Sep 14

Samantha Jones - Midwife to Fertility Specialist: Trusting Your Body, Trusting Your Instincts

In this powerful two-part conversation, host Heather sits down with Samantha Jones — an ex-NHS midwife, acupuncturist, and now a fertility and pregnancy specialist — for an episode that comes at maternity care from both sides. Samantha always wanted to be a midwife, and after having her own children and a wonderful experience of midwifery care, she went back and trained. But the reality of the job wasn’t the one she’d signed up for. After around seven years in the NHS, she found herself building rapport with women she then couldn’t care for the way she wanted: ten-minute appointments, protocols that didn’t fit the people in front of her, and a system where care felt disjointed rather than trauma-informed. She is candid about the two things she would change tomorrow — the blame culture and the time constraints — and equally clear that midwives genuinely want to be with women. That, after all, is what the word means. Heather shares her own experience of being sent away after a loss with no leaflet, no aftercare, and a walk back through a waiting room full of scan photographs — and together they talk about what compassionate, trauma-informed support after baby loss could actually look like. In the second half, Samantha turns to her fertility work. She explains how supporting women through birth trauma led her to women who simply didn’t want to try again, and how that shaped a practice built on choice rather than being pro- or anti-anything. She talks about unexplained infertility as good news rather than a diagnosis, why not everything needs to be medicalised, the “cycle of despair” couples ride every single month, and the profound effect of feeling disconnected from your own body — including one client of ten years who conceived naturally after seven months of working together. Key Topics Covered: Seven years in the NHS and why the care felt disjointed What trauma-informed care really means — and why being heard matters The blame culture and time constraints she would change tomorrow The gap in support after miscarriage and baby loss, and what should replace it The BRAIN acronym and the 2015 Montgomery case — your rights in maternity care “Ignore a woman’s intuition at your own peril” — trusting your instincts How birth trauma work led Samantha into fertility Unexplained infertility, IVF, and why not everything needs medicalising The cycle of despair, and living in the wait rather than waiting to live Why preconception care should start 3–6 months before trying The mind-body connection as the biggest and least-discussed block Samantha’s three practical tips: omega 6:3 ratio, stress, and mind-body work A moving, hope-filled conversation that ends with both women in tears — and a message that it is okay not to be okay. Connect with Samantha: Samantha Jones — Fertility & Pregnancy Specialist, Ex-NHS Midwife & Acupuncturist Website: naturalfertilityandpregnancy.com Email: sam@naturalpregnancy.wales Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

Aug 31

Michelle Turpin - When Support Was Missing: One Woman's Fight for Baby Loss Awareness

In this powerful episode, host Heather sits down with Michelle Turpin, a women’s empowerment coach and hypnotherapist, to discuss baby loss, the lack of support so many women face, and her journey to becoming an advocate for change. Michelle opens up about her personal experience of pregnancy loss, the intense pressure of societal expectations around motherhood, and the additional challenges brought by her spinal condition. She shares how the absence of proper care and emotional support during her pregnancies drove her to speak out — and ultimately shaped the work she now does to help other women navigate similar pain. Through her role as a coach and hypnotherapist, Michelle now helps women find their strength after loss, challenging the silence that still surrounds baby loss and calling for better awareness and care for those who experience it. Key Topics Covered: Personal experience of baby loss and pregnancy challenges The pressure of societal expectations around motherhood How a spinal condition added to the difficulties of pregnancy The lack of support available during and after pregnancy loss Becoming an advocate for baby loss awareness and better care How hypnotherapy and coaching can support healing after loss A vital conversation about the gaps in care that still exist, and one woman’s determination to make sure others don’t face them alone. Connect with Michelle: Michelle Turpin — Women’s Empowerment Coach & Hypnotherapist Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

Aug 17

Wendi Hyland Smith — The Loss Nobody Talked About — Ectopic Pregnancy, Fertility and Healing

In this honest and compassionate episode, host Heather is joined by Wendi Hyland Smith, a wellbeing and mindset coach, to discuss ectopic pregnancy, fertility, and the long shadow that loss can cast over our lives. Wendi shares the story of discovering her ectopic pregnancy just months after her wedding, the emergency surgery on New Year’s Eve, and a recovery that felt invisible — with little emotional support from the medical system. She speaks openly about the impact on her mental health, her identity, and her subsequent fertility journey, and how she eventually found healing through inner work, the right support, and a deep commitment to self-care. KEY TOPICS: Ectopic pregnancy and the shock of an unrecognised loss Lack of emotional care and aftercare in the NHS How loss affects partners, children, and family Fertility treatment, anxiety, and pregnancy after loss Rebuilding confidence, trust, and self-worth through wellbeing practices A vital conversation about the losses that are often minimised or misunderstood, and why every experience of pregnancy loss deserves to be treated with compassion. Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

Aug 3

Angela Clifford — Carrying Brian — Losing a Baby to Meningitis and Learning to Grieve

In this deeply moving episode, host Heather sits down with Angela Clifford, the Northern Neat Freak and declutter and home organising expert, to talk about the loss of her baby son Brian, who died just 10 days old from meningitis in 1988. Angela shares her story with remarkable honesty — losing her son at just 17, at a time when grief was expected to be buried rather than spoken about. She reflects on the isolation she felt, the sisters who had babies at the same time, and the decades she spent carrying that trauma in silence. It was only in her forties, with the right support around her, that she finally allowed herself to fully grieve — and found the courage to have Brian’s name tattooed on her arm. This episode is a gentle and powerful reminder that grief does not have an expiry date, and that it is never too late to talk. Key Topics Covered: The loss of a baby to meningitis and the shock of sudden infant loss Growing up fast and carrying grief without support How unspoken grief affects relationships and mental health over time Finding the courage to acknowledge loss — including getting Brian’s name tattooed Keeping a child’s memory alive and talking openly with your family A powerful episode about what it means to carry love for a child across a lifetime, and why it is never too late to talk. Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

Jul 20

Barry Rose - The Conversations We Never Had

In this deeply personal and emotional episode, host Heather sits down with her husband Barry Rose for an honest conversation about baby loss from a man’s perspective. Together, they open up about the heartbreak of losing seven babies, the silent grief men often carry, and the conversations they perhaps never truly had at the time. From feeling pressure to stay strong, to navigating pain privately while supporting a partner through unimaginable loss, this episode shines a light on the emotional reality many fathers and partners experience behind closed doors. This raw and heartfelt conversation explores grief, trauma, relationships, emotional survival, healing, and the impact baby loss can have on both people in a relationship in very different ways. Key Topics Covered: Baby loss from a father’s and partner’s perspective The pressure men feel to stay strong and grieve in silence How loss affects relationships and communication as a couple Navigating grief differently when you’re the support for someone else The importance of men having open conversations about loss This episode may feel emotional for some listeners, but the hope is that it helps others feel less alone and encourages more open conversations around baby loss — especially for the men whose voices are so often unheard. Please listen gently and take care of yourself while listening. Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

Jul 6

Sarah Stephens - Still Their Mum — Child Loss, Legacy and Learning to Live Again

In this deeply moving episode, host Heather sits down with Sarah Stephens, a visibility strategist and founder of the Global Visibility Club, to discuss child loss, grief, and the extraordinary legacy she has built in memory of her children. Sarah opens up about losing her daughter Violet at just 15 months old — a little girl who loved Katherine Jenkins, travelled the world, and touched the hearts of everyone she met. She also speaks with remarkable honesty about the devastating decision to terminate a subsequent pregnancy with her son Arthur after a serious brain condition was discovered at the 20-week scan, and how the grief of those two losses, so different from each other, shaped everything that followed. She reflects on being high-functioning in grief, the friends who disappeared, the anxiety of pregnancy after loss, and how raising £50,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital gave her something to hold on to when there were no answers. She also shares why she went public after Channel 4’s In The Dog House edited out all mention of child loss from her appearance on the show. Key Topics Covered: Losing a child and navigating grief in your own way Termination for medical reasons and the unique grief that follows High-functioning grief and why it can isolate you further Losing friendships after child loss Building a legacy to keep your children’s memory alive Pregnancy after loss and the anxiety it brings Why we must say the names of the children we have lost Whether you have experienced child loss or want to better support someone who has, this episode is a powerful reminder that these children existed, they matter, and they deserve to be remembered. Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

Jun 22

Dawn Hamilton-Fishwrick — You Are Not Alone — Miscarriage, Grief and the Power of Speaking Out

In this heartfelt episode, host Heather sits down with Dawn Hamilton-Fishwrick, a Tropic Ambassador and advocate for self-care, to discuss miscarriage, grief, and the importance of speaking openly about baby loss. Dawn shares the story of losing her first baby at just 21 years old — a traumatic experience made all the harder by a lack of compassion and support at the hospital. She reflects on the self-blame that followed, the isolation of watching those around her celebrate new arrivals, and the slow journey towards healing shaped by family support, open conversations, and a growing resilience she never expected to find. She also speaks warmly about how loss changed her relationship with her husband, what it meant to navigate grief as a couple, and why she now volunteers that experience whenever she hears of someone else going through the same. Key Topics Covered: Experiencing miscarriage and navigating hospital care Self-blame and the emotional aftermath of baby loss How loss affects partners and the wider family The isolation of grief and why comparison can be harmful Finding confidence and resilience through trauma This episode is a reminder that grief looks different for everyone — and that reaching out, even imperfectly, can make all the difference. Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

Jun 8

Lucy Wade — When the Plan Falls Apart — IVF, Infertility and Finding Yourself Again

In this deeply moving episode, host Heather sits down with Lucy Wade, a chocolatier and creative entrepreneur, to discuss a profoundly personal topic: IVF, infertility, and the loss of motherhood identity. Lucy opens up about living with severe endometriosis since childhood, her journey through IVF, and the devastating moment she was told that a pregnancy could cost her her life. She shares candidly about the emotional and physical toll this took — including a suicide attempt — and how CBT therapy, self-discovery, and a fierce determination to redefine herself helped her find a way through. She reflects on what it means to grieve a future you always assumed was yours, the identity crisis that follows infertility, and how she has come to love and embrace the life she now leads — on her own terms. Key Topics Covered: Living with endometriosis and its hidden long-term impact The emotional and physical toll of IVF and infertility Losing your identity when motherhood is taken away Mental health, suicide, and reaching out for help Redefining yourself and finding joy beyond the expected life path Whether you’re navigating infertility yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers honesty, hope, and a reminder that there is a life worth living — even when it doesn’t look the way you planned. Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

May 25

Suzanne Edgley - Breaking the Silence — Baby Loss, Grief and Finding Strength

In this deeply moving episode, host Heather sits down with Suzanne Edgeley, a business and mindset coach, to discuss a profoundly personal topic: baby loss and grief. Suzanne opens up about losing her daughter Laura at 24 and a half weeks of pregnancy when she was just 18 years old. Through an honest and heartfelt conversation, she shares her journey from discovering her pregnancy as a young woman to navigating the devastating loss, and ultimately finding strength and resilience through her experience. She reflects on how losing Laura shaped her path, her subsequent pregnancies and children, and how NLP coaching transformed her healing process. This episode also addresses the wider taboo surrounding baby loss and grief, offering compassionate advice for those who have experienced loss and guidance for friends and family on how to provide meaningful support. Key Topics Covered: Young motherhood and unexpected pregnancy The impact of baby loss and coping mechanisms The importance of breaking the silence around grief Finding strength and resilience through trauma How to support loved ones during loss Whether you’ve experienced baby loss yourself or want to better understand how to support someone going through it, this episode offers hope, wisdom, and the reminder that healing is possible. Connect with Suzanne: Facebook: Suzanne Edgeley Website: suzanneedgley.com Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

Apr 19

Welcome to my new Podcast

In this first episode of The Truth After Baby Loss, I’m sharing my personal story of experiencing seven miscarriages and the emotional impact of baby loss. This is an honest and raw conversation about miscarriage, grief, and the reality of life after pregnancy loss… including the parts that often go unspoken. I open up about how baby loss affected my identity, confidence, and mental health, and how these experiences stayed with me long after the physical loss. As a qualified Coach and Deep Structure NLP Practitioner , I also share how unprocessed grief, loss, and trauma can impact how we feel about ourselves and how we show up in the world. This podcast is here to create safe, open conversations around baby loss, child loss, infertility, IVF journeys, and the experience of not being able to have children… while also including perspectives from partners, men, and those supporting loved ones through loss. If you’ve experienced miscarriage, baby loss, fertility struggles, or are supporting someone who has… this space is for you. Reach me on all the following Social Media: Web / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / LinkedIn / Podcast Facebook

The Truth After Baby Loss

Episodes

Samantha Jones - Midwife to Fertility Specialist: Trusting Your Body, Trusting Your Instincts

Michelle Turpin - When Support Was Missing: One Woman's Fight for Baby Loss Awareness

Wendi Hyland Smith — The Loss Nobody Talked About — Ectopic Pregnancy, Fertility and Healing

Angela Clifford — Carrying Brian — Losing a Baby to Meningitis and Learning to Grieve

Barry Rose - The Conversations We Never Had

Sarah Stephens - Still Their Mum — Child Loss, Legacy and Learning to Live Again

Dawn Hamilton-Fishwrick — You Are Not Alone — Miscarriage, Grief and the Power of Speaking Out

Lucy Wade — When the Plan Falls Apart — IVF, Infertility and Finding Yourself Again

Suzanne Edgley - Breaking the Silence — Baby Loss, Grief and Finding Strength

Welcome to my new Podcast

About

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