*Content/trigger warning – references to suicidal ideation and potential miscarriage*

Pregnancy is often a complex time of joy and celebration mixed in with worry, anxiety, uncertainty, physical pain, nausea, sickness, exhaustion, and everything in between. But for some women, there is little enjoyment because of the risk that their baby might not survive the pregnancy or for long after the birth.

This was the reality for our guest, Kylie Blascetta.

Kylie shares:

• Discovering early on that her baby might not survive the pregnancy due to a lack of amniotic fluid and the high risk of her pregnancy ending in miscarriage or death soon after birth
• The impact of this and further difficulties throughout her pregnancy that led to a loss of her support village and the impact this had on her mental health
• How a pivotal moment when she was in the depths of post-natal anxiety and depression was the catalyst to her choosing a different way, setting her on a path of recovery and reclaiming her power

We also discuss the lack of care she received for her own needs and mental health as the mother and how the cone of silence and shame which surrounded her pregnancy exacerbated an already incredibly vulnerable period in her life.

By sharing Kylie's story, my hope is that it encourages others to talk about their own struggles and challenges and that they don’t need to suffer in silence or feel shameful. Mothers need to know that their own needs and mental health are equally as important as their baby’s health.