An inspirational East Kilbride mum says she is “overwhelmed” by the success of her campaign drive for cuddle cots at Wishaw Hospital.
Louise Caldwell won her battle to have dedicated baby loss facilities at the Lanarkshire facility after suffering her own pregnancy loss and is now fundraising to provide specialist equipment to allow parents more time to grieve.
Thanks to the generosity of locals, Louise has managed to raise enough funds to provide two cuddle cots raising around £3000 with the first dedicated space opening in Wishaw later this year.
A cuddle cot is an an in-room cooling unit the size of a small humidifier disguised inside a bassinet or Moses basket. It enables families whose babies are stillborn to have precious time with them in their grief before their burial.
Louise said: “I’m thrilled to bits that we’ve raised enough to buy two cuddle cots.
“Future generations are going to have these cots - and how many people can say they’ve bought time for someone? That’s what these cuddle cots are, precious time for the family until it’s time to say goodbye to their baby.
“I’ve been on such an emotional rollercoaster over the last three years. It’s been so surreal and completely overwhelming that people in this current crisis that we’re living in dug deep in their pockets to support the cause.”
In 2019 Louise and her husband Craig were given the devastating news during a 12-week scan that the little one she was carrying didn’t have a heartbeat - and then had to endure the trauma of delivery in a labour ward at Wishaw.
Her recent breakthrough came after two years of tireless campaigning by the 38-year-old - and she is still battling to have units, situated away from labour wards, rolled out across the rest of Scotland and the UK.
Commenting on her personal trauma, Louise added: “I will never forget the day I had my 12-week scan, the words ‘I’m so sorry, I don’t see a heartbeat’ will forever stay with me - my baby was 13 weeks.
“The moment I was told I would have to deliver my baby in the labour ward, my heart sank and I was overcome with emotions.
“Rather than grieving for my little one my head and heart focused on ‘the labour ward’.
“I could not get my head around this, like many people I assumed there was a separate ward to go to. I never in all my wildest dreams thought that women would have to go into the labour ward. Since then I have fought to get women dedicated baby loss facilities.
“I’ve heard so many families tell of how these cots allowed them more time with their baby, so I feel it is important to provide these.”
Dr Lisa Cameron MP, who has previously opened up about her own pregnancy loss, was keen to show her support for Saturday’s fundraiser at the Murray Bar during Baby Loss Awareness Week which was also attended by East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson and Monica Lennon MSP.
Dr Cameron personally donated funds to Louise’s campaign and provided a number of items for the fundraiser including signed sports memorabilia from Celtic and Rangers football clubs and even called the raffle on the night in support of the cause.
The MP said: “It has been vital to continue to help Louise in her campaign.
“Like many women across our community, I know the emotional pain and grief of miscarriage. Louise’s fundraising will help so many parents struggling with loss of their baby, and I want to thank everyone involved who has helped to make such a difference to this very worthwhile cause.”
Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon, has also been a strong supporter of Louise’s campaign which has gained the support of almost 34,000 signatures.
Ms Lennon said: “I was delighted to attend Louise’s fundraiser for the cots and over the moon at the money that has been raised so far. It’s heartwarming to see so many people come out in support of such an important cause.
“Louise has highlighted through her tireless campaign, how needed a separate baby loss unit is at Wishaw General and now, the money raised at the fundraiser will ensure parents affected by baby loss are allowed enough time to say goodbye.
“The unit will make a huge difference for many women in Lanarkshire, as Louise has pointed out, almost one in four women will sadly go through a miscarriage in their lives. Thanks to Louise’s campaign, the experience of these women will be drastically improved.”
You can donate to the cause here.
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