Kylie and Ben's story

 

Milla Ashlee Faulks was born sleeping at 12:25pm on June 16th 2013. After what seemed to be a textbook pregnancy Milla was born at just 25weeks having passed away a couple of days prior due to unknown complications.

 

Together Ben and I were able to spend five wonderful hours with our little girl. With the help of our family we squeezed in a lifetime worth of love and hugs into those precious and forever-cherished hours. Just as all new parents do we had the pleasure of fumbling our way through her first bath and struggled as we dressed her in her tiny gown. She met her grandparents and was passed around to all of her uncles and aunties for countless kisses, hugs and photos.

 

At 5:20pm, six months and five hours with our little girl, Ben and I decided it was time to let her go. With a heavy heart we handed her to the midwife, kissed her little head and said goodbye to her for the last time. Despite efforts from our wonderful doctors, countless tests and a full autopsy, the cause of death for our beautiful daughter still is and forever will remain unknown. 

 

Sadly our story is not unique, and amongst stillborn babies an unknown cause of death is all too common. Current statistics indicate that up to 40% of stillbirth cases will go undiagnosed. Stillbirth itself occurs at an estimated rate of 1 in every 135 births Australia wide, with an average of six babies born still every day. It is the leading cause of infant mortality and is almost ten times more common than SIDS. These numbers are high, and have not changed in the past two decades.

 

Unfortunatley due to the stigma surrounding such a devastating event, the awareness and funding needed for further research and family assistance is not being met. As a mum to an angel I know all too well how important support from family, friends and dedicated foundations can be during such a difficult time. Knowing that I wasn't alone on my journey, and that other mothers were walking the same path, made all the difference in the days and months following our loss.

 

This year will mark Milla's second birthday. In celebartion we have decided to host the Still Sparkling event in support of the Stillbirth Foundation Australia. Every dollar raised will be donated to this wonderful charity who since 2009 has allocated more than $1 million to funding research, and supporting families of stillborn babies.

 

This is a cause forever etched in my heart. In hosting this event and being a small but loud voice for this cause it is my hope that in the years to come we not only see a reduction in numbers associated with stillbith, but also remove the stigma associated with the devastating loss of a child.

 

We sincerely hope you will accept our invitation and join us in celebrating the short but sweet life of our daughter Milla, and help raise awareness and support for the families who may one day walk in our shoes.

 

Much Love
Kylie and Ben