Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Pink Elephants Support Network

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (09:37): This month is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. It was the Liberals and Nationals motion led by Margaret Fitzherbert in 2018 that recognised 15 October as International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on Victoria’s official calendar. In Victoria more than 18,500 pregnancies end in miscarriage every year; however, many losses are unreported. Families need support through this heartbreaking experience, and Pink Elephants is an organisation that encourages open and honest dialogue where people feel safe to share their personal experiences. We can all play our part in breaking down the stigma associated with pregnancy loss.

Approximately one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage. My wife and I are one of those one in four that have gone through this immense loss. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about that little life that was part of our family. The devastation, feeling of helplessness and sadness that this caused my family is not something I would wish on my worst enemies. I am glad there are organisations like Pink Elephants that are supporting women and families through their time of sadness. I call on the government to commit to providing necessary funds as requested by the Pink Elephants Support Network in their application for women’s health and wellbeing support grants and programs to assist families with this important work that supports so many women and families at their time of need.