A support group for anyone who has lost a baby is starting up tonight (Tuesday) in the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway.
The group which plans to met on the first Tuesday of every month will be facilitated
by midwife Joanne Murray-
The meetings will be bilingual, for those who may feel more comfortable talking in Gaelic.
The group -
Meetings will be held in the quiet room by the chapel on the ground floor and will be two hours long, from 7pm to 9pm.
Baby loss support group meets for first time
5 April 2016
Joanne stressed they would be in English and Gaelic, and promised there would be a lot of listening and understanding and many cups of tea too.
It is initially aimed at women in Lewis but it is hoped to expand it to take in the whole of the Western Isles and include dads and other family members over time.
Joanne said there was a real need for this group and stressed the meetings will be held outwith the maternity unit.
She said: “There are so many people out there who need this, and it is to help in any way at all. It’s a forum, where people will strengthen each other as they share and value their experiences together.”
Joanne stressed that anyone who has ever suffered a baby loss is welcome – no matter how long ago it was.
She said: “It’s a very, very sensitive issue. You have women who, for a long time, have suffered in silence, not being able to talk about their pregnancy loss, but there will be some triggering experience in life that brings back painful memories.
“This group will offer the opportunity to provide time and space for women to share their experience(s) before travelling down a path of restorative wholeness. The first step is acknowledgement, listening, and hearing that voice expressing itself clearly in words.”