Pause to Remember: Recent Episodes
Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT 200
Supporting healthcare providers who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss with conversations, resources, and mindfulness practices.
Discover how Reiki, an ancient energy healing technique, can support those navigating the overwhelming emotions of grief following pregnancy and infant loss.
Join the conversation as Kristin Krebs, BSN, MSN, CRNA, APHN-BC, a nurse anesthetist and Reiki practitioner, shares her personal journey and insights on integrating Reiki into clinical practice and everyday life to promote mindfulness, reduce stress, and foster emotional balance.
Click on links mentioned in the show:
- Integrated Health and Wellness Assessment
- Research Articles 1, 2, 3, 4
- Insight Timer, meditation app, grief meditations
- Kristin's YouTube Channel
Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Grief and Reiki
00:14 Personal Experiences with Reiki
00:41 Meet Kristin Krebs: Nurse and Reiki Practitioner
01:22 Kristin's Journey into Reiki
03:23 Understanding Reiki Attunements
04:47 Incorporating Reiki into Clinical Practice
08:01 Reiki for Personal and Family Well-being
11:20 Reiki and Fertility
16:40 Self-Care and Holistic Nursing
29:28 Practical Tips for Incorporating Reiki
39:24 Scientific Research on Reiki
42:42 Final Thoughts and Resources
Be a guest on the Pause to Remember Podcast, complete this form
Pause to Remember - Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest
Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences & website
Support Pause to Remember by donating
Host Amy Pelkey speaks with Mandy Wannarka, LICSW, PMH-C, RYT-200, a therapist specializing in supporting mothers and couples through the difficult journey of pregnancy and infant loss, including making the decision to terminate a pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR).
Mandy shares insights from her career in social work, focusing on her experience with the perinatal population in hospital settings and now in her outpatient mental health practice called Mindful Wellbeing Clinic in Coon Rapids, MN. They discuss the emotional toll of medical terminations, how to make informed decisions, and the importance of finding supportive community and professional resources.
Mandy also introduces therapeutic approaches like EMDR and mindfulness to help individuals process their emotions and build resilience. This episode aims to offer compassionate guidance and a sense of community for healthcare providers and other parents navigating this challenging topic.
00:00 Introduction to a Heartbreaking Decision
00:36 Meet the Host: Amy Pelkey
01:26 Introducing Mandy Wannarka
02:31 Mandy's Journey into Perinatal Support
03:40 Challenges and Transitions in Hospital Settings
04:52 Establishing an Outpatient Mental Health Practice
05:08 Supporting Families with Complex Medical Journeys
09:31 Empowered Boundary Setting
15:43 Navigating Family Dynamics and Unsolicited Opinions
19:37 Returning to Work After a Loss
25:10 Trauma-Informed Care and EMDR
31:55 Unpacking Childhood Trauma
33:18 Addressing Immediate Needs
35:13 Coping Mechanisms and Maladaptive Behaviors
37:21 Navigating Grief in Relationships
44:20 Pharmacological Options and Therapy
48:41 Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
54:59 Finding the Right Therapist
57:42 Final Thoughts and Support
LinksMindful Wellbeing Clinic
199 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Suite 208, Coon Rapids, MN 55433; phone (612) 440-1899; email: hello@mindfulwellbeingmn.com
Postpartum Support International(PPI)
- PSI TFMR Support Groups
- PSI Directory to find a provider
- Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C)
Pause to Remember
- Virtual Support Group (monthly), Facebook Groups, eBook, Be a guest on the podcast
- Contact, Amy's Calendar
- Financially Support Pause to Remember
Music credit: Fractal of Light by, Chris Haugen
Pause to Remember - Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest
Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website
Kelly Powers, CRNA and Divorce Coach, offers invaluable insights and guidance for those facing the daunting prospect of a crumbling marriage amidst the burden of losing a baby.
The episode touches on several key points:
- Kelly's Personal Journey: Kelly shares her own challenging divorce experience and how it led to her career as a divorce coach.
- Compounded Grief: The discussion explores how divorce can intensify grief, especially after pregnancy or infant loss, and the reluctance of healthcare providers to seek emotional support.
- Seeking Professional Help: Kelly stresses the significance building a team of professionals including a assistance early in the divorce process, whether through therapy, counseling, or working with a divorce coach.
- Building a Support Team: Creating a support network a therapist, divorce coach, attorney, real estate agent, financial planner, etc.
- Divorce Statistics Among Healthcare Professionals
Macy Guisto, DPT talks about chronic pain after pregnancy and infant loss.
In this episode she talks about:
- Risk factors - emotional overload, trauma
- Pain after delivery or c-section
- Identifying contributing factors
- lack of sleep
- emotional overload
- constantly in "fight or flight" mode
- stressors (like loss)
- hormones
- nutrition
- Induced labor, epidurals, and c-sections have been shown to increase the risk of developing chronic pain
- How do you make a plan and where do you start?
- 3 Priorities
- Give yourself grace
- Start moving
- Have a way to manage stress
Where to find Macy Guisto.
- Instagram: @paincoachmacy
- Email: macy.guisto@gmail.com
- Website: Wonsettler Physical Therapy
Pause to Remember Resources for Healthcare Providers Grieving After Pregnancy and Infant Loss
- Facebook Group
- Virtual Support Group
- Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1
- eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- Refer a provider (therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, etc)
- Be a guest on the podcast
- Contact Amy
- Yoga with the Pause to Remember Community
NEW OFFERING IN 2023! - MNDFL Rx (Mindful Prescription) A 4-week mindfulness based grief course for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss. Learn more and sign up for the January 2023 group or private options here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
David Allsop, MS, CFLE, CNP is completing his PhD in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
He is investigating how sexual wellbeing changes after pregnancy loss and hopes to better understand the experiences of the couples in the ALOE study.
ALOE stands for Acknowledging Loss Outcomes and Experiences. Couples can participate in the ALOE study if they have:
- Have experienced a pregnancy loss within the past 4 months
- Have been in a relationship with their partner for a year or more
- Are not currently or recently receiving fertility treatment
Each partner must be willing to complete a survey (30-45 minutes) once a month for four months. They will be compensated. You can sign up here or contact the team by email: ALOE@Dal.ca
In this episode we talked about how sexual health impacts both mental health and happiness. Samantha Joel's research about predictors of relationship quality is mentioned. Sexual satisfaction is a predictor or a good relationship.
Researchers know little about how pregnancy loss affects couples’ sexual relationships, which makes it difficult for couples to get the help they need after a loss. Studying this is fairly new. There are only three empirical studies on this topic. One trend in the data includes mothers having a decreased sexual desire after loss.
The research that showed 42% of surgeons had experienced pregnancy loss was in 2021 in JAMA Surgery. You can access it here.
Natalie Rosen - Couples and Sexual Health Research
David Allsop's email: David.Allsop@dal.ca
Pause to Remember Resources
- Facebook Group-Grief Support Group for Healthcare Providers
- after pregnancy and infant loss
- Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providersafter pregnancy and infant loss
- Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1
- eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- Refer a provider (therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, etc)
- Be a guest on the podcast
- Contact Amy
- Yoga with the Pause to Remember Community
MNDFL Rx (Mindful Prescription): 4-week mindfulness based grief course for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss. Learn more and sign up for the January 2023 group or private options here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Resources
- Facebook Group-Grief Support Group for Healthcare Providers
- after pregnancy and infant loss
- Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providersafter pregnancy and infant loss
- Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1
- eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- Refer a provider (therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, etc)
- Be a guest on the podcast
- Contact Amy
- Yoga with the Pause to Remember Community
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Three goals are outlined to create a guide for you. With these goals, suggestions are made for what you can do or buy to help alleviate feelings of isolation, support day-to-day responsibilities at home, and offer comfort.
This information is written in a blog post found here.
You can also have it emailed along with information from Episode 20 by clicking here.
Resources:
- Free eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providersafter pregnancy and infant loss
- Private Facebook Group-Grief Support Group for Healthcare Providers
- FREE Yoga with the Pause to Remember Community
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
This episode is for all the support people who care about a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker who is grieving after a pregnancy or infant loss.
A comprehensive list of what not to say is reviewed with examples.
Suggestions to start a conversation with a griever and how to create a safe space for them to share is also offered.
This information is written in a blog post found here.
You can also have it emailed to you by clicking here.
Resources:
- Free eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providersafter pregnancy and infant loss
- Private Facebook Group-Grief Support Group for Healthcare Providers
- FREE Yoga with the Pause to Remember Community
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Mindfulness Practice
Do you ever feel like your mind is scattered or you're distracted by your emotions?
Meditation is one mindfulness practice to help you redirect your awareness to the present moment.
Here is a meditation for when you feel like your mind or emotions are getting the best of you.
You can listen to this mindfulness practice in your call room, car, bedroom, gym, or anywhere else.
Resources:
- Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providersafter pregnancy and infant loss
- Private Facebook Group-Grief Support Group for Healthcare Providers
- Free eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- FREE Yoga with the Pause to Remember Community
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
Dr. Tyra Abdalla, DPT specializes in pelvic health. In detail, Tyra talks about:
- signs and symptoms of pelvic dysfunction
- how to find a pelvic health specialist
- how the pelvis is evaluated
- traumatic birth
- how to obtain the best outcomes with a holistic approach
- pelvic floor issues after c-sections vs vaginal delivers including scar tissue and adhesions
- returning to work
- painful sex
You can find Tyra on Instagram @pittsburghpelvicpt or at Wonsettler Physical Therapy in Scenery Hill, PA (724) 945-5161. Tyra can do in-person and tele-health evaluations.
Resources:
- Free eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
- Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providersafter pregnancy and infant loss
- Private Facebook Group-Grief Support Group for Healthcare Providers
- FREE Yoga with the Pause to Remember Community
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Brenda Behan, LSW, learned there was something wrong with her son, Tucker, when a cystic hygroma was detected at her first ultrasound appointment.
At that time, she was experiencing numbness on the right side of her body. Soon after, a large lesion was detected on her brain stem, MS was diagnosed, and treatment began.
Brenda had many difficult decisions to make including:
- Continuing to work in her "dream job" or take care of herself
- Terminate her pregnancy or carry Tucker
- Leave or stay in her marriage
- Getting help from a therapist
Tucker's memory is preserved through the work Brenda and her husband, Trevor, do through Good Day Racing.
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
FREE YOGA with the Pause to Remember Community
- Led by Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT 200
- This is for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss.
- There will be time for gathering and conversation if you would like to talk with others
- Click HERE for information and link to join (future dates will be added here)
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
In this episode, Amy Pelkey talks about taking a break from digital break.
She shares some thoughts from Cal Newport's book, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World and how they can be applicable to anyone including grieving mothers.
Both positive and negative aspects of social media while grieving are highlighted with the hopes of inspiring more mindful use of social media.
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
FREE YOGA with the Pause to Remember Community
- Led by Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT 200
- This is for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss.
- There will be time for gathering and conversation if you would like to talk with others
- Click HERE for information and link to join (future dates will be added here)
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Do you feel like there is a sea of options to help you with your grief but sifting through the resources feels like a time consuming task?
Why don't you take a listen to this episode focused on EMDR which stands for "eye movement desensitization and reprocessing?"
EMDR is a type of therapy with many applications including PTSD, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and grief.
Jeff Tejcek, founder of Virtual EMDR, talked with Amy Pelkey about EMDR. Here are some of the highlights of this episode:
- How Virtual EMDR came to be (including Jeff's childhood and PTSD)
- What is EMDR?
- History and evolution of EMDR
- Benefits of virtual EMDR
- Cost effective
- Can use anytime (do not have to wait for a therapist appointment)
- Unlimited use
- Privacy
- Can work for future events
- Multi-prong approach to mental health problems
- Experiencing mental health problems can be isolating - benefits of grief support groups
- EMDR for substance use disorder
- Different protocols built into the Virtual EMDR platform including "grief and loss"
- Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro
- Learn more about EMDR by typing, "What is EMDR?" into YouTube search, many videos including videos from the Department of Veteran Affairs
- Pregnancy or infant loss can trigger unprocessed childhood trauma
- Your virtual EMDR sessions are saved so you can track your progress
- Hybrid EMDR - virtual and in-person with a therapist
- EMDR can be applied to the "little things" in life not just trauma, grief, loss, etc
- Benefits of therapists and talk therapy
- Research
Where to find Jeff Tejcek's and his contact information:
- Website- Virtual EMDR
- Email: jeff@virtualemdr.com
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
FREE YOGA with the Pause to Remember Community
- The first class will be August 28 at 7:15pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT 200
- This is for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss.
- There will be time for gathering and conversation if you would like to talk with others.
- Click HERE for information and link to join (future dates will be added here)
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
In this episode, learn about some of the benefits yoga can have and what you may learn when practicing yoga.
FREE YOGA with the Pause to Remember Community
- The first class will be August 28 at 7:15pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT 200
- This is for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss.
- There will be time for gathering and conversation if you would like to talk with others.
- Click HERE for information and link to join (future dates will be added here)
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Are you struggling with money after your pregnancy or infant loss? Maybe you are brainstorming ideas to pay for the care of a fertility specialist.
Are you taking time off or cutting back your hours?
Maybe you are curious about working as an independent contractor/Locums, but can't figure out how the retirement, healthcare coverage, and disability insurance will work out.
In today's episode, Adam Kearns, CRC, shares nearly two decades of experience and knowledge in the area of financial planning.
Show Notes:
- What to do if your income has decreased
- Budget and expenses worksheet
- Tap into HR resources
- Borrowing against your current retirement savings; Plan Agreement Summary; interest and tax considerations
- Handling student loans
- Exploring work as an independent contractor/Locums
- SEP IRA
- If you need health insurance
- Disability insurance - a financial planner can help you read the fine print
- How to find a financial planner and questions to ask
- Adam has a flexible schedule to meet customer's needs (early mornings, evenings, weekends)
- Factoring in your current, employer based plans with additional retirement savings and investments
- Online tools to help you see all your investments in one place
Links mentioned:
- Adam Kearns, CRC website
- Budget and Expense Worksheet
- Adams Schedule to Meet With You
- Adam's contact information:
- Email: adam.kearns@lpl.com
- Phone: (412) 719-5083
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adam-kearns-lplfinancial/
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Here are 6 benefits of joining a support group like the one offered through Pause to Remember.
- Recognizing that you are not alone
- Sharing ideas
- Feeling hope
- Different perspectives
- A sense of belonging
- Giving back
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
FREE Yoga here at Pause to Remember starting August 28 at 7:15pm via Zoom.
- Sign up here.
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
Do you ever feel like you can't get away and have a moment of peace? Want to try a "mud mask and mindful bath" practice? Note: This podcast contains some affiliate links. They will not cost you extra to use and are options. Using these links will help support the podcast and offerings at Pause to Remember.
Gather the following:
Bath towels (including one to roll and place behind your neck), soap, shampoo/conditioner, your favorite facial mask, epsom salts, essential oil, and device to listen to the mindfulness practice. Dim the lights. Light some candles.
Place in warm bath water:
- 1-2 cups Epsom salt (for standard size bath tub)
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 5+ drops of lavender or other essential oil
Here are the links to my favorites: Charcoal Facial Mask or AHA Mask and lavender, serenity, or anchor essential oils.
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
When Brittany Kemp's daughter, Eden Grace, was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome, she and her husband took the information in stride and looked forward to the day she arrived.
Everything was going ok until Brittany could not feel Eden moving. Listen to this episode and find out what happens and how Brittany's grieving journey unfolds.
In this episode, Brittany talks about:
- Eden's cause of death
- Creating memories with Eden
- Support her family was offered
- MOHA Network - learn more here
- What has changed professionally and personally for Brittany
There is so much hope Brittany offers in this episode. Give it a listen!
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Do you ever feel like you need a vacation from your grief? Can another emotion co-exist with your sadness, frustration, or overwhelm?
Getting on a plane for a vacation with your partner or a few of your girlfriends may not be realistic right now. How about taking about ten minutes right now to create a mini-vacation for yourself?
Join Amy for a few mindful moments with a sense of curiosity and see how you feel at the end.
Mentioned in the podcast:
- Episode 2 with Crystal Webster - you can find it here.
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember (click on links below)
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
With Father's Day right around the corner, this episode is with a father, David Pawlikowski, CRNA, who experienced losses with his wife.
Their first loss was while he was in anesthesia school.
Here are some things discussed:
- Miscarriages
- D&E
- Seeking help at Shadygrove Fertility in Maryland; Dr. Bromer (https://www.shadygrovefertility.com/our-care-team/doctors/bromer/)
- MTHFR mutation
- The cost of fertility treatment when you are a student - there may be hope
- Handing anesthesia school in the midst of loss
- How the miscarriages has impacted David's care of other families going through loss
- The importance of talking about loss and taking care of yourself
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
This is a quick, 5-breath meditation (<3 minutes) with Amy to regroup, relieve some emotions, or restore yourself in the moment.
There is a Taoist story about a farmer and all the events that unfold after he loses his horse. Regardless of what happened, the farmer responds, "maybe" each time his neighbors label the event as good or bad.
Give it a listen and see how this story could impact your grieving journey.
Mentioned in the Show
MBSR - Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course started by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness-based_stress_reduction
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here https://www.pausetoremember.org/support-group
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click herehttps://www.pausetoremember.org/free-ebook
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Dr. Kerry Petsinger, DPT talks about living through seven pregnancy losses while working full-time as a physical therapist. You can hear her share:
- Scheduling physical therapy patients so she could get to her own doctor appointments
- Therapy
- Feeling like she wanted to run away from pain and her marriage
- Felt like having a baby consumed her life
- Stopping to ask, "What can our life look like?"
- The only thing she could change was her mindset
- Feeling restless and wondering if she picked the right career
- Abandoning the thought of specializing in women's health after investing in additional training
- Becoming pregnant after having twins through surrogacy and the complications that followed
- How stress changes the odd of carrying a baby
- Trying to figure out how she "could have it all" while balancing a career and family
- Mornings that Matter - 10 minute routine
- Importance of gratitude - it can co-exist with grief
- Train your brain to find the good around you
- Therapy vs coaching
- How you develop habits to get you where you want to me
- Grieving can be trial and error
- Give yourself permission to go through the hope and grief cycle
- An approach to handle babyshowers
- Figure out what works for you even though it is hard to make time to care for yourself
How to find or work with Kerry.
- Website
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Whitney Jablonski, CRNA lost her daughter, Colby, less than two days after she was born in March, 2019.
Listen to this honest conversation about Whitney's grieving journey and how Whitney is trying to help other families in honor of her daughter.
Whitney and Amy discuss the following in this episode:
- Mother's intuition in the 1st trimester
- Self advocating to see maternal fetal medicine (MFM) before 20 weeks
- Trisomy 18
- Fetal cardiac workup
- How are you the same person prior to this situation? How do you get out of bed everyday and go back to the routine of being a mother?
- Returning to work in the same facility where you lost your baby
- Working in the OB department and taking call
- Maternity leave - Is six weeks enough?
- Funeral and the need for bereavement days
- The emotions felt when your milk comes in
- How do you respond to peoples' comments (that are upbeat) about your pregnancy when you know your baby will not survive?
- Anticipatory grief
- Worried about decreased fetal movement, your baby dying, and wanting the obstetrician to check for a heartbeat while wondering if this is going to be your baby's last day alive
- Grieving the life you had as well as your baby
- Feeling less organized
- Wanting to move into a new home
- Getting pregnant after loss, grieving, and COVID-19
- How COVID-19 impacted the grieving process and next pregnancy
- What journaling revealed
- Caring for yourself so you can care for your patients
- Biggest trigger at work, talking to the hospital chaplain
- Wishing for more self care and feeling like a different person
- Sufficient Grace Ministries in the Toledo, OH area
- New Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers grieving after pregnancy and infant loss
Virtual Support Group for Healthcare Providers after pregnancy and infant loss
- 2nd Monday of every month
- 7:45-8:45pm EST
- Led by Amy Pelkey, CRNA and Whitney Jablonski, CRNA
- Via Zoom - get the link and updates here
- This is for female, licensed healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember - "Buy a Latte"
- Want to donate to help support this podcast, the virtual support group, and other resources that are offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Talk to Amy Pelkey - her schedule is here
- Contact Amy Pelkey here.
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Christy Orndorff, RN has over 30 years of experience as a pediatric palliative nurse. In 2017, she was named "Nurse of the Year" at the academic medical center where she cares for many patients and their families.
Christy resides at Valley View Farm that dates back to 1905. At the farm, her family breeds Belgian draft horses and hold special events such as weddings and celebrations of life in a renovated barn.
The barn venue helps fund Butterfly Angels, a bereavement organization supporting grieving parents in Waynesburg, PA and the surrounding communities.
Christy describes the beautiful barn and some of the many services offered by Butterfly Angels.
Butterfly Angles has offered financial support and comforting events for grieving families over the years thanks to the tireless efforts of Christy, her family, the Shultz family, and the entire Butterfly Angels organization.
Christy goes on to share her vast experience as it relates to grieving healthcare providers. Some of the topics she covers include:
- Re-entering the workplace
- Triggers
- Finding a safe place to go to gather yourself
- Healthcare providers high expectations of themselves
- Switching jobs or floors
- Boundaries for self care
- Partners grieving differently
Links referenced in this podcast include:
- Valley View Farm - 10% of all revenue goes directly to Butterfly Angels
- The book, It's OK That You're Not OK by, Megan Devine
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email from Pause to Remember?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember
- Want to donate to help support this podcast and what is offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Contact Amy Pelkey here
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
Crystal Webster, author of Confessions of a Griever: Turning a Hot Mess into a Haute Message, openly shares her grief journey after losing her daughter, Madelyn Elizabeth, hours after she was born.
The conversation covers many topics including the following:
- Madelyn's nursery today
- Taking a vacation from grieving in Las Vegas
- Divorce papers
- Feeling guilty after loss
- Autopsy and genetic issues
- Feeling a disconnect between logic and emotion
- Stigma around mental health and going to therapy
- Burdening friends and loved ones with grief
- Therapist vs grief coach (or grief guide)
- Turning off the noise around you so you can turn inward
- The book, Confessions of a Griever: Turning a Hot Mess into a Haute Message
- The Circle of Life Pendant with 'Every Moment is Worthwhile' Token
- Sharing Solace website
- Work with Crystal here
- Sharing Solace is on Facebook and Instagram
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember
- Want to donate to help support the podcast and what is offered for free? Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Other
- Contact Amy Pelkey here
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen
10:45 Tara Brach Mindfulness Meditation
13:22 Going to therapy
14:40 Returning to work in the hospital
15:58 Triggers at work
19:30 Meditation and yoga for grieving
19:53 Yoga teacher training at South Hills Power Yoga
20:16 Creating Pause to Remember with Shawna Locke
21:59 Working with burnout coach, Dr. Errin Weisman
22:34 Moving Pause to Remember to the online space with Tom Polifka
23:40 Life coach, Krista Kehoe
25:00 Goal of Pause to Remember
26:55 How you can support Pause to Remember
Additional information about Anna Grace
An autopsy was performed on Anna. A two-vessel cord was found. The cause of death was intrauterine growth restriction.
Gratitude
I want to thank my family, friends, co-workers, pediatric palliative care team, therapist, coaches, and the yoga community for being an integral part of my healing journey and the creation of Pause to Remember.
To my husband and son, you are my everything. Thank you for helping to keep Anna's memory alive in our everyday lives. Also, thanks for putting up with the hundreds of hours I have sat in front of my computer. I love you both.
Want a free eBook and receive a weekly email?
- Click here.
Where to find Pause to Remember
- Website
Support Pause to Remember
- Want to donate to help support the podcast and what is offered for free? Click here.
Other
- Contact Amy Pelkey here
- www.AmyPelkey.com
- Music credit: Fractal of Light, by Chris Haugen