Latest news with #miscarriage
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
I was so fat I broke my neck and lost 22 babies – now I've shed almost 12st and look like a completely different person
WHEN Katie Dixon-Hancock fell over while out walking her dog, she never imagined she would end up breaking her neck. But at 23st, stumbling backwards put so much weight on the top part of her spine that it came 'crashing down' and fractured. 9 9 After she recovered, Katie, 41, from Towcester, Northamptonshire, vowed that she needed to slim down. And there was another heartbreaking reason behind her decision. She had lost 22 babies during pregnancy through miscarriage, and after one such loss, a nurse had blamed her size. Katie, who lives with husband Roy, 51, tells Sun Health: 'We have been trying for 16 years to have a baby and to have lost so many is heartbreaking. 'When the nurse told me that, it was an awful thing to hear. 'And then when I slipped and broke my neck because I was so overweight too, it was the final straw for me.' Katie went to Turkey to have gastric sleeve surgery - which involves removing a large portion of the stomach - in March 2023, after her 22nd baby loss. Since then she has shed an amazing 11st 9lbs (73kg). 'I feel so much better now, and so much healthier,' she says. 'I have so much more energy, and if I fall over again, I won't have so much weight crashing down. I'm a 'former fatty' who lost 12 stone WITHOUT jabs - being slim means I don't have to eat in the car to avoid judgement 'I don't know if I'll ever be a mum as I've suffered so many miscarriages so far. 'But now I've lost weight, we will have to see what happens.' Katie had struggled with her weight all her life, and it had a profound effect on her mental health. She says: 'I was called names and jeered at during my years at school, and I didn't have any friends as nobody wanted to be seen with me.' She met husband Roy in 2006, and they married the following year. 'I was worried when I first met him that he would be put off by my weight,' Katie says. 'We connected online and talked for a while before we met in person. 'But he's always been massively supportive of me, and my weight has never been an issue for him.' I've dropped from a dress size 26 to a 12, and I look like a different person Katie Dixon-Hancock Katie has struggled for years with a neurological condition that causes her to lose function in her legs and fall. She has broken her arm several times when it happens, but the most serious incident was when she was walking her dog in 2020 and she suddenly lost sensation in her legs. 'I never know when it's going to happen,' she says. 'But my size doesn't help, as when I fall there is so much weight behind me that I end up breaking limbs. 'This particular time, I lost the sensation in my legs and I fell backwards, landing awkwardly on my neck. 'People walked past me lying on the floor and didn't stop to help, but I managed to phone Roy and he called an ambulance which took me straight to hospital.' There, doctors discovered that Katie had broken the top part of her neck and she needed three weeks recovering in hospital in a neck brace. 'Roy was really worried, and my dad, Garry, was too,' she says. 'My dad had seen me in a wheelchair several times because of breaking my limbs and he was so worried about me. 'He was housebound due to Parkinson's disease and he couldn't come and visit me, which really upset him. 'The doctors told me that if I hadn't been so big, then I may have just knocked or bruised my neck, but 23st falling onto my neck meant that it fractured.' Shortly after the incident, Garry passed away. 9 9 9 9 A few years later, once she had recovered from her neck injury, Katie decided to book gastric surgery in Turkey. 'I used some of my inheritance money from dad to pay for it as I knew he would be so pleased,' she says. 'He always knew how much I wanted to lose weight, so he would have been delighted that I was finally doing something about it.' Katie flew to Turkey with Roy by her side, and had the operation, which was successful. 'Strangers used to ignore me, now they smile and say hello' 'The weight started to fall off me,' she says. 'And when I finally hit 12st 6lbs (79kg), I couldn't believe it. 'I've dropped from a dress size 26 to a 12, and I look like a different person. 'Roy thinks I look fantastic too, although he's always loved me whatever size I've been. 'People are much more friendly towards me now I'm thin as well. 'Strangers smile and say hello - but when I was fat, I just got ignored. 'And best of all, having the surgery and losing all the weight has helped with my condition. 'I still have to be careful, but I don't fall with it like I used to. 'My neck is still a bit tender sometimes, so I have to be extra careful of that. 'But if my legs lose sensation, then they aren't trying to hold up 23st any more.' 9 9 How to lose weight without surgery There are various other ways to lose weight without going under the knife. According to the NHS, to get the best possible start on its weight loss plan, there are the seven steps you should follow. Get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions Aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion Aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week Read food labels – products with more green colour coding than amber and red are often a healthier option Swap sugary drinks for water – if you do not like the taste, add slices of lemon or lime for flavour Cut down on food that's high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereal for wholegrain alternatives Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Miscarriage: 'Don't tell me my baby wasn't meant to be'
"There was probably something wrong with your baby", "you could always try again", "it wasn't meant to be".These are just a sample of the comments Siobhan Gorman experienced when her baby died 16 weeks into her pregnancy."It's not out of malice, I found a lot of people just don't know what to say," said the teacher from 35, was home alone when she went into labour and gave birth to her baby experience has left her with both post-traumatic stress disorder and a determination to educate others about the reality of miscarriage, as well as how to support those who experience it. Warning: Article contains graphic description of miscarriage which some readers may find upsetting. On 23 January last year, Siobhan began experiencing sickness, pains in her bump and blood loss so went to an emergency gynaecology a urine test she was told her symptoms were most likely signs an infection and was sent home with antibiotics. With her partner away in Italy she stayed home to rest but the following evening felt a shooting pain in her bump so intense that it made her drop to the floor."And then my waters broke and I ended up giving birth on my bathroom floor alone," she said. Unable to reach her phone she tried yelling for her neighbours, but her shouts went she could do was remain in the bathroom, holding her tiny baby. "My baby was alive but 16 weeks is too young," she said through tears."I'm holding my baby and I could tell that there was nothing I could do."My baby had 10 tiny fingers and toes and eyes and ears and was perfectly formed but was just tiny, the size of a pear." She was eventually able to get to her phone and call her mother who was nearby. "I didn't even say what happened, I just said 'you need to get to the house'," she said. An ambulance was called for but there was a long wait so her father drove her to the nearest hospital."I stood in A&E with my baby in a towel," she said. "I was told that my baby had died and my world just changed." Siobhan said she was able to find support from charities including Morgan's Wings and Petals. She said her school were amazingly supportive and she was able take 16 weeks sick she welcomed news that parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy will be entitled to bereavement leave under a planned change to the Employment Rights Bill."I wasn't ill, my baby had died," she said. After a six-month wait for a post mortem, which did not provide any answers, they were able to have a funeral. Birth certificates are not issued for babies born before 24 weeks England, parents who lose a baby before 24 weeks of pregnancy can receive a certificate in recognition of their loss but no equivalent is available in means the only paperwork Siobhan has to show Archie existed is a cremation months on, Siobhan can't believe how naïve she was about miscarriage until it happened to her. "I assumed that you would bleed and you'd be told that there's no heartbeat, I didn't even consider the multiple other forms of baby loss that are out there," she said. If a baby dies before 24 completed weeks of pregnancy, it is known as a miscarriage but Siobhan prefers the term baby loss to describe what she went through."I had a baby and my baby died," she said. Jenni Whitmore, 41, from Brynna in Rhondda Cynon Taf, has an 11-year-old daughter and has had three also feels uncomfortable about some of the terminology."When you're told that your pregnancy can't progress anymore, you're not advised 'I'm really sorry your baby's died', you're just told your pregnancy is not viable, which yes in medical terms is correct but the terminology used needs improved," she said."We never refer to our miscarriage as a foetus, it's always 'our baby', 'my daughter's sibling'."Jenni's first two miscarriages were in October 2018, at six weeks, and in March 2019, at 10 weeks, following fertility treatment. Her third miscarriage was in February 2023 after becoming pregnant was 13 weeks pregnant when she was told there was no heartbeat and chose to stay at home and let nature take its course."It is like going through labour," she said."You're just left to deal with that at home with the advice to take paracetamol which doesn't touch it, obviously, and then once it has happened, you physically have to flush that toilet and basically flush what is referred to medically as 'product' away."But of course, mentally we know that that was our baby... and I don't think that ever leaves you." Like Siobhan, she has also experienced hurtful comments from those around her."We were met with comments of 'at least it was an early loss' and 'you can try again' but we knew it was the end of the road for us, which I think was quite difficult to process," she said. How did these comments make her feel?"It's anger, just anger," she said. "I think it's just ignorance to be honest."From the minute you've seen that pregnancy test with the two lines, you've prepared your next 10, 20, 30 years. You've planned out the rest of your life."Other people in her life just stayed away."That was quite hard because you just crave that little bit of support," said. So what is the right thing to say to someone who has had a miscarriage?"We had friends that turned up and said nothing but gave us hugs, which was really appreciated," said Jenni. "Or for someone to just say 'this is totally rubbish, I can't change it for you, but I'm here and if you need anything you know where the phone is'."Siobhan said the comment that she found the hardest was: "It wasn't meant to be.""It's the baby that has made me a mother and I don't have my child, but I am a mother," she said would prefer people simply admitted that they did not know what to said seeing other women's pregnancy announcements, gender reveal parties and baby showers on social media had been hard."I'm still able to be happy for them, you can have emotions that run alongside each other so you can be happy for somebody else, but still sad for yourself," she said."It's really hard to see what could have been but it also made me realise what a miracle it is." Details of help and support with miscarriage and pregnancy-related issues are available at BBC Action Line
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ruins by Amy Taylor review – Euro getaway turns to hell in this addictive, soapy thriller
Emma and Julian are in their 30s and don't know what is next in their lives. A recent miscarriage has shaken them both and splintered them in different directions, though the long-term couple doesn't know that yet. So, like many well-to-do thirtysomethings, they leave their home in London and head for the sunnier climes of Greece to house-sit for a friend. It's there that Emma suggests shaking up their relationship by opening it to other people: she wants to watch Julian sleep with another woman. He's hesitant but he loves her, so he goes along with it. Enter Lena, a decade-younger Greek woman Emma meets at a bar. Naturally, the interloper complicates things. Melbourne author Amy Taylor's second novel is a leap forward from her debut. 2023's Search History was a fine entry into the messy millennial fiction canon, following a woman who becomes digitally obsessed with her boyfriend's dead ex. Ruins is, in many ways, more sophisticated. Emma and Julian are millennials, too, but a little older than the protagonist of Search History; they run in academic circles, where dinner parties are peppered with discussions of philosophy and literature, which also snake through the book itself. A recurring motif is the Greek myth of Medea, the scorned woman who murders her own children in an act of revenge on her husband. Emma reads the play throughout the novel, as the events in her own life begin to subtly mirror the myth, at least emotionally. The constant mention of Medea grows a little irksome, but ties in neatly with the novel's setting and nods to Greek tragedy. Lena is an effective foil for Emma, highlighting the obsession with women's youth. In one scene at a nightclub, Emma has an epiphany when men ogle Lena and ignore her. 'She was surprised, and a little disgusted with herself, that she missed the attention,' Taylor writes, comparing the male gaze to a market valuation. 'It was as if her currency had lowered in value and she'd never realised.' Suddenly, the younger woman is a threat. Julian has the opposite experience as an ageing man – 'a shifting of the scales that Emma had not expected'. While at first he is reluctant to accept the new terms of his relationship, the realisation of his power, both social and sexual, twists the narrative again – Emma and Lena are quietly, unwittingly pitted against each other, while the man retains ultimate control. Lena's older brother, Darius, also illustrates the point, though from a more sinister angle – while at first it seems that he simply wants to protect his sister, his increasingly violent actions imply that he is more interested in her obedience and submission. This commentary on gender politics feels nuanced and cohesive – more so than the similar themes in Taylor's debut. Emma and Julian remain committed to each other throughout, though Lena haunts their relationship. Taylor contrasts this with blissful snapshots of the couple's early, uncomplicated courtship, and Lena's own wishes for a simple adult life, which has only just begun before it is blown up by the affair. All of this sits alongside the all-encompassing modern question of whether or not to have children. Emma and Julian's seemingly perfect relationship is slowly buckling under the weight of the decision, and Lena's presence exacerbates their growing differences. Within their unique arrangement, the couple sees the possibility of exploring family life through a non-traditional lens – Taylor probes modern relationship structures as a potential solution to the issue, but the overarching question still hovers like a shroud. Above it all, the oppressive heat of the Athens summer looms large. Taylor's descriptions of the city are evocative, from the bustling Monastiraki flea market to the old apartment buildings in which much of the action happens. The mercury rises alongside the growing tensions in an addictive crescendo – as the novel races towards a shocking denouement, it feels at once claustrophobic and urgent. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion The interpersonal twists – the betrayals and revelations – do start to feel soapy. It makes sense: before Ruins was published, a screen adaptation had already been announced. Some of the big plot twists are obvious; one in particular is revealed at such a melodramatic moment that the suspension of disbelief is difficult. But Taylor is a beautiful, sensitive writer – she imbues even the more outlandish parts of the story with care. For Emma and Julian, this bruising summer in Greece reveals more about their own inner worlds; returning to London, they must grapple with these new truths as they march, ever forward, into the great unknown of the rest of their lives. Ruins by Amy Taylor is out now (Allen & Unwin, $32.99)
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ruins by Amy Taylor review – Euro getaway turns to hell in this addictive, soapy thriller
Emma and Julian are in their 30s and don't know what is next in their lives. A recent miscarriage has shaken them both and splintered them in different directions, though the long-term couple doesn't know that yet. So, like many well-to-do thirtysomethings, they leave their home in London and head for the sunnier climes of Greece to house-sit for a friend. It's there that Emma suggests shaking up their relationship by opening it to other people: she wants to watch Julian sleep with another woman. He's hesitant but he loves her, so he goes along with it. Enter Lena, a decade-younger Greek woman Emma meets at a bar. Naturally, the interloper complicates things. Melbourne author Amy Taylor's second novel is a leap forward from her debut. 2023's Search History was a fine entry into the messy millennial fiction canon, following a woman who becomes digitally obsessed with her boyfriend's dead ex. Ruins is, in many ways, more sophisticated. Emma and Julian are millennials, too, but a little older than the protagonist of Search History; they run in academic circles, where dinner parties are peppered with discussions of philosophy and literature, which also snake through the book itself. A recurring motif is the Greek myth of Medea, the scorned woman who murders her own children in an act of revenge on her husband. Emma reads the play throughout the novel, as the events in her own life begin to subtly mirror the myth, at least emotionally. The constant mention of Medea grows a little irksome, but ties in neatly with the novel's setting and nods to Greek tragedy. Lena is an effective foil for Emma, highlighting the obsession with women's youth. In one scene at a nightclub, Emma has an epiphany when men ogle Lena and ignore her. 'She was surprised, and a little disgusted with herself, that she missed the attention,' Taylor writes, comparing the male gaze to a market valuation. 'It was as if her currency had lowered in value and she'd never realised.' Suddenly, the younger woman is a threat. Julian has the opposite experience as an ageing man – 'a shifting of the scales that Emma had not expected'. While at first he is reluctant to accept the new terms of his relationship, the realisation of his power, both social and sexual, twists the narrative again – Emma and Lena are quietly, unwittingly pitted against each other, while the man retains ultimate control. Lena's older brother, Darius, also illustrates the point, though from a more sinister angle – while at first it seems that he simply wants to protect his sister, his increasingly violent actions imply that he is more interested in her obedience and submission. This commentary on gender politics feels nuanced and cohesive – more so than the similar themes in Taylor's debut. Emma and Julian remain committed to each other throughout, though Lena haunts their relationship. Taylor contrasts this with blissful snapshots of the couple's early, uncomplicated courtship, and Lena's own wishes for a simple adult life, which has only just begun before it is blown up by the affair. All of this sits alongside the all-encompassing modern question of whether or not to have children. Emma and Julian's seemingly perfect relationship is slowly buckling under the weight of the decision, and Lena's presence exacerbates their growing differences. Within their unique arrangement, the couple sees the possibility of exploring family life through a non-traditional lens – Taylor probes modern relationship structures as a potential solution to the issue, but the overarching question still hovers like a shroud. Above it all, the oppressive heat of the Athens summer looms large. Taylor's descriptions of the city are evocative, from the bustling Monastiraki flea market to the old apartment buildings in which much of the action happens. The mercury rises alongside the growing tensions in an addictive crescendo – as the novel races towards a shocking denouement, it feels at once claustrophobic and urgent. Sign up to Saved for Later Catch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips after newsletter promotion The interpersonal twists – the betrayals and revelations – do start to feel soapy. It makes sense: before Ruins was published, a screen adaptation had already been announced. Some of the big plot twists are obvious; one in particular is revealed at such a melodramatic moment that the suspension of disbelief is difficult. But Taylor is a beautiful, sensitive writer – she imbues even the more outlandish parts of the story with care. For Emma and Julian, this bruising summer in Greece reveals more about their own inner worlds; returning to London, they must grapple with these new truths as they march, ever forward, into the great unknown of the rest of their lives. Ruins by Amy Taylor is out now (Allen & Unwin, $32.99)
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Senator shows Seanad picture of her seven-week scan as ‘only evidence' pregnancy existed
Holding up a picture of her seven-week scan in Seanad Éireann, Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan said it was the 'only evidence' that her ' pregnancy ever existed'. The scan was taken after she began bleeding and she was relieved there was a heartbeat at the time, she said. However, two days before her 12-week scan she 'knew something was wrong' when she found her sheets covered in blood. She learned later in hospital that she had had a miscarriage. Ms Ryan was among a number of senators who spoke in the Seanad on Wednesday about their experience of miscarriage. They shared their experiences as part of a debate on Sinn Féin's proposal to introduce paid leave for pregnancy loss. READ MORE The Bill would entitle women to at least five days of paid leave and their partner to 2½ days. The proposed legislation would also lead to the establishment of a confidential opt-in register of pregnancy loss. [ Woman who suffered six miscarriages says employers' response ranged from empathy to pressure to return to work Opens in new window ] There was Opposition criticism of the Government's move to defer the Bill by a year while it develops similar legislative proposals of its own. Ms Ryan argued that to 'delay this Bill is to traumatise even more women'. She said the proposed pregnancy loss register is 'incredibly important' as the State does not recognise losses of pregnancies under 23 weeks' gestation. She said 'pregnancy loss is one of the most common forms of bereavement and yet one of the least recognised in both society and law'. Fine Gael Senator Linda Nelson Murray praised Ms Ryan for bringing the proposals, saying: 'As someone who has suffered miscarriages myself, including my eldest daughter's twin, I know what that ache is like for thousands of women across Ireland.' She said pregnancy loss is often treated as 'something that is silently endured'. However, she supported the Government's argument that Sinn Féin's plan to amend a working time law was not the best way to bring in the new leave entitlements. Amending family leave provisions or introducing standalone legislation 'would form a more suitable legal basis', she said. Labour Senator Nessa Cosgrove also commended Ms Ryan on the Bill, saying she too has suffered a miscarriage. Sinn Féin Senator Joanne Collins said she suffered a miscarriage when she was in a job that did not give her the option to leave her post. 'I miscarried while I worked, because there was no other option,' she said, adding that there was 'no system, no cover'. Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke said his officials believe there are 'significant policy challenges' to the operation of the Bill as drafted. The Seanad passed his motion that gives the Government 12 months to develop legislative proposals in line with the principles of the Sinn Féin Bill. 'I fully recognise the need to introduce leave for those who experience pregnancy loss,' he said.
