EASTENDERS star Lacey Turner says she would never have become a mum had she not turned to private medicine to find out why she suffered two miscarriages.
Women can get NHS tests only after losing three babies in a row.
But Lacey could not contemplate another pregnancy without first getting answers.
That is why she is today backing the Miscarriage Of Justice Campaign we launched this month with baby charity Tommy’s.
It calls for improved care for women after EVERY miscarriage. And you can help by signing the Tommy’s petition, right.
Lacey, 33 — Stacey Slater in Albert Square — said: “If I’d not gone private I’d probably still have no babies.”
A specialist pinpointed her problem and Lacey has since given birth to daughter Dusty, two, and six-month-old son Trilby with husband Matt Kay, a barber shop owner.
Lacey, who returned to work the day after her first miscarriage, added: “There wasn’t really any aftercare.
“I was told that I’d had a miscarriage and that was it.
“I really felt quite overwhelmed and lost during our miscarriages. We found ourselves confused.
“We had no explanation, just a sudden feeling of the excitement of having a baby to feeling completely empty and lost. To go through that once is hard enough. Earlier doctors’ advice and support would have helped.
“We were lucky enough to go to a private specialist. Everyone should have that opportunity.
“It’s great that the subject of miscarriage is becoming less of a taboo subject. There are great charities which can help.”
Tommy’s, the largest charity in the nation carrying out research into the causes of miscarriage, would like the NHS to prescribe progesterone as standard.
Sign the petition
MORE than 20 organisations involved in maternal health, including the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, have signed a letter from Tommy’s to Health Secretary Sajid Javid calling for changes to miscarriage care in the UK.
Tommy’s petition currently stands at 222,547 signatures – but with YOUR help they can reach 250,000.
To sign, go to: actions.tommys.org/a/miscarriage-petition
When she went private, Lacey was given the hormone, which can help the body hold on to a pregnancy.
She said: “The NHS is incredible but it needs more funding in this department.”
Lacey has asked for a donation to be made to Tommy’s in return for this interview.
EastEnders’ Lacey Turner says her daughter Dusty is ‘an amazing but incredibly bossy’ big sister to their baby Trilby