E119: From IVF Loss to Fostering 90+ Children: One Mother's Journey of Love Beyond Biology

When Irina Castellano was just 12 years old, babysitting neighborhood children, she never imagined her path to motherhood would include IVF, miscarriage, a heartbreaking termination, and fostering over 90 children across 25 years. In this powerful conversation, Irina shares her unique journey—one that began with a childhood dream of fostering, evolved through fertility challenges and reproductive loss, and ultimately led to creating a family through both biological birth and adoption while providing temporary homes for dozens of children in need. In this episode, we explore: How Irina navigated miscarriage and the devastating decision to terminate a wanted pregnancy due to severe fetal abnormalities Why her first miscarriage felt different from her later loss—and why both experiences were valid The reality of fostering: reunification as success, even when it breaks your heart How partners grieve differently and why we need more support for loss dads The intersection of reproductive grief and foster care—letting go of children who return to birth families Practical guidance for anyone considering fostering or adoption after loss Why Irina advocates for IVF clinics to connect unsuccessful clients with fostering information The foundational role of emotional processing in healing from any loss Key Themes: Reproductive loss (miscarriage, termination for medical reasons) Fertility challenges and IVF Fostering and adoption pathways Partner grief and support Emotional healing and nervous system regulation Creating family beyond biology Resources mentioned: Irina's 4-week fostering exploration program Louise Hay emotional healing workshops (February 7-8, Sydney): https://go.irinacastellano.com.au/opt-in-page  Connect with Irina: Facebook: Irina Castellano LinkedIn: Irina Castellano Instagram: @irinasyd   Connect with Sharna: Join my Newsletter: HERE Apply for the Certification: HERE IG: Biz Mentorship: @instituteofhealing_pl IG: Podcast: @pregnancyloss_podcast  IG: Loss Support & Certifications: @insitituteofhealing.losssupport LinkedIn: @sharnasouthan   Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations and realize they're not alone in their journey. Remember: You don't have to heal alone. Your grief is valid, your babies mattered, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.   Resources & Support The Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™ offers specialised support for bereaved mothers that treats pregnancy loss as reproductive trauma—because your experience deserves more than general grief counseling. Ready to transform your experience into expertise? If you're a bereaved mother practitioner called to support others through pregnancy loss, explore the Pregnancy Loss & Trauma-Informed Specialist Certification at: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/certification-vsl  Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear Dimi's story.