A GRIEVING couple whose newborn baby died after complications during childbirth are lighting up Maldon in a bid to raise awareness.

Dave and Abby Ridgewell are lighting up the outside of All Saints’ Church and the Moot Hall in pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week, which starts tomorrow (October 9).

Abby, 32, went into labour at home in November last year.

“Max was born at full term but there were problems during his delivery so we knew he was going to be poorly,” said Abby.

“I was at home when my waters broke.

“Then I discovered I had a cord prolapse. His head was compressing the umbilical cord which blocked the oxygen and blood supply.

“It’s uncommon but it does happen. By the time he was born a few hours later by emergency Caesarean he had been too long without oxygen.”

The family had been taken to Broomfield Hospital’s Blossom suite. Son Jake, now aged four, was able to be with his little brother, who was just a day old when he died.

Primary school teacher Abby said: “We didn’t know the Blossom suite existed until we were taken there.

“It’s on the labour ward but completely tucked away so you are in your own little bubble.

“It is a special room where families can have babies that are stillborn or are very poorly.

“Families can have some time with their babies when they have passed.

“It has its own kitchen and bathroom and is designed to make you feel at home so you can create those special memories and have time with your baby.”

Abby and Dave have collected 120 special ribbons from the families of babies who have died in childbirth.

They will be displayed in the window of William H Brown estate agents, where Dave is the manager, in Maldon High Street.

A dozen other business in the town are lighting up their windows in pink and blue for Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Dave, 36, said: “We’re hoping that driving down Maldon High Street at night time for the week will be a real eye-opener and will help to raise awareness and lift the taboo around talking about losing a child. One in four pregnancies ends in loss, and the response to our window display shows just how many local families have been affected.”

The couple say it is important for families who have suffered the loss of a baby to talk about it.

“We try to talk about it as much as possible to try normalise it for us,” said Abby.

“It is part of our lives and Max is part of our lives.

“This is to remember him and to give others the chance to talk about their babies.

There are a lot of people who want the chance to remember their babies and talk about them. We just want to raise awareness.

“If you know someone who has lost their baby, talk to them.

“Break that silence and say their name as much as you can and make baby loss less of a taboo subject.”

Abby added: “Max will always be the missing piece of our family and we struggle to live our lives without him.

“Our hope is that Baby Loss Awareness Week will help bereaved families in Maldon feel less isolated and alone in their grief.”