This is My Story - Hannah

In this series of personal stories we hear from parents who have suffered pregnancy or baby loss. We hold space for loss and grief, and we remember our babies gone too soon.

In sharing their stories, these parents are beginning to exorcise the triple demons of stigma, silence and ignorance that afflict so many conversations in the perinatal bereavement space.

Parents share their journeys and the lessons they have learned about grief, parenthood, friendship and living after the death of their baby. They tell us how they have changed, who they have become, and what truly matters now.

Amber and her mummy

It took me five long years to fall pregnant with Amber. The day before her birth, I attended my routine midwife appointment. My pregnancy had been healthy with no known concerns.

When my midwife couldn’t find her heartbeat with the Doppler, I wasn’t too worried.

I thought Amber was just in a tricky position. The midwife asked the obstetrician to come in and do an ultrasound. I could tell straight away that something was wrong.

I was sent to radiology for a more detailed scan. That’s when I was told that my baby had died.

My world shattered in that moment.

Amber’s birth was the most traumatic, yet also the most incredible and powerful experience of my life.

On the 1st of May 2025, I was induced and gave birth to my beautiful baby girl, Amber Elizabeth, at 31 weeks and 5 days.

She was absolutely perfect, 37cm long and weighing 4lb 7oz.

Holding her brought a deep sense of joy, even as my heart completely broke.

I spent a few days in hospital with Amber, looking after her in the only ways I could. I held her, sang to her, told her all the things we had done together while she was in my belly, and all the things I wished I could do with her.

Life since losing Amber has been incredibly hard. It is a very lonely kind of grief.

Reaching out and connecting with other women who have experienced this has brought some comfort. A fellow bereaved mother told me about Possum Portraits.

My Possum Portrait brought tears to my eyes. It means so much to have another way to honour and remember Amber.

It makes me feel happy, and like I have another image of my girl to cherish. My Possum Portrait will be proudly displayed in my home for all to see and remember her by.

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