Alexander James Hoy was welcomed into the world on February 21, a year after his twin brothers Henry and William were born still on February 13, 2017.

Parents and Port Macquarie couple Jacqueline and Jonathon Hoy are ambassadors for the Stillbirth Foundation Australia.

They have worked hard over the past year to help break down the taboo and encourage people to open the conversation about the difficult subject. 

A team from Port Macquarie participated in the 2017 City to Surf and helped raise $35,000 for the Stillbirth Foundation Australia.

Jacqueline has worked with another ambassador to set up an online networking forum for parents who are suffering from the tragic loss of their baby to stillbirth.

“It’s a community based group where people can share their stories and gain support,” she said. 

It is a safe place for parents to connect with one another and talk about how they are feeling.

“It’s important that people know they’re not alone when going through the grieving process,” Jacqueline said.

Jacqueline felt very nervous and anxious in the lead up to Alexander’s birth. 

“I’m so grateful to the support at Port Macquarie Hospital from the obstetricians and midwives,” she said. 

Alexander was born premature in an emergency caesarean section and spent two days in special care at the hospital. 

Five months on Jacqueline said Alexander is healthy, happy and a very ‘chilled’ baby. 

She described the moment when he was born as ‘bittersweet’ because he looked so much like the twins. 

Alexander has had a very positive impact on the Hoy family and Jacqueline said his two older brothers Lachlan (10 years-old) and Edward (four years-old) think he is very special. 

The Stillbirth Foundation Australia recently used its submission to the Senate Inquiry into Stillbirth Research and Education, to call for a National Action Plan.

The foundation has highlighted medical practitioner education, public education, research and data collection as four key areas that must be addressed in a comprehensive way.

The approach would see the Federal Government partner with organisations like the foundation, bereaved families and experts, to develop a comprehensive approach to addressing stillbirth.

Jacqueline said it’s something which is really needed and long overdue.

The plan would help raise awareness and champion greater investment in stillbirth research and education.

“The more research that happens, the more we can find out about potential risk factors and the better off we’ll all be,” she said. 

If you have experienced a stillbirth tragedy and want to connect to others for support visit the Stillbirth Foundation Parents page on Facebook.