A Port Stephens woman is lobbying for support to ensure every hospital in Australia boasts a dedicated bereavement suite or room.

Following the stillbirth of her son, Huxley, at 20 weeks in September 2020, Sophie Toneguzzi wants to make sure no-one goes through what she did.

And, now with the backing of Red Nose Australia, she’s started a petition, which she hopes to present to the House of Representatives (The House) to debate the merits of her request.

Currently, parents who experience a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal passing and baby or child death are often kept in the same space as beaming pregnant people, maternity wards or with happy laughing children.

There are several facilities around the country, including The Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, who help ease the trauma.

But, that isn’t always the case, according to Ms Toneguzzi.

“After finding out Huxley’s heart had stopped beating at our 20-week scan, which was a Monday, I had to go to the hospital twice before actually giving birth,” she explained.

“It was traumatic enough losing our baby.

“However, having to walk through the maternity ward was hard.

“Seeing all the pregnant women so excited for their futures with their unborn babies while I walked past knowing my beautiful boy had passed was traumatising.

“This is not a want… it’s a need.

“These special rooms must be in every single hospital in Australia.

“Families suffering such a traumatic loss need these bereavement suites to be able to spend special time with their angels in comfort and peace.

“I’m asking The House to understand how important it is for a room to be included in every hospital.”

Red Nose CEO and bereavement specialist Keren Ludski fully supports Ms Toneguzzi’s stance – and her petition.

“Losing a baby or child is a one of the worst things a family can experience,” she said.

“We know there’s no way to make this better for families.

“But, there are certainly ways to make it worse.

“Having families birthing a stillborn baby right next to the cries of newborns can exacerbate the pain and contribute to complicated grief, long-term depression, PTSD and other mental health disorders.

“We know early intervention and support for bereaved families leads to better outcomes.

“This can start well before the birth.”

Saturday 25 March marks a special day for bereaved families as they come together to say the names or nicknames of the treasured babies and children they’ve loved and lost.

Sadly, in Australia, 2,200 babies are stillborn each year.

To put your name on the petition, visit www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Petitions before 11pm on 5 April.

So far, the signature count sits at 27,233.

Red Nose Australia also provides 24/7 bereavement support on 1300 308 307.

For more community stories:

• Care runs deep throughout The Sista Circle
• Newcastle researchers welcome $17.6 million funding boost 
• Congrats to Newy Lions Hearing Dog ‘Kalli’

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.