Dundee case worker shares her heartbreak over losing a baby

Women should not have to suffer three miscarriages before being referred for specialist treatment, SNP conference has heard.

Dundee case worker Nadia El-nakla gave a powerful speech on the impact of baby-loss to SNP members during the opening day of the conference.

Ms El-nakla, who is married to justice secretary Humza Yousaf and works for Dundee East MSP Shona Robison, shared her experience on the grief of losing children during pregnancy.

Ms El-nakla spoke to a packed hall, calling for Scotland to lead the way on care for mothers, in a speech that coincided with Baby Loss Awareness Week.

She said: “There is a huge stigma around baby-loss during pregnancy. We need to break that silence.

“I can’t speak for every woman who has experienced a loss, I can only speak about my personal experience.

“With every pregnancy which ended in miscarriage, I would mourn the loss of my dreams.

CASE WORKER NADIA EL-NAKLA

“I have two daughters, aged 10 and five months, and I have had three miscarriages and six years of infertility.

“Those three miscarriages were devastating and I believed I would not be able to have a child.

“I told my husband I might not be able to get pregnant, however I did and with every positive pregnancy test I felt elated looking forward to the years ahead. And with every pregnancy which ended in miscarriage, I would mourn the loss of my dreams.”

“My third loss was the hardest, I knew I was having a boy.

“Baby Loss Awareness Week is not only about raising awareness. There is a lot which needs to be done to improve our services.

“My friend and boss, Shona Robison, is working very hard to bring these issues to the Scottish Parliament.

“I do not believe women should have to suffer three losses before they receive medical treatment.”