I am thrilled today that, on the basis of my soon-to-be published Churchill Fellowship recommendations, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA and ACT Labor have announced an election commitment to pilot a birth companion program in the ACT. In addition, ACT Labor have committed to co-designing a second ACT early pregnancy unit at the new Northside Hospital. AnotherContinue reading “Revolutionising Maternity Care in the ACT”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Australia’s first ever dedicated, federal miscarriage funding
Frustratingly, I’ve been very quiet for many months thanks to Covid, Long Covid and related heart issues. This has been really difficult to process, because being engaged with all of my work in the perinatal loss space is how I mother our babies. It has been pretty heartbreaking not being able to have a tangibleContinue reading “Australia’s first ever dedicated, federal miscarriage funding”
Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition
I was very honoured when Isabelle Oderberg invited me earlier this year to join the management committee for the new Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition. It has been very hard keeping the news under wraps, because it’s such an exciting development for Australia. This is the first time we have a collaboration between peak professional bodiesContinue reading “Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition”
A podcast conversation
Back in May, I was privileged to have a conversation with Fiona Garrivan, a Melbourne-based funeral celebrant, regarding early pregnancy loss. Fiona has an excellent podcast called Deadly Serious Conversations, addressing some of the stigma and taboos surrounding death, loss and grief. Our conversation is now available from your favourite podcast provider.
A new beginning
I have sadly neglected my blog over the past 6 weeks – I’ve been busy living and experiencing, and reflecting in other ways. Of all the things I thought I would have in my life, a personal website wasn’t one of them. I really need to sharpen my act in regularly adding to it. MostContinue reading “A new beginning”
The Grief Train
Despite having spent the past four years in the perinatal loss space, I had never read Bearing the Unbearable by Dr Joanne Cacciatore. I knew of ‘Dr Jo’ and her work, but had somehow never read her books. Dr Jo suffered the stillbirth of her daughter, and clearly ‘gets’ traumatic grief. Importantly, Dr Jo conveysContinue reading “The Grief Train”
Kindness, generosity, community…and Churchill
The first week of my Churchill Fellowship brought me more than I ever could have hoped for. I had the opportunity to meet some inspirational people – bereaved mums, volunteer doulas and breastfeeding peer supporters from Goodwin Doulas and Breastfeeding Peer Support, the incredible staff at Goodwin Development Trust, midwives and social workers, and representativesContinue reading “Kindness, generosity, community…and Churchill”
A special start
It was my first official meeting day today, and what a special way to start the formal part of my Fellowship. A while ago, I became aware of the lovely work Hayley Ellenton had undertaken as a nurse caring for families experiencing early pregnancy loss in Hull, UK. Hayley created Forget-Me-Not memory boxes for familiesContinue reading “A special start”
Bittersweet
Embarking on my Churchill Fellowship this week has provided an opportunity for reflection. I am truly excited to be starting this trip, but the experience is very bittersweet. While I’m off on an adventure to explore in-hospital volunteer programs supporting families experiencing pregnancy loss, I’m also leaving my husband Daniel behind for 9 weeks. WeContinue reading “Bittersweet”
Karen Schlage 