In this episode, Emma is joined by Susie to talk about her incredible (and decade long) journey to have a second child - a story that also featured on last year’s fantastic Channel 4 documentary series: 'Baby Surgeons, Delivering Miracles'. Susie and her husband Andy were one of the couples the documentary followed, telling their rollercoaster journey to extend their family - the multiple treatments (and debt), heartache, disappointment, silence with those Susie was closest to, the effect it had on her marriage and also the complications they had with their final pregnancy. And as you'll hear - Susie and got there, and had not just one baby, but 3!

Emma and Susie also talk about the mutual desire for wanting more children and how Susie was determined to give her first born Henry a sibling. 

The episode is full of advice about secondary infertility, PCOS, IVF and different hospitals and treatments.  And how she kept going, despite many setbacks. 

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Resources mentioned: London Hospitals:

• St George's Hospital - where Susie had procedure to treat twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) with Professor Basky Thilaganathan (Clinical Director of St George's Fetal Medicine Unit, the Clinical Lead for the SAFE test NIPT laboratory and Clinical Director for Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.) https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/
• Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre (ARGC) - The IVF Clinic - Mr Mohamed Taranissi. https://argc.co.uk/
• The Centre for Reproductive & Genetic Health (CRGH) https://crgh.co.uk/

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In this episode, Emma is joined by Kelly Hunter to talk about recurrent baby loss and its long term effects.  Kelly talks honestly and openly about her three losses and her difficult journey to parenthood.

The episode is full of advice and coping strategies.

Emma and Kelly also talk about different procedures following their 8 losses, to hopefully help provide you with practical support too. And things they wish they'd known, including asking medical support for things like progesterone.

They also talk about that even once you've got your rainbow baby, the affects of recurrent loss are long lasting. 

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In this episode, Emma talks to Angela Crawley MP. Angela is an MP for Lanark and Hamilton East, a Scottish National Party politician and has served as the SNP Shadow Attorney General since 2021. Angela is taking a Private Members Bill to the UK Parliament on 3 December 2021 calling on the UK government to entitle parents who have suffered the loss of a baby up to 24 weeks at least three days of paid miscarriage leave (currently parents are only entitled to paid leave losing a baby after 24 weeks).   Angela talks about the Bill and why it’s so important to offer this support to parents who have lost a baby at any stage of pregnancy. Miscarriage isn’t an illness - it’s grief and you need to allow yourself time to grieve, without financial penalty. Angela also talks to other topics that she hopes this Bill will start a conversation on for women, including the gender pay gap. 

• Find out more about the Private Members Bill - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-583993
• Sign the petition to support the Paid Miscarriage Leave - www.paidmiscarriageleave.co.uk
• Watch the Debate - Prime Minister’s Questions: https://fb.watch/9thFbk8rqH/

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In this episode, Emma is joined by another old university friend Jo to get a male perspective on IVF and fertility struggles. Jo talks about his role in supporting his wife Katie through their journey to parenthood but also, and importantly, how he felt (and coped) navigating the highs and the lows. And Jo also discuss the impact the Covid-19 pandemic had on delaying their progress. Jo talks eloquently about his emotions and mental health during his conversation with Emma and provides useful advice to other men going through similar experiences.  

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In this episode, Emma is joined by her old university friend Hannah to talk about miscarriage  - something they have a shared experience of. They talk about the long term effects of loss and the process of grief - Hannah didn't know how to cope with her loss at the beginning but has since found ways to find a place for her grief, and remember her angel baby. And they also talk about Myleene Klass's powerful documentary on miscarriage as well as the different ways men and women deal with baby loss. 

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We're back with Season 2. In this first episode of Hopes and Dreams S2 during Baby Loss Awareness Week, Emma talks to South London artist Emz Finch about miscarriage during Covid19 - something they have a shared experience of. Miscarriage is horrendous in itself, but the pandemic has made it even more isolating. However, Emz has found healing through her art and nature and explains techniques that have helped her recover from her losses and be hopeful for trying again. The episode is full of advice and where Emz accessed support and guidance - from books to Instagram connections. And will provide you with advice of things you can try yourself. It's a very positive and uplifting chat. Happy listening.

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Contact Emz Finch:

Instagram – www.instagram.com/emzfinchart

Or sign up to her mailing list at www.emzfinchart.co.uk

Other resources covered:

Forest Bathing UK – Faith Douglas. She’s incredible lady who has written a book called The Nature Remedy. www.instagram.com/forestbathinguk Tapping – look up Sarah Tobin on Instagram www.instagram.com/sarahtobin Breath work – Kelly (Yorkshire.yogi). www.instagram.com/yorkshire.yogi Wabi sabi - a book by Beth Kempton - is an acceptance and appreciation of the impermanent, imperfect, and incomplete nature of everything.” … “The impermanence of things is a fundamental law of nature. Things come and they go. Whatever things are like at the moment, they won’t always be like that. They won’t ‘always’ be like anything. There is ebb and flow in the river of life.” www.instagram.com/bethkempton

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In the final episode of Hopes and Dreams Season 1, Emma talks to her friends Pamela and Yon about their truly inspiring story to parenthood. Pamela was diagnosed with cervical cancer and was unable to carry a baby naturally. After years of research and travelling to different parts of the world, the couple decided to have their biological baby via a surrogate. The episode is full of advice about surrogacy after the couple undertook so much research and where they accessed support and guidance. It's an incredibly powerful and uplifting story of hope and strength, with a very happy ending. The perfect story to end the season on. Happy listening. 

Please forgive the sound quality - we were recording from the UK to Australia with slightly dodgy wifi and Yon had an old laptop (20 years old, his words!) which whirred a little!

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[TW: talking about miscarriage, ectopic loss, PTSD and suicidal thoughts] In this latest episode, Emma is joined by her colleague and friend Michelle to talk openly about two ectopic pregnancies, early miscarriage, IVF and PTSD. It's a very raw and honest chat. Michelle talks about the impact her experiences and losses have had on her mental health. She also shares advice and coping strategies.

While a story of awful loss and trauma, the episode is also full of light as Michelle talks about her rainbow baby and her hopes for the future. 

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Support Services

Ectopic Pregnancy Trust - The EPT strives to provide information, education and support to those affected by early pregnancy complications and to the health professionals who care for them. Ectopic Pregnancy is a common, life threatening condition that is the leading cause of death in early pregnancy. Website: https://ectopic.org.uk/

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June 2021 is the charity Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death) Awareness Month, which aims to shine a light on the amazing work the charity does to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby in the UK receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it. 

To celebrate 'Sands Always There' campaign, Emma is joined by Sands Aberdeen volunteer Fiona Donald. Fiona talks about her own losses, as well as the incredible work she and Sands colleagues do to support parents after baby loss, and trying again. Fiona also talks to Emma about how Sands support healthcare professionals through training as well as the wonderful facilities NHS Grampian have for bereaved parents, including the future opening of a special bereavement suite.

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Support Services

National Sands UK  - Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal loss charity in the UK. Sands ensures that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support as long as they need it.

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[TW: talking about miscarriage and loss in the second trimester] In this latest episode, Emma is joined by her friend Susie to talk openly about recurrent loss, including losing a baby in the second trimester. Susie talks movingly about her experiences and losing her daughter Beau, the care the family received from NHS staff and charity Sands, as well as talking about her coping strategies.

While a story of awful loss, the episode is also full of light as Susie talks about Beau and how she will always be part of their family. She also shares her thoughts on how to keep going and have hope, despite unimaginable loss and sadness.

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Support Services

Sands UK  - sands.org.uk - Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal loss charity in the UK. Sands ensures that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support as long as they need it.

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In this latest episode, Emma is joined by her friend Katherine to talk about Endometriosis and how it affected Kath's life for many years. And Kath also talks for the first time (outside her inner circle) about Postnatal depression - what it was like, how she navigated it and what advice she would give others going through it, especially now with the added isolation of Covid-19.

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In this latest episode, Emma is joined by her friend Bex to talk openly and honestly about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), early miscarriage and IVF. 

While talking about a difficult fertility journey (but with a happy ending), the episode is also full of light, humour and hope.

Resources:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) -https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/

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In this second episode, Emma is joined by her friend Rhiannon to talk openly about neonatal loss and the very difficult subject of losing a baby soon after welcoming them into the world. Rhiannon talks movingly about her son Harris, her experience of loss, and the care the family received from NHS staff and charity Sands, who provided vital support to her and her husband, Kevin. 

While a story of awful loss, the episode is also full of light as Rhiannon celebrates the life of Harris and how he will always be woven into the fabric of their family. Rhiannon also talks to Emma about supporting your partner when grieving the loss of your baby and things she wishes she'd known to help her through the dark times. 

Support Services

Sands UK  - sands.org.uk - Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal loss charity in the UK. Sands ensures that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support as long as they need it. 

Follow Hopes & Dreams on:

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In this first episode, Emma is joined by one of her best friends, Juliet. Juliet talks openly and honestly about her difficult journey to parenthood, including her experiences of miscarriage, recurrent loss, natural killer cells, and much more.

The episode is jam packed full of advice, coping strategies and support services, including;

• Tommy's www.tommys.org/
• Miscarriage Association www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/

Emma and Jules also talk about different procedures following their 8 losses, to hopefully help provide you with practical support too. And things they wish they'd known. They also discuss how they supported each other through loss and pregnancy.

Follow Hopes & Dreams on:

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The journey to parenthood can be a difficult one. For many, fertility can be one of life's greatest challenges. In this series, we'll be discussing many different experiences including stories of loss and grief but also, and most importantly, stories of strength and hope. 

In this introductory episode, join me, Emma Gilmartin as I share my personal story, including recurrent loss - I have had 5 miscarriages and one rainbow baby, the effect loss has had on my mental health, and more.