In Summer 2021, Daniel and I lost our first born daughter, Harriet. Following our 12 week scan, concerns were raised and we were referred to Fetal Medicine for tests. Following a placenta biopsy, heartbreakingly, our much loved and longed for baby was diagnosed with Patau’s Syndrome. Patau's syndrome is a serious, rare genetic disorder caused by having an additional copy of chromosome 13 in some or all of the body's cells. It's also called trisomy 13. Harriet’s diagnosis meant in medical terms she “was not compatible with life”. If she survived pregnancy and birth, her prognosis would be a very short life, reliant on medical intervention. We made the impossible and gut wrenching decision to say goodbye. It was a decision we made from a place of love and not wanting her to know a life of pain.

What followed such an impossibly traumatic time was a dark period. I reached out to a local charity, suggested to me by midwives at the hospital, called TimeNorfolk. TimeNorfolk supported me through 1:1 counselling during an incredibly tricky time, helping me navigate complex feelings of grief and guilt and a hundred emotions in between. During these sessions, I found out I was pregnant with twins. For anyone who has experienced pregnancy after loss, I don’t need to tell you how difficult this is and the wide range of emotions you feel on a daily basis. My sessions with TimeNorfolk helped me navigate all of these feelings. The overwhelming anxiety that came with every single scan, the constant worry and ultimately helped me to feel hope that we would end this pregnancy with two healthy babies.

I cannot thank TimeNorfolk enough for everything they did for me during this time so this year for their 10th anniversary they are setting a target to raise £10,000. I am hoping to help them along their way to reaching their target by doing some running! So far I have booked in London Landmarks Half Marathon in April, Sandringham Half in June and Blickling Half in October. Enough about me, please have a read about what TimeNorfolk do and how they help others:

During 2024 TimeNorfolk is marking a decade of providing free wellbeing & counselling support across Norfolk to anyone who has been affected by pregnancy loss, baby loss or pregnancy choices.

As we celebrate we are also raising funds to ensure that we can be here for years to come, providing counselling to all those who need support.

Everyone's story is unique, and no two people process this kind of loss or pregnancy choice in the same way. Please donate and make a difference to those affected by pregnancy loss, baby loss & pregnancy choices.