Advice from Tommy’s midwives - reach out to a loved one this Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day can be an emotional time when you’re a mum without your child. With 1 in 4 pregnancies ending in loss, chances are that many of us know someone who’s not been able to bring their baby home.

It can be difficult to know the best thing to say or do to support a loved one who is finding this time of year tough, but we believe that even the smallest kindness can make the biggest difference to someone struggling.

If you want to know how best to reach out to a friend, family member or colleague going through a difficult time, these tips from our Tommy’s midwives can help you start the conversation.

“A simple yet heartfelt ‘I know today may be tough for you, but I’m here for you’ or ‘How are you doing today? Can I help?’ makes such a difference to the loneliness and isolation so many people feel on Mother’s Day. Kindness, an openness to listen and hear what your loved one is sharing is so powerful, as are thoughtful gifts such as flowers, a card or a meal dropped off.” – Amina, Tommy’s Midwifery Manager

“Mother’s Day can be a hard and lonely day for someone who has lost a baby. A card or a text simply saying “I’m thinking of you today” or “I just want you to know I care” can make the day feel a little less lonely. Taking the time to express kindness on difficult days always matters.” – Juliette, Tommy’s Midwife

“It can be useful to suggest things like “I’m just dropping round with some meals for the freezer” or “Can I collect the kids from school this week? Having a ‘job’ taken off their hands is a meaningful way to show someone that they matter, and their grief matters to you as someone who loves them.” SophieTommy’s Midwife

“Take the time to acknowledge anyone close to you who has experienced baby loss, regardless of what stage in their pregnancy this happened. Show compassion and allow them space and time to talk and reflect on their loss. Most importantly, listen. Our seemingly small gestures can sometimes make the biggest impact when it really matters.” – Jules, Tommy’s Midwife

This Mother’s Day, reach out to a loved one. And if you, or someone you know, needs support, Tommy’s is here for you every step of the way.

Read more about our Mother’s Day #WeSeeAMum campaign, shop for fundraising gift cards and our Bloom & Wild bouquet, The Hope, read stories or share yours, and find baby loss information and support at www.tommys.org/WeSeeAMum