Today on Luca's due date (2nd August 2021), we felt it was the right time to share our story and raise money for SPRING. 

On the 7th June 2021, at 32 weeks Sophie and I were told the most devastating news that our baby no longer had a heartbeat. It was at this moment that our world fell apart. Despite the unimaginable sadness, pain and heartache, we were introduced to an amazing team of midwives we never knew existed. The SPRING midwives and bereavement team.

This invaluable and incredible team have seen us through our darkest of days and have provided us with support and compassion that has just been phenomenal. The care they have provided from the moment we found out our heartbreaking news to now supporting us through how we navigate life without our precious baby boy.

On the 11th June 2021 at 16:14, our little boy Luca was born sleeping weighing 4lbs 4oz. He was truly perfect and the most beautiful boy we have ever seen. He has his Mummy's button nose and his Daddy's lips and flat feet. 

Our first memory of our gorgeous boy was swaddled peacefully in a blue baby outfit and blankets in a beautiful Moses basket, all kindly provided by the charity.

Shortly after Luca was born, Sophie and I were delighted to have the opportunity to introduce him to our immediate family in the SPRING garden. This short and precious time we will all treasure forever. 

We were able to have one special night with Luca beside us as a family in a cold cot. We also had the opportunity to have him blessed by the hospital chaplain before we said our goodbyes. We will be forever grateful for these memories we created in this short time. 

As part of these memories the team provided us with hand and foot prints, photographs, locks of hair and the Guess How Much I Love You book. 

Our wish for Luca is to raise money in his memory to support and help  this essential team in continuing to provide other families with the incredible care and compassion that we have received as we truly couldn't have got through this time without them. 

SPRING was established in 1998 to provide support to parents and relatives who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at, or just after birth. This includes miscarriage, stillbirth and termination for foetal abnormality. Over the years SPRING has evolved to help many families and friends through such devastating times.SPRING is part of University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity (Registered Charity Number 1057366) and is overseen by a steering group which includes bereaved parents and caring, committed professionals all of whom are passionate about SPRING and matters surrounding baby loss. We are based at St. Marys Maternity Unit at Poole Hospital and cover Bournemouth, Poole and surrounding areas.The aim of SPRING is to support through grief at the point of loss, delivery and beyond. SPRING works closely with medical professionals to help provide a high level of care to bereaved families, alongside regular NHS services.