2024 marks the 22nd year of Baby Loss Awareness Week in the UK. This takes place every year between the 9th October – 15th October in order to remember the lives lost and also raise awareness for the families affected. Baby loss still tends to be a taboo subject that many people who have been affected struggle to talk about, this tying to this year’s theme of ‘Breaking the Silence’.

On the 15th October at 7pm, the ‘Wave of Light’ will be taking place. People who have been affected are encouraged to light a candle as a way to remember their babies.

One in Four people experience baby loss in the UK. The organisations involved in this week, such as SANDS, Tommys and the Miscarriage Association, shed light on the different ways people are experiencing this loss for example, through ectopic pregnancy, terminating a pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR), Neonatal deaths and molar pregnancy.

Bereaved parents have now been offered a baby loss certificate as a way to offer recognition to those who have experienced the loss. Originally the Government placed a cut-off date for the certificates, meaning that only those who had a pregnancy loss or miscarriage since 2018 were eligible. However, certificates are now available for those who lost their baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy or 28 weeks if the loss was before October 1992.

Often the cause of the baby’s death is unknown, this leaving parents with unanswered questions. However, the cause can sometimes be as a result of negligent medical treatment, for example negligent monitoring of the baby.

We have assisted a number of clients in respect of losing a baby due to medical negligence, obtaining much needed answers as to what went wrong and why; an example of this is the case of Miss X.

Her case centres around the failure by the hospital to appropriately perform a full antenatal check and correctly interpretate and classify a Cardiotocography (CTG). This resulted in a failure to diagnose early onset pre-eclampsia causing Miss X to suffer from a still birth at around 29 weeks.

It was admitted that had Miss X been diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, she would have been treated for the same and monitored prior to an emergency caesarean section being performed. If this was the case, her daughter would have been born with good prospects of survival. This does not take away the grief that Miss X suffered but the acknowledgment of the failings went some way to helping her to process the grief. Also, by obtaining compensation, this means that Miss X has money available to her to pay for psychological treatment.

There are multiple bereavement charities that aim to offer support and comfort to anyone who has been affected by pregnancy and baby loss. The Baby Loss Awareness Alliance consists of the following organisations, SANDS, Bliss, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, The Lullaby Trust, The Miscarriage Association and Tommy’s. There are many more members and supports that can be found on the Baby Loss Awareness Week official page. Amongst these groups, there are individuals who have set up blogs and podcasts in order to tell their own stories and offer support and guidance to those in need; for example, there is Mumoirs, Dad Still Standing and The Worst Girl Gang Ever.

Our expert medical negligence solicitors have a wealth of experience on dealing with claims associated with baby loss. If you would like to speak to one of our experienced team members, please contact Williamsons at 01482 323697.