An Alnwick couple have helped create "rainbow baby" stickers which will help health professionals treat families who are expecting a baby having previously experienced miscarriage or stillbirth.
The stickers go on the medical files of mums-to-be, and Dawn and Keith Tait were inspired by the loss of their baby Roseanne in 2016.
The couple said: "Since then we’ve been working, quietly, to make changes to improve things for others.
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"When we felt ready to become parents again we faced a long wait and a battle with secondary infertility. Eventually over four years later, we were blessed with our precious ‘Rainbow baby’ pregnancy; something at times we thought would never happen."
They are now mum and dad to baby Roman, but have been working to help minimise the stress and anxiety - often caused by questions such as "is this your first baby?" that can affect parents who have lost a baby before.
The Taits added: "Having an easy to recognise, trust specific image indicating a previous loss clearly displayed on notes will help professionals to approach patients with that added layer of awareness and sensitivity.
"It’s our hope that these stickers will help to ease those anxieties about having to explain when attending appointments. It’s also another part of Roseanne’s continuing legacy."
October 11 to October 15 is Baby Loss Awareness Week.
"Rainbow babies" are those born to families who have previously experienced miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination for medical reasons, stillbirth or the death of a newborn.
The stickers to be used at Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust's hospitals are designed to alert health professionals to the pregnant person's previous experiences and minimise any difficult questions.
Nira Flanighan is a bereavement midwife at Northumbria Healthcare.
She thanked Dawn and Keith - and baby Roman - and added: "Working with parents like Dawn and Keith is truly inspirational.
"To see them turn their grief into something so positive is incredible, and I have no doubt that their commitment to helping others will improve the experiences of so many other rainbow families."
