A special bereavement suite for mothers giving birth to stillborn, miscarried or medically terminated pregancies is being built at a Suffolk hospital.

Work has begun to create the bereavement room at West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, which will provide a calm and comfortable space where families can receive support following the loss of a baby.

The project will see an en-suite bedroom and small office created in space which is taken up by two offices in the labour suite.

The room will be used by women who have had a miscarriage or medical termination, or whose baby is stillborn.

Bernadine Bramble, general manager for women and children’s services at the hospital, said: “We are really pleased that work has now begun to create this homely space where families can receive dedicated help and support at a difficult time.

“The bereavement suite will be carefully decorated, with all medical equipment kept out of sight. Our aim is to create a calming and comfortable room for women and their partners, which is separate from the main labour suite. We are very grateful to everyone who raised money to help pay for the work and look forward to completing the project later this spring.”

The room has been paid for with the help of £25,000 raised by local people, who held a variety of events, including a charity ball and sponsored challenges.

Once opened, the room will allow women to deliver their babies without having the distress of transferring to the labour suite, and they can also be offered psychological and practical support.