Weather presenter shares personal loss

Gennifer Demey, a weather presenter for M6, shared her experience of losing the baby she was expecting with her husband, Éric Antoine, in an interview with TV Magazine on October 19. She revealed the story several days after World Perinatal Grief Awareness Day, held on October 15.

Advocacy for open discussion

Demey, who was previously Miss Aquitaine, had previously criticized the silence surrounding interrupted pregnancies on Instagram. She aims to break what she calls "the omerta" around this subject, believing her personal experience gives her the legitimacy to speak on the matter.

Impact of language and support

She highlighted the emotional impact of certain phrases used by healthcare professionals, even when intended to be reassuring. One such phrase she found difficult to hear was "It's not a problem, Madame, it's nature, you know," which she believes can minimize the grief of those who had already imagined life with the child.

Preference for specific terminology

Demey questions the term "miscarriage," suggesting that the word "false" may imply the pregnancy did not really exist. She prefers the term "pregnancy loss," emphasizing that as soon as the two lines appear on a pregnancy test, one moves into the concrete reality of expecting a child.

Desire for better care and awareness

Demey wants to give voice to women experiencing pregnancy loss and, supported by her husband, aims to use her visibility to improve the care provided. As an osteopath, she believes women should be better informed from the start about the possibility that a pregnancy may end, which could help reduce feelings of guilt.

Need for empathy and support

She advocates for the announcement of a pregnancy loss to take place in an appropriate environment, ideally with the support of a psychologist. "I want to tell them: 'You are not alone anymore, we hear your voices and we carry them,'" she says.