On October 4th I will be running Cardiff Half Marathon in memory of our George, to raise money for the Forget Me Not Fund. I’ve only ever ran about 6km so it should be interesting to say the least 🫣 But training is underway so wish me luck!🤞🏼

Here’s my Why? 👇🏼

1 in 4 Pregnancies end in miscarriage.

1 in 20 Are Missed miscarriage.

1 in 100 Are Late Miscarriages.

I was always aware of the stats regarding pregnancy loss but I never thought I’d become one.

In 2021 we started IVF in the hope to grow our family. We were briefed of the success rates but were hopeful.

Our stats ended up being:

-3 Egg Retrievals

-8 Embryo Implants

-5 Positive tests

-3 Loses

-3 Beautiful Babies 👼💙🩵

Cycle number 3, third times a charm right? After an early loss on our first transfer it was a very anxious two week wait. We were over the moon to see that tiny little heartbeat at our IVF viability scan. The pregnancy was going well, we’d been transferred to the NHS and had our 12 week scan. We were out of the woods,right? That’s what they say isn’t it?… Wrong.

It was a Sunday, we went to a private scan, excited to see baby again, that’s when we heard those 6 words. “I’m sorry there is no heartbeat”. No words any parent expects to hear. Our world as we knew it had been turned upside down.

Having walked into a scan room excited and expecting, we walked out bereaved parents.

Wednesday came and we were admitted to the hospital where we were induced to deliver our baby. George was born sleeping at 17:45 on 27/10/21. Thanks to The Forget Me Not Fund we were able to get photos, hand and feet prints done and ultimately say goodbye. Something I will be forever grateful for.

This is when we were introduced to Laura and first became aware of the charity and the incredible job she and The Forget Me Not Fund do. They helped us navigate life after loss and supported us through subsequent pregnancies and losses. Their love and support has been vital in being where we are as a family today. Attending their support groups and being fortunate to be cared for by the rainbow team, welcoming Herbert and Clark into our lives. They have been a life line for us.

To say thank you I am going to be trying to raise vital funds so that they can continue to provide parents with the care and support in the hours/weeks/years after loss.

Hampshire Hospitals Charity's Forget Me Not Fund supports families suffering the loss of their baby during pregnancy or the neonatal period. Money raised is used in many different ways to ensure that families are supported at such a devastating time. Please add Fund Number 4639 to any donations to ensure your donations go straight to The Forget Me Not Fund

Funds raised can go towards memory making items such as 3D Castings, specialist bereavement counselling and community based support groups as well as the upkeep of the Butterfly Bereavement Suites in Winchester and Basingstoke, home from home rooms within Maternity where families will birth and spend as much time with their baby as they wish.

Every penny is gratefully received and goes a long way to help to break the taboo around baby loss and ensures that families are well cared for during their time in hospital and in the weeks and months that follow.