Stillbirth

A stillbirth can be emotionally traumatic for both parents as well as other family members. Help and support is available.

Many people experience feelings of guilt or  Generalised anxiety disorder following the loss of their baby. Some parents experience  depression or post-traumatic stress disorder .

You may find it helpful to discuss your feelings with your GP, community midwife or health visitor, or with other parents who've lost a baby.

Support groups

Support groups can also help if you've had a stillbirth. Sands , the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, provide support for anyone affected by the death of a baby. The charity runs a helpline, provides information and support literature, and funds research into the causes of stillbirth.

You can call the confidential helpline on 020 7436 5881, or you can email helpline@uk-sands.org . The helpline is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. It's also open later on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 6pm to 10pm.

There are many other self-help groups in the UK for bereaved parents and their families. You can search for bereavement support services in your area . These support groups are usually run by healthcare professionals, such as baby loss support workers or specialist midwives, and parents who've experienced stillbirth.

Some support groups are for women whose stillbirth has a specific cause. For example:

• Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC)
• ICP support  (obstetric cholestasis)
• Group B Strep Support

and dealing with loss .