Episode Details

When Melissa King lost her baby in 2011, she discovered an unexpected silence. No information, no pathway to support, and very few people willing to talk openly about miscarriage. Out of that heartbreak, she founded Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS), Australia’s first miscarriage-specific not-for-profit providing free resources, care packages, and a sense of community for people affected by early pregnancy loss.

In this conversation, Melissa shares her personal story of loss and how it inspired her to create a space where grief is acknowledged, not hidden. We talk about why early pregnancy loss is still misunderstood, how society’s reluctance to discuss death and miscarriage leaves families isolated, and what real support looks like for people going through it.

We also discuss the newly opened Butterfly Garden,  a stunning memorial space for families to remember their babies and explore practical ways to honour and remember a baby after miscarriage. Melissa’s compassion and dedication shine through as she offers comfort, truth, and practical tools for anyone navigating the pain of early pregnancy loss.

In this episode:

• How Melissa’s personal experience of miscarriage led to the creation of MISS
• The ongoing stigma and silence surrounding early pregnancy loss
• Why acknowledging miscarriage matters and how it impacts grief
• The importance of support for partners and families, not just mothers
• MISS care packages, community resources, and how to access support

Resources & Links:

• Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS)
• Early Pregnancy Loss Certificate (Births, Deaths & Marriages)
• Butterfly Garden (Bunurong Memorial Park)
• Griefline
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
•  Lifeline:13 11 14
• Miscarriage Australia
• Red Nose Grief and Loss 
• Pink Elephants 
•  Bears of Hope
• Shared Stories, Coping after Loss and Self-Care
• How To Support MISS
• Happy Birthday in Heaven - written by Melissa

Remember; You may not be ready to die, but at least you can be prepared.

Take care,
Catherine

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