Miscarriage and stillbirth are sadly not a rare event. Every year, hundreds of Jewish couples experience baby and pregnancy loss. Last week, Chana organised a unique collaboration of 12 of the community’s providers of bereavement care for baby loss.
Professional representatives included those from Chana, Yad La’em, Nechama Partners, Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service, the United Synagogue Stillbirth Support Group and the Jewish Visiting Hospital Chaplaincy. Representatives from the North West London Chevra Kadisha (Adass), the Federation of Synagogues, S&P Sephardi Community Burial Society and United Synagogue Burial Societies were included, as well as two midwives.
The attendees were invited to share information on services they provide with the intention of compiling a comprehensive guide accessible to members of the public who have been affected by baby loss. Dr Veronique Berman, Chana’s Scientific Advisor and Community Development Manager was quoted as saying, “Seeing how difficult it is for couples who are going through such a painful time and don’t know where to turn, we wanted them to have an address where they could easily find support. We, at Chana, have taken this initiative in order to ensure that couples can find the appropriate help. Our organisations are collaborating and working closely to offer a streamlined and efficient service, so that no one in our community is left without support.”
This initiative was timed to coincide with National Baby Loss Awareness Week UK during which Chana also hosted a Webinar on Baby Loss, Miscarriage and Stillbirth with recurrent miscarriage expert Dr Raj Rai of St Mary’s Hospital. Baby Loss Awareness Week calls for tangible improvements in research, care and policy around bereavement support and highlights services available for anyone affected by the death of a baby. We hope that the start of our new initiative will ensure that care is more accessible and far-reaching within the Jewish Community. For more information or to speak to Chana support worker, please call the Chana Helpline on 020 8201 5774.
