Lifting lid on a silent tragedy
ATREUS Stanley Burvill would have celebrated his first birthday on April 7, but tragically his parents Courtney and Ben lost their only child at 22 weeks gestation when he was born still.
“Experiencing stillbirth was absolutely mind-blowing and traumatic,” said Mrs Burvill. “Mind-blowing to find out how many people actually experience it, and traumatic in the sense there is no way to control your feelings or emotions.”
The Upper Coomera couple say their grief haunts them daily, but they’re speaking out to start the conversation about stillbirth, something that affects six in 10 Australians.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the nation holds one of the worst records in the developed world for stillbirth with almost 2200 babies (six a day) born still every year.
Because this rate has remained unchanged for 20 years, a consortium of organisations has joined forces to create Still Six Lives. It plans to lift the lid on the hidden tragedy of stillbirth and arm people with knowledge that could save an unborn life.
Funded by the federal government, Still Six Lives is delivered by a consortium of organisations including Red Nose, Stillbirth and Newborn Death Support, Stillbirth Foundation and the Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence.
Red Nose chief midwife and manager of health and advocacy Jane Wiggill said the rate of stillbirth in Australia was 6.7 per 1000 births.
“That’s one family suffering this devastating loss every four hours,” she said.
“Not every stillbirth is preventable, despite enormous technological and medical advances … but there are three simple steps that can help reduce the risk.”
These include stopping smoking and avoiding second-hand
smoke, contacting a professional if you feel a change in your baby’s movements, and sleeping on your side from 28 weeks. This can halve the risk of stillbirth compared to sleeping on your back.
Still Six Lives spokeswoman Jackie Mead said the stigma of having a stillborn baby was stopping people from sharing vital information.
“We need to move on from unhelpful myths about mothers being emotional and worrying too much, or even that they can wake their baby up instead of contacting professionals,” she said.
After trying for two-anda-half years to conceive, Mrs Burvill said nothing could have prepared the couple for being told Atreus had a severe case of Spina Bifida, including
fluid on the brain and an exposed spine. She was induced to give birth when he was 22 weeks.
Mrs Burvill said holding her son the first time was “magical” and that they were able to cuddle and kiss Atreus for 48 hours before leaving the hospital and their baby behind. She said there was no timeline on grief and it wasn’t weak to ask for help.
“I was so hard on myself for so long. I didn’t see any way through what had happened. My husband was worse. He tried to remain strong for me, and hurt himself doing so. I found out the day before my birthday he was feeling suicidal. That’s when everything truly hit and we sought help.”
Details are available preventstillbirth.org.au at