Commemorating Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025 at OUH

Bereaved families are being invited to display commemorative messages on trees of remembrance in areas at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025 (BLAW, 9 - 15 October).

The annual awareness week, now in its 23rd year, is an opportunity for bereaved parents, families, and friends to commemorate babies' lives, and to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss.

Remembrance trees offer bereaved parents the opportunity to honour their baby in a simple, quiet way, and will effectively 'grow' as leaves are added.

Trees are located on the Gynaecology reception and Butterfly Suite at the John Radcliffe Hospital, and in all community midwifery settings.

Paula Gallacher, Bereavement Specialist Midwife at the Trust, said: "Baby Loss Awareness Week is a chance for those affected by baby loss and their families and friends to unite and speak with others to commemorate these lost lives.

"It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the issues surrounding baby loss and what charities and other organisations are doing to provide support.

"The remembrance trees and messages enable women and their families to express a private and public declaration in memory of their babies.”

You can email your dedications to the email addresses at the bottom of this story, depending on where you would like it displayed.

There was also a service in the Chapel at the John Radcliffe Hospital on Thursday 9 October. The 30-minute service was hosted by OUH Chaplain Ruth Fitter, and it was open to everyone affected by baby loss. 

As part of a global Wave of Light event, people are encouraged to light a candle at 7pm on Wednesday 15 October and leave it burning for at least one hour to join us in remembering all babies who have died too soon. This is an opportunity to join other families across the world to pause, reflect and remember. People can get involved by taking a photo of candles and posting on Facebook or X (Twitter) using #WaveOfLight.

Many buildings and landmarks around the country are lit up pink and blue during BLAW. This year, there will be a small light up in the Butterfly Suite Garden.

Support available for families

Anyone experiencing early pregnancy loss can access support through any of the following organisations:

• Miscarriage Association
• Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
• Tommy’s
• Holding Hearts
• Cradle
• The Mitchell Foundation
• Sands
• 4Louis

OUH also offers early pregnancy and recurrent miscarriage support groups – please email lucy.smith3@ouh.nhs.uk for more information.

Emails for dedications based on location

bereavementmidwives@ouh.nhs.uk – Butterfly Suite
banbury.communitymidwives@ouh.nhs.uk - Banbury 
blenheimmaternityteam@oxnet.nhs.uk - Blenheim 
chippingnortonmidwives@ouh.nhs.uk - Chipping Norton 
wallingfordcommunitymidwives@ouh.nhs.uk - South Oxfordshire/Wallingford
wantagemidwives@ouh.nhs.uk - Wantage/Vale
ivy.midwives@ouh.nhs.uk – Ivy Team
bicester.midwives@ouh.nhs.uk - Bicester
midwivesflorencepark@ouh.nhs.uk - Florence Park 
witcartcommunitymidwives@ouh.nhs.uk – Witney
epauteam@oxnet.nhs.uk – Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit
holly.attle@ouh.nhs.uk - Gynaecology