The Unthinkable

RNZ•www.rnz.co.nz

A five-part podcast hosted by Susie Ferguson, covering an issue most of us find hard to think about, let alone discuss - the loss of a baby.

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Episodes

Ralph

Almost exactly a year after losing their daughter, Wren, Kate and Sam are preparing to welcome their second child, only to discover their expected daughter is actually a boy, named Ralph. This episode delves into their emotional journey of adjusting expectations, the raw experience of Ralph's birth, and the profound impact Wren's loss has had on their parenting, creating a unique family unit. They candidly discuss their anxieties, the bittersweet moments, and the therapeutic process of sharing their story.

Jul 30, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Frida

Kate and Sam are pregnant again. Another girl. But this pregnancy comes with all the baggage from the first. In this episode, Kate and Sam prepare for the arrival of Frida. Content warning: This podcast contains graphic descriptions that some people might find difficult. After losing their first child, Wren, just six days after she was born, Kate and Sam are now pregnant again. The new baby is due nearly a year to the day of Wren's birth and death. "We've watched Frida grow from a microscopic he...

Jul 29, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 4

How Do You Go On?

How do you go on after you've lost a child? Kate and Sam and three other mum's who also lost babies describe different grieving processes, the deep lows and the things that lightened the burden. Content warning: This podcast contains graphic descriptions that some people might find difficult. Kate Gudsell and Sam Arcus gave birth to their first child, a girl they named Wren, on September 8 2016. She lived for just six days. As they struggled to come to terms with it all, Kate went back to work. ...

Jul 28, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 3

A Father's Grief

Kate and Sam lost their beautiful baby girl, Wren just six days after she was born. Their grief is shared, but their experiences quite different. This episode covers the loss of a baby through a father's eyes. Content warning: This podcast contains graphic descriptions that some people might find difficult. When things began to go wrong during the birth of their baby girl, Kate Gudsell was rushed to hospital in an ambulance while Sam Arcus had to drive himself. "I just remember screaming and pra...

Jul 27, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 2

The Thunderstorm

Kate Gudsell and Sam Arcus had a trouble-free pregnancy, but a thunderstorm was quite literally brewing as Kate went into labour. This is a very personal story of grief and loss, but most importantly, love. Content warning: This podcast contains graphic descriptions that some people might find difficult. Kate Gudsell and Sam Arcus were married in November 2015. Sam scrubbed up smart in a kilt as a nod to his heritage from the Shetland Islands, Kate was in a vintage dress by 1970s Hollywood desig...

Jul 26, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Introducing: The Unthinkable

The Unthinkable is a new podcast series by Susie Ferguson, which opens the door on an issue that affects hundreds of families every year, and yet we struggle to speak about it. Content warning: This podcast contains graphic descriptions that some people might find difficult. Kate Gudsell and Sam Arcus were married in November 2015 and just a few weeks later discovered they were pregnant with their first child. After a textbook pregnancy, Kate went into labour and then things began to go awry. In...

Jul 12, 2020•4 min

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