Warning: This story contains content that may be distressing for some readers.
When Larissa Genat made the heartbreaking discovery her first daughter, Ariella, was stillborn, she didn't know what to expect going forward.
"I was full term at the end of a perfectly normal pregnancy, and then at a midwife appointment we found out there was no heartbeat and our daughter had died," Ms Genat said.
Ms Genat said she was fortunate to have a supportive midwife throughout the difficult process.
"She was with us at the diagnosis during labour, for our birth, she was with us when we left the hospital and she kept visiting us afterwards for follow-up care," she said.
But Ms Genat said some women she has spoken with had not had a supportive experience.
"I know some women who have had their midwife leave halfway through labour because their shift ended or doctors coming in and not realising the baby had already died, or being asked to sign off on an autopsy halfway through labour," she said.
Ms Genat and other bereaved parents have recently shared their experiences with SA Health to help inform the new South Australian Stillbirth Action Plan aimed at improving bereavement care and communication around investigating stillbirth.
The plan is also aimed at increasing the rate of parents electing to investigate causes of death.
"We chose not to have an autopsy, but I read that information now and I think, this is what I wish I had nine years ago," Ms Genat said.
"The only way we'll be able to help prevent stillbirth is understanding why they happen, and to understand that we need to investigate."
State project follows national plan
Every day in Australia, six babies are stillborn, impacting more than 2,000 families each year.
The risk is double for First Nations and some migrant women.
In 2020, the National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan was launched following a 2018 Senate inquiry into stillbirth.
The project lead for the South Australian plan, Bec Smith, said improving services around an emotionally difficult time could help future parents.
"Our rate of stillbirth has remained relatively unchanged for the last 15 to 20 years despite the advances in medical practice," Ms Smith said.
"If we can try and find out why babies die, we can potentially put interventions in place."
The new education tool is available in several languages and also includes cultural awareness training to assist all families.
More support for healthcare workers
Lyn Bastian has had a career in midwifery for about 30 years.
She said no formal education was ever provided about stillbirth when she entered the workforce.
"Most of my learning has been through colleagues, doctors, social workers, and it's just developed over the years," Ms Bastian said.
"If we can give consistent information to women, their support people and their families, then they can actually make the right decision for themselves."
Ms Genat, who has had four children since Ariella's birth, said she hoped her experience would help families through their most difficult moments.
"It's just such an honour to share her story and know that she's still making an impact even though she's not here anymore."
