Becoming pregnant wasn’t easy, but when Damien and I saw the flickering heartbeats of our first baby during our first scan, it ignited a feeling of pure elation within us. Of course, that elation swiftly followed by nervousness: what do we do now?

The medical appointments, the attention to eating the right nutrition, birth planning, and purchasing all the beautiful baby clothes are the beginning of all your dreams to start a family.

That’s why the shock and pain of losing a baby or child is so painful. It is not just the loss of a life; it’s also the loss of the dreams you held so dearly.

Early one morning, 22 weeks into the pregnancy, I felt uneasy. I felt sick and in some discomfort. My husband half-joked, 'You’re not in labour, are you?' He wondered if he should go to work. Eventually, I conceded that something felt wrong, although I thought I could feel baby Georgia moving.

The 15-minute trip to the hospital felt like hours, with pain increasing every minute.

The next hour or so was a blur, and then Georgia was born, peacefully sleeping.

A perfect, beautiful little girl, born too soon to stay with us. I had gone into labour far too early, and she joined the heavens of angels.

The hardest part came when we had to leave, walking out of the hospital with empty arms.  We had anticipated leaving with a baby, instead, we walked out holding a memory box.

Georgia will forever be with us; she is part of our family. Not a day passes without thoughts of her.

With each passing birthday milestone, I try to picture what she would be like. This year, she would have turned 16.

In her short time with us, Georgia left a mark on so many people. In her memory, and in the memory of every dream lost, this ride helps us to remember and heal.

Thank you.

Alison Marchant

Member for Bellarine