Couple's charity crusade following baby heartbreak

AN inspirational Harlow couple whose first child was stillborn last year are keen to share their story to raise awareness about the charity that helped get them through the devastating experience.

Sarah Caunter (37) of Halling Hill was in her last few weeks of pregnancy when she realised her daughter Livvy (short for Olivia) had stopped moving.

After visiting Princess Alexandra Hospital with her husband Nick (35) to check everything was ok, they were tragically told their baby had died.

"I can’t imagine going through anything more barbaric," said Sarah, who works for a local engineering company.

"We found out we’d lost Livvy on the Monday and were booked in to give birth to her on Wednesday. It just didn’t seem real."

Sarah says the support of national stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands at the time was invaluable to her and her husband.

"They were just brilliant at giving us support and information at every step," she said. "We were both so numb we didn’t know what we were doing."

Around 17 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every day in the UK. As well as giving emotional and informative support to bereaved parents coping with the loss of their baby, Sands funds research into preventing the tragic occurrence and run a number of initiatives to help make the process that little bit easier.

Sarah added: "Between the hospital and Sands it was arranged for me to have a special hotel-like room away from the Labour ward for the birth which was a huge comfort.

"Sands also organised things like a chaplain to come and see Livvy, helped with funeral arrangements and encouraged us to make a memory box which has really helped with the grieving process."

Sarah is now working with Sands to help expand their services further, with her first aim being to encourage high street stores to stock baby grows for very premature children.

"One of the hardest things for us was not being able to find any clothes small enough to dress Livvy in," she said. "She was only 2lb 6oz and in the end we had to use a doll’s clothes which was heartbreaking.

Sarah added: "The reality is that stillbirth and neonatal death are still shockingly common occurrences in this country. We had no indication whatsoever of what was to come and the doctor’s haven’t found any reason for it. "I just hope that by working with and promoting the work Sands we can help prevent others from having to go through such heartache."

For more information about Sands or to make a donation to the charity, visit www.uk-sands.org.