General News
15 December, 2023
Supporting First Nation families with loss
A Yarriambiack midwife has created a resource that she hopes will assist First Nation families who experience the loss of a baby before or during birth.
A Yarriambiack midwife has created a resource that she hopes will assist First Nation families who experience the loss of a baby before or during birth.
Skye Stewart, a Wemba Wemba and Wergaia midwife from Woomelang, and recipient of a Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence Fellowship, saw a need in her people that was not being met with current resources.
This need encouraged her to develop Star Baby, a culturally responsive booklet to support First Nation people in their journey.
"We needed something that was made by us, for us, because our ways of knowing, being and doing are important and central to who we are," she said.
Ms Stewart's booklet offers clear and gentle guidance about each step of the process, starting with hearing the news about baby, preparing for the birth and what happens when the baby is born, honouring the child, and going home after the birth.
It also outlines each family’s options in regards to medical tests, offers practical information about funeral arrangements, and guidence for ceremonial and cultural practices.
Artwork in the booklet has been done by Gormanjanyuk and Wergaia woman Annie Joy, with an effort to ensure the resource is made by Indigenous people for Indigenous people.
“We know that as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we are more likely to lose our bubs in labour or pregnancy than our non-Indigenous friends," Ms Stewart said.
"I wanted to create a resource that can help women feel held, like a hug from Country."