Baby Loss Awareness Week aims to break the silence about baby loss in the UK and runs from 9 to 15 October. It is a chance for bereaved parents, their families and friends to unite to commemorate their babies’ lives. In the UK the event is supported by over 40 charities including Sands, Bliss, the Lullaby Trust and Tommy’s.

The three main aims of the campaign are:

• To commemorate the lives of babies and support their parents and families
• To raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss
• To drive change and improvements in the care and support provided

As part of Baby Loss Awareness Week everyone is invited to light a candle at 7pm on 15 October and join the global Wave of Light to remember all the babies that have sadly passed away. You can follow #waveoflight on social media to see those getting involved.

Other awareness-raising activities include completing a 5km ‘Ribbon Run’ or wearing the ribbon pin badge and sharing your photos on Social Media, using the hashtag #BLAW2021

At Switalskis Solicitors, we frequently work with families who have been affected by pregnancy and baby loss. The loss of any baby is devastating and grief can be compounded when a family later find out that the loss could have been avoided.

As pregnancy and baby loss is so upsetting, people find it very difficult to talk about, so the work of Baby Loss Awareness Week is really important to raise awareness, increase support and ensure health professionals are properly trained to recognise warning signs and to care for the families involved. Baby Loss Awareness Week is not intended to normalise what can be one of the most devastating times in someone’s life but instead shine a light in periods of darkness. The #waveoflight shows no life is in vain or forgotten and families suffering loss are not alone.

We have experience in cases of delayed treatment of ectopic pregnancies, stillbirth, placental abruption, failed treatment following miscarriage, drug errors in very young babies and children, meningitis, and delayed diagnosis and treatment of other pregnancy illnesses such as intrauterine growth restriction and pre-eclampsia. If you would like to talk to us about treatment relating to pregnancy or baby loss, then we are here for you and are happy to offer free advice to those seeking more information. Please remember, you are not alone.

Please join us on Friday 15 October as we light our candles and show the world we remember and we care. #waveoflight

We support many families dealing with baby loss. If you have been affected, contact us so that we can begin to support you too. Call 0800 138 0458 or email help@switalskis.com