It is important for people from all backgrounds, including the LGBTQIA+ community, to be able to access proper care and support when they experience pregnancy or baby loss. We are grateful to Jess, founder of Baby Loss Hour, for sharing her experience and thoughts.

When Sofia, the precious daughter of Samantha and Christopher, was born sleeping on New Year’s Day 2021, her parents were heartbroken, but thanks to a Sands memory box, they were able to make special memories together as a family.

Brendan from Northern Ireland wrote his poem 'For Parents Everywhere...' after realising the impact pregnancy and baby loss has had on his close friends and family. 

Following lockdown, Hayley and her partner Reece were thrilled to find out they were expecting a baby boy, Ollie. After a low risk pregnancy, Ollie died due to a placenta abruption. Having to leave the hospital without her baby was one of the most harrowing and painful experiences Holly has ever encountered, and the hours and days that followed were the darkest of her life, but she made it through by taking things hour by hour and shares how despite everything Ollie has changed her life for the better.

This year marks ten years since my granddaughter, Lottie, was stillborn. It was a devastating time for our family, but I was incredibly grateful for the support I received — not just from friends and family, but also from my colleagues and employers in the NHS, who were truly compassionate.

I suffered an ectopic pregnancy very recently, an experience that almost cost me my life. It was one of the most isolating and painful times I've ever been through.

Sands United is passion project for me. It’s been a way for me to deal with my three losses, process what’s gone on and become more resilient around dealing with things. It's given me a space to remember my children, and it’s been a way for me to give back and create a legacy for them which has helped other people.

With my loss, something really unexpected happened. When I finally opened up about it, it actually brought me closer to my mum. For a long time, I didn’t think she’d understand — I assumed she wouldn't know what to say or how to support me.

I’ll start by saying that I’m childless. We (me and my husband) wanted to have a child, but have been unable to – there’s been no choice in the matter.

Harrison was born on 9 October 2015 weighing 5 pound 6 ounces after being induced at 37 weeks due to getting Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) in my pregnancy. Harrison was in perfect health.

Our world was turned upside down in October 2024 when our beautiful daughter, Taya, was born peacefully sleeping at 39 weeks+4. Nothing could have ever prepared us for such devastation.

I’ve been with Sands for around two years, having started in May 2023. I saw a post online and felt inspired to join Sands’ round table to help raise the profile of baby loss in Black communities.

I am a keen knitter, and I found out that Sands needed blankets to include in memory boxes, so I began knitting them.

Two years ago, we lost our little girl, Eveleigh. 

We would like to thank Christine and her daughter, Lisa, for bravely sharing their story with us.