Stillbirth: A Father's Story, with Nyck Jeanes

In this interview, Oni speaks with local father Nyck Jeanes. Nyck is also a musician, producer, independent journalist, and as one close friend describes him; a social engineer; he’s out to help change the way we relate to one another, understand the world around us and live our lives.

This interview was recorded nearly two years ago and with floods, and other events, it is only now we are airing it.

PBB met Nyck in his former role as the president of BayFM, our local community radio station; the very place that Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond started so many years ago.

Nyck has always been a truth seeker who comes from a place of an eternal wonder like an inquisitive child but with wise and sharp intellect to investigate and articulate the wonder. He is a friend of many and has been a backbone for so many in the community.

Nyck has a big heart, and enthusiasm to tell the story. In this interview, his story is a rich and deep story that includes a pivotal moment in his life; the birth and death of his first child. Nyck generously and wisely shares this story with us decades later. It includes the story of an inquest and the braveness of acting in a painful and challenging time.

Oni was honoured to sit and witness Nyck talk as a father, after us sitting next to him at the radio station for many years as our show used to air just after his finished. It was only years later, after a spontaneous conversation at a cafe did Oni realise what Nyck had gone through as a father.

Thank you Nyck and we hope you appreciate this conversation.

Please see below for details of helplines if you or your loved ones need help

Organisations for support: (via www.iamstillborn.com)

Sands – Sands provides support, information and education to anyone affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. They have helplines you can call up and they also have face to face events. There is lots of info on their website. http://www.sands.org.au/

Bears of Hope – Bears Of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support provides leading support and exceptional care for families who experience the loss of their baby. Bears of Hope has a great Facebook group for grieving parents. There is also one group set up just for Dads. http://www.bearsofhope.org.au/

The Stillbirth Foundation Australia is the only Australian charity dedicated to stillbirth research. We are 100 percent community funded. It was launched by Emma McLeod in October 2005 after Olivia, Emma’s second child and first daughter, died unexpectedly in utero and was born still on 31 July 2002. They have a birth remembrance on their website for all the babies gone too soon. They also have information for parents who are dealing with their grief. http://stillbirthfoundation.org.au/