Lauren Brimble

I’m jogging 31 miles in May for families facing baby loss

We never thought this would be how we announced pregnancy news. We fell pregnant around Christmas however unfortunately at our 12 week scan our beautiful baby was diagnosed with LUTO which is an extremely rare condition affecting 1 in 6000 pregnancies. 

After multiple visits to fetal medicine in Bristol the disease had progressed and affected his renal, digestive and respiratory system meaning he unfortunately would not survive birth.

On March 23rd, our tiny baby boy was born - Lars Lufian Gray at 16 weeks and 5 days. We were able to spend a night with him, it was so peaceful and something i will always be grateful for.

And as painful as it is to talk about him, the only way he 'lives on' is by speaking about him. The whole grieving 'process' when you loose a baby feels completely alien - you dont get to reflect on happy memories because they only exsist in sad ones and you find yourself wanting to stay in that feeling forever to feel connected to them.

I didnt think i would ever post anything like this on social media but its highlighted the importance of being able to reach out to others who may be experiencing a simular situation, baby loss is an incredibly lonely place to be in.

I’ve committed to jogging 31 miles in May for every much-loved baby sadly not here today.

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.