AN MP broke down in tears in Parliament after delivering an impassioned speech about her own baby loss. 

Victoria Prentis sobbed as she finished telling other politicians about her ordeal, adding: "I need to be able to tell my constituents they won't have to suffer as I did."

The Banbury MP is among politicians debating the topic in the House of Commons this afternoon, as they push for better care and prevention surrounding miscarriage and stillbirth.

Mrs Prentis told her colleagues that she suffered two miscarriages before her third pregnancy, during which she developed life-threatening conditions preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome, and her son died shortly after he gave birth to him.

She went on to have two children, now aged 15 and 13. 

During this afternoon's ongoing debate she said: "Physical care comes first but someone needs to be tasked with mental care for the whole family. The death of a baby leaves deep scars.

"When my son died I was told by a consultant that one day it would be possible to put my grief in a box and only open it when it suited me.

"At the time I thought she was completely insane but I now realise it is possible to have an element of control in lifting the lid in public.

"We have well and truly lifted the lid in Parliament."

She called for changes in healthcare, including not putting bereaved mothers in the same ward as new mothers - which she said was 'simply not on' - and more intensive training for midwives about baby loss.

She also wanted doctors' notes to flag up previous pregancy complications so patients do not have to relive their story every time they go for routine checks, and better care for bereaved fathers.

Mrs Prentis, who is vice chair of the all-party parliamentary group on baby loss added: "I really hope we are on the cusp of making very important changes.

"Sadly some babies such as mine will die. But let's make a commitment now to reduce miscarriages and deaths."

She was not the only MP to shed tears during speeches, and said she had 'never heard such emotion in a debate'. 

The meeting coincides with Baby Loss Awareness Week, which is being driven by charities including Sands.

Mrs Prentis went on to raise more concerns about the Horton General Hospital in Banbury, after proposals to make the maternity unit midwife-led and move high-risk pregnancies to the John Radcliffe.

She raised concerns that Oxford traffic could lead to mothers 'going into labour in the back of a car on the A34'.

In a press statement released after her speech, she added: "It has been an emotional week for everyone involved, but it is all worth it if we can raise greater awareness of the devastating experience of losing a baby.

"I really hope that we can continue to break the silence on this often under-reported issue, and I thank all of those who were brave enough to tell their stories this week.

"It was an honour to stand beside my colleagues and to represent the many constituents who share my very real fear over the changes to our much-loved and essential maternity unit at the Horton General Hospital.

"I can only hope that sharing my own experience will make a difference."