A MUM says she is "devastated" as her campaign for dedicated baby loss wards has "come to a halt".  

The first such ward in Scotland opened at University Hospital Wishaw in August last year after years of campaigning by Louise Caldwell, allowing women to deliver stillborn babies separately from labour wards.

Louise says it was "bittersweet" when it opened because "it’s sad we need them" but says it was a "relief" for it to finally be in place for women experiencing a miscarriage.

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She said: "I’ve had women contact me saying they’ve been in it, they’ve used it and they were so grateful that they’ll never have to deal with the mental torture of a labour ward because of my fight.

"They’re grateful they’ve got that little bit of peace in what’s a really sad time for them.

"They get comfort knowing they’re secluded and they’re in their own wee area that’s dedicated for them, their needs and wants to go through that hard time."

She added: "The rooms are working, the rooms are a necessity but it’s getting them in other hospitals."

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Mum-of-three Louise, from East Kilbride, has campaigned for dedicated facilities in maternity hospitals for women who suffer miscarriage and stillbirth since her own traumatic loss in October 2019.  

At a routine 12-week scan, Louise and her husband Craig’s joy at being pregnant again turned to anguish when doctors told them their baby had no heartbeat and that she would have to return to the hospital the next day to deliver.

Louise found herself "in shock" however her devastation grew when she was informed she would have to deliver her child on the labour ward – while other women gave birth around her.

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The experience led her to start her campaign and she petitioned the Scottish Government to incorporate a designated space for women experiencing a miscarriage in all Scottish hospitals.

After the dedicated ward was finally opened in Wishaw in 2023, Louise, who has gone through three miscarriages, says she had been hopeful the scheme would be quickly rolled out in other hospitals across Scotland.

However, she says she has heard nothing more from the Scottish Government about it, despite "hounding" MPs and MSPs.

The 41-year-old said: "I’m devastated about it.

"I have been emailed everybody and anybody I can get a hold of.

"We need them open now. This isn’t a want; this is a need.

"It’s just this roller coaster I’m constantly on where there’s something positive and then nothing.

"I thought it would be a domino effect."

She continued: "I’ve had women message me saying ‘what’s next, when’s my hospital getting one’ because they can’t travel to Wishaw.

"One in Scotland is just not enough.

"Women shouldn’t have to deliver in a maternity ward that’s dedicated to healthy babies where the walls are caked in baby photos, ballons, welcomes.

"No women should have to endure that, that’s just adding trauma."

(Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest)

Cheryl Clark, NHS Lanarkshire Director of Midwifery, said: "There are a lot of grieving families who have lost a baby in tragic circumstances.

"This is a very distressing time for any family and, while no facilities can lessen the grief and anguish bereaved parents may feel, we know how important well-designed bereavement suites are to ensure that appropriate care is delivered in the most sensitive environment possible.

"We recognise the importance of privacy and grieving in a quiet and protected space and our dedicated baby loss facility offers this to families."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The loss of a baby, no matter at what stage of pregnancy is a traumatic event that can have a profound impact on families.

"The Scottish Government recognises this impact and is clear that women and their families who have experienced pregnancy or baby loss must be provided with the right information, care and support taking into account their individual circumstances.

"We know that many hospitals already have separate spaces for women who suffer pregnancy or baby loss and we will ensure that all major hospitals in NHS Boards with maternity units have this.

"We are committed to supporting families and are funding and working with Sands UK to develop and deliver the National Bereavement Care Pathway for pregnancy and baby loss in Scotland. 

"Separate bereavement spaces are key to NHS boards fully implementing the pathways as well as meeting our commitment to have dedicated facilities in all major hospitals for women who are experiencing unexpected pregnancy complications."