2023 marked 30 years of a journey that began when my life was divided into two after our fourth child was stillborn in 1993. I am in a somewhat unique position to being a mother, grandmother, bereaved parent and grandparent, midwife, researcher, author, inventor and academic. I am very proud of everything that Emma’s death has brought to my life. Below I have summarised some of the achievements that I am most proud of on my journey from then to now, each done in her name and her memory as my way of parenting her:
I wrote and found a Publisher for my first book “Our baby died.” I wrote it because there wasn’t a good book to explain Emma’s death to our children.
In 1994 I also undertook SANDS counsellor training and started to provide peer to peer support for bereaved parents at SANDS support meetings. I also served on the Board of SANDS as the SANDS treasurer.
After my own very anxious subsequent pregnancy my Hubbie Mike and I started a support group called “Pregnancy after Loss support (PALS)” that we ran for bereaved couples in our own home for several years in the 90s until I commenced my PhD in the 00s.
We used those social connections to gather their stories to write and self publish a book for support in a subsequent pregnancy called “Pregnancy after loss”. It too was the only self-help book at the time of publication . Now there are many!
We used those social connections to gather their stories to write and self publish a book for support in a subsequent pregnancy called “Pregnancy after loss”. It too was the only self-help book at the time of publication . Now there are many!
While still on the SANDS board I served as the Chair of the conference organising committee for the SANDS Australia national “Living loving remembering” conference held in Adelaide in 1996
- By 2000 I had given multiple workshops for midwives and student midwives in Universities and Hospitals across Australia.
Midwife and the bereaved family published by AUSMED in 2000
I began a MPhil (part-time in 2001 ) which was “rolled over” to PhD in 2002
I didn’t have the necessary prerequisites to study for a PhD (Bachelor, Masters degree) however because of my recent textbook publication my Supervisor Dr Helen McCutcheon (then at Adelaide Uni) encouraged me to apply for an MPhil which “if I did well” could be rolled over to PhD.
I graduated with a PhD in 2007 after studying for only 6 years part-time.
I didn’t have the necessary prerequisites to study for a PhD (Bachelor, Masters degree) however because of my recent textbook publication my Supervisor Dr Helen McCutcheon (then at Adelaide Uni) encouraged me to apply for an MPhil which “if I did well” could be rolled over to PhD.
I graduated with a PhD in 2007 after studying for only 6 years part-time.
2008 I started work as an academic level B at UniSA. I mainly taught student midwives about research and also management of pregnancy complications including stillbirth. In the ensuing years I was delighted to receive several teaching excellence awards at both University and National Level.
I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2011 and Associate Professor in 2017
I was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2011 and Associate Professor in 2017
2009
- I Served on the Board of SIDS and Kids SA 2008-2011.
- I was instrumental in that organisation winning a Bendigo bank grant in 2009 to provide information on 4 steps to a SAFE pregnancy viz Sleep on side, Attend all appointments, learning Fetal movements, & Early expert advice when concerned.
2010
I attended and presented at my first International stillbirth alliance conference in Sydney. There I met many of my current research collaborators including Prof Alex Heazell, Dr Tomasina Stacey and leaders of the Star legacy foundation USA Lindsey Wimmer and Shauna Libsack.
I attended and presented at my first International stillbirth alliance conference in Sydney. There I met many of my current research collaborators including Prof Alex Heazell, Dr Tomasina Stacey and leaders of the Star legacy foundation USA Lindsey Wimmer and Shauna Libsack.
2012-2018
I served two terms on the ISPID Board as the member elected Stillbirth representative.
I served two terms on the ISPID Board as the member elected Stillbirth representative.
2013 – current
In 2013 I commenced a collaboration with others in North America that has resulted in multiple funded research studies and the invention and patenting of a sleep position device (Prenabelt) to help pregnant women sleep comfortably on their side.
In 2013 I commenced a collaboration with others in North America that has resulted in multiple funded research studies and the invention and patenting of a sleep position device (Prenabelt) to help pregnant women sleep comfortably on their side.
2015
In 2015 I started writing a BLOG called “Still talking” where I can address current issues and controversies in Stillbirth globally.
In 2015 I started writing a BLOG called “Still talking” where I can address current issues and controversies in Stillbirth globally.
2016-current
- Ms Claire Foord invited me to serve on the Still Aware Board of Directors.
- Together with Claire I developed and then delivered (across Australia) Still Aware clinician training.
- I have also been instrumental in developing the content of their collateral.
- I served a term as Chairman of the Board from 2019-2022
- I am currently leading their WINDS project as their Stillbirth Research Consultant.
2016
Published with my USA Colleague Joann O’Leary a book to assist care providers to meet needs of Parents pregnant and parenting after Loss
Published with my USA Colleague Joann O’Leary a book to assist care providers to meet needs of Parents pregnant and parenting after Loss
2017
I was honoured to be recognised by my research peers as the 2017 Star legacy foundation researcher of the year for my “significant contribution to stillbirth research globally”
I was honoured to be recognised by my research peers as the 2017 Star legacy foundation researcher of the year for my “significant contribution to stillbirth research globally”
2018-Current
I have donated substantial amounts of my time and expertise to the NHMRC funded stillbirth CRE from its inception to present especially as an Associate investigator for the NHMRC partnership grant. Also in providing my expertise in the formation of all of the elements of their Safer baby bundle. Serving on several of their committees, as well as contributing to their research priority setting exercise.
I have donated substantial amounts of my time and expertise to the NHMRC funded stillbirth CRE from its inception to present especially as an Associate investigator for the NHMRC partnership grant. Also in providing my expertise in the formation of all of the elements of their Safer baby bundle. Serving on several of their committees, as well as contributing to their research priority setting exercise.
2018
I was called as a “witness” to the Stillbirth senate inquiry in both Adelaide and Sydney. Later was invited to contribute to the stakeholder consultation to develop the National stillbirth action plan.
I was called as a “witness” to the Stillbirth senate inquiry in both Adelaide and Sydney. Later was invited to contribute to the stakeholder consultation to develop the National stillbirth action plan.
2019
I was very proud to have been invited to give a Keynote address to my international colleagues at the ISA conference in Madrid
I was very proud to have been invited to give a Keynote address to my international colleagues at the ISA conference in Madrid
2019
I was delighted to gain recognition from my midwifery discipline and Sands Australia through an award recognising a “career in making a difference to bereaved families
I was delighted to gain recognition from my midwifery discipline and Sands Australia through an award recognising a “career in making a difference to bereaved families
2020
Publication of “Different pregnancy different baby“ an update written with international colleagues on my book pregnancy after loss
Publication of “Different pregnancy different baby“ an update written with international colleagues on my book pregnancy after loss
From 2021-launch in Nov 2022
I Worked with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health care Clinical standard working group.
I was invited to contribute to the formation of the new Stillbirth Clinical Care standard as a “topic working group” member
I Worked with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health care Clinical standard working group.
I was invited to contribute to the formation of the new Stillbirth Clinical Care standard as a “topic working group” member
July 2023
I retired as an Academic in order to focus on my Stillbirth research consultancy
I retired as an Academic in order to focus on my Stillbirth research consultancy
For more about me please see my current CV