Nadia Bartel’s Heartbreaking Miscarriage Revelation
Nadia Bartel, a 40-year-old mother of two boys, Aston, 10, and Henley, 7, from her previous marriage to Jimmy Bartel, opens up about a devastating pregnancy loss last July. During her IVF efforts with partner Peter Dugmore, she experienced a missed miscarriage at seven weeks.
She describes the ordeal as profoundly tough, requiring a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure to remove uterine tissue. “Even though it was early stages, I just found the whole thing so tough,” Bartel shares. “When you are pregnant, even if it’s early days, you imagine your life with the baby… you get so attached to your pregnancy and your baby.”
Normalizing IVF and Miscarriage Discussions
Bartel emphasizes the need to destigmatize conversations around IVF, infertility, and miscarriage. “I’ve gotten to the point that I feel like it is really important for me to really normalise it and just take the stigma out of talking about IVF, infertility, miscarriage,” she states.
She notes the emotional toll, especially during the process. “It is really hard opening up that conversation especially when you are going through it and you’re really struggling. It’s so consuming and you’re so emotional.” Bartel highlights that many share success stories post-IVF, but discussing struggles in real-time matters too.
Finding Support Through Shared Experiences
Connecting with other women who faced similar losses provided crucial comfort. “What I found gave me so much hope and made me feel better was talking to other people about it,” Bartel explains. “The more people I spoke to about having a miscarriage, so many people had gone through it themselves.”
She contrasts this with past pregnancies a decade ago, when such topics remained taboo. Now, open dialogues offer real help.
Navigating IVF Challenges at 41
As she nears 41, Bartel faces declining egg quality and ovarian reserve, with her Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels dropping sharply over the past 18 months. She researches methods to boost egg quality and embryo viability. “I’m trying a lot of different things so hopefully I have success soon and then once some of these things work for me I’m really excited to share them with you all,” she says.
Bartel relies on Dugmore’s support throughout their shared IVF path. The couple, who went public after two years of dating at the 2024 Australian Open, also discusses future marriage plans casually. She jokes about no proposal yet but expresses optimism: “We will get married one day, once the boys are a bit older.”
Bartel cherishes the prospect of carrying a child with Dugmore. “It’s so special to be able to carry a baby with your partner,” she reflects.
Message of Solidarity
Offering empathy, Bartel sends support to those enduring IVF or pregnancy loss. “My heart goes out to anyone that is going through IVF or has experienced pregnancy loss because it’s so so tough. Here for you and sending all the good vibes.”
Red Nose provides support for pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or child bereavement via their 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line at 1300 308 307 or rednose.org.au/support.
