In December 2013 charity, Abigails Footsteps, commissioned White Boat TV to produce a raw and arresting drama-based film on the plight of a couple who experience the stillbirth of their baby. The 20-minute film is based on real life experiences with the aim of improving bereavement care for parents and to raise awareness of the 14 babies that die before, during or soon after birth in the UK.
The film has been highly successful and is currently being used by Child Bereavement UK and SANDS (Stillbirth and Neo-Natal Death charity) as part of their intensive training programme for midwives and care staff throughout the UK. The two charities also worked with the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) to produce an e-learning training course using the film as a central tool - for the RCMs 27,000 members on the subject of bereavement, something many midwives and care staff never receive during their formal training.
The film has received well over 393,000 views across 179 countries on You Tube (to date). It won two Gold IVCA Awards (Best Charity and not for Profit and Best Drama) and selected by the BFI for permanent preservation in its archive.
The entire drama takes place in a hospital where the parents receive the devastating news that their baby has died and the mother needs to give birth.
One viewer commented:
Essentially, the video is probably the closest thing I've seen or read to what stillbirth is like. If you've been through it, or are going through it, Ill tell you something I've learned: finding people who can support you who have been there, is so important for your own healing process.
You can view the whole film by visiting this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQolbL6Qcq0
Here is a trailer for the film;
Proposition
We believe that there is a strong need to produce a second film, as a compliment to the first, to improve primary care support for parents in the longer term following stillbirth, particularly in the areas of follow-up support for intense grief, significant couple relationship issues, anxiety, depression and post traumatic stress that may extend into a subsequent healthy pregnancy.
With one in every 200 babies being stillborn (around 14 stillborn and neonatal deaths per day in the UK), Britain's figures are among the worst in the developed world.
This film will be based on a storyline around what happens when bereaved parents return home from hospital and are struggling to deal with the loss of their child. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that the experience and feelings of parents is akin to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and this experience is often exacerbated by a lack of understanding and compassion from primary care staff.
Returning home is an incredibly difficult time when the mother is physically ready to nurse and nurture her baby. She may be on maternity leave from work; dealing with friends and relatives who are themselves finding it difficult to know what to do for the best. Research shows that understanding, care and the right support shown at these key points in the bereavement process can positively affect a mothers mental health going forward. Conversely, lack of communication and support at this stage can lead to long term mental health issues for parents.
What is the Project?
To create a raw and emotionally arresting drama on the plight of couples following the stillbirth of their baby. The film would once again be based on real life experiences and would involve interviewing parents about their stories to create the script. There are a number of issues that could be covered in this film. They include
Returning home to a decorated nursery and house full of baby clothes and equipment
Support for the mothers physical health
The mothers mental state of mind. PTSD and depression
Funeral and unsympathetic undertakers
Poor communication between the hospital and the midwives in the community, so either visiting to see a baby that is not there, or not visiting at all as there is no baby.
Poor communication between hospitals and GP so GP may be unaware of loss of baby.
Friends and family not knowing what to say
People crossing the road rather than speaking to Mum/Dad
Relationship issues between the parents
Returning to work
Pregnancy with subsequent children
Key Audiences:
Primary care staff: midwives, health visitors, GPs and GP-based nursing staff, community midwives, paediatricians, CONI (Care of Next Infant) co-ordinators
Other: pharmacists, mental health professionals, relevant bereavement care and mental health charities and support groups
Parents, relatives, friends, colleagues, employers
Related services, such as funeral directors, registrars, retailers
Opinion formers, media
Objectives:
to give health visitors, midwives and other primary care staff the confidence to talk to parents about the loss of a child
to help primary care staff spot parents who are struggling with the aftermath of a stillbirth and to know where to direct people for help
to improve understanding amongst midwives of the long term impact of still birth
to give specific insight into PTSD so that healthcare professionals can be aware of how this specific mental health issue presents and what measures can be put in place to support the parents and the next baby
to help educate family and friends on the longer term effects of stillbirth
Message from David and Jo Ward, founders of Abigail's Footsteps:
We are immensely proud of The Deafening Silence. White Boat TV, under the leadership of Nick Gardner, produced The Deafening Silence, which was written and directed by Chris Godwin, and in doing so have created a beautiful legacy for our daughter which has helped train midwives around the world, as well as help families have a better understanding about stillbirth. There is without doubt the need for a second film and there is only one team we would consider making it. If you have seen The Deafening Silence you will get it. If you haven't seen the film you need to watch it. Either way please help support us create this second, much needed film. Thank you
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
