After a long time trying to become pregnant, we were blessed with the best news of our lives on the 1st of August 2017, we were having a baby! From that day forward we were parents, and loved and cherished the little life that we had made. We spent the pregnancy planning and organising for, and most importantly loving, the son that was on his way. 

At full term (38+2), and following a healthy pregnancy, on the 20th March 2018 we found out that our son Henry's heart had stopped beating and that we would never see him open his eyes or hear him cry. This is the worst news that any parents could hear, it stopped our world from turning and left our hearts broken. It then came as a huge shock that we then had to go home and wait for labour to begin before Henry could be birthed into this world.

Three days later (38+5), after so many tears, in the early hours of the morning on 23rd March 2018, Henry was born. To experience Henry's birth brought so much joy, it was still the best day of our lives but also the hardest, we got to meet our son, who we had dreamed of for so long. He was and always will be our perfect little baby boy, with soft palms, tiny toes and a little button nose. We spent 4 days, the shortest 4 days there have ever been, with Henry in the hospital and made some beautiful memories. We sang to him, read him stories, held him close, kissed him and noticed each and every tiny detail, committing them to memory so that he would always live on in our hearts and minds. This time was just not enough, and finally we had to leave the hospital, with a box full of memories instead of our baby boy. From then on we have carried Henry in our hearts and not in our arms, and the love that we share will last for always.

Sands have funded a specialised Bereavement Suite, located on the Labour Ward of Hull Royal, Womens and Childrens' Hospital. It was here that we first met and made memories with our little boy, in the comfort and privacy as if it were our own home. Sands also provide funding towards a team of Bereavement Midwives, something that we found have brought us comfort over the past year. The local Hull Sands hold monthly meetings for parents who have lost children to go and socialise and share experiences. In the early days this was invaluable as it helped us to get out and face the world again, it also allowed us to connect with others who understood our feelings. It has also been helpful to attend the remembrance events held by our local Sands groups, from a butterfly release, to a Christmas Service, they provide an opportunity and safe space to say Henry's name, celebrate his life and share our love for him. By donating to Sands, we would like to help any other families who are unfortunate enough to be in the same situation, to access the services which have given us so much support.

Thank you so much for reading.

Andrew and Sophie x-x-x

(Proud Mummy and Daddy of Henry James Silver, 23.03.2018 and always)

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