Miscarriage
(2021)
In my photo project "Miscarriage," I explore grief and healing. Using black-and-white images, I capture the strong emotions that come with losing a child. The lack of color helps highlight the reality of loss, focusing on the feelings of sorrow and the glimmers of hope that can follow.
Each photo shows the mix of despair and optimism, reflecting the journey of those who have experienced this pain. The project creates a space for people to express and reflect on their own feelings about loss. The contrasts in the images invite viewers to think about their personal experiences and find comfort in shared healing.
"Miscarriage" encourages open conversations about a topic often avoided. It celebrates the strength of those who have faced loss and found hope again.
Sariyu discovered she was pregnant at 5weeks. Her joy was soon stolen when she started to bleed and few days later, scan showed that the baby stopped growing at week 6.
She stayed hopeful until week 11 but there was no changes. Sariyu was advised by doctors to evacuate the dead foetus but she refused. She prayed and prayed believing that God would bring the baby to life.
THIS PICTURE DEPICTS HER EXPRESSION WHEN SHE WAS HOPING FOR A MIRACLE.
Sariyu began to bleed again. This time it was heavy blood clots.
By the 5th day of the bleeding, she was scanned and the womb was confirmed empty.
She sought another medical advise and the womb was confirmed empty.
Sariyu was counselled to use Mesopristol to clean the womb of any debris left by the
foetus so she does not suffer infection.
THIS PICTURE DEPICTS HER EXPRESSION WHEN HER WOMB WAS EMPTIED
The Lady Abeke's story
I had the honour of listening to Lady Abeke share her story with me and I am more honoured to be able to use my photography skill to create the emotions that she felt during her experience with miscarriages. I was able to create this as a self portrait in order to protect Lady Abeke's identity.
Lady Abeke is a 38years old married woman from the elite family in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. She got married at age 23 and is yet to have a child of her own. She has had 8 miscarriages, each at different stage of pregnancy. She has also had 2 still births.
Each of the experiences has coloured Lady Abeke's life and she currently live in a permanent blue state. She hides herself from the public most of the time because she is ashamed of been seen as pregnant in one moment and then seen with an empty stomach on another day.
Lady A's husband is supportive but his family and friends are not making it easy for her. The constantly advice her husband to divorce her and marry another woman.
Lady Abeke hopes that one day soon her life would move from the BLUE state to a beautiful COLOURFUL state.
