E tūtaki ana ngā kapua o te rangi, kei runga, kei runga te Mangoroa e kōpae pū ana | The clouds in the sky close over, but above them spreads the milky way

PERINATAL MATTERS

Baby Loss

Baby Loss

Sadly according to the most recent data available from Statistics NZ, 604 babies from 20 weeks of pregnancy, until 27 days of age, died in 2018. This means that ten babies died for every 1000 registered births. Furthermore, it is estimated that between 13,000 to 15,000 women experience a miscarriage per year; this figure is roughly based on the statistic of one in four pregnancies ending in miscarriage. (*14th PMMRC report).

Please see the PADA video – A story about Baby Loss by Amie Matthews Whenuaroa. Please note this video may be triggering for parents experiencing loss of their child.

 

    Baby Loss – for Family and Whānau

    Where to go to get support

    Please see the following places for information for family and whānau experiencing the death of a baby or child. 

    Sands New Zealand – Supporting bereaved parents, families and whānau throughout New Zealand. Non-judgemental support for any gestation, any reason.

    Wheturangitia – Information for family and whānau experiencing the death of a baby or child.

    Baby Loss NZ – Static NZ website for information on Pregnancy Baby & Infant Loss Support

    Miscarriage Matters – Website to improve the experience of miscarriage in Aotearoa by empowering people with information, advocacy and support.

    See here for a full list of all the support services available in Aotearoa New Zealand, for families affected by the loss of a baby.

    Baby Loss – for Health Professionals

    Resources to support families with loss

    For families experiencing loss of a baby, there are no words for the magnitude of the grief and pain they will experience after this life changing event. The following resource gives you some information to help you support grieving parents with their loss.

    In the accompanying PADA Popup Chat, Vicki Culling talks about grief, and offers guidance around communication, specifically what to say and not say, including examples based on feedback from bereaved parents and families. Vicki is also references this article: Don’t Let it Be the Elephant in the Room – How to Support a Friend or Family Member Who Has Lost a Baby

    PADA Baby Loss Resource

    See the following places for information for health professionals supporting family and whānau with the death of a baby or child. 

    Vicki Culling Associates – training, online learning and consultation on all aspects of perinatal and infant loss in Aotearoa New Zealand

    The Perinatal & Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) is an independent committee that reviews the deaths of babies and mothers in New Zealand.

      

    Sands New Zealand – Supporting bereaved parents, families and whānau throughout New Zealand. Non-judgemental support for any gestation, any reason.

    Wheturangitia – Information for family and whānau experiencing the death of a baby or child.

    Dr Kumari Valentine is a NZ Clinical Psychologist with a passion for developing mindfulness based resources that nurture wellness including online courses and albums.

    Following the loss of her first child at full term, Kumari recorded an album with Meditations for Pregnancy and Baby Loss. Kumari feels strongly that we need to make talking about different types of birth trauma non taboo. Kumari has also released an album with tracks for those going through a complicated pregnancy. At the current time, Covid makes the experience of pregnancy complicated! These albums and more, including visualisations for children, are available on Spotify, ITunes, and YouTubeMusic. Kumari’s recordings are short for busy women who want to find greater ease. Visit www.kumarivalentine.com for information about Dr Kumari’s latest course and details of albums.