The Loss Mothers
It is with an open heart that we introduce The Loss Mothers to you.This project will unfold over the coming months to encompass a series of podcasts and a photographic essay that bring together the stories and experiences of mothers who have loved, lost and grieved the death of their child.Women from all walks of life are being asked to tell their story, to share their experience of motherhood, and how the death of their child has changed their world.We will explore the stories of mothers, young and old, who have lost babies, children and adult children. We will delve into the uniqueness of each woman’s experience while coming to understand that the bonds of shared grief create universal threads that echo through time.The aim of this project is to bear witness, gain insight, bring light and honour stories that help us to understand the complexity and depth of a mother’s grief.With loveBec and Caitlin
The Loss Mothers
Amelia & Tommy 17
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Rebecca Gallagher & Caitlin Epps
This is the story of Amelia and Tommy. Amelia is mum to two sons- Aston and Tommy. Tommy was born unexpectedly and quickly at 17 weeks gestation. Amelia was able to spend some precious time with Tommy, appreciate his features, hold him, create some memories and invite a few family members to meet him- including Aston his big brother. This precious time meant a lot to Amelia and her family who are very early in their journey of grief. Amelia was gracious to speak with us about her birth experience with Tommy and what miscarriage means for her. Miscarriage in Australia is defined as a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation, this happens to 1 in 4 to 1 in 5 pregnancies. It is a grief that many women suffer in silence. A grief that sometimes is pushed to the side as an expected event for a woman to endure and often is accompanied by many unhelpful platitudes. As we go on to talk about, for some woman this may not have significant impact on their lives and for others this will be the beginning of a significant journey of grief and the alteration of life as they once knew it. Many do not get to experience holding, touching, seeing and sharing their baby but everyone who experiences miscarriage understands the emptiness left behind.We thank Amelia for sharing her personal and family story with rawness, honestly and bravery. We know the power of story telling and we know that by sharing your grief and Tommy that you will help many others. This is not a journey any woman should feel alone in.This episode is dedicated to little Tommy and to all the little footprints that may not have walked the earth but have left footprints on hearts across the world.Content warning: This episode discusses miscarriage/pregnancy loss. This content may be distressing for some listeners. Below is a list of resourcesSANDS Australia- Miscarriage, stillbirth & newborn death supporthttp://www.sands.org.auStillbirth awareness - Red Nose supports families who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy and is working collaboratively with the researchers and allied organisation to help prevent stillbirthhttps://rednose.org.au/Bears of Hope- Pregnancy and infant loss supporthttps://www.bearsofhope.org.au/Credits:Hosts- Rebecca Gallagher & Caitlin EppsGuest- Amelia Webb Follow usInstagram - @thelossmothers Facebook- www.facebook.com/thelossmothers