Latest news with #miscarriage
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Woman who suffered six miscarriages says employers' response ranged from empathy to pressure to return to work
A woman who suffered six miscarriages has said the response from employers ranged from empathy to pressure to return to work. Jennifer Duggan, chair of the Miscarriage Association of Ireland , said she felt like she needed to 'suck it up, be fine and get on with it' when she did go back to work. She said legislation providing for leave during pregnancy loss would mean people have space to both recover physically and 'time to grieve'. The Labour Party argues there has been 'no progress' on the issue of pregnancy loss leave since it tabled a Bill on the topic in 2021 . READ MORE The Government said it is committed to introducing such measures in legislation that is to be drafted as a 'priority'. Ms Duggan, from Co Cork, said she and her husband Padraig decided to start a family in 2008 and she became pregnant. However, she said, 'our world fell from under us when we went for our scan at 13 weeks to be told: 'I'm so sorry, but there is no heartbeat.'' She was working in retail at the time, and her doctor signed her off on sick leave. However, she said she had 'stress and anxiety' when getting calls from a company nurse, which left her 'feeling pressured into going back to work'. When she returned, she found it difficult to deal with the public while feeling as if 'at any moment a dam of tears could burst'. She sought a different role but was told 'basically ... to get on with it'. 'So that was what I felt I needed to do. Suck it up, be fine and get on with it.' [ Tribunal hears legal argument over whether recent miscarriage triggers maternity law protections Opens in new window ] Ms Duggan went on to work elsewhere in customer service and experienced varying levels of support during five more miscarriages. After her fourth miscarriage, tests discovered she had a genetic condition that resulted in a higher risk of miscarrying. Ms Duggan also said that after this fourth loss her workplace was 'supportive to a degree', but she was also given a written warning over an absence. However, her manager at the time of her fifth miscarriage was 'so supportive', she said. She got sick leave, and 'there was no pressure put on me to rush back'. She also experienced support after the loss of a sixth baby, with a manager 'checking in to see how I was doing without being invasive'. Her first son, Daithi, was born in 2009. She has two other children: Siofra (13) and Oisin (9). She said that over eight years 'we had six miscarriages – lost six little babies – and had three beautiful living children'. 'How your employer deals with you at one of the most difficult times in your life can have a huge impact on the healing process and the trauma that goes with it,' she said. Jennifer Duggan with her husband Padraig and children Dáithi, Siofra and Oisin The Miscarriage Association of Ireland offers peer-to-peer support for people experiencing pregnancy loss. Ms Duggan said legislating for miscarriage leave would mean 'one less thing people experiencing pregnancy loss have to worry about'. Proposed legislation first put forward by the Labour Party in 2021 would provide for up to 20 days of paid leave for women suffering early pregnancy loss. In January 2024, the then-government deferred any progression of the Bill for 12 months to allow more time to develop legislative proposals. Labour Party TD Marie Sherlock recently tabled a parliamentary question asking Minister for Children Norma Foley if she intends to take up the issues in Labour's Bill. In response, Ms Foley said she recognises 'the enormous, personal impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents'. Officials were said to be examining a study by University College Cork (UCC) academics that recommended 'a statutory right to paid leave' for pre-viability pregnancy loss. Ms Foley's department is also developing the next National Strategy for Women and Girls, due to be published by the end of June, which would be informed by the UCC research. The department is also to engage with the Department of Enterprise on the issues in Labour's Bill. [ Even the word 'miscarriage' seems to suggest the mother is somehow at fault Opens in new window ] Ms Sherlock said 'seeing is believing here in terms of the Government actually being serious about developing any legislative proposals'. She argued there has been 'no progress' since Labour first tabled its Bill in 2021. A Department of Children statement said the Government 'has committed to including provisions providing for leave for pregnancy loss' in a Bill 'which has been given priority drafting'. It said development of a new form of family leave requires 'very careful consideration around who would be entitled to the leave and how the leave would operate in practice'. 'It is important that any form of leave would be effective in addressing the needs of employees, while also be practical to implement,' it said. The department said 'any form of leave – even unpaid – can have significant costs for the exchequer and these must be fully identified'.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Pregnant Liz McClarnon, 44, reveals how she and her doctor husband went through miscarriages and multiple IVF rounds after trying to conceive months into their whirlwind relationship
Liz McClarnon has revealed how she and her doctor husband went through two miscarriages and multiple rounds of IVF before conceiving their child. The Atomic Kitten star, 44, shared the happy news earlier this month that she is expecting her first child with her husband Peter Cho, telling her followers in the Instagram announcement that she has finally become pregnant after years of 'painful' IVF. Now, the singer has spoken out on her difficult journey to conceive, as well as her whirlwind relationship with her doctor husband Peter. Liz married Peter in June 2023, but didn't reveal his identity to her followers until they celebrated their first wedding anniversary last year. She has now revealed how the couple first connected on Hinge, mid-2021 lockdown and after communicating with messages for a month they finally met in person in July 2021. Within four months Liz moved from Liverpool to London to live with her doctor beau, and after another four months he proposed in Bath. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The couple started their IVF journey early on in their relationship, as Liz explained that they were both conscious of her age - 40 at the time they met. In 2022, the couple had three failed embryo transfers, which took a mental and physical toll on Liz. 'The first time we did it, I thought, "This will be it,"' she recalled to The Mirror. 'But by my third cycle, it was obviously very different. When that one didn't work, I was really quite sick and I was in a dark hole.' 'I'd put on so much weight but I didn't want to tell anyone why, because I didn't want the IVF to become my identity, my whole personality.' The couple decided to take a break before their 2023 wedding before trying again, but toward the end of 2024 they suffered two heartbreaking miscarriages following their first successful cycles. Liz explained how she felt she was 'done' after the last loss and Peter supported her decision. 'Peter was absolutely on board with that, he didn't say anything other than, "This is your body and I'll support whatever you decide you want," which was a huge thing for me. I felt so bad emotionally, it was really tough' After a Christmas spent with her family back home in Liverpool though, they decided to try again and happily found out she was pregnant in the New Year. Now in her second trimester, Liz is now looking forward to everything that is to come but admits she is nervous. 'Don't get me wrong, I'm so grateful, but I'm also petrified. But you know what? It's happened to women older than me before, and it'll happen again – so we'll just get on with it!' she told the magazine. In June 2024, Liz revealed the identity of her husband Peter as they celebrated their first wedding anniversary. The fiercely private singer took to her Stories with two snaps of her handsome spouse, after his face was previously masked by confetti i n the photo from their big day. Alongside a snap of Peter in the sunshine, Liz wrote: 'Guess what?! I've been married to my perfect match for a whole year, I love you Peter Cho!' She then shared a throwback from their wedding day as they posed together, with the bride looking stunning in a Bardot neckline gown with full skirt. The pair cuddled up, Peter looking dapper in a three-piece black suit, with Liz adding: 'Thank you for your lovely well wishes.' They tied the knot in the Lake District, with the guests including Liz's former bandmate Natasha Hamilton.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Woman Feels Guilty After Being Asked to Lie to a Friend's Husband About Her Drinking and Vape Usage as They Try for a Baby
A woman wrote on Mumsnet that she feels guilty lying to her friend's husband about her drinking and vape usage She said her friend and her husband are attempting to have a baby but they have suffered numerous miscarriages "I've been keeping it a secret out of my loyalty towards her," the woman saidA woman is feeling guilty about being asked to lie to her friend's husband. In a post on the U.K.-based forum Mumsnet, the woman said her friend and her spouse are in a 'rocky marriage" as they have been trying for a baby but have suffered numerous miscarriages. The husband, the woman said, wants his wife to quit drinking and vaping to increase their likliehood to conceive, but the woman said her friend is "hiding the fact that she's doing both from him." Recently, the woman said her friend's vape "fell out of her pocket" and her husband "saw it." The woman said her friend asked her to lie and say it belonged to her, but she wasn't onboard with the idea. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! "I tell her firmly, NO, that I feel very uncomfortable doing that, because it means that I am now lying to [her husband], who is also a friend of mine, and he's told me that he does not want her vaping," she wrote. "I've been keeping it a secret out of my loyalty towards her." Continued the woman, "I told her instead that she needs to tell [her husband], sincerely, that this is the last time FOR REAL that she smoked, but she tells me IT'S NOT GOING TO BE." Still, despite her decision to not back her friend, the woman said she is now thinking she should've. "I told her no, but I am feeling guilty," she explained. "I feel like I should have just said that the pen was mine, I left at their house so she was carrying it around for me, etc." "But a part of me did not want to lie for her anymore," the woman added. Other Mumsnet users overwhelmingly felt that the woman had nothing to feel guilty about. 'She's adult enough to be married, so she is adult enough to take responsibility for her actions,' one wrote. Another insisted, 'Never get involved in other people's lies.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest meanwhile, questioned why the couple, who had a relationship "full of red flags," wanted to expand their family when their relationship was not at its strongest. Read the original article on People
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Atomic Kitten singer Liz McClarnon, 44, opens up on miracle baby joy after heartbreaking IVF journey
ATOMIC Kitten songstress Liz McClarnon admitted she felt "broken" and in a "dark hole" prior to her IVF success. The Eternal Flame vocalist, 44, revealed the happy news of her pregnancy last month after spending two decades trying to conceive. 6 6 6 Liz, 44, shared her baby news in a sweet video on Instagram. The mum-to-be - who is expecting a baby with husband Peter Cho - looked glowing in the short clip. Yet while the scenes showed the Atomic Kitten alum beaming with happiness, she has now revealed the toll the couple's IVF attempts had taken. Liz said of their three failed embryo transfer attempts in 2022: 'The first time we did it, I thought, 'This will be it. "But by my third cycle, it was obviously very different. "When that one didn't work, I was really quite sick and I was in a dark hole." She added to MirrorOnline: "I'd put on so much weight but I didn't want to tell anyone why, because I didn't want the IVF to become my identity, my whole personality. "I was still doing shows and I'd see the comments online talking about me. 'I remember one said, 'She's getting really thick,' and others were like, 'She's unrecognisable.' "I tried to remember that those people didn't know what was happening, but it was hard. Liz McLarnon at breast cancer bash "I just felt broken after the third time, so we took a break before the wedding." Liz and her husband Peter got married two years ago in the Lake District. Yet towards the end of last year they suffered two tragic miscarriages. Happily, the couple are now on the road to being parents, with Liz taking precautions due to her age classifying it as a "high risk" pregnancy. BABY REVEAL She looked glowing in the clip posted to social media last month. The captions over the video read: "I've been keeping a secret from you, and I've mostly kept myself off social media because sometimes it was hard to smile. "But after years of sometimes quite painful IVF and dark times, I'm pregnant! "We feel like we've been given the world." Liz also wrote a heartwarming message next to the video, which read: "I started to record a video of me just telling you but I got too emotional so I thought I'd just hide behind this little announcement instead. "I just can't believe we're here. "So many have been through exactly what I went through and worse. "I want to share what I can and add my voice and ears to those who already help others understand or deal with all that comes with IVF and loss after so much hope. "I've been a part of some beautifully supportive communities. I'm so grateful. I am so grateful!" 6 6
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study Finds Link Between COVID Infection and Miscarriage—Experts Weigh in on the Risks
Fact checked by Sarah Scott A recent study found that people infected with COVID before or during pregnancy are two to three times more likely to experience a miscarriage before week 20 of pregnancy. The study, which involved nearly 27,000 pregnancies, used electronic health records to determine the relationship between COVID and miscarriage from 2019 to 2023. They also looked at the incidence of ectopic pregnancy and preterm delivery. The news is troubling, and might have parents to be feeling anxious. Here, Parents spoke with Micaela Sandoval, PhD, MPH, one of the study authors and an epidemiologist with UTHealth Houston, to explain what the study's results mean, and how you can keep yourself safe if you're planning to become pregnant. Dr. Sandoval says the study revealed that the overall proportion of pregnancies that ended in miscarriage was 6%—still a low number, but higher among people who had COVID in the past. "In our models, the odds of a pregnancy ending in miscarriage were 2.81 times higher among women who had had moderate to severe COVID-19 before getting pregnant, compared to women who had not had COVID-19 before getting pregnant." Additionally, she says pregnant people who had moderate to severe COVID-19 in early pregnancy had 2.45 times greater odds of miscarriage compared to women who had no COVID-19 during their pregnancy. "This study reviewed the incidence of miscarriage over time in their group of patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis, and compared it to the group of patients that did not have a COVID-19 infection before or during pregnancy," says Sasha Andrews, MD, a board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group in Denver, Colorado who is not affiliated with the study. "Interestingly, the miscarriage rate in this study was lower than the rate generally quoted, which is approximately 15% of recognized pregnancies." Studies indicate that this percentage of pregnancies result in miscarriage during the first trimester. That said, the actual incidence of miscarriage, related to COVID or not, is difficult to determine and varies by the study population, adds Dr. Andrews. Many losses occur before the diagnosis of pregnancy, she says—in other words, before the person even knows they are pregnant or has the chance to see a doctor. The authors also found that increasing age, Black or Hispanic ethnicity, and medical conditions were associated with an increased risk of miscarriage. These findings are consistent with other studies of pregnancies and miscarriage rates not affected by COVID-19, says Dr. Andrews. COVID-19 can place significant stress on the body, especially during early pregnancy, when the baby is developing, says Amanda P. Williams, MD, MPH, FACOG, interim chief medical officer for the March of Dimes. "Pregnancy makes a person more vulnerable to viruses like COVID-19 because the immune system shifts to support the growing baby," she explains. When someone becomes infected during pregnancy, Dr. Williams says the immune system causes a strong inflammatory response that can negatively impact the growing placenta and fetus. "COVID-19 may also cause high fevers, which is an established risk factor for pregnancy loss," she says. "In more severe cases, infection can impair placental function or limit oxygen delivery to the fetus. While research is still emerging, studies like this one add to the growing body of evidence that COVID-19 negatively affects pregnancy outcomes for both mom and baby." According to Dr. Sandoval, these results demonstrate the importance of vaccination and post-COVID management in pregnant people or those planning to get pregnant. "Women who are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy should talk to their doctor about the COVID-19 vaccine and management options," says Dr. Sandoval. "Additionally, pregnant women who think they might have COVID-19 should inform their provider as soon as possible to discuss available treatment or management strategies." This study, like others before it, reinforces that miscarriage risk is influenced by many factors, many of which existed long before COVID-19 infection was so widespread, explains Dr. Williams. "Advanced maternal age, chronic health conditions, and systemic inequities, particularly among communities of color, can all compound the risk," she adds. Even without COVID-19 being a factor in your life, being 35 or older, having high blood pressure or diabetes, or experiencing socioeconomic stressors can increase the likelihood of pregnancy loss. "What COVID seems to do is amplify those existing risks. For example, people from historically marginalized communities already face higher rates of maternal complications due to longstanding structural inequities, and they've also been disproportionately affected by COVID-19," says Dr. Williams. Risks of miscarriage can also be influenced by smoking, alcohol, and diabetes, says Lauren Demosthenes, MD, an OB-GYN, senior medical director with Babyscripts, and associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville. "But the main cause of first-trimester miscarriage is genetic abnormalities, which increase with the age of the mother." In fact, approximately 50% of all cases of early pregnancy loss are due to fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Although having a miscarriage is not always something that can be prevented, and you should not blame yourself or something you did if you experience pregnancy loss, there are things you can do to make sure you have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Here are some strategies you can implement to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy. Make prenatal care a priority. Schedule your first prenatal visit as soon as you find out you're pregnant, and go to all your checkups, even if you feel fine, says Dr. Williams. "Early and regular prenatal care helps identify and manage potential issues before they become serious. Talk to your provider about your COVID exposure. If you get COVID-19 or think you've been exposed, let your OB-GYN or midwife know, says Dr. Williams. They can guide you on what steps to take. Discuss vaccines recommended in pregnancy. The COVID-19 vaccine and other recommended immunizations, such as Influenza, RSV, and Pertussis, are safe during pregnancy and can help protect you and your baby, says Dr. Williams. "Vaccination during pregnancy not just decreases the chance of infection for the pregnant person, but the new baby also gains protective antibodies, which is particularly important as newborns cannot receive many vaccinations until months later." Manage chronic health conditions. Work with your provider to keep conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, and autoimmune disorders under control, says Dr. Williams. "These can increase the risk of complications if not well-managed during pregnancy." Take care of your body. Get plenty of rest, eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated, and take a prenatal vitamin with folic acid, suggests Dr. Williams. "These habits support both immune health and fetal development. " Avoid harmful substances and exposures. Don't smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs during pregnancy, says Dr. Williams. Also, steer clear of toxic chemicals like paint thinners, pesticides, and secondhand smoke, she says. Have an appropriate view of miscarriage and get support. According to Katherine Wolfe, DO, a maternal-fetal specialist and the director of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Program at Akron Children's, often the cause of miscarriage is an underlying genetic condition, and chromosomal microarray—in these instances, the loss was out of your control. "Miscarriage can be a devastating event, and emotional support is imperative."Aside from getting vaccinated, there are other things you can do to prevent COVID, says Dr. Wolfe. These include: Practicing good hand hygiene Avoiding contact with people who are sick Improving air quality by filtering indoor air with an air purifier Cleaning or replacing HVAC filters regularly Planning social gatherings outside Wearing a mask in crowded areasIf you test positive for COVID-19 in early pregnancy, contact your OB-GYN or midwife. They can help you understand what the infection might mean for your pregnancy and determine if additional monitoring or care is needed based on your health history. Sometimes healthcare providers will recommend treating COVID with Paxlovid during pregnancy. "Having COVID during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes like preeclampsia and preterm delivery. It can also increase the risk of a more serious illness," says Dr. Demosthenes. While it's normal to have concerns, a COVID infection doesn't guarantee complications or a miscarriage, adds Dr. Williams. "Staying informed and connected to your healthcare provider is the best way to protect your health and your baby's. They're there to answer your questions and support you throughout your pregnancy."According to Dr. Andrews, COVID-19 has not been associated with fetal malformations, even when an infection occurs early in the first trimester. "Additionally, there are other studies that have not demonstrated an increased risk of miscarriage." Having COVID during pregnancy does not automatically mean you will experience the original article on Parents
