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.
ARC (Antenatal Results
and Choices) email ARC
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. Helpline: 0207 631 0285 Monday - Friday, 10am - 5.30pm
ASBAH
Helpline: 0845 450 7755 email ASBAH
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) Helpline: 0500 618 140 email Bliss
National charity supporting and providing information to parents of
premature or sick newborn babies in special care baby units. Runs a family support helpline on Freephone 0500 618 140, Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm
The
Child Death Helpline Tel: 0800
282986
The Child Death Helpline is a national freephone service staffed by bereaved parents. It is a joint venture between the Royal Liverpool Children’s NHS Trust Alder Hey and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust. The Helpline is for parents or anybody affected by the death of a child of any age from pre-birth to adult, under any circumstances.
Child Death Helpline: Evenings 7pm - 10pm, Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm, Wednesday afternoons 1pm - 4pm
Compassionate Friends
Tel: 0845 123 2304 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).
CRUSE
Bereavement Care Helpline: 0844 477 9400 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.
Ectopic Pregnancy Trust Helpline: 020 7733 2653 email EPT
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 Helpline: 020 7233 2090 email
FSID
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.
FSID runs a helpline on 020 7233 2090: 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, calls are answered in confidence by trained advisors. 6-11pm, every day of the year, calls are answered in confidence by trained befrienders who have been bereaved by the sudden and unexpected death of their baby.
Group B Strep
Support (GBSS) Tel: 01444 416176 email
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 email HSF
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: 0800 008 7464 email Infertility Network UK
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.
The
Miscarriage Association Helpline: 01924 200799 email The Miscarriage Association
Provides support and information for those affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy. Offers a helpline (9am to 4pm), 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 conferences, workshops and supporting clinical research projects.
Sands (Stillbirth
and Neonatal Death Society) Helpline: 020 7436 5881 email Sands
Support for parents and families whose baby is stillborn or dies soon after birth. Offers a helpline (9.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday), 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 and funds research into perinatal loss.
Save the Baby
The Save the Baby Unit at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington - formerly known as St Mary's Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic - is the largest clinic of its kind in the world. For over 15 years, this internationally renowned service has helped people affected by infertility, recurrent miscarriages and later pregnancy complications. Thanks to the clinic, over a thousand couples every year give birth to healthy live babies who would not otherwise exist.
Scottish
Care & Information on Miscarriage (SCIM) Tel: 0141 552 5070 email
SCIM
Offers a specialised counselling service for: miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, and related issues such as; infertility, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, emotional support, employment issues, loss and bereavement.
