“I had lost my baby”: Carrie Bickmore’s miscarriage story during The Project

Carrie Bickmore’s miscarriage story speaks to every woman who has kept going while hiding their pain.

TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses pregnancy loss.

With the final episode of The Project airing last week, Carrie Bickmore has opened up about some of the most unforgettable moments from her time on the show. One night she says she’ll never forget is Lisa Wilkinson’s debut as co-host in 2018 – a night when, behind the scenes, Carrie was experiencing a private heartbreak.

“I feel embarrassed to say it, but I will never forget Lisa’s first night on The Project. I had just discovered I had lost my baby, and I’d had a miscarriage,” she recalled. “I sat in front of a doctor, who said I needed to get a D&C, and I remember the words, ‘I can’t because Lisa Wilkinson is making her first appearance on The Project tonight.”

Instead of staying home to rest, the mum of three put on her makeup, stepped into the studio lights, and smiled alongside the panel, all while grieving.

“I sat on-air that night knowing I had a baby that had passed away inside of me, as I pretended to be laughing and having a great time… that was the power of the outside world.”

Now 44, Carrie admits she was afraid of how it would look if she missed such a major moment on the show. “How embarrassing and how ridiculous. I’m mortified that was the sort of decision (I was making) but that’s the power of pitting women against each other.”

The weight of “women versus women”

Despite having, as Carrie puts it, “the most fabulous professional relationship” with Lisa, tabloid headlines framed them as rivals.

“Lisa joining our show was an enormous thing for our show. I knew what was going to happen before it happened – and then it happened – because of how sexism works,” she explained. “It became Lisa against Carrie, and there was article after article about the ‘war’ we were at. I was so confused. Lisa and I were never at war. The more you read, the more you become insecure about your own abilities.”

Miscarriage in Australia

• How common is it? Up to one in four confirmed pregnancies end in miscarriage.
• When does it occur? Most miscarriages happen in the first 12 weeks, often before the expecting parent has shared news beyond close family.
• Support is available: Organisations like Pink Elephants Support Network and Red Nose Australia offer counselling, peer groups and 24/7 helplines.
• Partners matter too: Studies show non‑birthing parents can experience significant grief; reaching out for help is equally important.
• Your workplace rights: Under Fair Work provisions, parents in Australia are entitled to two days’ compassionate leave (paid or unpaid) after miscarriage.