Karen is a committed campaigner for woman/birthing person-led and -centred care during pregnancy loss. Karen lost her only children, Charlie and Sophia, during the second trimester of each pregnancy. Through these experiences, she has become a passionate, empathetic and effective advocate for those facing pregnancy loss.
In 2023, as a result of Karen’s advocacy, the ACT Minister for Health opened a 3-bed unit at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. The unit is dedicated to providing care for women and birthing people experiencing pregnancy complications and pregnancy loss.
Karen has also been invited to participate as a consumer representative on working groups for ACT maternity initiatives, including the draft Model of Care for the new hospital unit and Maternity in Focus: The ACT Public Maternity System Plan 2022-2032. Karen is an advisor to the Board of the Early Pregnancy Loss Coalition.
Karen volunteers with a number of community organisations, and coordinates the Early Loss program at Angel Gowns Australia. She also spent five years as a volunteer with the ACT’s hospice, Clare Holland House – an experience that helped to shape her compassionate approach to companioning families suffering pregnancy loss.
Karen’s day job is with the Federal Government. Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice from the Australian National University. Karen was part-way through a Bachelor of Midwifery degree, but paused her studies upon realising her passion lies primarily in providing personal support to women and families experiencing pregnancy loss.
Project
To explore volunteer programs providing in-hospital support for families experiencing pregnancy loss
Karen Schlage
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