Pregnancy after loss can be one of the most complex and emotional journeys a family will face. The mix of hope, fear and grief makes every scan and milestone deeply significant. Compassionate, continuous care can make all the difference.
For Rob Saunders and his wife, Dale, that care proved lifesaving.
After losing their stillborn daughter Billie, the couple returned to the Women’s for another pregnancy six years later. Supported with pregnancy after loss care, they were closely monitored from early on.
“At 24 weeks, our doctor picked up that the baby wasn’t growing as expected,” Rob said. “We started weekly scans, and thankfully our second daughter Addison was born safely at 36 weeks. Without that extra care, it could have ended very differently.”
Associate Professor Julia Unterscheider, Director of the Birth Centre and Consultant Obstetrician of the Pregnancy after Loss Service at the Women’s, said this kind of continuity provides both medical safety and emotional reassurance.
“We know that families who have experienced stillbirth need both medical and emotional support,” she said. “Having the same team throughout the pregnancy helps build trust and reduce anxiety.”
At the Women’s, care for families after loss focuses on safety, compassion and partnership. It recognises that grief doesn’t end when a new pregnancy begins.
“Our aim is to walk beside parents through that next pregnancy, and provide them with individualised care to help them feel supported and safe,” A/Prof Unterscheider said.
To thank the hospital and raise awareness, Rob will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled on a kick scooter in 24 hours (more than 270 kilometres) in November. He hopes to raise $100,000 through his Scooting for Hope campaign to support pregnancy after loss care at the Women’s.
“Every lap is a tribute to Billie,” Rob said. “If sharing our story helps one family feel less alone, it’s worth every kilometre.”
Support Rob’s campaign: dandelion-fund.raiselysite.com