Group Meetings
Please come along to our befriending support meetings. As you can see from our photographs the setting is very informal and comfortable and parents draw enormous strength from each other.
These give bereaved parents the opportunity to speak with others in a similar situation who can share feelings and emotions. There is never any pressure for parents to discuss their personal loss. Anyone affected by the death of a baby may benefit from attending these meetings.
Grandparents support
A grandparents group has been set up and meets every three months. Grandparents have not only suffered the death of a grandchild but also have to watch their own child suffer. It can help to talk through your feelings, away from your child. Please contact Dorothy for the date of the next meeting.
Education
SANDS Lothians are very involved in teaching sessions with 4th year medical students at Edinburgh University. This is an extremely valuable insight into the experience of perinatal death for the medical students. SANDS Lothians Operations Manager usually attends these sessions with a bereaved parent. The students are always very moved by the parents' experiences. If you are interested in speaking at these sessions, please contact Dorothy at the office for more information.
We also speak at Napier University to students and qualified midwives.
Furthermore, we offer student midwives placements with SANDS Lothians as part of their training. This can be a very beneficial placement as it allows students to gain experience in supporting bereaved parents and their families after they have experienced the death of their baby.
Counselling
Our counsellor Ruth can offer support to help you through the distress you may be experiencing following the death of your baby. Sometimes while grieving, other earlier losses and difficulties experienced in life come back to you. Ruth will try to help you cope with your grief and understand your feelings.
Long-ago bereaved
Sadly in the past, mothers were not encouraged to see, name or be involved in their baby’s funeral. Thankfully, in the modern day, this is no longer the case. These parents obviously never forget their baby and in time may approach us to try and trace the resting place of their baby.
Pregnancy Support
A next pregnancy can be a very stressful and traumatic time and much reassurance and support is needed. Separate monthly meetings are held, normally on the 3rd Monday of each month at our Craiglockhart office.
Befriending
You may feel a group situation is not for you and this is why we offer a one-to-one service. We do not do home visits in the Lothians but you are very welcome to come into our office for a one-to-one with a befriender.