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Welcome

Welcome to Sands New Zealand (Stillbirth and Newborn Death Support). We are a voluntary, parent-run, non-profit organisation set up to support parents and families who have experienced the death of a baby.

Most of our members/supporters are also bereaved parents. While we do not know exactly how you are feeling, we have been in similar circumstances. We offer empathy and understanding. We are not counsellors and do not give formal advice but we do offer an opportunity and environment to share experiences, to talk and to listen. We promote awareness, understanding and support for those dealing with the death of a baby in pregnancy, birth or as a newborn, and due to medical termination or other forms of reproductive loss.

We do not have a national office with any paid staff or an 0800 number - our Sands workers /supporters are  all voluntary and do the best they can within the constraints of their busy lives. So please do not be upset if you do not have your call answered straight away or receive a reply to your email on the same day that you sent it. We will endeavour to make contact with you as soon as we can and provide as much support as we are able.

If you have found this website because your baby has recently died, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to you. Many of our Sands members can relate to the feelings you are experiencing right now and we sincerely hope that the information on these pages may be of some help to you over the following hours, days, months or years.

My Baby Has Died, What Do I Do Now?

We encourage you to slow down. There is no need to make hurried decisions and you may change your mind about what you decide to do today. Tomorrow you may feel very differently, so please do not feel any need to rush.

We invite you to read some of our resources. 'The Next Few Days' explains some of the things you may want to consider as you prepare to say goodbye to your baby. 'Your Baby’s Funeral' also provides information about saying goodbye that you may find helpful. 'Transporting Your Baby' explains that you are able to drive your baby home in the car if you wish and you can be the people that transport your baby to and from his or her funeral.

If you would like to talk with someone in your local area or attend a support meeting and meet other bereaved parents and families, you will find a list of Sands contacts on the 'Local Groups' page. When your baby dies, you are often in shock and it is a situation that you have probably never faced before. If you have a specific question about any aspect of your baby’s death or about Sands, please feel very welcome to contact us and we will endeavour to provide you with as much information as possible. See the 'Contact Us' page for details.

We also have links to other New Zealand and international pregnancy, baby and infant loss support organisations that you may also wish to look at.

A little life, not a little loss

It is through the generosity and support of NALAG (National Assn of Loss and Grief) and the JR McKenzie Trust that this website has been designed and built - thank you!