S13 E4 - What If There’s More Than One Plan A? | With Dr Sally Doust
This episode is brought to you by Wild Nutrition - THE BEST when it comes to supplements for your hormones and fertility - Our listeners benefit from 50% OFF for THREE MONTHS by following this link and entering WORSTGIRLGANG50 at check out. What happens when the life you thought you were going to have isn't the life you end up living? And what if that life can still be pretty fucking brilliant?This week, Bex and Laura are joined by Dr Sally Doust, a women's health doctor who experienced three miscarriages in just one year.Despite her medical background, Sally found herself completely blindsided by the physical and emotional reality of pregnancy loss. From the trauma of miscarriage management to the isolation, shame and sheer exhaustion of trying again, Sally shares how she reached a point where something had to change.And then came what she and her partner called their "fuck it holiday".What started as a much-needed break from trying for a baby became something much bigger: the realisation that maybe, just maybe, a fulfilling life without children was possible. Not a consolation prize. Not a second-best existence. A life full of love, purpose, adventure and possibility.Together, we talk about the societal pressure on women to become mothers, the relentless expectation to just keep trying, and why deciding you've had enough doesn't mean you didn't want it badly enough.We also get into finding yourself again after loss, reclaiming your body, setting boundaries (even when you're a bloody doctor yourself) and giving yourself permission to choose a different future.Because you don't have to exhaust every option, endure every procedure or sacrifice every last bit of yourself to prove how much you wanted a baby.And sometimes, there isn't a Plan B. There are just different versions of Plan A.In this episode, we talk about:Experiencing three miscarriages in a year, even when you're a women's health doctor.The physical and emotional trauma of miscarriage and why compassionate care matters so much.Knowing when to step away, set boundaries and protect your own wellbeing.The impact of recurrent miscarriage on relationships, confidence and identity.The pressure to keep trying, and why stopping is a completely valid choice.Challenging the idea that motherhood is the only route to a fulfilled life.Finding joy again through strength training, meaningful work and the things that make you feel like YOU.Why being child-free after loss doesn't have to mean living a second-best life.A little something to take away:Stopping trying doesn't mean giving up. It doesn't mean you didn't want it enough. And it certainly doesn't mean you've failed.You are allowed to change your mind. You are allowed to choose yourself. And you are allowed to build a beautiful, meaningful life that looks nothing like the one you originally imagined.Resources mentioned:If you're navigating the possibility of a life without children, head to the TWGGE Foundation Resource Centre, where you'll find Transitioning to Childlessness, a series of nine short, thought-provoking videos with Jody Day exploring identity, societal expectations and what comes next.We also mention Emily Pine's Notes to Self, Elizabeth Day and Jessica Hepburn.A gentle heads-up: This episode includes discussion of recurrent miscarriage, traumatic miscarriage experiences, medical management of pregnancy loss, mental health and living without children after infertility or loss.As always, take what you need, leave what you don't, and know that there's a whole Girl Gang here who gets it.You're not alone. You're one of us. 🖤We are The Worst Girl Gang Ever Foundation. We’re all about bringing people together who are going through the tough stuff — baby loss, infertility, and everything in between — and making sure no one has to face it alone. Our community is full of honesty, compassion, and real talk, offering support, understanding, and hope when it’s needed most. You can find out more and connect with us over at www.theworstgirlgangever.co.uk
