Latest news with #pregnancyloss
Irish Times
4 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'.
Irish Times
18-05-2025
- Irish Times
Woman alleges she lost pregnancy following assault by man who ‘made me a prostitute'
A distressed woman who alleged she recently lost a pregnancy following an assault by a man who 'made me a prostitute' has secured an interim barring order against him. The woman, who had visible facial injuries when she attended the emergency domestic violence court at Dublin's Dolphin House alone, said that when she first met the man she was a teenager and he knew she was a child in care. He 'made me a prostitute' up to two years ago, she said. 'I can't do it any more.' It was her birthday recently, and she was at home pregnant when he assaulted her, she said. She was treated in hospital and is no longer pregnant, she said. READ MORE Her accommodation was provided with assistance from the Health Service Executive and is in her name only, but the man lives there, 'won't leave me alone', is 'very controlling' and refuses to leave, she said. 'He's in the house right now.' In response to Judge Gerard Furlong asking whether she was in a relationship with the man, she said: 'I would not call it a relationship.' She is in fear of her life, the woman said. 'At this stage, I'm only existing, I'm taking a chance on him killing me.' When the judge asked if she had children with the man, she said: 'I gave them up for adoption.' Granting the woman's ex parte (only one side was represented in court) application for an interim barring order, the judge told her she should immediately bring the order papers to her local Garda station and they would remove the man from her home. She should contact gardaí if he returns or tries to make contact, he said. [ Man barred from home over aggressive behaviour can return after agreeing to conditional safety order Opens in new window ] 'I won't go home, I'll go straight to the guards now,' she said. When the judge asked would she return to court when the interim order is due to be reviewed later this month, she replied: 'Hopefully.' In another of several ex parte applications under the Domestic Violence Act before the judge on Friday, a woman said she is in fear as a result of her ex-partner's 'extremely obsessive' behaviour. They have lived apart for several years but, over the past two weeks, he has been stalking her, sitting in his van close to her home, constantly calling her wanting to know where she is and who she is with, and threatening her, including telling her 'a gang of women' would beat her up, she said. He has stopped paying maintenance for their teenage daughter 'as a form of punishment', she added. Her home is rented solely in her name, but he has a key that he is not entitled to and will not return to her, she said. She plans to change the locks, she said. [ Son menaced mother in demand for €100 to buy cocaine, court told Opens in new window ] 'I believe his mental health is very unstable and he is a danger to me,' she said. Judge Furlong said he would grant a protection order. As the order was being handed to the woman, she told the judge: 'My hands are shaking. I've never been in here before in my life.' In a different application, an elderly woman who said she is afraid of her husband and fears he is tampering with her food got a protection order against him. She saw her husband putting something in her food and was sick afterwards, she said. She eats out daily because she is afraid to eat at home, she said. Her husband has two sprays, she does not know what is in them, and he caused her 'terrible' pain after spraying one of them into her eyes, which became all bloodshot, she said. She is afraid of him, she said, adding that he broke her ribs in the past with his elbow.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pop Star Jessie J Opens Up About Pregnancy After Loss
Pregnancy loss can be a devastating experience for expectant parents who are eager to welcome a baby to the world. And, int Jessie J's case, that loss was especially hard, and she shared a lot about what she was going through when sang about it. Now, The 37-year-old said she's in a time of light and brightness after welcoming her rainbow baby to the world, and she can't wait to share her joy with all of her adoring fans. Related: Josh Duhamel Gets Candid About How Hard It Is To Raise Kids While Being an Actor The European pop star shared some of her feelings about motherhood with People, telling the magazine how she had been overwhelmed by the love she received after sharing the news of her miscarriage. "Honestly, the amount of love is so overwhelming," she said of fan reactions to her story. "There's always that little voice that's just like, 'Do people care? Do people want it?' And there's just been so much joy and excitement." But now, she says that she's feeling like that chapter of her life has a happy ending after she and boyfriend Chanan Safir Colman welcomed their first child together two years after she lost her pregnancy. "I adore this boy and this man so much, I could tear up," she said. "It breaks my heart that not everyone's going to get their happy ending. The gratefulness and the joy that I experience every day, waking up knowing he's in my house, and he's alive and well... Until you experience it, it's so hard to really understand. And I never really understood that until I had him." Now, she says when she sings that song she thinks about those people who she has lost, including her baby. "When I sing that song, I think about all the people that I have in the sky," she continued. "I'm living for them. I wish they could still be here." Up Next:
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bebe Rexha reveals devastating pregnancy loss as she hits back at rapper for body shaming her
Bebe Rexha has revealed she once suffered a devastating pregnancy loss. The singer, 35, made the heartbreaking confession after her Met Gala appearance became a target for body shamers. She excitedly shared photos of her outfit - which consisted of a curve-hugging Christian Sirano gown with grand tulle skirt - on social media, revealing it was 'My first Met Gala.' However, that excitement soon turned to sadness as body shamers started making negative comments about her appearance, but one criticism was particularly cruel. Rapper Azealia Banks, 33, who was not at the gala, took to social media to give her assessment of the I'm Good singer's look. 'Sis gives me – hormonal birth control implant or something,' the Ice Princess artist wrote on X. 'It's giving implanon/nuvaring she needs removed or depo shot that needs to stop happening (I'm not even tryna play her).' she wrote. In a since deleted post, Rexha revealed the tragedy behind her weight gain. 'I'm so tired of people commenting on my weight,' began the post, as reported by Page Six. 'I have PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome] and struggle with infertility,' the Say My Name singer explained. Weight gain is a common side effect to the condition according to WebMD. She then revealed the devastating loss she had experienced. 'I got pregnant, and it didn't work out and I've been carrying that pain in silence. I never owed anyone the truth, but maybe now you'll think twice before commenting on anyone's body,' she admonished. The Billboard Music Award winner responded specifically to Banks, writing: 'And you might wanna jump on some type of therapy, sis,' adding that the anti-depressant, 'lexapro worked great for me.' 'Something that helps with the deep rooted sadness and chaos you keep projecting. Healing looks good on everyone. Try it.' Rexha did not mention when the loss occurred or with whom she was expecting. The revelation was met with an outpouring of compassion. The 33-year-old commented on what kind of birth control she thought Rexha was using that might account for her curves In a since deleted tweet, Rexha revealed she had experienced a pregnancy loss; Pictured in New York City on Monday 'I'm sorry for the loss of your baby. deepest sympathies,' wrote a fan. An hour later Rexha to returned to the platform writing, 'Ok I'm gonna go and enjoy my day now. Have a good day everyone love you.' 'Petition to leave Bebe Rexha alone,' penned another. Rexha's message were met with an outpouring of compassion. 'I'm sorry for the loss of your baby. deepest sympathies,' wrote a fan 'Love you. Take care,' was a common message. While some loved her sharp words, other pushed back at Banks. 'She needs to be banned asap.. what's with the body shaming?' asked one person. 'You sure are a hater aren't you. We, as decent humans, should lift each other up, not tear each other down,' advised another.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pop star Bebe Rexha reveals pregnancy loss
Bebe Rexha recently went through a pregnancy loss. The 35-year-old pop star made the confession on social media, after rapper Azealia Banks criticised her appearance at the Met Gala. Azealia, 33 - who did not attend the star-studded event in New York City - wrote on X: "Sis gives me - hormonal birth control implant or something. It's giving implanon/nuvaring she needs removed or depo shot that needs to stop happening (I'm not even tryna play her) (sic)" In response, Bebe wrote on the micro-blogging platform: "And you might wanna jump on some type of therapy, sis, lexapro worked great for me. something that helps with the deep rooted sadness and chaos you keep projecting. Healing looks good on everyone. Try it (sic)" Bebe also hit out at internet trolls, revealing that she's "tired" of people discussing her weight. The singer explained that her weight fluctuation is linked to fertility issues and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In a now-deleted post, Bebe wrote on X: "I'm so tired of people commenting on my weight. I have PCOS and struggle with infertility. I got pregnant and it didn't work out and I've been carrying that pain in silence. I never owed anyone that truth, but maybe now you'll think twice before commentating on anyone else's body." The 'I Got You' hitmaker added: "Ok I'm gonna go and enjoy my day now [heart emoji] "Have a good day everyone love you. (sic)" Bebe previously took to Instagram to discuss her weight fluctuation. The singer wrote on the photo-sharing platform in June 2023: "I know I've gained weight. Humans go through fluctuations. "Not gonna lie it does suck and bother me when I read some comments but it comes with the territory." Bebe has learned to "accept" herself and her body. And the chart-topping star insists she isn't defined by her weight. Her Instagram post continued: "I've been learning not to judge myself and accept myself while also trying to make healthier decisions in my life. What I have learned though is numbers don't define you, your heart does."
