Sands | Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.

Latest updates from Sands

An NHS worker in a dark blue tunic using an electronic tablet

Sands e-learning available to all NHS staff via the NHS Learning Hub

All NHS staff can now access Sands e-learning on the NHS Learning Hub to support them with providing compassionate care...

Posted 13 Kwiecień 2026

Northern Ireland becomes first part of the UK to offer paid Miscarriage Leave

Paid miscarriage leave launches in Northern Ireland

From Monday 6 April, parental bereavement leave in Northern Ireland will be extended to include families who experience pregnancy or...

Posted 6 Kwiecień 2026

Closing the Maternity Consortium

Léa Maquin, Maternity Consortium Co-ordinator and Engagement Lead, explains the programme of work, its impact and how the Consortium’s published...

Posted 26 Marzec 2026

Sarah's Story

At a gender scan when she was just under 21 weeks pregnant Sarah was told that her daughter Bernadette had stopped growing and there was subsequently no heartbeat. In November 2023 she gave birth to Bernadette who was beautiful and precious. Sarah shares how she and her partner were given a Sands memory box following the birth of Bernadette and how it means so much to them knowing they have something to look in when they feel strong enough and things to help them remember their beautiful baby girl.

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Rachel's Story

At 22 weeks and six days pregnant Rachel's waters broke and she was told it was highly likely she could go into labour. At 24 weeks at 8pm on 16th July she and her partner Aiden could no longer hear their baby boy Cian's heartbeat and Cian was born sleeping a few hours later. With the help of midwives she and Aiden spent two days making memories with Cian and take comfort in the fact that he passed away in the place he was safest, warmest and surrounded by love. Rachel goes on to share how nearly 20 months on, she has had another beautiful boy Shay and how for every milestone celebrated with Shay they think about all the moments that could have been with Cian.

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Latest updates from Sands

Sands e-learning available to all NHS staff via the NHS Learning Hub

Paid miscarriage leave launches in Northern Ireland

Closing the Maternity Consortium

Your stories of baby loss

Sarah's Story

Rachel's Story

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