A nationwide crisis sparks an urgent call for more government funding to get to the bottom of the stillbirth mystery.
*Trigger warning this article discusses infant loss and stillbirth
Parramatta area suffers more child stillbirths than anywhere else in the country.
A new breakdown of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals the Parramatta statistical area, which includes Parramatta, Auburn, Westmead, Granville and Holroyd, saw 49 stillbirths in 2015 — the highest number of anywhere in Australia, reports Daily Telegraph.
Stillbirth Foundation Australia general manager Victoria Bowring said the new data showed the devastating local impact of what she labelled a nationwide stillbirth crisis.
“This latest breakdown reveals the awful reality confronting local communities throughout Australia,” Ms Bowring said.
“The suburbs around Parramatta are tragically seeing the highest number of stillbirths in the country, and frankly we don’t know why.
“Clearly more needs to be done to drive down the stillbirth rate and government must step up when it comes to research and education.
“Too many families in Sydney’s west have been touched by stillbirth for a business as usual approach to continue.”
“The idea that any parent should go home without their baby and know they would never take their baby home was horrifying to me,” Ms Bowring said.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), six children are stillborn every day in Australia.
The Stillbirth Foundation is calling for more government and corporate investment so they can fund more research into prevention, and more campaigns to let parents of unborn babies know what they can do to reduce the risk.
To donate, visit stillbirthfoundation.org.au
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