Media Release 15 October 2007

Nurture Asks New Zealanders to Consider the Impact of 600 Empty Bassinets

The Nurture Foundation for Reproductive Research is marking International Baby Loss Awareness Day by asking New Zealanders to consider the impact on parents and families of losing a baby either during pregnancy or shortly after birth.

Every year in New Zealand nearly 600 babies are stillborn or die within 28 days of birth. That’s higher than the annual road toll and similar to the number of women who die from breast cancer each year. In addition to this, one in every four pregnancies ends in miscarriage and one percent of women endure the distress of recurrent miscarriage – sometimes losing 10 or more babies in succession.

The Nurture Foundation was launched just over a year ago to raise funds for research that will help better understand the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and perinatal death, and find new ways to prevent these tragedies occurring.

This year Nurture is thrilled to have stylish baby brand, Dimples, supporting its fundraising efforts. As a mother of 14 and grandmother of 12, Dimples designer Jane McAllister understands the desire of many couples to have children of their own and the heartache of those who struggle to achieve this goal.

“We’re right behind Nurture and its efforts to understand and help prevent stillbirths. Because of this, we’ve made the decision to donate 5% of the retail price of every Babybliss bassinet we sell to The Nurture Foundation. The loss of 600 New Zealand babies every year is not only a tragedy for the parents, but also for the wider family. We hope our gesture will help make a difference.”

Nurture Executive Officer Laura Carr says, “We think the image of 600 empty bassinets is both powerful and appropriate for International Baby Loss Awareness Day. Nurture is doing its best to help predict and prevent miscarriage, stillbirth and perinatal death, we ask other New Zealanders who would also like to help to please make a donation by visiting www.nurture.org.nz.

Babybliss bassinets are available online at www.babybliss.co.nz or from Dimples’ retail store in Newmarket, Auckland.

ENDS

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