Last month, 7.4.20, we went to hospital to check a suspected water infection. I was 22 weeks and 5 days , excited about seeing our princess the next day for second 20 week scan to get some measurements that they hadn’t managed to get a couple of weeks before. All of our scans had been brilliant. Baby was fine, with a strong heartbeat. When I arrived at hospital her heartbeat was still strong and the team were still suspecting a water infection. Within a quick 2 hours, I was about to leave with my antibiotics glad that baby was fine. Suddenly everything changed . I began to bleed and after a quick examination it was becoming apparent I was going into labour. Whiston maternity team were fantastic and tried all they could to slow things down but unfortunately they couldn’t. 5 hours later our beautiful princess was born, her heart beating lovely and strong. 5 past 5pm. Being so young her lungs had not fully developed . We were told she would not survive before we had gave birth, so we knew we wouldn’t have long . Our little fighter held on for 1 hour and 25 minutes though, holding on until she had been baptised. 1 pound 1 oz and 29cm long. She had long legs and big feet - just like her Dad. 

We had not prepared for this - no clothes small enough, my phone‘s battery died shortly after birth so wasn’t ready for photos, no blankets with us, nothing to capture this small amount of time we had with her. This is where Whiston Hospital Maternity Team and Sands charity were vital . We were provided with clothes small enough to fit her. A blanket and teddy. A camera with an sd card we could keep. They took prints of her hands and feet. Provided me and Hope with matching bracelets . Seeds to plant at home. The midwives even found a phone charger so we could charge our phones. It was by no means an easier time and it is not the memories we hoped to have when we saw them 2 lines, but with the support and wonderful memory box  from Whiston and Sands, we have moments to treasure forever . Memories that had they not been provided we would have missed out on. Another family had donated money for a cold cot, this meant we were able to take Hope home for a night to say our goodbyes. It also allowed some of our family to meet her. In the current situation, this meant so much as my dad would not have been able to come to hospital to meet her. I cannot put into words just how grateful I am to that family. Our wish is that we can help another family even fraction of an amount that family helped us. 

I would not wish this situation on anyone! But we are aware  so many people go through similar situations every year. 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss .  Sands estimate they welcome  over 1400 bereaved parents every year into their online community for support. Without  the support and funds from Sands, some Families do not have the memories we have . Hearing other people’s stories have brought home how important charities such as Sands is and hospitals such as Whiston. Other people in similar situations have had even worse times than we have. No hand and footprints, no acknowledgement of life. So with your help we will fundraise to help as many as we can.  Please give what you can . It will honestly make such a difference at a time when people feel like the world is against them . It will give some comfort when all hope seems lost. And in years to come it will still provide some comfort knowing they have memories they may not have had without your support! 

We have added some photos of our precious angel the gallery above. 

Thank you in advance for anyone who is able to donate!! We thank you on behalf of those you help. 

Love Charlotte & Gary

xXx

A bit more about Sands and all they do -

Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it.Sands provides bereavement support services both nationally through its Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community and resources, and locally through a UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups. Sands works in partnership with health care professionals, trusts and health boards and offers a range of training programmes and bereavement care resources to ensure that every bereaved parent and family receives the best possible care wherever they are in the UK.Sands promotes and funds research to better understand the causes of baby deaths and to save babies lives.