Home / Parenting / Children

Eastenders Actress Encourages People To Share Their Stillborn Baby Stories With #SayTheirName

by Tolani Shoneye ,
Eastenders Actress Encourages People To Share Their Stillborn Baby Stories With #SayTheirName© BBC

Every so often a soap storyline breaks our hearts, and Eastender's recent storyline is one of them. After learning that her unborn baby is died, Tuesday's episode showed Shabnam give birth to her stillborn baby. A plot that is a heart breaking reality for many women.

Warning: This article contains imagery that some readers may find distressing.

For thousands of women stillbirth is not just a storyline, but in fact a very real, life experience. In the UK alone 5,712 babies were born stillborn, or died within the first 28 days of life in 2013 ; Sands.

And although stillbirths are not uncommon, many people tend not to talk about it. It's a taboo nobody seems to want to deal with.

But thanks to Rakhee Thakrar, who plays Shabnam, this is about to change. Having worked closely with a stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands, the actress encouraged others to share the name of their stillborn babies in a touching Twitter movement.​ Rakhee started the hashtag #SayTheirName to encourage people to talk about their stillbirth stories and share the names of their babies.

People have responded and are sharing their personal images and stories. It's the most moving hashtag we have come across, it's great that the movement gives families a chance to remember their children and share such personal experiences.

For help dealing with the death of a child, visit Sands.

Share your story #SayTheirName. Tweet us @sofeminineUK

This article was written by Tolani Shoneye. Tweet her @tolly_t

Tolani Shoneye
you might also like