A Glasgow family are undertaking a charity cycle in memory of their beloved niece who was stillborn to buy a cold cot to help other grieving families.

Natasha, from the city centre, gave birth to her beautiful baby girl Skye, who was sadly stillborn on Monday, May 26.

However, despite the heartbreak of losing her daughter, Natasha, 36, said she was able to seek comfort thanks to a cold cot.

A cold cot is a special bed designed to cool the body of a baby who has sadly ed away. This allows parents to spend precious extra time with their baby.

Natasha told Glasgow Live: "Every single parent is different, but for ourselves, the cold cot made everything so much better in of the grieving process.

"Naturally, as a mum, you want to spend those magic first few hours with your baby, and I did get to do it. It was just like Skye was sleeping.

"I had a really long labour, but while giving birth, I got to a point where I thought 'I want to meet her. I really want to see her face'. It made the labour easier at the hardest point. Even though I knew I was going to be giving birth to a baby that wasn't alive, just knowing I was going to see her gorgeous face got me through my labour."

Natasha says having the cold cot has helped her and her partner, Gary, 38, through the grieving process, as it gave them as much time as they wanted with baby Skye.

Having access to a cold cot helped the family come to  with their loss
Having access to a cold cot helped the family come to with their loss

She said: "I got precious time with her. I got to see her when she was first born, we got to change her and read her bedtime stories.

"When it got to the point of leaving Skye, I was ready to leave her. Without that, I wouldn't be able to cope as well as I can. Those moments in hospital were some of the most peaceful in my life, even though it was during the hardest time.

"I can't even explain how precious it was. I will never forget them, and I got to have them with Skye because of the cold cot."

To leave a legacy for Skye, and to other parents, Natasha's sister-in-law, Lauren Brady, 32, and her husband, Mark, 37, have launched a NHSGGC.

Mark will raise funds by carrying out a 200-mile cycle. The last 100-mile leg will see the Cumbernauld dad cycling from Auchinstarry to Loch Lomond and back. Natasha, Gary, their three-year-old son Dylan, and Lauren, along with her two kids, will then him in some of the way to the Kelpies and back to complete the challenge.

Lauren Brady, 32, and her husband, Mark, 37, launched a fundraiser for the cold cot
Lauren Brady, 32, and her husband, Mark, 37, launched a fundraiser for the cold cot

The family are also hoping to raise awareness of the stigma that some mums still face when talking about their experiences with stillbirths. In Scotland, four babies a week are sadly stillborn.

Mark said: "When we found out Skye was stillborn, my wife and I were lucky to spend time with her at the hospital. It was an incredibly sad situation, but in a strange way, it was beautiful that the parents got the time.

"I thought, if there is a shortage, the least I can do is undertake a physical challenge to raise money and donate one in Skye's memory."

Lauren, who is a midwife, added: "There is still so much taboo around the subject, and when you start talking about these things, people from 40 or 60 years ago will start telling their stories.

"Talking about it helps break down the stigma, whether it's parents speaking about their experience or family doing things like this. It breaks down the barriers and it really does help."

And for Natasha, leaving the cot will help leave a legacy for Skye.

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The mum added: "She's going to have a cot named after her, which is lovely, and it'll help so many other families.

"It was the hardest time of my life, but it was made so much easier with the cold cot and the amazing midwives.

"I think there is still a stigma about stillbirths, and I think it's something that needs to be spoken about.

"Even me saying it was one of the most precious times of my life might sound weird to people, but until you've been through it yourself, you really can't judge that situation.

"The cold cot gave me choices that you should get when you have a baby, and there is no right or wrong.

"Those moments were so precious, and she deserved it. She's my daughter and it was nice we had that time together."

Since being launched last week, the fundraiser has already raised more than £1,500. Natasha says the impact of the fundraiser has also helped them through the grieving process.

"We'll just be doing a small part of the challenge, but it's good to get out and do something for Skye and make a difference," she said.

"The , love, and messages we've had has been unbelievable, and it's helped us at the most difficult time of our lives.

"Seeing so many people donate means the world. It makes me feel like Skye is making a difference, and it gives me comfort knowing she's helping other babies and parents in this horrible situation that other parents find themselves in."

You can donate to the fundraiser online here.

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