A baby loss charity has launched a unique set of cards to recognise and honour pregnancy loss.
With one in four women suffering miscarriages in their lifetime, the Miscarriage Association is trying to break the taboo around baby loss for both women and their partners.
The cards will help family and friends to offer their support without causing further upset or simply pretending it never happened for fear of saying the wrong thing.
"Often friends and family don't know how to offer support and well-meaning attempts such as 'you can always try again' can come across as tactless and insensitive. The new cards aim to change that," said a spokesperson for the Miscarriage Association.
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The cards will be available to purchase from Postmark's London stores as well as on the company's website.
Ruth Bender Atik, national director of the Miscarriage Association, added: "Shockingly, greetings card retailers stock a card for almost every important life event, except one. These cards recognise miscarriage, and give words to those friends and loved ones who can't find them.
"Losing a pregnancy is heart-breaking and can be very lonely. Close family and friends often don't know what to say, say the wrong thing, or just say nothing at all.
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"The new cards have been launched to fill that gap. They may even become a treasured memento, the acknowledgement of the briefest of lives."
The cards will allow family, friends and colleagues, who are struggling to find the right words to say, to offer their support to parents who have experienced miscarriages, and ectopic or molar pregnancies.
Each card carries a thoughtful message which have been approved by a panel of women who have all experience miscarriages. They also contain the Miscarriage Association's details for extra support.
There's a total of four designs, and one of the cards reads: "This is the worst. But I've got your back. And your front. And everything in between."
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While another says: "This is totally ****! So here's a hug in an envelope. A folded squeeze. From me. To you."
The concept has been praised by women who have gone through miscarriages.
Natasha Necati, who had eight miscarriages, said: "When I had my miscarriages, people meant to be kind, but I did have comments like 'Sorry for your loss, but at least you know you can get pregnant' and 'Don't worry, you're still young,' whereas others just didn't say anything at all.
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"I would have loved to receive cards like these. I especially like the one that says I wish this wasn't happening to you. I don't know what to say. But I promise I am here for you. It says it all."
The cards are £3.50 each and available from Postmark here. What an incredible - and truly important - idea.
For support and advice on miscarriage, visit the Miscarriage Association here or call 01924 200799.
Topics: Life News, miscarriage, News, Real