The midwife who supported comedian Russell Howard and his wife through the death of their baby boy was motivated to join the profession after experiencing a stillbirth at the same London hospital.
Lauren Petrie, 46, a Specialist Bereavement Midwife at Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, retrained as a midwife in 2018. She guided Howard and his wife, Cerys Morgan, after their son Felix died shortly after birth earlier this year. Howard described Petrie's care as meaning "more to us than we can ever put into words," noting that they were able to spend "precious hours with our beautiful boy" thanks to a cool cot.
Petrie's own journey into bereavement care began in 2013 when she lost her second daughter, Jada, at 41 weeks gestation in a stillbirth that she described as coming "completely out of the blue." Working in elderly care at the time, she decided to re-train as a midwife at King's College London, aiming to turn her personal tragedy into a positive force for others.
She explained that she does not always share her personal story with patients, as she does not want to detract from their grief. However, when relationships deepen, and patients inquire about her own experiences, she shares when it feels natural. "Carers tell you it feels really lonely and no one truly understands it," Petrie said. "I guess because I have been through it when I tell parents I know what it feels like it means a lot."
Howard praised the hospital staff for their "extraordinary compassion, kindness and humanity" during their devastating time. He stated, "They helped us navigate an unimaginable heartache and gave us support when we needed it most."
Petrie's experience has informed her work in developing new approaches to bereavement care. She was instrumental in creating "Jada's room," a soundproofed maternity room designed to offer privacy and comfort to families experiencing loss. The room includes amenities like a kettle to minimize potential awkward interactions with other new parents and a cold cot to allow more time with the baby.
Howard also announced the establishment of The Felix Foundation, a bereavement charity named in honor of his son. The foundation aims to support families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, and related bereavements. Its goals include funding specialist training for midwives, providing emotional and practical assistance to families, and establishing dedicated facilities within healthcare settings. The foundation also seeks to raise awareness of infant loss and the support needs of affected families.
To launch the foundation and raise funds, Howard will host a charity gala at The O2 in London on February 8, 2027, featuring performances by comedians such as Michael McIntyre, Jimmy Carr, and Aisling Bea. "The Felix Foundation is named after our beautiful son," Howard stated. "We miss him dearly, every single day, but we take some comfort in knowing that his name will stand for kindness, compassion and laughter, and that his legacy may help other families through the darkest moments of their lives."