Infant bereavement charity ‘Sands’ focus on a new aspect of loss every June, this year they are focusing on the effect bereavement has on fathers, and how difficult it is for men to find the emotional support they need to cope.  

In a recent survey conducted by charity Sands it was revealed that almost a third of men who have lost a baby (31%) have never been offered any bereavement support to help them cope with the trauma of losing a child.

On average there will be one stillbirth or neonatal death in the UK every 90 minutes, but despite this high number and the high profile men who have spoken out about their losses the topic remains taboo for many. Two thirds of the men surveyed agreed that it was more socially acceptable for women to talk about stillbirth or neonatal death.

Sands reported that of the men they surveyed more than half (54%) said it felt like their role to break the bad news about what had happened to others with 49% saying they took on this role in order to protect their partner.

Lorraine Taylor, a solicitor who represents many families who have had a stillbirth, commends SANDS for their campaign.

“When a family come to us having suffered a stillbirth or neo natal death we have to go through the pregnancy and the events leading up to the medical issues in as much detail as possible; I certainly find that while mothers are glad to have someone who understands the process to discuss it with the fathers often really struggle to open up in the same way”.

Lorraine is a Partner at Bridge McFarland LLP, the firm are accredited by the Foundation for Infant Loss and they work closely with local charities to support families who have suffered from birth injuries, stillbirths and neo natal deaths.

“I think it is fantastic that Sands has chosen to focus on male bereavement this year, it’s definitely a topic that needs more air”.

The Sands #FindingYourWay2019 campaign is aimed at helping more dads, grandads, uncles and men affected by #babyloss to reach out and seek support in a way that’s right for them. If you have been affected by this topic then you can get in touch with the charity at https://findingyourway.org.uk/finding-your-way/