Pippa Sheehan (Senior Journalist, 10 News First, Brisbane) has been through incredible loss, having suffered six miscarriages over the last four years, including twins. In what can only be described as an inspiring act of courage, Pippa is sharing her story to help other families going through the same loss.
On November 2, Pippa will be cutting all her hair off and donating it to the Ponytail Project. Pippa hopes to raise $10,000 for the Pink Elephants Support Network, an organisation that provides resources and support for those impacted by early pregnancy loss.
If you’d like to donate to Pippa’s very worthwhile cause and read more about her story, please click here.
Pippa, you have gone through incredible loss over the last four years, and you are using that experience to help other women going through the same thing. Where do you find the courage to do that?
Since 2018, we’ve had six pregnancies, including twins most recently.
But instead of seven kids, we have our gorgeous little boy Alfie, who came into our lives in 2020. He’s taught me a lot about how to face up to things – and it’s hard not to get moving in the morning when you’ve got a little penguin waddling in to say good morning two inches from your face.
I find it hard to call it courage.
I just wish I’d known more people who were willing to share their story when we had our first loss – and as a storyteller, I feel privileged to share my own.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month, and you have started a fundraising page for the Pink Elephants Support Network where you will have your hair cut off and donated to the Ponytail Project. What made you want to do this and how much are you hoping to raise?
I have a LOT of hair, and even more when pregnant – so I’d planned on chopping it off once we got to the tail end of our next pregnancy. But the finish line keeps moving, and so I thought I’d just do it anyway for a good cause.
Initially I was hoping we might raise about $500, but we’ve already cleared about ten times that. I’d love to think we could hit the $10,000 mark – but who knows!
The support has been incredible, and we are so grateful – not only for the funds raised, but also for the opening up of an important conversation.
Prior to our losses, we didn’t know anyone who openly spoke about miscarriage (aside from my beautiful grandmother who’d passed the year before). We had no points of reference and it was so isolating.
Tell us more about what the Pink Elephants Support Network do.
Pink Elephants offers peer-to-peer support, resources and information for individuals, parents, families and other impacted by early pregnancy loss.
I first found them when scrolling endlessly on Instagram after our first loss, and they had some brilliant resources which made me feel far less alone, and more ‘heard’.
To not feel the loneliness is an enormous relief, especially in something that can feel so isolating and hushed.
A lot people aren’t sure what to say to friends or family members who have suffered miscarriages. What would your advice be to them? How can they help?
Tell them you’re sorry for their loss, and offer support – whether it’s a meal, food delivery, quick coffee drop off or something like that.
Something tangible (or edible) may be more helpful than you realise.
Or better yet – ask them how you can help them, or if they want to talk.
Beyond that, it can be dependent on the person.
But most people I’ve spoken to prefer to avoid the “at least’s”. “At least it was early”, “At least you know you can fall pregnant”, “It’s Mother Nature’s way”.
When you’re in the midst of a time of grief, some words sting more than people realise, even if delivered with the best of intentions.
You gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Alfie in 2020. Tell us about Alfie!
He’s heavenly! He’s so full of joy and happiness (typical toddler tantrums aside), and is an absolute SPONGE. He’s into all things machinery, and has an incredible vocabulary and memory. He’s so much fun to watch grow and change.
He’s kept us going for so much of the past few years of changes and challenges.
Finally, what message would you like people to take away from your story?
Be kind. You never know what someone else is going through.
If you or someone you love needs support after losing a child, contact the Red Nose Miscarriage, stillbirth and newborn death support 24/7 National Support Line on 1300 072 637, or reach out to The Pink Elephants Support Network.
