Behind every statistic is a baby who was loved, a family whose world may have been turned upside down, and parents who may be facing a grief that others cannot fully understand.

1 in 6 pregnancies end in miscarriage, and every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth. These numbers are difficult to comprehend, but behind each one is a deeply personal story of loss.

For some parents, the loss happens before they have had the chance to hold their baby. For others, it comes after weeks or months of anticipation, preparing for a new arrival and imagining the future they would share. Some families experience loss more than once, carrying the pain of previous losses alongside the uncertainty and hope of future pregnancies.

There is no single way to grieve, and there is no timeline for grief.

A baby may never have taken a breath, but that does not mean they were any less loved. The hopes, dreams and plans that parents build around their baby are real, and the loss of those dreams can be devastating.

Remembering Every Baby

One of the things that has struck me most is how important it is that every baby is remembered.

Regardless of how early a pregnancy ends, how long a baby lived, or how much time parents had with their little one, their loss matters.

For some families, their baby's name is spoken often. For others, the grief is carried quietly, behind closed doors, because they don't know how to talk about it or worry that others won't understand.

Some parents may feel that the world has moved on while they are still trying to make sense of what has happened. Birthdays, due dates, anniversaries and family celebrations can bring waves of sadness .

We may not always know who around us has experienced pregnancy or baby loss. We may not know the story behind someone's sadness, the reason a particular date is difficult, or the courage it takes for them to face another day.

That is why kindness, understanding and compassion matter so much.

Every baby deserves to be remembered, and every family deserves to have their loss acknowledged.

Awareness Must Continue Beyond This Week

Baby Loss Awareness Week gives us an opportunity to talk openly about something that is still difficult for many people to discuss.

But when the week ends, the conversations must not stop.

Parents who have experienced loss need support in the days, weeks, months and years that follow. They need people who are willing to listen, who can sit with them in their sadness, and who understand that grief does not simply disappear because time has passed.

Sometimes, we worry about saying the wrong thing. We might avoid mentioning a baby because we are afraid of upsetting the parents.

But acknowledging their baby can be a comfort. Saying their baby's name, asking how they are doing, or simply letting them know that you are thinking of them can mean more than we realise.

We don't need to have the perfect words.

And perhaps, most importantly, we need to remember that grief is not something to be fixed. It is something that deserves space, patience and compassion.

Support Is So Important

No parent or family should have to navigate the pain of pregnancy or baby loss alone.

Thankfully, there are charities across the UK working tirelessly to provide information, emotional support and guidance to those affected. They help parents feel less isolated, offer a space to share their experiences, and remind families that their feelings are valid.

Some of these important organisations include:

• Sands – supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby and working to save babies' lives.
• Tommy's – providing pregnancy and baby loss information, support and research to help make pregnancy and birth safer.
• Petals – offering specialist counselling for parents who have experienced the death of a baby.
• The Miscarriage Association – providing information and support for anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
• Mums-Aid – offering specialist emotional and psychological support for women in South East London,experiencing difficulties during pregnancy and after birth, including support for those affected by pregnancy and baby loss.

These organisations provide valuable support and information to help families through some of the most difficult experiences of their lives.

If you or someone you know has been affected by pregnancy or baby loss, please know that support is available. Reaching out can be difficult, but you do not have to face this alone.