Lauren shares how during an early scan she found out her baby’s heart had stopped beating at eight weeks and five days. She was given medication to bring on a miscarriage and a sick note for 14 days off work. Her partner didn’t get any time off work so had to take unpaid leave, and both of them went back to work much sooner than they should have, having a negative impact on their mental health and meaning they needed to take more time off work down the line. She also shares how a Sands memory box has given them a place to keep all their pictures, tests and memories of their baby. 

Please be aware that Lauren has chosen to share a scan picture with her story.

 “I found out I was pregnant with myself and my partners first child on December 9th 2025. My estimated due date was August 17th 2026. 

We had an early scan on 9th of January where everything was perfect. 10 days later, I felt the need to go again. This time, our baby’s heart had stopped beating at eight weeks and five days. I should have been 10 weeks and five days. 

I had to wait two days to be seen by the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU), and for them to confirm there was no heartbeat. I then had to go back the next day to take the medication to bring on the miscarriage. 

48 hours after taking the medication, I had to go back for a second dose as the first one hadn’t worked. Four hours later, at 1.30pm the miscarriage started with light bleeding. The hospital sent us away with a leaflet and a teddy. 

By 7.30pm, I was in full miscarriage to the point I was unable to move from the toilet for a full hour as it was just pouring. I passed the baby and then I passed out. I called 111, and it took 14 hours for someone to come and check on me. 

Throughout all of this, I was given a sick note for 14 days off of work. My partner didn’t get anything, therefore meaning he had to take a week off of work, which was unpaid. I got paid £118 per week that I was off work, meaning we both went back to work much sooner than we should have, which therefore had a knock on effect on our mental health meaning more days off down the line due to mental health. 

I received a memory box from Sands which was beautiful, and gave us a place to keep all our pictures, tests and memories of our baby.”