Ep. 376: Creating a Catastrophic Birth Plan with Kayleigh Summers

This episode isn’t just about birth plans—it’s about the plan no one wants to make, but every family needs. I’m joined by Kayleigh Summers, aka The Birth Trauma Mama, to have a real and raw conversation about creating a catastrophe plan during pregnancy. Kayleigh shares her personal story of surviving an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) and how that experience changed everything about the way she views birth prep. We talk about what most people skip over: ICU protocols, feeding plans, postpartum care in emergencies, and yes—even life support decisions. It’s a heavy conversation, but it’s also incredibly empowering. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to start building a plan that ensures your wishes are respected and your voice is heard—even if things don’t go the way you envisioned. This is about protecting your power in birth, no matter what.   Guest Bio: Kayleigh Summers is a licensed therapist, writer, and content expert in perinatal trauma. Drawing from her clinical expertise and lived experience as an amniotic fluid embolism survivor, Kayleigh is dedicated to supporting families navigating perinatal trauma and collaborating with healthcare institutions to implement trauma-informed care tailored to pregnant and postpartum populations. As The Birth Trauma Mama, Kayleigh has cultivated vibrant support communities through Instagram, TikTok, and her podcast, offering connection, storytelling, and valuable resources for individuals impacted by perinatal trauma. Her work bridges clinical knowledge and personal insight, fostering hope and healing for those in need. 00:00 Introduction and Third Trimester Update 02:51 Creating a Birth Plan 04:40 Introducing the Catastrophe Plan 05:50 Kayleigh Summers' Story and Lessons 08:41 Discussing Catastrophic Birth Plans 11:11 Advocating for Yourself and Your Baby 11:57 Welcoming Kayleigh Summers 12:24 The Importance of Hard Conversations 13:22 Planning for Postpartum and Catastrophic Events 16:44 Separation and Skin-to-Skin Contact 39:02 Feeding Plans and Breastfeeding Decisions 44:01 Struggles with Milk Supply 44:47 Navigating ICU Communication 49:24 The Importance of Family Support 52:08 Documenting ICU Experiences 58:48 Life Support Decisions 01:07:59 Preparing for Catastrophic Events 01:19:42 Final Thoughts and Resources   SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on IG  Connect with HeHe on YouTube   Connect with Kayleigh on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!   LINKS MENTIONED: thebirthtraumamama.com   Keywords: birth trauma, birth trauma mama, Kayleigh Summers, catastrophe plan pregnancy, amniotic fluid embolism, AFE birth story, emergency birth planning, pregnancy birth plan, postpartum planning, ICU birth plan, feeding plan newborn, high risk pregnancy planning, birth advocacy, informed consent in birth, empowered birth, birth trauma support, The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe Stewart, maternal health advocacy, lowering birth trauma