‘Miscarriage is not dark secret to hide’ singer says as she is made MBE

Myleene Klass has been recognised in this year’s New Year Honours for services to women’s health, miscarriage awareness and to charity.

Speaking to the BBC, the musician and TV presenter said she was “utterly shocked and surprised” to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

She added that she was “so proud” of how far she had come after suffering four miscarriages and that she was being recognised as a “figurehead to help other women who have experienced baby loss”.

“When I think back to how all of this started, it all came from a very dark place, and I certainly didn’t have it in mind to become a campaigner at the time.

“Anyone who has experienced baby loss will know how personal and difficult it is to vocalise this level of trauma.”

The former Hear’Say singer, I’m a Celebrity.. Get Me Out of Here! star and mother-of-three has spoken openly about the psychological effects of baby loss on women and has spent years campaigning for government change regarding miscarriage care.

She has backed changes to the Women’s Health Strategy in Parliament which ensures women will not have to suffer up to three miscarriages before receiving help.

“If you suffered three heart attacks you wouldn’t only be offered support after the third one and so it shouldn’t be the same with baby loss,” she told the BBC.

Last year the Department of Health and Social Care announced a package of new measures to “boost the health and wellbeing of women and girls”, including a pilot scheme that will see medical intervention for women after every miscarriage.

The Norfolk-born musician said she felt compelled to lobby parliament for changes because “decisions are being made sitting on those green leather chairs by people who don’t even experience what many of the population go through”.

The Classic FM presenter fronted a Bafta-nominated documentary in 2021 entitled Myleene Klass: Miscarriage And Me.

She told the BBC that the first time she was able to vocalise what she had been through was when making the documentary.

“I wasn’t even able to say the word miscarriage before because it was so fresh and it took me a long time to talk about my trauma.”

The 46-year-old said it “never gets easier” talking about her baby loss and it feels like “ripping off the band aid every time” but it also keeps her “connected to what happened and the babies I lost”.

She adds that she chose to include her husband and children in the documentary because “miscarriage affects the whole family”.

“My kids thought they were getting a sibling so when you have a miscarriage you’re not only mopping up your own sadness, but theirs too.”

Part of the reason Klass made the documentary was because she was fed up with the subject being so taboo.

“No one wants to talk about dead babies so women are left to deal with issues of baby loss and fertility alone and that needs to change,” she said.

Klass has also authored a number of books on parenting and family life, including 2022’s They Don’t Teach This At School and has been an ambassador for Save the Children for more than 10 years.

She said she opened the letter informing her that she had been appointed an MBE “in the kitchen with my children” and that it was a “very special moment”.

“I feel proud knowing that I’ve used my platform not to stand by idly but to do something positive.

“A miscarriage is not a dark secret that women have to hide away and I won’t stop campaigning until every woman and family has the support they need.”

If you or someone you know has been affected by these issues, visit BBC Action Line for information and support.