On average 17 babies are stillborn in the UK everyday. On the 28th March 2013, my family became one of the 17 families that day to lose the precious gift of a new baby.

The day before, I was due to go into hospital to meet the Anaesthetist to have my final checks before having a C-section as I was now 9 days overdue. That morning my daughter, Mia climbed into my bed to have a cuddle. We laughed because Jada always started kicking when Mia got into bed, it's as if she knew that she was missing out on the cuddle time! At 5:30am we felt her kicking, unbeknown to me that was to be the last time I would feel her kick.

Sitting, watching Mia in her school Easter assembly - the labour pains started, but something didn't feel right, the pain was different to when I had Mia.  When I got to the hospital, 3 hours before my scheduled appointment, I was not prepared to hear that they couldn't find a heartbeat, even after one midwife, two doctors and a senior sonographer checking me I still didn't believe it, it felt like I was in a nightmare, everything went into slow motion. My world stopped. Everything after that is a blur of utter confusion, pain and despair. At 3:30am the following morning I gave birth naturally.  Jada weighed in at just over 8lb.  She had the prettiest face, full head of soft hair and the fattest thighs, the ones we all love squidging on new babies. So perfectly formed, lying so still and quiet. 

When I first looked at her, I knew that I couldn't let her death be in vain.  I wished I could have made this be the last stillbirth in history so that no other families would ever have to go through this. But I'm not Tinkerbell - I don't have fairy dust or a magic wand.  What I do have is the support from my amazing family and friends and the BEST bereavement midwife, Jane Scott. Jane's unremitting work to improve standards and support families though such a harrowing, traumatic time is inspiring. Together, and with the help of an EXTREMELY kind, thoughtful and generous donation, we were able to open 'Jada's Room' at Queen Charlottes and Chelsea Hospital. 

'Jada's Room', exclusively for stillbirths and miscarriages, is a peaceful place where parents and their family can go after delivering their baby(ies).  With a double bed, parents can lie down together with their baby (rather than dad having a mat on the floor).  It has it's own kitchen area so you can have tea and coffee in the room rather than having to walk through the corridor and bump into proud parents or hear new babies crying. It has an en-suite bathroom, fridge, microwave, reclined chair and soft furnishings which gives it that homely feel that normal hospital rooms cannot provide. 

Although we have raised enough to initially open the room, we need to raise more to maintain and continually improve the service, whether that be through training or providing a much needed and valued permanent counsellor, Caroline Weiland (who currently volunteers her time) and who I feel blessed to have had help from. 

On 12th and 13th July 2014, myself and two very dear friends, Sophie and Ingrid walked 40 miles of Hadrian's Wall path, not only in memory of Jada, but all the babies that have died and for all the families in the future who will use 'Jada's Room'. Thank you to everyone who donated and for all your support xx

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE support this deserving cause.  Your donation will help so many people for years to come and let the memory of Jada live on.  

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Lauren x

A message from Jane Scott, Senior Bereavement Midwife -

We thank you for your donations, I am the Senior Bereavement Midwife from Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Hammersmith and St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington and along with my manager Shereen, colleagues Evelyn and Caroline, team of clergy, patient affairs and mortuary staff we have made many changes to the maternity bereavement service at both hospitals.

As a group we appreciate and understand the importance of getting the care right when parents are faced with the devastating loss of their baby. We can never give them what they want but  we can make their delivery and the short time they spend with their baby private and comfortable in a special room dedicated to them on the Labour Ward.

Your donations will fund the upkeep of the rooms and pay for equipment such as cold cots, microwaves, reclining chairs, fridges, icemakers etc. We hold an annual memorial service to remember all the babies and children that pass away at our hospitals at St. James' Church, Sussex Gardens, Paddington each May so anyone who has donated is very welcome to come along and meet our team and parents like Lauren who teach me every day about the strength of the human soul.   

Kindest regards

Jane