Tauranga Bubble Walk helps people grieve lost babies

Tauranga bubble walk organiser Belinda Roddick with her daughter Maia in 2020.

A mother who lost two babies has organised a Bubble Walk to raise awareness and offer support for those who have been through baby loss in Tauranga.

On Saturday, those who have experienced or know someone who has been through a miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, infant death, or pregnancy loss at any stage, will gather at Memorial Park from 10am to spread awareness.

The participants will walk around the park, blow bubbles and share stories in memory of their lost babies. They can also choose to write a personal message on a paper cutout of a tiny foot and hang it.

Tauranga mother Belinda Roddick has lost two babies and experienced the resulting struggle and heartbreak.

“In 2008, we lost our first baby,” she said. “The baby was at 14 weeks gestation when we lost it, and we had a 1-year-old boy at the time.”

Then in 2013, Roddick said she and her husband lost another baby, at just over 20 weeks’ gestation. They named her Sarah-Rose.

“That really hit us hard.”

She said that when you lose a baby at 20 weeks or more, you have to go through labour and give birth.

“I ended up taking time off work. I was in the supermarket industry and so every time I saw a customer or staff member that saw me pregnant, it was like oh no, I have to relive it again.”

Roddick said everyone processed grief differently. Some like to talk about it but others preferred not to.

“It doesn’t make it right or wrong, that’s what I say to people on these walks. You can share if you want to, but you don’t have to. There’s no pressure.

“It’s about knowing that you’re not alone and to give the message that as much as they say time heals, it’s different for everybody. Some might heal faster than others and some may never heal.

“I’ve always said to people, we grew these babies. We didn’t get to know their personalities, quirks and see their beautiful faces, but it’s still a loss. It doesn’t make it any less.”

When she first reached out for help after losing her first baby, she realised how common it was for people to lose their babies. The help she received from BabyLoss NZ made her decide she also wanted to help.

“I just wanted to reach out to people and raise awareness because I didn’t realise until we lost our first baby that it’s quite common. It affects more people than we know.

“One in four people lose babies. But you definitely don’t hear about it that much.”

Baby Loss NZ co-ordinator Sarah Numan said parents who had lost babies through miscarriage, stillbirth, infant death or other forms of baby loss were at the heart of the event.

“The walk is designed as a way for them to honour their child’s memory in a supportive environment.”

Roddick said the event was open to all people.

“It’s just about knowing that you’re not alone.”

For more information visit the BLAM 2024 – Tauranga Bubble Walk to Remember Facebook page.

- SunLive