Support organisations in the United Kingdom
ACeBabes
A charity set up to support couples with families conceived by Assisted
Conception techniques. Offers help to those who have experienced pregnancy
loss after assisted conception, through access to members with this specific
experience on their bulletin board.
AIMS (Association for
Improvements in the Maternity Services)
UK pressure group for better maternity care. Although
a pregnancy- and childbirth-led organisation, the website includes excellent
articles on the experience and perception of miscarriage and pregnancy loss,
and AIMS continues to campaign for better care for parents suffering the
loss of a baby during pregnancy or neonatally.
The Alder Centre
The Alder Centre is a centre of excellence and a leading agency in the provision
of accessible care and education for anyone affected by, or involved with
child bereavement. The Centre offers an informal atmosphere to encourage families
to relax and feel at home, and is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Alder Centre
Royal Liverpool Children's NHS
Trust Alder Hey Eaton Road
Liverpool L12 2AP
Tel: (+44) 0151 252 5391
ARC (Antenatal Results
and Choices)
Provides information and support for parents throughout antenatal
testing and when a significant abnormality is detected in their unborn baby.
Offers a Helpline, support network and literature for parents, families
and professionals.
ASBAH
Tel: 01733 555988
The Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH) provides advice
and practical support for parents whose baby has been diagnosed with spina
bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
BLISS (Baby Life Support
Systems) Tel: 020 7831 9393 email Bliss
National charity supporting and providing information to parents of
premature or sick newborn babies in special care baby units.
The
Child Death Helpline Tel: FREEPHONE 0800
282986
The Child Death Helpline is staffed entirely by volunteers who are themselves
bereaved parents and provide care and support to over 3,000 callers, 365 days
of the year. It is run in partnership with Great Ormond Street.
Child Death Helpline
Evenings 7.00pm - 10.00pm
Monday to Friday 10.00am - 1.00pm
Compassionate Friends
Tel: 0117 953 9639 email The
Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is an organisation of bereaved parents
and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others
after the death of a child or children. Our Helpline is always answered
by a bereaved parent who is there to listen when you need someone to talk
to, and can put you in touch with your nearest Local Contact. The Helpline
also offers support and information to those supporting bereaved families.
It is open every day of the year - 10am to 4.00pm / 6.30pm - 10.30pm (GMT).
53 North Street, Bristol BS3 1EN, United Kingdom
Cot Death Research Tel: J McDonald 01934 510230
Research into cot deaths; provide monitoring equipment to special care
baby units; provide 24 hour support groups throughout the UK.
COTS - Childlessness
Overcome Through Surrogacy Tel: 01549 402401 email
COTS
Surrogacy helpline, available 9am to 12 noon weekdays.
CRUSE
Bereavement Care Tel: 0870 167 1677 email
CRUSE
Charity offering help to people bereaved by death, in any way, whatever
their age, nationality or belief. Help includes counselling, bereavement
support groups and advice or information on practical matters.
Cruse House, 126 Sheen Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1UR Tel: 020 8939
9530
Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
Provides support and information to couples who have suffered an ectopic
pregnancy. Offers a helpline and support network. Also supports
research into the underlying causes, treatment and prevention of this life-threatening
condition and strives to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ectopics
within the medical profession.
Foundation for
the Study of Infant Deaths
The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) is one of the UK's
leading baby charities working to prevent infant deaths and promote baby
health.
FSID carries out its aims by funding research, supporting bereaved families
and promoting information on how to reduce the risk of cot death to health
professionals and the public.
Group B Strep
Support (GBSS)
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of life-threatening
infections in newborn babies in the UK, infecting around 700 babies of whom
sadly 100 die. Group B Strep Support (GBSS) is a UK charity offering information
and support to pregnant women and families affected by GBS, to inform health
professionals about preventative care, and to support research projects.
Hughes Syndrome
Foundation
Hughes Syndrome (antiphospholipid syndrome) - 'sticky blood' is
characterised by arterial and venous blood clotting and is an important
cause of recurrent pregnancy loss. Hughes Syndrome is the commonest
treatable cause of recurrent miscarriage: the figure is up to 1 in 5.
Furthermore, late pregnancy loss, fortunately an unusual problem in pregnancy,
is very strongly associated with Hughes Syndrome. With a simple blood
test, patients with a history of miscarriage or late pregnancy loss can
be tested for Hughes Syndrome. The Hughes Syndrome Foundation was
set up in 2000 to provide support and information to patients, the public
and medical staff, as well as promote further research into the causes,
effects and proper treatment.
Infertility
Network UK Tel: 08701 188088
National charity providing advice, information, and support for people
suffering from infertility or subfertility. Also have local contacts,
factsheets and a telephone counselling line staffed by professional counsellors.
Evening telephone counselling service: call 08701 188088 Option 1
Charter House, 43 St.Leonards Road, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, TN40 1JA
Joshua's
Boxes
A UK charity set up to provide memory boxes to hospital labour suites and
gynaecological wards, with the aim that 'no parent is left without the opportunity
to make memories of their precious baby'. These beautiful boxes come
in three sizes, and are filled with a teddy, an appropriately sized blanket
and hat, a little box for mementoes, a disposable camera and list of useful
resources. Memory blankets are also provided to gynaecological wards.
Mill
House Retreat
A 'wonderful place to visit ...the whole place has a calm and welcoming
feel to it'. A late sixteenth century Devon longhouse, with lounges,
conference room, chapel, huge garden, and bedrooms furnished to an exceptional
standard. Reverend Jane Taylor and her support staff offer experienced
care and compassion for bereaved parents needing time for rest and reflection.
The
Miscarriage Association
Provides support and information for those affected by the loss of a baby
in pregnancy. Offers a Helpline, a network of support groups and telephone
contacts across the UK, and a range of leaflets, factsheets and audiotapes.
Also works to raise awareness and sensitivity amongst health care
professionals through lectures, workshops and articles in professional journals.
SANDS (Stillbirth
and Neonatal Death Society)
Support for parents and families whose baby is stillborn or dies soon after
birth. Offers a Helpline, local groups run by and for bereaved parents and
a range of information resources including publications and leaflets. SANDS
also provides information, support and training for health and other professionals.
Save the Baby
email
Save the Baby
Charity based at St Mary's Hospital Paddington (London), dedicated to
funding pioneering research into infertility, miscarriage, pregnancy and
newborn complications. St Mary's has the biggest Recurrent Miscarriage
Clinic in Europe and many of their research projects have gone on to become
accepted medical practice worldwide.
Scottish
Care & Information on Miscarriage (SCIM) Helpline: 0141 445
3727
41 Merryland Street, Govan, Glasgow
Tel: 0141 445 3727 email
SCIM
