Stansted Mountfitchet woman praises pregnancy loss services

To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week from October 9 to 15, Gemma Garstang shared her experiences accessing Essex Partnership University NHS Trust's (EPUT) By Your Side service, which supports women and birthing parents who have suffered a perinatal loss and are struggling with their mental health as a result.

Gemma was referred to By Your Side by the bereavement team at Princess Alexandra Hospital following a miscarriage.

She was between eight and nine weeks pregnant, and had suffered multiple pregnancy losses in the past.

Gemma said: "I was feeling a whole range of emotions including upset, disappointment, anger, despair, confusion and emptiness.

"I needed support as my mental health was greatly impacted by the loss.

"My therapy sessions have become an important part of my recovery and are helping me to move forward following pregnancy loss.

"I have learnt different techniques to enable me to deal with my depression.

"The most impactful thing I learnt is that it is ok not to be ok, and that I need to think of myself and protect my own feelings instead of putting everyone else first. 

"I feel empowered to remove myself from situations that are detrimental to my recovery and mental health, whereas before I would allow myself to be in difficult situations because I felt like I had no choice.

"I am very grateful to the service and I have made a lot of progress. I feel the service is patient led and it has been very easy to access, while being flexible around my work schedule.

"By Your Side has continued to support me through recurrent miscarriage investigations with Tommy's charity, which has helped me to navigate my emotions throughout my ongoing journey."

Gemma also urged others struggling with pregnancy or baby loss to reach out for support.

She said: "It doesn't mean you will, or that you need to, forget about your loss, but it does help to talk about how you feel and to understand that your feelings are valid."