“It felt like a coverup”: The taboo of discussing stillbirth in CALD communities

The death of a baby is one of the most traumatic and isolating experiences a mother and family can go through. For the culturally and linguistically diverse communities of Australia, without the cultural context and sensitivity, the tragedy can be even more amplified.

Parents holding hands and a pair of little shoes Source: Getty Images

Stillbirth, or death of a baby after 20 weeks of conception, occurs more often than one may imagine.

Six babies are stillborn every day, which is greater than the national road toll.

But open and honest conversation about stillbirth is still rare, even stigmatized in some communities.

On the anniversary month of the National Stillbirth Action and Implementation Plan, we look into the needs of migrant and refugee women when dealing with such tragedy, in the three-episode podcast series Stillbirth: Prevention and Aftercare.

For those who need support:

Red Nose Australia 

Stillbirth Australia Foundation 

Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health