Amanda Holden lights candle to remember stillborn son Theo as she marks Baby Loss Awareness Week

Amanda Holden has shared footage of herself lighting a candle in remembrance of her son Theo who was tragically stillborn at seven months in 2011. 

The Britain’s Got Talent judge, 49, shared the video on her Instagram to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week. 

‘This light & song are for you Theo and all the babies whose beautiful souls never made it to earth #waveoflight #babylossawareness #babylossawarenessweek,’ Amanda wrote.     

Never forgotten: Amanda Holden has shared footage of a candle which she lit in remembrance of her son Theo who was tragically born stillborn in 2011

Heartbreaking: Amanda was seven months pregnant with Theo when a routine scan revealed his heart had stopped - she will have helped countless others in talking about her experience

Heartbreaking: Amanda was seven months pregnant with Theo when a routine scan revealed his heart had stopped – she will have helped countless others in talking about her experience 

The former actress was seven months pregnant with Theo when a routine scan revealed his heart had stopped.

The Heart FM presenter and her husband then made the devastating decision to have a caesarean following Theo’s passing.

Speaking about her experiences with The Mirror in 2018, Amanda said: ‘I couldn’t bear the thought of holding a dead baby. I was scared what he’d look like. 

‘But the minute he came out, Jackie [the nurse] took him and said “He’s beautiful”. So I said: “Give him to me. I’m his mummy”‘.

Family: The BGT judge married Chris Hughes in 2008 and they are parents to daughters Alexa, 14, and Hollie, eight

Family: The BGT judge married Chris Hughes in 2008 and they are parents to daughters Alexa, 14, and Hollie, eight

This week, Jools Oliver and Myleene Klass also opened up about their heartbreaking experiences of baby loss, all in the hope that they can support other women in the same position. 

Amanda also appeared on Loose Women earlier in October to discuss how she had come to terms with her loss.

She was asked by Kaye Adams what advice she would give to people in a similar situation to her.

Amanda said: ‘It’s so difficult because everyone reacts in different ways – because my loss was a baby that never made it to earth I had to find a spiritual way around it.’

Remembrance: As well as sharing the candle on her Instagram story, Amanda shared it in a post

Remembrance: As well as sharing the candle on her Instagram story, Amanda shared it in a post

Cherished: Amanda expressed her love for Theo in the image's caption

Cherished: Amanda expressed her love for Theo in the image’s caption 

‘I had to create a scenario in my head that my baby chose me in my head but he was never meant to come down.  

She continued: ‘I was blessed with my daughter Holly who came soon after.

‘It’s a cliche but you can only take one day at a time – it’s what you can learn from it, gather everyone around you. I hung on very tight to Chris [husband] and my family.’

Amanda married Chris Hughes in 2008 and they are also parents to daughters Alexa, 14, and Hollie, eight.

Opening up: Amanda appeared on Loose Women earlier in October to discuss how she had dealt with her loss

Opening up: Amanda appeared on Loose Women earlier in October to discuss how she had dealt with her loss

She said her single With You, reminds her of Theo and the loss.

Amanda said of the song: ‘It’s from Ghost The Musical it’s about grief and loss.

‘It’s one of my favourite ever songs and my husband Chris said: “The last two lines of the song remind me of how I felt when we lost Theo”.’

She added: ‘I’m very vocal about how I feel. He never really showed his emotions and wanted to be a tower of strength. So when he said it, it knocked me for six.

Sad: Chrissy Teigen and her husband John Legend recently mourned the loss of their baby son Jack and documented their sad loss on social media - their decision to do so has helped others feel that they can talk about their loss

Sad: Chrissy Teigen and her husband John Legend recently mourned the loss of their baby son Jack and documented their sad loss on social media – their decision to do so has helped others feel that they can talk about their loss 

Amanda said that she deals with things the best way she can, saying: ‘You never forget but you gradually move forward.’

Her words came days after she sent a lovely message to Chrissy Teigen after she lost her baby boy Jack.

One follower had written a lovely post to Chrissy which read: ‘In Lebanese culture, we believe babies like Jack are angels that God selectively chooses to watch over you. Sending you light.’

Amanda replied: ‘This is how I dealt with my loss.’

Never alone: British actress Kate Beckinsale, 47, has also spoken recently about her own tragic loss of a baby at 20 weeks

Never alone: British actress Kate Beckinsale, 47, has also spoken recently about her own tragic loss of a baby at 20 weeks

At the start of the month, British actress Kate Beckinsale, 47, took to Instagram to speak out about her own pain, in light of Chrissy Teigen’s tragedy. 

She said: ‘Years ago, I lost a baby at 20 weeks. I had managed to keep my pregnancy quiet and I absolutely collapsed inside and no one would have known.

‘There is grief, shame and shock so often that come with an experience like this, plus the heartbreak of your body continuing, after the loss, to act as if it had a child to nurture. Your milk comes in, with no one to feed.

‘It can be the loneliest, most soul destroying period of time, particularly if you are not in the position of having an emotionally connected, supportive partner like Chrissy has.’

WHAT IS A STILLBIRTH?

A stillbirth occurs when a baby is born dead after 24 weeks of pregnancy. 

If a baby dies before 24 weeks of pregnancy, it is known as a miscarriage.

Not all stillbirths can be prevented, however, not smoking or drinking, as well as not sleeping on your back and attending all antenatal appointments can reduce the risk. 

What are the signs? 

Signs may include the baby not moving as much as normal.

Pregnant women should contact their doctor immediately if they notice a difference to their baby’s movement. 

What are the causes? 

Stillbirths do not always have an obvious cause but may occur due to complications with the placenta or a birth defect.

They are also more likely to occur if women suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes or an infection that affects the baby, such as flu. 

Stillbirths are more likely to occur if women are having twins or multiple pregnancies, are overweight, smoke, are over 35 or have a pre-existing condition, such as epilepsy.

What happens after a stillbirth? 

If a baby has died, women may wait for their labour to start naturally or they may be induced if their health is at risk. 

Bereavement support groups are available to parents who have suffered stillbirths.

Some find it helpful to name their baby or take pictures with them.  

 Source: NHS Choices