Community
10 October, 2023
Parents’ grieving day
TWO mums who have experienced pregnancy loss are encouraging bereaved parents to attend the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day at the Cairns RSL to raise awareness and create a safe space for grieving mums and dads.
With the support of the not-for-profit Bears of Hope, which supports people experiencing pregnancy and infant loss and the Cairns RSL, Tabbetha Reed from Mareeba and Janelle Ward from White Rock are hosting a Remembrance Day, free event, on October 15 to create a local network of parents who have experienced loss.
From 10am to noon, the event will include a morning tea, time to mingle with other attendees, a commemorative ceremony where parents write the names of their babies, gift bags and a space to share testimonies.
“We want people to know that this is a safe space and we’re not looking to trigger anyone,” Ms Ward said.
“If you’re not ready to talk or participate in the activities, you’re still welcome to enjoy a cuppa and be surrounded by others that have gone through this experience,” Ms Reed said.
Having experienced the loss of her baby daughter in 2018, Ms Reed realised there was a gap in services for parents experiencing loss in the region.
“I lost my daughter on Remembrance Day 2018. I had a normal pregnancy right until that day. I went to the hospital for reduced movement, and they sent me to Townsville, I was rushed into surgery, and she passed as doctors were getting her out,” she said.
“When we left hospital, I got in touch with Bears of Hope to volunteer and see what services were available in Cairns and there was really nothing where I could sit down and talk to people who had gone through the same thing. Since then, I’ve been trying to get pregnancy loss services in FNQ.”
Ms Reed and Ms Ward, who lost her baby in 2019, connected through a Mother’s Day high tea.
“I had a pretty normal pregnancy, and at our 20 weeks scan they discovered Lucy had no heartbeat. I went through a stillbirth labour two days later,” Ms Ward said.
To book a spot in the free event and for more information, see their Facebook event:
