45 | The Motherwhelm with Ciara | Ectopic Pregnancy, IVF & Black Maternal Health

In this episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with Ciara, a labour and delivery nurse, mama coach, and mother, to talk about ectopic pregnancy, IVF, postnatal depression, and the long road to motherhood.Ciara shares her deeply personal journey through ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and IVF, reflecting on the profound impact these experiences had on her body, her mental health, and her sense of self. Together, we explore the hope, heartbreak, and resilience required to keep moving forward when the path to motherhood is anything but straightforward.We also discuss perinatal mental health, Ciara's experience of postnatal depression, and the support that helped her navigate the postpartum period. Drawing on both her lived experience and her work as a labour and delivery nurse, Ciara offers thoughtful insight into the experiences of Black mothers within the maternity healthcare system and the systemic inequities that continue to contribute to disparities in maternal outcomes.If you've experienced ectopic pregnancy, IVF, pregnancy loss, postnatal depression, or you're interested in understanding Black maternal health, I hope Ciara's story leaves you feeling informed, seen, and reminded that your experience matters.Book mentionedThe Nurture Revolution: Grow Your Baby's Brain and Transform Their Mental Health through the Art of Nurtured Parenting by Greer KirshenbaumInstagram accounts mentioned@herblackwellness@antiracistnursecollective@thesleepdoctor@bundlebirthnursesTopics discussed: ectopic pregnancy, pregnancy loss, IVF, infertility, postnatal depression, perinatal mental health, labour and delivery nurse, Black maternal health, maternal healthcare, motherhood, resilience.