News and media
Why my baby died: New graphic narrative from the Pregnancy Loss Research Group in collaboration with Amy Lauren
The Pregnancy Loss Research Group has curated the production of a graphic narrative in collaboration with Amy Lauren, an illustrator based in Dublin, to show bereaved parents’ views and experiences of hospital processes to find out why their baby died. The project was funded through an Irish Hospice Foundation Seed Grant, with the support of the Creative Ireland Programme.
Involving bereaved parents in their baby’s care and in the maternity hospital reviews that take place after a baby’s death can help parents manage their bereavement and plan for the future. In Ireland, bereaved parents generally have not been involved in this review process.
In 2021, we interviewed 20 bereaved parents, about their experience and views, to investigate how they could be involved in maternity hospital perinatal death reviews in ways that benefit them and the review process itself. This graphic narrative – “Why my baby died” – tells their story, in their own words.
For us, illustrating the research in this way, provides important, actionable insights to other parents, clinicians and policymakers into what is needed to promote better communication, awareness, and prevention of future deaths where possible - Professor Keelin O’Donoghue
To view the full graphic narrative please visit the “Why my baby died” project page.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this graphic narrative, you can find details of information and supports at www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie.
“Why my baby died“ is based on the research study “Bereaved parents’ involvement in maternity hospital perinatal death review processes: 'Nobody even thought to ask us anything'” by Dr Änne Helps, Professor Keelin O'Donoghue, Orla O'Connell and Dr Sara Leitao. We thank the parents who participated in this study, whose words form the basis of this graphic narrative.
This project was a collaboration between Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Marita Hennessy PhD, Dr Änne Helps, Dr Sara Leitao, Dr Daniel Nuzum, and Amy Lauren.
