A Tayside mum has spoken of the heartbreaking moment her baby died after she went into labour.
Stephanie Kemlo, 26, had to deliver her daughter after being given the news her baby would not survive outside the womb.
Stephanie named her baby Iona Rose and has now paid tribute to the care she received at Ninewells Hospital.
Her two other children Faith, 7, and Archie, 11 months, were both able to say goodbye to their “precious angel”.
The family held a private funeral and Iona Rose was laid to rest in a whitecoffin.
Stephanie said: “I had felt her kick, I had felt her dance in my belly and have the hiccups. Iona Rose touched so many people and has changed my life forever.”
Stephanie was told that her daughter would be stillborn due to severe birth defects discovered at her mid-pregnancy scan.
“I was six-and-a-half months pregnant and given the devastating news that my daughter would not survive life outwith my body,” she said. “I went into labour at seven months and was terrified at the thought of what lay ahead of me.”
Stephanie was admitted to Ninewells Hospital’s TULIP (Tayside Unit for Loss in Pregnancy) room, and mum Barbara stayed by her side throughout.
She said: “Iona Rose will alwayshold a special place within our family.”
Stephanie said the staff at Ninewells and her community midwife atMontrose delivered a high quality of care and treated her and Iona Rose “with so much respect and dignity”, she added.
She said it’s important that stillbirth continues to be highlighted as “thestatistics show this is sadly morecommon than many are aware”.
She also praised stillbirth charity SANDS, which raises money for the suite that give mums a sympathetic and secluded area to have their baby and a place where the family can also grieve in private.
Stephanie wants to raise awareness of the local branch which also provides memory boxes, where bereaved parents can place tiny footprints and other mementos of their infants.