Midwives and nurses inspire Mums Like Me
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Mum's like me
Midwives and nurses at a New South Wales hospital have inspired a Nowra woman to launch a not-for-profit organisation helping parents who experience stillbirth or neonatal loss.
- When Erin Hartigan lost her premature twin boys in October 2009, Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital midwives gave her a keepsake bag, which was funded and made by the midwives. - That kind gesture prompted Erin to launch Mums Like Me, an organisation that now supplies free memory boxes to 23 hospitals in Australia. - “I really had the most amazing midwives and nurses caring for me when my sons died,” Erin said. - “They were so very kind and presented me with a gorgeous keepsake bag…so that parents had something. - “I thought it was a beautiful gesture - all at their own time and expense.” - A year later, Erin met another mum who lost her baby daughter. - “It was such a positive meeting, that I didn’t want anyone else to have to wait a whole year before meeting someone like them,” she said. - “It was then that the Mums Like Me concept evolved. Once a month ‘mums like me’ meet and create our memory boxes, which are donated to hospitals who have requested our program. - “It is my hope that by creating these memory boxes and donating them to hospitals, I am also giving back to the wonderful professionals who cared for me. - “I'm glad that they will no longer have to worry of having something to give to bereaved parents.” - The memory boxes include items from sponsors at Russ Teddies, Australian Soy Candles, David Jones, Bubba Blue, Kora Organics By Miranda Kerr along with hand-made gifts. - “Our boxes are beautiful and we make sure every box is perfect,” Erin said. - “We also supply handmade scrapbook albums and tiny clothes for babies born after 20 weeks for those hospitals who don’t already have access to these.” - Erin said the group has donated 90 memory boxes in the past nine months. - “We have had overwhelming support from nurses and midwives in the hospitals we donate our memory boxes to,” she said. - “They are so very happy to receive something so beautiful to be able to pass onto bereaved parents. - “It also allows the midwives to help the parents in creating beautiful memories with their babies.” - Erin hopes more hospitals will take up the program and she plans to launch Mums Like Me meetings Australia-wide next year. - “When I meet with the lovely ladies of Mums Like Me, they just 'get it',” Erin said. - “I have met some very inspiring parents and amazing dedicated professional midwives - and my life is richer for having all these people in it.” - For more information visit www.mumslikeme.org Related articles: Share your thoughts Related and Recent Articles
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