Joy Randolph: “I Nearly Died During Pregnancy” — Survival, NICU & Taking Back Control

Joy Randolph’s first experience of motherhood began with survival. During her first pregnancy, Joy experienced a life-threatening medical complication while her baby spent time in NICU. That baby would go on to become a healthy elite athlete, and Joy would later have two further healthy pregnancies — but the experience fundamentally changed the way she approached pregnancy, birth and maternity care. In this episode, Joy joins Raychel Addo to talk openly about what it means to become a mother while fighting to survive, the emotional aftermath of NICU and finding the courage to become pregnant again after trauma. They discuss how Joy’s relationship with maternity care changed, the balance between trusting medical professionals and advocating for yourself, Caesarean birth, informed choice and Joy’s experience of a maternal-assisted C-section. They also explore a much bigger question: can a birth be medically successful and still be traumatic for the mother? Joy explains why those experiences ultimately led her to create ShapeCare, designed to help mothers better understand their care, risks and options so they can feel more informed and involved in their pregnancy experience. A powerful conversation about survival, choice, resilience and what truly good maternity care can look like. Follow Joy: @iamjoyrandolphShapeCare: myshapecare.comFollow Milk & Mummies: @milkandmummiespodcastFollow Raychel: @loveraychel Content note: This episode contains discussion of serious pregnancy complications, cancer, traumatic birth experiences and NICU. This podcast is for discussion and informational purposes only and does not provide individual medical advice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices