The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast: Recent Episodes
Kayleigh Summers
Birth trauma is the dark and sometimes scary side of pregnancy & postpartum that no one wants to talk about. But, we're here to change that! I'm Kayleigh, a licensed therapist and birth trauma survivor, determined to bring birth trauma out of the shadows and into the light. When we talk about birth trauma, we take away its power and leave space for healing. Your birth trauma does not need to “happen for a reason." Birth trauma sucks and it’s okay to admit that. Join us as we navigate what it means to heal from birth trauma. You’ll hear from experts in the field as well as others who have experienced birth trauma. Storytelling and education are keys to raising awareness and better understanding how we heal trauma. We don’t do toxic positivity in this space, but you’ll definitely hear some dark humor. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry, but, most importantly, you’ll learn that you’re not alone and that healing is possible. Birth trauma is bullish*it, but your healing is not.
Rebecca's story is one of extraordinary resilience. What began as a routine induction quickly turned into a life-threatening postpartum emergency, followed by the discovery of a rare orbital tumor, multiple surgeries, and a long road through PTSD and healing. In this heartfelt Listener Series episode, Rebecca shares how community, therapy, faith, and giving back helped her reclaim her life after birth trauma.
If you've ever felt like your trauma became your identity, this conversation offers hope that healing is possible, even if it takes time.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Rebecca's difficult second pregnancy and the unexpected vision changes that led to the discovery of an orbital tumor
🩸 A carefully planned induction that quickly turned into a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage and uterine rupture
🏥 Emergency surgeries, an ICU stay, blood transfusions, and surviving a near-death experience
💔 Processing PTSD, memory loss, and the emotional challenges of postpartum recovery while facing additional medical diagnoses
👶 Grieving the postpartum experience she expected while learning to navigate motherhood after trauma
💛 The importance of trauma-informed care, supportive healthcare providers, and compassionate family support
🧠 How therapy, trauma work, and writing a letter to her birth trauma became turning points in her healing journey
🩸 Why Rebecca now volunteers with the American Red Cross and advocates for blood donation after surviving because of blood donors
Whether you're newly navigating birth trauma or years into your healing journey, Rebecca's story is a powerful reminder that healing doesn't happen overnight, but it does happen.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This week's episode is a solo conversation about one of the most complicated parts of healing after birth trauma: anniversaries.
Whether it's your baby's birthday, the day you were admitted to the hospital, your NICU discharge, or another date tied to your experience, trauma anniversaries can bring up overwhelming emotions, even years later. Kayleigh shares why these reactions are so common, what is actually happening in the nervous system, and practical ways to care for yourself as these significant dates approach.
If you've ever wondered why your baby's birthday feels both joyful and heartbreaking, or felt guilty for dreading a day that's "supposed" to be celebrated, this episode is a reminder that you're not broken, and you're certainly not alone.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
🎂 Why birthdays and birth trauma anniversaries can feel so emotionally complicated
🧠 How the nervous system recognizes trauma anniversaries without needing a calendar
🌡️ Why certain seasons, weather, smells, music, or holidays can trigger trauma responses
💙 The difference between remembering your trauma and your body reliving it
😔 Common anniversary reactions, including anxiety, irritability, nightmares, emotional numbness, and intrusive memories
🏥 Why dates beyond birthdays, like hospital admissions, NICU stays, due dates, and holidays, can also become trauma anniversaries
🌊 Why feeling triggered around an anniversary does not mean you're moving backward in your healing
🤍 Holding two truths at once: deeply loving your child while grieving how they entered the world
💔 Why guilt often accompanies difficult emotions on your child's birthday
🫶 Giving yourself permission to honor your own experience without taking away from your child's celebration
📅 Creating intentional space before or on the anniversary to process your emotions
📝 Practical ideas for self-care, reflection, journaling, therapy, and meaningful rituals
👨👩👧 Communicating your needs to family and friends before birthday celebrations
💬 Preparing responses to unhelpful comments or toxic positivity
🌈 Grounding techniques to use if you become emotionally activated during celebrations
🎗️ Finding meaning through advocacy, fundraising, donations, or sharing your story
✨ Why birthdays often become a little lighter over time—but may always hold mixed emotions
❤️ Learning to celebrate your child's life while honoring your own survival
Key Takeaway
Birth trauma anniversaries are incredibly difficult because they ask us to hold joy and grief at the same time. Your nervous system isn't choosing to make birthdays hard, it is responding to a deeply significant traumatic experience. Healing isn't about forcing yourself to feel only happiness. It's about creating space for both celebration and sorrow, caring for yourself with compassion, and trusting that over time, the weight of these anniversaries can become a little easier to carry.
Resources Mentioned
🔹 Birth Trauma Mama Trigger Coping Guide
🔹 Trauma Grounding Techniques
🔹 EMDR Therapy
🔹 Trauma-Informed Mental Health Support
🔹 The Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation
🔹 Birth Trauma Mama Podcast Episodes on Healing & Trauma Triggers
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this heartfelt listener story, Liana shares how three very different pregnancies and births each shaped her experience of motherhood in unexpected ways. After developing gestational hypertension that progressed to postpartum preeclampsia with her first baby, she found herself navigating the uncertainty of a premature birth and NICU stay, all while trying to understand what had happened to her own body.
Years later, another unexpected NICU stay with her third baby brought many of those emotions rushing back. Liana reflects on how trauma can resurface long after the initial event, why comparing our stories to others can minimize our own experiences, and how finding the birth trauma community finally gave her permission to recognize that what she lived through truly mattered.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
🩺 Developing gestational hypertension during her first pregnancy
📈 How elevated blood pressure progressed into postpartum preeclampsia
👶 Delivering a late-preterm baby and navigating an unexpected NICU stay
💊 Recovering physically while trying to care for a newborn in the NICU
🏥 The emotional experience of being discharged home without her baby
💔 Feeling rushed through postpartum recovery while still processing everything that had happened
🤍 How survival mode delayed her ability to recognize the emotional impact of her birth experience
👩👧 Welcoming additional children while carrying the memories of previous pregnancies
🚼 Facing another unexpected NICU stay with her third baby
🌊 Why a new medical experience can reactivate unresolved birth trauma
💭 Realizing years later that her experience had been traumatic—even though everyone ultimately went home healthy
🫶 The importance of having providers who acknowledge both physical recovery and emotional healing
👩⚕️ Why postpartum mental health deserves just as much attention as physical health
🎙️ Finding comfort through hearing other parents' birth trauma stories
🌱 Learning that trauma doesn't have to be "the worst" to deserve support
💙 How therapy and community became important parts of her healing journey
✨ Giving herself permission to stop minimizing her own experience
❤️ Why every parent's birth story deserves to be heard and validated
Key Takeaway
Liana's story is a powerful reminder that trauma isn't measured by how long your NICU stay was, how early your baby arrived, or whether everyone ultimately came home healthy. Trauma is about how an experience impacts you. Healing often begins when we stop comparing our stories to others and allow ourselves to acknowledge that our experiences mattered, too. Every parent deserves compassionate postpartum care that supports both their physical recovery and emotional well-being.
Resources Mentioned
🔹 Dear NICU Mama
🔹 Birth Trauma Mama Community
🔹 Therapy & Mental Health Support
🔹 Postpartum Mental Health Resources
🔹 NICU Parent Support
🔹 Preeclampsia Education & Awareness
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This week's episode is a solo conversation tackling one of the most common, and most painful, themes that emerges after a traumatic birth: self-blame.
If you've ever found yourself replaying your birth and thinking, "I should have spoken up," "I should have known something was wrong," or "My body failed my baby," this episode is for you. Kayleigh explores why these thoughts are such a common response to trauma, how our nervous systems use self-blame as a way to create a sense of safety and control, and why simply hearing "it's not your fault" often isn't enough to create lasting healing.
Rather than trying to convince you to stop blaming yourself, this episode invites you to approach these thoughts with curiosity, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the neurobiology of trauma.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
🧠 Why self-blame is one of the most common responses after birth trauma
💔 The difference between knowing something wasn't your fault and feeling like it was
🛡️ How trauma disrupts our sense of safety and predictability
🎭 Why self-blame can create the illusion of control after a traumatic experience
🧩 The role hindsight plays in rewriting our birth stories
⏪ Why judging your past self with information you only learned later is so unfair
❄️ Understanding freeze, fawn, compliance, and shutdown as normal survival responses
🤍 Why your nervous system was trying to protect you, not failing you
📋 The impossible expectations so many parents place on themselves after birth trauma
👩⚕️ Why you were never meant to have the medical knowledge of your healthcare providers
💭 Exploring the question: "What was available to me in that moment?"
🌱 Learning to replace judgment with curiosity about your trauma responses
🪞 How speaking to your past self with compassion can become part of the healing process
✨ Separating the facts of your birth from the trauma story your brain created afterward
🧠 How therapies like EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing, and Coherence Therapy can help process trauma
💙 Borrowing compassion through the perspective of someone who loves you
🌈 Why healing doesn't require believing you handled everything perfectly
❤️ Finding gratitude for the ways your nervous system helped you survive
Key Takeaway
Self-blame is often not evidence that you failed; it's evidence that your nervous system is trying to make sense of something overwhelming. Trauma changes the way we interpret our experiences, and healing begins not by arguing with those thoughts, but by becoming curious about where they come from and what purpose they've served. You don't have to force yourself to believe everything happened for a reason or that you did everything perfectly. Sometimes healing starts with offering the version of yourself who lived through the trauma the same compassion you would offer someone you love.
Resources Mentioned
🔹 EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
🔹 Internal Family Systems (IFS)
🔹 Somatic Experiencing
🔹 Coherence Therapy
🔹 Trauma-Informed Therapy
🔹 Birth Trauma Mama Podcast Episodes on Healing & EMDR
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this moving listener story, Carmen shares her complicated journey through pregnancy loss, recurrent miscarriage, TFMR (termination for medical reasons), traumatic births, emergency deliveries, and ultimately building the family she always dreamed of. As a mother of 12 babies, five Earthside and seven who are no longer physically here, Carmen offers a powerful perspective on grief, resilience, and what it means to continue mothering children who have died.
Throughout this conversation, Carmen opens up about the realities of pregnancy after loss, the emotional toll of carrying grief through multiple pregnancies, and the complicated intersection of gratitude and trauma. Her story is one of profound love, heartbreaking decisions, and the ongoing process of learning how to carry both joy and sorrow at the same time.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
👶 Carmen's first pregnancy and the devastating experience of a missed miscarriage
💔 How pregnancy loss shattered her sense of safety and changed the way she viewed future pregnancies
🩺 Navigating recurrent pregnancy loss and seeking answers through fertility care
❤️ Receiving a devastating prenatal diagnosis during a long-awaited pregnancy
🧬 Learning that her daughter had multiple complex medical conditions, including severe congenital heart defects and DeGeorge syndrome
🤍 Making the heartbreaking decision to pursue TFMR after extensive research and consultation with specialists
👼 Meeting and saying goodbye to her daughter, Ayabelle
📸 Why sharing photos and stories of babies who have died can be an important part of parenting after loss
🌈 The complicated emotions that accompany pregnancy after loss
👶 Welcoming her first living child while carrying immense fear and unresolved grief
🚑 Experiencing multiple emergency deliveries and traumatic birth experiences
🩸 Surviving placental abruptions that threatened both her life and her babies' lives
🏥 The reality of repeatedly entering pregnancy and birth expecting the worst-case scenario
💙 Losing another son, Jude, after receiving a prenatal diagnosis incompatible with life
🌧️ How grief can resurface even years after a loss
🧠 Recognizing delayed trauma and grief long after surviving difficult pregnancies and births
👩⚕️ The importance of providers asking not only how patients are doing physically, but emotionally
🌟 The healing power of sharing stories and connecting with other loss parents
👨👩👧👦 Raising living children while honoring the siblings who are no longer here
🎗️ Creating community through pregnancy and infant loss advocacy work
✨ Learning how grief evolves rather than disappears
❤️ Holding gratitude and heartbreak at the same time
Key Takeaway
Carmen's story is a powerful reminder that trauma and grief are often rooted in love. Her journey demonstrates that it is possible to build a beautiful life while still carrying profound loss, and that healing doesn't mean leaving grief behind. Whether you're navigating pregnancy loss, TFMR, birth trauma, or parenting after loss, Carmen's story offers validation, hope, and the reminder that every baby matters and every story deserves to be remembered.
Topics Covered
🔹 Pregnancy Loss
🔹 Recurrent Miscarriage
🔹 Missed Miscarriage
🔹 TFMR (Termination for Medical Reasons)
🔹 Pregnancy After Loss
🔹 Birth Trauma
🔹 Placental Abruption
🔹 Emergency C-Sections
🔹 Infant Loss
🔹 Maternal Mental Health
🔹 Grief & Healing
🔹 Parenting After Loss
🔹 Pregnancy & Infant Loss Advocacy
Memorable Quote
✨ "Trauma isn't nothing, it's love that was shocked."
You can follow along with Carmen and her family's journey on Instagram: @adiarytoourbabies and check out their book HERE.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
We often use the terms birth trauma, perinatal trauma, and PTSD interchangeably, but they're not actually the same thing.
In this episode closing out PTSD Awareness Month, Kayleigh breaks down the important differences between:
- Birth and perinatal trauma as an experience
- Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) that may not meet diagnostic criteria
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a clinical diagnosis
Understanding these distinctions matters, not because one experience is "worse" than another, but because too many parents are left believing they aren't struggling "enough" to deserve support.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why birth trauma is not the same as a PTSD diagnosis
- The DSM-5 criteria for PTSD and how they apply to childbirth
- Why many parents experience significant trauma symptoms without meeting full diagnostic criteria
- The prevalence of birth trauma, PTSS, and PTSD after childbirth
- Why current postpartum screening often misses trauma entirely
- How hypervigilance, intrusive memories, avoidance, nightmares, and nervous system changes can show up after birth
- Why relational trauma and interactions with healthcare providers can profoundly shape whether a birth becomes traumatic
- Why every parent experiencing trauma symptoms deserves care—regardless of diagnosis
Whether you identify with birth trauma, postpartum PTSD, or simply know something changed after your birth experience, this episode is a reminder that your pain doesn't have to fit neatly into a diagnostic box to be real.
Resources Mentioned
- Diagnostic criteria for PTSD (DSM-5)
- Research on childbirth-related PTSD prevalence
- Research on severe maternal morbidity, provider communication, and birth trauma
- CDC report on mistreatment during maternity care
Connect with Kayleigh
If this episode resonated with you, share it with another parent who may need to hear that healing isn't reserved only for those with a diagnosis.
Follow along for more education and support around birth trauma, postpartum PTSD, and nervous system healing.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
Kayleigh sits down with her former therapist, Hilary Waller, to reflect on the years they spent working together after Kayleigh's amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), birth trauma, and the life-altering experiences that followed. Together, they explore the therapeutic relationship, what healing actually looks like over time, and how trauma recovery often evolves from surviving to grieving to fully living again.
This conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at therapy from both the client and therapist perspective. Hilary shares insights into trauma recovery, attachment, grief, identity, and the ways healing can continue long after the most acute pain has passed. It's an honest, thoughtful discussion about what it means to rebuild a life after trauma, and how relationships can become a powerful part of that process.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
🧠 Why Kayleigh invited her former therapist onto the podcast
🤝 The unique and often misunderstood nature of the therapeutic relationship
💙 How therapists carry memories of clients long after treatment ends
🌪️ Processing life after an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) and severe birth trauma
🪞 Looking back on years of trauma recovery from both the therapist and client perspective
😢 The difference between trauma work and grief work
🌱 Moving from being defined by trauma to integrating it into your story
✨ The shift from surviving an experience to building a meaningful life afterward
👶 Exploring Kayleigh's fears and reflections about how trauma may have impacted her son
❤️ The healing power of finding adaptive and compassionate perspectives on difficult experiences
👨👩👦 The special role family members can play during and after traumatic events
🔍 Why trauma survivors often search for connection with the people who cared for them during a crisis
🏥 The complex emotions that can emerge when relationships with healthcare providers suddenly end
💭 Attachment, loss, and making meaning after life-threatening medical experiences
🌈 The process of integrating seemingly conflicting emotions like gratitude, grief, joy, and loss
🫶 What makes a therapeutic relationship feel safe, healing, and transformative
📈 Watching healing unfold over years rather than weeks or months
🎙️ How Birth Trauma Mama grew alongside Kayleigh's own healing journey
💡 What therapists wish more people understood about trauma recovery
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this listener story, Jess shares her experience with preeclampsia that went from seemingly mild and manageable to severe in a matter of days. As a first-time mom with an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, she found herself blindsided by a diagnosis she knew very little about and quickly facing decisions she never imagined having to make.
Jess opens up about the fear, confusion, and lack of education she encountered throughout her pregnancy, the emotional toll of a prolonged hospital stay, and the premature birth of her daughter at just 31 weeks. She also shares the guilt, grief, and healing that followed, along with the resources and support that helped her process her birth trauma and NICU journey.
Jess's story is a powerful reminder that preeclampsia can happen to anyone and that education matters. Her experience highlights the importance of listening to your body, advocating for answers, and ensuring patients receive clear information about potential pregnancy complications. Most importantly, her story reminds parents that preeclampsia is not their fault, their bodies did not fail them, and healing is possible even after a traumatic pregnancy, birth, and NICU experience.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
👣 The first symptoms that something might be wrong, including sudden swelling and elevated blood pressure
🧪 Protein in the urine, 24-hour urine collections, and the early signs of preeclampsia
😔 Feeling blindsided by a diagnosis she knew very little about
📈 How quickly preeclampsia can progress from mild to severe
🚑 Being unexpectedly transferred by ambulance to a higher-level hospital at just 30 weeks pregnant
⏳ Living in the uncertainty of daily "watch and wait" decisions
👶 Learning what premature birth and NICU life might actually look like
❤️ The impact of compassionate providers who took the time to explain what was happening
😢 Watching other families leave the hospital with their babies while waiting for her own outcome
🌟 Making the difficult decision to move forward with induction at 31 weeks
👩🍼 Delivering her daughter vaginally after a rapid induction
🤍 Feeling emotionally numb after birth and why that response is so common after trauma
🏥 Beginning a lengthy NICU journey while simultaneously recovering from a complicated pregnancy
💔 The guilt many parents feel when their babies arrive prematurely
🧠 Healing through therapy, education, and connecting with other birth trauma survivors
👥 Finding support through community and realizing she was not alone in her experience
✨ How a post-trauma consultation with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist became one of the most healing parts of her journey
Resources Mentioned
🔹 The Preeclampsia Foundation
🔹 Dear NICU Mama
🔹 March of Dimes
🔹 Birth Trauma Mama Support Groups
🔹 Therapy & Mental Health Support
🔹 Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Preconception Counseling
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This week’s episode is a little different than our usual conversations about birth trauma, healing, and maternal mental health.
Kayleigh is taking listeners behind the scenes of her family's recent trip to Disney World and Universal Orlando, a trip she never expected would become one of their favorite family experiences. As a self-proclaimed non-theme-park expert, Kayleigh shares the planning strategies, lessons learned, and practical tips that helped make the trip successful for their family.
Whether you're considering a Disney or Universal vacation, feeling overwhelmed by the planning process, or simply curious about how the trip went, this episode offers an honest look at navigating theme parks with a deeply feeling kiddo while managing parental expectations, anxiety, and sensory overwhelm.
Key Takeaway
This episode is a reminder that parenting after trauma can still include joy, adventure, and unexpected moments of delight. While birth trauma may always be part of our stories, it doesn't have to define every chapter. Sometimes healing looks like watching your child experience something magical, realizing how far you've come, and creating new memories together.
Tips Shared in This Episode
🔹 Universal Express Passes
🔹 Disney Lightning Lanes
🔹 Standby Skipper App
🔹 Midday Pool Breaks
🔹 Sit-Down Lunch Reservations
🔹 Cooling Towels & Portable Fans
🔹 Lollipops for Long Lines
🔹 Choosing Parks Based on Your Child's Interests
🔹 Keeping Expectations Flexible
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this heartfelt episode, Kirsten shares the story of her unexpected twin pregnancy, a sudden placental abruption at just 27 weeks, and the terrifying emergency C-section that changed everything in a matter of minutes. Far from home and under general anesthesia, Kirsten woke up to a reality she never imagined: two extremely premature babies fighting for their lives in the NICU.
Kirsten opens up about the grief, fear, and disconnection she experienced during those early days, as well as the challenges of navigating a lengthy NICU stay. She also shares how family support, community, faith, and time helped her process the trauma and begin healing. This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and gratitude can exist side by side, and that healing doesn't require forgetting what happened.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
👶 Finding out she was unexpectedly pregnant with twins shortly after getting married
🩺 A healthy twin pregnancy that suddenly changed at 27 weeks due to a placental abruption
🚑 Being rushed to the hospital while visiting family out of state
🩸 Experiencing severe blood loss and an emergency C-section under general anesthesia
💔 Waking up after birth without knowing what had happened or whether her babies were alive
👨👩👧👦 The emotional experience of becoming parents in the midst of a medical crisis
🏥 Meeting her premature twins for the first time in the NICU
😭 Feeling disconnected, fearful, and overwhelmed during the early days of motherhood
🤍 Why struggling to bond immediately with your baby does not mean you love them any less
🫶 The challenges of navigating life with two babies born at just 27 weeks gestation
👩⚕️ The incredible impact of compassionate NICU nurses, volunteers, and medical staff
🎄 Spending the holiday season in the NICU while feeling like the outside world kept moving on
🌟 The importance of family support during a prolonged hospitalization
🏡 Bringing her twins home healthy just one day before their due date
😔 The unexpected emotional challenges that surfaced after NICU discharge
💭 Processing grief, trauma, and the reality that healing doesn't happen the moment you leave the hospital
✨ Learning that grief and gratitude can coexist
💪 Finding confidence in her own strength and resilience as a mother
❤️ How faith, time, and community helped her move toward healing
Key Takeaway
Kirsten's story highlights the reality that surviving a traumatic birth and NICU experience is only part of the journey. Healing often continues long after discharge, and it's okay to hold both gratitude for positive outcomes and grief for what was lost. Her story offers hope to parents navigating trauma, reminding them that they are not alone and that healing can happen one step at a time.
Topics Covered
🔹 Twin Pregnancy
🔹 Placental Abruption
🔹 Emergency C-Section
🔹 Premature Birth
🔹 NICU Journey
🔹 Birth Trauma
🔹 Maternal Mental Health
🔹 Parent-Infant Bonding
🔹 NICU Discharge
🔹 Healing After Trauma
You can follow and connect with Kirsten on Instagram: @kirstenzhuravlev
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful listener story, Kate returns to share her second birth experience after previously sharing her first story years ago. After surviving postpartum preeclampsia and medical trauma with her first child, Kate spent years healing through therapy, EMDR, community support, and advocacy work. When she became pregnant again, she hoped for a different experience, but life had other plans.
At 24 weeks pregnant, Kate learned that her son had a rare congenital heart condition. What followed was months of uncertainty, specialist appointments, a surprise early delivery, NICU and cardiac ICU stays, and ultimately open-heart surgery when her son was just five weeks old. Through it all, Kate shares how community, mental health support, and unwavering advocacy helped her navigate some of the most difficult moments of her life.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
🩺 Kate’s experience with preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia after her first birth
💔 Developing PTSD following a traumatic postpartum hospital readmission
🧠 How EMDR therapy helped her process medical trauma and begin healing
🤝 Finding support through the Preeclampsia Foundation, Mama’s Voices, and the birth trauma community
👶 The emotional challenges of trying to conceive after a traumatic birth experience
🔬 Receiving a prenatal diagnosis of a rare congenital heart condition during her second pregnancy
🏥 Navigating fetal echocardiograms, specialist appointments, and uncertainty throughout pregnancy
❤️ Understanding her son’s diagnosis of Shone’s Complex and the impact on his developing heart
📋 Transferring medical care and advocating for both her baby’s needs and her own mental health
🌪️ Going into labor unexpectedly just 48 hours before her scheduled C-section
👩⚕️ Delivering a medically complex baby and coping with immediate separation after birth
🏨 The realities of NICU and Cardiac ICU life as a heart parent
🚗 The emotional experience of leaving the hospital without her baby
💉 Watching her son undergo open-heart surgery at only five weeks old
🌟 The incredible advances in pediatric cardiac care and modern medicine
💙 How chosen family, therapists, healthcare providers, and community support carried her through
🎙️ Becoming a patient-family partner and using her story to advocate for better care and awareness
Take a look at Kate's writing for a professional organization: Read here
Baby Boy Principe's Caring Bridge - read "in real time" how Kate processed their experience.
Resources Mentioned
🔹 The Preeclampsia Foundation @preeclampsia.foundation
🔹 Mama’s Voices @mommasvoices
🔹 Mended Little Hearts @mendedlittleheartsnational
🔹 Conquering CHD @conqueringCHD
🔹 CHD Doodles @chd_doodles
Connect With Birth Trauma Mama
✨ Follow along for more birth stories, healing resources, and support for parents navigating birth trauma and perinatal mental health challenges.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This week, we are rereleasing a powerful episode with our guest Jess Myhre to talk about the choice (or sometimes not) to be one and done, particularly after birth trauma. Jess has been a pioneer in the discussion and support of families with only children, regardless of the reason. She fiercely advocates and validates for these families in her beautiful space @onlyyoucommunity.
On this episode, Jess shares her story of birth trauma along with hope and encouragement for those who are one and done through choice, trauma, or for any reason at all.
You can learn more about the Birth Trauma & Secondary Infertility Webinar here.
Guest Bio:
Hi I’m Jess! I am a preeclampsia survivor, mom of an only child, and advocate for parents of one, by choice or by circumstance. I am also the creator of Only You: A One and Done Podcast, a show for parents of only children.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This week on the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast listener series, Kayleigh is joined by Kayelynn to share her powerful story of preeclampsia, birth trauma, repeat C-sections, and the complicated journey of pregnancy after trauma. In honor of Preeclampsia Awareness Month, this episode highlights the reality of living through severe preeclampsia, navigating emergency medical decisions, and coping with the emotional aftermath that can linger long after birth.
Kayelynn vulnerably shares her experiences across three pregnancies and births, from a traumatic induction and emergency C-section at 35 weeks to pursuing a VBAC after trauma to ultimately finding empowerment in choice, healing, and reclaiming trust in herself. This conversation is an honest reminder that healing is not always linear, and that “redemption” after birth trauma can look very different from what we imagine.
✨ In this episode, we discuss:
💜 May as Preeclampsia Awareness Month and why awareness matters
🩺 The warning signs and progression of severe preeclampsia
🏥 A traumatic induction, magnesium treatment, and emergency C-section at 35 weeks
💔 Experiencing pain during a C-section and the lasting emotional impact
👶 Parenting a newborn while simultaneously trying to process trauma
🫂 Feeling misunderstood by family and support systems after a traumatic birth
🌈 The hope — and pressure — that can come with trying for a “redemptive” birth
⚡ Navigating a VBAC attempt after birth trauma and coping when plans change
🧠 How therapy, support, and self-awareness helped Kaitlin begin healing
✨ Finding empowerment and choice, even within another difficult birth experience
🤍 The reality that healing after birth trauma is not always perfect or linear
🌱 Learning that joy and grief can exist together after traumatic birth experiences
You can follow along or connect with Kayelynn on Instagram: @kayelynn_schmid
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This episode explores the profound identity shift that can happen after birth trauma, the grief of losing who you were before, the disorientation of feeling disconnected from yourself, and the complicated process of rebuilding after trauma. Kayleigh shares how trauma can reshape personality, relationships, interests, and even the way we experience parenthood itself.
Through personal stories and reflections from the birth trauma community, this conversation offers validation, hope, and reassurance that healing does not mean becoming who you were before, it means learning to reconnect with yourself in a new way. If you’ve ever felt like birth trauma changed you forever, this episode reminds you that while trauma leaves its mark, healing can bring pieces of yourself back to life again.
In this episode, we discuss:
🫶 The grief and identity loss that can follow birth trauma
🧠 How trauma changes personality, emotions, and daily life
👶 Why parenthood after trauma can feel isolating and confusing
💔 The loss of innocence around pregnancy, birth, and postpartum
🎭 Feeling disconnected from other parents and motherhood spaces
📺 Unexpected changes in hobbies, media tolerance, and interests after trauma
🌱 How healing allows parts of yourself to slowly return
🤍 Making peace with the version of yourself that existed before trauma
🌟 Finding hope, connection, and joy again after birth trauma
🫂 A reminder that healing is possible — even when it feels far away
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this deeply emotional and powerful listener episode, Kayleigh is joined by sisters identical twin sisters Alison and Holly, whose journeys through pregnancy, birth trauma, medical trauma, and survival became heartbreakingly intertwined. Both clinical psychologists, both high-achieving perfectionists, and both navigating pregnancy at the same time, neither could have imagined the life-altering experiences ahead of them.
From severe pregnancy complications and traumatic medical experiences to a devastating accident involving Holly while pregnant with twins, this conversation explores the profound impact trauma can have not only on individuals—but on families navigating it together.
Through vulnerability, honesty, and immense strength, Alison and Holly share what it meant to survive the unimaginable while also supporting one another as sisters, twins, clinicians, and mothers.
This episode is raw, validating, heartbreaking, and ultimately full of hope and resilience. 💛
✨ In this episode, we cover:
🧬 Alison’s journey through pregnancy after stage four endometriosis, prior loss, and previous medical trauma
🌨️ Going into early labor at 28 weeks during a Seattle snowstorm and experiencing a life-threatening allergic reaction
🚑 What it felt like to be coded during pregnancy—and the unexpected sense of safety Alison experienced in that moment
👯 Holly finding out she was unexpectedly pregnant with twins while watching her sister navigate a high-risk pregnancy
📚 The pressure of trying to have the “perfect” healthy pregnancy and how trauma disrupted those expectations
🏥 Alison’s traumatic birth experience, severe hemorrhage, postpartum complications, and prolonged hospitalization
💔 The emotional toll of postpartum PTSD, dissociation, flashbacks, and medical gaslighting
🫶 The profound impact one compassionate provider had during Alison’s darkest moments
🚗 Holly’s terrifying hit-and-run accident at nearly 30 weeks pregnant with twins
🌤️ The surreal details trauma imprints on memory—and the moments both sisters still vividly remember
🧠 How their experiences transformed the way they understand trauma both personally and professionally as psychologists
🌱 The complicated process of healing while navigating motherhood, survival, and family trauma together
💞 The unique bond of sisters walking through trauma side by side and what it meant to not feel alone
💛 This episode is for you if:
🌼 You’ve experienced birth trauma, medical trauma, or a traumatic pregnancy
🌀 You’ve struggled with postpartum PTSD, anxiety, dissociation, or flashbacks
🤍 You’re processing grief around how your pregnancy or birth experience unfolded
🪞 You’ve felt pressure to “do everything right” during pregnancy and still experienced trauma
👭 You understand the healing power of having someone who truly sees and validates your experience
✨ You want to feel less alone in the complexities of trauma and recovery
You can follow along with the Alison and Holly on their socials: @Alison.phd & @holly.phd
Alison's website: alisonphd.com
Holly's website: hollyphd.com
Take a listen to Alison & Holly's podcast: Twin Minds Unwind Podcast
This conversation is a reminder that trauma can change us deeply—but so can compassion, connection, and being witnessed in our pain. Alison and Holly’s story is one of survival, sisterhood, and finding ways to keep moving forward even after life changes in an instant. 💛
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we are doing a special rerelease! We are talking all things medical records and debriefs.
On this episode you will hear:
- understanding medical records
- process of requesting medical records
- the importance of debriefs
- empowering patients through effective communication
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Jessica shares the unimaginable journey of becoming a first-time mom to twin boys while surviving a rare and life-threatening postpartum medical complication after a wet tap during her epidural. From seizures and brain bleeds to time in the neuro ICU and separation from her newborns, Jessica vulnerably opens up about trauma, healing, advocacy, and ultimately finding hope through a healing birth experience with her third baby.
💛 The emotional rollercoaster of conceiving twins after fertility struggles and navigating a high-risk pregnancy
🤰 Severe pregnancy sickness, extra monitoring, and transferring care to a larger hospital for delivery
🏥 The frustration and stress of a delayed induction two hours away from home
💉 A traumatic epidural experience involving a “wet tap” and complications that quickly escalated after delivery
⚠️ The terrifying onset of neurological symptoms, grand mal seizures, and discovering multiple subdural hematomas after birth
🧠 How spinal fluid loss after the epidural led to brain sagging, bleeding, ICU admission, and a long neurological recovery
👶 The heartbreak of being separated from her newborn twin boys during her postpartum hospitalization
😭 Navigating postpartum trauma while coping with seizures, medication side effects, fear, anger, and loss of independence
🚗 Losing her driver’s license for six months after seizures and the emotional toll of repeated hospital admissions
📚 The complicated emotions that surfaced when the hospital requested to publish her rare medical case
🫶 The life-changing support of birth trauma therapy, mental health medication, and an incredibly supportive family
🌤️ How time, therapy, community, and answers slowly helped her begin to feel like herself again
🎙️ The impact the Birth Trauma Mama community and Safe Partum anesthesia episode had on her healing journey
✨ Choosing to pursue another pregnancy after trauma and preparing differently for a subsequent birth
🏥 Experiencing a deeply healing repeat C-section at a new hospital with a compassionate care team
💚 Jessica’s message of hope for other birth trauma survivors considering future pregnancies and births
🤍 A reminder that healing is possible, support matters, and you are never alone in your birth trauma journey
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this insightful episode, Kayleigh sits down with therapist and perinatal mental health expert Hilary Waller to explore the nuanced overlap between perinatal OCD, trauma, and EMDR. Hilary shares her journey into this work, her passion for supporting parents through medical trauma and loss, and how EMDR can help address the nervous system responses underneath intrusive thoughts and anxiety.
💛 Why intrusive thoughts in the perinatal period are far more common than most parents realize
🧠 The difference between generalized postpartum anxiety and the more “hyper-focused” presentation of perinatal OCD
⚠️ How birth trauma, NICU experiences, medical complications, and loss can create the perfect storm for OCD symptoms to emerge
🔄 The connection between trauma, uncertainty, and compulsive behaviors
🩺 Why health anxiety after perinatal trauma often has a strong OCD component
🌊 How EMDR helps target the nervous system response beneath intrusive thoughts and compulsions
📚 Why psychoeducation can be one of the most healing parts of therapy
👶 The importance of distinguishing between “normal new parent worries” and symptoms of trauma or OCD
✨ The power of reducing shame and helping parents understand: “These are symptoms, not who you are.”
🤍 Why finding a therapist trained in perinatal mental health can make such a profound difference in recovery
Whether you’re a parent navigating intrusive thoughts, a clinician supporting trauma survivors, or someone wanting to better understand the overlap between OCD and birth trauma, this episode offers compassionate, validating, and deeply practical insight.
Resources Mentioned:
🎧 Birth Trauma Mama Episodes:
• Episode 32 — OCD in the Perinatal Period
• Episode 119 — OCD and Intrusive Thoughts
• Episode 15 with Dr. Priya Alpern — EMDR Basics
📖 Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts
📖 Perinatal EMDR chapter featuring Hilary Waller and Dr. Amber Penn
💻 Learn more about Postpartum Support International: Postpartum Support International
Guest Bio:
Hilary is a psychotherapist specializing in reproductive and parental mental health and treatment of related disorders. After earning dual Bachelor’s degrees at Columbia University and The Jewish Theological Seminary, Hilary worked with adolescents in both formal and informal educational settings. This experience piqued her interest in parent-child relationships and led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialty in marriage and family therapy.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Katherine to hold space for the layers of trauma that can exist alongside stillbirth and loss. Katherine shares the story of her son Brody, the life-threatening complications she experienced after his birth, and the continued trauma that unfolded in her pregnancy and delivery with her living child.
Through her unfiltered honesty, Katherine sheds light on the often-overlooked realities of birth trauma within the loss community, and reminds us that grief and trauma can coexist in complex, valid ways.
💔 The devastating experience of stillbirth and the shock of losing a baby after a low-risk pregnancy
🏥 A near-death postpartum emergency, including DIC, massive blood loss, and emergency surgery
🧠 Why stillbirth is not only grief, but also a deeply traumatic physical and psychological experience
⚖️ The tension between focusing on the baby’s loss while minimizing the mother’s trauma
💭 Survivor’s guilt, mortality awareness, and the emotional complexity of “staying” after almost dying
🌊 Pregnancy after loss and the intense fear, hypervigilance, and retraumatization that can come with it
🚨 A second traumatic birth experience, including an emergency C-section and NICU stay
😔 The pressure to feel “grateful” for a living baby while silently carrying unresolved trauma
🧩 How trauma can resurface years later, physically, mentally, and emotionally
💊 Seeking support through therapy, medication, and alternative treatments like ketamine therapy
🧘♀️ Learning to listen to your body, honor your limits, and move away from “pushing through”
🗣️ The importance of acknowledging your trauma, even when others center the baby’s story
🤍 Giving yourself permission to not be okay, to need help, and to heal in your own way and timeline
📚 Resources Katherine shares:
• Her website: KatherineLazar.com
• Podcast: At a Total Loss
• Private community: LossLink
• Book: Stillbirth Survival Guide (releasing May 7)
This episode is a reminder that you can hold grief, trauma, love, and survival all at once—and that your experience matters. You are not alone.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this mini episode, Kayleigh opens up about the often unexpected and deeply layered experience of Mother’s Day after birth trauma. She offers validation, normalization, and gentle guidance for navigating a day that can feel both meaningful and incredibly heavy.
💐 The many layers of Mother’s Day grief, including loss, infertility, complicated relationships, and birth trauma
🤍 Why Mother’s Day can feel surprisingly triggering, even when your child is here and you “expected” to feel only joy
🌊 How birth trauma reshapes your entrance into motherhood, and why that can surface so strongly on Mother’s Day
📱 The emotional impact of social media, highlight reels, and constant reminders of “what it should have looked like”
💭 Holding conflicting emotions at once: wanting to celebrate while also feeling sadness, grief, or heaviness
🗣️ The importance of communicating your needs with partners and loved ones, whatever they may be
🧠 Creating space for your feelings and honoring your experience without judgment
🌱 Finding moments of healing and connection alongside grief as your motherhood journey evolves
💛 Honoring your path into motherhood and everything you’ve endured to be here today
This episode is a gentle reminder that there is no “right” way to feel on Mother’s Day after birth trauma. Whether you celebrate, grieve, avoid, or simply get through the day, you are allowed to do what feels best for you.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Megan shares her journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, chronic illness, medical trauma, and a life-threatening birth experience that led to her son’s premature arrival. Her story sheds light on the complexities of pregnancy after loss, the realities of navigating the healthcare system with chronic conditions, and the lasting impact of birth trauma and a NICU stay.
💔 Recurrent pregnancy loss and the emotional toll of experiencing multiple miscarriages while searching for answers
🧬 Navigating fertility challenges, including diagnoses of lupus, Factor V Leiden, and stage 4 endometriosis after years of dismissed symptoms
🏥 The frustration and harm of not being taken seriously in the medical system—and the impact of delayed diagnoses
🌈 Turning to IVF after loss and holding onto hope while navigating pregnancy after trauma
🤍 The reality of pregnancy after loss—living in survival mode, dissociation, and the fear of not bringing a baby home
🦠 A sudden and severe decline at 30 weeks pregnant, leading to a diagnosis of sepsis and ICU admission
😨 The terror of not being able to breathe, rapid health deterioration, and facing the possibility of intubation while pregnant
👩⚕️ The life-saving importance of provider advocacy and finally being heard during a critical medical emergency
👶 Premature rupture of membranes and delivering a baby at 30 weeks after days of labor and medical complications
⚠️ A traumatic labor and delivery experience, including unmanaged pain, a failed epidural, and lack of compassionate care
🍼 A two-month NICU stay and the heartbreak of going home without your baby while navigating postpartum recovery
🧠 The lasting impact of birth trauma—how it shapes identity, parenting, anxiety, and the postpartum experience
🤝 Finding healing through community, shared stories, and validation after trauma
💬 The power of vulnerability and why sharing our stories matters in breaking isolation and creating connection
Megan’s story is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the importance of being seen, heard, and supported. If her story resonates with you, know that you are not alone and that your experiences and feelings are valid. 💛
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this informative episode, Kayleigh sits down with OB-GYN and author Dr. Jennifer Lincoln to break down what pregnant people actually need to know about birth. From navigating medical decisions to unpacking misinformation online, this conversation is packed with insight, nuance, and practical tools to help you feel more confident and informed heading into your birth experience.
💛 Why feeling informed—not overwhelmed—is key to reducing trauma in birth experiences
📖 The inspiration behind Dr. Lincoln’s birth book and why it focuses solely on the delivery process
❓ How structuring information as real-life questions makes learning about birth more accessible and less intimidating
🧠 The importance of respecting patient intelligence with detailed, evidence-based information
🗣️ Why many people don’t realize they can advocate for themselves—and how to start doing it
📋 The power of checklists and knowing your options, even if you don’t have access to every resource
🏥 What to ask your care team about emergencies, protocols, and available support
⚖️ A nuanced conversation about birth choices—including hospital vs. home birth
🏡 How Dr. Lincoln’s perspective on home birth evolved through experience and data
🌍 What other countries do differently when it comes to integrated maternity care
🔥 The real issue behind polarization in the birth world—and why it helps no one
💥 Breaking down common birth complications without fear-mongering
🩸 How the book approaches topics like hemorrhage, C-sections, and interventions
😰 What to do when anxiety spikes after seeing scary birth content online
🛠️ Why asking “what’s your protocol?” can be more reassuring than hearing “that won’t happen”
📱 The impact of social media on pregnancy and birth expectations
🚫 The danger of absolute statements like “interventions are always bad”
💬 The most misunderstood part of labor and delivery: you have the right to ask questions
🚩 Why feeling dismissed is a red flag—and how to advocate for better care
🍽️ Surprising evidence around eating during labor and other outdated practices
👀 “Insider tips” from Dr. Lincoln on navigating the hospital experience
🛑 You deserve respect, informed consent, and compassionate care—every time
This episode is a must-listen for anyone preparing for birth after trauma, entering their first pregnancy, or simply wanting to better understand their options in a system that doesn’t always make it easy.
You can find a copy of her book "The Birth Book" and other resources by visiting her website HERE!
Guest Bio:
Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is an OBGYN, author, and social media educator. She is the Executive Director of Mayday Health, a health education non-profit that spreads awareness of abortion pills in all 50 states. She is also the co-founder of Obstetricians for Reproductive Justice and the founder of Three for Freedom, a website that serves as a hub to help people take control of their reproductive futures in all 50 states.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful Listener Series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Leah to share her story of giving birth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating a traumatic delivery, and enduring years of unexplained postpartum pain before finally being diagnosed with severe endometriosis. Leah opens up about medical dismissal, complex trauma, subsequent pregnancies, and the ongoing journey of healing, both physically and emotionally. This episode is a raw and honest look at what happens when trauma isn’t just one moment, but a series of experiences over time.
In this episode, we talk about:
🦠 Being pregnant and giving birth during the early days of the pandemic
🏥 Infection, induction, and an emergency C-section after a long labor
😔 Feeling dismissed, like a burden, and afraid to speak up to providers
🩸 Ongoing, severe postpartum pain that was repeatedly minimized
🧑⚕️ Seeing multiple doctors and being told everything was “normal”
🧠 Questioning your reality and wondering if it’s “all in your head”
🔍 Finally being diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and interstitial cystitis
💥 The emotional impact of delayed diagnosis and medical gaslighting
😞 Postpartum PTSD and how trauma symptoms showed up over time
🤰 An unexpected second pregnancy and navigating intense triggers
✨ A redemptive birth experience and what felt different the second time
🩸 A third birth complicated by hemorrhage and retraumatization
🌊 Complex trauma vs. a single traumatic event
💔 The impact of trauma on friendships, identity, and support systems
🫶 Finding healing through EMDR, therapy, writing, and supportive relationships
Why this episode matters:
✨ Trauma can be layered, ongoing, and complex
✨ Being dismissed in medical spaces can deepen trauma
✨ You are not “crazy” for knowing something is wrong in your body
✨ Healing isn’t linear—and it can coexist with ongoing challenges
If you’ve ever felt unheard, dismissed, or alone in your postpartum or chronic illness journey, this episode is for you. Your experience is real and you deserve answers, support, and care. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Kayleigh breaks down a widely discussed episode of The Pit—exploring both the medical accuracy and the emotional impact it’s had on the birth trauma community. Through a nuanced and honest lens, she unpacks what the show got right, what it missed, and why these portrayals matter so deeply.
🎬 The viral episode that sparked major conversation across both medical and patient communities
💔 Kayleigh’s personal connection and why this storyline felt especially close to home
🗣️ The wide range of reactions—from praise to strong criticism—and why both can be valid
🏥 Whether this patient would realistically be treated in the ER vs. going straight to OB/L&D
👩⚕️ The absence of OB, MFM, and NICU teams—and why that raised concerns about accuracy
⏱️ A breakdown of maternal cardiac arrest and the urgency behind real-life response protocols
🩺 Understanding a resuscitative hysterotomy and why it’s performed to save the mother’s life
👏 Key educational moments the show got right, including left uterine displacement and the 4–5 minute rule
✂️ The decision to use a vertical (midline) incision and how that compares to real-world practice
⚠️ HELLP syndrome representation and the frustration from survivors around how it was portrayed
🧠 The role of misinformation and how fear of medical care can impact patient outcomes
⚖️ The tension between medical providers and patients who feel distrust toward the healthcare system
🤝 The importance of trauma-informed care—and how even 20 seconds of empathy can change everything
💬 Why compassion and curiosity should come before correction, even in high-stress medical situations
📺 The value of showing birth trauma in media, with nods to Grey's Anatomy and Fleishman Is in Trouble for their emotional storytelling
🌱 A reminder that these conversations are complex, layered, and necessary for improving care
✨ Not a perfect portrayal but an important one that opens the door for awareness and dialogue
If this episode resonated with you, your thoughts and experiences are valid and you’re not alone in how you felt watching 💛
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this deeply emotional listener episode, Michelle bravely shares her story of pregnancy complications, medical trauma, and the heartbreaking loss of her son, Cody. Through her vulnerability, she offers connection, validation, and hope to anyone navigating grief after loss.
💛 The loneliness of trauma and the power of having a space to share your story
🤰 Repeatedly dismissed concerns, ongoing bleeding, and the emotional toll of not being heard during pregnancy
🏥 Navigating a complex military healthcare system and the impact of delayed care and lack of intervention
💔 Water breaking early, hospitalization, and the devastating realization that something was seriously wrong
👶 Michelle shares the story behind naming her son and the profound love she felt during his short but meaningful life
🕊️ The heartbreak of delivering Cody at 24 weeks and spending just a few precious hours with him
😭 Processing the pain of losing a baby and questioning whether her grief is “enough” after such a short time
🏠 The surreal and painful reality of leaving the hospital and navigating immediate grief
🧠 The layers of loss, difficult interactions, and moments that leave lasting emotional imprints
🤝 The impact of meaningful support vs. harmful platitudes like “at least you have other children”
💬 How allowing emotions—rather than suppressing them—became a key part of Michelle’s healing
❤️ Navigating loss within a marriage, including unspoken guilt and the importance of communication
👦 The often-overlooked impact of grief on children and the importance of checking in with them
🎂 Annual traditions like birthday cakes and family photos that keep Cody’s memory alive
🌱 Growth, ongoing grief, and the complexity of moving forward
✨ A powerful reminder that grief is messy, emotions are valid, and perfection is not the goal
If this episode resonated with you, know that your story and your grief matter too 💛
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this validating episode, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. James Jackson, an internationally recognized psychologist, neuropsychology specialist, and pioneer in post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Together, they explore the often-overlooked reality of medical trauma and what true healing can look like after surviving critical illness.
📖 His book Reclaiming Your Life from Medical Trauma offers a compassionate, practical guide to recognizing symptoms, finding effective treatment, and healing both brain and body. Visit his website HERE for more information and resources.
🧠 Why trauma after ICU stays, birth complications, or serious illness is incredibly common—and often unrecognized
💥 How survivors often draw a stark line between life before trauma and life after—and how healing reshapes that narrative
🧩 The impact on mental health, relationships, parenting, and family dynamics
😔 Why grieving your old life and identity is essential—and why it can’t be rushed or skipped
⏳ Letting go of the idea that more therapy or support can “speed up” recovery
🤝 The transformative power of support groups and being seen by others who truly understand
🌀 How vivid, distressing memories formed during critical illness can fuel long-term trauma symptoms
😶🌫️ The cultural silence around medical trauma—and the harmful belief that we should “just be grateful” to be alive
🙏 Making space for difficult emotions without shame or guilt
🧘 Learning to live a meaningful life even if some symptoms don’t fully go away
💬 Holding both joy and pain, trauma and growth, at the same time
Dr. James “Jim” Jackson is an internationally renowned expert on long Covid and its effects on cognitive and mental health functioning. A licensed psychologist specializing in neuropsychology and cognitive rehabilitation, he completed his psychology residency at the Veteran’s Affairs/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Consortium while also receiving post-doctoral training in cognitive rehabilitation at the Oliver Zangwill Center in Ely, England. A pioneer in the investigation and treatment of Post–Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS),—a condition that impacts up to a third of survivors of critical illness—he is a research professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt, where he is also the co-founder and director of Behavioral Health at the award-winning ICU Recovery Center, one of the first comprehensive clinical resources devoted to diagnosing and treating survivors of both mild and critical illness, including those who survived Covid-19.
There, Dr. Jackson consults with patients and their families from around the world. Additionally, he serves as the director of Long-Term Outcomes at the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, a consortium focused on advancing knowledge, education, and models of care for people affected by acute and longterm brain dysfunction following wide ranging illnesses (from mild to severe). He and his team created the first psychologist-led long Covid support groups in the United States early in the pandemic and continue to offer multiple groups every week.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with two best friends, Sam and Paige, whose lives became forever intertwined through shared birth trauma. What began as a friendship rooted in everyday life quickly transformed into something much deeper when both women experienced rare, life-threatening birth complications just months apart.
Together, they open up about the shock, grief, and confusion of their experiences, the parts they remember (and the parts they don’t), and the complex emotions that followed. Most importantly, they share what it means to have each other a person who truly gets it, in a space that can feel incredibly isolating.
This episode is a testament to the power of connection, validation, and being seen in your hardest moments. 💛
✨ In this episode, we cover:
🌿 The story of how Sam and Paige became friends and discovered they were pregnant at the same time
🧠 Paige’s sudden, life-threatening birth experience and the trauma of not remembering meeting her daughter
🚨 Sam’s unexpected emergency C-section and complications just months later
🩸 How rare and severe complications (like DIC) impacted both of their journeys
🌊 The emotional aftermath of birth trauma, including grief, jealousy, and confusion
🧩 What it feels like to not remember key moments and why that loss matters
🫶 The isolation of birth trauma and the healing power of having someone who truly understands
🗣️ Navigating support from others who may not fully “get it”
🛋️ The role of therapy and processing trauma with professional support
🌅 Finding meaning and connection through shared experience, including the beautiful tradition of “Live Day”
💛 This episode is for you if:
🌼 You’ve experienced birth trauma and felt alone in your story
🌀 You’re navigating complex emotions like grief, jealousy, or guilt postpartum
🔍 You wish others understood your experience more deeply
🤝 You’re a support person wanting to better understand what birth trauma can feel like
💫 You believe in the power of connection and shared healing
This conversation is raw, validating, and full of heart. You are not alone—and stories like these remind us just how powerful it is to be seen, heard, and understood. 💛
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this mini episode, Kayleigh is speaking directly to providers, nurses, and healthcare workers about the real-life application of trauma-informed care. Moving beyond the buzzword, she breaks down how trauma shows up in healthcare settings, and more importantly, how communication can either help prevent or contribute to it.
This episode is packed with practical, easy-to-implement scripts and mindset shifts you can use immediately in patient interactions. From validating fears to navigating emergencies and repairing missteps, Kayleigh highlights how even the smallest moments of connection can have a lasting impact on patient outcomes.
Whether you’re a provider looking to deepen your approach or a patient wanting insight into what trauma-informed care should look like, this episode offers powerful, tangible takeaways.
✨ A mini episode for providers, nurses, and healthcare workers on trauma-informed communication
🧠 Why trauma-informed care is more than a buzzword—it’s a necessity for every patient
💬 Real, practical scripts: what to say (and what to avoid) in common patient scenarios
❤️ The power of validation—100% of community feedback emphasized feeling seen and acknowledged
🔍 Why trauma is subjective and not defined by the “severity” of the medical event
🏥 How small shifts (eye contact, body language, reading charts) can transform patient experiences
⚠️ The harm of “empty reassurance” and what to say instead when patients express fear
🙌 Asking for consent: giving patients autonomy in even the smallest moments
🚨 Communication during emergencies—how seconds of connection can reduce trauma
😔 Supporting patients through unexpected outcomes (like unplanned C-sections) with empathy
🔄 Repairing missteps: how owning mistakes can completely change a patient’s experience
📊 The long-term impact of validation vs. invalidation on postpartum healing and support-seeking
🌱 A reminder: your words matter—sometimes one moment stays with patients forever
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In Part 2 of Olivia’s story, we move beyond the resuscitation and into what so many survivors say is the hardest part, the aftermath. From ICU recovery to postpartum trauma, returning to work, and making the deeply personal decision to grow her family again, Olivia shares a raw and powerful look at life after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism.
This episode is a testament to grit, grief, and redefining what healing actually looks like.
✨ In this episode, we cover:
🩺 Life after survival, ICU recovery, dialysis, and the long road home
💔 The hidden trauma of the postpartum period after a near-death experience
🚫 Loss of autonomy, HIPAA violations, and navigating care as both patient + provider
🧠 PTSD triggers, panic attacks, and the reality of returning to work in healthcare
🤍 The role of support systems and showing up when it matters most
👶 Becoming a mother while still healing physically and emotionally
🤰 Choosing a subsequent pregnancy after AFE and facing judgment for it
🏥 A high-risk pregnancy with intense monitoring and a carefully crafted birth plan
⚠️ When the plan falls apart: an unexpected early delivery
🎀 Welcoming Rosie, and why a “healing birth” didn’t erase the trauma
📚 Starting a DNP program postpartum and turning pain into purpose
📊 Using lived experience to drive change in maternal healthcare
💡 Olivia also shares her powerful DNP project focused on improving emergency department response to maternal emergencies, bridging critical gaps in care and advocating for systemic change.
💭 Key Takeaway:
Healing after birth trauma isn’t linear, and it isn’t about “fixing” what happened. It’s about learning to carry both grief and hope, while continuing to write your story forward.
⚠️ Content Note:
This episode includes discussion of medical trauma, ICU stays, and life-threatening birth complications. Please listen with care.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
April is Cesarean Awareness Month, and we’re re-releasing this incredibly important conversation to spotlight the complexities, emotions, and real stories behind C-sections.
On this solo episode, Kayleigh is discussing all things c-section. She shares a few different studies highlighting the data on c-sections and PTSD, as well as how they compare to other modes of delivery. Kayleigh also touches on TOLACs and planned cesarean sections after birth trauma.
In this episode:
- Types of C-Sections
- C-Section and birth trauma
- Communication and Support as mitigating factors
- Delivery decisions after birth trauma (TOLAC v. planned c-section)
- C-Sections under general anesthesia
Studies Discussed:
Garthus-Niegel S, von Soest T, Knoph C, Simonsen TB, Torgersen L, Eberhard-Gran M. The influence of women's preferences and actual mode of delivery on post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth: a population-based, longitudinal study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014 Jun 5;14:191. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-191. PMID: 24898436; PMCID: PMC4053555.
Orovou E, Iliadou M, Chatzopoulou MT, Dagla M, Eskitzis P, Rigas N, Antoniou E. The Relation between Birth with Cesarean Section and Posttraumatic Stress in Postpartum Women. Maedica (Bucur). 2023 Dec;18(4):615-622. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.4.615. PMID: 38348064; PMCID: PMC10859197.
Rowlands IJ, Redshaw M. Mode of birth and women's psychological and physical wellbeing in the postnatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Nov 28;12:138. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-138. PMID: 23190575; PMCID: PMC3533875.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
Why This Episode Matters: C-sections are the most common major surgery performed on women, yet they’re often misunderstood and under-supported. Whether you're a birthing parent, a partner, a provider, or a friend—this episode offers insight and empathy that can shift how we talk about and hold space for C-section experiences.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Olivia, a nurse, Navy veteran, and fellow AFE survivor, who shares her powerful and truly unique birth story.
Olivia walks us through her experience of an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during the birth of her son, Theo, including the unimaginable reality of being awake and aware during much of her own resuscitation. Her story is both medically complex and deeply human, highlighting the layers of trauma that can exist even when lives are ultimately saved.
This is Part 1 of Olivia’s story. 🤍
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Olivia’s background as an ER nurse and Navy veteran
🌍 Deploying during COVID and the impact of repeated medical trauma exposure
🤰 A challenging pregnancy while working night shift and relocating alone
⚠️ Early warning signs like vision changes and rising blood pressure
🏥 Electing for induction at 39 weeks and questioning that decision afterward
🫁 The sudden onset of shortness of breath — a key symptom of AFE
🚨 Rapid deterioration and emergency C-section under intense circumstances
😳 Being awake and aware during her own medical emergency
🩸 Developing DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)
🏥 Massive transfusion protocol and ongoing resuscitation efforts
⏳ A prolonged, 23-hour decline leading to ECMO
🫀 Understanding how AFE can present without full cardiac arrest
🫁 Being placed on VV ECMO for lung support
😨 Experiencing awareness while paralyzed in the ICU
👂 Hearing conversations, procedures, and care while unable to move
💬 The importance of how providers speak around patients — even when they appear sedated
Olivia’s story is a profound reminder that trauma is not just about survival — but about what is experienced during those life-threatening moments.
Her perspective as both a patient and a medical provider offers an incredibly rare and important lens into birth trauma, critical care, and the lasting impact of these experiences.
Be sure to tune in next week for Part 2, where Olivia shares her recovery, mental health journey, and what it was like to go on to have another baby after AFE — something rarely discussed. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
March 27th marks Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Awareness Day, a time to honor the lives affected by this rare but life-threatening complication. In this special episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we take a deep dive into what AFE is, how it happens, and what can be done to improve survival rates.
In this episode, we discuss:
🩸 What is AFE? Understanding this sudden and unpredictable complication
⚕️ Symptoms & Diagnosis: How AFE presents and why it’s difficult to diagnose
🚨 Emergency Response & Treatment: The critical importance of rapid medical intervention
📉 Risk Factors & Research Gaps: What we know (and don’t know) about AFE prevention
💜 Support for Survivors & Families: Resources for those impacted
AFE is rare—affecting about 1 in 40,000 births—but its impact is devastating. The best way to save lives is through awareness, preparedness, and research funding.
Resources Mentioned:
🌐 AFE Foundation & Support Resources
📚 Free CEU Course for Healthcare Providers on AFE Management
📑 Simulation Toolkit & Emergency Guides for Medical Teams
📞 24/7 AFE Hotline for Medical Teams Managing Suspected Cases
AFE survivors, grieving families, and medical professionals—this episode is for you. Let’s continue to raise awareness and push for better understanding, treatment, and support.
🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh speaks with author and advocate Samina Ali, who shares her devastating and powerful birth story. What began as a healthy first pregnancy quickly turned into a life-threatening medical emergency when her symptoms of preeclampsia were repeatedly dismissed by providers.
Samina vulnerably shares how undiagnosed preeclampsia progressed into HELLP syndrome, seizures, stroke, and multi-organ failure, and the long road of recovery that followed. Her story highlights the dangerous consequences of not being believed in medical spaces and the systemic issues that continue to impact maternal health outcomes.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ A first pregnancy at 29 with symptoms that didn’t feel right
⚠️ Warning signs of preeclampsia that were repeatedly dismissed by providers
👁️ Experiencing visual disturbances, headaches, swelling, and severe symptoms late in pregnancy
🩺 Carrying a pregnancy to term while unknowingly experiencing multiple small strokes
💔 Feeling unheard and dismissed by the medical team during labor
🚨 Developing HELLP syndrome
🧠 Experiencing a grand mal seizure immediately after delivery
🩸 Suffering a massive brain hemorrhage and stroke
🏥 Being rushed to the neuro ICU in a coma after multi-organ failure
💔 Her newborn son requiring NICU care after the traumatic birth
⚖️ The role of systemic bias, racism, and dismissal in maternal healthcare
🌱 Surviving the unimaginable and eventually sharing her story through writing and advocacy
Samina’s story is a powerful reminder that listening to women and especially women of color in medical spaces is life-saving care.
Her experience sheds light on the realities of maternal morbidity in the United States and the urgent need for systemic change in how pregnant patients are heard, believed, and treated.
We are incredibly grateful to Samina for sharing her story and continuing to advocate for safer maternal healthcare. 🤍
You can find Samina's books through her website HERE.
Guest Bio:
Samina Ali is an award-winning author, curator, and popular speaker. Her debut novel, MADRAS ON RAINY DAYS, won France’s prestigious Prix Premier Roman Etranger and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award in fiction. Her latest memoir, PIECES YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK, is a harrowing and redemptive memoir, in which a new mother must reconstruct her shattered mind, her relationship to her religious upbringing, and her life’s purpose. Named a "Most Anticipated Book of 2025" by multiple outlets, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Pieces You’ll Never Get Back was an April pick by the celebrity book club, Belletrist, and has been optioned for the screen.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh answers one of the most common questions she hears from both clients and her online community: “Was my birth actually traumatic?”
In this mini episode, she breaks down the truth about trauma, reminding listeners that trauma is not defined by how something “looked” on paper, but by how it was experienced in the body and nervous system. This conversation invites you to release comparison, validate your own experience, and understand that you are worthy of support.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ The question so many parents ask: “Was it bad enough to be trauma?”
🧠 Why trauma is subjective and based on your nervous system response
⚡ How trauma is a survival response not a choice
🤍 Letting go of the idea that trauma needs to meet a certain “threshold.”
🔍 Getting curious about why you’re asking if your birth was traumatic
💬 The desire for validation and feeling “worthy” of support
⚖️ The harmful impact of comparing your experience to others
🌱 Why you don’t need a label to seek help or healing
🫶 Giving yourself permission to acknowledge your experience as it was
💡 Understanding that if it felt traumatic, it was traumatic
Kayleigh gently challenges the belief that we need to justify our pain in order to receive care and reminds listeners that healing starts with validating your own experience, not minimizing it.
If you’ve ever questioned whether your birth “counts” as trauma or felt unsure if you deserve support, this episode is for you. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes Anya to share the story of her first birth — a pregnancy that was completely uncomplicated until a cascade of unexpected events in labor led to a traumatic emergency C-section experience.
Anya opens up about feeling pressured into surgery, a frightening complication with anesthesia in the operating room, and the terror of feeling unable to breathe while fully conscious. Her story highlights how quickly birth can shift and how important communication, consent, and emotional support are during labor and delivery.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ An uncomplicated pregnancy that suddenly shifted during labor
💧 An accidental rupture of membranes during a membrane sweep
🏥 Induction with a Cook catheter and Pitocin
💉 Receiving a very heavy epidural and not realizing something was unusual
⚠️ A new on-call OB pushing for a C-section despite earlier progress
😔 Feeling confused, pressured, and unheard during labor decisions
🚨 Being rushed toward surgery without clear explanations
🩺 A frightening complication when anesthesia didn’t work as expected
😨 Experiencing panic and terror after suddenly losing the ability to breathe in the OR
🫁 The moment monitors alarmed and the team realized something was wrong
🤍 The emotional impact of feeling powerless and alone during a medical crisis
Anya shares vulnerably about the fear, confusion, and loss of control she experienced in those moments — and how deeply those experiences can shape the way we process birth afterward.
Her story is a powerful reminder that trauma in birth isn’t only about what happens medically, but how supported, informed, and safe a birthing person feels throughout the process.
We are so grateful to Anya for sharing her story and helping others feel less alone in their experiences. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh shifts perspectives and shares her own therapy journey, not as a clinician, but as a client. After surviving a life-threatening birth experience and amniotic fluid embolism, Kayleigh opens up about the role therapy, medication, EMDR, and parts work have played in her healing.
This vulnerable episode explores what trauma healing can actually look like years after the initial event and how deeper layers of trauma can surface in surprising ways.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Kayleigh’s personal therapy journey after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism
🧠 Why she sought therapy immediately after being discharged from the ICU
🤍 The power of relational therapy and feeling deeply seen in trauma recovery
💊 Navigating postpartum anxiety, health anxiety, and starting an SSRI
🔍 The overlap between health anxiety and OCD-style intrusive thoughts
🧑⚕️ How becoming an EMDR therapist changed the way she understood trauma healing
🌀 What EMDR and parts work looked like from the client perspective
🧩 How childhood experiences can shape the way we experience birth trauma
🏥 A surprising connection between childhood medical experiences and feeling unheard during birth
🌙 Processing an early childhood home robbery that fueled nighttime anxiety for decades
👩👦 The lingering trauma of nearly leaving her son without a mother
💬 Why talk therapy alone sometimes isn’t enough for trauma healing
🌱 How EMDR helped process trauma that was stored in the nervous system
Kayleigh also shares an honest look at what healing can look like six years after trauma, including the reality that some pieces resolve while others take longer to process.
If you’ve wondered what EMDR therapy actually feels like, why trauma responses can appear years later, or why talking about trauma doesn’t always resolve it, this episode offers a deeply personal and insightful perspective.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is not linear — and that even therapists need support, care, and space to process their own stories. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Leslie shares the story of her daughter Cora born via emergency C-section after a full-term pregnancy and the unimaginable grief of losing her shortly after birth. She also opens up about secondary infertility, pregnancy after loss, a traumatic COVID birth, and the long road of healing that followed.
This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and trauma can coexist and that both deserve care. 🤍
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ A full-term pregnancy that ended in emergency C-section and stillbirth
💔 Holding, honoring, and saying goodbye to Cora Ann
📦 The impact of compassionate bereavement care and memory-making
🌈 Secondary infertility: IUIs, IVF, and multiple pregnancy losses
🩺 A high-risk pregnancy complicated by subchorionic hemorrhage and COVID
🏥 Delivering at 34 weeks alone due to hospital COVID policies
🫁 NICU separation and leaving the hospital — again — with empty arms
🧠 Postpartum anxiety, trauma triggers, and difficulty bonding after loss
💬 Finding the language for birth trauma and healing through EMDR
🤍 The power of loss-specific support groups
🎈 Honoring Cora each year with intentional remembrance traditions
Leslie vulnerably shares what it felt like to barely breathe in the thick of grief and how asking for support, finding trauma-informed therapy, and continuing to honor her daughter has shaped her healing.
If you have experienced stillbirth, infertility, NICU trauma, pregnancy after loss, or postpartum anxiety, this conversation will help you feel less alone.
We are so grateful to Leslie for honoring Cora by sharing her story with us. 💛
You can follow along with Leslie on instagram: @braving_forward
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
✨ Special Rerelease Episode ✨
In this important conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Pria Alpern to talk about EMDR therapy and its powerful role in healing birth trauma. If you’ve ever felt stuck in intrusive memories, body flashbacks, or overwhelming anxiety after your birth experience, this episode offers both education and hope. We break down what EMDR actually is, how it works, and why it can be especially effective for perinatal trauma.
In this episode, we talk about:
🧠 What EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) actually is
🔄 How trauma gets “stuck” in the brain and nervous system
👁️ Why bilateral stimulation can help reprocess traumatic memories
🤰 How birth trauma uniquely impacts the body and identity
😔 Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and triggers after birth
🫶 What an EMDR session looks like and how to know if it’s right for you
⏳ The difference between retelling your story and reprocessing it
💛 Why you don’t have to live in fight-or-flight forever
🌿 Finding trauma-informed support in the perinatal period
Why this episode matters:
✨ Birth trauma is real—and treatable
✨ Healing doesn’t require reliving every detail over and over
✨ Your nervous system deserves support
✨ You are not broken—your brain adapted to survive
Guest Bio:
Dr. Alpern is the founder of Center Psychology Group. She is an EMDR clinician certified by EMDRIA, the organization dedicated to upholding the modality’s standards. She is also a graduate of the EMDR Clinical Affiliate Program at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies (NIP) Trauma Treatment Center in New York City. Dr. Alpern is an EMDRIA-approved consultant and provides individual and group consultation to EMDR therapists. She the founder of the Manhattan Center for Trauma Studies, where she oversees continuing education trainings focused on EMDR and trauma-informed psychotherapy. Dr. Alpern is an Advanced-level Somatic Experiencing practitioner (SEI). She completed specialized training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders from Postpartum Support International, and she is a special adjunct clinical professor at Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus, where she earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Rosemary Furman Counseling Center at Barnard College, where she specialized in late adolescence, early adulthood, and trauma. Dr. Alpern holds a B.A. in Psychology and Art History from Georgetown University.
Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Alpern offers trauma-related psychoeducation through her TikTok and Instagram accounts.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Annie to share her powerful story of birth trauma, medical complications, and the long road of postpartum healing. Annie opens up about how quickly plans changed, the fear and confusion that followed, and what it has looked like to process trauma while learning to parent. This conversation is honest, validating, and a reminder that trauma isn’t defined by one moment.
In this episode, we talk about:
🤰 A pregnancy that didn’t unfold the way she expected
🏥 Medical complications and rapid decision-making during labor
😔 Feeling dismissed, confused, or out of control in key moments
🧠 How trauma lives in the body long after birth
💔 The emotional aftermath in the early postpartum weeks
🫶 The impact birth trauma had on identity and relationships
🌪️ Anxiety, hypervigilance, and trying to make sense of what happened
🗂️ Revisiting medical records and searching for answers
✨ Finding support through therapy and safe spaces
🌿 What healing has looked like over time
This episode's artwork for the reel was done by Annie as a way of processing her experience. You can follow her art page on instagram for more: @abowlerdraws
If you’ve ever questioned whether your experience “counts” as trauma, this episode is for you. You are not dramatic. You are not weak. And you are not alone. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Kayleigh talks about something that comes up again and again in our community: how, when, and whether to share your birth trauma story. From conversations with pregnant friends to posting publicly or presenting professionally, this episode explores navigating boundaries, safety, and connection, without shame. You are allowed to share your story. And you’re also allowed to protect it.
In this episode, we talk about:
🗣️ The myth of “trauma dumping” and why your story isn’t too much
🤰 How to navigate conversations with pregnant friends
💛 Offering “what I wish I had known” instead of every detail
🧠 Asking: Is this space safe for my story?
😔 The icky feeling of oversharing—and why it happens after trauma
✨ Replacing shame with self-compassion
🚧 Simple phrases to set boundaries when you don’t want to share
🌍 Sharing your story publicly in a way that feels intentional
⏱️ Why practicing different lengths/versions of your story matters
🛠️ The role of therapy and processing before public storytelling
🤍 Protecting your nervous system while raising awareness
Why this episode matters:
🌟 You are allowed to tell your story
🌟 You don’t owe anyone the details
🌟 Boundaries and advocacy can coexist
🌟 Your story deserves safety, care, and intention
Whether you’re figuring out how to talk to a pregnant friend or preparing to share your story on a bigger stage, this episode offers practical tools and gentle validation. Your story matters, and you get to decide how it’s told. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this listener series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Nicola, a physician who shares her own experience with birth trauma, placenta previa, a massive hemorrhage, and a terrifying NICU journey with her son. Nicola opens up about what it’s like to be on the other side of medicine, how “knowing too much” can increase anxiety, and the deep loneliness that can come with traumatic birth and a NICU stay. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating birth trauma, NICU life, or the long road of healing afterward.
In this episode, we talk about:
🩺 Being a physician and still experiencing profound birth trauma
🤰 A pregnancy complicated by placenta previa and multiple hospitalizations
🚑 A sudden, life-threatening hemorrhage and emergency C-section at 34 weeks
🩸 Massive blood loss, ICU-level care, and the shock of surviving a near-death experience
👶 A premature baby, NICU life, and the fear of sepsis and breathing complications
🏥 What it’s really like to be a parent in the NICU—especially when you understand the medicine
😔 The deep isolation and loneliness that can follow traumatic birth and NICU stays
💔 Grieving the lack of support you hoped for from family and your “village”
🫶 The importance of therapy, community, and building your own support system
🌱 How postpartum anxiety showed up after medical trauma
🤍 Finding healing through connection, support, and time
If you’ve ever felt alone in your NICU or birth trauma experience, this episode is for you. You are not weak. You are not overreacting. And you are not alone. 💛
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Kayleigh dives into a topic we don’t talk about enough: partner and family trauma after birth. Birth trauma doesn’t just impact the birthing person; it can deeply affect the non-birthing partner and the entire family system. From helplessness in the delivery room to tension in relationships afterward, this conversation explores what we know (and what we’re still learning) about how trauma shows up for partners and what healing can look like together.
In this episode, we talk about:
🤝 What partner trauma is—and why it’s not “secondary”
📊 What research says about PTSD rates in non-birthing partners
😔 Feelings of helplessness, guilt, and powerlessness during traumatic births
🧱 Avoidance, shutdown, anger, and “I’m fine” responses after trauma
🔥 “Trauma soup” — when both partners are hurting in different ways
💔 How birth trauma can create distance, resentment, or tension in relationships
🗣️ The mismatch between wanting to talk about it vs. wanting to fix it
👶 Hypervigilance around baby (and birthing parent) after medical emergencies or NICU stays
🌀 Why some partners aren’t traumatized—and how that can feel confusing
⭕ Ring Theory: support in, process out
🛠️ Therapy, transparency, and practical ways to start hard conversations
Why this episode matters:
✨ Partner trauma is real and valid
✨ Birth trauma impacts the whole family system
✨ You can both be hurting—and both deserve support
✨ Healing often requires outside help, not just each other
To hear our previous episodes on partner trauma, listen to Kayleigh and Steve's joint episodes - 101 and 102.
If birth trauma has impacted your relationship, you are not alone. The wedge you feel isn’t a failure—it’s trauma. And with support, understanding, and space for both stories, healing is possible. 🤍
References from this episode:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02646838.2024.2346893#abstract
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11796141/
https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378%2823%2900713-5/fulltext?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35584590/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7179006/
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful and necessary episode, Ruby shares her story of birth trauma, medical dismissal, and her daughter Rumi’s diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy). Ruby walks us through being sent home multiple times while in labor, giving birth to a baby who was not breathing, surviving a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, and navigating the NICU and devastating uncertainty that followed. This conversation also names the role of racism and bias in women’s health—especially toward Indigenous and other marginalized parents—and how being ignored, minimized, and not believed can have life-altering consequences for both parent and baby.
In this episode, we talk about:
🤰 A pregnancy that seemed normal—until everything changed during labor and delivery
🚫 Being sent home multiple times despite leaking fluid and regular contractions
💧 Meconium-stained fluid and clear signs of fetal distress that were downplayed
⏳ Laboring for days, pushing for hours, and being overdue without escalation of care
🩺 Developing an infection (chorioamnionitis) and running a fever during labor
🗣️ Repeated concerns from Ruby and her family about needing a C-section—and not being listened to
✊ How medical dismissal and loss of autonomy can be rooted in systemic bias and racism
🧡 The reality of being an Indigenous woman navigating a healthcare system that often fails to listen to Black and Brown patients
👶 A baby born not breathing, blue, and needing resuscitation and CPAP
🩸 A severe postpartum hemorrhage, retained placenta, D&C, and a life-saving Bakri balloon
🏥 A NICU stay and transfer to a children’s hospital
🧠 A diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy) and evidence of brain injury on MRI
❄️ Cooling therapy, seizure management, and the terrifying early days of uncertainty
⏰ The “wait and see” reality of the first year after an HIE diagnosis
👣 Milestones, therapy, and later learning her child has mild hemiplegic cerebral palsy
🌱 What healing looks like years later—and learning to live alongside trauma
📚 Obsessively reading medical records, searching for answers, and trying to make sense of what happened
🔥 Why racism and biased care in obstetrics are not abstract—and how they impact real families and real outcomes
Why this episode matters:
✨ Racism in healthcare is real—and it affects who is believed, who is protected, and who receives timely care
✨ Indigenous, Black, and Brown parents are more likely to experience dismissal, delayed care, and worse outcomes
✨ Birth trauma is not just personal—it’s also systemic
✨ HIE and NICU journeys are filled with uncertainty, grief, and fear—but also resilience and love
✨ You deserve to be listened to, respected, and taken seriously in your care
This episode is a call to witness, to believe birthing people—especially Indigenous and other marginalized parents—and to name how bias in medicine can change lives. Ruby’s story is about trauma, survival, motherhood, and the urgent need for more just, respectful, and equitable maternity care. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Mallory—aka The Formula Mom—to talk all things formula feeding, combo feeding, and her brand-new book Bottle Service. They dive into the real, messy, emotional side of infant feeding: the lack of education around formula, the grief of not being able to breastfeed, the pressure of “at all costs” narratives, and why nuance, support, and compassion matter more than ever. This is an honest, validating conversation for anyone who has ever questioned, grieved, or defended how they feed their baby.
In this episode, we talk about:
🍼 How Mallory became “The Formula Mom” and why she started sharing formula education
📚 Her new book Bottle Service and the mission behind it
🤱 The lack of accessible, supportive formula feeding education
😔 The grief of wanting to breastfeed but not being able to
💬 Shame, guilt, and stigma around formula feeding
⚖️ Why feeding conversations have become so polarized
🧠 The impact of feeding struggles on mental health
🔀 What combo feeding actually is—and why more families do it than we realize
👶 Navigating gas, allergies, colic, and when (or if) to switch formulas
🏥 Why “just talk to your pediatrician” isn’t always enough
🫶 The importance of supporting the whole parent–baby dyad
🌙 How formula feeding (or combo feeding) can support sleep and family balance
📢 The truth about “predatory marketing” and the history behind the debate
🤍 Why parents deserve information, autonomy, and trust in their own decisions
✨ Creating space for nuance, empathy, and individualized feeding journeys
Why this episode matters:
🌱 There is no one “right” way to feed a baby
🤍 Grief and relief can coexist in feeding journeys
🫶 Parents deserve support—not shame—no matter how they feed their baby
📚 Education + compassion = empowered families
⚖️ The goal isn’t perfection—it’s helping families thrive
You can find Mallory's book here! If you order before the 24th of February, you can get some pre-order goodies by uploading your receipt to the website!
Guest Bio:
Mallory is a mom of two, advocate, infant feeding tech, and the author of BOTTLE SERVICE: Education and Encouragement for Guilt-Free and Successful Formula Feeding. She's the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform that helps parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions. She can be found on Instagram @theformulamom, leading education for Bobbie, and hanging in Nashville with her family.
Research Referenced:
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112190
https://voxdev.org/topic/health/deadly-toll-marketing-infant-formula-low-and-middle-income-countries
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Abigail to talk about her first birth complicated by low amniotic fluid, a late preterm induction, and a long, emotionally exhausting NICU stay, and how that experience shaped her postpartum mental health and feeding journey. Abigail also shares her second birth story, including intentional preparation, advocacy, and what it looked like to face another NICU admission without it becoming traumatic. This episode is a powerful conversation about control, grief, healing, and how trauma-informed care and support can change everything.
In this episode, we talk about:
🤰 A pregnancy complicated by low amniotic fluid and an unexpected early induction
🕰️ A long, 48-hour induction and vaginal birth at 34+ weeks
👶 Having a late preterm baby who struggled with feeding, weight gain, and jaundice
🏥 A prolonged NICU stay and the heartbreak of early separation
💔 Grieving the loss of the postpartum experience you imagined
🍼 Pumping in the NICU, feeding challenges, mastitis, and the mental load of it all
😰 Postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the impact of early separation from your baby
🧠 Healing through therapy, time, support, and self-compassion
🤍 Babywearing, skin-to-skin, and reclaiming connection after NICU trauma
🌱 Deciding to try again and preparing intentionally for a second birth
🧭 The power of advocacy, informed consent, and slowing things down in medical moments
🚑 A second baby, a beautiful birth center birth—and an unexpected NICU transfer again
🛡️ How autonomy, preparation, and support changed the emotional outcome the second time
✨ Why loss of control is a major factor in birth trauma—and respectful care is protective
🫶 Turning lived experience into purpose as a trauma-informed lactation consultant
Why this episode matters:
🌟 You can have trauma from a “medically stable” birth or NICU stay
🌟 Subsequent births don’t have to repeat the same emotional outcome—even if complications happen again
🌟 Advocacy, support, and compassionate care can make a real difference
🌟 Healing is possible, and your postpartum doesn’t have to look the same after trauma
Abigail is a board certified lactation consultant and a speech-language pathologist. You can follow along or connect with her by visiting her website: https://www.abbybslp.com/
If you’ve experienced a NICU stay, feeding trauma, or are navigating pregnancy after birth trauma, this episode offers both validation and hope. You’re not alone—and your story gets to keep evolving. 💛
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Derek Grassley, RN CEN, CFRN, CCRN, NRP, FP-C WP-C - aflight nurse and ECMO specialist, to break down what ECMO is, when it’s used, and why it can be life-saving for critically ill pregnant and postpartum patients.
This powerful conversation pulls back the curtain on critical care, emergency transport, and the realities of caring for patients at the edge of survival.
🩺 In this episode, we cover:
🫀 What ECMO is and the difference between VV and VA ECMO
🚑 Why and when ECMO is used, including AFE, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failure
⚖️ Risks and ethical considerations of ECMO care
✈️ Flight nursing & critical care transport explained
🤰 Unique challenges of transporting pregnant and postpartum patients
🏥 Access to ECMO, especially in rural and underserved areas
🧠 The emotional toll of caring for critically ill patients
🎧 This episode is a must-listen for survivors, clinicians, and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of critical care in pregnancy and postpartum.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Andrea, who shares her story of an unexpected pregnancy complicated by severe placenta accreta, a nine-hour delivery surgery, massive hemorrhage, ICU recovery, and a long, complex postpartum healing journey.
Andrea walks listeners through receiving a terrifying accreta diagnosis at her anatomy scan, navigating the fear of life-threatening hemorrhage, and making the critical decision to transfer care to a specialized accreta center. Her story highlights the importance of self-advocacy, multidisciplinary care, and listening to your instincts, especially when your life is on the line.
This episode also tenderly explores the emotional aftermath of survival: delayed bonding after general anesthesia, prolonged separation from her baby, months of physical complications, depression, and the long road to processing trauma once the body finally stabilizes.
In this episode, we discuss:
🤰 An unexpected fourth pregnancy and a shocking placenta accreta diagnosi
🩺 Learning what placenta accreta is and why severity matters
🚩Recognizing red flags and transferring care to a high-volume accreta center
🩸 Preparing for hemorrhage, blood loss, and a planned preterm delivery
😴 Delivery under general anesthesia and emergency hysterectomy
🚨 Massive hemorrhage and receiving life-saving blood transfusions
🏥 Waking up intubated in the ICU after a nine-hour surgery
🧵Multiple surgeries, drains, catheters, and prolonged hospitalization
🖤 Delayed bonding and questioning connection after traumatic birth
💔 Postpartum depression, despondency, and emotional collapse after survival
🧍♂️The toll of birth trauma on partners and families
💸 Financial strain, caregiving, and extended medical recovery
🔁 Intrusive memories, rumination, and trauma resurfacing months later
🛋️ EMDR therapy and turning down the volume on trauma
🌱 Redefining gratitude without guilt or toxic positivity
❤️ Advocacy for placenta accreta awareness and blood donation
🗣️ The power of self-advocacy in saving your own life
Key takeaway:
Surviving doesn’t mean you’re instantly okay. Healing after birth trauma often begins after the body is safe and you are allowed to feel grief, anger, and relief at the same time.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
✨ Special Re-Release ✨ Parenting After Birth Trauma
As our children grow, many of us begin to notice something unexpected: the ways our birth trauma continues to show up, not just in our bodies and minds, but in our parenting.
In this special re-release episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we revisit a conversation that feels just as relevant, if not more so, today. Kayleigh offers a brief but meaningful overview of what it means to parent after birth trauma, and why this topic comes up again and again in our community.
Parenting after birth trauma is layered and complex. It may include unresolved trauma from pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or earlier life experiences, all of which can shape how we bond with, protect, and respond to our children. This episode doesn’t cover everything, but it opens the door to awareness, reflection, and compassion.
Whether you’re parenting a newborn, a toddler, or an older child, this re-release offers perspective for navigating the emotional ripple effects of trauma while raising humans you love deeply.
In this episode, we discuss:
👶 What it means to parent after birth trauma
🧠 How trauma can impact parenting styles and responses
🔗 Bonding and attachment after a traumatic experience
⚠️ Hypervigilance, anxiety, and fear in parenting
🩺 Awareness, support, and treating unresolved trauma
🔧 Parenting imperfections, rupture, and repair
🌸 Practicing self-compassion as a parent and survivor
Key takeaway:
You don’t need to be a perfect parent to be a good one. Parenting after birth trauma is hard, and awareness, repair, and compassion matter far more than getting it “right.”
Why we’re re-releasing this episode:
Because this conversation doesn’t expire. As our kids grow, so does our understanding of how trauma shapes us, and revisiting these topics can be an important part of healing.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this deeply moving Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Kailee, who shares her story of infertility, recurrent placenta previa, NICU stays, medical trauma, and ultimately surviving placenta accreta with a life-saving hysterectomy.
Kailee walks us through two high-risk pregnancies marked by hemorrhage, emergency cesareans, prolonged antepartum hospitalizations, NICU stays, and profound grief, alongside moments of advocacy, empowerment, and healing. Her story highlights how trauma can live alongside gratitude, and how reclaiming your voice can be life-saving.
This episode is especially meaningful for NICU parents, those navigating placenta complications, birth trauma survivors, and anyone grieving the birth experience, or future, that was taken from them.
In this episode, we discuss:
💔 Infertility, PCOS, and the loneliness of unanswered medical questions
🩸 Placenta previa and the trauma of sudden hemorrhage
🚑 Emergency transfers, antepartum stays, and fear for survival
💭 The shock of hearing “miscarriage” language during a viable pregnancy
👶 Preterm birth at 31 weeks and a 30-day NICU stay
📉 Delayed bonding, CPTSD, anxiety, and postpartum grief
🌈 Grieving the pregnancy, birth, and moments you never got
✊ Learning to advocate for yourself in future pregnancies
🔁 Facing placenta previa again in a subsequent pregnancy
🧬 Placenta accreta/percreta and preparing for a hysterectomy
🙅♀️ The power of saying “no” and trusting your instincts
🩺 Multidisciplinary care and accreta delivery protocols
💗 Meeting your baby after trauma—and reclaiming that moment
🏥 A second NICU journey and coming home sooner than expected
🌧️ Holding empowerment and trauma at the same time
🕊️ Grieving future children while choosing survival
🛋️ The role of therapy, medication, boundaries, and journaling
📸 Why taking photos—even when it’s hard—matters
✨ Finding purpose, advocacy, and hope after medical trauma
Key takeaway:
A birth can be traumatic and empowering. Survival, advocacy, grief, and gratitude are allowed to coexist—and your story still matters, even when the ending looks different than you imagined.
Listener Love:
Kailee’s courage, honesty, and willingness to share the messy middle offers validation and hope to anyone walking through birth trauma, NICU life, or life after hysterectomy.
If this episode resonated with you, you are not alone and healing does not require forgetting what you endured.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
What does it really mean to give yourself permission, especially when you’ve been conditioned to put everyone else first?
In this thoughtful and deeply resonant episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. George James, psychologist, speaker, executive coach, and author of I Give Myself Permission. With over a decade of shared history, Kayleigh and Dr. James reflect on growth, identity, trauma, and the invisible narratives that shape how we show up for ourselves, particularly after birth trauma.
Dr. James shares how the pandemic, racial reckoning, leadership burnout, and family loss shaped his work and inspired his book. Together, they unpack why “just take care of yourself” is not only unhelpful, but often impossible without understanding the systems, identities, and stories we carry.
This conversation is especially powerful for parents navigating birth trauma, clinicians supporting perinatal mental health, and anyone who feels stuck between survival and self-care.
In this episode, we discuss:
🧠 How internal narratives shape what we believe we’re allowed to need
🔑 What “giving yourself permission” really means (and what it doesn’t)
🫧 Why self-care is more than bubble baths and catchphrases
🌍 Social stress, leadership stress, injustice stress, and family-of-origin stress
👩👧👦 Why parents, especially mothers, are taught to put themselves last
🤰How perinatal trauma reinforces harmful narratives like “the baby comes first”
🗣️Giving yourself permission to advocate for your body and your life
🪞 How identity and lived experience influence permission and self-worth
❤️ Rewriting family scripts around affection, care, and masculinity
😨 Facing fear, perfectionism, and shame in everyday moments
🔄 Why permission is both a mindset and an action
🪜 Taking half-steps when full steps aren’t accessible
⚖️ Acknowledging privilege while honoring that permission is still possible
🔍 Doing the deeper work underneath boundaries and self-care
🤍 Learning to pause, celebrate growth, and notice where permission already exists
Key takeaway:
Giving yourself permission is not about willpower or positivity, it’s about understanding the stories, systems, and stressors that shaped you, and choosing care anyway.
Guest Info:
Dr. George James
Psychologist | Speaker | Executive Coach | Author
- 🌐 Website: georgetalks.com
- 📘 Book: I Give Myself Permission (available wherever books are sold)
- 📱 Social: @georgetalks
- 🔗 More info: igivemyselfpermission.com
If this episode resonated with you:
You are not failing at self-care. You may simply be carrying stories that once kept you safe. Awareness is the first step and permission can start small.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Alex, a mom of two and congenital heart disease survivor, who shares her journey through two high-risk pregnancies and two traumatic births.
Alex opens up about living with complex congenital heart defects, undergoing open-heart surgery as an infant, and entering pregnancy knowing she would always be medically high-risk. Despite meticulous care and expert providers, both pregnancies took sudden, life-threatening turns, illustrating how trauma can exist even when everything is “managed well.”
This episode explores the fear, grief, and lasting impact of emergency medical decisions, general anesthesia during birth, NICU life, and the heartbreak of realizing a redemptive birth may never come.
In this episode, we discuss:
🫀 Living with congenital heart disease and lifelong cardiac care
🤰 Navigating pregnancy as a medically complex, high-risk patient
🩸 Subchorionic hematoma and sub-placental abruption
📉 Severe fetal growth restriction and constant monitoring
🚨 Sudden cardiac crisis at 28 weeks and rapid atrial fibrillation
🚑 Emergency transport, medical chaos, and lack of clear communication
🩺 Cardioversion during pregnancy
💉 Emergency C-section under general anesthesia
👩⚕️ Being both a healthcare worker and a NICU parent
🩹 Postpartum recovery after life-threatening birth trauma
🔁 Experiencing pregnancy and birth trauma again
❌ Grieving the loss of a redemptive birth experience
🤝 Healing through community, shared stories, and compassion
⚖️ Learning to hold grief and pride at the same time
Key takeaway:
Survival does not erase trauma. You can be deeply grateful your children are here and grieve how their stories began. Both deserve space.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this clinically grounded episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Kina Wolfenstein, LCSW, therapist, educator, and certified trainer in Coherence Therapy, for a deep dive into a lesser-known but incredibly powerful trauma modality.
Together, they explore what coherence therapy is, how it differs from more familiar approaches like EMDR, CBT, and IFS, and why it can be especially effective for birth trauma, medical trauma, and complex attachment wounds.
Kina explains how coherence therapy views symptoms not as pathology, but as coherent responses rooted in emotional learnings and how true healing happens through memory reconsolidation, an innate brain process that allows those learnings to be updated at the root.
This episode speaks directly to survivors who say, “I understand why I feel this way, but nothing changes,” and to clinicians looking for more precise, bottom-up tools for trauma healing.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ What coherence therapy is and why so few people have heard of it
🧩 How coherence therapy differs from CBT, DBT, and other counteractive models
💡 What “symptom coherence” means and why it reduces shame
🌊 The difference between top-down and bottom-up trauma therapies
🧠 Memory reconsolidation as an innate brain process (not owned by any one modality)
📚 Why insight alone doesn’t lead to healing
❤️🩹 How emotional learnings form and drive symptoms like anxiety, shame, and avoidance
🔁 The role of mismatch and felt-sense experiences in neurological change
🤝 Where coherence therapy overlaps with EMDR and parts work
🎯 Why vague beliefs like “I’m unsafe” are hard to update—and why specificity matters
💔 How birth trauma often activates older attachment-based emotional learnings
😔 Self-blame, worthlessness, and shame after medical and birth trauma
🔧 Why healing means symptoms no longer require constant effort to manage
🌱 How therapists can begin using a coherence lens even without formal training
Guest Info:
Kina Wolfenstein, LCSW
Coherence Therapy Practitioner & Certified Trainer
- 📸 Instagram: @cptsdtherapist
- 🎥 TikTok: @kinacptsdtherapist
- 🔗 Trainings, resources, and practice info available via her link in bio
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this Listener Series episode, Kayleigh is joined by Bella, who courageously shares her journey through infertility, a high-risk twin pregnancy, perinatal depression, placenta previa, repeated hospitalizations, and an emergency C-section at just under 33 weeks.
Bella walks us through the shock of conceiving triplets after one round of Clomid, the grief of losing one baby early in pregnancy, and the fear and uncertainty that followed as complications continued to stack. From significant bleeding episodes and preterm labor to an emergency birth that separated her from her babies, Bella’s story sheds light on the physical and emotional toll of high-risk pregnancy and NICU life.
Together, Kayleigh and Bella explore not only what happened medically, but the lasting emotional impact, including grief over missed milestones, infertility due to medical necessity, and learning how to cope when the birth and motherhood journey looks nothing like what you imagined.
This episode is a powerful reminder that survival does not erase trauma, and that community can be a lifeline.
In this episode, we discuss:
🧪🤍 Infertility, Clomid, and the shock of conceiving triplets
🕊️💔 Early pregnancy loss and the complicated emotions that can follow
⚠️🤰 Placenta previa and what happens when it doesn’t resolve
🧠🌧️ Perinatal depression and intrusive thoughts during pregnancy
🚑🩸 Recurrent bleeding, preterm labor, and extended bed rest
⏱️🏥 A sudden placental abruption and emergency C-section at 32 weeks, 6 days
🚫👨👩👧 Separation from partner during an emergency birth
🩺🍼 NICU life, steroid shots, and premature twins who beat the odds
🩸⚡ Postpartum hemorrhage and delayed first meeting with her babies
📸💭 Grief over missing first moments and memories
🍼🧊 Exclusively pumping, overproduction, and milk donation
🚫🤰 Being unable to carry another pregnancy and the finality of that loss
💔🌈 Mourning the birth, pregnancy, and motherhood experiences you didn’t get
🤝💬 Finding healing through community, shared stories, and connection
🕯️🗓️ Coping one day at a time through trauma and recovery
Key takeaway:
You can be grateful your babies are here and grieve what was taken from you. Both can exist at the same time, and you don’t have to carry it alone.
If this episode resonated with you:
You’re not broken. You’re not weak. And you’re not alone. Sharing stories like Bella’s helps make space for honesty, grief, and healing in a world that often expects silence.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
What happens when something doesn’t feel right during labor or birth, but you don’t know what to do, who to call, or even what to name it?
In this eye-opening episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. Jennifer Dunatov, a healthcare ethicist with nearly 20 years of experience working inside hospital systems. Together, they unpack what ethics really looks like in labor and delivery and why it’s a vastly underutilized (but incredibly important) resource for birthing people, families, doulas, and clinicians.
Dr. Dunatov shares how becoming a mother herself transformed her work, leading her to focus on birth ethics after hearing countless stories of consent violations, loss of autonomy, and traumatic care. She explains what clinical ethicists actually do, how ethics consults work in real time, and how they can help amplify patient voices even when something has already gone wrong.
This episode is essential listening for anyone who has experienced birth trauma, is preparing to give birth, or works in maternity care.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What healthcare ethics actually is (and why it’s not boring 😉)
- How ethics shows up in labor & delivery and why it’s often invisible
- Common ethical violations in birth, including lack of consent and shared decision-making
- The difference between ethics consults and patient advocacy services
- Whether ethics can be involved after a traumatic or harmful birth experience
- How fear of liability influences provider decision-making
- Why documentation in medical charts matters more than you think
- How ethics consults can lead to accountability and systemic change not just “checking a box”
- Who can request an ethics consult (hint: anyone)
- Exactly what to say if you want to request an ethics consult in the hospital
- Why you don’t need the “right language” to advocate for yourself, your gut is enough
Key takeaway:
If something doesn’t feel right during your care, you are allowed to say so and there are people inside the system whose job is to listen, name the issue, and advocate with you.
Resources & Guest Info:
Dr. Jennifer Dunatov
Healthcare Ethicist | Birth Ethics Advocate
- Instagram: @notraumamama (transitioning to @jenniferdunatov)
- Website: jenniferdunatov.com or notraumamama.com
If this episode resonated with you:
Please consider sharing it with a friend, doula, provider, or loved one. Visibility saves people and knowledge is power.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Danielle, a therapist and mother of three, to share a story that challenges the narrow ways we often define birth and postpartum trauma.
Danielle’s trauma did not occur during labor or delivery, it unfolded months postpartum, following what was supposed to be a routine surgical procedure to remove a fibroid. Instead, a cascade of medical complications led to a medical emergency, multiple surgeries, bladder injury, and an unplanned hysterectomy that permanently ended her ability to carry another pregnancy.
Already navigating life with three young children, including a baby under one, Danielle suddenly found herself recovering from a major abdominal surgery, managing a catheter for weeks, and confronting the profound grief of losing her fertility without warning or choice.
As both a therapist and a patient, Danielle brings a deeply reflective lens to this conversation, naming the invisible grief that so often accompanies medical trauma, especially when it doesn’t “fit” neatly into recognized categories of loss.
Together, Kayleigh and Danielle explore:
💔 Experiencing traumatic medical complications in the postpartum period
🏥 How a routine procedure can turn into a life-threatening emergency
🩺 Bladder injury, emergency hysterectomy, and long-term physical recovery
🤍 The grief of losing fertility, regardless of how many children you already have
🧠 Recognizing trauma in real time, even as a trained clinician
🫥 Disenfranchised grief and the pain of not “fitting” into traditional loss narratives
🌪 Navigating recovery while still parenting young children
🌱 What healing looked like years later and why trauma can resurface long after the crisis
🧩 How Danielle’s experience reshaped her clinical work and passion for perinatal mental health
This episode offers validation to anyone whose trauma feels invisible, delayed, or difficult to name and serves as a powerful reminder that loss is loss, trauma is trauma, and none of it requires comparison to be worthy of care."
If you'd like to follow along Danielle's journey - check out her instagram: @themendedmotherhoodcollective
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at: HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Tiffany Lowther, LMHC, a certified perinatal mental health professional and EMDR therapist, for an in-depth conversation about using EMDR to treat birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, OCD-like symptoms, and other perinatal mental health challenges.
Tiffany shares both her professional expertise and lived experience, offering clear explanations of what EMDR is, how it works in the brain and body, and why it can be especially effective during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Together, Kayleigh and Tiffany unpack common misconceptions about EMDR and explain how this modality can support healing without requiring years of traditional talk therapy.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
🧠 What EMDR is and how it helps the brain reprocess birth trauma
🗣 How EMDR differs from talk therapy and CBT
🌊 Why postpartum anxiety, anger, and OCD-like symptoms are often trauma-based
🤰 When EMDR can be helpful during pregnancy, postpartum, or years later
🛟 The importance of safety, grounding, and preparation before trauma work
⏱ Why reprocessing should never be rushed, especially with complex trauma
🧩 Differences between standard EMDR and R-TEP (Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol)
🧘♀️ How EMDR supports nervous system regulation, not just memory processing
✅ What good, ethical EMDR care should look and feel like for clients
This conversation is a must-listen for birth trauma survivors, perinatal clinicians, and anyone curious about how neuroscience and trauma-informed therapy can create meaningful, lasting healing.
About the guest:
Tiffany Lowther is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, EMDR-certified therapist, and perinatal mental health specialist. She works with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, OCD, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, with a strong focus on safety and nervous system regulation.
Resources & Connect:
🌐 Learn more: lowthercs.com
📧 Contact Tiffany: tiffany@lowthercs.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Kelsea, a mom of three, to share the emotional, terrifying, and deeply transformative story of her son Oliver’s birth and NICU journey a birth she hoped would finally be a peaceful experience after two difficult deliveries, but instead became her most traumatic one yet.
Scheduled for a repeat C-section at 37 weeks due to rising blood pressures and a history of preeclampsia, Kelsea entered the hospital with a pit in her stomach, a feeling she now knows was intuition.
The days that followed were filled with fear and uncertainty. Oliver deteriorated quickly, and for 24 hours, doctors weren’t sure what was wrong. Finally, a NICU physician discovered that he had a pneumothorax, a collapsed left lung, and early signs of sepsis. He was intubated, placed on chest tubes, and put under strict no-hold restrictions leading to a heartbreaking stretch where Kelsea couldn’t touch, comfort, or even pick up her newborn son.
Together, Kayleigh and Kelsea talk through:
💔 The trauma of being left out of communication during a crisis birth
🩺 The emotional impact of undergoing sterilization during medical chaos
👶 The shock of seeing your newborn decline — and the terror of hearing “a crucial 24 hours”
🫁 Understanding pneumothorax, ventilation, and NICU stabilization
🤍 The grief of not being able to hold or comfort your baby
🌪 How prolonged NICU stays affect bonding, breastfeeding, and postpartum anxiety
🧠 Navigating postpartum depression, medical PTSD, and extreme anxiety
🌱 Kelsea’s healing journey — from EMDR to ketamine-assisted therapy
✨ What it means to rebuild your life and find moments of joy after trauma
Today, Oliver is home, growing, and defying early predictions walking, connecting, and meeting milestones doctors weren’t sure he’d reach. But the journey isn’t simple: Oliver lives with mild right-sided cerebral palsy, swallowing challenges, global developmental delays, and ongoing medical needs.
And yet, Kelsea has transformed her pain into purpose. She and her family have given back to more than 100 NICU families, and she shares their story openly to remind others that they are not alone and that healing is possible.
Connect with Kelsea
📸 Instagram: @lifewithmonroe
📧 Email available in episode notes
Connect with Kayleigh
💜 @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dvora Entin, LCSW, PMH-C, therapist, educator, and host of The Misconceptions Podcast, for a deeply honest and compassionate conversation about surrogacy— the hopes, complexities, grief, joy, and emotional labor that shape this path to parenthood.
Dvora shares what intended parents often navigate beneath the surface: the grief of letting go of a hoped-for pregnancy, the vulnerability of trusting another person with your baby, and the invisible emotional work that unfolds long before birth and long after.
This conversation between with Dvora brings clarity to a journey that is too often misunderstood and oversimplified.
Together, Kayleigh and Dvora explore:
🤍 The emotional realities intended parents face long before choosing surrogacy
💔 The grief and loss that can accompany the decision not to carry a pregnancy yourself
🤝 Building trust, communication, and connection with a gestational carrier
🧠 What trauma, infertility, or past births can bring into the surrogacy process
🩺 The challenges of navigating medical systems when you’re not the patient but deeply impacted
👶 Preparing for birth as an intended parent — the hopes, fears, and unknowns
This conversation shines a light on the emotional complexity of surrogacy — the beauty, the grief, the profound relational bonds, and the internal work that often goes unseen. Whether you’re considering surrogacy, supporting someone through it, or simply wanting to understand it more deeply, Dvora’s story offers validation, insight, and heart.
Resources & Links
🎙 Listen to The Misconceptions Podcast
💜 Connect with Dvora: @parentingwithdvora
💬 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
As the holiday season approaches, we’re revisiting one of the most requested and resonant solo episodes of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. In this special re-release, Kayleigh dives into the complex, emotional landscape of navigating the holidays after birth or perinatal trauma, a topic that so many in our community quietly struggle with, but one that’s rarely talked about openly.
Drawing from her own experience and the countless stories shared within this community, Kayleigh unpacks the many layers that make the holiday season uniquely challenging after trauma, whether your trauma happened during the holidays or you’re simply facing your first (or fifth) holiday season that looks nothing like you imagined.
Inside this episode, Kayleigh explores:
🎄 Why the holidays can feel surprisingly hard, even when your trauma didn’t occur during this season
💔 The painful “expectation vs. reality” gap of first holidays after birth trauma
🗓️ How trauma anniversaries collide with holiday markers, memories, and traditions
✨ Coping strategies to help you make space for grief while still accessing moments of joy
👨👩👧 Navigating family gatherings, unsolicited comments, and invalidation
🛑 Setting boundaries and preparing scripts for challenging conversations
🤝 How partners, friends, and birth trauma buddies can support you through triggering moments
🌱 Creating new traditions when you’re ready, without erasing the past
Whether you’re stepping into the holiday season for the first time after trauma or have carried these heavy feelings for years, this episode offers grounded tools, compassionate validation, and the reminder that you’re not doing anything wrong and you’re not alone.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Rachel, a mom of two, to share her powerful and deeply layered story of navigating two very different pregnancies and births, both marked by moments of dismissal, fear, and intense advocacy.
Rachel’s first pregnancy shifted dramatically at 30 weeks when she developed severe high blood pressure and preeclampsia, leading to weeks of confusion, mixed messages, and ultimately an induction at 34 weeks.
Her experience left deep emotional imprints, including guilt, hypervigilance, and the grief of feeling disconnected from her own birth and early postpartum moments.
Years later, Rachel and her wife decided to grow their family again, a choice shaped by both longing and the fear of repeating past trauma. Her second pregnancy was medically smoother, but her birth once again challenged her sense of safety and autonomy through unheard concerns, rapid labor, and providers who dismissed her awareness of her own body.
Together, Kayleigh and Rachel explore:
💔 The trauma of being dismissed by providers during medical emergencies
🩺 The danger of consent violations and rough, unexplained cervical exams
👶 The emotional complexity of having a baby in the NICU, and not “feeling it” right away
🧠 Why even the fiercest self-advocates can’t always advocate in crisis
🤍 Making decisions about growing your family after a traumatic birth
🌱 What Rachel learned about agency, preparation, and choosing supportive partners in care
Rachel’s story is a window into how medical trauma can unfold quickly, quietly, and in ways that shape a person’s relationship with birth, their body, and their future. Her reflections offer validation, wisdom, and a reminder that no one should have to fight this hard to be heard.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at: HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Cheryl Tatano Beck, one of the most influential researchers in postpartum mood disorders and psychological birth trauma. Dr. Beck shares how her clinical work as a nurse and nurse-midwife led her into research, how she “fell into” traumatic birth as a focus, and why listening to mothers’ own words and metaphors changed everything.
Together, they explore breastfeeding after birth trauma, the role of dignity and respect in preventing trauma, and the possibility of post-traumatic growth—not as a silver lining, but as a real, complex outcome of surviving something life-shattering.
This episode is for survivors, clinicians, nurses, midwives, OBs, lactation consultants, and therapists who want to better understand the lived experience of birth trauma and the research that gave it language.
Together, Kayleigh and Dr. Beck explore:
✨ How she found her way into researching postpartum depression and traumatic birth
✨ Why qualitative research (and metaphors!) can crack open truth in a way numbers never could
✨ The powerful two-path framework for breastfeeding after trauma
✨ What surprised her most after decades of listening to survivors
✨ Post-traumatic growth and the ways some parents rebuild after everything collapses
✨ How clinicians can prevent trauma by protecting dignity, autonomy, and humanity
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this special listener series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Lillian, a licensed clinical social worker to unpack both the personal and professional realities of NICU trauma, for parents, families, and the clinicians who support them.
As a psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mental health, Lillian has spent years supporting women through infertility, postpartum mood disorders, and the transition to motherhood. But her work took on new meaning after her own experience as a NICU parent, giving birth to triplets at 34 weeks during the height of COVID-19 and being separated from her babies for ten long days after delivery.
Through vulnerability and clinical wisdom, Lillian shares what it’s really like to be a “visitor” in your own child’s life, the deep shame that can come from not feeling instantly bonded, and the importance of validation and compassion in healing from perinatal trauma.
Together, Kayleigh and Lillian explore:
👶 The unique layers of trauma in NICU experiences, even when you “expect” them
💔 The shame and guilt parents feel when bonding doesn’t happen right away
🧠 Why NICU parents often delay treatment and what healing can look like months later
💬 The power of validation, psychoeducation, and space before trauma reprocessing
🪞 How lived experience can strengthen, but not define, a therapist’s work
🌱 The reminder that you can hold both gratitude and grief in your NICU story
Lillian’s story is a powerful reminder that even when your baby is “okay,” you still deserve care, space, and healing. Her clinical perspective brings hope and understanding to every parent who’s ever walked out of a NICU feeling both grateful and broken and to every provider working to support them better.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Lillian: nyctherapygroup.com
| @nyctherapygroup
💬 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Maggie Runyon, nurse educator, author, and co-creator of the Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program, for an insightful and heartfelt conversation about what it means to care — and to keep caring — in a system that so often asks too much of its helpers.
Maggie’s new book, I Thought I Was Here to Help, explores the emotional and professional identity of nurses and other healthcare providers, unpacking how the “helper” mindset — while rooted in empathy and purpose — can also lead to burnout, moral distress, and trauma when left unchecked.
Together, Kayleigh and Maggie explore how the same drive that brings so many clinicians to this work can, without boundaries and reflection, begin to harm them — and how shifting from a hero or handmaiden mindset to one of advocacy can create space for more sustainable, compassionate care.
They also dive into:
💜 The “helper identity” in nursing — and how it can blur the line between care and self-sacrifice
🩺 Why trauma-informed care must include both patients and providers
🌱 How self-regulation and connection protect against burnout
👩⚕️ The power of sitting down, slowing down, and listening as acts of advocacy
🧠 The Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program and how it’s changing unit culture
📚 Maggie’s book I Thought I Was Here to Help — and why she believes reflection, not perfection, is the key to healing
This episode is a must-listen for nurses, birth workers, and anyone in a helping profession who’s ever felt the pull between compassion and exhaustion. Maggie’s words offer both practical wisdom and deep validation — a reminder that caring for others starts with caring for ourselves.
Resources & Links
📘 Grab Maggie’s book: I Thought I Was Here to Help at MaggieRunyon.com
🩺 Learn more: The Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program
💜 Connect with Maggie: @maggierunyon
💬 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Betsey, a therapist, mother, and birth trauma survivor, to share her powerful and ongoing story of survival, advocacy, and rebuilding trust in the medical system.
Betsey’s pregnancy started off routine, until her daughter Mara’s heart rate began showing signs of distress at 39 weeks. What followed was a series of events that would forever change Betsey’s experience of birth and motherhood.
But Betsey’s trauma didn’t end in the delivery room. Her postpartum experience was marked by repeated medical dismissal, for both herself and her daughter, as she navigated months of unanswered questions, failure-to-thrive diagnoses, and a long fight to uncover the truth: a severe cow’s milk protein intolerance that had gone unnoticed by multiple providers.
As both a mental health therapist and a mother, Betsey brings unique insight into the emotional and psychological toll of birth trauma, medical gaslighting, and raising a medically complex child.
Together, Kayleigh and Betsey explore:
💔 The fear and chaos of an emergency C-section and NICU stay
🩺 How medical gaslighting and dismissal compound trauma
🧠 What it’s like to advocate for a child’s health while surviving your own
🤱 The toll of repeated mastitis, chronic pain, and emotional exhaustion
👩❤️👨 The ripple effects of trauma on marriage and family dynamics
🌱 How Betsey is finding healing through therapy, EMDR, and reconnection
Betsey’s story is a reminder that for many, birth trauma doesn’t end when the baby is born. It continues in every unanswered question, every dismissal, and every act of courage to speak up and be heard.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh opens a gentle and honest conversation about the journey of considering pregnancy after birth trauma and introduces her new workshop, created specifically for this season.
The Pregnancy After Birth Trauma workshop was designed as a supportive, trauma-informed space for anyone exploring a subsequent pregnancy after a difficult or traumatic birth. It offers guidance, reflection prompts, and tools to help you move through this process with clarity and a sense of agency. Whether you're actively trying, quietly wondering if you're ready, or still holding the question gently from a distance, this workshop honors the complexity of your experience and walks alongside you with care and grounding.
In today’s episode, Kayleigh speaks to the emotional landscape that so many survivors navigate when thinking about growing their family again. Rather than rushing answers, she reflects on the fears, hopes, and complicated "maybes" that live in this space, and why this decision deserves slowness, compassion, and support.
She explores:
💜 Why mixed emotions about another pregnancy are a completely normal trauma response
🫶 The grief, pressure, and self-doubt that can surface during this decision-making process
🤍 What it means to rebuild trust in your body and the systems that care for you
🧭 How to approach this season at your pace, without urgency or expectation
🌱 A grounding mindset shift to help you feel more supported and less alone
This episode is an invitation to breathe, soften around uncertainty, and remember that you don’t have to figure everything out all at once. Considering another pregnancy after trauma isn’t a test of readiness, strength, or certainty. It’s a deeply human process that unfolds in layers. And you deserve a safe place to land inside it.
Workshop & Resources
✨ Pregnancy After Birth Trauma Workshop: Join Here
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Christine, a mom of four, to share her harrowing and powerful story of surviving a rare and life-threatening birth and postpartum experience.
After being induced at 37 weeks for hypertension, Christine’s delivery with her fourth son, Caden, started calmly, until everything changed. What followed was a series of medical emergencies including a cervical tear, uterine rupture, hemorrhage, and emergency exploratory surgery, followed by multiple re-hospitalizations and near-death experiences in the weeks after giving birth.
Christine opens up about the long physical and emotional recovery that followed, from memory loss and PTSD to regaining her strength through pelvic floor physical therapy, and how her desire to understand what happened to her body led to deep reflection on communication gaps in healthcare.
Together, Kayleigh and Christine explore:
💔 The trauma of experiencing multiple postpartum hemorrhages and emergency surgeries
🩺 What it feels like to face life-threatening complications after a “routine” delivery
🧠 The importance of follow-up conversations and debriefing with providers after trauma
💬 Why being denied that information can add to the pain and confusion of recovery
🌱 How physical therapy and mental health support played key roles in Christine’s healing
💜 The power of holding both grief and gratitude in motherhood
Christine’s story is one of survival, resilience, and advocacy — a reminder that postpartum complications are real, often misunderstood, and deserve to be met with compassion, information, and care.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Jackie Dallaire, an OBGYN and former social work major, to explore what truly human-centered care looks like inside the world of obstetrics.
Jackie’s path to medicine began with a foundation in social work, where she learned the importance of empathy, systems thinking, and seeing every person in the context of their story. Those lessons have shaped how she shows up in her practice today, as a doctor who listens deeply, centers her patients’ autonomy, and advocates for a more compassionate model of care.
Together, Kayleigh and Dr. Dallaire unpack what it means to practice trauma-informed medicine in a system that often prioritizes efficiency over empathy, and why collaboration between OBs and midwives is one of the most powerful ways to create safer, more empowering birth experiences.
They explore:
💜 How a social work background can transform the way a doctor approaches patient care
🩺 The role of empathy and social context in maternal health outcomes
🤰 Why integrated OB + midwifery care models support both safety and autonomy
💬 How to rebuild trust between patients and providers in a post-trauma system
🌱 What trauma-informed obstetric care really looks like, in both practice and philosophy
Dr. Dallaire’s insights are a reminder that birth work can be both evidence-based and heart-centered, and that true healing begins when patients and providers meet each other with trust, humility, and compassion.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this deeply moving listener story episode, Kayleigh is joined by Meghan, who shares the heartbreaking and powerful story of her son, Max. 💛
At 33 weeks pregnant, Meghan experienced a sudden placental abruption that led to a traumatic emergency delivery and the devastating loss of her baby. Through her story, Meghan opens up about the terrifying moments of realizing something was wrong, the life-saving efforts of her care team, and the sacred time she spent with Max after his passing.
She also reflects on the reality of postpartum recovery after trauma, grieving while parenting her living son, and how she’s found healing through connection, community, and legacy. 🌈
Today, Meghan honors Max through her advocacy work and Max’s Angel Closet, a collaboration with the Adeline Rose Foundation providing remembrance items like baby gowns, hats, and nameplates, for families experiencing loss. Her story is one of unimaginable grief met with profound love, resilience, and purpose.
✨ Topics Discussed:
🩸 Experiencing a sudden placental abruption at 33 weeks
👶 Navigating the heartbreak and sacred moments of stillbirth
🏥 Recovering in the ICU and the power of compassionate nursing care
💛 Creating Max’s Angel Closet to honor Max’s memory
🌸 Partnering with the Adeline Rose Foundation to support grieving families
🕊 Finding purpose, connection, and hope after loss
💛 Connect with Meghan:
Follow her journey and Max’s legacy at @maxsmission24
🌷 Learn More:
Visit the Adalyn Rose Foundation to support families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. You can follow along @adalynrosefoundation or visit https://adalynrose.org/
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
If this episode touched your heart, please share it or leave a review to help other parents feel seen, supported, and less alone. 💜
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Caitlin, a certified nurse midwife practicing within an OB/GYN group, to talk about how midwives are redefining patient-centered care inside traditional medical settings. Together, they explore what makes the midwifery model unique, why collaboration with obstetricians matters, and how integrating both perspectives can create safer, more supported birth experiences.
Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how the midwifery model emphasizes relationship, trust, and holistic support, even within hospital-based systems, and why this approach can be a powerful antidote to the fragmentation so many birthing people experience in modern maternity care.
Together, Kayleigh and Caitlin explore:
- The core philosophy of midwifery care and how it differs from the traditional medical model.
- How midwives and OBs can work together rather than compete, creating a continuum of care that honors safety and connection.
- The value of presence and time, why listening and relational continuity matter in birth outcomes.
- How midwifery care supports trauma-informed, patient-led decision making.
- The challenges and opportunities of practicing midwifery within a hosptial system.
Resources & Links
Follow Caitlin on TikTok: @Caitlin.Emmaline
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Sowania Germain, LMHC-D, PMHC, a licensed therapist and fellow birth trauma survivor, to share her powerful story of pregnancy complications, hospitalization, and healing.
Sowania’s journey began with an unexpected pregnancy that led to months of antepartum bed rest, countless medical interventions, and a premature birth, followed by the heavy emotional aftermath that so many parents silently carry. As a therapist and Haitian American woman, Sowania offers an insightful perspective on the intersections of medical trauma, cultural shame, and the long road toward self-compassion.
Together, Kayleigh and Sowania explore:
🩺 The overlooked trauma of antepartum hospital stays and the fear of losing a pregnancy
💔 Navigating medical gaslighting and racial bias in obstetric care
🧠 The emotional fallout of NICU stays, intrusive thoughts, and postpartum shame
🙏 The role of faith, therapy, and community in recovery
🌱 How Sowania’s healing led her to specialize in perinatal mental health and support other families through their own trauma
Sowania’s story is a powerful reminder that birth trauma isn’t limited to delivery, it can begin long before, and healing requires care that honors the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.
Resources & Links
Follow Sowania on Instagram: @themamatherapist_
Sowania Germain's practice: https://www.sowaniagermainlmhc.com/
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more about therapy services: HoldingHopePerinatal.com
🧠 Connect with Sowania: @themamatherapist_
| sowaniagermainlmhc.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Alicia Rainwater, LCSW, the newest member of the Holding Hope Perinatal therapy team. Alicia brings nearly a decade of experience as a medical social worker and shares how both her professional and personal journeys have shaped her approach to perinatal trauma and grief work.
From walking alongside families in hospitals during some of their hardest days to navigating her own motherhood journey after losing her mom, Alicia’s story beautifully illustrates the heart of trauma-informed care, presence, empathy, and validation.
Together, Kayleigh and Alicia explore:
💜 How Alicia’s mother’s illness and loss shaped her calling to support families through medical crisis and grief
🏥 What medical social work looks like inside hospitals, and how patients can access that support
🩸 The emotional layers of miscarriage, loss, and infertility
🤰 How two very different birth experiences taught Alicia the power of communication and connection in care
🧠 Why validation and relationship-building are foundational to healing from perinatal trauma
🌱 The mission behind Holding Hope Perinatal and how the practice supports pregnant people, partners, and families
Alicia’s blend of lived experience and clinical expertise offers a rare, compassionate perspective on what it means to heal after loss and trauma. This episode is a heartfelt introduction to her work and to the growing mission of Holding Hope Perinatal.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more or book a consultation: HoldingHopePerinatal.com
👩⚕️ Connect with Alicia: Holding Hope Perinatal Team Page
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Rachael to share her powerful story of surviving placenta accreta, not once, but twice, and the far-reaching impact it had on her body, her family, and her healing.
Rachael, an IVF mom and nurse, opens up about her traumatic birth experiences: the emergency surgeries, hemorrhage, ICU stay, and the devastating loss of her ability to breastfeed after a pituitary rupture. She also shares her second accreta journey, which ended in a hysterectomy, and the complicated grief of both relief and loss that followed.
But this conversation doesn’t stop with the medical story, it shines light on the ripple effects of birth trauma. Rachael bravely discusses the toll it took on her marriage, her husband’s hidden struggles with alcohol, and the often-overlooked suffering of partners in the aftermath of traumatic births.
Together, Kayleigh and Rachael explore:
💔 The realities of placenta accreta and its life-threatening complications
🩸 How trauma can linger in the body long after physical healing
🧠 The critical role of therapy, medication, and community in recovery
👩❤️👨 Why partners’ grief and trauma must not be forgotten
🌱 What healing can look like, planting new roots, finding hope, and creating meaning after loss
Rachael’s story is one of survival, resilience, and a call to remember that birth trauma impacts the entire family system. Her honesty offers both validation and hope to survivors and their loved ones.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at Holding Hope Perinatal
👩💻 Connect with Rachael on Instagram: @rachaelmcmullan_
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Arianna Cassidy, maternal-fetal medicine physician at UCSF, to unpack one of the most complex and high-risk conditions in pregnancy: placenta accreta.
Placenta accreta spectrum disorders have been rising alongside C-section rates, yet remain widely misunderstood. Dr. Cassidy shares her personal journey into medicine, her role in building UCSF’s multidisciplinary accreta center, and why the care for these patients must go beyond surgery and survival.
Together, they explore:
🩸 What placenta accreta is, why it happens, and the growing risk factors
🏥 How specialized accreta centers save lives, and why not every hospital is equipped for these cases
💔 The psychological toll of living with an accreta diagnosis, even with the best surgical outcomes
🧠 The gap between medical “success” metrics and the lived trauma of patients and families
👩⚕️ Why postpartum follow-up and validation are just as critical as delivery planning
🤝 How supporting providers’ trauma can improve outcomes for patients
This episode is both educational and deeply human, shedding light on a rare but devastating condition while advocating for systemic change in how we approach high-risk obstetrics and the emotional wellbeing of both patients and providers.
Resources & Links
💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
🌐 Learn more at Holding Hope Perinatal
📖 Explore patient resources: The Accreta Foundation
Guest Bio:
Dr. Arianna Cassidy is a perinatologist, an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. She cares for patients with pre-existing medical issues that can affect pregnancy as well as conditions that can develop during pregnancy. She also cares for patients who require complex surgery during pregnancy or need C-section births. She has a special interest in placental conditions, particularly placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder (in which the placenta grows into the uterine wall).
Cassidy's research focuses on understanding PAS and improving the care of pregnant patients who develop it, including looking at how providers from relevant specialties can work in concert to prevent, detect and address abnormal development of the placenta. She also studies COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pregnancy, the intersection between maternal-fetal medicine and family planning, and quality improvement measures.
Cassidy earned her medical degree at UCSF, where she also completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Diane for a powerful and emotional retelling of her son Tommy’s birth and the long, complicated postpartum recovery that followed. What began as a smooth induction and quick delivery turned into a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, a diagnosis of placenta accreta, and an eventual hysterectomy, weeks after birth.
Diane walks us through the cascade of events, from being dismissed when she sensed something was wrong to advocating for the testing that ultimately revealed retained placenta with an accreta component. She shares the fear of facing major surgery, the relief of trusting her intuition, and the ways she has found healing through EMDR therapy, support groups, and reconnecting with her body.
Her story is a testament to the power of self-advocacy, the importance of listening to birthing people, and the long tail of emotional recovery after medical trauma.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🩸 How a complication after her first birth may have been a warning sign for placenta accreta
⚠️ The postpartum hemorrhage that almost led to an emergency hysterectomy
🏥 Why she was sent to a larger trauma hospital weeks after birth
🧠 The difficult decision between a D&C and a hysterectomy, and how she knew what to choose
💬 The dismissal she faced when reporting symptoms and how she advocated for herself
🪢 The role of EMDR therapy and peer support in her healing
💪 Rebuilding trust in her body through strength and movement
🗣️ Why advocacy is now part of her recovery
Resources & Mentions:
🌐 Learn more about Placenta Accreta Spectrum: https://www.preventaccreta.org/
📚 Support group: Hysterectomy to Survive Complications of Pregnancy (Facebook)
💻 The Birth Trauma Mama Resources Page: birthtraumamama.com/resources
🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and please share this episode with someone who might need to hear it.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this special crossover episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast and The Misconceptions Podcast, Kayleigh and Dvora sit down with Dr. Heather Nixon, an obstetric anesthesiologist, to unpack one of the most overlooked aspects of birth trauma: pain during C-sections and failed anesthesia.
Inspired by Season 2 of The Retrievals podcast, this conversation dives into what happens when patients are told, “you’re not feeling pain,” even when they clearly are. Dr. Nixon shares her professional journey of reckoning with the ways anesthesia has been taught, normalized, and misunderstood in obstetric care, and why communication and validation are just as critical as the medical interventions themselves.
Together, they explore:
- 🩺 The difference between spinal and epidural blocks, and why they sometimes don’t work as expected
- 💔 How dismissing a patient’s pain can lead to long-term trauma, PTSD, and depression
- 🗣 The life-changing impact of trauma-informed communication in the operating room
- 🧠 Why anesthesiologists often haven’t been trained to think about long-term emotional outcomes
- 👩👩👧 How patients, partners, and even nurses can advocate in the OR when pain isn’t taken seriously
- ✨ What providers can do to shift from “the block is working” to truly believing and supporting their patients
This episode is a powerful bridge between patients and providers, offering education, validation, and a call for systemic change in how we approach anesthesia in childbirth.
Resources & Links
- 🎧 Listen to The Retrievals Podcast (Season 2)
- 💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
- 🌐 Learn more at Holding Hope Perinatal
- 🧠 Connect with Dvora and The Misconceptions Podcast
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this debrief episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast and The Misconceptions Podcast, Kayleigh and Dvora reflect on their powerful conversation with Dr. Heather Nixon, an OB anesthesiologist working to transform how pain is managed and communicated during C-sections.
While the first conversation laid the groundwork, this follow-up goes deeper into the emotional, psychological, and systemic layers of what it means when patients feel pain and aren’t believed.
Kayleigh and Dvora unpack:
- 💔 How unacknowledged pain during birth translates into long-term trauma
- 🧠 Why being dismissed in the OR can reinforce lifelong wounds around not being heard
- 🩺 The systemic barriers that keep anesthesiologists from seeing patient outcomes
- 👩❤️👨 The complex role of partners as advocates in sterile, high-pressure OR settings
- 👩⚕️ How nurses and providers can be both impacted by, and agents of, change
- 🌱 The ripple effects of trauma-informed care for patients and providers
This conversation isn’t just about anesthesia, it’s about dignity, communication, and reshaping a medical system that too often prioritizes outcomes over the human experience.
Resources & Links
- 🎧 Listen to The Retrievals Podcast Season 2
- 💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
- 🌐 Learn more at Holding Hope Perinatal
- 🧠 Connect with Dvora and The Misconceptions Podcast
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Lindsey, who shares her harrowing story of developing acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and HELLP syndrome at 37 weeks. What began as a healthy, joyful pregnancy quickly spiraled into a medical emergency involving liver failure, internal bleeding, intubation, dialysis, and a two-week ICU stay.
Lindsey walks us through her fragmented memories, the video of meeting her daughter that went viral, and the hidden layers of ICU delirium and psychosis that shaped her early postpartum days. She also opens up about the long recovery process — physically, emotionally, and spiritually — and the ongoing grief of not having the choice to grow her family in the way she once imagined.
In this powerful conversation, Lindsey shares:
- 🩺 The early warning signs of AFLP and HELLP that were missed during pregnancy
- 🚨 Her sudden decline into liver and kidney failure, intubation, and emergency surgery
- 🧠 What it’s like to experience ICU psychosis — including believing her baby wasn’t hers
- 💔 The impact of having her second-child choice taken away
- 📸 Why photos, videos, and written updates from family became crucial for her healing
- 🌱 How she’s finding peace, connection, and joy as a mother of one
Lindsey’s story is a raw reminder of how quickly pregnancy complications can escalate, and why validation, advocacy, and compassionate debriefs matter so much in trauma recovery.
Resources & Links
- 💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
- 🌐 Learn more at holdinghopeperinatal.com
- 📖 Follow Lindsey on Instagram & TikTok: @lindseymurphy7
- 🎧 Related episode: ICU Delirium & Awake and Walking ICUs with Kaylee Dayton
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Andrea Wetterau, a licensed clinical social worker, EMDRIA-certified EMDR therapist, and perinatal mental health certified provider, for an eye-opening conversation on the intersection of birth trauma, body image, and eating concerns in the perinatal period.
Andrea shares her personal journey of developing an eating disorder as a teen, choosing recovery every day, and later facing the resurfacing of old struggles after experiencing significant birth and postpartum trauma herself. Now, through her work with pregnant and postpartum clients, Andrea helps parents navigate the complex ways food and body struggles can show up during and after birth trauma.
This conversation explores:
- 🍽 How food and body concerns can resurface or intensify in pregnancy and postpartum
- 💔 Why trauma often brings up feelings of powerlessness, shame, and being unheard, and how those connect to eating concerns
- 🧠 The role of limiting beliefs and “little t” traumas in shaping postpartum experiences
- 🌱 Why bounce-back culture and societal expectations make recovery harder for new parents
- 🧩 How therapies like EMDR and IFS can support deeper healing beyond talk therapy
- 🤝 What providers, partners, and loved ones can do to support parents struggling with food and body image postpartum
Andrea also offers validation, practical support strategies, and a reminder that behind food and body struggles often lies something deeper that deserves compassion and healing.
Ways to connect with Andrea:
Instagram: @nurtured.embodied.mama
Website: www.wetterauwellness.com
Resources & Links
- 💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
- 🌐 Learn more at holdinghopeperinatal.com
- 📖 Explore resources from the National Eating Disorder Association: nationaleatingdisorders.org
Guest Bio:
Andrea Wetterau is a Licensed Clinical Independent Social Worker and Licensed Mental Health Counselor; certified in Perinatal Mental Health and in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy; and trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy and Perinatal Yoga.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we are joined by Angel, who shares her powerful story of birth, near-death, and healing after a rare and life-threatening complication: uterine inversion.
Angel describes how her labor started smoothly and seemed “perfect" until the unexpected happened. What followed was a cascade of emergencies, including massive blood loss, emergency surgery, a hysterectomy, and days in critical care. Angel walks us through the terrifying moments of saying goodbye to her husband, the prayers she whispered before surgery, and the relief of waking up alive.
But her story doesn’t end at survival. Angel opens up about the aftermath, the postpartum depression she never expected, the shame of feeling broken despite being grateful, and the ongoing work of therapy, community, and healing.
In this episode, Angel shares:
- 👶 How a “perfect” birth suddenly spiraled into a life-threatening emergency
- 🚨 What it was like to undergo multiple surgeries, including a hysterectomy, after delivery
- 💔 The emotional toll of facing death and saying goodbye to her baby and husband
- 🧠 How trauma showed up afterward through nightmares, shame, and fear
- 🌱 The role of therapy, antidepressants, and online community in her healing journey
- 🫂 A message for anyone feeling isolated after birth trauma: you are not alone
Angel’s courage in telling her story not only offers hope to others navigating uterine inversion or hysterectomy but also reminds us of the power of community and connection in breaking through the loneliness of trauma.
Resources & Links
- 💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
- 🌐 Find support and resources: holdinghopeperinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. Ono Nseyo, an OB-GYN practicing in the Bay Area, for a deeply honest and inspiring conversation about patient-centered, trauma-informed care and what it means to show up as both a clinician and a human.
Dr. Nseyo shares her journey from growing up as the daughter of Nigerian immigrants to becoming a physician passionate about addressing health disparities and providing care that honors dignity and autonomy. Together, Kayleigh and Dr. Nseyo explore what happens when healthcare providers reject the pressure of rushed, 10-minute appointments and instead prioritize listening, presence, and human connection.
This conversation explores:
- 🌍 How Dr. Nseyo’s upbringing and exposure to racial health disparities shaped her “North Star” in medicine
- 🩺 The realities of OB training and the importance of evolving as a lifelong learner
- ⏱ Why running late can sometimes mean better care, and reframing time as an act of advocacy
- 💜 The energizing impact of trauma-informed care for both patients and providers
- 🧠 Navigating the balance between being a clinician and being human, with permission to give yourself grace
- ✨ Stories of patients whose journeys reinforced the power of listening, continuity, and trust
This episode is equal parts heartfelt and practical, offering hope that small “rebellions” inside a broken healthcare system, slowing down, making eye contact, listening deeply, can transform the patient experience.
Resources & Links
- 💻 Learn more: holdinghopeperinatal.com
- 📱 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
Guest Bio:
Dr. Ono Nseyo is a board certified UCSF-trained OBGYN who is passionate about supporting everyone through their preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum journeys. She also hosts a podcast - Golden Hour with Dr. O available on Spotify and Apple.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Katelynn, a labor and delivery nurse who was at the bedside during a devastating traumatic birth, Julia’s story (Episode 137).
Together, they revisit that day, but this time through the eyes of the provider. Katelynn opens up about the chaos of rushing Julia to the OR, the horror of watching her patient code, and the emotional toll that followed. What unfolds is a powerful conversation about the very real trauma healthcare workers face when catastrophic events occur in labor and delivery.
Katelynn shares:
- 🚨 What it was like to witness and respond to Julia’s near-death experience in the OR
- 💔 The isolation, nightmares, and PTSD symptoms she carried afterward
- 🧠 How therapy (including EMDR) helped her process the trauma and find healing
- 🫂 Why closure, like reconnecting with Julia, was such an important part of recovery
- 👩⚕️ A reminder to fellow healthcare workers: it’s okay to not be okay, and you deserve support
This episode highlights the shared trauma of birth emergencies, reminding us that while patients and providers experience events differently, both deserve validation, compassion, and support in the aftermath.
Resources & Links
- 🎧 Listen to Julia’s story in [Episode 137] for the patient perspective
- 💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
- 🌐 Learn more about support for providers and patients: holdinghopeperinatal.com
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
Planning for birth often centers around the joyful, expected moments, skin-to-skin, golden hour, and bringing your baby home. But what about the unexpected? What happens if birth takes a catastrophic turn?
In this joint episode with The BirthLounge Podcast, HeHe Stewart and I are collaborating again. Together, we unpack what it means to create a catastrophic birth plan, a tool to help families feel informed and empowered even in rare, life-threatening situations.
I share my personal experience of surviving an AFE and what I wish had been in place for myself, my baby, and my partner. This episode explores:
- 🌸 Why preparing for the worst doesn’t “manifest” it, and how planning can actually bring peace of mind
- 💬 How to have sensitive conversations with your partner about catastrophic scenarios
- 👶 Key decisions to include in your plan: separation of parent and baby, skin-to-skin, infant feeding, advocacy, and ICU support
- 📝 The importance of documenting your wishes and making sure your care team, partner, and point people are aligned
- 🤝 The role of doulas, family members, and providers in advocating for you if you are incapacitated
- 💡 What Kayleigh has learned from both her own story and her work with the AFE Foundation
This is a heavy but deeply important conversation about choice, autonomy, and advocacy in birth. Whether you decide to create your own catastrophic birth plan or not, this episode will give you tools to feel more prepared and more in control, even in the most unexpected circumstances.
Resources & Links
- 🌐 Learn more about the AFE Foundation: afesupport.org
- 📱 Connect with HeHe @tranquilitybyhehe
- 📱 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama
- 💻 Explore Holding Hope Perinatal: holdinghopeperinatal.com
Guest Bio:
Haley "HeHe" Stewart is the founder of Tranquility by Hehe Maternity Concierge, a company that helps birthing people manage their birth experience. She has a Master's degree in Human Development and Family Studies. HeHe started Tranquility by Hehe in 2016. She has learned how to support families going through NICU stays, and how to prepare clients for them. She has also witnessed the compassion and abuse that can occur in NICUs.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's Listener Series, we are doing a special re-release. We are sharing Julia's story again and tune in next week to hear from her L&D nurse, Katlynn. This is such a special duo - honoring both the patient and the provider in a traumatic experience.
A little bit about Julia's story - Julia was induced at 38 weeks due to gestational hypertension. A routine delivery turned terrifying, when Julia suddenly became unresponsive. What followed was a litany of complications landing Julia and her baby in the ICU and NICU, and still to this day with an uncertain diagnosis. She shares with us the process of bringing home a NICU baby after a significant trauma and what her healing journey has been like.
On this episode, you will hear:
- labor complications and emergency response
- NICU experience and family dynamics
- second opinions and diagnosis
- navigating an ICU experience
- bonding journey after ICU and NICU experience
- the stress of bringing home a NICU baby
- finding healing and community support
You can find and follow Julia on Instagram: @julia.omick
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by NICU clinical nurse educator Jessi Barnes for a powerful conversation about the intersection of professional expertise and lived experience.
With 15 years of nursing experience—including time in high-risk perinatal units and the NICU—Jessi now dedicates her career to teaching and mentoring NICU nurses with a trauma-informed lens. But her perspective deepened profoundly when her own daughter was born prematurely at 27 weeks and spent 75 days in the NICU.
Together, we explore:
👩⚕️ What it means to be a NICU clinical nurse educator and how this role shapes care for babies and families
👶 Jessi’s personal journey as both NICU staff and NICU mom—and how advocacy and perspective collide in that space
🧠 The nuances of trauma-informed care for babies, parents, and providers alike
💬 Why small choices and validating parents’ voices can transform confidence and healing in the NICU
🫀 How supporting the nervous systems of nurses is key to reducing secondary trauma and improving care for families
Jessi’s insight is equal parts professional expertise and heartfelt lived experience. Whether you’re a NICU parent, birth worker, or healthcare professional, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and practical ways to create more compassionate care.
Connect with Jessi:
🔗 LinkedIn: Jessi Barnes
🤝 Family Centered Care Task Force
Guest Bio:
Jessi Barnes, MSN, RN, RNC-NIC, NPD-BC, C-ELBW is a clinical nurse educator and former NICU parent with a passion for the neonatal patient population. Her 14-year nursing career started in high obstetrical care and transitioned to neonatal intensive care and even a bit of nursing informatics. Her current role as a NICU clinical nurse educator allows her to help improve patient outcomes through facilitating professional development. She holds certifications in neonatal intensive care nursing, nursing professional development, and the care of the extremely low birth weight infant. She is a graduate of the Trauma Informed Professionals certificate program, a neonatal resuscitation program instructor mentor, and a community resiliency model teacher. Jessi has been featured on the Incubator, Care OutLoud, and NANNcast podcasts sharing her experience parenting in the NICU as a NICU professional.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Ashley Rainey, labor and delivery nurse, educator, clinical director, and PhD candidate, whose passion for improving birth outcomes for Black women is rooted in her own experiences at the bedside and in the system.
Together, we dive into the heavy reality of navigating pregnancy while carrying the weight of maternal mortality statistics, the lasting emotional impact of both big and small traumas, and how we can build a healthcare system that actually meets people where they are, with dignity, awareness, and trauma-informed care.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
⚠️ How textbook myths and provider bias still shape patient care
💔 The trauma of being dismissed, ignored, or stereotyped in labor
🧠 Why emotional and relational trauma in birth can be just as damaging as physical trauma
📚 Ashley’s research: centering Black voices in perinatal PTSD studies
🔎 The urgent need for qualitative data on Black birthing experiences
🛑 Why trauma is defined by the person, not the provider
👩🏾⚕️ What it’s like to be the only Black nurse on the unit, and why that matters
🩺 The power of nurse advocacy and how body language communicates care
🧍🏽♀️ Advice for Black birthing people on choosing the right provider and asking the right questions
🌱 How trauma gets passed down, and how we can stop it
Resources & Mentions:
📖 Learn more about AIM bundles (Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health): saferbirth.org
📚 Find postpartum mental health support: birthtraumamama.com/resources
📱 Follow the conversation on Instagram: @birthtraumamama
Guest Bio:
Ashley Rainey has a strong foundation in nursing; she developed a profound interest in perinatal care, focusing on maternal and neonatal health. This passion has guided her professional journey and led her to her current prestigious position as a perinatal Clinical Director. In her role, Ms. Rainey is responsible for advancing clinical practice standards across the commission, striving to enhance the quality of care provided to mothers and infants. She collaborates closely with a network of delivery facilities, offering support and resources to ensure that each facility meets the highest standards of care. Her leadership is characterized by a commitment to improving health outcomes for women and children, advocating for evidence-based practices and innovative care models. Ms. Rainey's dedication to nursing is further exemplified by her membership in the esteemed Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, which recognizes her academic and professional excellence. In addition, she is an alumna of the 2019 Maternal-Child Nursing Leadership Academy cohort, an intensive program designed to cultivate leadership skills among nurses in maternal and child health. She is actively engaged in the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), participating nationally and locally. Ms. Rainey is pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing Research at the University of Wisconsin-Milwauke
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Alyssa, who shares her story of surviving a catastrophic postpartum complication. What began as a smooth pregnancy and an unplanned C-section turned into undiagnosed sepsis, a perforated bowel, emergency surgery, and over four weeks in the hospital, two of them spent in the ICU, separated from her newborn daughter.
Alyssa walks us through the red flags that were dismissed, the overwhelming pain and isolation she endured, and the moment when her C-section scar began leaking fluid, leading to the discovery of a life-threatening complication. Now, seven years later, she reflects on her long road to healing, both physically and emotionally, and the decision to stop growing her family due to trauma, grief, and self-preservation.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
💥 A smooth pregnancy that gave no warning of what was to come
🏥 A C-section that left Alyssa in extreme pain, and dismissed by her care team
🚨 A week postpartum: leaking from her incision, sepsis, and a perforated bowel
💤 Waking up in the ICU, separated from her baby, with no memory of the emergency
🧠 The trauma of missing out on those early bonding moments, and doubting herself as a new mom
💔 Navigating deep grief around her family-building dreams after trauma
👶 Parenting an only child and finding peace in that decision
🗣️ Why sharing her story and advocating for herself now is part of her healing
💬 The message Alyssa wants every birthing person to hear: If something feels wrong, speak up. Keep speaking up.
Resources & Mentions:
📚 Find trauma & postpartum support: birthtraumamama.com/resources
📱 Follow along on Instagram: @birthtraumamama
🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Alyssa’s story is a critical reminder of how important it is to trust your instincts, and how life-saving advocacy can be.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m reflecting on six years since the day my life and my son Callahan’s changed forever. Six years since I experienced an amniotic fluid embolism that nearly took both of our lives. Six years into a healing journey that has been anything but linear.
This solo episode is my most honest update yet. I talk about what recovery looks like this far out from the trauma: what’s changed, what hasn’t, the unexpected gifts, and the grief that still lingers. I share how I’ve learned to move with my story instead of trying to move past it, and what I wish someone had told me in those earliest, darkest days postpartum.
Whether you’re six days, six months, or six years into your own healing, I hope this episode meets you right where you are and reminds you that you are never alone in this.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🕯 A raw reflection on six years since surviving an amniotic fluid embolism
💔 What grief still looks and feels like all these years later
🌀 Why “letting go” never resonated, and what integration really means
💬 The myths of healing we’re sold, and the truths that actually help
🧠 Why triggers don’t vanish with time, but our capacity to cope can grow
👶 The complicated grief of ending your family-building journey
🌈 How joy and sorrow have learned to coexist
👣 The emotional evolution of parenting after trauma
🫶 The honor of turning pain into purpose through this community and work
Resources & Mentions:
📖 Want to hear Kayleigh’s full birth story? Listen to Season 1, Episode 1
📚 Trauma & postpartum support: birthtraumamama.com/resources
📱 Join the community: @birthtraumamama
🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode resonates, please consider sharing, rating, or leaving a review, it means so much.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Ashley for a powerful story of high-risk pregnancy, trauma, and resilience. Ashley walks us through her experience carrying monoamniotic-monochorionic (mono-mono) twins, an extremely rare and high-risk type of twin pregnancy where both babies share a placenta and amniotic sac, significantly increasing the risk of cord entanglement and fetal demise.
From a shocking twin diagnosis to navigating weeks of inpatient monitoring, Ashley opens up about the impossible decisions she and her husband faced, the emotional toll of living in constant fear, and the gratitude and grief that coexisted throughout her pregnancy, birth, and NICU journey.
This episode shines a light on a lesser-discussed but deeply traumatic form of perinatal trauma: pregnancy trauma. Ashley’s story is a reminder of how layered, lonely, and long-lasting that trauma can be, and how community and connection can be a powerful part of healing.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
👶 Ashley’s unexpected diagnosis of mono-mono twins
📉 The emotional whiplash of joy and fear all at once
📆 The impossible decisions: inpatient monitoring, viability, and early delivery
🫣 The experience of living in constant fight-or-flight mode throughout pregnancy
🏥 Five weeks of inpatient care and finding support among other high-risk moms
🚨 The night it all changed: decels, a missed heartbeat, and a race to the OR
💔 Birth trauma, NICU trauma, and the grief that doesn’t end when the babies are okay
🧠 How hard it was to access mental health support, and why that must change
🫶 A full-circle moment: becoming a NICU mentor for other parents
🌈 What it means to hold joy, grief, and trauma all at once
Resources & Mentions:
📱 Follow along for more support and stories: @birthtraumamama
📚 Find postpartum mental health resources: birthtraumamama.com/resources
🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. If Ashley’s story resonated with you or helped you feel a little less alone, please share, rate, and review. It truly makes a difference.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this re-released episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m revisiting one of the most requested and tender topics in our community, birth trauma anniversaries. Whether it’s your child’s first birthday or their fifth, anniversaries of traumatic births can stir up a swirl of emotions: grief, anger, anxiety, guilt, and everything in between.
In this solo Q&A-style episode, I answer your questions about what it means to navigate these layered, complicated days. I talk through why the lead-up to the anniversary can feel harder than the day itself, how to hold space for celebration and sorrow, and how to talk to loved ones who just don’t seem to get it.
Whether you're deep in anticipatory anxiety or wondering how to ask for compassion from a partner who's burned out on your trauma, this episode is for you.
This episode is a gentle reminder: your feelings are valid. You are not selfish. And you are allowed to honor your trauma, even on the day your baby was born.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Sabryna for a powerful and emotional account of her first birth. Her story began with an itch in her third trimester and escalated into a life-threatening emergency for both her and her daughter. What unfolded was a series of missed diagnoses, medical dismissal, and a traumatic delivery that included an emergency C-section, undiagnosed preeclampsia, a NICU stay due to a rare heart condition.
With vulnerability and insight, Sabryna walks us through the heartbreak of being ignored by her care team, the fear of not knowing if her baby would survive, and the heavy mental toll that followed. She also shares the healing journey that came later, including a redemptive second birth experience and the importance of finding a provider who truly listens.
This conversation is a testament to the strength of self-advocacy and the power of feeling seen, heard, and safe in your care.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
⚠️ The early warning signs of cholestasis and why no one acted
📉 Being told to rush to the hospital and then sent home hours later
📵 Days of silence from her care team while her symptoms worsened
💔 A non-variable heart rate and an emergency C-section she never saw coming
🫀 Her daughter’s diagnosis: supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (WPW)
🚑 A magnesium drip, sky-high blood pressure, and a post-op ambulance ride with no pain meds
🧠 The emotional aftermath: trauma, guilt, depression, and being told to “just be grateful”
💬 The healing power of trauma-informed therapy and a validating OB
🌈 A second birth that brought the closure she never thought she’d find
🗣️ Why we must keep talking about traumatic births, because they leave lasting marks
Resources & Mentions:
🌐 Learn more about WPW and SVT in newborns: childrenshospital.org
📚 Birth Trauma Support: birthtraumamama.com/resources
📱 Follow along for more stories and support: @birthtraumamama
🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode resonated with you, made you feel seen, or helped you name your own story, please share, rate, and review. Your voice matters.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by licensed trauma therapist, author, and speaker Kobe Campbell for an honest, and deeply vulnerable conversation about her traumatic birth experience and the lifelong impact it’s had on her, her son, and her healing journey.
What began as a dreamy, hypno-birthing-fueled pregnancy quickly turned into a series of medical emergencies: preeclampsia, placental abruption, IUGR, a failed epidural, an emergency C-section, NICU transfers, and devastating relational trauma at the hands of dismissive and discriminatory providers. Kobe vulnerably shares the layers of grief, rage, and resilience she continues to navigate years later, along with the role EMDR, faith, and trauma-informed therapy have played in her recovery.
This conversation is a masterclass in naming the complexities of birth trauma, especially when compounded by racial bias, medical negligence, and a total lack of compassion.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
⚠️ How Kobe’s “dream birth” narrative met a brutal medical reality
📉 A shock preeclampsia diagnosis and abrupt transfer to a higher-level hospital
🫀 The missed diagnosis of her baby’s heart and liver malformations
🚨 The chaos and fear of an emergency C-section and her baby’s near-death
💉 A failed epidural, allergic reaction to morphine, and punctured dura
💬 Medical racism, microaggressions, and the emotional toll of being unheard
🧠 Why EMDR was transformative in processing birth trauma and childhood wounds
👣 The silent sisterhood of mothers still carrying what they were never allowed to name
💛 How Kobe shows up for new moms in her life now, with deep care and validation
🗣️ The cost of telling the truth about traumatic births in a world that demands gratitude
Resources & Mentions:
📘 Learn more about Kobe’s work: @kobe.campbell
📚 Trauma Support & Resources: birthtraumamama.com/resources
📖 Kobe’s book, Why Am I Like This? — A guide through faith and trauma healing
🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode moved you, please consider rating, reviewing, or sharing it. It helps other trauma survivors find the hope and validation they deserve.
Guest Bio:
Kobe Campbell is an award-winning licensed trauma therapist, bestselling author, media expert, entertainment consultant and keynote speaker. Kobe just released her first book with W Publishing of HarperCollins titled Why Am I Like This?: How to Break Cycles, Heal From Trauma, and Restore Your Faith.
With a kind, compassionate, and energetic spirit, she helps people find the truest versions of themselves under the pain that they’ve endured through therapy, intensives, speaking, retreats, and organizational training. Kobe specializes in working with clients in public-facing professions as they process their trauma in the midst of their creative work and public visibility.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this listener story episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Lauren, a writer and mom of two, who shares her powerful and vulnerable story of an unexpected and traumatic birth. After a smooth pregnancy and a well-prepared plan for an unmedicated delivery, Lauren’s labor took a sudden and intense turn involving prodromal labor, a failed epidural, vacuum-assisted delivery, and ultimately, a shoulder dystocia that left both her and her baby in physical and emotional recovery.
From feeling dismissed by her doula, to processing the chaos and fear of delivery, to the quiet realization that what she experienced was, in fact, birth trauma, Lauren opens up about how she slowly pieced together her healing, with safe people, supportive providers, and her own learning.
She also shares how she approached her second birth with a different mindset, opting for a planned cesarean and giving herself the space to reclaim control, safety, and peace.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
📍 Why prodromal labor caught Lauren completely off guard
😞 Feeling dismissed and unsupported by her doula
🧠 The emotional whiplash of a birth that didn’t go “according to plan”
🚨 A failed epidural, vacuum-assisted delivery, and shoulder dystocia
💔 The complexity of bonding after a traumatic birth
🛠 How Lauren processed her trauma and found validation
📚 The impact of books, podcasts, and getting off social media
💡 A different approach to her second birth: planned C-section and true informed choice
🧷 Why healing doesn't have to look one way, and why the "middle ground" matters
📚 Resources & Mentions:
- Push Back: Guilt in the Age of Natural Parenting by Dr. Amy Tuteur
- Article on shoulder dystocia and trauma (coming soon!)
- Lauren’s writing on Substack: Live Learn Letters
- Follow Lauren on Instagram: @livelearnlauren
💬 Listener Note: This episode discusses medical trauma, shoulder dystocia, emergency interventions, and bonding difficulties. Take care as you listen.
🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and if Lauren’s story resonates with you, please share this episode, rate it, and leave a review—it helps others feel less alone.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode we are joined by Ana Lepe Vick, a fierce advocate, educator, and bereaved mother to share her journey through loss, trauma, and relentless advocacy. Ana opens up about the stillbirth of her son, Owen, after a textbook pregnancy, and the long, heartbreaking road of unanswered questions, birth trauma, and healing that followed.
She brings us into the world of advocacy she co-created through Push for Empowered Pregnancy, a movement working to prevent stillbirth through awareness, policy change, and provider education.
Ana reminds us that grief and trauma don’t end in the hospital and that motherhood, in all its forms, doesn’t either.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
👶 Ana’s birth story with Owen and the lack of answers that followed
🗣️ Why she’s speaking out: “I’m still his mother. I’ll never stop talking about him.”
📉 The shockingly low awareness and training around fetal movement and stillbirth
🎗 How Ana co-founded Push for Empowered Pregnancy and turned grief into action
📣 Behind the scenes of advocating on Capitol Hill and passing prevention legislation
🍼 What every parent should know about counting kicks and recognizing fetal movement changes
📊 Why third-trimester ultrasounds and cord/placenta checks are critical and often missed
🧠 The ongoing trauma of stillbirth for both mothers and partners
💪 Ana’s message to every parent: “This is how I mother my son. By fighting for yours.”
Resources & Mentions:
🔗 Push for Empowered Pregnancy: pushpregnancy.org
🎬 Push Documentary: stillnessisanillness.com
📱 Ana’s Instagram: @stillmyson
📱 Follow the movement: @pushpregnancy
📲 Kick counting app: Count the Kicks
🧾 Consensus Statement on Fetal Movement: Available on Push Pregnancy’s website
Guest Info:
Ana Lepe Vick is a bilingual Latina maternal health advocate based in North Carolina who is a Co-Founder and Director of Communications for PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy. After the unexpected stillbirth of her son Owen, Ana spent five years searching for answers—until a placental pathologist uncovered the cause, igniting her mission to help other babies have a safe arrival. Through PUSH, Ana leads national awareness campaigns, advocates for policy change from North Carolina to Capitol Hill, and works to ensure all families—regardless of language, background, or location—have access to evidence-based stillbirth prevention tools. She also serves as the Latinx Influencer Advisor for Count the Kicks and speaks openly about grief, mental health, paid family leave for loss moms and the urgent need to improve maternity care in the U.S.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Francine and Matt for an emotional retelling of their son’s birth, a story that began with a calm, well-planned birth center experience and ended in a series of life-threatening emergencies, including a transfer to the hospital, an emergency C-section, a postpartum hemorrhage, and an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE).
With honesty, heartbreak, and even humor, Francine and Matt walk us through their experience of navigating a medical system that left them unsupported, uninformed, and at times, in the dark. Francine shares what it was like to lose nine days of memory after nearly dying in the ICU, and Matt shares what it felt like to be the sole caregiver to their newborn while fearing he might lose his wife.
This conversation is an important reminder of how critical communication and advocacy are and how families carry these experiences long after leaving the hospital.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🚼 Why Francine and Matt chose a birth center
⚠️ The early red flags that were brushed off
🏥 The abrupt transfer to the hospital after 24 hours of stalled labor
💔 An emergency C-section and a hemorrhage that nearly cost Francine her life
🧠 Matt’s experience witnessing it all and being asked for consent during crisis
🫁 Francine’s terrifying memories of being intubated without proper sedation
🦴 The rare, painful aftermath: osteonecrosis from a tibial IO line
🗣️ How it felt to finally meet her baby, days after giving birth
📉 What happens when partners aren’t communicated with in crisis
💬 Why storytelling is such a crucial part of healing birth trauma
Resources & Mentions:
🌐 Learn more about Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE): www.afesupport.org
📚 Looking for support? The Birth Trauma Mama Resources Page: birthtraumamama.com/resources
📱 Follow along for updates and part two of Francine and Matt’s story
🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode moved you, helped you feel less alone, or gave you language for your own experience—please share, rate, and review. It makes a difference.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by licensed marriage and family therapist, Emilee Krupa, for a deep dive into ketamine-assisted therapy. With ketamine gaining attention for its use in treating trauma, depression, and anxiety, Emilee offers both expertise and clarity around what it really looks like when used intentionally and safely in a therapeutic setting.
Together, we unpack what ketamine is (and isn’t), the difference between infusions and assisted therapy, and how this medicine can be a powerful tool for those who feel like they’ve tried everything. This conversation is grounded, honest, and incredibly informative, not to promote a miracle cure, but to empower those curious about expanding their healing journey with the right information and support.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🧠 How ketamine-assisted therapy actually works in the brain
💊 The difference between infusions and guided therapy sessions
🪴 Why environment and preparation are everything for safety
⏳ What a typical protocol looks like (it’s not just one session)
📈 How ketamine can support healing for treatment-resistant depression
🌿 What the “integration window” is and how to make the most of it
⚠️ Red flags to look for when seeking a provider
💡 A reminder: this is not for everyone, and that’s okay
Resources & Links:
🌐 Learn more about Emilee’s practice: kouruwell.com
📖 Interested in training? Check out:
- Polaris Insight Center: polarisinsight.com
- Integrative Psychiatric Institute: psychiatryinstitute.com
📘 Book Mentioned: The Theradelic Approach by Sunny Strasburg
📱 Follow Emilee on Instagram: @emileekrupa
🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode opened your mind or brought you clarity, I’d be so grateful if you’d share it, rate it, and leave a review- it helps others find their way here.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In honor of Pride Month, this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast features a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Alejandra- a queer parent, birth trauma survivor, and passionate advocate for inclusive, affirming perinatal care. Alejandra shares about her family, their journey through infertility and IVF, and a traumatic birth experience involving preeclampsia, an emergency cesarean, a NICU stay, and a near-fatal postpartum hemorrhage.
Together, Kayleigh and Alejandra explore the intersections of identity, trauma, and healing. They shed light on the systemic challenges queer families often face in reproductive healthcare and the strength and resilience it takes to survive and thrive in the aftermath.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🌈 Navigating infertility and IVF as a queer couple during a biased medical process
🏥 Being misgendered and dismissed in hospital systems not built for queer families
🧠 The trauma of being awake during a life-threatening hemorrhage
🚨 Emergency cesarean, NICU separation, and the grief of missing early moments
💊 PTSD, postpartum depression, and the decision to pursue therapy, EMDR, and medication
💞 The power of chosen family, supportive partners, and affirming providers
📣 Why representation in birth trauma spaces matters
About Our Guest:
Alejandra is a queer parent raising their child with a trans partner and a chosen co-parent. She shares her story to expand representation, challenge systemic inequities, and foster more inclusive, compassionate spaces for trauma survivors.
Resources & Links:
🌐 Learn more and get support: thebirthtraumamama.com
📱 Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @birthtraumamama
👥 Join the Facebook community: Birth Trauma Support & Education
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this solo episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I share a personal journey preparing for and undergoing a simple procedure after experiencing significant birth trauma. What used to feel like an impossible task, stepping into a hospital, lying on a table, and surrendering control, became a moment of grounded confidence and self-advocacy. Drawing from both clinical knowledge and lived experience, I talk through the practical and emotional tools that helped me feel safe, empowered, and informed before, during, and after the procedure.
This episode is a roadmap for survivors looking to reclaim autonomy and reduce overwhelm in medical spaces that so often echo past trauma.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
📞 How to call ahead and communicate your trauma history
🧠 Triggers you might not expect, like smells, sounds, or wristbands
🪪 Why a “trauma card” can help advocate for you when you can’t
💬 What to say when you’re told “that’s not going to happen”
🛏️ Strategies for staying calm when your support person has to step out
💊 Options for sedation, medication, and anxiety management
🤝 Navigating dismissive or unkind staff and requesting someone new
🧘♀️ Grounding and coping tools to use before and during the procedure
💡 A reminder: you are allowed to ask for what you need
Resources & Links:
📝 Coming Soon: Downloadable Trauma History & Needs Card – birthtraumamama.com
🌐 Learn more: thebirthtraumamama.com
📱 Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @birthtraumamama
🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts. If this episode supported you, don’t forget to share it, rate it, and leave a review, it helps more survivors find this space.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this week's Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Arianne courageously shares her story of navigating a traumatic birth, a devastating postpartum complication, and the aftermath of nearly losing her life.
After an otherwise healthy pregnancy, Arianne went into labor at 34 weeks following a sudden and severe bleeding episode. What unfolded was a cascade of medical emergencies, including an emergency C-section, high blood pressure that was dangerously overlooked, and a second hospitalization for postpartum preeclampsia, all while parenting a NICU baby and moving into a new home.
As a Black woman, Arianne’s experience is a powerful and heartbreaking illustration of how maternal health disparities and gaps in care persist, and how community, vigilance, and one life-saving nurse's comment changed the trajectory of her story.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🩸 Arianne’s emergency birth experience at 34 weeks in an unfamiliar hospital
🏥 Navigating the chaos of a traumatic C-section without her own doctor
📉 The missed warning signs of severe postpartum preeclampsia
💡 The nurse who saved her life with a single follow-up suggestion
🚗 Juggling NICU visits, moving houses, and recovering from surgery
🧠 Grieving her near-death experience and processing trauma in real-time
💜 The strength it takes to survive and still be “in the thick of it”
Arianne’s story is a deeply moving reminder that healing doesn’t require closure, it requires truth, support, and the courage to speak up even when you’re still finding your way.
Resources & Support:
- Learn more about postpartum preeclampsia: preeclampsia.org
- Explore trauma-informed resources at: thebirthtraumamama.com
- Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @birthtraumamama
🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts and please share this episode with someone who needs to hear: You are not alone.
BirthTrauma #PostpartumPreeclampsia #MaternalHealthDisparities #BlackMaternalHealth #NICUMom #YouAreNotAlone #TraumaInformedCare #TheBirthTraumaMama
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Nicole McNelis, LPC, therapist, educator, and nationally recognized expert in maternal rage. Nicole shares how she became known as “the mom rage lady,” what maternal rage really is (and what it isn’t), and why so many perinatal trauma survivors experience it.
Together, Kayleigh and Nicole unpack the systemic, emotional, and trauma-related roots of maternal rage, reframing it not as a personal failure, but as a powerful, righteous signal that something in your environment isn’t working. Nicole offers a compassionate, evidence-based lens for understanding rage as a response to unmet needs, violated expectations, and the ongoing pressures of unsupported motherhood.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🔥 What maternal rage actually is—and how it differs from “anger”
💥 The cycle of rage: buildup, explosion, and aftermath
🧠 How trauma, powerlessness, and overstimulation fuel rage
💔 Guilt and shame in the aftermath, and how to work through them
🛠️ Coping strategies: somatic tools, curiosity over judgment, and self-compassion
🏡 The role of division of labor, mental load, and unsupported parenting
💬 How maternal rage can become a catalyst for individual & systemic change
📣 Why we must stop pathologizing rage, and start listening to what it’s trying to tell us
Key Quote:
“Mom rage isn’t a character flaw. It’s a warning signal. It’s saying: ‘I am overwhelmed, I am unsupported, and I’m doing my best to survive.’”
About Our Guest:
Nicole McNelis is a licensed mental health therapist and perinatal mental health counseling specialist. She is the founder of an award-winning counseling private practice in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – where she also resides with her family.
Passionate about supporting individuals through life transitions both big and small, Nicole helps her clients move through the overwhelm and exhaustion of juggling it all – all the time.
Nicole has been featured as a mental health expert in print publications, online media, books, and podcasts. Serving as a Subject Matter Expert and Conference Presenter for Postpartum Support International, Nicole is honored to serve the perinatal mental health community.
Resources & Links:
- Follow Nicole on Instagram: @therapist.mom.collective
- Learn more about Nicole's trainings and work: nicolemcnelis.com
- Explore trauma support at: thebirthtraumamama.com
- Read Nicole's Blog Post about Mom Rage ➡️ PSI Blog
- Want to participate in research about Mom Rage? ➡️ Rage Research Survey
💜 Trigger Warning: This episode discusses rage, trauma, mental health, and systemic inequities in motherhood. Please listen with care.
🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help us keep these critical conversations g
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this week’s Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Scarlett bravely shares her story a layered, and still-unfolding journey through birth trauma, postpartum hemorrhage, and complex pelvic floor injuries that continue to impact her life more than five years later.
She speaks candidly about the realities of:
🩸 Surviving a traumatic birth and emergency postpartum care
⚕️ Navigating misdiagnoses and medical dismissiveness
🏥 Undergoing reconstructive surgery, just days before COVID shut down elective procedures
💔 Living with an unresolved injury, even years later
💬 Parenting solo while healing, with her husband deployed and her newborn in tow
💡 Finding resilience, humor, and hope, even when she’s still “not fixed”
Scarlett’s story is a powerful reminder that healing is rarely linear and that you don’t have to wait until things are “resolved” to find strength, community, and joy again. Her voice offers profound validation for those still in the thick of it, especially those living with ongoing pelvic floor injuries, postpartum complications, or unrecognized trauma.
Resources & Support:
- Solace for Mothers (formerly OSI) — support for survivors of obstetric injuries
- The Birth Trauma Mama – therapy, resources, and community
- Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @birthtraumamama
💜 Trigger Warning: This episode includes graphic details of birth trauma, hemorrhage, pelvic injury, and surgical complications. Please listen with care.
🎧 Available now wherever you get your podcasts.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this re-release, Kayleigh revisits one of the most listened-to solo episodes of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast: a personal and validating exploration of what it means to struggle with bonding after a traumatic birth.
We’re often told that the “golden hour” will be the most magical moment of our lives, that love will overflow the second our baby is placed on our chest. But for many trauma survivors, that moment never comes. Instead, we're left navigating guilt, shame, and confusion about why bonding didn’t look the way we were told it would.
Drawing from her own experience waking up in the ICU days after birth, Kayleigh speaks honestly about what it’s like to feel disconnected from your baby, how grief and trauma interrupt bonding, and why delayed connection doesn’t make you a bad parent.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
💔 The myths of the “golden hour” and the pressure to bond immediately
🧠 How birth trauma, ICU stays, and NICU separation impact bonding
💬 The internal dialogue so many parents carry: “What’s wrong with me?”
🍼 Gentle, practical ways to support connection, when you’re ready
🧘 Why delayed bonding is common, valid, and not your fault
💜 Hope for healing and the reminder that bonding is built over time
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt alone in their struggle to connect and needs to hear that they are doing better than they think.
Resources & Support:
- Visit thebirthtraumamama.com for more support
- Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @birthtraumamama
- Therapy, community, and trauma-informed care for survivors
🎧 Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts, and please share with a friend or parent who might need this message. You are not alone.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful Listener Series episode, we sit down with Allison, a dedicated labor and delivery nurse whose own experience as a health care provider turned her world upside down. As an L&D nurse who spent her days supporting others through birth, Allison never imagined she would experience trauma firsthand on the other side of the bed.
Allison's story highlights the unique challenges of health care worker trauma and the long path to reclaiming safety, identity, and healing after trauma.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The emotional complexity of processing trauma in the workplace
- The disconnect between clinical knowledge and lived experience
- How birth trauma impacts nurses differently, and similarly, to patients
- The path to mental health support and advocacy after trauma
Whether you’re a birth worker, a trauma survivor, or someone seeking to better understand the emotional layers of maternal health, this episode will leave you feeling seen, informed, and deeply moved.
💛 Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of stillbirth, birth trauma and medical emergencies. Please care for yourself while listening.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this Mini Series episode, I dive into a nuanced conversation around gratitude practices for perinatal trauma survivors. While gratitude can be a powerful tool for healing, it often becomes complicated when paired with the experiences of trauma, grief, and loss.
Whether you’ve felt pressure to “just be grateful” or are searching for ways to reconnect with yourself and your story, this episode offers validation and actionable insight.
🔑 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
- The challenges of embracing gratitude after birth trauma
- Why traditional gratitude practices can feel dismissive for survivors
- How to reframe gratitude to honor your trauma and truth
- Making space for both/and: joy, pain, grief, and healing
- Giving yourself permission to feel your full experience
📲 Connect & Learn More:
- Follow Kayleigh on Instagram: @thebirthtraumamama
- Join the community at thebirthtraumamama.com
- Explore resources for birth trauma survivors and trauma-informed care
If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend or leave a review to help others find this supportive space. 💜
Pugach CP, May CL, Wisco BE. Positive emotion in posttraumatic stress disorder: A global or context-specific problem? J Trauma Stress. 2023 Apr;36(2):444-456. doi: 10.1002/jts.22928. Epub 2023 Mar 29. PMID: 36987701; PMCID: PMC10101918.
Korem N, Duek O, Ben-Zion Z, Kaczkurkin AN, Lissek S, Orederu T, Schiller D, Harpaz-Rotem I, Levy I. Emotional numbing in PTSD is associated with lower amygdala reactivity to pain. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2022 Oct;47(11):1913-1921. doi: 10.1038/s41386-022-01405-2. Epub 2022 Aug 9. PMID: 35945274; PMCID: PMC9485255.
Litz BT, Litz BT, Gray MJ. Emotional Numbing in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current and Future Research Directions. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry. 2002;36(2):198-204. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1614.2002.01002.x
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this week’s Listener Series episode, I sit down with Megan to explore the layered and emotional journey of holding both immense gratitude and deep grief. After years of infertility, a traumatic ectopic pregnancy, and two rounds of IVF, Megan finally became pregnant with her miracle baby, but her story didn’t end there.
What followed was a high-risk pregnancy marked by preeclampsia, a NICU stay, and a traumatic C-section that left Megan under general anesthesia, missing the birth of her son. In this powerful conversation, Megan shares the duality of her experience, the joy of finally becoming a parent, and the trauma of how it unfolded.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🩺 Megan’s IVF and infertility journey
💔 The trauma of a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy
⚠️ Developing preeclampsia and being hospitalized at 34 weeks
🩻 An emergency C-section under general anesthesia after failed spinal and ketamine
👶 Meeting her baby in the NICU for the first time from a hospital bed
🧠 Processing PTSD, flashbacks, and ongoing triggers
💬 The importance of therapy, storytelling, and self-compassion in healing
🌈 What it’s like to consider future pregnancy after trauma
Resources Mentioned:
- Postpartum Support International
- The Birth Trauma Mama Support Resources
- Talk therapy, PTSD support, and NICU family support services
🎧 Tune in now wherever you listen to podcasts, and please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help more families feel seen, supported, and not alone. 💜
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Colleen Reichmann, clinical psychologist, eating disorder specialist, and founder of Wildflower Therapy. Together, we dive deep into the complex intersections of body image, eating concerns, infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and birth trauma.
Dr. Reichmann shares her professional expertise and personal journey navigating anorexia, infertility, and postpartum body changes, offering validation, compassion, and essential insights for anyone who has felt disconnected, angry, or let down by their body.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🌸 How control, body image, and trauma collide during pregnancy and postpartum
🌸 The emotional impact of infertility, loss, and complicated pregnancies on body trust
🌸 Normalizing feelings of anger, disappointment, and grief toward your body after trauma
🌸 The myth that “healing” means feeling 100% positive about your body
🌸 Why it’s okay to hold space for complicated emotions and imperfect relationships with our bodies
🌸 The importance of individualized, compassionate support (not one-size-fits-all solutions)
🌸 Strategies for navigating body image struggles during TTC, pregnancy, and postpartum
🌸 How trauma-informed care can change the postpartum experience
Resources Mentioned:
- Follow Dr. Colleen Reichmann: @drcolleenreichmann
- Wildflower Therapy: Wildflower Therapy Website
- Birth Trauma Support: The Birth Trauma Mama Website
🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!
Guest Bio:
Dr. Colleen Reichmann is a licensed clinical psychologist, practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She works in her private practice, Therapy for Eating Disorders and Body Image. She is recovered from an eating disorder, and this experience sparked her passion for spreading knowledge and awareness that recovery is possible. She is now an eating disorders specialist, and has worked at various treatment facilities including University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro Center for Eating Disorder Care, and The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt. She is an advocate for intersectional feminism, body liberation, fat positivity, and Health At Every Size.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this week’s Listener Series episode features a deeply moving and courageous conversation with Jocelyn. She shares her story of how a sexual assault in college—though years in the past—powerfully influenced her second birth experience, which unfolded into a traumatic emergency C-section under general anesthesia.
Jocelyn Rodal's experience highlights the devastating impact of being unheard, unprepared, and uninformed in moments of extreme vulnerability—and how a history of sexual trauma can resurface in the birthing room in ways that even well-meaning providers may not realize.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🔹 Jocelyn’s background and how her past sexual assault shaped her birth choices
🔹 A positive and healing first birth experience—and how it differed drastically from the second
🔹 A cascade of medical decisions and lack of communication that led to trauma
🔹 Being restrained, intubated, and operated on while still conscious
🔹 The emotional and physical aftermath of being dehumanized in the OR
🔹 How language like “we don’t allow” can strip away patient autonomy and retraumatize survivors
🔹 The long road of PTSD recovery and the role of therapy, debriefing, and validation in healing
This episode is a powerful reminder that birth is not just medical—it is deeply emotional and personal. Jocelyn’s story urges providers to communicate clearly, seek informed consent, and practice trauma-informed care, especially for survivors of sexual trauma.
Resources Mentioned:
- RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline
- Postpartum Support International
- Trauma-informed birth support and therapy directories available at thebirthtraumamama.com
Trigger Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of sexual trauma, medical restraint, and non-consensual procedures. Please take care while listening.
🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to support this essential conversation. 💜
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this deeply emotional and courageous Listener Series episode , Mandy shares her story- a story of medical trauma, sexual assault, domestic violence, birth trauma, and survival.
From a devastating hospitalization at the start of the pandemic to becoming pregnant through rape and surviving an abusive relationship during pregnancy, Mandy brings raw honesty and incredible insight into how trauma, resilience, and advocacy can co-exist.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🔹 Mandy’s life-threatening medical complications leading up to pregnancy
🔹 Discovering she was pregnant by rape while in an abusive relationship
🔹 Living through hyperemesis, preeclampsia, and a collapsing spine
🔹 How trauma-informed nurses helped her survive and find hope
🔹 Her C-section birth experience and postpartum challenges
🔹 Battling postpartum psychosis and fighting for her safety
🔹 Why her story is a call for compassionate, trauma-informed care in every step of the maternal health journey
Mandy’s voice is one of strength, vulnerability, and advocacy. She reminds us that two things can be true, we can live through immense trauma and still love our children, that no one story represents every path, and that everyone deserves the right to choose what’s best for their body, their baby, and their healing.
Resources & Support:
- Domestic violence & sexual assault support: RAINN, The Hotline
- Birth trauma resources: thebirthtraumamama.com
Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of sexual assault, domestic violence, substance use, and medical trauma. Please take care while listening. 💜
🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful and nuanced episode, I’m joined once again by Morgan Bradwell, LCSW, PMH-C, to explore the intersection between sexual trauma and perinatal trauma.
We discuss how past sexual trauma can shape the perinatal experience, increase the risk of birth trauma, and impact postpartum mental health, including rates of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Morgan draws from her clinical experience supporting survivors of sexual trauma and perinatal trauma to help us better understand how to support pregnant people with this history, whether you’re a provider, a partner, or navigating it yourself.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🔹 How Morgan’s clinical work with survivors of sexual trauma led her to perinatal mental health
🔹 The increased risk of perinatal trauma and postpartum PTSD for survivors
🔹 How medical systems and provider interactions can unintentionally retraumatize
🔹 Why trauma-informed care should be the standard for everyone, always
🔹 Scripts and strategies for survivors to advocate for their needs during pregnancy and birth
🔹 Actionable tools for partners and providers to offer safer, more supportive care
🔹 The power of healing, planning, and preparation to mitigate future trauma
⚠️ Content Warning:
This episode discusses sexual trauma, birth trauma, PTSD, and medical trauma. Please take care while listening and return to this episode when/if it feels safe enough for you.
Guest Bio:
Morgan is passionate about all things women’s health, trauma recovery, & maternal mental health. She is a firm believer that we all make sense in the context of what we’ve walked through, and that we all deserve villages of support as we navigate new seasons in life.
Morgan walks with women as they navigate anxiety, depression, major life transitions, grief, & trauma recovery. In addition to general women’s health concerns, as a certified perinatal mental health specialist she also works with a lot of women who are experiencing or have experienced postpartum depression/anxiety, pregnancy loss, infertility, birth trauma, NICU experiences, and adjustment struggles within parenthood. She practices from a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, and enjoys helping clients integrate their mind & their bodies in order to find the way out of survival mode.
Learn more about Morgan Bradwell
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this Listener Episode, I sit down with Priya as she shares her deeply personal and emotional journey through birth trauma, emergency medical interventions, and the unimaginable grief of losing her baby in the NICU. Priya opens up about experiencing a traumatic birth, the unexpected complications that followed, and the physical and emotional toll it took on her postpartum experience.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
- Priya’s birth trauma experience and emergency medical interventions
- Facing a postpartum hemorrhage and its impact on recovery
- Navigating the NICU stay and the heartbreak of infant loss
- PTSD, anxiety, and the mental health struggles that followed
- The emotional toll of grieving while recovering postpartum
- How Priya found support, advocacy, and resources to aid in healing
- Advice for those recovering from traumatic birth and infant loss
Priya’s story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and healing, tune in now to hear her journey and find support for your own. 💜
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
April is Cesarean Awareness Month, and we’re re-releasing this incredibly important conversation to spotlight the complexities, emotions, and real stories behind C-sections.
On this solo episode, Kayleigh is discussing all things c-section. She shares a few different studies highlighting the data on c-sections and PTSD, as well as how they compare to other modes of delivery. Kayleigh also touches on TOLACs and planned cesarean sections after birth trauma.
In this episode:
- Types of C-Sections
- C-Section and birth trauma
- Communication and Support as mitigating factors
- Delivery decisions after birth trauma (TOLAC v. planned c-section)
- C-Sections under general anesthesia
Studies Discussed:
Garthus-Niegel S, von Soest T, Knoph C, Simonsen TB, Torgersen L, Eberhard-Gran M. The influence of women's preferences and actual mode of delivery on post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth: a population-based, longitudinal study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014 Jun 5;14:191. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-191. PMID: 24898436; PMCID: PMC4053555.
Orovou E, Iliadou M, Chatzopoulou MT, Dagla M, Eskitzis P, Rigas N, Antoniou E. The Relation between Birth with Cesarean Section and Posttraumatic Stress in Postpartum Women. Maedica (Bucur). 2023 Dec;18(4):615-622. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.4.615. PMID: 38348064; PMCID: PMC10859197.
Rowlands IJ, Redshaw M. Mode of birth and women's psychological and physical wellbeing in the postnatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Nov 28;12:138. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-138. PMID: 23190575; PMCID: PMC3533875.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
Why This Episode Matters: C-sections are the most common major surgery performed on women, yet they’re often misunderstood and under-supported. Whether you're a birthing parent, a partner, a provider, or a friend—this episode offers insight and empathy that can shift how we talk about and hold space for C-section experiences.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I sit down with a Victoria, a midwife to explore the complexities of birth trauma from a provider’s perspective. Together, we discuss the emotional and physical impact of traumatic births, how midwives support birthing people through these experiences, and the importance of trauma-informed care in maternity settings.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How midwives approach birth trauma and support their clients
- The role of informed consent and shared decision-making in reducing trauma
- Practical advice for navigating the postpartum period after a traumatic birth
- How providers can cultivate a compassionate and trauma-sensitive approach to care
Resources:
- C Section Walkthrough Audio
- csectionuk.com
- Follow csectionuk on instagram: @csectionuk
Guest Bio:
With over a decade of experience as a Midwife, and educator and now leading the award winning C-sectionUK, It would be fair to say that Midwife Vic is pretty passionate about helping women achieve the birth that is right for them, and on their terms. Vic’s 130,000 strong social following, has been testament to the huge interest and need that women have for comprehensive, professional-led information for their c-section journeys.
“Whilst the conversation around the increasing rates of c-section births goes on ( which is important) , women are being left feeling unsure what their options are for c-section birth and importantly, how to recover. I really wanted to remove some of that fear, and validate and support c-section parents when they needed it most. There really are very practical, tangible things that will change everything for c-section parents - so we started talking about it! Before we knew it, we created a movement that is now reaching women across the globe”
While Midwife Vic dedicates most of her time to raising awareness for c-section care and education, she also works closely with programmes such as the World Health Organisation’s Fides programme challenging medical misinformation online, and sits on the advisory board for The Practicing Midwife. She continues to work clinically in the public sector periodically, but much of her clinical practice is now dedicated to working with clients privately, and through teaching digitally. Vic also works with pregnancy and birth brands, consulting on campaigns as well as creating content that aligns with her values.
Her mantra is knowledge is power, and she is determined to empower as many women as she can.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I sit down with Jenna, an ICU nurse and fellow Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) survivor. Jenna shares her harrowing birth experience, the life-saving interventions she received, and the long road to recovery.
We discuss:
💔 The shocking moment Jenna realized something was very wrong after birth
🚨 Her rapid decline & emergency medical response
🩸 Being diagnosed with AFE, intubated, and placed on ECMO
🦵 The unexpected vascular complications & multiple surgeries that followed
💜 How Jenna navigated postpartum, physical recovery & mental health struggles
🏃♀️ The incredible progress she’s made, learning to walk again & reclaim her life
Jenna’s journey is unimaginable, yet she speaks with raw honesty, resilience, and even humor. This episode is a must-listen for anyone impacted by birth trauma, critical illness, or navigating life after a near-death experience.
Resources Mentioned:
🌐 AFE Foundation & Support Resources
📚 Free CEU Course for Healthcare Providers on AFE Management
📑 AFE Survivor & Family Support Guides
Jenna’s story is a testament to the strength of survivors and the importance of raising AFE awareness.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
March 27th marks Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Awareness Day, a time to honor the lives affected by this rare but life-threatening complication. In this special episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we take a deep dive into what AFE is, how it happens, and what can be done to improve survival rates.
In this episode, we discuss:
🩸 What is AFE? Understanding this sudden and unpredictable complication
⚕️ Symptoms & Diagnosis: How AFE presents and why it’s difficult to diagnose
🚨 Emergency Response & Treatment: The critical importance of rapid medical intervention
📉 Risk Factors & Research Gaps: What we know (and don’t know) about AFE prevention
💜 Support for Survivors & Families: Resources for those impacted
AFE is rare—affecting about 1 in 40,000 births—but its impact is devastating. The best way to save lives is through awareness, preparedness, and research funding.
Resources Mentioned:
🌐 AFE Foundation & Support Resources
📚 Free CEU Course for Healthcare Providers on AFE Management
📑 Simulation Toolkit & Emergency Guides for Medical Teams
📞 24/7 AFE Hotline for Medical Teams Managing Suspected Cases
AFE survivors, grieving families, and medical professionals—this episode is for you. Let’s continue to raise awareness and push for better understanding, treatment, and support.
🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this powerful Listener Series episode, Courtney shares her deeply personal journey through birth trauma, miscarriage, and healing. From navigating unexpected medical challenges to advocating for herself in the face of systemic failures, her story is one of resilience, grief, and ultimately, self-discovery.
On this episode, you will hear:
💔 Facing childbirth with a history of trauma & medical anxiety
💔 The emotional toll of low platelets & losing control over pain management
💔 A traumatic induction experience & feeling unheard by medical providers
💔 The devastating experience of miscarriage & lack of support
💔 Giving birth alone during COVID & the lasting impact of isolation
💜 The long-term effects on mental health, marriage, and self-identity
💜 Finding healing through therapy, new passions, and self-exploration
Courtney’s journey reminds us that birth trauma is not just about what happens physically, it’s about how we are treated, heard (or not), and supported in our most vulnerable moments.
Resources Mentioned:
- Postpartum Support International (PSI)
- EMDR & Trauma Therapy Information
- Ep. 2: Birth Trauma, the Brain, & How We Heal
💜 If this episode resonates with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. You are not alone.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
Searching for a therapist after experiencing birth or perinatal trauma can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this special mini-series episode, we break down exactly how to find a therapist who is trained in both perinatal mental health and trauma, so you can get the support you deserve.
In this episode, we cover:
🔹 The best qualifications & trainings to look for in a therapist
🔹 Why both perinatal mental health & trauma training matter
🔹 Where to search for a specialized therapist (PSI, Touchstone, & more)
🔹 What questions to ask in a free consultation
🔹 How to tell if a therapist is the right fit for you
We also touch on realistic options if you don’t have access to a highly specialized provider, because at the end of the day, a strong therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in healing.
Resources Mentioned:
- Postpartum Support International (PSI) Directory
- Touchstone Institute Therapist Directory
- Ep. 134: When Therapists Cause Harm
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
A special and highly requested rerelease -
Dr. Vibha Mahendra, a board-certified Obstetric Anesthesiologist, joins me on this episode to discuss anesthesia options during labor and delivery and why they are sometimes ineffective, potentially leading to trauma for the patient. Dr. M also provides insight into how providers can problem-solve these pain relief issues and communicate with patients in a way that mitigates trauma. This was such an insightful conversation and I think does a great job educating the patient in a way that puts them in a better position to advocate or communicate with their support people to advocate for pain relief.
On this episode, you will hear:
-What is OB Anesthesia?
-What’s in an epidural?
-Differences between a spinal block and an epidural
- Why are some epidurals ineffective?
- What happens when there is an ineffective spinal during a c-section?
- The decision to convert to general anesthesia and why some doctors delay
- Is it necessary to be restrained during c-section?
Guest Bio:
Vibha Mahendra, MD is a board-certified Obstetric Anesthesiologist, public health advocate, educator, and founder of SafePartum. Dr. Mahendra is passionate about improving maternal care by directly engaging and empowering all healthcare providers who care for pregnant patients, in a way that aligns with their practice environment and profession. Her professional interests span all of high-risk pregnancy, but she especially loves Obstetric Critical Care and Cardio-Obstetrics!
Visit https://www.safepartum.com/academy for more resources on the management of high-risk conditions in pregnancy, labor & delivery, and postpartum.
Safe Partum also has an upcoming OB Critical Care & Emergencies Course!
Here is a link to the registration page to learn more about and sign up for this incredible course coming in September. https://fun-acorn-864.myflodesk.com/
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this deeply moving episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Joni shares her raw and powerful birth story—one filled with unexpected turns, systemic failures, and unimaginable strength. From an intense labor experience to a traumatic C-section where she felt the surgery, Joni walks us through the emotional and physical aftermath of her birth and the complex journey of processing trauma while embracing new motherhood.
On this episode, you will hear:
💜 The impact of unplanned and traumatic C-sections
💜 What happens when medical records fail to reflect a patient’s reality
💜 How systemic hospital failures affect birth trauma survivors
💜 The emotional weight of meeting your baby after birth trauma
💜 The power of reframing and finding support in recovery
Joni’s vulnerability and insight remind us that birth trauma is real, valid, and worthy of compassionate conversation. If you’ve experienced anything similar, you are not alone.
Resources & Support:
- Episode on Pain Management in Birth with Dr. Vidhya Mahendra
- Connect with birth trauma specialists & support communities
- More episodes & resources at thebirthtraumamama.com
If this episode resonates with you, please leave a review and share it with someone who might need to hear it. 💜
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome Marlie Willer, an experienced trial lawyer whose practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on obstetrical negligence and maternal health rights. She recognizes the gaps between the injuries suffered by mother and babies and the limited legal options available to them. Marlie discusses with us in detail what it means to decide to pursue litigation after birth trauma and birth injury. There is so much to learn in this episode and Marlie and her expertise is so incredibly helpful and validating.
On this episode, you will hear:
-
Marlie's journey into law and her speciality
-
importance of advocacy in birth injury law
-
client intake process
-
navigating the legal process in birth injury law
-
assessing cases: factors and challenges
-
determining liability and causation
-
understanding causation in medical negligence
-
the fear of frivolous lawsuits
-
the impact of administrative policies on care
-
systemic failures in medical negligence
-
common themes in birth injury cases
-
the nuances of medical records
-
deciding to pursue legal actions
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome Kris to share her story. Kris offers us a unique perspective of experiencing generational birth trauma. Kris' mother passed away at 3 days old, and she shares with us her own birth trauma with her second pregnancy with her son Logan - who is now 23. After years of healing and putting in the work for it, Kris shares about what it is like to be 20+ years removed from your birth trauma and how important it is to speak out your trauma and not be small in your story. We hope this episode gives hope to you wherever you are in your healing journey.
On this episode, you will hear:
-
generational birth trauma
-
placenta previa
-
emergency birth while husband was deployed and navigating military base rules
-
preeclampsia at 28 weeks, edema and transfusions
-
3 month NICU stay with necrotizing enterocolitis, 9 neonatal surgeries and a hospital transfer
-
processing trauma even if it is many years later
-
trauma impacting more than just the birth parents and child
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This week, we are releasing a new mini series episode. We are breaking down a little how-to for preparing for medical appointments after birth trauma. There is a possibility of so much activation, fear, and anxiety in medical appointments after you have experienced birth trauma, so I am going to talk you through it and break down a long-term prep for a medical appointment, what that can look like and what the before, during and after process is. If medical appointments after birth trauma is a challenging thing to navigate, remember you aren't alone in it and you can give yourself self-compassion as you are in your healing journey.
On this episode, you will hear:
-
preparing for medical appointments after birth trauma
-
coping strategies for medical appointments
-
post-appointment reflection and self-compassion
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's listener story, we are doing a special rerelease with Hannah's story. Hannah and her wife had a fairly healthy pregnancy but she experienced what she refers to as serial complications during and after the birth of their daughter.
Things you will hear on this episode:
- Induction and long labor
- 3B tear due to a laceration
- Struggling to bond
- Breastfeeding challenges
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Postpartum Depression
- Small bilateral pulmonary emboli
- Developing mastitis and a UTI
- postpartum D&C
- Experiencing CDIF postpartum
- Finding a birth trauma therapist
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On today's episode, we are talking about provider trauma. This is a topic that we are incredibly passionate about and I think this plays an intricate role in birth and perinatal trauma and our ability to prevent it. We are specifically talking about any health care worker in the labor and delivery, obstetric and NICU/ICU space - essentially anyone involved in one's care during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. This is such a personal topic, as I share how my team made space to process the trauma they experience with my AFE and Cal's birth.
In this episode, you will hear:
-
understanding provider trauma
-
the impact of provider trauma on patient care
-
addressing provider trauma in healthcare systems
-
creating supportive environments for providers
Resources:
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week’s episode, we welcome Nandi as she bravely shares her story of love, loss, and healing. Nandi opens up about her first pregnancy with her son, Kiran Jude, whose life was tragically cut short by a brain bleed just three days after birth in the NICU. She also reflects on the birth of her daughter, a journey that resulted in an emergency C-section and a hysterectomy due to her blood disorder, Factor VII Deficiency. With courage and vulnerability, Nandi speaks about navigating the depths of grief, the deafening silence that accompanies it, and the ways she continues to heal, by lovingly speaking Kiran Jude’s name and honoring his memory every day.
On this episode, you will hear:
-
navigating pregnancy with health challenges and birth complications
-
infant loss in the NICU
-
Factor VII Deficiency
-
trauma and resilience
-
the deafening silence of grief
-
subsequent birth resulting in a c-section and hysterectomy
-
coping mechanisms and support
-
honoring Kiran's memory
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
A special rerelease - Rachel Wright, LMFT, shares about the impact of birth and birth trauma on sex and intimacy. She answers all of your questions related to navigating intimacy and sex with a partner and yourself after birth trauma. This is a must-listen-to episode full of wonderful nuggets and concrete suggestions for approaching intimacy after birth trauma.
In this episode you will hear:
- Communicating needs and boundaries with your partner
- Approaching/initiating intimacy after birth trauma
- Intimacy and pleasure outside of sex
- Planning out intimacy with yourself and your partner
- Body image concerns after birth trauma is it relates to intimacy
- The impact of physical changes on intimacy and pleasure
Guest Bio:
Rachel Wright, MA, LMFT (she/her) is a distinguished psychotherapist and renowned speaker with expertise in modern relationships, mental health, and sex. Her mission is to help people live happier, healthier lives by providing insights and practical advice in a relatable and engaging way.
With a Master’s Degree in clinical psychology, Rachel has worked with thousands of clients worldwide, earning a reputation for her empathetic and humorous approach. Her message has resonated with audiences on stages across the globe, as well as on her podcast, The Wright Conversations - A Podcast About Sex, Relationships, & Mental Health.
Rachel is also a seasoned educator and coach, having created the virtual workshop series What You Wish You Learned in School: Sex Ed and co-produced and hosted a show at Green Room 42 in NYC called “One Night Stand: A Night for Sexier & Healthier Broadway.” She was also SHAPE Magazine’s Sex + Relationships Coach and is currently one of mindbodygreen’s article review experts.
As a widely recognized mental health and relationship expert, Rachel has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, PIX 11 (NYC), Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan and NBC News Radio, among others. Rachel's personal touch, sense of humor, and deep empathy make her the perfect guide for anyone seeking to improve their mental health, relationships, and sexual well-being. Connect with Rachel on Instagram @thewright_rachel or visit her website www.rachelwrightnyc.com to learn more.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's Listener Series, we welcome Staci, who shares her journey through a challenging pregnancy. Early on, a routine prenatal appointment took a dramatic turn when Staci was rushed to the hospital for an emergency cerclage procedure. To protect her pregnancy, she was placed on strict bedrest—a marathon of patience. Complicating matters further, Staci and her family had to relocate to Oklahoma to access the specialized prenatal care covered by their Cherokee Nation insurance plan.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Transitioning care and Cherokee Nation Insurance
- Emergency cervical cerclage placement
- Milestones and challenges
- NICU journey
- Emotional recovery and life after the NICU
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we are talking about the intersection of adoption and birth and perinatal trauma. We are joined by Gabbie Ryan, who has personal and professional experience in this. Gabbie was adopted from China at 18 months old to a white family in Minnesota. She is now a diversity equity and justice leader in the Twin Cities and specializes in adoptee self-discovery. Gabbie and I explore adoption practices and the idea of "coming out of a fog" as an adoptee. We hope you enjoy and learn something new in this episode - we are not demonizing all adoption, but we find it important to talk about the realities of adoption.
On this episode, you will hear:
- understanding different types of adoption and the profit motives in adoption
- Gabbie's personal adoption story
- cultural identity
- "coming out of the fog"
- reunion and discovery of birth family
- biological children and adoption
- adoption stories and fears
- understanding birth mothers
- support systems for adoptees
- advice for expecting adoptees
- guidance for adoptive parents
Guest Bio:
Gabbie was adopted from China at 18 months old to a white family in Minnesota. Gabbie is a diversity, equity and justice leader in the Twin Cities. She specializes in adoptee self-discovery, creating structures of support, and navigating white majority spaces. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with B.A.'s in Psychology and Family Studies and minors in Sociology and Business. She currently resides in Minnesota with her partner, child, and zoo of eight pets.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's listener episode, we welcome Sarah. Sarah shares her two birth experiences with us. Her first pregnancy resulted in an undetected infection and meconium aspiration, which led to her daughter's hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) diagnosis. Sarah also shares about her subsequent pregnancy and birth which she describes as part of her healing.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Maternal infection
- Meconium aspiration
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
- NICU journey
- Healing and support: finding community
- Second birth experience as redemptive
- Advocacy and intuition
You can find Sarah on Instagram: @Sarahber88
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this episode, we welcome Brianna Henderson, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Let's Talk PPCM and a certified patient family partner, patient advocate, doula, and a bestselling author.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Brianna's journey: from misdiagnosis to advocacy
- understanding postpartum cardiomyopathy
- the impact of family history on health
- navigating healthcare challenges
- the birth of Let's Talk PPCM
- survivor's guilt and advocacy
- empowering moms with knowledge
If you suspect you may be experiencing PPCM, you can request a BNP blood test from your obstetrician or your midwife.
If you are experiencing these symptoms during pregnancy or postpartum, please talk with your doctor to make sure these are not early signs of PPCM:
- rapid heartbeat palpitations
- nagging cough
- heavy chest pains
- excessive swelling specifically of the legs and feet
- excessive fatigue or tiredness during physical activities
- shortness of breath
- increased urination
Resources:
LetsTalkPPCM.org
You can find Brianna and her Let's Talk PPCM community on Instagram:
@letstalkppcm
@letstalkppcm_ceo
Guest Bio:
Brianna Henderson is the Founder and CEO of the Lets TalkPPCM nonprofit organization, a Certified Patient-Family Partner, Patient Advocate, Doula, and Best Selling Author. She is also a loving wife and mother of two children. She was deeply inspired to provide comprehensive prenatal and preventative education after surviving a missed diagnosis during her pregnancy and postpartum season. After recovering from her pregnancy-induced health condition and learning what took her sister's life, Brianna dedicates her time to ensuring that mothers and families are informed during the perinatal year. She fulfills her hearts' mission through professional doula support and
her non-profit organization.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome friends and colleagues, the Shrink Chicks - Jennifer Chaiken LMFT and Emmalee Bierly LMFT. Jennifer and Emmalee founded The Therapy Group and cohost the Shrink Chicks Podcast. In today's episode, we dicuss how to support a friend through a traumatic perinatal experience when you don't plan to have kids yourself. Emmalee and Jen share their own experience navigating this dynamic through Emmalee's infertility journey while best friends and business partners. This is such a heartfelt conversation full of some really important take-aways.
On this episode, you will hear:
- the shift from blank slate to authenticity in therapy
- navigating infertility: personal stories
- the role of relationships in therapy and personal life
- the complexity of grief and support in infertility
- finding the right support: therapists and friends
- the search for solutions: grief, healing, and acceptance
- the illusion of control in motherhood
- navigating support in infertility
- the importance of open communication
You can find and follow Jennifer and Emmalee on Instagram: @shrinkchicks
Guest Bios:
Jennifer and Emmaleefounded The Therapy Group (Formerly The West Chester Therapy Group) in 2014. They recognized that all human beings could benefit from therapy, but many kept themselves from the experience. They dedicated ourselves to creating a unique therapeutic environment that would open therapy up to even the most skeptical.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's Listener Series, we welcome Julia. Julia was induced at 38 weeks due to gestational hypertension. A routine delivery turned terrifying, when Julia suddenly became unresponsive. What followed was a litany of complications landing Julia and her baby in the ICU and NICU, and still to this day with an uncertain diagnosis. She shares with us the process of bringing home a NICU baby after a significant trauma and what her healing journey has been like.
On this episode, you will hear:
- labor complications and emergency response
- NICU experience and family dynamics
- second opinions and diagnosis
- navigating an ICU experience
- bonding journey after ICU and NICU experience
- the stress of bringing home a NICU baby
- finding healing and community support
You can find and follow Julia on Instagram: @julia.omick
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On Today's episode, Kayleigh shares her own journey with coming to accept their family of three over the past 5 years.
In this episode:
- Positives of having an only child
- Fears about having an only child
- Making the decision to have an only child
- Acceptance and Grief of your family looking different than you imagined.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this special listener series episode, we follow up with Erica. We shared Erica's story over 2 years ago and many listeners have asked us to follow up on her story now. The first part of her story can be heard on these previous episodes: Part 1 & Part 2. Erica shared her experience with the loss of her daughter Verity and was pregnant after that loss during our second recording. This time around, Erica catches us up on her second birth experience and how things are now.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Navigating postpartum challenges
- Understanding postpartum anxiety and OCD
- The complexity of maternal emotions
- Support systems and societal expectations
- The role of medication and therapy
- Honoring grief while parenting
- Finding balance in parenting and healing
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome Erica Zaldivar, LMFT to join me in discussing when therapists cause harm. I posted a few weeks back in my Instagram stories asking you to share bad experiences with therapists and it received a ton of feedback. It was shocking to say the least. Erica and I wanted to do an episode on this topic to help others identify what is appropriate and what is not appropriate in a therapy setting and to provide validation and support to those who have unfortunately had these experiences. We hope you feel empowered by this episode.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Identifying red flags in therapy
- The importance of validation in therapy
- Understanding self-disclosure in therapy
- Navigating personal experiences as therapists
- The role of social media in therapy
- Navigating boundaries in therapy
- Recognizing harmful therapist behaviors
- The importance of communication in therapy
- Finding the right therapist
- Empowerment in therapy choices
Resources:
Open Path Collective
You can find and follow Erica Zaldivar on instagram: @ericazlmft
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's Listener Series episode, we welcome Alex. Alex had a scheduled c-section for her second birth experience. She experienced hemmorhaging, requiring an immediate D&C followed by an ICU stay. Alex eventually required transfer via helicopter to a city hospital for specialized treatment and dialysis. She spent 38 days away from her family. Alex was discharged on dialysis and shares what it was like to experience a life-changing diagnosis after a traumatic birth experience.
On this episode, you will hear:
- aHUS
- extended ICU stay
- dialysis
- hemorrhages
- D&C
- hospital transfer
- role of support systems during hospitalization
- finding strength in vulnerability
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Kimberley Johnson - a psychologist who works with clients with a range of maternal and reproductive health concerns, including PMADs, perinatal trauma and loss, infertility, and life-impacting gynecological conditions. Her research is primarily centered on childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions and intersections with mental health. In this episode, we talk about chronic pain and how it intersects with mental health and specifically in this community with perinatal trauma. Your pain is real and valid and as Dr. Johnson shares, pain being “all in your head” is actually true, but not because you’re making it up. Pain originates in our brain, so our key to working with chronic pain might just be there as well.
On this episode, you will hear:
- intersection of chronic pain and birth trauma
- understanding the biopsychosocial model
- the impact of birth injuries
- Kimberley's personal journey with chronic pain
- reframing pain: from danger to sensory experiences
- role of fear in pain perception
- redefining relationships with pain
- role of natural pathways in pain management
- building confidence in managing pain
- pain reprocessing therapy
- interconnectedness of pain and psychological wellbeing
You can find Dr. Kimberley on Instagram at @wildmatrescence or email her at drkimberleyjohnson@gmail.com!
Resources:
The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook
Guest Bio:
Kimberley Johnson completed her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Utah, predoctoral clinical internship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, and is now an NIH-funded postdoctoral fellow at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with complementary research and clinical interests. She works with clients with a range of maternal and reproductive health concerns, including PMADs, perinatal trauma and loss, infertility, and life-impacting gynecological conditions. Her research is primarily centered on childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries and conditions and intersections with mental health. In addition to enhancing evidence-based mental health treatment and resources for those impacted, she is passionate about improving patient-provider communication patterns surrounding birth-related trauma and injuries in the perinatal period. Alongside her professional work, she is the mother of two young children and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, camping, and Nordic skiing with her family.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week’s listener series episode, we welcome Brittney. Brittney shares her 2 birth trauma experiences with us. Due to Covid procedures, she was forced to deliver her first baby without her husband and her baby went to the NICU before she had a chance to see him. Her subsequent birth experience was also traumatic due to loss and a potential diagnosis in pregnancy, as well as postpartum complications. Brittney shares about the importance of healing and how trauma-informed care supported her healing journey..
On this episode, you will hear:
- Pregnancy challenges during COVID-19
- Induction and hospital policies
- Isolating birth experience
- C-section and advocacy in the birth room
- NICU experience and emotional turmoil
- Postpartum trauma and mental health
- Miscarriage
- Navigating a subsequent pregnancy and birth trauma experience
- Postpartum complications, anxiety, and recovery
- D&C due to retained placenta
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Lawren Honken - a board-certified OBGYN, certified menopause practitioner and a current integrative medicine fellow at George Washington University. We're tackling all things hormones after emergency hysterectomy.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Birth trauma and hysterectomy
- Understanding types of hysterectomy
- Impact of hysterectomy on hormones
- Clinical decisions in a hysterectomy
- Research on ovarian function post-hysterectomy
- Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause
- The role of hormone testing and challenges
- Navigating hormonal changes after surgery
- Finding qualified menopause practitioners
- The role, risks, and options of hormone replacement therapy
Resources:
Estrogen Matters by Arum Bluming, MD & Carol Tavris, PhD
You Are Not Broken by Kelly Casperson
The Menopause Society
You can follow Dr. Lawren Honken on Instagram: @yourfriendtheobgyn
Guest Bio:
Lawren Honken, MD, received her medical degree from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Augusta University Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we are rereleasing our Navigating the Holidays episode where Kayleigh talks about birth trauma and navigating the holidays. The holidays can be triggering for many whether its navigating an anniversary around the holidays or family members asking questions about your trauma or future family planning.
Things you will hear on this episode:
- navigating first holidays after trauma
- coping with an anniversary of birth trauma that falls around the holidays
- family conversations: establishing coping skills, support plans and boundaries
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's Listener Series episode, we welcome Libby to share her story with us. Libby experienced a missed miscarriage and then became pregnant again shortly after. Libby suffered a cord prolapse while still at home and was brought by ambulance to her hospital for an emergency c-section under general anesthesia. Libby shares how she has processed her trauma and started EMDR therapy in her subsequent pregnancy which helped her navigate a VBAC.
On this episode, you will hear:
- missed miscarriage
- cord prolapse
- emergency transport
- emergency c-section under general anesthesia
- NICU stay
- subsequent pregnancy and VBAC
- EMDR therapy
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome HeHe from Tranquility by Hehe, a doula and content creator in the birth education space. In this episode, we tackle the nuance of birth education, including how we approach conversations around birth education that support empowerment and autonomy while also leaving room for the unexpected - this is a complicated and sometimes messy conversation but we really wanted to tackle it.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Understanding birth trauma
- Navigating healthcare provider relationships
- The role of inductions
- Finding balance in birth choices
- Empowering through birth education
- The importance of support systems
- Navigating social media and birth conversations
- Ideal maternity care and birth choices
You can follow HeHe on Instagram: @tranquilitybyhehe
Guest Bio:
Haley "HeHe" Stewart is the founder of Tranquility by Hehe Maternity Concierge, a company that helps birthing people manage their birth experience. She has a Master's degree in Human Development and Family Studies. HeHe started Tranquility by Hehe in 2016. She has learned how to support families going through NICU stays, and how to prepare clients for them. She has also witnessed the compassion and abuse that can occur in NICUs.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome Sarah to our Listener Series. Sarah has shared part of her story on our blog before. Today she tells us about her three separate birth traumas. Her first son was born at 30 weeks and had a NICU stay, her second son she had during COVID and she experienced postpartum preeclampsia and a stroke, and her third birth trauma she experienced shoulder dystocia and preeclampsia.
On this episode, you will hear:
- NICU stay
- pregnancy during COVID
- postpartum preeclampsia with a stroke
- shoulder dystocia
- navigating subsequent pregnancies
- therapy and healing process
- support systems and communities
- reflections on growth
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome back Dr. Frankie Harrison, clinical psychologist and co-founder of Miracle Moon UK. We talk all things NICU and health anxiety. Frankie and her co-founder also run an incredible community called The NICU Space, providing all things support for NICU parents and really facilitating that connection that so many people are craving after a NICU experience and birth trauma.
On this episode, you will hear:
- understanding health anxiety
- the impact of NICU on parental anxiety
- trauma and its connection to health anxiety
- coping strategies for health anxiety
- community support and resources for parents
- validating experiences and seeking help
Follow Frankie and her work with the NICU Space by Miracle Moon UK on instagram @miraclemoonuk or visit their website: miracle moon.co.uk
Guest Bio:
Dr. Frankie Harrison is a HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist and has been supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing for over 13 years.
Frankie qualified from her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Leicester in 2017 and has since worked in a number of different mental health settings and across the lifespan, however, currently specialises in supporting NICU parents, past, present and future.
Frankie's passion for helping parents who have been through neonatal care started after having her son prematurely due to Pre-eclampsia at 31 weeks in 2019.
She then decided that she wanted to use her skills as a Clinical Psychologist and her unique position of having combined lived experience to support other parents in a similar situation. This combination helps Frankie to really understand what NICU parents have been through; she has lived it and is able to support you through it.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we are changing things up and rereleasing one of our Listener Series episodes that we feel is critical to consider on the eve of the presidential election.
We welcome Kayla to share her story with us. Her first pregnancy and delivery with their daughter was traumatic after developing severe preeclampsia. On Mother's Day 2022, Kayla found out she was pregnant with their son Brooks. At their anatomy scan, Brooks was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, critical aortic stenosis, and several other heart defects that meant he would not survive delivery. With the recent abortion laws in the state of Idaho, Kayla and her family were put in the situation to seek abortion care out of state adding to the already traumatic diagnosis for their son.
On this episode you will hear:
- Challenges of accessing abortion care in the state of Idaho
- TFMR & navigating abortion care in a restrictive state
- The financial burden of having to travel out of state for care
- Advocacy for reproductive rights and abortion care.
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN. Dr. Dekker is the founder and CEO of Evidenced Based Birth. We discuss evidence-based birth and why we have such a gap between the research and actual practice in obstetrics.
On this episode, you will hear:
- what is evidence-based birth
- personal experiences shaping evidence-based birth
- researches and practices in labor and delivery
- evidence/practice gap in obstetrics
- preventing birth trauma through better practices
- the importance of communication in the medical setting
- empowering patients through consent
- navigating birth education and trauma
- advocacy skills for parents and healthcare workers
- systemic challenges in maternity care
Check out Evidence Based Birth HERE!
Follow them at @ebbirth
Guest Bio:
Dr. Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth(R). After earning her Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD in Nursing, Rebecca embarked on a career as a nurse scientist and teacher. In 2016, she left academia to become a full-time entrepreneur and consumer advocate for evidence based care. Rebecca lives in Lexington, Kentucky, where she and her husband Dan are raising three children and an assortment of pets. Babies Are Not Pizzas is her first book.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's listener episode, we welcome Kate. After a relatively uncomplicated IVF pregnancy, Kate went into spontaneous labor at full term and experienced a peaceful labor and delivery at the hospital. After her daughter was born, she suffered a postpartum hemorrhage and 3rd-degree uterine inversion. Kate shares with us her experience of waking up under paralytics and processing her feelings of both fear and gratitude as she navigated healing post-birth trauma.
On this episode, you will hear:
- PCOS, infertility and IVF
- third-degree tear and hemorrhage
- mass transfusion protocol and hypervolemic reaction
- 3rd degree uterine inversion
- uterine artery embolization
- the use of paralytics
- experiencing "final thoughts"
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we have another mini series episode! We are talking all things medical records and debriefs.
On this episode you will hear:
- understanding medical records
- process of requesting medical records
- the importance of debriefs
- empowering patients through effective communication
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode of our Listener Series, we are joined by Lynn. Lynn shares her infertility journey during COVID and her long labor which included a mag drip and retained placenta. She then required two readmissions within the first week home, eventually leading to (after lots of advocating) a diagnosis of PPCM. Lynn reminds us about the importance of advocating for yourself when something doesn't feel right, because you know your body best.
On this episode, you will hear:
- unexplained infertility
- IUI and IVF during COVID
- high blood pressure and magnesium drip
- retained placenta and tearing
- readmitted twice after discharge
- cardiology consult
- PPCM diagnosis
- seeking validation
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this episode, we are joined by Kara Kushnir, LCSW, PMH-C. Kara is a psychotherapist and founder and clinical director of her private practice - A Work of Heart Counseling in New Jersey. We talk about all things OCD and perinatal trauma, but we also highlight Kara's new book "Mama's Thoughts". We hope you enjoy today's episode and that these nuggets of info are helpful for you navigating OCD or perinatal trauma.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Intersection of OCD and trauma
- Understanding mental compulsions in OCD
- Effective treatments for OCD and trauma
- Perinatal trauma and OCD
- Acceptance and moving forward
You can follow Kara on Instagram @karakushnir_therapist
You can order Kara's book "Mama's Thoughts" HERE!
Guest Bio:
Kara Kushnir is a psychotherapist and founder of A Work of Heart Counseling & Wellness - a practice based in Northern NJ - as well as an Author and advocate for perinatal mental health, new families and children. When she is not in session with clients or advocating for policy change, you can find Kara training other therapists or with her husband and son relaxing, spending time outdoors and seeking to wind down. Kara brings a wealth of knowledge - both from professional and personal experience - to her work, and hopes to start conversations about maternal mental health to end the silence so many new moms suffer in.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's Listener Series episode, we welcome Megan. She shares with us about her first birth experience where she had a very unexpected crash c-section under general anesthesia. She was officially diagnosed with PPTSD and went through months of therapy and EMDR. She shares how her trauma ultimately led to two scheduled gentle c-sections that were very redemptive for her.
On this episode, you will hear:
- gestational diabetes and high risk pregnancy
- uterine groth restriction
- cesarian section under general anesthesia
- therapy and EMDR
- changing hospitals for subsequent pregnancies
- redemptive subsequent cesarian sections
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Nikki Pensak - a licensed clinical psychologist certified in perinatal mental health. Dr. Pensak is the author of "RATTLED" which discusses how to calm new mom anxiety with the power of the postpartum brain.
On this episode, you will hear:
- perinatal anxiety
- addressing mom guilt and shame
- managing anxiety and detaching from constant monitoring
- reframing "mommy brain" and embracing cognitive boosts
- the intersection of anxiety and trauma in motherhood
- the pressure to be a perfect parent and the importance of self-compassion
- validating and supporting mothers in their journey
You can find and follow Dr. Nikki Pensak on Instagram: @drnikkipensak
You can order her book RATTLED here!
Guest Bio:
Dr. Nikki Pensak received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from University of Rhode Island and completed her APA accredited internship and specialty training in behavioral medicine at Yale School of Medicine. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/ Harvard Medical School in psychiatric oncology and an NIH T32 fellowship at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Center in Aging and Palliative Care. As a Harvard and Yale-trained Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Pensak provides anxiety, depression, and trauma therapy that is empirically-based treatment that is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of each client.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This week's Listener Series episode, we welcome Claire. Claire is an LCSW and a Medical Social Worker in the oncology field. She shares with us her infertility journey, and her blissful pregnancy, and the quick turn of events into a traumatic birth. She shares vulnerably about her healing process and how important communication and accountability is in the recovery journey.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Infertility and IVF
- Guilt and challenges in the postpartum period
- The power of external validation and support
- The importance of repair and validation in the healing process
- Emotional and physical challenges in recovery
- The role of therapy in healing and the power of sharing stories
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On our first episode of the mini-series, we will be tackling a commonly asked about topic- How to find a new OBGYN after birth trauma.
What you'll hear:
- Where to search for new OBGYN practices
- How to decide on which practice OBGYN to choose
- What questions to ask
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener series episode, Jess shares the birth story of her daughter, the second of her four children. Jess’ birth was mostly uncomplicated until immediately following her delivery via csection when breathing became difficult and her heart rate skyrocketed. Jess’ heart was failing and her doctors scrambled to keep her alive. Through the use of ECMO and Impella, along with many other interventions and procedures Jess’ life was saved. She shares more about what lead to her heart failure and subsequent cardiac arrest along with her two subsequent pregnancies/births in this episode.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Retrograde amnesia
- High blood pressure in pregnancy
- Cardiac arrest and the use of Impella and ECMO
- Discovering a tumor and surgery following
- Subsequent c-sections and healing process
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
This week we welcome Dr. Jasmine, PharmD, PMH-C. Jasmine is a clinical pharmacist and a maternal mental health advocate. We talk all things only children and Jasmine's journey to making the decision to have an only child after her experience with postpartum depression. We dive deep into what it means to either have to make this choice or have this choice made for you and all the feelings and nuance wrapped up in having an only child, as well as the societal expectations and pressure and biases. I hope this episode is helpful and validating whether you are planning to have an only child or are still in the midst of making that decision.
On this episode, you will hear:
- the impact of postpartum depression and insomnia
- the journey to choosing an only child life
- navigating societal pressure and stereotypes
- grief and complex emotions in the decision-making process
- the nuance of the in-between space
- the impact of trauma and fear in decision-making
- the freedom of making a decision and prioritizing mental health
You can find and follow Jasmine on Instagram @pearlsofjasmine and follow her podcast as well @healingthetigress
Guest Bio:
Dr. Jasmine, PharmD, PMH-C, is a clinical pharmacist with a perinatal mental health certification (PMH-C)! She is also a podcast co-host of Healing the Tigress and has a blog where she shares insights on maternal mental health and travel as a coping skill. Her goal is to be as helpful as possible and to spread awareness that mental health is just as important as physical health. Jasmine is a proud mama of a little girl and also a proud survivor of postpartum depression and anxiety.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's Listener Series, we welcome Rachel to share her experience with us. Rachel had a high-risk pregnancy due to gestational diabetes and her son having an EIF on his heart. Her birth included several complications: severe reaction to IV pain medication, failed epidural, hours of pushing turned to an emergency vaccum-assisted birth, and a low Apgar score. With a history of stillborn births in her family, Rachel had high anxiety about how her birth was going to play out with being high-risk. Her son had to be taken to the NICU after birth for the first few hours, and Rachel shares about grieving not having the "Golden Hour" she was looking forward to.
On this episode, you will hear:
- severe morning sickness
- EIF on baby's heart
- Gestational Diabetes and Anxiety
- breeched baby
- failed epidural
- emotional toll and disappointment
- unsupportive nurses and missed opportunities
- DMER
- anxiety over baby's health postpartum
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Katie Taylor, Child Life Specialist and CEO & Founder of Child Life On Call - a support and resource provider to families & care teams through strategic partnerships with healthcare organizations. Child Life On Call enhances care & support with innovative, trauma-informed, and child life specialist-based solutions tailored ensure every family feels like an empowered part of the care team. We have such an interesting conversation around Child Life Specialists and the ways they can impact care for babies and children during medical challenges.
On this episode, you will hear:
- What is a child life specialist?
- Child life in the NICU
- Child life in pediatrics
- The power of play and validation
- Education and advocacy in child life specialists
- Supporting siblings of children with medical challenges
- Integrating child life practices into every day life
- Support Spot App
- The power of child-friendly language and validating emotions
- Advocating for pediatric-focused care and comfort measures
You can learn more about Child Life On Call by following their Instagram: @childlifeoncall and visiting their website.
You can also download the Support Spot App here.
Guest Bio:
Katie Taylor received her Bachelor of Arts at Penn State University and she did her practicum at Children’s National Medical Center. She did her internship at Inova Children’s Hospital and received a fellowship in Hem/Onc & Adolescent Medicine at Inova Children’s Hospital.
Katie has over 12 years of Clinical Experience in PICU, ER, Adult, Outpatient, Inpatient Services and is an international and national speaker on Child Life Services.
By leveraging technology, and putting education and support into an easy-to-use app, Katie Taylor found a way to empower patients, their families, and the care team, and expand access to child life services to people who needed it the most.
The key to better care is here, and it fits in the palm of your hand. Let me show you what the Child Life On Call app can do for you.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Kali Dayton, DNP, AGACNP. Kali is a critical care nurse practitioner and a podcast host as well as a consultant for critical care teams. Kali is passionate about the impact Awake and Walking ICUs can have on patient outcomes. As a birth trauma survivor who has experienced significant sedation in the ICU, I have been blown away by Kali and her expertise in this area. There is so much that we are still learning about sedation and the long-term physical and psychological impacts it can have on patients. Kali provides incredible insight into these concerns and ways we can move forward to ensure best practices to help reduce patient trauma.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Sedation culture in the ICU
- Fear and hesitation around awake patients in the ICU
- Delirium and traumatic experiences in the ICU
- Impact of sedation on brain function
- Cognitive and physical impairments after ICU stays
- Understanding delirium and post-ICU dementia
- Exceptions to sedation and immobility
- Minimizing the use of delirogenic medications
- Resources for implementing change in ICU practices
Follow Kali on Instagram for more information about her specialty and her podcasts: @daytonicuconsulting
Guest Bio:
Kali Dayton, DNP, AGACNP, is a critical care nurse practitioner, host of the Walking Home From The ICU and Walking You Through The ICU podcasts, and critical care outcomes consultant. She is dedicated to creating Awake and Walking ICUs by ensuring ICU sedation and mobility practices are aligned with current research. She works with ICU teams internationally to transform patient outcomes through early mobility and management of delirium in the ICU.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode, Kayleigh is joined by Nikki Wilson of Make Birth Better, a UK organization that was created to end the suffering from birth trauma. Make Birth Better provides support, training, and campaigning related to both birth and vicarious trauma. We dive into a lot of advocacy and awareness in this discussion as well as hearing about Nikki's own personal experience of how she came to be in this space.
On this episode, you will hear:
- support, training, and advocacy for better birth experiences
- taking a systematic approach to prevent and treat birth trauma
- addressing birth trauma in marginalized groups
- importance in validating and understanding traumatic experiences
- bridging the gap: empathy and understanding
- shared goals: better outcomes for all
- preventing and mitigating birth trauma
You can find more information about Make Birth Better by following them in Instagram: @birthbetter
Guest Bio:
Nikki has a strong passion for driving social change. Her third sector career has focused on solving strategic challenges and building organisations from scratch including Make Birth Better, 10 of zen, Wings for Life UK and Read International. Nikki runs the ship and shapes the strategy for Make Birth Better and her deep drive comes from her lived experience of birth trauma.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's Listener Series, we are joined by Sami - an elementary school classmate of Kayleigh's. Kayleigh and Sami reconnected in 2020 because of birth trauma. Sami shares about her pregnancy and birth experience during the height of COVID and how it took an unexpected turn with a diagnosis of Vasa Previa required a hospital admission at week 30 until her baby way born. She shares about her unexpected diagnosis, the impact of COVID on antepartum admissions, particularly as an immunocompromised patient and her son's NICU stay.
On this episode, you will hear:
- The challenges of birth trauma during COVID-19
- Vasa Previa
- Isolation and fear in the hospital
- Living with hypervigilance and anxiety
- Challenges and complications during an unexpected c-section
- NICU stay during COVID-19
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode, we dive into all things parenting after birth trauma. This is a topic that continues to come up in our space, especially as we see our kids getting older. This is a HUGE topic, but we hope this brief overview provides some insight and perspective.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Parenting after birth trauma
- Impact of trauma on parenting
- Bonding and attachment
- Hypervigilance and anxiety in parenting
- Awareness and treating trauma
- Parenting imperfections and repair
- Self-compassion in parenting
Use Code SODALOVE to get 15% off
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Erika to share her story. Erika had a mostly uncomplicated first pregnancy, but her son was taken to the NICU shortly after delivery. After EMDR, raising her son and getting pregnant again, Erika's 2nd pregnancy resulted in a TFMR at 23 weeks due to fetal anomalies that were incompatible with life. Erika shares how both of her births were traumatic but had different outcomes and healing processes.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Traumatic birth experience due to miscommunication
- NICU stay
- TFMR and navigating the healthcare system
- Saying goodbye and healing after loss
- Comparing experiences and finding support
- Advocacy for abortion care
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Sabrina Fletcher - known as the TFMR Doula. Sabrina helps bereaved parents in the aftermath of a heartbreaking decision to terminate a very wanted pregnancy. We have very important conversations about what a TFMR, support, and awareness and the need for abortion policies to be protected.
EDIT: The intro should say TFMR happens in up to 80,000-90,000 pregnancies each year in the U.S. not approximately.
On this episode you will hear:
- discovering the need for TFMR
- challenges of TFMR decision-making
- barriers and challenges in accessing care
- the importance of TFMR-specific support
- the disconnection and jealousy
- navigating societal and political attitudes towards TFMR
- validating grief in all experiences of abortion and termination
- the importance of trauma-informed care for TFMR
- creating space for complex emotions in TFMR
You can find Sabrina on Instagram: @thetfmrdoula
Guest Bio:
Sabrina Fletcher is a TFMR doula helping bereaved parents in the aftermath of a poor prenatal/maternal/perinatal diagnosis and the heartbreaking decision to terminate a wanted pregnancy (TFMR). As a bereavement doula, she supports as one navigates grief after baby loss so one can learn to honor their baby and their grief and move in the world from the love they have for their child.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's Listener Series, we welcome Stephanie to the podcast. Stephanie required an induction due to sudden hypertension at 40 weeks and 1 day. Her daughter required a NICU stay and Stephanie put her own health on the back burner until 6 days postpartum when her health took a turn for the worst and she experienced multiple organ failure due to HELLP syndrome.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Medically-indicated induction and pregnancy complications
- Cholestasis
- Subchorionic hematoma
- HELLP and multiple organ failure
- Postpartum preeclampsia
- Healing and community support
- NICU stay
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Elizabeth Earnshaw, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Liz is a couples therapist, writer, and content creator. This episode is full of so many nuggets like how to encourage therapy for your parter as well as themes that are often present in relationships after both kids and trauma. We hope you find this episode so helpful!
On this episode, you will hear:
-Exploring the world of couples therapy
- The impact of trauma on relationships
- Navigating couples therapy after having a baby
- What to do when a partner is not interested in therapy
- The role of couples therapy in trauma recovery
- Addressing dismissiveness, betrayal, and mental load
- Rebuilding trust in relationships
You can find Liz on Instagram: @lizlistens
Guest Bio:
Over the last decade, Elizabeth Earnshaw, LMFT has become one of today’s most trusted relationship teachers. Elizabeth is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Clinical Fellow of The American Association of Marriage & Family Therapy. She is the Head of Relationship Health at OURS, where she is working to make relational wellness mainstream & accessible, starting with premarital counseling. She also founded A Better Life Therapy, where she sees couples in her tailored weekend intensives. In addition to making couples therapy more accessible, she is the author of “I Want This To Work”. Elizabeth is also the host of Hash it Out on Good Risings where she offers advice to everyday relational conundrums.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode - we are doing a special re-release in honor of Father's Day coming up.
Join me and my husband, Steve, as we answer your questions on partner trauma and the impact of birth trauma on relationships.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Allie. She shares about her pregancy, which was picture perfect until she was 12 hours into her induction. Her baby's heart rate dropped and she had to have an emergency c-section under general anesthesia due to an inadequate epidural. There were several other complications that followed for Allie. She shares about these complications as well as her healing journey since then.
On this episode, you will hear:
- emergency c-section under general anesthesia
- DIC
- JADA use in hospital
- Postpartum complications and diagnosis
- Physical recovery and partner support
- Advice to those going through a traumatic birth
Get 15% off your first order of Ollipop with code SODALOVE!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Mandy Irby, @thebirthnurse. Mandy is a board-certified labor nurse with 12 years of experience. Through her own birth experiences and her years at the bedside she has recognized the desperate need for trauma-informed care, not just for the benefit of patients, but also for nurses. Mandy joins us to discuss the importance of trauma-informed for a culture change in perinatal nursing.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Challenges of trauma-informed care in nursing
- Repair and emotional regulation in trauma-informed care
- Empowering patient-centered care through trauma-informed practices
- The role of nurses in patient care and outcomes
- Education and confidence in healthcare workers
You can find Mandy by visiting her website, LinkedIn, and @thebirthnurse
Get 15% off your first order of Ollipop with code SODALOVE!
Guest Bio:
Mandy Irby, is a board-certified labor nurse with 12 years of experience supporting survivors of assault and trauma through pregnancy, birth planning, and at their bedside during childbirth and pregnancy loss. After experiencing her own birth trauma, she quickly learned that the birth care system is NOT centered on human rights, patient choice, and the individual human experience. In 2020, Mandy made education a full-time career. She now teaches and supports parents and nurses how to better center voice, choice, and physiology in birth. It's Mandy’s mission to change birth culture so that it's parent-centered, trauma-informed, and safe – for everyone.
Mandy enjoys teaching L&D units in-person Peanut Ball, Labor Support Skills and Trauma-Informed Care At the Bedside workshops. She also supports local parents with small-group Spinning Babies® Parent Classes when in-person learning is safest. Mandy is also an international educator through her online, on-demand childbirth ed classes and she supports anxious parents-to-be with virtual, one-on-one trauma-informed birth strategy sessions. She’s the co-founder of Fearless Birth, Delivered, founder and owner of The Birth Nurse®, and a proud co-creator of the BRAND NEW Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program. As a creative educator, Mandy is also the co-author of an Amazon-best seller VBAC book, Baby Got VBAC, and reaches millions of viewers each month through her very engaged, tongue-in-cheek social media platforms.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener story, we welcome Kate. Kate found out she was having identical triplets, making her pregnancy and birth more high-risk than she had expected. Kate experienced a severe postpartum hemorrhage and NICU journey her triplets, which she shares was an incredibly isolating experience. She does such a beautiful job sharing her postpartum healing journey, specifically navigating through the many unmet expectations, and how story-sharing and finding support has helped her heal.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Identical triplets
- High-risk pregnancy
- Postpartum challenges after the NICU
- The role of support systems and therapy
- The importance of story sharing in healing
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Jamie Agunsday. Jamie is a Registered Nurse who has spent the last decade serving women and birthing families. She is incredibly passionate about reducing maternal mortality rates, teaching nurses, and helping reduce health disparities in maternal healthcare. Jamie joins us to discuss patient safety and the role lived experience can have in developing patient safety measures.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Understanding patient safety in obstetrics
- The importance of psychological safety
- Implementation challenges in patient safety
- Measuring patient safety and equity
- The importance of provider support and debriefing
- The role patient story sharing
Guest Bio:
Jamie Agunsday is a Master’s prepared Registered Nurse who has spent the last decade serving women and birthing families. As a staff nurse in Labor and Delivery in a busy birthing hospital, she worked on projects to reduce cesarean rates, promote physiologic birth, and educate nurses on their role in preventing maternal mortality and morbidity. At the bedside, Jamie was deeply impacted by seeing women and birthing people experience serious pregnancy-related complications.
For the last 4 years, Jamie has worked to support the review of maternal deaths as a Maternal Mortality Nurse Abstractor, where she tells the stories of those who died from the impact of their pregnancies to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee in her state.
Jamie has a long history of advocacy and is involved extensively in her professional organization, AWHONN, which she joined as a student nurse. As an AWHONN member, Jamie has advocated on Capitol Hill, served on statewide and national committees and participated in leadership development. Jamie is also an experienced public speaker, discussing issues of maternal mortality and morbidity prevention, trauma, and partnering with birth trauma survivors to improve the healthcare system.
Through her work, Jamie seeks to center the voices and amplify the stories of those most impacted by adverse outcomes to help making meaningful improvements in the health of all people giving birth.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener series, we welcome Brittany. She found out they were pregnant in 2022 after dealing with several early losses. Nearing the end of her pregnancy, Brittany started to notice some symptoms that weren't normal and she was diagnosed with the flu - however, something felt off even after that. They returned to the hospital after she noticed her face was drooping and she was told that she had Guillain-Barré syndrome. Things escalated very quickly from there. Brittany shares her experience navigating a 10+ month healing journey that included learning how to eat, drink, and walk again.
On this episode you will hear:
- Early losses
- Gestational diabetes
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Challenging postpartum
- NICU stay for her son
- 5-month hospital stay
- Re-learning to eat again, drink again, walk
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Erica Djossa, licensed psychotherapist and Founder/CEO of Momwell. We discuss Erica's new book - Releasing the Mother Load - and dive into the invisible load that moms and default parents carry, and how birth trauma can further that impact.
On this episode, you will hear:
- The impact of the invisible load on mental health and relationships
- Making the invisible load visible and redistributing responsibilities
- Societal expectations and gender norms
- Pressures to be a perfect mom
- willing vs. unwilling partners
- Values-driven parenting
You can order her new book Releasing the Mother Load HERE!
Guest Bio:
Momwell was founded by therapist Erica Djossa, MA. Like so many moms, Erica entered motherhood assuming her “maternal instinct” would guide her through any challenges she faced. She had no idea it would be so lonely, isolating, and overwhelming. She found herself struggling with identity loss, the mental load of motherhood, and the pressure to be perfect. Eventually, she had a breakdown that turned out to be a breakthrough–a moment where she realized that she was suffering from postpartum depression. But when she sought help, she was dismissed by doctors who assured her that she just needed more rest. Frustrated, Erica pushed to be taken seriously and finally got the care she needed. Through that experience, Erica realized that moms deserved more. This gave birth to Momwell–a place for moms to seek support at every moment of their journey.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener episode, we welcome Claire from Australia. Early in her pregnancy, Claire started to experience pelvic girdle pain and was in chronic pain for the remainder of her pregnancy. She shares about the role this played in her mental health during pregnancy. As a healthcare worker, Claire was very aware of the urgent medical concerns during her birth which she felt compounded her fear in those moments. After recovery in the hospital and some time at home, Claire recognized she needed some extra care and learned that she had pelvic organ prolapse. She shares about her journey of releasing guilt and seeking support after pelvic organ prolapse.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Pelvic girdle pain early in pregnancy
- Effects of chronic pain on mental health
- Breastfeeding to formula feeding
- Pelvic organ prolapse and pudendal nerve damage
- Seeking mental health support
- Advocacy for proper care and changing providers
- Managing guilt of a birth injury
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, in honor of National Nurse's Day we are discussing the role of the L&D nurse in the prevention and mitigation of birth trauma. As an L&D nurse, you have the power and privilege to change the course of someone's life through the care you provide. Thank you for your tireless efforts in walking with your patients through some of the most challenging experiences of their lives.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Approaches for preventing and mitigating birth trauma
- The role of debriefing in trauma-informed care
- The role fo acknowledgment in trauma-informed care
- The role of repair in trauma-informed care
- Anecdotal nursing interactions from Kayleigh's birth experience
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener series episode, we welcome Kayla to share her story with us. Her first pregnancy and delivery with their daughter was traumatic after developing severe preeclampsia. On Mother's Day 2022, Kayla found out she was pregnant with their son Brooks. At their anatomy scan, Brooks was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, critical aortic stenosis, and several other heart defects that meant he would not survive delivery. With the recent abortion laws in the state of Idaho, Kayla and her family were put in the situation to seek abortion care out of state adding to the already traumatic diagnosis for their son.
On this episode you will hear:
- Challenges of accessing abortion care in the state of Idaho
- TFMR & navigating abortion care in a restrictive state
- The financial burden of having to travel out of state for care
- Advocacy for reproductive rights and abortion care.
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode, Kayleigh is joined by Emily Oster, Brown University economics professor and Best-Selling Author to discuss her new book, The Unexpected. This book will be a go-to for those in the birth trauma community who have experienced complications and are able/interested in having more children. Join us as we discuss the importance data plays in conversations with providers, especially after birth trauma.
Guest Bio:
Emily is on a mission to empower parents by providing the data and tools they need to make confident decisions. After getting a PhD in economics from Harvard, she went on to pursue research in health economics and is now a professor of economics at Brown University. As a mom of two, Emily was inspired by her own pregnancy and the lack of clear information to guide her decisions. She decided to use her expertise in reviewing and analyzing data to help other parents navigate these topics. She is a New York Times best-selling author, whose books include Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. Her next book, The Unexpected, hits shelves in April 2024.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On today's listener series episode, we welcome Lakshmi. Lakshmi is a dentist and also comes from a family with a long history of working in the medical field and a history of birth trauma. She shares about her experience and how having so much medical knowledge and family resources played into her processing what she was experiencing.
On this episode you will hear:
- PCOS
- elective induction
- delivering via forceps
- episiotomy causing a 4th degree tear
- benefits of pelvic floor therapy and continuing challenges with bowel control
- postpartum depression and anxiety
- stigmas and lack of communication
- research on different modes of delivery and how it can effect one's wellbeing
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
This week we welcome Shatiera Amankrah, owner and founder of Seeds of Hope onto the podcast. Seeds of Hope provides a safe and nurturing environment where people can find the support, guidance, and resources they need to navigate the complexities of the emotional toll of infertility.
What you will hear on this episode:
- Common themes of trauma in infertility
- The "two-week wait"
- Feelings of guilt related to pregnancy after infertility
- Infertility struggles as a proivder
- Building a supportive community
You can find Seeds of Hope and Shatiera's resources here:
Website: https://www.seedsofhopecc.com/
Instagram: @seedsofhopecc
Guest Bio:
Shatiera Amankrah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in Infertility Counseling and Certified in Perinatal Mental Health. With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, Shatiera has established herself as a trusted advocate and therapist. Her approach is informed by her own personal experiences with infertility, and professionally backed by extensive training in infertility counseling and perinatal mental health.
Her private practice, Seeds Of Hope LLC, provides a range of services including individual therapy, surrogacy screenings, donor egg and sperm screenings and consultations, workshops, training for professionals, clinical supervision and consultation. Shatiera is also well-versed in various therapeutic modalities, ensuring that each client's unique needs are met with the most effective treatment approach. She is licensed to practice in Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Shatiera is a professional member with Resolve, the National Infertility Association and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Mental Health Professional Group (MHPG). She is a professional member of Postpartum Support International (PSI) and Alliance for People Of Color.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener series episode, we welcome Kiersten to share her story with our community. Kiersten and her husband struggled with infertility and found out they were pregnant in March of 2020 - enter the pandemic. Kiersten was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis in December of 2020. In this episode, she shares about her experience and treatment during that time. Kiersten is currently expecting their second son and shares about her planning and support as she embarks on a subsequent delivery after postpartum psychosis.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Pregnancy and birth during collective trauma
- The impact of isolation on mental health
- Anxiety attacks and delusion
- Harlequin skin change in babies
- Postpartum psychosis
- Subsequent pregnancy and provider changes
- Postpartum support plans
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
This week, we are joined by Caroline Stadler and Amanda Prophett from the Solace Foundation. Solace stands for Severe Obstetric Laceration Awareness and Community Support. They raise awareness for obstetric anal sphincter injuries, which occurs in approximately 6% of women in the US annually - about 200,000 women a year. Their goal is to increase awareness and research to help prevent these injuries from happening as well as help in supporting and advocating for those who experience them.
On this episode, you will hear:
- The Solace Foundation
- The stigma and silence related to OASIs
- Challenges in getting proper care and support
- Advocacy, prevention, and education
- Managing infection risk and promoting healing
- Accessing resources and support for postpartum injuries
- The importance of informed consent and provider selection
The SOLACE Foundation website: solaceforwomen.org
Follow SOLACE on Instagram @solaceforwomenorg
Women who would like to join the support groups can email at: caroline@solaceforwomen.org
UK vaginal delivery vs C-section informed consent guide
Caesarean Birth-your baby, your body, your life, your choice
Elephant Circle for birth justice and legal support
Guest Bio:
Caroline Stadler is the SOLACE founder, executive director, and chair of the board of directors. She is a wife and mother to a beautiful daughter and two goldendoodles. Caroline's own experience made her acutely aware of the struggles women face in the recovery of childbirth as well as the lack of resources available. This knowledge ignited a passion in her to bring awareness of these injuries to the public and medical community, as well as strive for the prevention of maternal birth injuries, and provide women with a sense of community and support - using her medical knowledge and connections as a physician assistant to help her mission. She has been fortunate to have found a group of amazing women who share the same passion: to help SOLACE empower women and their families as well as healthcare providers.
Amanda Prophett is the SOLACE Education Chair. She is a wife and mother to a 3-year-old daughter, and 3 rescue pets. Amanda has an MPH in Global Public Health and is Certified Health Education Specialist. She has over a decade of experience in K-12 and higher education. During her final semester of her MPH program, Amanda sustained a 4 th degree tear in childbirth. Amanda has spoken about birth injuries at conferences, developed OASI education materials, and believes that education is empowerment.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode we welcome Katie to share her story. Katie had a fairly "textbook and healthy" pregnancy and had decided that she wanted to have a midwife with her delivery. She scheduled an induction at 41 weeks and found herself having to have a C-Section due to preeclampsia and little communication from her provider.
On this episode you will hear:
- Preeclampsia
- Difficult communication from provider
- Advocating for a gentle C-Section (clear drape)
- Missed moments
- Challenging recovery from C-Section
- Medical neglect from providers
- Home nursing care
- Healing journey
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this solo episode, Kayleigh is discussing all things c-section. She shares a few different studies highlighting the data on c-sections and PTSD, as well as how they compare to other modes of delivery. Kayleigh also touches on TOLACs and planned cesarean sections after birth trauma.
In this episode:
- Types of C-Sections
- C-Section and birth trauma
- Communication and Support as mitigating factors
- Delivery decisions after birth trauma (TOLAC v. planned c-section)
- C-Sections under general anesthesia
Studies Discussed:
Garthus-Niegel S, von Soest T, Knoph C, Simonsen TB, Torgersen L, Eberhard-Gran M. The influence of women's preferences and actual mode of delivery on post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth: a population-based, longitudinal study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014 Jun 5;14:191. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-191. PMID: 24898436; PMCID: PMC4053555.
Orovou E, Iliadou M, Chatzopoulou MT, Dagla M, Eskitzis P, Rigas N, Antoniou E. The Relation between Birth with Cesarean Section and Posttraumatic Stress in Postpartum Women. Maedica (Bucur). 2023 Dec;18(4):615-622. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.4.615. PMID: 38348064; PMCID: PMC10859197.
Rowlands IJ, Redshaw M. Mode of birth and women's psychological and physical wellbeing in the postnatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Nov 28;12:138. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-138. PMID: 23190575; PMCID: PMC3533875.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Carlee to share her story. Carlee and her husband received a hypoplastic left heart syndrome diagnosis for thier son, James, during Carlee's pregnancy. James passed away at 6 weeks old after being in the CICU, and Carlee has since created the James Doss Memorial Foundation to honor his life while supporting other families who have lost children to congenital heart defects.
In this episode you will hear:
- Preparing for delivery with a devastating diagnosis
- Delivery via cesarean section in a cath lab at the children's hospital
- Making heartbreaking decisions as first-time parents
- Creating the James Doss Memorial Foundation
- Advice for those who are dealing with a CHD (or other) diagnosis
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
This week's episode is a very special one. To honor AFE Awareness Day, Kayleigh welcomes her very own OB who helped save her and Cal's life during her AFE. Dr. Saberin has been an integral part of Kayleigh's healing both physically and emotionally after her AFE.
On this episode you will hear:
- Dr. Saberin's memory of Kayleigh's birth experience and AFE
- Perimortem C-Section
- Mass Transfusion Protocol
- ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)
- life-saving emergency hysterectomy
- Impella
- Dr. Saberin's reflection on her own trauma
- Provider trauma and our lack of acknowledgment
- Healing through connection of patient and provider
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener series episode, we welcome Annie. Annie and her husband live in California at the wedding venue they own and operate. A few weeks before their due date, they experienced a wildfire that damaged a large part of their wedding venue. Annie experienced a lot of stress and started to feel the effects of it in her pregnancy. Around the same time, the nurses at their hospital went on strike which brought in travel nurses and a change of normal care to her delivery. Annie's story is a prime example that trauma can occur even when there is no physical danger to the birthing parent or the baby.
What you will hear on this episode:
- environmental stressors affecting their home and business
- nurses strike
- posterior position/sunny side up baby
- epidural turned off without being asked
- daughter born with bleeding blister and bruise from friction
- postpartum with environmental stressors still at play
- long-term impact on confidence in parenting
- hope in healing
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we are joined by Jen Atkisson, a labor and delivery nurse, clinical educator, speaker, patient and nurse advocate, and a consultant on standard of care. Buckle up for this wild ride of an episode as we take on many different topics within the L&D space.
What you will hear on this episode:
- misconceptions and fear of lawsuits
- prevention strategies for nurses
- common preventable issues
- challenges with Pitocin usage
- navigating trauma-informed care
- power dynamics and provider trauma
- challenges in changing practices
- empowering patients with knowledge
- Team Birth concept
Guest Bio:
Jen Atkisson is a Labor and Delivery Nurse, Clinical Educator, Speaker, Patient and Nurse Advocate, Consultant on Standard of Care. With over 17 years of unique experiences in nursing and consulting, she's seen the same patient safety & legal themes come up over and over again. Jen serves as an expert witness, a national and regional conference speaker, a AWHONN fetal monitoring instructor trainer, a hospital consultant, a clinical educator, a staff nurse and a mom.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener story series episode, we welcome Andrea. Andrea and her husband planned for a home birth, but at 42 weeks, she was still not in labor, so they elected for a non-emergent transfer to the hospital. Andrea shares about processing her unmet birth expectations and validating her own traumatic experience .
On this episode you will hear:
- Choosing a home birth
- Home birth transfer to hospital
- Cesarian section and recovery
- the impact of a birth trauma and unmet expectations
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, Kayleigh dives into the topic of friendship after birth trauma covering big questions like: How do we navigate and protect our friendships after birth trauma? How can we still support those around us while also honoring our needs in healing after birth trauma? We hope that this episode leaves you with some nuggets and encouragements as you navigate friendship after birth trauma.
What you will hear in this episode:
- how birth/perinatal trauma can impact friendships
- the importance of connecting with others who have experienced birth/perinatal trauma
- navigating friendships during others’ pregnancies/births
- jealousy after birth trauma
- grieving lost friendships
- setting boundaries to protect your friendships
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, Stephanie DeFilippis joins Kayleigh. Stephanie is a licensed therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health and is also the founder and owner of Crescent Moon Therapy. In this episode, Kayleigh and Stephanie discuss the pros and cons of having a therapist with a shared lived experience vs. not, as well as the ways someone can support a loved one after birth trauma.
On this episode, you will hear:
- The role of lived experience in therapy
- Doing your own work as a therapist
- Practical ways to support someone who has experienced birth trauma
Guest Bio:
Stephanie DeFilippis is a perinatal mental health clinician as well as the Founder of Crescent Moon Therapy. She has more than seven years of clinical experience providing psychotherapy to adults. She works with individuals with a wide range of challenges: life transitions (college, young adulthood), transitions related to parenthood, preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, as well as ADHD, depression, anxiety, significant trauma, sexual abuse, and domestic violence (also known as IPV). Stephanie previously worked at Northwestern Medicine in a nationally-renowned program that specializes in maternal mental health. She provided mental health services and coordinated care with OBGYN's and other mental health providers for pregnant and postpartum individuals. She's had the privilege of working with leaders in the perinatal space and attribute a lot of her clinical knowledge and expertise to her time at NM.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week’s listener series episode, we welcome Kayla. Kayla shares about her challenges with endometriosis and PCOS as she began the process of trying to conceive. After pregnancy, Kayla’s journey took a quick turn when she delivered their daughter which unexpectedly led to an emergency hysterectomy and complicated recovery in the ICU. She vulnerably shares how support and community have helped her in her healing process.
What you will hear on this episode:
- Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome diagnoses and treatments
- High blood pressure
- Induction with complications eventually led to a C-section
- Hemorrhage resulting in an emergency hysterectomy with one remaining ovary
- Recovery in the ICU
- Tachycardia and Hypertension diagnoses
- Postpartum recovery and support
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we are joined by Amanda E. White. She is an author and licensed therapist as well as the founder and director of Therapy for Women. Amanda sits down with us to share her story of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum as she navigated multiple challenges including suicidal ideation, breastfeeding, and HELLP syndrome.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Suicidal ideation while pregnant and postpartum
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum, IUGR Diagnosis, and HELLP Syndrome
- Pressure to breastfeed and lack of education on feeding options
- Guilt and bonding challenges
- Expectations vs. reality of birth experiences
- Supportive measures for mental recovery
- Advice and wisdom for those in the healing process
Guest Bio:
Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular instagram account @therapyforwomen. She is the author of the book “Not Drinking Tonight: A Guide to Creating A Sober Life You Love.” She is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center, based in Philadelphia serving clients across the country. In her clinical work, she specializes in working with individuals with substance use disorders and eating disorders.
People are drawn to Amanda’s unique expertise, accessible approach to healing and mental health. She has been featured in notable publications such as Forbes, Washington Post, Shape, Women’s Health Magazine, and more.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener episode, we welcome Alpha. She shares about her pregnancy and delivery of her son and the trauma she had to face. Alpha vulnerably shares her intense experience and how she has processed her birth not going as planned including having an emergency hysterectomy.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Prodromal Labor
- Complex trauma and the impact on perinatal trauma
- Postpartum hypertension
- Abscess after c-section resulting in sepsis
- Uterine artery pseudo-aneurysm
- Hemorrhage
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we are joined by Megan MacCutcheon who is a Licensed Professional Cousnelor and private practice owner in Virginia. We have a candid conversation about postpartum anxiety, birth trauma, and navigating parenting information and advice online.
On this episode, you will hear:
- Postpartum anxiety and trauma
- The impact of control and perfectionism
- The influence of parenting information
- Therapeutic approaches for postpartum anxiety
- Identifying trauma in postpartum anxiety
- Seeking help for postpartum anxiety
- The role of providers in addressing birth trauma
Guest Bio:
Megan MacCutcheon is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Vienna, Virginia. She enjoys working with adolescents and adults, helping them to achieve a better quality of life by confronting issues of depression, anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem. Megan is also a Certified Perinatal Mental Health clinician and specializes in helping women who are experiencing mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and following childbirth. She runs Empowering Mindful Moms, a postpartum support community, and is the co-founder of PerinatalPlace.com. For more information, please visit www.meganmaccutcheon.com or follow her on Instagram @meganmaccutcheonlpc.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener episode, we are joined by Megan. Megan is from Northern Ireland and shares with us her journey and the complications that arose in her pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum with her twin boys.
What you will hear on this episode:
- High-risk twin pregnancy
- Growth discrepancy between twins and fears of lifelong diagnoses
- Emergency hemorrhage protocol
- Postpartum complications and recovery
- Postpartum and finding support in community
You can find and follow Megan on Instagram: my.cup.of.countryside
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome Arden Cartrette, @themiscarriagedoula who has created a space specifically related to support during and after loss. Arden shares her own experiences of recurrent loss and the support she offers families experiencing miscarriage and loss, especially those who go on to have subsequent pregnancies after their loss.
What you will hear on this episode:
- What is a miscarriage doula?
- Nuances of support for miscarriage and loss
- The intersection of trauma and loss
- Support for pregnancy after loss
- Advice for those experiencing recurrent loss
- Benefits of EMDR after loss
Guest Bio:
Arden Cartrette is a Birth & Bereavement Doula that focuses on pregnancy loss care and education. She founded The Miscarriage Doula in December 2020 following the birth of her first of two living children and after her experience with infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and navigating the fertility medical support space. You can find Arden on Instagram by following @themiscarriagedoula.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode of our Listener Stories Series, Alisa joins us to share her experience. Alisa is a LCSW who worked as a social worker for the local children's hospital. She shares about her experiences with both her premature daughter and full-term son and how healing is still a journey 8 years later.
What you will hear on this episode:
- Advanced maternal age
- Rheumatoid arthritis in trimester one
- Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia
- 25-day NICU stay
- Subsequent pregnancy with preeclampsia
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we welcome back Allison Kuhr to continue sharing her experience and healing process.
What you will hear on this episode:
- Navigating trauma as a therapist
- EMDR as a trauma treatment
- Finding a therapist as a therapist
- Allison's advice on preparing for a subsequent pregnancy after trauma
- Hope in healing after trauma
Guest Bio:
Allison Kuhr is a licensed professional clinical counselor based in Northwest Ohio and is passionate about creating a space to help people sit with and sort through life’s challenges in a way that feels authentic and supportive but most of all, feel guided to help reach their fullest potential.
Allison has always been a helper and feels most fulfilled when serving others.
She has spent many hours on both sides of the therapy couch, which inspired my journey to become a mental health therapist.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener series episode, we welcome Valerie. Valerie shares her journey with pregnancy and birth as a Type 1 Diabetic. Everything went smoothly until 2 days after discharge, when Valerie started to feel unwell. She shares how her family navigated a hospital stay postpartum and her second homecoming.
What you will hear on this episode:
- Pregnancy with Type 1 Diabetes
- Preeclampsia diagnosis at 32 weeks
- Induction and vacuum birth
- Postpartum readmission
- Microvascular angina
- Postpartum while recovering from complications
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On today's episode, Allison Kuhr of Through Counseling joins us to talk about her personal experience with birth trauma and the impact it has had on all 3 of her births, as well as her expertise as a perinatal therapist. Join us next week as we continue the conversation in part 2!
On this episode, you will hear:
- strange color fluids
- Meconium
- Nubane followed by an epidural
- disappointment and unmet expectations
- feeling disconnected during nursing and feeding
- subsequent pregnancies after birth trauma
- EMDR
- precipitous birth
- shoulder dystocia
- extreme postpartum hemorrhage
- support of a doula
Guest Bio:
Allison Kuhr is a licensed professional clinical counselor based in Northwest Ohio and is passionate about creating a space to help people sit with and sort through life’s challenges in a way that feels authentic and supportive but most of all, feel guided to help reach their fullest potential.
Allison has always been a helper and feels most fulfilled when serving others.
She has spent many hours on both sides of the therapy couch, which inspired my journey to become a mental health therapist.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener episode, Hannah joins us to share her story. Hannah's starts with her pregnancy at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 and continues through her second pregnancy with her daughter in 2023.
In this episode:
- Pregnancy during a pandemic
- Uterine atony leading to Hemmohrage
- Extended hospitalization
- Postpartum Dialysis
- Postpartum Depression
- Subsequent pregnancy after birth trauma
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we are thrilled to welcome Jen Hamilton, an L&D nurse that shares openly on TikTok and Instagram about her profession, birth trauma, her chickens, and much much more. Jen uses her platform to educate nurses and patients on labor and delivery as well as preventing and mitigating birth trauma. She is an incredible advocate and is changing the landscape of L&D nursing.
What you'll fins in this episode:
- “It’s ok to be scared, because I’m not.”
- Providing both truth and reassurance in L&D
- The importance of first interactions in patient care
- The importance of a debrief with patients
- The importance of taking photos/video
- Accepting accountability in birth trauma
- The racist beginnings of gynecology
- Birth plans and how to communicate in a collaborative way
Guest Bio:
Jen Hamilton is a social media creator from North Carolina who accidentally found herself with over 3 million followers online. She is a wife, a labor & delivery nurse, and a mom and is unafraid of sharing herself authentically which has allowed her to connect with so many people online who crave real. She has been featured in the New York Times, NY Post, Daily Mail, Yahoo, The Sun, and many more. She is a board-certified labor & delivery nurse and is passionate about reducing birth trauma, reducing maternal mortality, and reducing trauma for bereaved families who lose babies perinatally. She has two indoor chickens who wear diapers, named Mayonnaise and Grits, and two little boys who love those chickens named Ellis and Luke. She is married to her college sweetheart, Brian, who is also a nurse.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Welcome back! After a little holiday hiatus, we are back and ready to continue the conversations on everything perinatal trauma.
On this first episode of the new year, Kayleigh reflects on her 2023- the highs, the lows, and all of her favorite things from this past year.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, Kayleigh talks about birth trauma and navigating the holidays.
Things you will hear on this episode:
- navigating first holidays after trauma
- coping with an anniversary of birth trauma that falls around the holidays
- family conversations: establishing coping skills, support plans and boundaries
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener story, we welcome Hannah to share her story. Hannah and her wife had a fairly healthy pregnancy but she experienced what she refers to as serial complications during and after the birth of their daughter.
Things you will hear on this episode:
- Induction and long labor
- 3B tear due to a laceration
- Struggling to bond
- Breastfeeding challenges
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Postpartum Depression
- Small bilateral pulmonary emboli
- Developing mastitis and a UTI
- postpartum D&C
- Experiencing CDIF postpartum
- Finding a birth trauma therapist
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, Dr. Nicole Rankins joins us on the podcast! She is a board-certified OBGYN and incredible educator with her own podcast, All About Pregnancy and Birth. This episode discusses the current trends in birth education and preparation, specifically the ways this community has become polarized and approaches to bridge that gap for patient-centered collaborative care.
Here's what you will hear on this episode:
- Dr. Rankins' approach to OBGYN care
- History of the transition from midwifery to hospital birth care
- The battle for trust in OBGYN care
- Supporting families to make decisions that are best for them
- The need for overall improved care in the OBGYN field
*There is mention of maternal death in this episode
You can find Dr. Nicole Rankins on Instagram: @drnicolerankins
Guest Bio:
A board-certified, practicing OB/GYN, wife, mom, and podcast host, here to help you get calm, confident, and empowered to have the beautiful birth you deserve.
She's delivered more than 1,000 babies and have demystified childbirth for thousands more through her 5-star rated All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast (over 2 million downloads), and her online birth plan and childbirth education classes.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, Nicolette joins us on the podcast to share her story. Nicolette is an L&D nurse who survived a splenic artery aneurysm rupture during the birth of her second child. She shares what it was like for her and her son to survive an often fatal complication and also how she returned to work at the exact place where her trauma occurred.
Here's what you will hear on this episode:
- A healthy pregnancy turned maternal near miss
- Perspective of experiencing birth trauma on the unit where you work
- Experiencing an emergency C-section under general anesthesia
- Struggling to bond after birth trauma
- Navigating intrusive negative thoughts
- Fighting for short-term disability for more time to recover
- Returning to work at the place where the trauma occurred
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
This week, we are joined by Shanice and Brenda, cofounders of the motherhood community, Orbit. Shanice and Brenda bring the perfect blend of levity and support to the motherhood space, which helps create community and connection during such a vulnerable time.
Here's what you will hear on this episode:
- Founding Orbit
- Navigating Covid lockdown and how it impacted parenthood
- Connecting as humans first
- Events hosted by Orbit
- Navigating birth and postpartum care as a black woman.
- Advocating for yourself during birth and postpartum
- Navigating mom-guilt
You can learn more about Orbit and follow along or join their community on Instagram: @becomeorbit
Guest Bios:
Shanice and Brenda are two best friends who co-founded Orbit, a space for women to connect through storytelling. Over the past year or so that has now evolved to include creating experiences in and out of the workplace for corporate partners with women in mind and creating and delivering experiences for brands. We work towards women feeling seen, heard and valued in all aspects of their lives.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
As we continue part 2 of Tracy's story, we dive into the high-risk pregnancy and delivery of her daughter.
What you will hear on this episode:
- Placenta Accreta Spectrum
- Navigating a subsequent birth & pregnancy after trauma and loss
- The importance of a trauma-informed care team
- Postpartum hospital readmission
- Bonding after birth trauma
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, Betsy Pilon joins us from the Hope for HIE Foundation. Betsy and Hope For HIE have provided such impactful support and resources for thousands of families facing the diagnosis of HIE.
Here's what you will hear on this episode:
- What is HIE?
- Founding Hope for HIE
- Betsy's birth experience and NICU journey with her son who was diagnosed with HIE
- Resources provided by Hope for HIE
- How to cope with an HIE diagnosis
Guest Bio:
Betsy Pilon is the Executive Director of Hope for HIE, the premiere global nonprofit patient advocacy group dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families impacted by neonatal and pediatric-acquired Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy through awareness, education and support. Hope for HIE connects over 9,000 families, researchers, clinicians and the greater community, worldwide, through a comprehensive support network.
After her own son, Max, was born in 2012 with HIE, it was difficult to find educational resources or connections with other families. Eventually, she found a small group of families gathering on social media. Working with the existing group, she led the efforts to start the grassroots nonprofit foundation in 2013. As a result, Facebook recognized her in 2019 as one of the top community leaders on the platform for building community.
She is an accomplished speaker, writer, advocate, and connector with a background in marketing and corporate communication in healthcare, education and automotive. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Newborn Brain Society, co-chairing the Communication & Networking Committee, as well as many neonatal and neurology-related workgroups, task forces, and committees elevating the lived experiences of the HIE community through patient advocacy.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Tracy joins us on the podcast to share her story in a two-part episode. In Part 1, Tracy shares the story of her stillbirth with her daughter Addison. Tracy vulnerably shares the many layers of the trauma that surrounded Addison's birth, her own near-death experience and postpartum without a living baby during the height of COVID.
Here is what you will hear on this episode:
- Induction experience after discovering her
- Traumatic stillbirth delivery
- Excessive postpartum hemorrhage leading to DIC and 16 transfusions
- Advocating for trauma-informed care
- Trauma of a maternal near-miss
- Experiencing emergency surgeries while conscious
- Postpartum care during COVID
- Secondary infertility and Asherman Syndrome
.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode of the podcast, Aundi Kolber, an author and a licensed therapist joins us. Aundi has a unique way of articulating comfort one can find through processing trauma.
Here's what you will hear on this episode:
- Aundi's journey as a therapist
- Aundi's books Try Softer and Strong Like Water
- The Window of Tolerance and honoring it
- What it means to survive and the purpose it can serve
- Societal expectations as a mom/woman and how that impacts trauma
- Learning how to honor your own experience
- Complex trauma versus shock/single incidence trauma
- Welcoming self-compassion and internal softness as a resource
Guest Bio:
Aundi Kolber is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), speaker, and author of the groundbreaking book Try Softer and its companion, The Try Softer Guided Journey. Aundi is the owner of Kolber Counseling, LLC, established in 2009. She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies, including the highly researched and regarded eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
Aundi is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology, and is a sought-after expert in both faith and secular settings. She regularly speaks at local and national events, and she has appeared on Good Morning America as well as podcasts such as The Lazy Geniuswith Kendra Adachi, Typology, and The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman. Aundi reaches an audience numbering in the tens of thousands via email and social media. You can find her at @aundikolber on Instagram and Twitter or on her website at aundikolber.com.
As a survivor of trauma and a lifelong learner, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge around the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain. After years of longing to be closer to water, she and her family relocated from the majestic mountains of Colorado to the stunning lakes of Michigan. She is happily married to her best friend, Brendan, and is the proud mom of Matia and Jude.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Hannah joins us on this week's Listener Series episode to share her story. Hannah shares her journey to motherhood which began with a miscarriage that deeply impacted her experience of pregnancy and birth moving forward. Hannah then experienced a complicated subsequent pregnancy with her son that included hyperemesis gravidarum and preeclampsia. Hannah vulnerably shares her experience of obstetric violence and the impact it had on her experience of the birth of her son, as well as how she coped in postpartum.
Things you will hear on this episode:
- Hyperemisis Gravidarum
- switching providers
- obstetric violence, assault by a provider
- Preeclampsia diagnosis
- hemorrhaging after delivery
- holding providers accountable
- Hannah's recovery process and her healing journey after her birth trauma
- navigating memory loss and PTSD
- the comparison of trauma
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Nicole Purnell from Momma's Voices joins us on the podcast this week. Nicole shares her birth story from 18 years ago, which served as her motivation for getting involved in maternal health advocacy. Nicole experienced Preeclampsia & HELLP syndrome which led to a placenta abruption and the stillbirth of her son at 34 weeks. Five years ago, after many years of volunteering with the Preeclampsia Foundation, Nicole left her corporate job to work for Momma's Voices.
Things you will hear in this episode:
-Momma's Voices, giving survivors a voice in their experience
-Connecting with others who have experienced the impact of birth trauma
-Providing support work through an altruistic lens
-How to get involved with Momma's Voices
-Tips on how to share your story
You can learn more about Momma's Voices and how to get involved and support them by following their instagram: @mommasvoices
Guest Bio
Nicole Purnell is the Program Director at Momma's Voices, the first ever maternal health patient advocacy coalition. Nicole shares her story of preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome which resulted in a placental abruption and the stillbirth of her son at 34 weeks. This led Nicole to become a maternal health advocate and has been doing incredible work in this space for the last 15 years.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
In this week’s episode, we are joined by Bailee, who experienced Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, fetal surgery, and the loss of her son, Everett.
Bailee shares the story of her twin boys Everett and Wells, who were monochorionic twins, and required fetal surgery at 21 weeks due to Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome. She delivered her twin boys just past 32 weeks and they spent several weeks in the NICU. The morning after their car seat checks, Everett's health quickly declined and he wasn’t able to recover. Everett died on July 4th, 2022. He has forever left an impact on those who loved and cared for him.
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Abigail Barth, MSW, RSW, PMH-C is a therapist with expertise and lived experience in perinatal trauma and grief. She joins Kayleigh for a very candid but deep conversation about all things perinatal trauma, including a broad overview of treatment options and what it means to be a perinatal trauma therapist with your own lived experience.
Things you will hear on this episode:
-Defining and understanding narrative therapy
-Defining and understanding creative arts therapies
-Societal expectations and pressures related to the perinatal period.
-The power of language in the perinatal space.
- Providing therapeutic support to perinatal trauma survivors as a survivor yourself
Guest Bio:
Abigail Barth, MSW, RSW, PMH-C, is a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health, trauma, and grief/loss. Her unique approach encourages clients to reclaim their story, and themselves through creativity and social justice.
You can find Abigail on Instagram: @twobirdscounselling
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's Listener Series episode, Julia shares about the loss of her second baby, Rosalind, as a result of placental abruption. Julia experienced a PPH and her daughter required resuscitation. After transferring to another NICU for cooling treatment, it was determined that Rosalind did not have any brain activity. She was alive for just over 21 hours.
Julia shares about the impact of Rosalind's loss, specifically on her mental health, and the challenge of navigating postpartum without her baby. Julia and her husband decided to have another child after Rosalind, and she also shares what it was like to navigate a high-risk pregnancy after loss.
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
The Adalyn Rose Foundation was created in 2019 on what would have been Chloe and Adam Ciferri's daughter's second birthday. Chloe was having a seemingly normal pregnancy with her daughter Adayln, until about 20 weeks. Chloe and her husband were moving into a new home when Chloe's health began to decline. Chloe was admitted to the hospital and when she asked to hear Adalyn's heartbeat, there wasn't one.
The Adalyn Rose Foundation serves families grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or during infancy. They walk families through every step of life after baby loss, from the first moments and all those that follow.
Adalyn Rose Foundation is going NATIONWIDE in 2024!!
You can learn more about the Adalyn Rose Foundation and the events, fundraising and resources they provide by visiting their website: https://adalynrose.org/
You can find the Adalyn Rose Foundation on Instagram: @adalynrosefoundation
Guest Bio:
Chloe Ciferri created the Adalyn Rose Foundation with her husband in honor of their daughter, Adalyn, who they lost unexpectedly during pregnancy. She strives to create a community of support for families who have experienced the devastation of baby loss. Chloe was a Special Education teacher for many years, until resigning to work at the foundation and stay home with Addie’s brothers and sister. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special and Elementary Education, and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She most recently received her certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Lasalle University. Aside from the work she does to support baby loss families, she is also passionate about Foster Care. Chloe enjoys spending time with family and going on family adventures with Adam, TJ, Enzo and Elle.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's episode, we are joined by Nurse Tori BSN RNC-NIC. Tori is a NICU nurse who shares openly on social media. Tori went directly from graduation into a level 4 NICU and has worked in NICUs for 10 years.
Things you will hear about on this episode:
- Differences between NICU levels.
- The importance of getting to know your team in the NICU.
- Communication in the NICU.
- Personalizing your space in the NICU to help make it feel more comfortable.
- Good preemie clothing brands.
- Journaling to your baby .
- Coping with an intense work environment.
- The importance of self-care as a NICU parent.
Guest Bio:
Nurse Tori Meskin is a Registered Nurse with over 8 years of nursing experience specializing in neonatal and pediatric critical care and has served as a specialty NICU & Pediatric Critical Care trained nurse serving patients in the Los Angles and Orange County areas providing direct patient care, leadership, consultation, education and patient care management expertise for the complex neonatal & pediatric patient populations. She has worked for Children’s Hospitals and University Hospitals in Level IV NICU, Trauma I centers, and consulting centers. As a new nurse, she completed a 20-week RN Versant Residency Program. She is trained to work in specialized areas; Small Baby Unit, Body Cooling Team, & Surgical NICU (Cardiothoracic, Gastrointestinal, Neurosurgical, & Congenital anomalies etc.)
Tori graduated from The University of Arizona (beardown) with a dual major in Nursing and Psychology. Currently, Tori is obtaining a Master’s Degree in Nursing Leadership sharpening leadership skills, enhancing research expertise, driving evidence-based research forward, and becoming a true leader in this space.
You can find Nurse Tori on Instagram: @nurse.tori_
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode, Ingrid joins us to share her birth trauma and NICU journey. Ingird experienced PPROM and placental abruption which led to an emergency c-section under GA, while also forcing her to switch providers in the midst of all this chaos. Her son spent 147 days in the NICU, 40 of those on a ventilator.
Ingrid shares about her change in identity after becoming a mom to a medically complex child and leaving her career to be a full-time care provider. Ingrid also touches on the importance of advocacy and trusting your gut when things don't feel right.
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode, Ebony Ford joins us and shares her journey through infertility, loss, and birth trauma. While pregnant, Ebony was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome which put her in acute liver and kidney failure. Her traumatic, near death birth story and her daughter's NICU journey birthed a passion for advocacy and mentoring.
Kayleigh and Ebony discuss the importance of advocacy and support plans especially when considering a subsequent pregnancy and delivery after birth trauma, like Ebony experienced with her son.
You can find Ebony Ford on Instagram: @andweshallreign
Ebony Ford is a 32 year old Washington DC native. She is the proud wife of Ryan Ford, gospel artist and mother to her pride and joy, her daughter Reign Victoria. Ebony received her Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Certificate in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University and is currently pursuing her Masters degree in Forensic Psychology. She hopes that her education and personal experience will allow her to open her own practice and specialize in near death experiences, more specifically birth trauma.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener episode, Mollie joins us to share her birth trauma and NICU journey. Mollie is the mother to identical twin girls who shared one placenta. From the first appointment, Mollie was considered a high risk pregnancy with the expectation to have a cesarian section and prepared to have an early arrival. The twins had a discrepancy in their size in utero.
At 25 weeks, the twins blood flow was significantly impacted from sharing one placenta. Mollie was admitted to labor and delivery, the babies were healthy but the blood flow was a continuing concern.
At 26 weeks, Mollie's water broke and she was bleeding so she was rushed into an emergent c-section. Her daughters were born (Veronica) 1lb 7oz and (Athena) 2lbs 1oz and were rushed to the NICU. Mollie shares about her struggle to bonding after birth and navigating feelings of disconnection.
Nearly two weeks after her daughters were born, their daughter Athena was in critical condition. Athena's body had started to shut down and there was nothing that could be done. The first time Mollie was able to hold Athena was in Athena's final moments. Mollie shares about what grieving a loss of a twin in the NICU is like while trying to balance taking care of the surviving twin still in the NICU.
Veronica was in the NICU for 130 days and went home with many therapies and interventions still needed.
You can find Mollie on instagram - @mollie.meanders
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Dr. Jess Daigle, MD FAAP, joins us for a conversation on the NICU as both a pediatrician and NICU mom herself. Dr. Jess shares her journey to becoming a pediatrician in the NICU and the impact her own loss and NICU experiences had on that decision.
Things you will hear on this episode:
- Care and communication to parents of NICU babies.
- Building a NICU Trauma-Informed Care Program within her community.
- Navigating pregnancy and birth after previous traumas.
- Breastfeeding journeys after trauma.
You can find Dr. Jess on instagram - @momandme_md
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week's listener episode, Kayleigh is joined by Heather - who you heard from on Episode 1 of this season. Heather is The Birth Trauma Mama's project manager and shares her birth trauma experience and NICU journey.
Heather and her husband live in Arkansas and got pregnant with their daughter in January 2022. She had a healthy pregnancy up until week 32 when her blood pressure skyrocketed and had to be monitored for two weeks. Heather delivered at 34 weeks via cesarian section and the procedure didn't go as planned.
Her daughter spent 24 days in the NICU and Heather shares about the marathon they were thrown into while recovering from delivery. She also shares about the process of coming home and coming to terms with everything they had experienced.
You can find Heather on instagram - @ope.its.heather
If you have a birth trauma story you would like to share with us, click this link and fill out the form!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode, Kayleigh is joined by Ashley and Martha of the non-profit Dear NICU Mama as we kick off NICU Awareness Month. Dear NICU Mama is a nonprofit and global community that provides immediate peer support through diverse programs and services. Founded and led by NICU mothers, they strive to be a safe, trauma-informed community where past and present NICU families know that they don’t walk alone.
Things you will hear on this episode:
- Dear NICU Mama and their mission
- A brief recap of both Ashley and Martha's birth and NICU stories. They each have episodes of their full journeys on their Dear NICU Mama Podcast.
- Hope and it's impact in birth trauma and NICU journeys.
- The power of community and connection.
- The concept of lifelong healing.
- Joy and grief coexisting in the same space.
- Discovering the post NICU version of yourself
You can find Dear NICU Mama on Instagram and Facebook: @dearnicumama
Visit their website here.
Guest Bios:
Ashley Ham is married to her hottie hubs Ry, and mama to her 28 week miracle babe. Spent 87 days in the NICU and is passionate about connecting and bringing other NICU mamas together!
Martha Mink is a mom to 25 week angel baby, JP, and 28 week kiddo, JJ, who spent 47 days in the NICU. Dedicated to maternal mental health advocacy (especially NICU Mamas), infant-loss grief support, and self-compassion.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Welcome to SEASON TWO! We have a lot of exciting things to share with you for this season. You will hear a new voice on this episode - Heather has joined Kayleigh and The Birth Trauma Mama as a Project Manager. We start off the episode with a review of the highlights from season one and our gratitude for the support and impact of this podcast. We couldn't have done that without YOU listening!
At the end of the episode, there is an exciting reveal for this season of the podcast.
In this episode, Kayleigh and Heather talk about what it has been like for Kayleigh being four years into her birth trauma experience. Kayleigh's birth trauma and her son's birthday just so happen to line up with Birth Trauma Awareness each year.
Questions and topics you will hear answers to on this episode are:
- What surprised you the most about being four years in?
- Anniversaries and how they have changed year to year.
- How have you handled schedules and "clock-watching" around birth trauma anniversaries?
- How often do you think about your birth trauma?
- How do you accept or grieve the loss of fertility? And how has that changed over time?
- Thoughts on the phrase "time heals all wounds".
- Navigating conversations with people who are pregnant and talking about birth.
- Honoring your story
- What is one thing you would tell someone in the thick of birth trauma?
Morgan Bradwell, Licensed Therapist (LICSW), joins me to talk about trauma as a whole-body event, including the role of the body and nervous system as a communicator, especially after trauma. Morgan specializes in perinatal mental health and sexual trauma. She believes we all make sense in the context of what we've been through. And I could not agree with her more. This is an information-packed episode and one you do not want to miss!
In this episode, you will hear:
- Morgan's journey from cognitive to somatic-based approaches
- trauma as a whole person event
- the role of mindfulness and regulation in trauma healing
- the role of the amygdala in our stress response
- temporary stress response protocols: fight/flight/freeze/fawn
- how trauma overloads the stress response system
- the window of tolerance
- hyper and hypo-arousal states
- gentle ways to begin incorporating mindfulness into your daily life
Guest Bio:
Morgan is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker on the Alabama Gulf Coast. She is passionate about women’s wellness, trauma recovery, & perinatal mental health. Morgan is a firm believer that we all make sense in the context of what we’ve been through. As an EMDR provider, a certified perinatal mental health specialist, & a certified clinical trauma specialist with advanced training & experience in the area of sexual trauma, Morgan’s approach to individual therapy is trauma-informed & whole-person oriented. In her spare time, you can find Morgan sipping cinnamon lattes, having dance parties with her toddler, & running her psychoeducational Instagram account @the.caffeinated.therapist.
Kim Thomas, CEO of Birth Trauma Association UK, joins me to talk about Birth Trauma Awareness Week, the assumptions society places on the birthing parent and the partner in recovery and postpartum, the concept of healing through a both/and mentality, and that healing is still possible for those who have not been given the space to heal and process a birth trauma no matter how many years have passed.
In this episode you will hear:
- what Birth Trauma Association UK is and how it's started and grown
- BTA UK support offerings for the birth trauma community
- Birth Trauma Awareness week theme of healing #helpingmeheal
- healing the family unit vs. the individual
- the impact of birth trauma on the family relationships
- survivor/partner guilt
- navigating birthdays after birth trauma
- making space for healing no matter how long ago your trauma occurred
Guest Bio:
**Kim Thomas is our CEO at The Birth Trauma Association UK. She is a freelance journalist specializing in healthcare, social care, and education. In 2013 she published Birth Trauma, a guide aimed at helping women experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after a difficult birth.
You can find The Birth Trauma Association here or on Instagram @birth_trauma_association_UK**
Rachel Wright, LMFT, joins me to talk about the impact of birth and birth trauma on sex and intimacy. She answers all of your questions related to navigating intimacy and sex with a partner and yourself after birth trauma. This is a must-listen-to episode full of wonderful nuggets and concrete suggestions for approaching intimacy after birth trauma.
In this episode you will hear:
- Communicating needs and boundaries with your partner
- Approaching/initiating intimacy after birth trauma
- Intimacy and pleasure outside of sex
- Planning out intimacy with yourself and your partner
- Body image concerns after birth trauma is it relates to intimacy
- The impact of physical changes on intimacy and pleasure
Guest Bio:
Rachel Wright, MA, LMFT (she/her) is a distinguished psychotherapist and renowned speaker with expertise in modern relationships, mental health, and sex. Her mission is to help people live happier, healthier lives by providing insights and practical advice in a relatable and engaging way.
With a Master’s Degree in clinical psychology, Rachel has worked with thousands of clients worldwide, earning a reputation for her empathetic and humorous approach. Her message has resonated with audiences on stages across the globe, as well as on her podcast, The Wright Conversations - A Podcast About Sex, Relationships, & Mental Health. With over 45k downloads, the podcast has garnered widespread attention and featured interviews with experts in sex, relationships, mental health, and their intersections.
Rachel is also a seasoned educator and coach, having created the virtual workshop series What You Wish You Learned in School: Sex Ed and co-produced and hosted a show at Green Room 42 in NYC called “One Night Stand: A Night for Sexier & Healthier Broadway.” She was also SHAPE Magazine’s Sex + Relationships Coach and is currently one of mindbodygreen’s article review experts.
As a widely recognized mental health and relationship expert, Rachel has been featured in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, PIX 11 (NYC), Women’s Health (online and print), Cosmopolitan (online and print) and NBC News Radio, among others. Rachel's personal touch, sense of humor, and deep empathy make her the perfect guide for anyone seeking to improve their mental health, relationships, and sexual well-being. When she's not working, you can probably find her in her pajamas, eating gluten-free food, and belting out show tunes. Connect with Rachel on Instagram @thewright_rachel or visit her website www.rachelwrightnyc.com to learn more.
Casey Cattell and Dr. Ginger Breedlove, co-authers of Nobody Told Me About That: Surviving and Thriving the Early Weeks of Parenting, join me on this episode to discuss the newly released 2nd Edition of their book, as well as navigating life after birth trauma. Their 2nd Edition brings realistic examples and insight from experts. Casey and Ginger share some of their highlighted topics and the importance of advocating for yourself, your family, and your community - in that order.
On this episode, you will hear:
-The difference in maternal health care between America and other nations.
-Casey's maternal near miss story including Bilateral Pulmonary Emboli and PPH.
- Ginger's traumatic breastfeeding story, including how it resurfaced during her daughter-in-law's postpartum experience.
-The common experience of shame and denial in asking for medical help.
-The little things providers can do that play a big role in the trajectory of healing.
-Highlighted topics in the 2nd Edition: bringing baby home to pets, navigating balance, and finding your postpartum voice.
-Covid isolation and the impact it has on postpartum recovery.
-Becoming an advocate in the birth trauma and maternal near-miss space.
You can find Ginger Breedlove's book Nobody Told Me About That: Surviving and Thriving the Early Weeks of Parenting on Amazon available in hardcover, paperback, and on Kindle.
https://www.amazon.com/Nobody-Told-About-That-Surviving/dp/B0C5G9L57H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22OACU18EO67F&keywords=early+parenting+ginger&qid=1687293275&sprefix=early+parenting+ginger%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1
Guest Bios:
Dr. Breedlove is a past president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives and has led many national initiatives to address and improve perinatal health in the United States. In 2017 she formed a consulting company Grow Midwives LLC that has expanded to include GM Billing & Recovery Services. She is a widely published author in numerous journals and publications, national speaker, and has received over $5 million dollars as principal investigator in grant-funded projects related to health care for women. In 2017 she co-founded March for Moms with Dr. Neel Shah, serving as President six years. In 2018 Dr. Breedlove edited and launched a best-selling book for new parents titled, Nobody Told Me About That! The 2nd Ed., newly titled, Nobody Told Me About That, Surviving and Thriving Through the Early Weeks of Parenting was published in April 2023.
Casey Cattell is a biochemist who shifted into freelance patient advocacy after surviving two near-misses related to her first pregnancy. She has worked alongside many organizations such as ACOG, AWHONN and serves as a member of her state’s Perinatal Quality Collaborative in addition to working alongside her local hospital. She has shared her story with many publications, including ProPublica, The New York Times and was featured on the Empowered Health Podcast. Casey facilitates an online peer-led support group for postpartum hemorrhage survivors and partners with Heroes For Moms, a platform that utilizes community blood drives to connect the dots between new mothers and the enormous need for blood. She blogs about severe maternal morbidity and the aftermath at www.theheartofhome.net. In 2018, Casey was invited to write a chapter about near-miss survivorship for the best-selling book, Nobody Told Me About That. The second edition, newly titled, Nobody Told Me About That: Surviving and Thriving Through the Early Weeks of Parenting was published in April 2023 and includes more information on mental health and recovery pathways. Find Casey on Instagram at @pphsurvivors.
Dr. Vibha Mahendra, a board-certified Obstetric Anesthesiologist, joins me on this episode to discuss anesthesia options during labor and delivery and why they are sometimes ineffective, potentially leading to trauma for the patient. Dr. M also provides insight into how providers can problem-solve these pain relief issues and communicate with patients in a way that mitigates trauma. This was such an insightful conversation and I think does a great job educating the patient in a way that puts them in a better position to advocate or communicate with their support people to advocate for pain relief.
On this episode, you will hear:
-What is OB Anesthesia?
-What’s in an epidural?
-Differences between a spinal block and an epidural
- Why are some epidurals ineffective?
- What happens when there is an ineffective spinal during a c-section?
- The decision to convert to general anesthesia and why some doctors delay
- Is it necessary to be restrained during c-section?
Guest Bio:
Vibha Mahendra, MD is a board-certified Obstetric Anesthesiologist, public health advocate, educator, and founder of SafePartum. Dr. Mahendra is passionate about improving maternal care by directly engaging and empowering all healthcare providers who care for pregnant patients, in a way that aligns with their practice environment and profession. Her professional interests span all of high-risk pregnancy, but she especially loves Obstetric Critical Care and Cardio-Obstetrics!
Visit https://www.safepartum.com/academy for more resources on the management of high-risk conditions in pregnancy, labor & delivery, and postpartum.
Safe Partum also has an upcoming OB Critical Care & Emergencies Course!
Here is a link to the registration page to learn more about and sign up for this incredible course coming in September. https://fun-acorn-864.myflodesk.com/
Dr. Christine Noa Sterling joins me to share her unique story of birth trauma as both a survivor and physician. Dr. Sterling's story helps us understand that no matter who you are and how educated and prepared you are for birth, trauma can still happen, and it's not your fault. Dr. Sterling generously shares all three of her very different birth experiences, perfectly depicting not only the wide-ranging birth experiences but also their impacts.
You can find Dr. Sterling on Instagram @drsterlingobgyn and Tik Tok @drsterlingobgyn
Guest Bio:
Dr. Christine Noa Sterling is a board-certified ObGyn, mom-of-three and founder of Sterling Parents, a membership that acts as one-stop-shop to get your pregnancy questions answered, prepare for postpartum, birth, breastfeeding and taking care of your baby, all while centering your own wellness and cultivating your unique parenting style.
Kate McReynolds, licensed therapist, joins me to discuss her own experience with birth trauma, particularly related to feelings of invalidation and self-blame. Kate explains her journey of working through the feelings that her birth trauma wasn't "bad" or "scary" enough to count as trauma. She also discusses the challenge of navigating invalidation from external sources, but also from herself.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Kate's story of birth trauma
- Feeling ignored in birth
- Lack of consent and commentary related to sexual assault
- Invalidation after birth trauma
- Planning for a subsequent birth (vbac)
- Kate's story of a healing subsequent birth
You can find Kate on Instagram @the.mom.therapist or at her website.
Guest Bio:
Kate is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a mom of two. She is Perinatal Mental Health-Certified, specializing in therapy for prenatal and postpartum support, birth trauma, pregnancy loss, PMADs (Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders), and general maternal wellness.
Bethany Warren, LCSW joins me to talk attachment and the impact on birth trauma as well as a million other birth trauma topics, because when you get two perinatal trauma therapists talking, it becomes impossible to hold our conversation to just one subject. Join us to learn more about the impact of birth trauma and the common struggles we see among birth trauma survivors.
You can find Beth on Instagram @bethanywarrenlcsw or her website.
If you're interested in Beth's book, you can find it here!
In this episode, you will hear:
- The subjective nature of birth trauma
- The constant invalidation of birth trauma (even from therapists)
- Survivors guilt after birth trauma
- Attachment and birth trauma
- Privileges in healing
Guest Bio:
Bethany Warren is a psychotherapist in private practice in San Diego, California and has worked in reproductive mental health for 25 years. She is certified in EMDR therapy and Perinatal Mental Health, specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, birth and reproductive trauma, pregnancy loss, and infertility. Beth is also an EMDRIA approved consultant and facilitates EMDR trainings for EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP). Beth is a current member and previously served as the President of the Board of the Postpartum Health Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting awareness of Perinatal Mental Health and accessibility of quality mental healthcare for all parents. She is passionate about spreading awareness about mental health treatment and prevention and is
regularly featured on podcasts and gives trainings on perinatal mental health and trauma. Her book, The Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Workbook, was released in 2021, and her 2 nd book, on reproductive trauma, is due out in the latter part of 2023.
Jenna Overbaugh, LPC joins me to discuss all things OCD. She shares her personal experience with postpartum OCD along with her wealth of knowledge as a licensed therapist working with people who have OCD & Anxiety for 15 years. This episode is your guide to better understanding the inner process of OCD and how to get support.
In this episode you'll hear:
- Similarities and differences between anxiety and OCD
- Jenna’s experience with PP OCD
- Postpartum OCD vs. intrusive thoughts
- Mental v. Physical compulsions
- Evidence-based treatments for OCD
- Why is talk therapy harmful for OCD?
Find Jenna on Instagram @jenna.overbaugh
Find Jenna's website here.
Guest Bio:
Jenna Overbaugh is a licensed professional counselor based in Wisconsin and has been working with people who have OCD and anxiety since 2008. Previously, she worked at world renowned facilities including Johns Hopkins Hospital and Rogers Memorial Hospital, where she treated some of the most debilitating cases of OCD and anxiety in the world. She has contributed to several peer reviewed literature articles as well as spoken at national conferences on OCD, anxiety, hoarding, and related issues. She’s also mom to a 5 year old and has lived experience with postpartum OCD, anxiety, and depression.
Join me as I welcome Jess Myhre to talk about the choice (or sometimes not) to be one and done, particularly after birth trauma. Jess has been a pioneer in the discussion and support of families with only children, regardless of the reason. She fiercely advocates and validates for these families in her beautiful space @onlyyoucommunity.
On this episode, Jess shares her story of birth trauma along with hope and encouragement for those who are one and done through choice, trauma, or for any reason at all.
You can learn more about the Birth Trauma & Secondary Infertility Webinar here.
Guest Bio:
Hi I’m Jess! I am a preeclampsia survivor, mom of an only child, and advocate for parents of one, by choice or by circumstance. I am also the creator of Only You: A One and Done Podcast, a show for parents of only children.
MaryJane joins me to discuss the option of surrogacy after birth trauma and the hope it provided for her and her family after the loss of their son Luca.
In this episode you’ll hear:
- MJ’s story
- Choosing an agency or independent surrogacy journey
- The potential costs of Surrogacy
- Emotions that go into the choice for surrogacy
- How to start a surrogacy journey
You can find MaryJane on Instagram at @thebiggestask
Guest Bio:
MaryJane is the creator of The Biggest Ask, a surrogacy community dedicated to spreading education and awareness about surrogacy in the USA. The Biggest Ask recently released their app (available on iOS and soon to be available on Android) that helps surrogates and intended parents coordinate surrogacy appointments and bond by answering daily, fun questions about themselves. Outside of The Biggest Ask, MaryJane works as a business professor at a university located in Saint Louis.
Shelley Kemmerer, PA-C joins me to talk about the massive overlap between burnout and trauma. So many parents are dealing with burnout and when we add trauma and trauma recovery to that mix, it seems to just be adding kerosine to the fire, not to mention 3 years of a pandemic, increasing financial stress, lack of parental leave, and constantly worrying if your kid will return home from school. Join us to talk about the intersection of burnout and birth trauma and how we can cope.
You can find Shelley on Instagram at @runtellmom
Guest Bio:
Shelley Kemmerer PA-C, MCHS. Shelley is a parent, Board Certified Physician Assistant, and Founder of Run Tell Mom LLC. She received her post-graduate certification from The Training Institute of Parental Burnout, an institute developed by the pioneers of parental burnout research, Profs. Isabelle Roskam and Moira Mikolajczak. She is a Certified Facilitator of Eve Rodsky's "Fair Play Method" and regularly collaborates with other parental mental health advocates in order to increase burnout awareness in both personal & professional atmospheres. She promotes both household equity and burnout prevention as two integral components of family planning. She also provides a social media platform specifically focused on parent & caregiver wellbeing advocacy and will be a guest speaker at Postpartum Support International's annual conference this summer. Her burnout prevention resources e-workbook will be available this Spring of 2023.
Amanda Griffith-Atkins, LMFT joins me to share her story of navigating parenting a child with a disability after birth trauma. Amanda is a fellow therapist and has built an incredible community in this space to support other parents experiencing the challenges that come with disability parenting. She has a beautiful way of creating space to acknowledge the struggle and the darkness, while still providing hope. Join us as we discuss the complexities of parenting children with disabilities, while also trying to recover from a traumatic experience.
You can find Amanda on Instagram @amanda.griffith.atkins or her website.
Guest Bio:
Amanda is a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Amanda Atkins Counseling Group in Chicago. Her specialties include couple's issues, grief and loss (particularly partner, parent, or child loss), chronic or terminal illness, infertility, and postpartum mood disorders. She enjoys treating issues related to parenting, including the complex demands placed on parents of disabled children. Due to her extensive experience in grief work, she's partnered with large corporations to provide on-site therapy amid workplace crises and tragedy. She's also worked with nonprofits and corporations, presenting on mental health issues in the workplace.
Before founding AACG in 2015, Amanda worked in community mental health, a group practice, and Hospice.
Amanda holds a master's degree from Northwestern University and is trained in EMDR and EFT. She has advanced training in postpartum issues and is certified in perinatal mental health. She is an in-demand speaker and media contributor, featured in the Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago, Better, Chicago Parent, POPSUGAR and more. Amanda lives with her husband, 3 sons, beloved dog, and 2 mediocre cats. Her oldest son Asher has Prader-Willi Syndrome.
Stephanie Arnold joins me on this episode to talk about intuition in birth trauma. Stephanie shares her story of surviving an Amnitoic Fluid Embolism and how trusting her intuition saved her life.
In this episode you will hear:
- Stephanie's relentless search for someone who would believe that she was going to die in labor
- Stephanie's story of surviving an AFE
- Stephanie's thoughts on intuition and her sense of "knowing"
- How to advocate with your own intuition
- Why providers need to take patient concerns seriously
You can find Stephanie on Instagram @stepharnold37 or at her website.
Guest Bio:
Stephanie is an award-winning, international best-selling author, inspirational speaker and thought leader on a mission to help others realize that connecting with our sixth sense can not only enhance our lives, but can very well save them.
Stephanie’s background and experiences allow her to connect with diverse audiences, whether through her book, speaking engagements, or media appearances. Prior to sharing her own story in her best-selling book, 37 Seconds, Stephanie enjoyed a decades-long career helping others share their stories as an Emmy-Nominated TV Producer. In her personal life, Stephanie is a wife and mother with a deep appreciation of her Latina-Jewish heritage.
With her story inspiring millions of people around the globe, Stephanie now dedicates her time to speaking and advocacy work, spreading awareness about positive doctor-patient communication, trauma recovery, and discovering meaning and purpose in our personal and professional lives.
Miranda Klassen, Executive Director and Founder of the AFE Foundation discusses all things Amniotic Fluid Embolism this week. She shares her story of survival, as well as her journey to starting the AFE Foundation 15 years ago. We also dive into what we know about AFE and what is still a mystery. There’s been so much progress made through the foundation in the past 15 years and there’s still so much more to be done.
Please check out the incredible efforts of the AFE Foundation.
Time Stamps For This Episode
0:36- intro
1:25- Health care professional intro on what you can do to help support AFE research
6:00- Miranda Klassen intro and love fest
8:20- Miranda’s story of surviving AFE
15:30- The creation of the AFE Foundation
21:00- mission of the AFE Foundation
24:20- what is an Amniotic Fluid Embolism?
26:05- presentation of AFE and pathophysiology
31:25- The range of severity and impact among AFE events
34:00- rates of survive-ability in AFE
34:33- misdiagnosis of AFE
36:05- pregnancy after AFE
38:30- treating AFE
42:00- new FREE course and simulation kit coming out for medical providers from AFE Foundation soon!
49:32- Support offered by AFE Foundation
52:00- My connection with Miranda
61:00- Long-term emotional impacts of AFE
Miranda Klassen is the Executive Director of the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Foundation, a non-profit organization she founded in 2008 after surviving an AFE during the birth of her son. Miranda is a co-investigator for the Amniotic Fluid Embolism Registry and Biorepository and has authored several publications on AFE and support after a severe maternal event. She is a frequent lecturer and serves on multiple boards and maternal health initiatives. She lives in San Diego, CA with her husband Bryce, a critical care nurse, and their son, Van.
This week Annie, mom and AFE survivor, sits down to discuss her story of survival during the birth of her son. She explains the way COVID precautions and the resulting intense isolation impacted her recovery as well as the role connection played in healing after her traumatic birth experience.
In this episode you will hear:
- Annie’s medical story of surviving an AFE
- COVID protocols and their devastating impact on Annie’s story
- Recovery from AFE both physically and emotionally
- The role connection plays in healing after birth trauma
For more info on Amniotic Fluid Embolism visit afesupport.org
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
This week I'm joined by Dr. Stephanie Martin, a Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist, to talk about trauma-informed care in critically-ill pregnant patients.
In this episode you will hear:
- Accounts of Maternal and fetal death
- The importance of trauma-informed care in high-risk obstetrics
- The disconnect in trauma-informed care and providers' training
- Provider trauma and the lack of support provided after a traumatic delivery
- Information related to critically-ill pregnant patients
- How to advocate as a high risk pregnant patient
You can find Dr. Martin on Instagram at @criticalcareob or on their website
Listen to the Critical Care In Obstetrics podcast.
The Critical Incident Support Program for Medical Professionals through Dancy Perinatal can be found here.
Guest Bio: Dr. Martin is Medical Director and co-owner of Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics, LLC. Through her consulting business she helps hospitals of all sizes develop obstetric intensive care programs and improve care for high-risk and critically ill pregnant women. She is also co-host of The Critical Care Obstetrics Podcast which has reached #3 on the Apple Podcast Charts in Medicine.
In addition to her extensive clinical experience caring for critically ill obstetric patients, Dr. Martin has helped lead and develop MFM practices in several states. Her passion for educating has also led to her role as Course Director for America’s Board Review MFM Oral Board Exam Review Course, helping MFM candidates prepare for the oral board examination.
She received her medical degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Ft. Worth. She completed her residency in OB/GYN at the University of California Irvine Medical Center where she also completed a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. She is board certified in MFM and OB/GYN.
She has served on the Board of Directors for the Society for Maternal-Fetal
Medicine and as Chairman of the Membership and Bylaws Committee. She is also a reviewer for several esteemed journals, including the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Martin’s particular clinical interests involve medical and surgical complications of pregnancy and critical care in obstetrics. She has authored numerous book chapters and articles and is a highly sought after speaker on Critical Care in Obstetrics.
Jessica Martini, gentle parenting creator and author, joins me to talk all things parenting, and specifically parenting after perinatal trauma. Jess shares her story of pregnancy and birth trauma and how it's impacted her parenting with her third child.
As Jess always says, there is no such thing as perfection in parenting.
Jess is the author of the children's book "Timmy Doesn't Tie His Shoes" you can find her on Instagram and Tik Tok @jes_martini
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode, Chelsea Stivers from @thebalanceafterbaby joins me to discuss her postpartum experiences including postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as making the decision to have another baby.
Chelsea runs the wonderfully supportive postpartum community on Instagram @thebalanceafterbaby and is the founder of Brigid, a luxury postpartum brand you can find on Etsy!
Topics covered include:
- Deciding to have another child after postpartum depression and/or anxiety
- Preparing for another child after postpartum depression and/or anxiety
- Feeding choices and the impact of mental health
- The impact of prior sexual assault on the birth and breastfeeding experience
Delayed bonding is common after a traumatic birth, but it can make us feel like we're doing something wrong, like we somehow don't know how to be a mom or parent. Join me as I dive into the topic of delayed bonding after birth trauma including ways to facilitate bonding and better understanding our feelings related to delayed bonding.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Rebecca, a perinatal mental health advocate, joins me to share her story of Tokophobia and Postpartum OCD. We discuss postpartum mental health, inpatient treatment, and the shortcomings of current care models in both Australia and the U.S.
You can find Rebecca on Instagram at @perinatalstoriesaustralia
If you or someone you know needs support in pregnancy or postpartum, please reach out to Postpartum Support International's Helpline:
1-800-944-4773 (4PPD)
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of postpartum psychosis, this is an emergency. Please take them to the ER immediately or call 911.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
We’re talking all things pelvic floor physical therapy and birth trauma with Jessica London, PT, DPT.
In this episode we cover topics including:
- Vaginal v. c-section birth recovery
- Scar tissue mobilization and scar desensitization
- The lack of information on pelvic floor PT
- The impact of both physical and psychological trauma on the body
- Struggles with sexual intimacy after birth trauma
You can find Jessica at @yourpostpartumpt
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this week’s episode I sit down to connect with the lovely @shelbyadrift as she shares her own story of birth trauma with us. Shelby vulnerably shares the experience of her birth center to hospital transfer and the life-threatening events that followed. Shelby’s story is chock full of heartache and pain, but also hope and resilience.
*Shelby’s episode discusses details related to SA, emergency hysterectomy and provider abuse.
You can find Shelby on Instagram at @shelbyadrift
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Krysta Dancy, licensed trauma therapist, birth doula, provider educator, and owner of Dancy Perinatal, joins me to discuss the role provider trauma can play in birth trauma, and how treatment and education for providers can have a massive impact on birth trauma. When we provide treatment and support for those who provide the care, we create a trickle-down effect that positively impacts the birth environment and can reduce the risk of birth trauma.
Krysta's perinatal therapy practice is Dancy Perinatal
Click to learn more about their Critical Incident Support Program
Find Krysta on social media at @learnabouttrauma and @dancyperinatalcounseling
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Join me as I discuss all things trauma-informed care with perinatal clinical psychologist, Dr. Jenna Brough. Jenna shares her own story of miscarriage and the lack of trauma-informed care that followed.
We touch on its importance as a care model, not only for those already traumatized but also as a preventative effort. Individual support after birth trauma is integral to healing, but with 45% reporting their birth as traumatic, we're in a crisis. We need to look at preventative care, which comes from a systemic approach.
You can find Jenna on Instagram @tribepsychology
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Join us as I sit down with Pria Alpern, PhD a trauma specialist and EMDR-certified clinician and consultant, to discuss all things EMDR and birth trauma. Dr. Alpern discusses the role EMDR can play in trauma recovery, what you can expect in session, and how it works with the brain to reprocess trauma.
You can find Dr. Pria Alpern and her wonderful trauma content on Instagram and Tik Tok at @drpriaphd .
To access a directory of EMDR-certified therapists visit EMDRIA
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Alexia joins me on this week's episode to discuss miscarriage and pregnancy after loss, including her story with the loss of her son Wesley, which inspired her page @mainstreammiscarriagePostpartum Support helpline: 1-800-944-4773For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Leigh and Jeremy Cook share the traumatic birth stories of their two children and the impact that birth trauma had on their mental health and their relationship. Their story includes NICU stays, miscarriage, preeclampsia, placenta previa, and postpartum depression. I'm so grateful for their vulnerability in choosing to share their story with our community.
This story contains details of a traumatic birth and the topic of suicide.
Suicide and crisis lifeline: 988
Postpartum Support helpline: 1-800-944-4773For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
On this episode, I'm joined by Illiyin Morrison a midwife and birth educator in the UK. Illy shares the birth story of her daughter and how that ignited her passion for birth trauma support and education. She also explains the value of birth debriefs as well as how and where they fit into birth trauma support.
You can find Illy on Instagram at @mixing.up.motherhood or on her website https://mixingupmotherhood.com/
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
In this episode, I talk with Dr. Frankie Harrison about her lived experience as a NICU parent and how she used that experience, along with her skill set as a clinical psychologist, to build a beautiful support community for NICU families.
You can find Frankie on instagram at @miraclemoonuk or through her website miraclemoon.co.uk.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Join me and my husband, Steve, as we answer your questions on partner trauma and the impact of birth trauma on relationships.
Here are some books that can be helpful resources, especially if couples therapy is currently inaccessible for you:
To Have and To Hold by Molly Millwood
Fair Play By Eve Rodsky
How To Not Hate Your Husband After Kids By Jancee Dunn
Hold Me Tight By Dr. Sue Johnson
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Details of a traumatic birth are included in this episode.
In this episode, my husband, Steve joins me to discuss his perspective on Cal's birth and the impact it had on him, as well as our relationship.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Ever wondered how to cope with the many triggers that can occur after birth trauma? This episode is for you! Join me as I answer follower questions related to trauma triggers.
Get my free Coping With Trauma Triggers Guide here!
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Do you ever wonder why birthdays after birth trauma are so difficult? Why it's so hard to celebrate your child, even though that's what you want more than anything? Then this episode is for you! We're talking all things birthdays and anniversaries after birth trauma. We're talking the messy complex feelings that come up and how to cope with them. Birthdays and anniversaries bring up so much anxiety and fear, my hope is that this episode helps you better understand those feelings and provides you a blueprint for how to cope with them.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @birthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Emily Oster, professor, economist, & author, joins me to talk about choices and why having the data to make our parenting choices is so incredibly valuable. Relatability is Emily's superpower when it comes to translating parenting research and she proves that in this episode. Come join us for a laugh and some data.
Birth trauma often leaves us fighting through postpartum on unsteady ground, unsure if our next move will blow everything up again. Emily's data-driven community and books give us back some confidence to make the best decisions for our family and leaves us feeling like we gained a new friend in the process.
If you loved this episode and are looking for more Emily Oster in your life head to her Instagram @profemilyoster or purchase any of her 3 books Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm.
**Join us as Erica Zalvidar, LMFT from @travelingwithgrief returns to the podcast to continue our discussion on trauma and loss. In this episode, Erica explains what it’s like to be forced to live life after the death of your baby. Erica helps us understand what it’s like to live through the lens of a parent whose baby died. It’s not just about the grief, but also the trauma and postpartum recovery that are so often ignored.
Find Erica on Instagram @travelingwithgrief**
"At least you have a healthy baby, that's all that matters" We've all heard it before. But, what if you don't have a healthy baby? What if during your traumatic birth your baby also died?
Erica Zaldivar, LMFT, joins me to discuss loss after birth trauma. Her daughter, Verity, died at 13 days old in the NICU due to a birth injury in March 2021. Erica has since used her training as a therapist and her lived experience to create a wonderful support community for loss families. Erica and I discuss her birth with Verity, having to live when your child doesn't, and our concerns with biased information in the birth education space.
You can find Erica on Instagram @travelingwithgrief
Kaia Lacy, CLC from @lowsupplymom joins me to discuss feeding journeys after birth trauma. I cannot believe the amount of info I learned from Kaia in this episode! We dive into the concerns with the current narrative around breastfeeding at all costs, and the lack of robust lactation education for new parents.
Kaia breaks down the impacts of birth trauma on milk supply and also some valuable information on the mechanics behind lactation (something I was never taught in my breastfeeding classes).
Kaia can be found on instagram @lowsupplymom or her website https://lowsupplymom.com/
Have you ever wondered why you can’t just “turn off” your birth trauma? Or why you can’t just “move on”? Krysta Dancy, LMFT and founder of Dancy Perinatal, joins us to discuss trauma, how it works in the brain, and ways we can treat it. We also discuss the important role of trauma triggers and how to cope with them.
Connect with Krysta @learnabouttrauma @dancyperinatalcounseling
Krysta offers perinatal therapeutic services at dancyperinatal.com
Professionals looking for training can visit thepsychologyofbirth.com
Birth Trauma changes you.
That’s what I’ve learned since suffering a traumatic birth and Amniotic Fluid Embolism almost 3 years ago.
This episode shares my traumatic birth story and the recovery that inspired me to create a community for birth trauma survivors to share their truth and begin to heal.
You can follow me @thebirthtrauma_mama on both Instagram and Tik Tok.
You can find birth trauma resources on my website at thebirthtraumamama.com
For more information on AFE head to afesupport.org