Mother Praises ‘Courageous’ Student Filmmakers Addressing Baby Loss

“It’s a really weird sensation trying to plan a funeral while you are still pregnant,” stated Steph Hobbs, the central figure in an upcoming documentary exploring baby loss. Eight years ago, during her pregnancy with her son Timothy, a 21-week scan revealed that he had not developed a bladder or kidneys and was not capable of survival. Ms. Hobbs opted to continue the pregnancy for the sake of her mental well-being and to “create additional memories” with her baby, who lived for only three hours after birth. Her niece, Loren Hobbs, a student at Arts University Bournemouth, has been inspired to transform her aunt’s narrative into a short film. This 15-minute crowdfunded production, titled The Life Across the Way, is expected to be completed by March by the student team. Loren Hobbs indicated that the film will concentrate on the “taboo” surrounding baby loss. She explained that they will examine the “space that is created for the life that people cannot see, the familial spaces where he [Timothy] would have been.” “I think that it’s incredibly brave that Loren and the crew are actually taking this on,” Steph Hobbs remarked. She will participate in the documentary, sharing her story, and mentioned that she now endeavors to support other bereaved parents in coping. “It’s amazing how many parents feel like they can’t speak about their little ones or they feel like they can’t show their little ones,” Steph Hobbs observed. She continued: “People can have little mementoes around their home or bring their little ones into their life somehow so then they never feel like there ever going to be forgotten.” For those affected by the issues presented in this story, the BBC Action Line provides a list of organizations prepared to offer support and advice. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not accountable for the content of external sites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.