'She will always be my first born': Mum tells Ben Fordham about heartbreak of baby loss

When Maria Polycarpou was five months pregnant she, like every first-time mum-to-be, was excitedly planning for the arrival of her baby.

Instead problems picked up at her 20 week scan resulted in Maria and husband Cristian being told something no expectant couple should ever have to hear: "Your baby is not compatible with life".

"It's like someone was talking but I couldn't hear anything," Maria says of the moment she was told her baby would not survive.

READ MORE: Couple lose twin baby girls at four days old: 'Our world stopped'

The grieving mum shared daughter Anastacia's story on Ben Fordham Live this morning in recognition of Infant Loss Day.

Anastacia was diagnosed Heterotaxy Syndrome, a rare defect that involves the heart and other organs and affects just one in every 10,000 babies.

The syndrome presents in various forms. For Maria and Cristian, their daughter had the worst version possible.

After receiving the heartbreaking diagnosis, Maria was induced and baby Anastacia was stillborn in March this year.

Maria is sharing her family's story in the hope of raising awareness about the importance of talking about the loss of babies and "really being there" for grieving parents.

"I don't think anything, anyone can say or do will help," she said. "It's just knowing that someone is there for you, I mean, really, there for you.

"Make the effort and actually come to see the person.

"Don't say things like, at least you know you can get pregnant. Are you sure you made the right decision? Just give me a hug. Just listen."

While speaking to Fordham, Maria shared the exciting news that she is pregnant again - with another daughter.

In a heart-warming co-incidence, she says is a "message from Anastacia", the baby's due date in March next year is exactly one year after Anastacia was born.

But no matter how many more children Maria and Cristian go on to have, one thing will never change.

"She will always be my first born," Maria told Fordham. "Even though she was a stillborn she was still born.

"She's my first daughter and always will be and I'll love her. When her siblings come along, they will always know that Anastacia.

?"It's not something that we're just going to put under the carpet and forget about, she'll always be part of our lives."

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If you need immediate help please call Lifeline on 131114

If you or someone you know has suffered pregnancy or infant loss please contact:Pink Elephants Support Network - pinkelephants.org.auSANDS - sands.org.auRed Nose Australia - rednose.org.au