A Blackburn mum whose baby died in her arms 45 minutes after being born has opened up about how she using her experience is helping other grieving parents.

Najma Patel, 36, said she went into a depression after her son Adil died around 13 years ago.

Najma said she did not feel like she was able to truly grieve the loss of the son, wishing she had more support, which is why she was inspired to create Adil's Legacy Packs.

The packs have been co-produced by Blackburn UK Trust, thanks to a donation of more than £5,000, and Maggie's Stillbirth Legacy.

The aim of the packs is to offer solace to mothers who have either lost a newborn baby through a miscarriage, stillbirth, or complications with pregnancy during or just after giving birth.

More than 13 years ago Najma, who was pregnant with twins, was told there was an issue with one of the children.

She said: “I had identical twins. One of them was ill and the other was healthy.

“At Royal Blackburn Hospital they told me there were some issues with the baby but they didn’t know what was wrong.

“I was told it was unlikely the pregnancy would last. I was also told the healthy baby would be affected and could possibly be brain damaged as a result.”

Najma was offered an abortion, which she refused due to her faith and personal beliefs.

At around 32 weeks, Najma had both children via caesarean section. Adil died in her arms after 45 minutes. Adnan survived and is currently happy and healthy.

Due to her faith, Najma said she was unable to properly grieve the loss of Adil.

In Islam, it is common practice for those who have died to be buried within 24 hours. The body is also washed before the funeral.

Adil was sent to the mortuary on the night he died and was buried the day after.

She said: “After he was born, he died after 45 minutes in my arms. I was told it was unlikely his twin, Adnan, would survive.

“I didn’t get to see him get bathed. I literally only saw him going to the mortuary.

“When he died I found it really hard. I felt like there was no support for mums who had lost their babies. I didn’t know about any support groups.

“You never expect your child to die and you always look forward to welcoming them into the world - you don't expect to bury them.”

Years later Najma became friends with Sarah Bernasconi-Parsons, from Livesey, who is the founder of Maggie’s Stillbirth Legacy.

Sarah’s fundraising buys cuddle cots which allow grieving parents to spend time with their child after their birth.

Sarah worked with Najma to create Adil Legacy Packs, which are specifically tailored towards the needs of grieving Muslim parents.

They contain a hat, a prayer mat, prayer beads, a book, a white shroud and more.

Work on the packs started in 2022 and since then more than 500 packs have been given out to organisations.

Najma said: “When I lost my son there was nothing like this. I wanted to make something for grieving parents to let them spend some time with their babies.

“This gives Muslim parents a little more time with their babies, allowing them to bathe and shroud them in the hospital.

“We hope they can provide a little bit of emotional support.

“We don’t find out who they have gone to but organisations we have given them to said the parents have found them so useful.

“It is nice that my son’s name will continue through this. This is his legacy.”