False 1990 Stillbirth Register Unfortunately time is passing and we seem no nearer the establishment of the Register for Stillborn Babies. The following is a reply received by one of our members as a result of her writing to Dr. Rory O’Hanlon in the matter:- “ I wish to let you know that I am doing my utmost to improve the situation for the parents of stillborn babies. I have asked my colleagues, the Minster of State, Mr. Noel Treacy, T. D. to conduct a review of the legislation governing birth, death and marriages. The question of registration of stillbirth will be considered as part of this extensive review. I have decided, in the meantime, to ask my Department to examine whether it would be possible to devise some interim arrangement which would be of assistance to parents until necessary legislative changes have been made.” My Feelings A Year Later As the pain and anguish of birth and death slowly recede into the recently distant past, there is always the unexpected day like one day last week. I threw on my old raincoat and my four year old daughter, Corry said “ oh mammy you used to wear that coat when you were having Edward” A year later she still has her memories. She did not see the pain that jolted my heart for the next few moments. The same week my friend resumed work after her maternity leave, bringing in with her all the happenings and joy of a new baby, in the form of words and pictures. I felt this horrible sadness and envy. I left to begin my days work and I let the tears come, blurring my vision as I drove into the morning traffi c. My work brings me into contact with the odd stranger, who with great interest asks ‘ oh you were pregnant when I met you before..... what did you have?” A year later I do not cry anymore on these occasions, just the feeling of anger for a few fl eeting moments and then I carry on with the day, accepting that there will never be a chat about his fi rst tooth or a photograph of his fifi rst birthday. But I do have Glasnevin Cemetery Work is continuing at the ‘ Holy Angels Plot’ to improve the layout of the plot. Plaques have been provided by the Cemetery for parents of babies who are buried there. fi my very own special photograph of Edwards fi rst and second last day, which I treasure and carry in a locket close to my heart. Although a year later he may not enter my thoughts everyday, I know my ‘ Angel’ in Heaven never leaves me for a moment and helps me through every day since his creation. Review We were invited to speak to the following • St. Munchen’s Hospital, Limerick • Bethany Group • Bereavement Counselling Service- St. James Hospital, Drogheda and Stillorgan • Department od Obstetrics & Gynaecology- Medical Students ( Trinity College) isands newsletter 107

False 1989 Pastoral Care We are often asked to speak to Seminarians, Theological Society, Irish Nurses Organisation and Student Doctors etc. and we felt the need for visual aid to really make our point. With this in mind we put together a number of slides, made form our own collection of photos and memorabilia of our Babies. Mr. Peter Keelihan, Pathologist, Holles Street, gave us tremendous held and we wish to than him very sincerely. We showed them for the fi rst time to the Church of Ireland Theological Society on the 2nd October 89. A lot of them were married men with children of their own. None of them had ever seen a dead baby and all of them were going out to spend a couple of weeks in hospitals around the country. Perhaps if they come across bereaved parents they will know the importance of seeing and holding your baby, of photos, a lock of hair and most of all someone who will listen and try to understand that loosing your baby is a bereavement and not something that you go home and forget. Your baby is a person in life and in death. We have been asked to speak in Maynooth in Feb.’ 90. Post Amendment Ireland- The Only Country in the E. C. which has no Register of Stillborn Babies. Speakers from all the major political parties supported this demand- Eileen Le Mass- Fianna Fail, Pronsias de Rossa- The Workers Party, Mary Harney- Progressive Democrats, Monica Barnes- Fine Gale and Niamh Breathnach- Labour. Mary Byrne Chairperson of I. S. A. N. D. S talked about the utter hypocrisy of the situation existing in Ireland- a country which recognises the right of the life of the unborn child ( the 8th amendment to the constitution) but acknowledged no recognistion of stillborn babies. Many of these babies are full term, fully developed who due to a quirk of nature do not survive birth. I. S. A. N/ D. S. believes that all babies who weigh 500 grams or more at birth, whether alive or dead, should by registered by the state. The World Health Organisation recommends that 500 grams be the lower weight limit as a foetus of that weight or more is viable outside the womb. All other E. C. countries use this W. H. O. recommendation as a guideline for registration of stillborn babies. Ms Byrne. talked about the stress experienced by parents who have waited nine months for a baby which is eventually born dead. Added to this grief is the anger and pain they feel that the state does not recognise the existence of their dead baby. She talked about her own sadness and anger and that of her husband, when their stillborn daughter, Louise, could not be registered. She wanted to see her name documented in some way by the authorities in her own country. Ms. Byrne expressed the strong belief that all parties in the Dail and Seanad must support this campaign. How much longer must we hang our heads in shame with our European neighbours- the only country in the E. C. with no Register of Stillborn Babies. isands newsletter 108