A LIGHTHOUSE Beach couple has generously donated specialist equipment to Port Macquarie Base Hospital to help comfort grieving parents of stillborn babies.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The loss of a baby to stillbirth is a tragic event and there's usually very little opportunity for the parents to spend time with their baby.
The "cuddle cot" is a piece of medical equipment that can be taken home, giving parents of stillborn babies the opportunity to take their time saying goodbye.
"Most people do not know about cuddle cots because it's such a painful subject, but they allow parents to make a connection with their child," Leah Zvirzdinas of the Hastings Maternity Coalition said.
"It's important for parents to spend time with their baby and the cuddle cot makes that possible," she said.
"It's a chance to create memories and to say goodbye."
The Maternity Coalition, which is about to celebrate its first anniversary of providing support to women and ensuring they have access to maternity care choices, was fundraising to purchase a cuddle cot when Bittersweet Cafe owners Lance and Georgia Dunn decided to buy the equipment.
"Time is priceless," Mr Dunn said. "You can't put a value on time, so for Georgia and me this is a lovely feeling - to be able to give parents something that is priceless."
The cuddle cot is valued at $3500. The Maternity Coalition donated the bassinette, sheets and other accessories bringing the donation to $4000.
Port Macquarie Base Hospital's deputy director of nursing and midwifery, Alan Pretty, thanked Mr and Mrs Dunn and the Maternity Coalition for their gift.
"It's not an easy thing to talk about, but your gift will make a difficult time more bearable for families and for the midwives," he said.