Turning the UK Pink and Blue for Baby Loss

Many buildings and landmarks will be turning pink and blue between the 9th and 15th October for the annual baby loss awareness week.

The Baby Loss Awareness Alliance are working to raise awareness of pregnancy and baby loss, providing support to anyone affected by pregnancy loss and the death of a baby, working with health professionals and services to improve bereavement care, and reducing preventable deaths.

We would like to join them in raising awareness. According to the pregnancy charity, Tommy’s:

• 716,704 births were registered in 2020 (613,935 England & Wales; 46,809 Scotland; 55,959 Northern Ireland)
• There were 2,638 stillbirths in 2020 (2,371 England & Wales; 198 Scotland; 69 Northern Ireland)
• Approximately 60,000 babies were born prematurely in 2020
• An estimated 1 in 5 pregnancies ended in miscarriage (1 in 6 if we only count women who realised/reported the miscarriage)
• Estimates suggest there are 250,000 miscarriages every year in the UK and around 11,000 emergency admissions for ectopic pregnancies
• There were 1,719 neonatal deaths in England and Wales in 2020
• 209 women died during or up to 6 weeks after pregnancy between 2015-2017 - this equates to 9.2 women per 100,000 who died due to causes associated with pregnancy during pregnancy or soon after

If you or anyone you know has been affected, please know that you are not alone. There are charities available to help you. Please visit Support for you – Baby Loss Awareness Week.

If you have any concerns at all during your pregnancy you should contact your GP or your midwife. If it is an emergency, attend your local emergency department immediately.

JCP’s Charity of the Year is 2 Wish, a charity who support those affected by sudden death in young people.