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Video and animation explores the complexities of losing a baby from a multiple pregnancy.

‘Where We Will Go’ is a short video and animation that explores the experience of losing a twin from a multiple pregnancy.

The film aims to articulate the complexities of losing a bay from a multiple pregnancy, with a focus on the challenging emotions that families face. Even as one baby has been lost, the survival of the co-twin means that parents navigate a particularly difficult interplay of grief and joy.

Where We Will Go seeks to find language for the impact on, and the continuing effects felt by parents, siblings, family and friends.

The work was conceived by Professor Anne Whitehead and Professor Judith Rankin from Newcastle University. Professor Rankin is also theme lead for Supporting Children and Families within the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC).

The film and animation builds on Professor Rankin’s previous research with parents and health professionals, and Professor Whitehead’s research on memory and grief.

Professor Judith Rankin said: “In developing Where Will We Go, we wanted to create something that expressed and advocated for the experience of perinatal loss from multiple pregnancy – something that is often overlooked. We also wanted to create a resource that might offer a source of comfort for those who have experienced a similar loss, and we sincerely hope that parents and families may find it useful.”

Where Will We Go was written and edited by artist-researcher Kate Sweeney, working with parents who had experienced the loss of a  baby from a multiple pregnancy, and drawing upon her practice of exploring the production of arts materials from our intimate surroundings as a form of archiving.

Using conversations, inks and drawings produced in workshops with parents and on walks they took, the film captures the ways in which nature can be used as a space and as a material to explore feelings.

The project was developed in partnership with the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary and with the affiliated charity Tiny Lives. It was supported by the Newcastle University Medical Humanities Network and the Humanities Research Institute.

The film was funded by the Humanities and Social Sciences Impact Fund and the Tilly Hale Fund within the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University.

Watch ‘Where will we go’ below

The work won in the ‘Engaging for Health, Wellbeing and Societal Benefit Award’ category in the 2023 Engagement and Place Awards at Newcastle University.

Contact

If you would like to find out more about this film, please email Anne Whitehead