Christchurch-resident Karen Prisco already had 6 children, but still, she was looking forward to becoming a brand-new mother again. However, on the 16th week of her pregnancy, she discovered that her unborn daughter had already died inside her womb.
The daughter, whom she named as Elizabetta, was born in Christchurch Women's Hospital by natural method. Since the infant was already dead, she would have been sent directly to a colder environment. In her case, the nurse asked if she wanted her child to be stored in a fridge, something that she viewed as practical but distressing.
Prisco today hopes to help other mothers cope with the loss by importing a Cuddle Cot from Australia and donating it to the women's hospital. So far, she is only a thousand dollars short. Once it arrives, the hospital can just let mothers borrow it. It's estimated that in a year, at least 45 mothers can benefit from a single unit.
A Cuddle Cot is a unique cooling system that tries to mimic the coldness of a fridge. It is attached to the baby's crib. What it does is it preserves the body of the dead baby for a much longer period while he or she is kept closer to the grieving family and friends.
The entire setup is portable, so it can be traveled, placed conveniently in the backseat, and brought home. For Mrs. Prisco, the cot is a huge help for parents who are feeling a major loss. It allows them to come to terms to the death at their own pace. Families especially siblings can also acquaint themselves to the baby. They can also create mementos such as photographs.
According to World Health Organization, more than 4 million deaths among children less than 5 years old happen around their first year. Infant mortality rates, including stillborn, are much higher in developing countries especially Africa and East Asia.
