Olympian-turned-doctor Jana Pittman has opened up on her pregnancy loss, in hopes of encouraging more open conversations on the topic that has been considered taboo.
“I went through four miscarriages before my beautiful six babies were born and obviously I now work as a doctor and this space just really touches my heart and I think it’s something we really need to talk more about,” she said.
According to the Australian Department of Health, Disability and ageing, an estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage, that means approximately 285 families are affected every day, and yet many parents still grieve in silence.
“In my first miscarriage, it really affected my relationship. I’m going to be honest, we actually end up being divorced through that chapter and I think it’s because we didn’t talk about it,” Pittman said.
“Even when I did start those conversations, people didn’t know what to say back.”
Now, a nationwide campaign called Miscarriage Matters has been launched and is backed by doctors.
The campaign hopes to encourage more open conversations on miscarriages and things like what to say, how to get time off work and busting common myths like lifting heavy objects can cause pregnancy loss.
“None of these are real and makes a woman particularly feel like she’s to blame. Offering support very early, I feel will be of great benefit,” said Professor Meredith Temple-Smith, a women’s health specialist.
Miscarriage has been a taboo topic for decades, and the campaign hopes to change that.
“I think it’s really wonderful that we have these measures that we can turn to,” Pittman said.
Image: 7News
