Thank you for visiting this page. Just raising awareness of this issue is important to us. We have been so touched by people's support at what has been an incredibly difficult time. People we don't even know or never knew cared have donated so generously and offered us the kindest words of love and friendship. Thank you - every donation, message, hug, and thought mean the world to us, and we're sure little Esme would be so proud of all the good that is being done in her memory. 

Having lovingly nurtured and longed for our baby for months, we found out on Saturday 21 September 2013 that she was going to be stillborn. We felt like we were in a nightmare that we could not wake up from. We had felt her moving as normal the previous evening, but I realised the next afternoon that I couldn't recall her having moved at all that day. The hospital couldn't find a heartbeat and nobody knows what went wrong.

 

I gave birth to our beautiful baby daughter, Esme, at 5.39 on Monday 23 September 2013. She was born asleep and weighed 7lb 1oz. She looked perfect in every way, so, although we have not yet been given an explanation for what happened, we are reassured that it is unlikely she would have suffered at all.

 

I was struck after the terrible events of that weekend by how amazing all the medical professionals had been at dealing with our tragedy. From the moment that we were told the devastating news of Esme's death until us leaving the hospital on Monday afternoon we were looked after so well by the wonderful midwives, consultants and bereavement counsellor. We realised that despite what had happened to us, we were incredibly fortunate as we had not once felt that I would be at risk of any harm. This is sadly not the case for so many expectant mothers in other countries.

 

Maternity Worldwide believes, as I do, that having a baby should be a time of great joy and hope. But every year across the world 287,000 women die in pregnancy and childbirth. That’s one mother dying every 2 minutes; 800 each day. These women do not need to suffer and die; most lives could be saved relatively easily and cheaply. Many mothers die as a result of conditions which would be treated routinely in other parts of the world. Maternity Worldwide works alongside local communities and partners to address problems that women and girls in some of the poorest rural areas of the world face and helps them to give birth safely. Their website has more information about the amazing work that they do: http://www.maternityworldwide.org. Lots of people have asked us if there is anything they can do to support us at this terrible time. The short answer is that just you all being there for us is enough. However, if you would like to contribute anything in Esme's memory, we would feel comforted to know that your money would be going to this good cause. Any amount, however small, will make a difference, and your gesture of kindness and generosity will mean a lot to us.

 

In addition to the fantastic and invaluable support that we have received from family and friends, we have been put in touch with an organisation called SANDS to give us more information, guidance and additional support. They are a fantastic charity, and we would encourage you to visit their website and consider making a donation to them as well: http://www.uk-sands.org/home.html.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.