A moment that changed me: My miscarriages were devastating – but an orca gave me comfort and hope
In her deeply personal essay published in The Guardian, Zeynep Gurtin recounts the profound grief she experienced after multiple miscarriages, including the loss of twins in 2018. Following several surgeries and a prolonged period of emotional and physical pain, she found herself in a state of deep despair. During this time, she learned about Tahlequah, an orca who carried her deceased calf for 17 days—a story that deeply resonated with Gurtin and mirrored her own struggle to let go. Inspired by Tahlequah’s eventual healing and subsequent successful birth, Gurtin found the courage to try again. Her journey led to the birth of her son in 2021, followed by another child, symbolizing hope and renewal after loss.