MP opens up about grief after the death of his new-born twins
July 1 2020
A UK Government minister has spoken out about his experience of losing his new-born twin boys, and thanked the NHS for trying to save them.
In a Twitter thread, Guy Opperman shared the news that his twin boys Teddy and Rafe died last week in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The MP for Hexham, Tynedale and Ponteland spoke openly about his grief, explaining that his boys would "always be with us".
He said: "Sadly, just over a week ago we lost our twin boys. Teddy came and went from this world quickly and quietly. He passed peacefully. Our younger twin, Rafe, was not born until Tuesday 23, but died later that day in neonatal ICU.
"Baby loss, and coping with grief, is very hard. Nothing we could do. Just a horrible tragedy. We emerged from hospital a week ago shell shocked."
He added: "We are grateful to the NHS doctors + nurses who tried to save our boys."
Rafe and Teddy’s mum, Flora, revealed that the twins died after she experienced a pregnancy complication called PPROM. This term is used to describe a pregnant woman’s waters breaking early. Expectant mums who are carrying twins are more likely to develop this condition.
“Tommy’s are very sad to hear of Guy and Flora’s tragic loss and send our deepest sympathies. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We believe that research into baby loss is vital so that parents do not have to endure such pain. We fund pioneering research into PPROM and other pregnancy complications, and are committed to saving babies’ lives.
If you have experienced baby loss, please don’t be afraid to reach out and get the support you need.”
Sophie, Tommy’s Midwife
Tommy’s pioneering research
-
Congratulations Sally Tennant
-
BBC works with Tommy’s to raise awareness of unacceptable levels of miscarriage care in new series
-
Stillbirth rate falls in England and Wales, new figures reveal
-
Government seeking views from bereaved parents on stillbirth investigations
-
Number of stillbirths in the UK falls to record low
Tommy’s news
-
Our quest to get amazing independent documentary Still Loved continues…
-
This miscarriage sketch illustrates what words can not
-
Nicola Sturgeon’s miscarriage revelation is just one of the reasons women should not be asked why they don’t have children
-
Professor Heazell says cases like Kassadie’s reminds us of the need for more research into pregnancy complications