Create dedicated bereavement birthing suites in Australia
The issue
The experience of a stillbirth in 2024 opened my eyes to a cruel reality within our healthcare facilities. During this heartbreaking time, confined in a room separated only by a butterfly sticker, I was surrounded by the sounds and sights of joy—newborn cries, joyful family celebrations, and parents with their babies. In the depths of grief, these reminders only compounded the pain, underscoring the urgent need for dedicated spaces for families enduring such a loss.
For those experiencing the unimaginable tragedy of a stillbirth or infant loss, the environment can greatly influence the grieving process. Australian families in these circumstances deserve access to private, secure, and trauma-informed spaces that honor their needs. Current facilities often place them within standard maternity wards, a painful proximity to the very reminder of their sorrow.
Statistics reveal that in Australia, there are approximately six stillbirths for every 1,000 births, a heart-wrenching figure representing over 2,000 families each year. These families are thrust into an emotional journey that requires sensitivity and understanding, not just from healthcare professionals but also from the environment in which they find themselves.
We propose the development of fully isolated bereavement suites in hospitals across Australia. These spaces should be physically separated from maternity wards, providing families with the privacy they desperately need. Such suites would include soundproof walls to shield grieving parents from the sounds of healthy newborns and ensure that they have the space to mourn without additional trauma.
Implementing dedicated bereavement suites can foster a healing process that respects the emotional well-being of families. It is an actionable step towards improving the healthcare experience and demonstrating compassion and empathy for parents dealing with loss.
Sign this petition to urge healthcare providers and decision-makers to prioritize this much-needed change. Let’s ensure every family in Australia can grieve in a space that honors their profound loss with dignity and respect.
My main goal is to make sure that no other mother feels alone in these hours of need!!
46
The issue
The experience of a stillbirth in 2024 opened my eyes to a cruel reality within our healthcare facilities. During this heartbreaking time, confined in a room separated only by a butterfly sticker, I was surrounded by the sounds and sights of joy—newborn cries, joyful family celebrations, and parents with their babies. In the depths of grief, these reminders only compounded the pain, underscoring the urgent need for dedicated spaces for families enduring such a loss.
For those experiencing the unimaginable tragedy of a stillbirth or infant loss, the environment can greatly influence the grieving process. Australian families in these circumstances deserve access to private, secure, and trauma-informed spaces that honor their needs. Current facilities often place them within standard maternity wards, a painful proximity to the very reminder of their sorrow.
Statistics reveal that in Australia, there are approximately six stillbirths for every 1,000 births, a heart-wrenching figure representing over 2,000 families each year. These families are thrust into an emotional journey that requires sensitivity and understanding, not just from healthcare professionals but also from the environment in which they find themselves.
We propose the development of fully isolated bereavement suites in hospitals across Australia. These spaces should be physically separated from maternity wards, providing families with the privacy they desperately need. Such suites would include soundproof walls to shield grieving parents from the sounds of healthy newborns and ensure that they have the space to mourn without additional trauma.
Implementing dedicated bereavement suites can foster a healing process that respects the emotional well-being of families. It is an actionable step towards improving the healthcare experience and demonstrating compassion and empathy for parents dealing with loss.
Sign this petition to urge healthcare providers and decision-makers to prioritize this much-needed change. Let’s ensure every family in Australia can grieve in a space that honors their profound loss with dignity and respect.
My main goal is to make sure that no other mother feels alone in these hours of need!!
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Petition created on 26 September 2026