Pregnancy loss affects millions each year – so why do so many women have to suffer in silence after a miscarriage or stillbirth? According to a 2021 Lancet Study, an estimated 23 million miscarriages occur every year worldwide: 44 pregnancy losses each minute. For those who have experienced a miscarriage or a stillbirth, the joy of welcoming a child into the world can quickly turn into a nightmare of loss and isolation. On today's episode, host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks to Idalina Leandro about the motivations for her documentary, "An Open Conversation," which aims to destigmatize pregnancy and infant loss. The conversation explores how the silence around pregnancy loss impacts parents differently, why mothers blame themselves and how the healthcare system fails to support grieving families.

Got a question or comment? Email us at: mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org

If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.

Research Links:
Canadian gynecologists group issues new compassionate care guidelines for miscarriage patients https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-guidelines-early-pregnancy-loss-patients/
Idalina Leandro’s ‘An Open Conversation’ Aims To Destigmatize Pregnancy & Infant Loss https://www.shedoesthecity.com/idalina-leandros-an-open-conversation-aims-to-de-stigmatize-pregnancy-infant-loss/ 
Pregnancy, Infant & Child Loss Support Centre https://pilsc.org/
Why those suffering miscarriages could benefit from specialized clinics https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527
My wife and I were left on our own after miscarriage https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319
New Zealand approves paid leave following miscarriage or still birth https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604
Thousands of Canadians miscarry every year. For them, Mother's Day can be a reminder of loss https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00682-6/abstract
https://www.jogc.com/article/S1701-2163(25)00154-9/fulltext

Pregnancy loss affects millions each year &ndash; so why do so many women have to suffer in silence after a miscarriage or stillbirth? According to a 2021 Lancet Study, an estimated 23 million miscarriages occur every year worldwide: 44 pregnancy losses each minute. For those who have experienced a miscarriage or a stillbirth, the joy of welcoming a child into the world can quickly turn into a nightmare of loss and isolation. On today's episode, host and producer Nam Kiwanuka speaks to Idalina Leandro about the motivations for her documentary, "An Open Conversation," which aims to destigmatize pregnancy and infant loss. The conversation explores how the silence around pregnancy loss impacts parents differently, why mothers blame themselves and how the healthcare system fails to support grieving families.
Got a question or comment? Email us at: <a href="mailto:mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org">mistreatedpodcast@tvo.org</a>
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, visit any of the following resources for support: Canada.ca/mental-health Kids Help Phone Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Research Links:
<ol>
<li>Canadian gynecologists group issues new compassionate care guidelines for miscarriage patients https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-new-guidelines-early-pregnancy-loss-patients/</li>
<li>Idalina Leandro&rsquo;s &lsquo;An Open Conversation&rsquo; Aims To Destigmatize Pregnancy &amp; Infant Loss https://www.shedoesthecity.com/idalina-leandros-an-open-conversation-aims-to-de-stigmatize-pregnancy-infant-loss/&nbsp;</li>
<li>Pregnancy, Infant &amp; Child Loss Support Centre <a href="https://pilsc.org/">https://pilsc.org/</a></li>
<li>Why those suffering miscarriages could benefit from specialized clinics <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527">https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/pregnancy-loss-sogc-1.7563527</a></li>
<li>My wife and I were left on our own after miscarriage&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/mothers-day-miscarriage-pregnancy-loss-first-person-1.6836319</a></li>
<li>New Zealand approves paid leave following miscarriage or still birth&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604">https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/new-zealand-paid-leave-miscarriage-still-birth-1.5964604</a></li>
<li>Thousands of Canadians miscarry every year. For them, Mother's Day can be a reminder of loss <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302">https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/mothers-day-grief-loss-1.7532302</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028223017193</a></li>
<li>https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00682-6/abstract</li>
<li>https://www.jogc.com/article/S1701-2163(25)00154-9/fulltext</li>
</ol>

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has – and still is – failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.

(MIS)Treated, a TVO podcast, explores how medicine has &ndash; and still is &ndash; failing women and speaks to the people looking to make a difference. Join host Nam Kiwanuka to hear real life stories and expert interviews on how the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of women affects us all.