In this deeply personal and insightful episode of The Miscarriage Rebellion, host Sam interviews Sarah Mitchell, a Member of Parliament for New South Wales and former Minister for Education and Early Childhood. Sarah shares her own experience of early pregnancy loss, which ignited her passion for advocating for better support and policy change for families navigating fertility journeys.

This conversation delves into the emotional, societal, and political landscapes of reproductive health, miscarriage, and family building.

Sarah speaks candidly about her two miscarriages between her two daughters, including a devastating loss at 10 weeks, which was only discovered at a routine appointment. She discusses the acute feeling of grief—a feeling she wasn't able to label at the time but recognizes now.

Sam and Sarah explore the societal narrative that often minimizes early pregnancy loss, making women feel like they are not "grief worthy," especially if they already have children. Sarah reflects on feeling exposed and isolated going through her loss in a small country town and the burden of feeling she "shouldn't" be sad because she already had a daughter.

Sarah, now in opposition, is chairing a Parliamentary inquiry into fertility support in NSW. The broad scope includes:

• Fertility education in schools.
  
• Support for conditions like endometriosis (endo).
  
• Addressing miscarriage and loss.
  
• The IVF and surrogacy journey.
  
• The goal is to move beyond the linear narrative of parenthood and create a more comprehensive support system.

If you are interested in reading more about the impact of geographical isolation on fertility and loss, you can find the Pink Elephants Not Just A Loss Report on their website.

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
• Connect through Live Chat with Peer Support
• Join Online Communities
• Call out Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA
• Join the Circle of support
• Follow @pinkelephantssupport on instagram.

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