Princess Michael of Kent visited St George's Hospital in Tooting recently to open the maternity care ward's new bereavement garden.

The princess, who said she was "honoured" to attend the event, cut the ribbon on the garden on Thursday (October 14) in line with Baby Loss Awareness Week.

St George's said the Maternity Memorial Garden will serve as a quiet place for reflection for anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss, "as well as a permanent memorial to those mothers that have died during and after pregnancy".

It was funded by money from B&Q, who opened stores in the area recently and brought in Designer Matt Childs to work alongside St George's Gardener John Greco to create the new green space.

"I was honoured to be invited to St George’s today to officially open the Maternity Memorial Garden," Princess Michael said. "The garden is a beautiful space that will mean so much to so many staff, patients and their families. It was a pleasure to meet the St George’s Bereavement Midwives and to learn more about their work - they do incredible work and provide such an important service to all those affected by pregnancy loss."

Annabelle Keegan, deputy director of midwifery at St George’s, said: "Our maternity bereavement team wanted a place where families and midwives could go to remember those babies and mothers who have sadly died during or after pregnancy – we hope the maternity memorial garden offers a reflective and peaceful space to remember them for both families and staff who have been affected. The Bereavement and gardening team have worked incredibly hard to make this a reality and I’d like to thank them for this, as well as the continued dedication of the whole maternity team to families cared for here at St George’s."

The maternity service at St George's employs a team of three midwives to provide dedicated bereavement care, and with support from a psychotherapist to provide counselling for anyone affected by pregnancy loss, or have lost a partner during pregnancy.

According to pregnancy charity Tommy's, it is estimated that in the UK one in four pregnancies end in loss during pregnancy or birth.

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