West Lothian mum's heart-wrenching tribute for baby son who was born sleeping
A West Lothian mum who is grieving the death of her stillborn baby has raised money to help other families going through similar experiences.
The family of Carson Cooper, from Bathgate, have been left heartbroken after the delight of welcoming their new-born baby was taken from them in February.
Carson was due to make his entrance to the world earlier this year but he was tragically born asleep at 37 weeks on February 20.
Speaking on her tragic loss, mum Nadine Cooper, 33, has been working to raise money to purchase CuddleCot's to donate in memory of her son.
She said if it wasn't for the CuddleCot - a cooling device that allows parents to spend extended time with their baby who has died - she wouldn't have been able to spend the precious days with her son in hospital.
Nadine added: 'I hope my son is proud because they have been donated in his name. It's such a hard feeling to describe what it's like going through something like that. I set up the GoFundMe after I lost Carson because it was a distraction from everything going on.
'I lost Carson in February and I was 37 weeks at the time. You know situations like this happen but you don't think it will ever happen to you.
'At 37 weeks, you are planning for the arrival - not to give birth and know he's not alive.
'We were based at St John's and when I left the hospital, three families lost their child that week and they needed a CuddleCot to see their child.
'I saw people had donated CuddleCot's to other hospitals and I wanted to try do the same. I have managed to raise enough for two and we are just waiting for them to be delivered.
'We are just so grateful to everyone who has donated and helped us with this.'
The fundraiser has collected over £5,000 and Nadine is glad to be able to help the hospital that were 'fantastic' to them throughout the devastating process.
The mum-of-two is expecting a third child and is currently at 14 weeks.
A description on the GoFundMe reads: 'If it wasn't for the CuddleCot, I wouldn't have been able to spend the precious days with my son in hospital.
'These CuddleCots are so important to many families and the NHS need more of them.
'The CuddleCot provides grieving families the opportunity to spend time with their loved ones without needing to cool the entire room.
'This time allows families to create precious memories, enables mothers to recover from medication side effects, make arrangements without feeling rushed, and gives family members the chance to visit—all while keeping their loved ones close by.
'The CuddleCot can gently cool a pre-term or full-term baby from day one thereby preserving their appearance, condition, and dignity. The CuddleCot is compatible with any cot or bassinet.
'If the target for two CuddleCots is not met, one will be purchased and the surplus money will be given to the hospital to help towards their special dedicated family room where we spent a few days.'
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