Northern Ireland

Co Antrim mother launches fundraiser in aid of maternity hospital room for bereaved parents

Newtownabbey woman Hannah O'Gallochoir, who's son Cillian was born sleeping in June, is now fundraising in his memory for the Snowdrop Room at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast to help other bereaved parents
Newtownabbey woman Hannah O'Gallochoir, who's son Cillian was born sleeping in June, is now fundraising in his memory for the Snowdrop Room at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast to help other bereaved parents Newtownabbey woman Hannah O'Gallochoir, who's son Cillian was born sleeping in June, is now fundraising in his memory for the Snowdrop Room at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast to help other bereaved parents

A Co Antrim woman whose baby son was stillborn has launched a fundraising campaign in his memory in a bid to help other bereaved parents.

Newtownabbey woman Hannah O'Gallochoir gave birth to Cillian on June 29 at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast.

At 31 weeks, the 28-year-old and her husband, Paul were told their son, who was their first child, had a life-limiting chromosome disorder called Patau Syndrome, after problems with his heart and kidneys were identified.

The couple were then told it was unlikely their baby would survive labour and if he did, he would receive only palliative care.

Hannah, who works for BT, gave birth to Cillian at 32 weeks and after his birth she and Paul were taken with him to the Snowdrop Room in the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital.

It is especially for parents of stillborn babies and allows them the privacy to spend time with their newborns.

Containing a bed, cuddle cot, refreshments, an en-suite bathroom, the room is described as a `home from home' and while there the couple were presented with a memory box, filled with keepsakes of Cillian.

They spent the night before leaving the hospital.

Cillian's funeral later took place at Roselawn Crematorium.

Following their tragic loss, Hannah has launched a fundraiser to raise money for the Snowdrop Room in the hope of helping other parents who may be going through the same ordeal.

Hannah, who described the midwife team at the hospital as "incredible", said any money raised would be donated to the Snowdrop Room in Cillian's memory.

"This room has only been there for two years in October," she said.

"A lot of parents had started fundraising and campaigning for this room. It is an awful thing to go through and that would only be heightened if you were in a room with other mothers giving birth to healthy babies.

"It's away from everyone else It's very private.You are at no point rushed into leaving. I just thought it was so amazing.

"Whenever I held him, I just felt really peaceful. Obviously it is tragic and heartbreaking. It was still a really beautiful moment getting to hold him".

Hannah said she "wanted to give a donation in Cillian's name to the Snowdrop Room" and so, set up a JustGiving page which has already raised more than £1,500.

"It's going to go to them and into the bereavement account for anything that room will need for maternity bereavement care," she said.

"I want to know that anyone else going through that are going to have the exact same level of care".

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hannah-bridges