Why my baby died: A graphic narrative

What was this project about?

The death of a baby during pregnancy, at or soon after birth (perinatal death) is devastating for parents, families and staff involved. While pregnancy loss is a ‘common’ outcome of pregnancy, it remains a neglected area of research and resourcing, and steeped in stigma.

To challenge this stigma around pregnancy loss, and bridge the gap between what we know from research and what happens in policy and practice, we strive to disseminate our research in creative ways, with a wide audience.

We commissioned Amy Lauren, an illustrator who works in coloured pencils, broad colour palettes and storytelling, to work with us on our first graphic medicine project: “Why my baby died”.

“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.

What was involved?

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.

Who was involved?

Project team

Acknowledgements

We thank the parents who participated in this study, whose words form the basis of this graphic narrative.

Copyrighted illustrations by Amy Lauren. Book design by Amy Lauren.

Dissemination activities

Invited talks

• Hennessy M, Helps Ä, Lauren A, Leitao S, Nuzum D, O'Donoghue K. Why My Baby Died. Irish Hospice Foundation Arts and Creative Engagement Roundtable Gathering. Dublin, 15 June 2023.

Press releases

• Irish Hospice Foundation. (2022, December 08) Seed grant recipients 2022-2023 announced.

• Pregnancy Loss Research Group. (2023, June 06) Why my baby died: New graphic narrative from the Pregnancy Loss Research Group in collaboration with Amy Lauren.

Exhibition

• “Why my baby died” was first exhibited at The Glucksman, University College Cork in May 2023.

Irish Hospice Foundation website

• Why my baby died: A visual narrative

Exhibition, The Glucksman, May 2023

Project status

Completed: November 2022 to May 2023

For support

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.

Further information

Please email Marita Hennessy PhD: maritahennessy@ucc.ie