A Lanarkshire mum fighting to have dedicated baby loss units across the UK is taking her battle to Westminster.
Louise Caldwell's tireless two years of campaigning will see a new facility at Wishaw General for pregnancy loss.
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.
Recent fundraising efforts saw Louise and supporters raise £3704. 50 which will buy two cuddle cots - an in-room cooling unit disguised inside a bassinet or Moses basket - for the dedicated baby loss suites at Wishaw.
The cash will shortly be handed to NHS Lanarkshire, with the cots giving grieving families more precious time with the little ones they have lost.
Now Louise is preparing to travel to Westminster on December 8 to urge MPs to support dedicated separate facilities for those experiencing baby loss throughout the UK.
The Scottish Government has already agreed to implement these facilities in Scottish hospitals by 2024.
Louise, from East Kilbride, told Lanarkshire Live : "I never imagined when I started the campaign that I, a mum from East Kilbride, would be speaking to MPs at Westminster.
"To achieve the new unit at Wishaw - which will hopefully open in the coming months - is a fantastic achievement but there is still so much to do - and I can't do it on my own.
"I want to see the promise by the Scottish Government to have these facilities in hospitals elsewhere fulfilled and I want to see them replicated across the UK.
"No woman experiencing loss should ever have to go through the trauma of delivering in a labour ward - nor their partner who is with them.
"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."
Louise has also welcomed the announcement that following her campaign a dedicated bereavement suite is planned for the maternity suite at Lerwick's Gilbert Bain Hospital.
She and her family lived on the island for a spell and one of her three son's, Noah, was due to be born there had they not moved back to East Kilbride.
Sadly, she also experienced miscarriage while on the island.
Louise's campaign has received cross-party support with East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP Dr Lisa Cameron supporting her to take the campaign to Westminster.
She said: "Louise is a formidable campaigner who is making a fantastic difference for those experiencing baby loss and I will be following up progress with Wishaw General, because this remains a priority."
Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon, has also been a strong supporter of Louise’s campaign and East Kilbride MSP Collette Stevenson has also given it her backing with Liberal Democrat, Beatrice Wishart, initially raising Louise's campaign in Holyrood.
The East Kilbride mum added: "I am nervous about going to London, but I will give this everything I have got. I have to.
"I am taking other women's baby loss stories with me. I won't get this opportunity again to play my part in bringing about change for women across the UK."
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