This Baby Loss Awareness Week, Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are reminding people of its By Your Side Service, designed to support women and birthing parents who have experienced perinatal loss. 

Baby Loss Awareness Week is an event of great significance for many, with the Maldon community marking it through lighting the town up pink and blue, as well as a sponsored run. 

It also marks the one-year anniversary of By Your Side, a maternal mental health service provided by EPUT.

The loss of a baby is a devastating experience that can bring a range of thoughts, feelings and responses, which can feel confusing, bewildering and isolating. 

By Your Side offers therapeutic care and grief therapy for people who were pregnant and have experienced a perinatal loss.

 The team aims to help people with their loss, being by your side during a devastating time.

The service launched in south west Essex last October, and gradually expanded to cover the whole of Essex.

Since its inception, By Your Side has received almost 120 referrals and has helped many birthing parents to manage their grief.

Patients have shared their feedback after receiving support from the service, with one saying: "I was made to feel that my time during my sessions was safe and secure and that I was able to talk about anything I needed to, and received all the help, guidance, and support I needed in a very dignified and respectful space."

Stephanie Lambert, Principal Practitioner Psychologist and Clinical Lead, commented on plans for the future: "As we move into our second year, we are looking forward to being joined by specialist midwives as their expertise will help us to integrate further joint working between mental health, maternity services, and third-sector voluntary organisations.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby or pregnancy and are available to provide support to those who need us."

For more information about By Your Side, including referrals and other support available, please visit the EPUT website.