"Loss of our baby at 21 weeks"

During our pregnancy experience (first-time mum), I kept being amazed at what the public health system provided to our family. The hospital would call to check in on us and make sure we were booking all of the needed appointments (we knew our bubby was sick). Ipswich referred us straight away to the Mater Mother's Fetal Medicine Unit but still kept in touch and booked appointments with their midwives as well. Nothing ever got missed. Every appointment was on time and the medical staff were just amazing at supporting and informing us! 

When we lost our little angel at 21 weeks we were in the Butterfly Room. To say our experience with the staff was amazing, should still be an understatement. Our terrible, sad time was made beautiful. Nothing was too much to ask. The room was beautiful with personal homely touches. The staff were so understanding and incredibly supportive. The social workers were amazing. They loved our baby, they spoke to our baby, they touched our baby and they always checked in on me - important to note, on a holistic level, not just my blood pressure (although this was insanely regular and documented ridiculously efficiently too).

We were so welcomed to stay as long as we needed. We were fed! My partner was allowed to stay and had a little bed. We were given a box to remember our baby. The midwives took my baby's footprints and handprints. They helped me through my labour. They helped me with everything - again, on a holistic level. A level much deeper than just medical. Every. Single. Staff. Member. All of them. 

The hospital organised for me to visit my daughter the following day. Nothing was too hard. When I arrived, my daughter was in the butterfly room and I stayed for hours. Everyone checked on me. A social worker was arranged so that I had support if I needed it. Everyone talked to my daughter. 

We are a middle-class family with health insurance but we don't have pregnancy cover. I was worried what our experience in a public and low socioeconomic area would be like. I had no reason to be worried. To be honest, I'm glad we didn't have pregnancy cover. Ipswich Hospital could not have done anything better. Not one thing. Perfection. Amazing. Superb. Brilliant. Words can't describe how blessed and grateful we are. 

A huge thank you to Ipswich Hospital and all of our midwives and everyone in between. No way am I having a baby anywhere else. Thank you for making our sad time a beautiful one. Thank you for knowing I needed things I didn't know I needed myself. Thank you for helping me grieve in a safe and empathetic space. Thank you for being an incredible hospital right the most amazing staff.