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Stillbirth trauma inspires support
Wearside MP Sharon Hodgson has spoken of her own heartbreak as she helps launch a campaign to raise awareness of stillborn babies.
Backing the campaign, Mrs Hodgson said she is still struggling to get over the trauma of having a stillborn baby, Lucy.
She said: "My daughter was stillborn 11 years ago, so I know first-hand how traumatic and devastating it is for the whole family and something you never quite get over."
At the special parliamentary reception to launch the Why 17? campaign, Mrs Hodgson was shown a new report, Saving Babies' Lives, which highlights problem areas that are contributing to the number of stillborn babies.
It also looks at the long-lasting impact of these deaths and recommends changes that could help save bavies' lives.
Mrs Hodgson said: "I was shocked to discover that there are 6,500 stillbirth and neo-natal deaths every year in the UK, and that many families in my local constituency will have experienced the tragic loss of a baby in this way.
"The new Saving Babies' Lives report clearly outlines the key issues, problem areas and recommendations for change, and I am fully committed to supporting a call for action now to make a difference so more lives can be saved in the future."
On average, 17 babies a day are stillborn and the new report is calling for measures to be introduced to tackle the issue as well as 6million over the next five years to reduce the number of babies that die in Britain every day.
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 09 February 2012
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