General News
27 February, 2024
A 'hug' for those who lose a bub
A Wimmera midwife has created a resource that she hopes will assist First Nations 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 Nations people at a timne of loss.
"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 practical information about funeral arrangements, and guidance for ceremonial and cultural practices.
“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," she said.
"I wanted to create a resource that can help women feel held, like a hug from Country."