring staff have up to date information to meet the needs of bereaved families.

Funeral arrangement can be daunting for many families dealing with the loss of a baby. Two bereavement midwives with experience in funeral arrangements are available to families, to guide them through this sensitive process. They also act as a point of contact for families following their discharge home from the Birthing Centre as many families often feel alone at this point of their bereavement journey.

Our Obstetrics and Gynaecology Health Psychology team provide specialist support to bereaved parents, both after their loss and in any subsequent pregnancies. If you would like more information, speak to your midwife, or you can self-refer into the service by calling 01670 564 095.  For more information, click here.