East Kilbride mum whose baby died will 'keep campaigning' as special unit prepares to open

Following her own traumatic loss in 2019, the East Kilbride mum has campaigned relentlessly for dedicated facilities in maternity hospitals for women who suffer miscarriage and stillbirth.

But the news that a special unit will open at University Hospital Wishaw in the autumn does not mean the end of Lou’s fight.

“I’m not stopping,” she told the Glasgow Times.

“I hope the unit in Wishaw is just the first, that more hospitals will follow.”

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Lou and her husband Craig have three sons - Cody, 14, Aaron, 11 and five-year-old Noah.

Three years ago, at a 12-week scan, the couple’s joy at being pregnant again swiftly turned to anguish when doctors told them their baby had died, and that Lou would have to return to the hospital the next day to deliver.

Lou Caldwell

There was no separate labour suite, no dedicated facilities and no time to grieve away from other, happier parents celebrating their newborn’s safe arrival.

The pain was unimaginable, and Lou decided something had to be done.

“I started this fight thinking I might never get anywhere,” she admitted.

“Lots of people told me I wouldn’t get anywhere. There was a lot of negativity at the start. So to be at this point, two-and-a-half years later, it feels surreal.

“It was such a long fight, and doing it on my own was hard. My loss was, is, still so raw, and I have been constantly telling and re-telling my story.

“It has been hard, and I can’t quite believe I’ve done it.

"I learned so much over the last two-and-a-half years, about politics and about patience, and I have changed a lot. I didn’t know I had this fight and drive in me. I used to be the kind of person who just went along with things, never really complained much.

“But I just want to make sure other couples don’t have to go through what we went through. That’s what kept me going. The unit won’t take away the pain of their loss, but it will at least provide some comfort and support.”

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Leah Noble, senior midwife at University Hospital Wishaw, said: “While no facilities can lessen the grief and anguish bereaved parents may feel, we know how important well-designed bereavement rooms and suites are to ensure that appropriate care is delivered in the most sensitive environment possible.

“Recognising the importance of privacy and grieving in a quiet and protected space, we are moving towards a model where all women who suffer pregnancy loss will be cared for in our O’Hana suite, which will be a soundproofed suite away from the labour ward.

"Future plans will include utilising two other rooms within this area where women will have the choice for them and their families to spend their full journey without the need to go to a labour ward. All care will be provided in this area which will be entered through the early pregnancy assessment unit.”

Lou intends to continue campaigning to ensure more units are created at maternity hospitals around the country and women’s voices are heard in the planning process.

“I have started a baby loss group, and hope to get their input,” she said.

“It’s important to listen to the dads too. Craig was constantly being told, ‘be strong for Lou, be there for her’, when he was grieving too. Their mental health is equally important.

“I’ve had great support from my MP Dr Lisa Cameron, and I’ll be visiting her at Westminster in the autumn to see what can be done in England.

"There is still a lot to be done. I’m not giving up.”