How best to support friend losing baby at 32 weeks

[Macey78]

As subject title. Friend has lost her baby at 32 weeks, had to have a c section has baby with her in hospital for the night.

Thinking ahead how best to support her what not to say or do. Any advice appreciated

Talk about the baby (if she wants to)

What was her/his name, what did they look like etc.

I think the hardest thing is when people prevent the baby never happened because it’s awkward or like they’re someone who shouldn’t be spoken about

Your friend may also have photos they might want to share, encourage them if this is something they want to do

I'm so sorry this has happened to your friend. Just see if she wants to talk about her baby or her feelings. Needs to not bottle it up x

Thank you - I was lucky enough for her to let me come and visit them. To look at, his perfect in every way and just looked like he was sleeping. My heart just broke for her.

How terribly sad... My daughter is also about 32 weeks. I think it's important not to avoid your friend just because you don't know what to say. Let's face it there aren't really going to be any magic words. Showing up and listening, take taking in what she is saying is probably more important than anything. Is there a partner to consider too? Were there any known medical or health problems leading up to this or was it totally unexpected? Is it a first pregnancy? Do you know if she/they will get any kind of explanation about what might have caused this?

Thank you - it's her second baby, first baby was premature at 30 weeks his now 3 and a great bundle of joy and so loving hitting all relevant milestones. She has her husband who's been very supportive but it's clear his in auto mode and hasn't stopped to process what's happening.

Anomaly did come to light in relation to brain development at her last scan so was being monitored more closely but a week ago her waters broke and today she's been in a week. She woke up this morning found that she's bleeding and something had come out. It transpired the placenta had come away and baby suffocated.