Samantha Rower and Paul Lyons start Memories of an Angel after losing nine babies

Samantha Rowe and her partner Paul Lyons have not given up on their dream of starting a family, despite the trauma of having lost nine babies — three devastating stillborns and five miscarriages since 2014.

Samantha Rowe and her husband Paul at home in Heidelberg West. The couple has lost nine babies, and has started a foundation to offer support to other bereaved parents. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Samantha Rowe and her partner Paul Lyons are desperate to start a family.

So desperate are the Banyule couple — who have been engaged for six years — they have put off marriage as they go through the costly process of IVF treatment.

There’s also the trauma of having lost nine babies — three devastating stillborns and five

miscarriages since 2014.

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Their first stillborn was Cooper, lost at 22 weeks on Valentine’s Day 2014, followed by twins and their most recent loss was baby Noah, being stillborn in October last year.

And with the help of Heidelberg’s Mercy Hospital they are not giving up on their dream of being parents.

Samantha Rowe and her husband Paul at home in Heidelberg West. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“Hopefully our story isn’t over just yet and we’ll still have the opportunity to create a happy ending,” Ms Rowe said.

After the loss of their first child the couple began looking for help for bereaved parents but struggled to find much in Victoria.

This led to the creation of support group Memories of an Angel.

Ms Rowe wanted to provide support and information to parents who have lost children.

“No one wants to talk about dead babies and it’s not even on first-time parents’ radars but it’s so important,” she said.”

They started the group in 2016 as a way for bereaved parents to connect and help each other heal in harrowing times.

“I always hear from people that they don’t know what to say when someone’s lost a child but it’s not that hard, just acknowledging the pain is enough or it leaves the parents feeling very isolated,” she said.

“Doctors are always talking to you about the next step, your next appointment but they’re not talking about what might happen like stillborn or miscarriage.”

For all her work with Memories of an Angel, Ms Rowe has been nominated in Banyule’s annual volunteer awards.

The award winners will be announced in May.