On 4 December I travelled to Westminster with my mum to attend the All Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss chaired by Andy MacNae MP. I was very grateful to be invited alongside Jenny Ward, CEO of the Lullaby Trust, to speak about the Campaign For Gigi. The room was full of exceptional people whose common goal is to prevent children and families from irreparable harm and trauma. It was an honour to tell people about Gigi and to meet with Kath Abrahams the CEO of Tommy’s, an organisation that helped bring Gigi into the world safely.
I have spoken many times about Gigi’s birth but it was a wonderful opportunity to tell Kath about the work that The Tommy’s Clinic at St Mary’s Hospital and The Rainbow Clinic at Wythenshawe Hospital did to help Gigi and our family after Gigi had died. It was inspiring to hear personal stories from families and to see how so many women are working hard to ensure that no other parents experience such harrowing losses and receive the support they truly deserve.
I was on the panel with Dr Clair Evans, Chair of the Speciality Advisory Committee for Prenatal, Perinatal and Paediatric Pathology, The Royal College of Pathologists; Heidi Eldridge, Founder and CEO of the Mama Academy; Emily Butler, Lead Midwife at The Perinatal Institute; Keelie Grindley, Lead Midwife for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion UHNM NHS Trust and Founder of the NYA Birth Collective and Rachael Crane, Baby Loss and Bereavement Specialist and founder of Max’s Legacy.
I find it incredibly difficult to talk about the circumstances of Gigi’s death but it is part of her story and as her mum it is my responsibility to represent her, start conversations and gather support to initiate the vital changes that are needed. Thank you to Sands for having me and giving me the opportunity to share my beautiful girl.
