Vanessa Kirby gives a powerful portrayal of a bereaved mother in Pieces Of A Woman that launched on Netflix 7 January.

Trigger warning: Please be aware that the film contains scenes that could possibly be upsetting or triggering for anyone who has been affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.

Sands is here to support anyone affected by the issues portrayed in the film. 

The Sands free Helpline is open from 6pm until 9pm on Thursday for anyone who needs support.

The Freephone Helpline number is: 0808 164 3332. You can also email the Helpline if you would prefer at: helpline@sands.org.uk or visit our online community.

The movie centers around Martha and Sean, a couple from Boston in the US, on the verge of parenthood whose lives change irrevocably when a home birth ends in unimaginable tragedy. Thus begins a year long odyssey for Martha (Vanessa Kirby), who must navigate her grief while working through fractious relationships with her husband and her domineering mother (Ellen Burstyn), along with the publicly vilified midwife (Molly Parker), whom she must face in court.

Vanessa Kirby’s heart-wrenching portrayal of a mother going through the devastating death of her daughter shortly after birth is a performance I will never forget. I hope it will be an opportunity for those who have suffered the death of a baby to know they are not alone in their grief and to reach out for support, and for everyone in society to help break the silence because finding the words to talk about this tragic bereavement can be the first step on a path to learning to live with loss.

 

Pieces Of A Woman is a tough watch, especially for anyone who has been personally affected by the death of a baby, so I am delighted that Netflix and Vanessa worked with Sands ahead of the film's release to ensure that anyone affected by the issues portrayed in the story will be able to access support. In these challenging times when bereaved families need support more than ever, we are doing all we can to ensure Sands is here to respond to anyone who needs us.

- Clea Harmer, Chief Executive