A mother of 12 from Sunniside is calling for NHS guidelines to change so that women who have experienced a stillbirth or miscarriage are automatically assessed more closely if they report reduced fetal movement. Louise Temple, 39, is campaigning after two of her children, Cruze and Pandora, were stillborn.
Both Cruze, born in September 2023, and Pandora, born in March 2026, were diagnosed with Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome. Pandora was also described as a "double bubble" baby who would have needed surgery at birth.
Campaign for change
Louise has launched a Facebook page, Listening to Mums Saves Lives, and shared her story with baby loss charity SANDS. She wants maternity guidance reviewed so that mothers who have experienced a stillbirth and go to hospital with reduced movement have "their previous loss recognised" and "receive appropriate assessment, personalised care and support".
She told ChronicleLive: "I'm a mum of 12 and my last two children have been stillborn. In 2023, I had a stillbirth - we always new Cruze was going to pass away. He had a poorly heart and we always knew he was not going to live for very long."
"I fell pregnant again. I went to hospital complaining of reduced movements, and for me there had been a definite change."
Traumatic experience
Louise said that when she attended hospital she had believed all was well, other than the reduced movements. However, after three days of raising concerns, on March 5 a scan suggested the worst, and on March 6 Pandora was stillborn.
She said: "I went through the pain of labour knowing I would not hear my baby cry. Not long after, Pandora was born. She was beautiful."
"She was placed straight onto my chest, where she belonged. We spent precious time with her, bathing her, holding her, and creating memories we will carry forever."
Fundraiser and petition
Alongside the campaign petition, Louise is also holding a fundraiser at the Dunston Excelsior venue in early September. She said: "I am organising a charity fundraising night to raise awareness of stillbirth, remember babies gone too soon and support families affected by baby loss."
"I hope that by sharing Pandora and Cruze’s stories, and by campaigning for change, we can help improve maternity care so that more families are spared the heartbreak we have experienced."
Louise, who said she had become close with fellow maternity campaigner Amie Evans, added: "Specifically what I am trying to do is to get a guideline so that for women who have already had a stillbirth and then go to hospital with reduced movements, that this is taken into account."
"You are just treated the same, and they don't take the previous stillbirth into account. I have met with my MP Mark Ferguson and he has said he is willing to help me fight for this."
She has begun a UK Parliament petition calling for a debate on the need to review the guidelines. She added: "Women who have experienced a previous stillbirth face unique medical and emotional challenges in future pregnancies."
"I am asking the Government to review maternity guidance so women with a previous stillbirth who present with reduced fetal movements receive care that recognises their history, provides appropriate assessment, and supports personalised decision-making. The aim is to improve care and outcomes for future families."
Mark Ferguson, Labour MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham, said: "Louise is a brilliant campaigner, and I am deeply grateful to her for sharing her personal story and for the remarkable campaign she has built from it to help protect other women and families from experiencing the same tragedy."
"After Louise contacted me, I raised her campaign with Government colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care. It is important that government continue to listen to the voices of bereaved families and work to improve maternity care so that every woman receives the support and care she needs throughout her pregnancy, especially mindful after loss."
"Louise’s courage and determination are driving an important conversation, and I commend her efforts to improve outcomes for women and babies across the country."
The charity event is scheduled for September 12, and the petition and Listening to Mums Saves Lives page are available online.
