Most women go into pregnancy expecting healthy babies, but sadly there are many couples who lose a baby. This can occur at any point in the pregnancy. The rate for stillbirth is 1 in 200, the rate of congenital abnormalities is 1 in 47 and the premature delivery rate is 7%.
Currently mothers at Hillingdon maternity have to give birth to their sleeping babies on the busy Labour ward where they can hear other families celebrating and the cries of live babies being born. The psychological impact of these events on the couple and the wider family is significant.
This event has a devastating effect not just on the woman, and her partner but also the wider family and friends. A mother needs to give birth in a psychologically safe space where she and her partner and family can mourn their loss, and make special memories with their baby in the precious time that they have together. We want to provide this space.