Posted on Friday 8th July 2011
cold cot
Presentation of the special cot
A group of local bereaved parents, friends and families have made a gift to the maternity department at the Cumberland Infirmary which will enable those whose babies have died more time to say goodbye.
The East Cumbria Sands group – part of a national organisation which offers support to anyone affected by the death of a baby in late pregnancy or after birth – together with donations from other local bereaved parents, has provided the hospital with a refrigerated cot to allow grieving parents to keep their baby with them for longer.
Rosemary Bell, a member of the group, explained why they had chosen this particular item to donate. “This special refrigerated cot will allow families whose babies have died to keep their precious babies with them for longer,” she said. “This means that they will have more time to say their final goodbyes and make memories which they will cherish forever.
“The cot is very subtly designed so that it looks like a piece of furniture and therefore will not cause any additional distress to bereaved families.”
Anne Musgrave, Head of Midwifery for North Cumbria University Hospitals, said: “The loss of a baby is a devastating experience for any parent. We are very grateful for the donation from Sands and other families to purchase this piece of equipment which will allow recently bereaved parents to have their baby beside them for longer, offering them some comfort at such an incredibly difficult time.”
The East Cumbrian branch of Sands meets regularly to give support to bereaved parents, friends and families in the area. They can be contacted on 07923 480416 for help, support or just someone to talk to that understands, no matter how long ago the bereavement.
Member Angela Morrison said: “The effects of grief can be overwhelming and parents, their families and friends can be left feeling dazed, disorientated, isolated and exhausted. It can be hard to take in information, to make decisions or to imagine how you are going to cope.
“At Sands there are people who understand what it's like because many of us have been through this experience ourselves, and we are here to help offer support and information when you need it."
For more information on Sands, the national stillbirth and neonatal death charity, visit http://www.uk-sands.org/ online.