Mummy to Midwife | Remembering baby Darcy

Please note that this episode contains discussion of stillbirth and infant loss. Please check in with yourself while listening and if you’re feeling anxious or worried pause or stop the podcast – your mental wellbeing is the priority.

Today we welcome the beautiful Brooke – a courageous woman and mother who has experienced unthinkable loss. Brooke shares the heart-wrenching experience of losing her beautiful baby boy Darcy at 37 weeks, due to a full placental abruption. Now studying to become a midwife, she sheds light on how to support other mothers and families who are grieving the loss of a baby. Brooke’s vulnerability and strength is truly remarkable; this emotional chat is one we will never forget.

For support:

Red Nose helps save little lives through research and education, and support families affected by the death of a baby or child. With over 40 years’ experience supporting grieving individuals and families, Red Nose understands what you’re going through and is here to help.

Sands Australia are a self-help support group comprised of parents who have experienced the death of a baby. Now part of Red Nose, Sands continues to offer peer to peer support to parents, grandparents, friends and family.

You can access the Red Nose and Sands 24/7 Support Line on 1300 308 307.

Bears of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support

Bears of Hope is a provider of leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby, providing crucial information and guidance during their difficult time of loss and beyond.

You can reach them on 1300 114 673.

Penthos

Penthos provides free therapy for grieving couples.

They offer a specialised 16-week therapy program for couples whose grief is not resolving, and who are experiencing relationship difficulties, at least three months after the death of their child or loss of a pregnancy.

https://www.penthos.org.au/

Psychology services via a Medicare mental health plan through your GP

Talk to your doctor about a mental health care treatment plan.

If needed, the plan enables you to claim up to 20 sessions per calendar year with mental health professionals registered with Medicare including psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors and social workers.

To find out more, visit Services Australia.

Heart Space

Heart Space by Ami Summers is a self-directed, therapeutically reviewed coaching book designed to help families through all stages of loss. You can also find downloadable grief and loss resources on the site.

https://www.heartspacebook.com/

Books

Empty Cradle, Broken Heart by Deborah L. Davis

The Baby Loss Guide by Zoe Clark-Coates

Saying Goodbye by Zoe Clark-Coates

Healing Your Grieving Heart After Stilbirth by Alan D. Wolfelt & Raelynn Maloney

Mackenzie’s Mission by Rachael Casella

Small Miracles: Coping with infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth by Rachel Stanfield-Porter

Changed: Living with Stillbirth by Liza Jankowski

Ask Me His Name by Elle Wright

Miscarriage – series 1 by Wood Nails & Cotton

Miles Apart by Annabel Bower

My Sibling Above by Mikhailla Fitzgerald