S2 E13: From Patient to Advocate: Samantha's Path to Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss

In another deeply moving episode, your host welcomes Samantha, a beloved Peer Support Coordinator for The Pink Elephants Support Network, who shares her extensive and intensely personal journey through loss. Samantha opens up about her five-year path with IVF, multiple miscarriages, and the heartbreaking decision to undergo a termination for medical reasons (TFMR) at 18 weeks after her waters broke prematurely.

Samantha vulnerably discusses the immense emotional toll, including the feeling of being in shock and the profound emptiness that followed. She shares the pivotal moment she decided to seek the purpose within her experience, recognizing that accepting her grief was the only thing connecting her to her lost babies.

This conversation is an essential exploration of:

The critical role of support and therapy in navigating the acute stages of grief.

The devastating reality of the medical system's language, such as "pregnancy tissue," and the emotional desensitization that can occur after prolonged fertility treatment.

The societal discomfort with baby loss and why the grief from miscarriage and stillbirth is often invisible and isolating.

Samantha's experience grappling with the difficult concept of "choice" during a TFMR and the need to prioritize the baby's quality of life.

The misconception that moving on means forgetting, and how the dual process model of grief allows for restorative movement while still honoring the connection to the baby.


Samantha's story is one of profound pain, survival, and ultimately, finding a way to transform her experience into a source of support for the community.

EARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORT
If you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone.

For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14.
Access all our support [https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/page...]
Connect through Live Chat with Peer Support [https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/page...]
Join Online Communities [https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/page...]
Call out Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA [https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/help...]
Join the Circle of support [https://www.pinkelephants.org.au/the-...]
Follow @pinkelephantssupport [  / pinkelephantssupport  ] on instagram.

STACEY JUNE LEWIS
You can follow our host Stacey on her personal Instagram [  / staceyjune  ] account where she shares some of her lived experience.

00:00 Introduction to the Miscarriage Rebellion Podcast
00:32 Samantha's Personal Journey and Insights
04:13 Five-Year IVF Journey and Losses
10:11 Immediate Aftermath of Loss
17:19 Balancing Grief and Work
20:19 Misconceptions of Grief and Invisible Loss
25:03 Medical Termination and Quality of Life Decisions
28:35 Fertility Challenges and Medical Interactions
32:43 Pregnancy After Loss: A Rainbow Baby
36:23 Financial Considerations of IVF
39:42 Finding Purpose Through Support
46:10 If there was one thing you would suggest a friend to do for a friend that is going through a loss like yours, what would you suggest they do?