55 | The Motherwhelm with Bianca | Pregnancy After Loss, TFMR & Maternal Mental Health

In this episode of The Motherwhelm, I sit down with Bianca, a clinical psychologist and mum of two, to talk about pregnancy after loss, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), and the lasting impact of grief on motherhood.Bianca shares her extraordinary journey through an early miscarriage, the devastating loss of her daughter following a prenatal diagnosis, and the anxiety of navigating pregnancy after loss. Together, we explore the often-silenced reality of termination for medical reasons (TFMR), the complex grief that accompanies making an impossible decision, and why these experiences deserve greater understanding and compassion.We also discuss the anxiety of pregnancy after loss, navigating repeated high-risk pregnancies, advocating for yourself during birth, and the impact that difficult postpartum experiences can have on identity, perfectionism, and the mother-child relationship. Drawing on both her lived experience and her work as a psychologist, Bianca shares the strategies that helped her survive overwhelming anxiety, including the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the importance of making space for difficult emotions rather than fighting against them.This is a deeply moving conversation about grief, healing, self-compassion, and learning that motherhood is not about doing everything perfectly. It is about showing up, allowing yourself to be supported, and trusting that even after unimaginable heartbreak, joy and hope can exist alongside grief.If you've experienced miscarriage, pregnancy after loss, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), birth trauma, postpartum challenges, or you're navigating the pressure of perfectionism in motherhood, I hope Bianca's story helps you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone.Connect with BiancaInstagram: @drbiancamastromannoTopics discussed: miscarriage, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), pregnancy after loss, prenatal diagnosis, recurrent pregnancy anxiety, birth trauma, postpartum recovery, perfectionism, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), self-compassion, maternal mental health, grief, motherhood identity.