Our baby boy Bloom was born peacefully sleeping on 29 July last year (at 20 weeks 5 days). Bloom’s due date was 11 December 2025 and he is our third baby.

At 17 weeks 6 days, I attended my first ever transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound examination (I met the criteria for this scan as I had previously experienced a caesarean section being fully dilated with my daughter). After examination, the consultant explained to me that my cervix was short and funnelling, with only 5mm of my cervix closed. I was at significant risk of pre-term birth. Two days later, I went into theatre to have a transvaginal cervical cerclage (a suture put into place). There were complications, but the procedure was successful. I was on bed rest at home for two weeks until my check-up (Friday 24 July). On examination, I was admitted to hospital. The membranes had begun to come through the suture. I was treated with several antibiotics (in the hope it was an infection, to avoid the membranes rupturing, and to try and get Bloom to at least 24 weeks). The following day, the membranes ruptured, the suture was removed, and I was made comfortable, ready to labour. Bloom had a strong heartbeat over the next few days, and my body wasn't labouring. I was becoming rather poorly. On Monday 28 July, we were told Bloom had no chance of survival. Heartbreakingly, and a day that will never leave us, Bloom was born peacefully sleeping at 0410 on the Tuesday morning. Bloom was absolutely perfect! A beautiful boy with his button nose and same chin as his brother and sister! Bloom will always be a part of us, and has touched all of our hearts! Bloom will always be spoken about, celebrated and never forgotten!

I first met Abigail’s once Bloom was born. The Abi Cooling Cot is where Bloom spent his days with us in hospital. The Cooling Cot really did give us that precious time we so needed with our son. Having Bloom so close to us, and in the cooling cot, made every part of Bloom feel alive. He had his own cot, somewhere he could rest all snuggled up, somewhere I could watch over him, to have beside me, to touch him, smell him, and adore him.

Abigail’s have also given me a safe space to talk and share my grief about Bloom. I have been having ongoing therapy sessions. To have that confident to share and open up to about my baby boy really has helped me ‘put one foot forward’ in this journey of baby loss. I would like other families to know you aren’t alone, and Abigail’s are there for you.

To be able to raise as much money as possible for Abigail’s would be so special. Primarily, I would like to fundraise for at least one cooling cot (costing £3,000) in Bloom’s loving memory. I want to be able to give other families the opportunity to have that extra precious time with their babies (just as we were able to experience).

If I was able to raise more than my fundraising target, I would love to be able to donate a further cooling cot. Alternatively, any further funds raised would be gratefully received by Abigail’s for specialist midwifery bereavement training and their baby loss counselling programme, in which I again personally have experienced and continue to be a part of.

I will be walking from home, to Whitstable (just over 28 miles), to raise money for Abigail’s Footsteps in Bloom’s memory. I will not be walking alone and will be joined by my amazing close friends and family members. Altogether, we need your help and support. Please donate if you can. We can give families those extra few days with their babies, and provide help and support with the heartbreaking loss of their babies.

www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk