This week our host, Theo Clarke, is joined by Karen Burgess, CEO and Founder of Petals, The Baby Loss Counselling Charity, and Molly Hunter, lawyer and mother of three, to discuss miscarriage and birth trauma.

Topics that we discuss on the show include: meaning and stigma attached to the term ‘miscarriage’; the psychological impact of pregnancy loss and the trauma it brings; the overlooked experiences of fathers and partners; how pregnancy loss can affect relationships and intimacy; psychological support and implications for families and society; the emotional and physical toll of recurrent miscarriage; the lack of understanding and research around causes and treatment; and the challenges of navigating pregnancy after recurrent loss.

Biographies:

Karen Burgess is the CEO and Founder of Petals, The Baby Loss Counselling Charity.Karen has been a practising counsellor for 25 years. In 2009, Karen established and ran a counselling service within the Rosie Maternity Hospital at Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge. When budget cuts forced the closure of the service in 2011, Karen was determined that this invaluable support should not be lost to bereaved parents and Petals Charity was formed. From its formation in 2011, Karen has grown Petals into a national charity that delivers a free counselling service with a unique and effective approach that provides a safe space for devastated lives to recover.

Molly Hunter is a wife and a mother to three children, a boy aged 8 and two girls aged 2 and 8 months. She is also a lawyer at the law firm Mishcon de Reya. Between the births of her first and second children, Molly had four miscarriages.

This podcast is sponsored by the law firm Irwin Mitchell.

DISCLAIMER: This show is not intended to be medical advice – please seek advice from a GP or doctor.

Connect with Petals, The Baby Loss Counselling Charity:www.petalscharity.orgX / T

witter: @petalscharity

Website:www.theo-clarke.org.uk/podcast

Breaking The Taboo production team:

Producer: Natasha Feroze

Researchers: Max Austin and Elliott Malik

Designer: Emily Ryder

Social Media: Bella Carter

Studio Manager: Adam Woodward

Studio: Studio 55, part of Wolfe Power Club

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theodoraclarke.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theodoraclarke.substack.com