A film about mothers having a second child following baby loss is at the heart of a new campaign to break the "taboo" around the subject.

David Ward, co-founder of Chatham-based stillbirth charity Abigail's Footsteps, has encouraged family, friends and medical professionals to "say baby's name".

The 53-year-old said: "The work the charity has carried out over the last 10 years has been about helping both families and medical practitioners.

"This means working with mum and dad to provide bereavement suites where they can spend time with baby away from the main hospital area.

"There is also training for midwives to ensure they understand the situation for a stillbirth and what mum and dad are going through, and how to help them deal with their situation."

In 2009 David and his wife Jo's daughter, Abigail, was stillborn.

He said: "Jo and I spent our time with Abigail in a private room next to the main reception area, so hearing crying babies and celebrating made it very difficult for somebody who just lost their own baby.

"That helped us to think about the bereavement suites at Medway hospital, Abigail's Place which the CQC called the gold standard of bereavement care."

The suite is away from the maternity wards and is soundproof so parents can grieve on their own.

After completing this project the charity also produced a film called The Deafening Silence.

It was initially made to help Kent hospitals with their training development.

However, it ended up being used in countries around the world to help midwives understand the problems that parents go through.

The UK's 20th Baby Loss Awareness Week started yesterday and runs until Saturday. Today at 10am, Abigail’s Footsteps will be screening its second film, Say My Baby’s Name, at the Curzon in Soho, central London.

David said: "Say My Baby’s Name focusses on the experience of mothers having a second child, following a stillbirth or neo-natal death.

"The film is very much about that second part of the journey.

"Mum and dad have lost the baby but are fortunate enough to fall pregnant again but they don't want to forget that first baby and encourage people to say baby's name.

"The film is about teaching people, family and friends about how to approach mum and dad in a very gentle and sensitive way.

"This is instead of saying things like 'you can get pregnant again don't worry' or 'you can always have another one' which is totally inappropriate.

"Mums don't want to hear that, they just want to know that you are supporting them."

The new film tells the story of a mother’s psychological struggle to embrace the birth of her second child, following the neonatal death of her first.

It features a stellar cast with credits ranging from Killing Eve to Harry Potter and Netflix’s Sandman.

The new film aims to build on the success of the first and help midwives to reflect on their interactions with mothers returning for their second child following a bereavement.

David added: "I think from our own experiences there are so many anniversaries such as Christmas and summer holidays or first school photographs that people who have lost a baby will think about.

"So those memories are always there anyway, those triggers are always there and of course, a second baby or a third baby doesn't stop that happening.

"Mum or dad will always think about first baby, but they want to talk about second baby as well. So it's a very difficult situation to be in.

"The film is about raising awareness and it's helping people to talk about taboo subjects.

"I think it's important that mum and dad do talk to each other but also to professionals as well."

Abigail's Footsteps also run counselling sessions due to the importance of grieving parents getting appropriate, professional help by trained bereavement counsellors.

On Saturday, October 15, a 'Wave of Light' service is being held by the charity at Rochester Cathedral.

Along with families across the world, the people of Kent are encouraged to light a candle to remember all babies that have died too soon.

Doors to the Cathedral open at 6.30pm, with a small service starting at 7pm.

Meanwhile, midwives and nurses in the bereavement team at Medway Maritime Hospital will also be holding a memorial service to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week.

It will take place on on Saturday, October 15 from 3pm to 5pm, at St Augustine's Church in Rock Avenue, Gillingham.

The service will feature a performance by Our Stars Choir, from the charity Our Sam, which was set up in November 2020 and aims to unite parents affected by baby loss.

Afterwards, specialist bereavement midwife Yvonne Morrison and bereavement support midwife Danielle Burnett will host a live sessions via on the Medway Maternity Facebook group.

The hospital clock tower will also be lit up pink and blue throughout the week.

To find out more click here.www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk/abigails-waveoflight/

To find out more about Abigail's Footsteps or for support click here.www.abigailsfootsteps.co.uk/professionals/training/

Say My Baby's Name will be available to view on the charity's funded training sessions.