My daughter, Nettie Elizabeth Cartlidge, was born sleeping in the Forget Me Not suite at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on 30 August 2021.  

The Forget Me Not rooms provide parents, such as Chris and I, who have sadly lost their baby, with a private space to give birth away from the main maternity ward.  We received specialist care and support from a team led by the bereavement midwives and we cannot thank them enough.

During our time at the Forget Me Not rooms we were given the opportunity to make memories of Nettie.  The charity 4Louis supplies parents with memory boxes, free of charge, which include hand and foot prints of their baby, printed and USB photographs and two identical teddy bears - one which stays with baby and one for the parents to take away.  There is also a cuddle cot - a special cot to keep the baby cool - which allows parents to spend valuable time with their little one.

In addition to the support given whilst at the Forget Me Not suite, the specialist team also provides help and support with things such as planning the funeral, discussing post mortem examinations and advice on genetic testing.  Parents are also given additional support through future pregnancies. 

The care offered by the Forget Me Not suite is reliant on money fundraised by bereaved families and their friends.  I am seeking your help to raise money for this very worthwhile charity so that this vital care is available for any parents who may need it in the future.

I am pleased to announce that Chris and I are expecting a baby in January 2023.  In an effort to raise money for the Forget Me Not rooms I plan to walk 1 million steps in 3 months. I started this challenge on 15 August 2022 (when I was 17 weeks pregnant) and hope to have completed it by early to mid-November 2022 (before I get too big!)  Any support you are able to offer would be very gratefully received.  

All donations will go directly to the Forget Me Not suite.