On Sunday 27th February 2022 I am going to run the Brighton Half Marathon! Having run with my sister Verity in 2019 and received some amazing donations for Chestnut Tree House, I have decided to run again in memory of Baby Hope and to say thank you for the love and care that my family received from them. 

My story and thoughts from 2018:

I would like to share my story to raise awareness for stillbirth and pregnancy complications. If I can help one person who is either going through this or knows someone who is please feel free to share.

On July 7th 2018 at 8:03PM I delivered my stillborn baby girl Hope. I was 27 weeks pregnant.  As I was this far along I had to be induced and give birth. Thanks to the team at Worthing Hospital, this was a heartbreaking but very special time. The bereavement team at Worthing Hospital were incredible, when I gave birth to Hope they held her, wrapped her up in a blanket and spoke to her as if she was there with us. My mum held her for over an hour and rocked her and then my dad could come in to meet her. 

I am in awe of the staff at Chestnut tree house with what they have to face daily. When we arrived, we were able to stay with her as long as we wanted, she had her own little room and we sat with her in peace and had time to try and get our heads around what was going on. Making memories and taking photos is such an important part of the process. 

I am so incredibly lucky to be so supported by such amazing and caring family and friends.  My mum and dad have carried me through this time and I owe them everything.

If you know someone who is going through this, do not try and justify what is happening in a way of trying to comfort them. When you lose anyone special to you, there is no "at least" or "it could have been worse".  

Baby loss is such a sad subject that people don't know what to say or how to react when actually not acknowledging that it ever happened is like implying that it never happened and our babies never existed. As upsetting as it might seem it means the world to someone who has lost her baby to hear the baby's name. If you feel comfortable to ask questions and to say our baby's names, then please do. Thank you so much for the amazing support.

Lucy  xxxx