This story contains themes of pregnancy loss that some readers may find upsetting.
When Becci decided she needed a break from her high-pressure role in midwifery, she retrained in counselling at Waverley Abbey. Today, she’s combining new skills with old; coming close to the brokenhearted as a pregnancy loss counsellor.
Becci’s journey of career rediscovery started in 2020. ‘I was burnt out in my midwifery role,’ she says. ‘I knew I needed a change, but I didn’t know what.’
Becci spoke with a good friend, and landed on counselling. ‘With my youngest child only two at the time, and a global pandemic round the corner, it was a little mad!’ she says. But five years on, Becci is happier than ever in her work.
A surprise turn
Becci launched into her counselling studies at Waverley Abbey College, making the most of our flexible learning to juggle family life. She will graduate soon, and is working already. Becci started off as a School Counsellor, before realising she could join her new counselling skills with her previous experience in midwifery, to provide pregnancy loss counselling too.
‘I absolutely love this balance of combining a new passion with an old one I thought I was going to have to give up,’ says Becci, who describes her current work situation as a ‘dream job’ scenario.
‘Unbearable grief’
Pregnancy loss is a heartbreaking experience to go through.
‘Losing a child means carrying an almost unbearable grief, experienced by many but talked about by few,’ says Meghan Markle.
It affects men and whole families, not just the woman who carried the child. In the words of US pastor, David Platt: ‘There is a unique pain that comes from preparing a place in your heart for a child that never comes.’
- Up to 428 women a day in the UK experience miscarriage
- In UK hospitals, there are around 8 stillbirths and 5 neonatal deaths every day.
- In England and Wales, babies from the Black ethnic group continued to have the highest stillbirth rate of 6.5 per 1,000 births, compared with 3.5 for the White ethnic group and 4.7 for the Asian ethnic group.
- Around 74 per cent women said they felt ‘isolated and alone’ following miscarriage.*
For more information or support around these issues, see Tommy’s.
A burden shared
‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ (Psalm 34:18)
Counselling can make a world of difference for people experiencing pregnancy loss. Someone to listen and advise, a sounding board for grief and a safe space to let it all out can be a lifeline. For Becci, it’s an opportunity to channel God’s love and care for those who are hurting.
‘I want to acknowledge how blessed I am,’ says Becci. And, in turn, she is blessing many others.
If you’re inspired by Becci’s story, find out more about our Christian counselling course. It could be for you.
PRAY WITH US
Father God,
Our hearts are with all those who are affected by pregnancy loss today. We know that You are already with them, so we pray they will feel Your loving arms around them. We pray also for X and all those serving as pregnancy loss counsellors, that they will draw on your strength and wisdom.
We pray these things in the name of your Son, Jesus.
Amen
*Statistics: Tommy’s; The Miscarriage Association.