Richard Madeley seemed to be visibly moved during a heartfelt conversation with Pride of Britain winner Agnes Nisbett.
Agnes was awarded the Community Pride of Britain for her significant contributions as a midwife and for being an influential force in transforming the UK's perception of stillbirths and the treatment of both mother and baby.
In a discussion with Good Morning Britain hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley about her recent accolade, Agnes maintained a modest demeanour, emphasising that there is still a great deal of work to be done in supporting bereaved mothers.
Curious about why she had dedicated her life to changing this process, Richard questioned Agnes about her reasons for being so passionate about the cause, both professionally and personally. He appeared noticeably distressed during the questioning.
In response, an emotional Agnes revealed to Richard that she had experienced the loss of a child herself - a son named John. She recounted how in the 70s, when giving birth to a stillborn child, midwives would simply "wrap the baby in a green sheet and you just whisked it out."
Richard asked: "Not leaving the mother any opportunities to hold them?" Agnes replied: "Nothing, no that was not the procedure at the time."
During that era, mothers were not even given the chance to catch a fleeting glimpse of their babies; they were merely discarded without any regard for the grieving process. Fortunately, due to her profession as a midwife, Agnes was permitted to hold John briefly before he was taken away, reports .
After the heartbreaking experience of her stillbirth, Agnes recounted the brief moment she had with her son, asking: "Can I see him please?" before being allowed a mere five minutes with him, a rarity at that time.
Reflecting on the fleeting memories of her child, she confided in Richard: "The only memories I have of my son are up here [she pointed to her head]. His memory is stored up here. I didn't get a picture or a footprint, I didn't get anything."
With a history of responsibility and trust in her professional life, having been "position at work and given a budget" to spearhead change, Agnes took it upon herself to make a difference. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, as she is now celebrated for her contributions to improving postnatal care.
Thanks to Agnes's pioneering work, the system has evolved significantly, offering mothers access to a cold room to spend time with their lost infants, as well as providing clothing and some level of support. However, Agnes firmly asserts "it's not enough".
In a candid conversation with Richard, Agnes stressed the need for more comprehensive support for grieving mothers: "Mum's need support to grieve, not just a list of email addresses of people to contact. In my experience, I had two other children, I had to get on without any support, I had to be mum for them."
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1.
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