Matthieu Zellweger

Reportage, 2017

The Story of Hope

August 5th, 2016. Parents expecting a stillbirth spend the evening preceding the birth with a midwife specialized in bereavement in Sutton, Surrey, UK. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — birth Stillbirth parents baby

August 5th, 2016. Parents expecting a stillbirth spend the evening preceding the birth in the quiet of their hospital room in Sutton, Surrey, UK. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — birth Stillbirth parents baby

August 6th, 2016. Hours after the birth, parents grieve their stillborn daughter, born at 24 weeks of pregnancy with triploidy, a severe genetic abnormality, in Sutton, Surrey, UK. They are supported by (l to r) a midwife, a midwife specialized in bereavement and a reverend. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — birth grief parents Stillbirth baby

August 6th, 2016. Hours after the birth of her stillborn daughter, born at 24 weeks of pregnancy with triploidy, a severe genetic abnormality, a mother holds the hand of her baby under the gaze of the father in Sutton, Surrey, UK. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — birth Stillbirth parents baby

August 6th, 2016. Hours after the birth of his stillborn daughter, born at 24 weeks of pregnancy with triploidy, a severe genetic abnormality, a father carefully strokes her, in Sutton, Surrey, UK. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — birth grief father Stillbirth baby

August 6th, 2016. Hours after the birth of their stillborn daughter, born at 24 weeks of pregnancy with triploidy, a severe genetic abnormality, parents contemplate their baby and enjoy a more meditative moment, in Sutton, Surrey, UK. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — birth grief parents Stillbirth baby

August 6th, 2016. Hours after the birth of her stillborn daughter, born at 24 weeks of pregnancy with triploidy, a severe genetic abnormality, parents contemplate their baby as midwifes take imprints of her hands and feet, in Sutton, Surrey, UK. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — birth parents imprint Stillbirth baby

September 9th, 2016. Parents who lost their daughter at 24 weeks of pregnancy say a final goodbye to her mortal remains during her funeral, in Sutton, Surrey, UK, under the gaze of their families and friends, and in the presence of a reverend (at right). In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — grief Stillbirth burial parents baby

September 9th, 2016. Parents who lost their daughter at 24 weeks of pregnancy release balloons in her honor after her funeral, surrounded by their families and friends, in Sutton, Surrey, UK. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — parents Stillbirth burial memory baby

October 15th, 2017. Parents who lost their daughter at 24 weeks of pregnancy attend a memorial ceremony to honour all children departed too soon, in Sutton, Surrey, UK. The ceremony takes place in the green before the hospital where their daughter Hope was stillborn more than a year before, in August 2016. In the UK, it is estimated that stillbirths represent some 5.2 births per 1000 (2009 figure, The Lancet, — Stillbirth parents memory baby

Projektbeschrieb

The Story of Hope
Stillbirths can happen unpredictably to anyone, anywhere, causing pain not only to parents, but also to healthcare professionals and families around them. In the face of such unspeakable – and often unexplained - sorrow, each individual must find a way to live on.

Some talk. Some grieve in silence. Some join groups where feelings can be shared. Affected families can also increasingly count on bereavement professionals. Rooted in empathy, caring presence, and dialogue, this support can help individuals address the trauma and strong feelings to find a way to reconstruct their lives.

Despite the common features to the ordeal, mourning is a lonesome path. As time goes by, the acute pain subsides, appetite for life grows again, albeit in a different hue, and the acceptance of contradictory emotions allows affected individuals to regain happiness, while recognising that their stillborn children will forever walk alongside them.

Here is one of these personal stories.

Publikationsinformationen

Titel der Arbeit: The Story of Hope
Publikation: New York Times Lens Blog
Ausgabe: 13.4.2017