When their baby passed away after her c-section Michaela and her husband were broken – in intense pain, shock and disbelief. After finding information about Sands in a pack from the hospital, Michaela shares how reading the website, chatting to people on the forum and knowing someone was always there in the middle of night brought her comfort.

Terry shares how when he and his wife Joanna heard the words “there’s no fetal heartbeat” they were struck by terror and in absolute shock. After their baby boy Sebastian was delivered stillborn and the couple returned home they were desperate for help. Sands offered them support including calls with a Befriender and Terry is now proud to fundraise for Sands.

Emma shares how when her and her husband’s baby girl was diagnosed with Edwards' syndrome, they made the decision to travel to London and have a Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR), saying goodbye to their baby when Emma was just under 14 weeks pregnant.

After a terrible pregnancy experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) Katie gave birth to her baby boy Alexander at 33 weeks and three days on 1st July 2022. He passed peacefully and quietly at 5pm on 2nd July with a promise that he would be loved and missed forever. Katie shares how she and her husband are still in the early days of navigating the loss of Alexander but how the Sands website and helpline have been useful in offering support and finding information.

When a midwife tried to find Heather's baby boy Xander's heartbeat at 36 weeks the silence was deafening. Heather shares how after Xander was born, the Sands website gave her ideas of things she might like to put in his coffin and how email support from the charity got her through her darkest hours when she couldn't even speak.

When Leanne went to hospital for a regular check-up at 34 weeks pregnant, she felt confident that from that point, nothing could go wrong with her pregnancy, and was excited to hear her little one's heartbeat. Sadly, she never heard it. She shares how Sands gave her a safe forum to talk and how running to raise money for Sands has helped her believe in herself and her body once more.

Hayley was 40 weeks and four days pregnant when she was told her precious baby boy George had died. Time stood still and her and her husband's world was shattered into a million pieces, but she describes how Sands was her lifeline and how the connections she has made have made a difference to her healing.

Adam shares The Smallest Hello, a poem he wrote in memory of his son Alfie, which was read at Alfie's funeral six weeks after he passed.

Adam shares how his son Alfie was born at 20 weeks and stayed with him and his fiancée Lori for two hours before going to sleep in their arms.

Sarah shares how support from Sands and Tommy's has been invaluable in making her feel less alone in the horrible "club" of baby loss after her first son Harry was born at 26 weeks and died just three days later.

Asiya shares how being of Asian background means miscarriage is seen as a taboo and stigma so herself and her husband found there wasn't enough support around them after they experienced four miscarriages. She wants to share her story so other families feel less alone.

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.