Female MP breaks down in parliament over tragic death of her 5-day-old baby son

MP Antoinette Sandbach broke down in the House of Commons over the death of her newborn baby son

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by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Antoinette Sandbach, who lost her child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 2009, emotionally spoke up in the House Of Commons in a bid to secure more psychiatric help for bereaved parents.

She emotionally recalled: "The night my son died I woke to find him not breathing.

"Arriving at hospital, looking at a flatline in the ambulance for over 20 minutes, a crash team was waiting for me - but it was too late.

"The consultant neonatologist was calm and a reassuring presence and the nursing staff were patient.

"I readily agreed to a post-mortem, as I wanted to know exactly what had happened."

She continued: "Staff at the hospital were wonderful but I found myself in a plain room with questions being asked of me. I was told that I had to wait for the police.

"I had left in such a panic that I had left my telephone behind and I couldn't remember any telephone numbers and was there on my own."

Fighting back tears, she added: ”I arrived home later that morning to find the police officers going through my house," she said.

"Clearly they had to investigate as the death had been away from hospital, and I had to explain to my 6-year-old what had happened."

The MP for Eddisbury went on to explain that she received counselling, organised by by charity Chrysalis Trust at The Alder Centre, after her baby’s death.

Calling it "a lifeline for me", and urged health ministers to ensure that bereaved parents have proper access to psychological support.

The brave mother has since been praised by colleagues for her "emotional and powerful contribution".

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