A service of remembrance is scheduled to be held at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) in Paisley for parents and families who have experienced the loss of a baby. The So Briefly Known service at RAH is open to anyone affected by pregnancy loss and is set to take place this Sunday. This annual event precedes Baby Loss Awareness Week, which is observed from October 9 to October 15 this year, providing an opportunity for grieving families to honour their baby’s life.
Bereavement midwives, such as Holly Wright, will be in attendance along with numerous other midwives from RAH to offer support to families, alongside the spiritual care team of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC). During the service, candles will be provided for parents and families to light in memory of their babies. Attendees will also have the chance to place tags on a memory tree and take candles home to join the Global Wave of Light at 7pm on October 15.
So Briefly Known is scheduled to commence at 7pm on October 6 in the Sanctuary of the main RAH building, and all are welcome to participate in the service. Holly Wright, an NHSGGC bereavement midwife based at RAH, expressed that the annual service allows families affected by pregnancy or baby loss to recognise the significance of their baby’s life and the impact of their loss. Wright emphasized that bereavement midwives like herself are available to aid parents in dealing with their loss, particularly during the emotionally charged Baby Loss Awareness Week.
NHSGGC previously welcomed the introduction of the Baby Loss memorial book, a collaborative effort between the Scottish Government and National Records of Scotland. This memorial book is intended for individuals who have undergone pregnancy or baby loss before 24 weeks gestation. It offers parents the choice, if they so desire, to commemorate their loss with a physical record at no cost. Mothers and families experiencing loss before 24 weeks are encouraged to discuss this option with their midwife or visit www.gov.scot/news/baby-loss-memorial-book-1/ for further details.
Additional information on support services for individuals dealing with baby loss is available by visiting websites such as www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk, www.childbereavementuk.org, www.babylossretreat.org.uk, and www.scottishcotdeathtrust.org. The upcoming remembrance service at RAH serves as a poignant opportunity for families to come together, honour the lives of their babies, and find solace and support within their community during a challenging time.