Cradle Podcast: Baby loss & pregnancy choices

Cradle Charity

Welcome to The CRADLE Podcast. We are a supportive, honest space dedicated to conversations around pregnancy loss and pregnancy choices. CRADLE is a UK national charity working alongside the NHS to ensure no one navigates baby loss or difficult pregnancy decisions alone. Hosted by BBC TV and radio presenter Kay Crewdson, who shares from her own personal experience of loss, this podcast extends that circle of care directly to you, where ever you are. In each episode, we explore the deep realities of baby loss and reproductive healthcare. You’ll hear: Personal & Family Stories: Brave, lived experiences from parents, partners, friends, and family. Healthcare Professionals: NHS staff and specialists sharing insights and how they’ve integrated CRADLE services into patient care. Workplace Advocates: Employers taking meaningful steps to support employees through pregnancy loss. We’re going to cry, but there will also be moments of warmth, hope, and laughter. Most importantly, you will find support, because the most important part of being together is knowing you are never alone. Connect with us: cradlecharity.org

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    17 Miscarriages, five losses and still finding hope

    Pregnancy and baby loss are rarely discussed openly, but within the South Asian community, cultural stigma, expectations of hidden grief, and traditional silence can make an already tragic journey feel intensely isolating. In this episode of Cradle, Kay talks to Imtiaz Fizal, who shares her extraordinary story of grief, endurance but also hope. Having lost five children to a rare genetic condition and experienced 17 miscarriages over two decades, Imtiaz reflects on navigating deep personal sorrow without a space to speak about it. She talks about the harsh contrast between cultural expectations around mourning, like being excluded from cemetery burials and being expected to move on after five days. But she also talks about an issue anyone faces after baby loss; the reality of living with lifelong grief. Tragically she has also had to support her own daughter through loss, which has reopened past wounds. But now dedicates her life to breaking down barriers for other women and families in her community. Key Themes The Reality of Multiple Losses: Imtiaz recounts her journey through 17 miscarriages and the loss of five children to a recurring genetic disorder. Cultural Stigma and Hidden Grief: How traditional expectations in the South Asian community often restrict open conversations about baby loss and emotional processing. Gender Divide in Mourning: The distinct cultural rules separating men and women during funerals, burials, and grieving periods. Intergenerational Trauma: The emotional impact of supporting her rainbow baby daughter through her own experience with miscarriage. Peer Support as Healing: Turning two decades of isolation into community action by building safe spaces for women and men to share their stories. Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to Cradle: Kay Crewdson on navigating baby loss and finding community. 01:25 – Imtiaz’s story: Recounting the loss of five children and a rare genetic diagnosis. 03:20 – Navigating 17 miscarriages and welcoming two rainbow babies. 04:09 – "Shush and keep it to yourself": Cultural silence in the South Asian community. 07:40 – The day of the funeral: Traditional rules, gender separation, and cemetery exclusions. 11:05 – The "five-day rule": How short mourning periods leave parents to grieve alone. 14:47 – Finding the strength to try again amidst repeated heartache. 18:42 – Reopening the box: Watching her daughter face baby loss and supporting her through it. 25:00 – Dark moments, mental health struggles, and finding a reason to keep going. 26:16 – How men grieve in silence: Cultural expectations placed on husbands. 33:00 – A daughter's goodbye: The night Imtiaz’s infant son passed away at home. 38:35 – Turning pain into purpose: Community work, breaking taboos, and helping others heal. 48:45 – Closing thoughts and resources for support via Cradle Charity. LINKS If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the themes discussed in this episode, support is available: Cradle Charity: Access 1-to-1 support, peer groups, and counsellor-led sessions at cradlecharity.org.

    17 Miscarriages, five losses and still finding hope

  2. Season 2 Trailer

    Cradle podcast - Baby loss and pregnancy choices trailer

    Welcome to Cradle. Honest, compassionate conversations about baby loss, from the charity Cradle. Hear real stories of grief, love and remembrance and find comfort in knowing it's not just you. Whether you’ve been through baby loss yourself, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to understand, you’re welcome here. You are not alone. https://cradlecharity.org/

    Cradle podcast - Baby loss and pregnancy choices trailer

  3. 03/03/2023

    10: Jenny Agg - Miscarriage & Trying Again

    10: Jenny Agg - Miscarriage & Trying Again In the final episode of Season 1, Kay chats with author Jennie Agg about recurrent miscarriage and the journey to be pregnant again and writing about it Jennie Agg Jennie Agg is an acclaimed health and science journalist, whose work has appeared in The Times, Guardian, Mail, Telegraph, Red, Grazia, Elle UK, and Women’s Health, among others. She writes the award-winning blog The Uterus Monologues. Life, Almost: Miscarriage, misconceptions, and a search for answers from the brink of motherhood is her first book. In this episode we cover Jennie before miscarriage naiveté and ignorance catastrophising when to inform? why the taboo? work (returning) from pregnancy to 4th miscarriage Need & numbness Pregnant again Mentioned in this episode: Marriage - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0cpnd15 Find: https://jennieagg.com/ http://www.uterusmonologues.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jenniemonologues Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    10: Jenny Agg - Miscarriage & Trying Again

  4. 02/17/2023

    9: Dan Hill Pt 2 - Daddys With Angels

    Episode 8 - Dan Hill - Daddy's With Angels In Pt 2 Kay digs deeper into the life of Dan Hill, director of Daddy's with Angels and charts the spectacular growth of a self proclaimed "not very nice man" through the joys and triumphs of 12 pregnancies into the head of a global charity https://www.daddyswithangels.org/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/daddyswithangels.angeldads.international Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    9: Dan Hill Pt 2 - Daddys With Angels

  5. 02/10/2023

    Dan Hill - Daddys With Angels

    Episode 8 - Dan Hill - Daddy's With Angels In this episode Kay chats with the director of Daddy's with Angels and charts the spectacular growth of a self proclaimed "not very nice man" through the joys and triumphs of 12 pregnancies into the head of a global charity https://www.daddyswithangels.org/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/daddyswithangels.angeldads.international Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    Dan Hill - Daddys With Angels

  6. 01/27/2023

    Vanishing Twin Syndrome with Nicola Newman

    Title: Vanishing Twin Syndrome with Nicola Newman Description: In a conversation which has deep resonance for Kay she talks to Nicola Newman about navigating the conflicting emotions of simultaneously being pregnant with a dead and a live baby Guest at a Glance Nicola is an IT analyst and regular human being navigating the complicated path of becoming a parent. She was led to Cradle during the lockdowns of 2020 when she experienced the loss of one of her twins to Vanishing Twin Syndrome. In Cradle, Nicola found a safe space to share and process her grief. In this episode we cover Cradle connected & how Nicola came to CRADLE Vanishing Twin Syndrome Navigating the conflicting emotions Coping in Lockdown The new you Belonging Naming Being pregnant Angry Thoughts Sunsets & Sunrises Mentioned in this episode: https://www.lighthousestherapyservices.co.uk/ CRADLE Connected - https://cradlecharity.org/connected/ Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    Vanishing Twin Syndrome with Nicola Newman

  7. 01/13/2023

    Ectopic pregnancy, Loss & Passion - Jules Lindop

    In this episode Kay chats to Jules about her long journey from her first ectopic pregnancy, through multiple miscarriages to CRADLE ambassador. In an incredibly open exchange, Jules experiences some really raw and surprising emotions as they chat.  Guest at a Glance Jules work as an H&S Administrator in road marking alongside a volunteer role as a Wellbeing Ambassador. She has been married to Tony since 1999 and is a survivor of ectopic pregnancies and numerous miscarriages. Jules has been a Cradle Ambassador for 3 years working closely with UHNM Stoke. In this episode we cover What she does as an ambassador Jules pregnancy loss journey & her passion Nearly dying and the first ectopic pregnancy 30 yrs of the never asked question 7 years of repetitive loss The new Jules or confidence through loss? The importance of CRADLE Couple Communication Hope Find: https://twitter.com/juleslindop https://www.facebook.com/groups/275434020492669/ cradlejules@gmail.com Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    Ectopic pregnancy, Loss & Passion - Jules Lindop

  8. 12/09/2022

    5: Miscarriage, Visibility & Shared Journeys - The Himmat Collective

    Episode 5: The Himmat Collective - Miscarriage, Visibility & shared Journeys Description: In this episode kay chats with Vik and Sarina, a couple that she interviewed for the BBC Northwests series on Babyloss during Babyloss Awareness week. They talk about Miscarriage, the visibility of babyloss for men and the South Asian community and reflect on their shared journey as a couple. Guest at a Glance After their experience of miscarriage Vik and Sarina started the Himmat Collective , to work with Punjabi communities to refresh views on fertility In this episode we cover: The 1st miscarriage and COVID The 2nd miscarriage: Sharing the journey The visibility of men and south Asians Normalising the conversation Loss in the Asian Community The Himmat Collective and what it does Medical Professional Insensitivity Dealing with friends and family reaction Forgiveness and Faith Navigating grief Naming babies Hope Mentioned in this episode: Find: https://linktr.ee/himmatcollective https://twitter.com/HimmatCo https://www.tiktok.com/@himmatco https://www.instagram.com/himmatco/ himmatcollective@gmail.com Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    5: Miscarriage, Visibility & Shared Journeys - The Himmat Collective

  9. 11/25/2022

    4: Martin Abrams - Comfort, faith & Caring

    Title: Martin Abrams - Caring, Faith and Comfort Description: In this episode Kay talks to Chaplain and Cradle Trustee, Martin Abrams. They explore his journey as a full time hospital chaplain, and his experience of caring for bereaved parents, the perspective of his faith and the challenge of trying to bring comfort in the worst moments Guest at a Glance Revd Martin Abrams, full time hospital chaplain (Southport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust) Martin is a core member of the Palliative Care Team, attends their regular Multi-Disciplinary Meeting and works with the team within the hospital, hospice and community. He is also a former Methodist representative to the Churches’ Funerals Group Show Notes: In this episode we cover what does chaplaincy mean caring for the carer religious conflicts?? Why Me? What not to say Journeying Find: soh-tr.chaplains@nhs.net Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk Follow us - Apple - https://apple.co/3RWoxEi Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3Tl6pVJ Google Podcasts(Android) - https://bit.ly/3MwooX4

    4: Martin Abrams - Comfort, faith & Caring

  10. 11/11/2022

    3: Belinda Champion - Caring, singing & Empathy Description

    3: Belinda Champion - Caring, singing & Empathy Description In this episode Kay gets all excited to chat with Cradle Ambassador Belinda Champion. She's excited by Belinda's famous singing connections but more importantly moved by Belinda's journey through her own grief to support babyloss families as a nurse and sonographer. Guest at a Glance Belinda Champion, known as B, is an advanced clinical practitioner and lead nurse for a cross site EPAU service at Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust. She is a Cradle Ambassador, a new national pregnancy loss charity and is a member of the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS choir. Belinda has worked as a nurse in the NHS for 24 years specialising in women’s health. Her passion for women’s health led her to extend her scope of practice to become a nurse sonographer in 2008 where she successfully completed a PgCert in focussed ultrasound in first trimester and gynaecology with distinction at City University In this episode we cover Who is Belinda and why does Kay call her a celebrity what is an advanced clinical practitioner The reward Belinda's journey Empathy Working with CRADLE Caring for the carers Belinda's grief The future of pregnancy loss care Making support accessible The comfort of coming together family and friends Importance of language The role of a Sonographer The Taboo of talking Mentioned in this episode: The Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Choir with Justin Bieber - https://youtu.be/jXy0s9pexCo The Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Choir with Rag & Bone Man and Pink - https://youtu.be/Yn2Ytx0E4tc Find: Belinda linkedin.com/in/belinda-champion-90165b23 The Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Choir - https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/the-trust-choir https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpR2L_jToVICkl5yJV2ANqw Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    3: Belinda Champion - Caring, singing & Empathy Description

  11. 10/28/2022

    Ep2: David Monteith - Joy & Pain

    In this episode David Monteith takes Kay on his 8 year journey of ups and down discovering the joy and pain of child birth and baby death Guest at a Glance David Monteith is an actor/director/tutor, coach, and veteran podcaster. He and his wife Siobhan created Grace in Action to spread the word about life after babyloss after the death of their daughter Grace in 2014 In this episode we cover I Pause - a spoken word piece Grace's story The Void - the time between death and birth Talking to kids Trigger Warnings and flashbacks The Dead Baby Birth Experience Being a man To milk or not to milk Facing Death Friends and the friendship contract Trauma and joy   Mentioned in this episode: I Pause - https://youtu.be/dFD7mqqkPRE I Grieve - https://youtu.be/kLwBQLaRw6w   Find: Grace in Action - https://www.youtube.com/c/GraceinAction https://www.instagram.com/graceinaction14/ https://twitter.com/graceinact https://www.facebook.com/GraceInAction14 David https://www.facebook.com/david.monteith.587/ https://twitter.com/davidmonteith https://www.instagram.com/davidmonteith/   Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    Ep2: David Monteith - Joy & Pain

  12. 10/14/2022

    1:Louise Zeniou: Grief, self deception & growth

    In the first episode of CRADLE Podcast. Louise Zeniou, founder of CRADLE talks to Kay Crewsdon about her inspiring journey from her own isolation to the founder of a serving community. Guest at a Glance Louise is a Consultant in the Health sector working across the Construction, Social Enterprise and charity sectors advising on Estates, Design and clinical pathways, creating social value opportunities and services for commissioning. She is also the CEO of CRADLE Charity, an organisation born out of her experience of surviving an ectopic pregnancy. In this episode we cover Intro to Cradle Lou's story Grief, self deception & counselling The burden The Words that can help or hinder CRADLE the origin story What you don't get told The Diversity of Pregnancy Loss experience What CRADLE does and how far it reaches Mentioned in this episode: https://www.lighthousestherapyservices.co.uk/ Find: https://twitter.com/cradlelouise Continue the conversation - https://twitter.com/cradle_charity Send us a message to let us know what in this episode has resonated with you - podcast@cradlecharity.org This podcast was produced by RogueSpirit Productions - message to see how they can help you produce your podcast - david@roguespirit.co.uk

    1:Louise Zeniou: Grief, self deception & growth
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About

Welcome to The CRADLE Podcast. We are a supportive, honest space dedicated to conversations around pregnancy loss and pregnancy choices. CRADLE is a UK national charity working alongside the NHS to ensure no one navigates baby loss or difficult pregnancy decisions alone. Hosted by BBC TV and radio presenter Kay Crewdson, who shares from her own personal experience of loss, this podcast extends that circle of care directly to you, where ever you are. In each episode, we explore the deep realities of baby loss and reproductive healthcare. You’ll hear: Personal & Family Stories: Brave, lived experiences from parents, partners, friends, and family. Healthcare Professionals: NHS staff and specialists sharing insights and how they’ve integrated CRADLE services into patient care. Workplace Advocates: Employers taking meaningful steps to support employees through pregnancy loss. We’re going to cry, but there will also be moments of warmth, hope, and laughter. Most importantly, you will find support, because the most important part of being together is knowing you are never alone. Connect with us: cradlecharity.org

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