In today's episode I’m joined by Brenda Casey, a registered nurse and midwife with over 27 years’ experience, who since 2015 has been working as the Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement & Loss at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin.

Brenda’s work focuses on supporting families through pregnancy loss, perinatal bereavement, and the often-hidden grief that follows.

She is also deeply passionate about education and improving how we care for families after loss. Through her research into student midwife education, Brenda developed a hands-on bereavement care workshop, which has now been integrated into midwifery programmes in UCD.

In this conversation, we talk about disenfranchised grief, the many ways people experience and express grief, ways families can remember their babies, and how we can better support people after pregnancy loss. We also discuss the gaps that still exist in support, education, and awareness and the changes Brenda believes are needed.

As always, please take care as you listen. This episode includes discussion of infertility and loss.

Support resources are linked in the show notes.

Connect with Brenda:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casey_byrne21/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-case-a27ba1339/

Bereavement & Loss Workshops (Irish Hospice Foundation):

https://hospicefoundation.ie/our-supports-services/education-training/bereavement-workshops/

Bereavement & Loss Supports in the Workplace:

https://hospicefoundation.ie/our-supports-services/bereavement-loss-hub/grief-in-the-workplace/

Brenda’s RTÉ interview on Disenfranchised Grief:

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22525385/

National Maternity Hospital Bereavement Services:

https://www.nmh.ie/support-services/bereavement-chaplaincy.13636.html

https://www.nmh.ie/bereavement-chaplaincy/bereavement-midwives.13935.html

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

National Maternity Hospital Bereavement

https://www.nmh.ie/support-services/bereavement-chaplaincy.13636.html

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Mairéad Vaughan, celebrant, podcast host, and someone who has lived through a long and deeply personal journey with infertility and loss.

After years of fertility treatment, heartbreak, and feeling like an outsider in a world that so often equated womanhood with motherhood, Mairéad reached a point where she knew she had to let go.

In this conversation, we talk about infertility in Ireland 20 years ago, the silence and stigma that surrounded it, and in many ways still does. Mairéad shares what it meant to stop trying, the grief that comes with that, and the strength it takes to begin again, even when it looks different from what you once imagined.

Mairéad’s story is one of resilience and finding peace on a path she never expected to walk.

As always, please take care as you listen. This episode includes discussion of infertility and loss. Support resources are linked in the show notes.

Connect with Mairéad and her work here:

• https://www.yourmilestonemoment.ie/

• https://www.instagram.com/maireadvaughancelebrant/

• https://www.facebook.com/maireadvaughancelebrant/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mairead-vaughan-celebrant/

• Mairéad’s podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2327276/episodes

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Nicola McGlinchey, who many of you may know from her page Finding Glimmers in Grief.

Nicola is a mum to three beautiful children.  Brógan herfirst love, Lorcán her forever baby in the stars, and Éabha, her little glimmer of light in the dark.

Nicola is here today to share Lorcán with us and she does so with such honesty and openness. She talks about the amazing care she received in hospital, the language around grief, parenting after loss, and what finding glimmers really means, not as a way to move on, but as a way to keep going.

Nicola also shares the work she does supporting other bereaved families through grief journals and bereavement packs, and the people and small acts of kindness that sit behind them.

As always, please take care as you listen. This episode includes discussion of baby loss. Support resources are linked in the show notes.

Connect with Nicola:

https://www.instagram.com/finding.glimmers.in.grief/

Connect with:

Strong Mums NI

https://www.instagram.com/strongmumsni/

Wellness Therapy Sleep Blends

https://www.instagram.com/joq87/

Heartstrings NI

https://www.instagram.com/heartstringsni/

White Orchid Candle Co.

https://www.instagram.com/whiteorchidcandleco/

The White Butterfly Foundation

https://www.instagram.com/thewhitebutterfly_foundation/

Footprints: ⁠

https://www.instagram.com/joq87/⁠

Book: Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You

Connect with Me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Findingspace_dk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sands NI

https://www.sands.org.uk/

White Butterfly Foundation

https://thewhitebutterflyfoundation.co.uk/

Miscarriage Association

https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

https://ectopic.org.uk/

Simba

https://simbacharity.org.uk/

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

In today's episode, I’m joined by Tara Farrell and Aislinn Gannon, two women who bring both lived experience and deep professional insight to this conversation.

Tara is the CEO of Longford Women’s Link, an organisation doing powerful work supporting women across so many areas of life. With over 20 years’ experience across community, education, and human rights, Tara brings a strong understanding of the systems meant to support women and where they often fall short.

Aislinn is Chair of the Board of Longford Women’s Link and has spent over three decades working across health, non-profits, and the private sector, leading digital transformation in the UK and Ireland. She shares her own personal journey through pregnancy loss and IVF; navigating the public system, travelling abroad for treatment, and ultimately finding a life she loves today.

This episode is about stories, support, and the gaps so many women fall through, particularly when it comes to pregnancy loss, fertility challenges, and access to care.

Please take care as you listen, as this episode includes discussion of pregnancy loss and medical trauma.

If you would like to learn more about Longford Women's link or access support, you can connect with them here:

Connect with Tara & Aislinn:

• Longford Women’s Link: https://www.lwl.ie/

• Longford Women’s Link (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/LongfordWomensLink/

• Tara Farrell (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/teefarrell/

• Aislinn Gannon (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aislinn-dxhealth/

Connect with Me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Findingspace_dk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

In Episode 23, I’m joined by Vicki Spillane, COO of Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland, an IBD and stoma warrior, and someone who has faced more than her share of heartbreak and resilience.

Vicki was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just 13, and later underwent stoma surgery at 25, when she was told her fertility might be affected. Over the years, she experienced multiple miscarriages, and then the painful reality of being told that pregnancy would be too high-risk for her health.

She shares what it’s been like to live with this illness from such a young age, the losses she’s carried, and how she’s now turned so much of what she’s lived through into support for others.

This episode is about grief, strength, acceptance, and the different ways care and motherhood can show up in a life.

Please take care as you listen, as this episode includes discussion of pregnancy loss and medical trauma.

If you would like to learn more about Crohn’s & Colitis Ireland, access support, or find upcoming community events, you can connect with them here:

Website:
https://crohnscolitis.ie/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/crohnscolitisireland/

Linktree (all supports & links):
https://linktr.ee/crohnscolitisireland

Upcoming Events & Member Supports:
https://crohnscolitis.ie/members/events/

If you are living with IBD or supporting someone who is, I hope these links are helpful.

Connect with Me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Findingspace_dk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

This is part two of my conversation with Megan from 412 fertility.  

In this episode, we continue talking about Megan’s journey, the testing she went through, her endometriosis diagnosis, and looking back on the symptoms she experienced along the way.

Megan also explains what POTS is, and shares what recovery has been like after endo surgery.

We also talk about boundaries, relationships, the support that can make a difference, and some of the things that have shifted her life recently.

Please note: There are mentions of fertility struggles, pregnancy, and loss so do listen gently and take care of yourself as needed.

You can find Megan and her work here:

Website: ⁠https://412fertility.com/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/412fertility/⁠

TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@412fertility⁠

Connect with Me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Findingspace_dk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

This episode is broken into two parts.

In part one, I’m joined by Megan, a fertility nurse and founder of 412 Fertility, who shares a little of herself with us, her work supporting others while trying to conceive, setting up her own business during that time, and the support she now offers through it.

Megan also opens up about her own journey with IVF, and learning along the way that she has Hashimoto’s, borderline PCOS, and, more recently, diagnoses of POTS and endometriosis.

This is an honest, gentle conversation about trying to hold both roles, patient and professional, while navigating uncertainty, disappointment, and hope.

Part two of this conversation will be available soon, where we talk more about her journey, boundaries, and self-care.

Please note: There are mentions of fertility struggles, pregnancy, and loss so do listen gently and take care of yourself as needed.

You can find Megan and her work here:
Website: https://412fertility.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/412fertility/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@412fertility

Connect with Me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Findingspace_dk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

In this special episode, I’m joined by Nina, who shares the story of her twins, Liam and Grace; her two beautiful babies who she carries in her heart every single day.
We talk about the moments she had with them, the incredible care she received, and the small gestures of compassion that meant everything.

Because of the time of year, we also talk openly about how incredibly hard Christmas can be for anyone who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss, or who hoped to have children and don’t.
We share gentle ways to mind yourself, protect your heart, and do Christmas in whatever way feels right for you.

Nina also shares the work she does with Féileacáin and how she became involved in helping other bereaved parents.

Please take care as you listen, as this episode includes discussion of pregnancy and baby loss.

💛 As always, if you’ve been impacted by any kind of pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone.

Support links and resources are included in the show notes.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing or leaving a review, it helps others find us, and it truly means so much.

Connect with Nina & Féileacáin:Féileacáin website:
https://feileacain.ie/

Féileacáin Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/feileacain/

Nina’s blog:
https://thewarriorandtheprincess.home.blog/

Nina’s Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thewarriorandtheprincess23/

Upcoming Féileacáin Remembrance Service (14th December):
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRuEOIlDB2G/

Féileacáin Christmas wreath-making workshop:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRkDqgtDEQt/

Connect with Me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Findingspace_dk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

A short thank you to close Season One.
I honestly had no idea where this podcast would go when I started it, and the support has meant more than I can say.

Thank you so much for being here, for listening, and for finding space with me.

Season Two is coming soon. 💛

Support links and resources are included in the show notes.

Connect with Me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Findingspace_dk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402

In this episode, I share the next chapter of our story.

I talk through the weeks after our first miscarriage, getting pregnant again, and then finding ourselves heartbroken allover again just a few months later.

I go into the fear, the medical trauma, the loneliness of going through all of this during COVID, and the months of trying to conceive that followed; months that felt relentless, confusing, and all consuming.

I also talk about the grief I didn’t realise was grief at the time, share the things I didn’t understand, and the things I only see clearly now, looking back.

If you’re going through anything similar, I hope this episode helps you feel seen, even just a little.
You are not alone.

Your feelings are valid.

Your grief is valid.

And you deserve support and compassion every step of the way.

Please note: There are mentions of fertility struggles, pregnancy, and loss so do listen gently and take care of yourself as needed.

💛 As always, if you’ve been impacted by any kind of pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone.

Support links and resources are included in the show notes.

If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing or leaving a review, it helps others find us, and it truly means so much.

Connect with Me:

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Findingspace_dk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Resources & Support:

Miscarriage Association of Ireland

Tel:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 01 873 5702⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.miscarriage.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ectopic Pregnancy Ireland 

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ectopicireland.ie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Féileacáin

Tel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠085 249 6464⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.feileacain.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Gateway Women

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gateway-women.com/bio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.iacp.ie⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Irish Fertility Counsellors Association

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://fertilitycounsellors.ie/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Other Support Groups:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/bereavement-care/bereavement-support-groups/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music Credit to Purple Planet 55245402