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In 1995 we were looking forward to the birth of our first child in the same way new parents to be always do; pram was bought, nursery decoration selected, grandparents enthusiasm sky high etc…

A routine hospital check showed no signs of any problems although we asked for additional tests to be carried out because Babs wasn’t sure the movements were as they should have been. After tests at our local hospital in Livingston it was suggested we follow up for further investigation at Simpsons Memorial Hospital near the meadows in Edinburgh the next day. After a full day of tests and steroid injections for Babs the consultant decided the best way to help our baby was to carry out a c-section the next morning. At 32 wks gestation we still didn’t contemplate the worst but that changed when the consultant advised that he didn’t believe the baby was “compatible with life” and the only option was to try and help the baby neonatal. The next morning saw Babs in theatre for a c-section under general anaesthetic due to the additional complication of placenta praevia.

Our daughter Sarah Louise was born on Saturday 23 September 1995 at 10:57am. 

Unfortunately Sarah Louise was born with an extremely rare chromosomal disorder called Triploidy which resulted in her passing away some 20 minutes after birth in her daddy’s arms. Babs was still in surgery and never got to be with Sarah Louise while she was still alive.

SANDS (stillbirth & neonatal death society) are a charity that offers support, understanding and help, both of a practical and emotional nature to bereaved parents who have experienced the death of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or soon after birth. They offer support for as long as required and have helped us and many many others over the years. At the time of Sarah Louise’s birth a SANDS family room funded by the Hospital and SANDS jointly had only recently been opened at the Simpsons Maternity Pavilion on the ante-natal ward, and this proved to be invaluable for us. Babs was hospitalised for 5 days as a result of the emergency operation and she was able to recuperate in her own room which more resembled a hotel than a hospital. We were able to start the grieving process away from the immediate area of the maternity unit and Babs was able to finally see and hold Sarah Louise. After release from hospital SANDS staff were always available and supportive and were an invaluable part of our recovery process.

Please help SANDS continue with their work and dig deep to donate whatever amount you can.

 

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