S2: E3: From Shock to Support: Reclaiming Joy After Recurrent Loss

In this candid and vulnerable episode, Stacey welcomes Sarah Viliamu, a fierce advocate and content creator, to discuss navigating the deep isolation of recurrent pregnancy loss and the lingering anxieties of a subsequent pregnancy.Sarah shares her personal experience of enduring a missed miscarriage and a subsequent second loss after a complicated conception journey for her second child. She speaks openly about the profound grief that consumed over a year of her life, highlighting the intense shock of being told she was miscarrying despite feeling perfectly fine. This period of loss was made even more difficult while simultaneously trying to show up as a parent to her five-year-old son and managing public-facing work.Now in her third trimester with a rainbow baby girl, Sarah reveals that the losses robbed her of the joy often associated with pregnancy. She felt compelled to hide the pregnancy from her eldest son to spare him the confusion and sadness of another potential loss, a painful choice illustrating the lasting impact of her trauma.The core of the discussion centres on the power of connection and sharing. Sarah emphasizes that vocalization is key to stopping the cycle of rumination and dark thoughts. She strongly advocates for finding safe environments to share, praising Pink Elephants' support groups. Even if the response from friends or family isn't what's expected the act of journaling or naming your feelings is cathartic and healing. Finally, Sarah shares her daily practice of matching negative thoughts with gratitude to manage the constant anxiety that remains even in the final stage of her pregnancy.You can find Sarah on Instagram @sarahviliamuEARLY PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORTIf you or someone you know has experienced miscarriage or early pregnancy loss, please know you are not alone. For crisis support, please call Lifeline - 13 11 14. Access all our support Connect through Live Chat with Peer Support Join Online Communities Call out Pregnancy Loss helpline delivered by PANDA Join the Circle of support Follow @pinkelephantssupport on Instagram.STACEY JUNE LEWISYou can follow our host Stacey on her personal Instagram account where she shares some of her lived experience.Pink Elephants thanks the Australian Government for their support in funding this podcast series under the Miscarriage Support grant.