Gemma Sampson

I’m gaming for good for families facing baby loss

Hello! Some close family know our story some don’t know anything about our Dottie, so to help others I’m going to tell everyone our story.

In October 2020 we found out I was pregnant, we were thrilled baby number 3 here we come, everything was fine, no problems at all, till a check up with the midwife, I was 19 weeks, I thought everything was fine, she couldn’t find a heartbeat so we rushed to hospital for a emergency scan. On the way there you tell yourself not us, not me, please baby has to be ok. Then those words, those words you never want to hear, the words that rip your insides out, the uncontrollable gasps for air because you simply can’t breathe.

I’m sorry, there is no heartbeat.

They had to induce labour, I had to birth our baby thinking I don’t get to take you home, hold you when you sleep, show you to family, watch you grow with your brother and sister. 

With my husband by my side an me by his side and the most wonderful midwives I managed to birth our baby and my god she was beautiful, we didn’t know at the time she was a little girl we found that out after, I got to hold her in her basket for some hours, the feeling of never wanting to leave her but knowing I had to broke me into pieces, that’s not my job as a mummy, my job is to be there, support you, love you and hold you up when you need it, but not this time.

We came home we cried, we grieved, we got angry and we cried some more. 

Through all of the heartbreak I still believe we were lucky to have amazing doctors and midwives (massive credit to the midwives at St Richard’s hospital,  Chichester) the most patient and caring family and some very close friends around us, we had sands when we needed them, day or night and I spoke to them a few times, the most wonderful people are there to help even when I just needed to moan. 

So I’m giving something back, I can’t do much but I do love my games so I’ve committed to gaming for good for every much-loved baby sadly not here today.

This is in her memory, our baby, Dottie Skyla Sampson. Love you baby girl.

Sands ensure that everyone affected by the loss of a baby gets the support they need and deserve when facing the toughest of times. They campaign for change, provide training for midwives and healthcare professionals, and support research so that fewer babies die and so that less families experience the tragedy of losing their baby. Anything you are able to donate means so much.

Thank you.

£10 - could provide a hand and footprint kit to help create memories.