New miscarriage & infertility network launched for women in Merseyside 

SPACE miscarriage & infertility network will be hosting their first ‘online support evening’ on Merseyside this month.

The event will provide a relaxed online space for women to connect with others facing similar challenges, and to find solidarity through shared stories.

SPACE is a new Merseyside-based miscarriage & infertility network that offers peer-led support to women who have experienced any form of miscarriage, baby loss or infertility – either recently, or at any time in the past.

The network was started up by a small group of friends who met through their own miscarriage and fertility struggles, and felt inspired to create a local support group for other women.

An estimated 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage in the UK, and 1 in 7 couples expereince infertility. 1 in 100 women also expereince recurrent pregnancy loss (3 or more in a row), although more than 6 in 10 of those women still go onto have further successful pregnancies.

One of the team behind the network is Anna Kettle, an NHS communications & marketing manager and mum of one from South Liverpool. Having faced unexplained recurrent miscarriages since having her son six years ago, she said:

“Loss and infertility affects so many women and it can be an incredibly traumatic experience to go through, yet many women still find it very hard to open up and talk about this subject. Even those with strong support networks often find that their friends and family struggle to fully understand the depth of grief or feelings of hopelessness this can cause, unless they have faced something similar – and that’s why we set up this network. We want every woman in our city to know that she doesn’t have to suffer in silence, or deal with the heartache alone.”

Over the coming weeks, the network will also be holding a baby remembrance event on 15th October to coincide with the annual ‘Wave of Light’, taking place as part of Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October).

Louise Chadwick, a deputy headteacher who lives in Crosby is also one of the co-founders and part of the team. She said:

“Having been through infertility, failed IVF treatments and miscarriages myself, I know the heartbreak firsthand. It can be so hard to cope with the emotional turmoil, especially when it drags on for years and years, but meeting other women in the same situation has been so helpful. It has made me realise I’m not alone.”

Lizzie Lowrie, a writer and owner of StoryHouse Coffeeshop in Crosby Village is also a part of the SPACE team. She added:

“Having dealt with miscarriages, infertility and childlessness over quite a number of years now, I know just how needed this is.

“We really want to create a space where women can connect, support one another, share their stories, find solidarity, and feel seen in their grief and their longing. Talking and sharing about our stories can be a really healing process – and that’s what SPACE is all about.”

The first session is on Thursday 30th September from 8-9.30pm (hosted online via Zoom).

To register to attend the Peer Support Evening on 30th September, please click here.

To find out more about SPACE miscarriage & infertility network, go to: www.thereisspaceforyouhere.com