"You don’t have all the words for all the feelings you have": The language barrier and stillbirth

Language is one of the fundamental elements that allows one to express their emotions. It allows you to be heard and be understood. But what happens, if you face something as traumatic has stillbirth, in a country where your native tongue is not the main language?

Yuka Konno's first child Shinosuke was stillborn at 30 weeks Source: Kimiko Mikuni

Most families are never prepared to hear that their baby’s heart beat has stopped, or cannot go on, due to serious medical issues.

Yuka was 30 weeks pregnant, and Lucy 27weeks pregnant when they both had to make the most unexpected and painful decision of their lives. 

What made their journey even more difficult was their language barrier.

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