Steve and Kath Currie have experienced every parent’s worst nightmare.
When the couple lost their daughter, Melinda Grace, to stillbirth at Werribee Mercy Hospital in July 2013, they weren’t ready to say goodbye straight away.
In these moments, time is precious and every second counts.
While the Seabrook couple were unable to spend as much time as they would have liked with their daughter, their experience triggered a fundraising campaign to help parents in similar circumstances.
The community – in particular, PCL Construction and the residents of Point Cook Village – threw its support behind the campaign. Last week, the couple were back at the hospital to present two cuddle cots, which they hope will help ease some of the pain for parents after losing a child.
Cuddle cots have a cooling system which allows babies who have passed away to stay in a room with their families for up to a week.
Mrs Currie said she had been overwhelmed by the generosity of the public.
“I’m blown away my little girl has touched so many people,” she said.
“As a parent, when you lose a baby, you know your time with them is limited.
“These cuddle cots give parents more time, which will make a world of difference.
“I’ve spoken to mothers who only got to hold their babies for 10 minutes and, 50 years later, they still feel the hurt.
“I remember when we were about to leave hospital, I was walking Melinda around the maternity ward thinking, this is the last time I’m going to be able to see her.
“I wish I could have the chance to have that time over and over again.”
Mercy Heath women’s and children’s program director Megan Burgmann said the cots would provide an invaluable opportunity for parents to bond with their babies.
“They’re a beautiful idea for what are really traumatic circumstances,” she said.
“These cots can greatly assist with the grieving process and they help parents and families to acknowledge their baby and create special memories together.”
