Over 11,200 babies die as a result of early pregnancy loss, stillbirth and neonatal death in Western Australia each year.
In order to help those that are effected by the alarming statistics, miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support charity Sands Western Australia is expanding its services across the state by launching a new support group in the South West region.
A new local face-to-face support group for parents who have experienced pregnancy loss and newborn death will launch on Saturday, July 22.
The group is available to the South West Region which includes Bunbury and Greater Bunbury, Busselton, Capel, Harvey, Donnybrook-Balingup, Augusta-Margaret River, Dalyellup, Collie, Dardanup, Harvey, Manjimup and Nannup.
A not-for-profit organisation, Sands provides emotional support, information and hope to parents and families who experience the death of a baby.
Sands WA President Janina Faulkner said all Sands volunteer parent supporters knew the heartbreak and devastation of losing a baby because they have all themselves experienced it.
“Although Sands support services are available nationally through our telephone support line, email and live chat facilities and locally in Perth through our two support groups, we are very excited to be able to expand our services to more bereaved families in regional areas of the state.”
Parents in the South West will now be able to attend local face-to-face support groups and benefit from meeting and connecting with other parents who are experiencing the heartache of pregnancy loss and newborn death.
The first one will be held on Saturday, July 22 at 2pm in Capel, and then every fourth Saturday of each month after then. For more information or to RSVP, email SouthWestWA@sands.org.au.
Sands WA have said they hope to continue to establish more local services across WA, including running more face-to face support groups, memorials and other events and information sessions for midwives and healthcare professionals.