Geelong woman aims to smash stigma around pregnancy loss

The isolation of the Covid pandemic has compounded the devastation of four lost pregnancies for Penny Jenkins. The North Shore woman is aiming to reduce stigma around miscarriages.

The isolation of the Covid pandemic has compounded the devastation of four lost pregnancies for North Shore’s Penny Jenkins.

Ms Jenkins has experienced an ectopic pregnancy and three miscarriages since July 2020.

The 36-year-old and her partner Ben Gauci have named each of the lost babies.

Ms Jenkins experienced her most recent miscarriage just weeks ago and the couple have recently started working with a fertility specialist.

Penny Jenkins and her 8-year-old boxer Sunny. Picture: Alan Barber

Every year, around 110,000 Australians have a miscarriage.

But Ms Jenkins said stigma still surrounded pregnancy loss.

“It’s a bit of a taboo subject,” she said.

After she began blogging about her experiences, friends began to confide they had also experienced miscarriages.

“It made me realise how many women carry this in their heart,” Ms Jenkins said.

“I find what is really hard with the mental health side is you’re losing your dreams you had for your family.”

The tough journey has been made even harder by Covid restrictions, which she said meant she often had be in hospital alone without Mr Gauci’s support.

“You can’t have your family and friends come over,” she said.

Ms Jenkins is honouring the lost pregnancies by using them to create conversation around the topic.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

People can sign up to a virtual ‘walk to remember’ event being held on October 17 at www.sands.org.au/Event/national-virtual-walk-to-remember

Support can be found via the Red Nose 24/7 Grief and Loss support line 1300 308 307 or visit rednosegriefandloss.org.au

Originally published as Geelong woman aims to smash stigma around pregnancy loss