resources
for resources on continuing or ending a pregnancy,
see the resources page attached to the 'holding on & letting go' page
here are the links to the resource pages on LGBT+ and Baby Loss, and Balloon Releases
see the resources page attached to the 'holding on & letting go' page
here are the links to the resource pages on LGBT+ and Baby Loss, and Balloon Releases
The Safer Pregnancy site has been developed by Sands UK: Stillbirth is the death of an unborn baby at or after 24 weeks of pregnancy. It happens in around 1 in 230 pregnancies in the UK. While stillbirth is a difficult subject for pregnant women and their partners to think about, Sands knows that many parents do not realise it remains a possibility until their baby dies https://saferpregnancy.org.uk/ |
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UK charity Tommys have created a Movements Matter Campaign Video as part of their #movementsmatter campaign. The Movements Matter campaign challenges dangerous myths about baby movement during pregnancy, and gives mums-to-be the facts about what to do when they experience reduced fetal movements.
55% of women who had a stillbirth noticed their baby’s movements had slowed down or stopped but hadn’t reported it. If this symptom is reported promptly there is a window of opportunity in which the baby’s life may be saved. |
The Safer Baby Bundle for Australian maternity healthcare professionals is a collection of change ideas or interventions designed to reduce late pregnancy stillbirth. The interventions are based on evidence summaries developed in partnership with the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ).
Click here for information in 23 languages |
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Aotearoa NZ 'Sleep on Side While Baby's Inside' campaign
Research shows that going to sleep on your side from 28 weeks of pregnancy halves your risk of stillbirth compared with going to sleep on your back. Lying on your back in the last three months of pregnancy presses on major blood vessels, which can reduce blood flow to the womb and oxygen supply to the baby. This is a public health messaging campaign by the University of Auckland, Cure Kids and the Ministry of Health, that is designed to provide pregnant women with vital information that may reduce the risk of stillbirth in the late stages of pregnancy. |
Helping a Friend Who Has Lost a Baby
Parenting magazine OhBaby! asked me to write an article in 2014 on how to support friends when a baby has died, especially those in antenatal groups... ..Many of these families will have become part of an antenatal group, enjoying regular evenings filled with information, laughter and the anticipation of a new addition to their family. So what should the other members of the group do and say following the death of one of their group’s precious babies? Should you send a gift? Should you do anything at all? The answers apply not only to an antenatal group but to anyone whose sister, friend, neighbour, cousin or acquaintance has experienced the loss of a baby or babies. The answers also apply to any kind of baby loss; miscarriage, stillbirth, the very hard decision to induce a pregnancy due to a lethal or unexpected diagnosis, the death of a baby at birth or soon after... |
The Pregnancy After Loss (PALS) mission is to support women who are pregnant again after a previous loss in choosing hope over fear while nurturing grief during a subsequent pregnancy. PALS accomplishes this goal by creating an online community of woman-to-woman support where we share our stories of our different journeys through pregnancy after loss and create healing connections with fellow loss moms who are expecting again.
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The Deafening Silence A film commissioned by the UK charity Abigail’s Footsteps about stillbirth through the eyes of a mother. Aimed at midwives and any other staff that work in a maternity ward to help them better understand good and bad practice in relation to a stillbirth or neo-natal death. |
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Giving the News that a Baby Has Died
This video features Sherokee Ilse (author, parent advocate and bereavement educator, USA), Suzanne Pullen, PhD (communication expert, parent advocate and educator, USA), and Vicki Culling from NZ. We were together one afternoon in Phoenix, Arizona and discussing the lack of resources around communication with bereaved parents and families prior to, and after, their baby's death. So, with no preparation, script or make up - we made this video for health professionals. |
The Legacy of Leo
"I would describe being a same sex couple experiencing baby loss as being in a small pond, within a small pond. Whilst neither pond is actually that small once you start swimming around in it – you have to search far and wide to find others likes yourself." This website was set up after a couple experienced the loss of their precious baby, Leo Phoenix. After a journey of three IUI cycles and two IVF cycles, tragically Leo was stillborn at 37 weeks and 4 days. This website has links to resources and a blog. |
aotearoa nz stories of loss
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Emily's Story
This online video tells the story of Katherine Thomas’ daughter Emily – her brief life, her unexpected and tragic death and her blessing/farewell. It is a poignant story that encapsulates the anticipation and unbridled joy of a new baby and the deep, heartbreaking sadness at the loss of such a precious life. |
Misconceptions -
"Misconceptions" is a myth-busting web series about miscarriage that
will equip people with the tools they need when they, or their loved ones, experience a miscarriage.
Visit nzherald.co.nz/MisconceptionsNZ
to watch the series.
Radio NZ Podcast by Susie Ferguson
https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-unthinkable Kate Gudsell and Sam Arcus were married in November 2015 and just a few weeks later discovered they were pregnant with their first child. After a textbook pregnancy, Kate went into labour and then things began to go awry. In The Unthinkable, a five-part podcast series made and hosted by Susie Ferguson, Kate and Sam share their story of loss and grief but mainly it's a tale of love, the big, enduring love of parents for their child. |