The loss of both my babies happened over 30 years ago and the reason I want to share this now, is that I didn't receive any bereavement care/counselling at all, and sometimes wonder how I have carried on in my life. I did have a successful pregnancy , giving birth to a beautiful son in 1987.

I think Sands do an amazing job and I wish I had contacted them at the time, but hadn't heard of them or knew if there was a group in Newcastle back then. No internet etc in the 80s!

I was pretty much told to get on with life and get over it, that was the culture back then! I think it's still important to hear experiences from women from 80's and earlier and to share how we have coped (or not), and not to be forgotten.

I have written this now because I still feel the pain and loss and have never really talked about it, and want others to feel they can talk about it, and receive the support and care from SANDS and the hospitals that I never received.

I feel that looking back, these experiences have made me strong, they inspired me to become a nurse and care for people where we see death almost daily. I hope it helped me be compassionate and caring towards people, and I have used these experiences to do something positive I am proud of. I still work in healthcare and my work does involve working with bereaved parents .

It's important to remember how far we have come and how much has changed for bereaved parents with organisations like Sands. I would like to become involved with Sands and hope this would be possible, as like many of your volunteers, they too have been through a similar experience to me, and we have so much to offer and don't want our babies to be forgotten.

Thank you x