Nadia Bartel, the 40-year-old mother-of-two, has bravely disclosed the devastating pregnancy loss she endured in July last year. The former model and influencer suffered a miscarriage while undergoing IVF treatment with her partner, Peter Dugmore. She shared this deeply personal story in a heartfelt TikTok video posted on Friday, hoping to destigmatise discussions around infertility and miscarriage.
A Painful Revelation
Bartel explained that she experienced a 'missed miscarriage' at seven weeks into her pregnancy, a term used when the fetus stops developing but is not immediately expelled. She described the ordeal as incredibly 'tough', despite it occurring in the early stages. To manage the situation, she underwent a dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure, which involves removing tissue from the uterus.
Emotional Attachment and Healing
'I think 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,' Bartel reflected. 'When something like that happens it's really disheartening.' She emphasised the importance of normalising conversations about IVF, infertility, and miscarriage, acknowledging that while it is a deeply personal topic, sharing stories can provide comfort and support to others.
One key factor that helped Bartel cope was connecting with other women who had faced similar challenges. 'I am sharing this because what I found gave me so much hope and made me feel better was talking to other people about it,' she said. She noted that learning from others who had experienced miscarriages and later achieved successful pregnancies offered her solace and encouragement.
The IVF Journey and Age-Related Challenges
Bartel also discussed the difficulties of her IVF journey, particularly due to her age. At nearly 41, she highlighted that egg quality and ovarian reserve decline significantly, making conception more challenging. She revealed that her Anti-Müllerian Hormone level, which indicates total egg count, has 'drastically' decreased over the past 18 months.
In response, Bartel has been actively researching ways to improve egg quality and increase the chances of producing a healthy embryo. 'I'm trying a lot of different things so hopefully I have success soon,' she stated, expressing optimism about sharing her findings with others in the future.
Support from Partner and Future Plans
Throughout this process, Bartel has leaned on her partner, Peter Dugmore, for support. The couple, who have been dating for two years, made their first public appearance at the 2024 Australian Open. While marriage plans are not immediate, Bartel joked about Dugmore not having proposed yet, adding that they might wed once her children from her previous marriage to Jimmy Bartel, Aston, 10, and Henley, seven, are older.
Bartel remains hopeful about using IVF to have a child with Dugmore, describing the experience of carrying a baby with a partner as 'so special' and 'unique'. She concluded her message by sending 'all the good vibes' to others facing similar struggles, reinforcing her commitment to breaking the silence around these issues.
For those affected by pregnancy loss or infant death, support is available through organisations like Red Nose, which offers a 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line.
