Sands | Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.

Latest updates from Sands

Northern Ireland becomes first part of the UK to offer paid Miscarriage Leave

Paid miscarriage leave launches in Northern Ireland

From Monday 6 April, parental bereavement leave in Northern Ireland will be extended to include families who experience pregnancy or...

Posted 6 April 2026

Closing the Maternity Consortium

Léa Maquin, Maternity Consortium Co-ordinator and Engagement Lead, explains the programme of work, its impact and how the Consortium’s published...

Posted 26 March 2026

White text on a purple background reads: Sands' evidence to the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation in England

Blog: We need to completely reform the system – Sands’ evidence to the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation in England

In this blog, Jessica Reeves, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigns details Sands’ evidence, recently submitted to Baroness Amos’ investigation...

Posted 26 March 2026

Rachel's Story

At 22 weeks and six days pregnant Rachel's waters broke and she was told it was highly likely she could go into labour. At 24 weeks at 8pm on 16th July she and her partner Aiden could no longer hear their baby boy Cian's heartbeat and Cian was born sleeping a few hours later. With the help of midwives she and Aiden spent two days making memories with Cian and take comfort in the fact that he passed away in the place he was safest, warmest and surrounded by love. Rachel goes on to share how nearly 20 months on, she has had another beautiful boy Shay and how for every milestone celebrated with Shay they think about all the moments that could have been with Cian.

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Jayesh's Story

Jayesh shares how the help and support from his colleagues and NatWest Bank, including counselling, a phased return to work and being put in touch with colleagues who had experienced similar situations, made a difference when he and his wife lost their baby girl Tia at term plus nine days due to suspected pre-eclampsia.

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Latest updates from Sands

Paid miscarriage leave launches in Northern Ireland

Closing the Maternity Consortium

Blog: We need to completely reform the system – Sands’ evidence to the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation in England

Your stories of baby loss

Rachel's Story

Jayesh's Story

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