We’re joining hands with Tommy’s
Mother’s Day. It can be complicated, can’t it? It’s a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the amazing mother figures in our lives. But for many of us, it can also be a reminder of a loss or a difficult experience.
We recognise Mother’s Day is different for everyone, and it needs a more nuanced approach. That’s why, in 2019, we were the first company to offer our customers the opportunity to opt out of emails about the occasion (as part of our Thoughtful Marketing Movement). And since then, we’ve championed small but meaningful ways to reach out to each other. Whether it’s a text, hug, cup of coffee, or simply asking “Are you ok?”
No one knows the importance of reaching out better than Tommy's the UK’s leading pregnancy research charity.
No matter your journey, we see a mum
Becoming a mum is different for everyone. For some mums, it’s a positive pregnancy test. A scan photo. A kick. A baby they can’t hold yet. A tiny babygrow. Or even a footprint.
Tommy’s is dedicated to supporting parents at every stage of pregnancy. The charity exists to stop the devastation of baby loss, and make pregnancy and birth safe – for everyone.
With help from donations, Tommy's leads vital research into the causes of baby loss and strives to make preventative treatments more accessible. Their midwives provide expert advice for parents before, during and after pregnancy. And they're helping raise awareness of the scale and impact of baby loss so more families know the support that’s available.
Send a little bit of hope
To help Tommy’s continue their life-changing work, we’ve brought back The Hope for its third year. We’re donating £1 for each one sent.
£10 could fund the lab equipment for a day’s worth of vital research into Delayed Villous Maturation, called Delayed Villous Maturation, so we can better detect it and provide support to women and birthing people at risk to prevent stillbirth.
£20 could help fund a day’s materials that our researchers need to understand how different genes in different cells in the placenta are affecting how well it is working. By analysing placentas from different conditions that can cause stillbirth, they can develop new treatments to prevent stillbirth in the future.
£100 could provide a day’s vital lab materials for our researchers developing potential drugs that can lower blood pressure in women and birthing people with pre-eclampsia, helping to give them the best chance of a healthy pregnancy.
Know someone who’s struggling this Mother’s Day?
It can be hard knowing what to say sometimes. But quite often, it could be as simple as asking “Are you ok?”. If you’re wanting to know how best to reach out to someone going through a difficult time, these tips from Tommy’s midwives can help you start the conversation.
“If you’re supporting a loved one who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss, reach out to them, and check in with them. A simple yet heartfelt ‘I know today may be tough for you, but I’m here for you’ or ‘How are you doing today? Can I help?’ makes such a difference to the loneliness and isolation so many people feel on Mother’s Day. Kindness, an openness to listen and hear what your loved one is sharing is so powerful, as are thoughtful gifts such as flowers, a card or a meal dropped off.” – Amina, Tommy’s Midwifery Manager
“Mother’s Day can be a hard and lonely day for someone who has lost a baby. A card or a text simply saying “I’m thinking of you today” or “I just want you to know I care” can make the day feel a little less lonely. Taking the time to express kindness on difficult days always matters.” – Juliette, Tommy’s Midwife
“Instead of asking “is there anything I can do?”, placing the responsibility onto the bereaved parents to decide, it could be useful as a suggestion such as “I’m going to make you some meals for the fridge/freezer to get you out of food shopping and preparation for a few days” or “ let me grab your food shopping list from you and drop it into you tomorrow!” or “Will you let me collect (child/children’s name) from nursery/school this week, to give you some time to yourself?” Having a “job” taken off their hands is a meaningful way to show them that they matter, and their grief matters to you as someone who loves them.” – Sophie, Tommy’s Midwife
This Mother's Day, reach out to a loved one. And if you, or someone you know, needs support, Tommy's is here for you every step of the way. Find information, advice and stories from others who have experienced baby loss.