The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast

In this insightful episode, Kayleigh sits down with therapist and perinatal mental health expert Hilary Waller to explore the nuanced overlap between perinatal OCD, trauma, and EMDR. Hilary shares her journey into this work, her passion for supporting parents through medical trauma and loss, and how EMDR can help address the nervous system responses underneath intrusive thoughts and anxiety.💛 Why intrusive thoughts in the perinatal period are far more common than most parents realize🧠 The difference between generalized postpartum anxiety and the more “hyper-focused” presentation of perinatal OCD⚠️ How birth trauma, NICU experiences, medical complications, and loss can create the perfect storm for OCD symptoms to emerge🔄 The connection between trauma, uncertainty, and compulsive behaviors🩺 Why health anxiety after perinatal trauma often has a strong OCD component🌊 How EMDR helps target the nervous system response beneath intrusive thoughts and compulsions📚 Why psychoeducation can be one of the most healing parts of therapy👶 The importance of distinguishing between “normal new parent worries” and symptoms of trauma or OCD✨ The power of reducing shame and helping parents understand: “These are symptoms, not who you are.”🤍 Why finding a therapist trained in perinatal mental health can make such a profound difference in recoveryWhether you’re a parent navigating intrusive thoughts, a clinician supporting trauma survivors, or someone wanting to better understand the overlap between OCD and birth trauma, this episode offers compassionate, validating, and deeply practical insight.Resources Mentioned:🎧 Birth Trauma Mama Episodes:• Episode 32 — OCD in the Perinatal Period• Episode 119 — OCD and Intrusive Thoughts• Episode 15 with Dr. Priya Alpern — EMDR Basics📖 Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts📖 Perinatal EMDR chapter featuring Hilary Waller and Dr. Amber Penn💻 Learn more about Postpartum Support International: Postpartum Support InternationalGuest Bio:Hilary is a psychotherapist specializing in reproductive and parental mental health and treatment of related disorders. After earning dual Bachelor’s degrees at Columbia University and The Jewish Theological Seminary, Hilary worked with adolescents in both formal and informal educational settings. This experience piqued her interest in parent-child relationships and led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialty in marriage and family therapy. For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Katherine to hold space for the layers of trauma that can exist alongside stillbirth and loss. Katherine shares the story of her son Brody, the life-threatening complications she experienced after his birth, and the continued trauma that unfolded in her pregnancy and delivery with her living child.Through her unfiltered honesty, Katherine sheds light on the often-overlooked realities of birth trauma within the loss community, and reminds us that grief and trauma can coexist in complex, valid ways.💔 The devastating experience of stillbirth and the shock of losing a baby after a low-risk pregnancy🏥 A near-death postpartum emergency, including DIC, massive blood loss, and emergency surgery🧠 Why stillbirth is not only grief, but also a deeply traumatic physical and psychological experience⚖️ The tension between focusing on the baby’s loss while minimizing the mother’s trauma💭 Survivor’s guilt, mortality awareness, and the emotional complexity of “staying” after almost dying🌊 Pregnancy after loss and the intense fear, hypervigilance, and retraumatization that can come with it🚨 A second traumatic birth experience, including an emergency C-section and NICU stay😔 The pressure to feel “grateful” for a living baby while silently carrying unresolved trauma🧩 How trauma can resurface years later, physically, mentally, and emotionally💊 Seeking support through therapy, medication, and alternative treatments like ketamine therapy🧘‍♀️ Learning to listen to your body, honor your limits, and move away from “pushing through”🗣️ The importance of acknowledging your trauma, even when others center the baby’s story🤍 Giving yourself permission to not be okay, to need help, and to heal in your own way and timeline📚 Resources Katherine shares:• Her website: KatherineLazar.com• Podcast: At a Total Loss• Private community: LossLink• Book: Stillbirth Survival Guide (releasing May 7)This episode is a reminder that you can hold grief, trauma, love, and survival all at once—and that your experience matters. You are not alone.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this mini episode, Kayleigh opens up about the often unexpected and deeply layered experience of Mother’s Day after birth trauma. She offers validation, normalization, and gentle guidance for navigating a day that can feel both meaningful and incredibly heavy.💐 The many layers of Mother’s Day grief, including loss, infertility, complicated relationships, and birth trauma🤍 Why Mother’s Day can feel surprisingly triggering, even when your child is here and you “expected” to feel only joy🌊 How birth trauma reshapes your entrance into motherhood, and why that can surface so strongly on Mother’s Day📱 The emotional impact of social media, highlight reels, and constant reminders of “what it should have looked like”💭 Holding conflicting emotions at once: wanting to celebrate while also feeling sadness, grief, or heaviness🗣️ The importance of communicating your needs with partners and loved ones, whatever they may be🧠 Creating space for your feelings and honoring your experience without judgment🌱 Finding moments of healing and connection alongside grief as your motherhood journey evolves💛 Honoring your path into motherhood and everything you’ve endured to be here todayThis episode is a gentle reminder that there is no “right” way to feel on Mother’s Day after birth trauma. Whether you celebrate, grieve, avoid, or simply get through the day, you are allowed to do what feels best for you.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Megan shares her journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, chronic illness, medical trauma, and a life-threatening birth experience that led to her son’s premature arrival. Her story sheds light on the complexities of pregnancy after loss, the realities of navigating the healthcare system with chronic conditions, and the lasting impact of birth trauma and a NICU stay.💔 Recurrent pregnancy loss and the emotional toll of experiencing multiple miscarriages while searching for answers🧬 Navigating fertility challenges, including diagnoses of lupus, Factor V Leiden, and stage 4 endometriosis after years of dismissed symptoms🏥 The frustration and harm of not being taken seriously in the medical system—and the impact of delayed diagnoses🌈 Turning to IVF after loss and holding onto hope while navigating pregnancy after trauma🤍 The reality of pregnancy after loss—living in survival mode, dissociation, and the fear of not bringing a baby home🦠 A sudden and severe decline at 30 weeks pregnant, leading to a diagnosis of sepsis and ICU admission😨 The terror of not being able to breathe, rapid health deterioration, and facing the possibility of intubation while pregnant👩‍⚕️ The life-saving importance of provider advocacy and finally being heard during a critical medical emergency👶 Premature rupture of membranes and delivering a baby at 30 weeks after days of labor and medical complications⚠️ A traumatic labor and delivery experience, including unmanaged pain, a failed epidural, and lack of compassionate care🍼 A two-month NICU stay and the heartbreak of going home without your baby while navigating postpartum recovery🧠 The lasting impact of birth trauma—how it shapes identity, parenting, anxiety, and the postpartum experience🤝 Finding healing through community, shared stories, and validation after trauma💬 The power of vulnerability and why sharing our stories matters in breaking isolation and creating connectionMegan’s story is a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the importance of being seen, heard, and supported. If her story resonates with you, know that you are not alone and that your experiences and feelings are valid. 💛For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this informative episode, Kayleigh sits down with OB-GYN and author Dr. Jennifer Lincoln to break down what pregnant people actually need to know about birth. From navigating medical decisions to unpacking misinformation online, this conversation is packed with insight, nuance, and practical tools to help you feel more confident and informed heading into your birth experience.💛 Why feeling informed—not overwhelmed—is key to reducing trauma in birth experiences📖 The inspiration behind Dr. Lincoln’s birth book and why it focuses solely on the delivery process❓ How structuring information as real-life questions makes learning about birth more accessible and less intimidating🧠 The importance of respecting patient intelligence with detailed, evidence-based information 🗣️ Why many people don’t realize they can advocate for themselves—and how to start doing it📋 The power of checklists and knowing your options, even if you don’t have access to every resource🏥 What to ask your care team about emergencies, protocols, and available support⚖️ A nuanced conversation about birth choices—including hospital vs. home birth🏡 How Dr. Lincoln’s perspective on home birth evolved through experience and data🌍 What other countries do differently when it comes to integrated maternity care🔥 The real issue behind polarization in the birth world—and why it helps no one💥 Breaking down common birth complications without fear-mongering🩸 How the book approaches topics like hemorrhage, C-sections, and interventions😰 What to do when anxiety spikes after seeing scary birth content online🛠️ Why asking “what’s your protocol?” can be more reassuring than hearing “that won’t happen”📱 The impact of social media on pregnancy and birth expectations🚫 The danger of absolute statements like “interventions are always bad”💬 The most misunderstood part of labor and delivery: you have the right to ask questions🚩 Why feeling dismissed is a red flag—and how to advocate for better care🍽️ Surprising evidence around eating during labor and other outdated practices👀 “Insider tips” from Dr. Lincoln on navigating the hospital experience🛑 You deserve respect, informed consent, and compassionate care—every timeThis episode is a must-listen for anyone preparing for birth after trauma, entering their first pregnancy, or simply wanting to better understand their options in a system that doesn’t always make it easy.You can find a copy of her book "The Birth Book" and other resources by visiting her website HERE!Guest Bio:Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is an OBGYN, author, and social media educator. She is the Executive Director of Mayday Health, a health education non-profit that spreads awareness of abortion pills in all 50 states. She is also the co-founder of Obstetricians for Reproductive Justice and the founder of Three for Freedom, a website that serves as a hub to help people take control of their reproductive futures in all 50 states.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this powerful Listener Series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Leah to share her story of giving birth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating a traumatic delivery, and enduring years of unexplained postpartum pain before finally being diagnosed with severe endometriosis. Leah opens up about medical dismissal, complex trauma, subsequent pregnancies, and the ongoing journey of healing, both physically and emotionally. This episode is a raw and honest look at what happens when trauma isn’t just one moment, but a series of experiences over time.In this episode, we talk about:🦠 Being pregnant and giving birth during the early days of the pandemic🏥 Infection, induction, and an emergency C-section after a long labor😔 Feeling dismissed, like a burden, and afraid to speak up to providers🩸 Ongoing, severe postpartum pain that was repeatedly minimized🧑‍⚕️ Seeing multiple doctors and being told everything was “normal”🧠 Questioning your reality and wondering if it’s “all in your head”🔍 Finally being diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and interstitial cystitis💥 The emotional impact of delayed diagnosis and medical gaslighting😞 Postpartum PTSD and how trauma symptoms showed up over time🤰 An unexpected second pregnancy and navigating intense triggers✨ A redemptive birth experience and what felt different the second time🩸 A third birth complicated by hemorrhage and retraumatization🌊 Complex trauma vs. a single traumatic event💔 The impact of trauma on friendships, identity, and support systems🫶 Finding healing through EMDR, therapy, writing, and supportive relationshipsWhy this episode matters:✨ Trauma can be layered, ongoing, and complex✨ Being dismissed in medical spaces can deepen trauma✨ You are not “crazy” for knowing something is wrong in your body✨ Healing isn’t linear—and it can coexist with ongoing challengesIf you’ve ever felt unheard, dismissed, or alone in your postpartum or chronic illness journey, this episode is for you. Your experience is real and you deserve answers, support, and care. 🤍For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Kayleigh breaks down a widely discussed episode of The Pit—exploring both the medical accuracy and the emotional impact it’s had on the birth trauma community. Through a nuanced and honest lens, she unpacks what the show got right, what it missed, and why these portrayals matter so deeply.🎬 The viral episode that sparked major conversation across both medical and patient communities💔 Kayleigh’s personal connection and why this storyline felt especially close to home🗣️ The wide range of reactions—from praise to strong criticism—and why both can be valid🏥 Whether this patient would realistically be treated in the ER vs. going straight to OB/L&D👩‍⚕️ The absence of OB, MFM, and NICU teams—and why that raised concerns about accuracy⏱️ A breakdown of maternal cardiac arrest and the urgency behind real-life response protocols🩺 Understanding a resuscitative hysterotomy and why it’s performed to save the mother’s life👏 Key educational moments the show got right, including left uterine displacement and the 4–5 minute rule✂️ The decision to use a vertical (midline) incision and how that compares to real-world practice⚠️ HELLP syndrome representation and the frustration from survivors around how it was portrayed🧠 The role of misinformation and how fear of medical care can impact patient outcomes⚖️ The tension between medical providers and patients who feel distrust toward the healthcare system🤝 The importance of trauma-informed care—and how even 20 seconds of empathy can change everything💬 Why compassion and curiosity should come before correction, even in high-stress medical situations📺 The value of showing birth trauma in media, with nods to Grey's Anatomy and Fleishman Is in Trouble for their emotional storytelling🌱 A reminder that these conversations are complex, layered, and necessary for improving care✨ Not a perfect portrayal but an important one that opens the door for awareness and dialogueIf this episode resonated with you, your thoughts and experiences are valid and you’re not alone in how you felt watching 💛For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this deeply emotional listener episode, Michelle bravely shares her story of pregnancy complications, medical trauma, and the heartbreaking loss of her son, Cody. Through her vulnerability, she offers connection, validation, and hope to anyone navigating grief after loss.💛 The loneliness of trauma and the power of having a space to share your story🤰 Repeatedly dismissed concerns, ongoing bleeding, and the emotional toll of not being heard during pregnancy🏥 Navigating a complex military healthcare system and the impact of delayed care and lack of intervention💔 Water breaking early, hospitalization, and the devastating realization that something was seriously wrong👶 Michelle shares the story behind naming her son and the profound love she felt during his short but meaningful life🕊️ The heartbreak of delivering Cody at 24 weeks and spending just a few precious hours with him😭 Processing the pain of losing a baby and questioning whether her grief is “enough” after such a short time🏠 The surreal and painful reality of leaving the hospital and navigating immediate grief🧠 The layers of loss, difficult interactions, and moments that leave lasting emotional imprints🤝 The impact of meaningful support vs. harmful platitudes like “at least you have other children”💬 How allowing emotions—rather than suppressing them—became a key part of Michelle’s healing❤️ Navigating loss within a marriage, including unspoken guilt and the importance of communication👦 The often-overlooked impact of grief on children and the importance of checking in with them🎂 Annual traditions like birthday cakes and family photos that keep Cody’s memory alive🌱 Growth, ongoing grief, and the complexity of moving forward✨ A powerful reminder that grief is messy, emotions are valid, and perfection is not the goalIf this episode resonated with you, know that your story and your grief matter too 💛For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this validating episode, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. James Jackson, an internationally recognized psychologist, neuropsychology specialist, and pioneer in post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Together, they explore the often-overlooked reality of medical trauma and what true healing can look like after surviving critical illness.📖 His book Reclaiming Your Life from Medical Trauma offers a compassionate, practical guide to recognizing symptoms, finding effective treatment, and healing both brain and body. Visit his website HERE for more information and resources.🧠 Why trauma after ICU stays, birth complications, or serious illness is incredibly common—and often unrecognized💥 How survivors often draw a stark line between life before trauma and life after—and how healing reshapes that narrative🧩 The impact on mental health, relationships, parenting, and family dynamics😔 Why grieving your old life and identity is essential—and why it can’t be rushed or skipped⏳ Letting go of the idea that more therapy or support can “speed up” recovery🤝 The transformative power of support groups and being seen by others who truly understand🌀 How vivid, distressing memories formed during critical illness can fuel long-term trauma symptoms😶‍🌫️ The cultural silence around medical trauma—and the harmful belief that we should “just be grateful” to be alive🙏 Making space for difficult emotions without shame or guilt🧘 Learning to live a meaningful life even if some symptoms don’t fully go away💬 Holding both joy and pain, trauma and growth, at the same timeDr. James “Jim” Jackson is an internationally renowned expert on long Covid and its effects on cognitive and mental health functioning. A licensed psychologist specializing in neuropsychology and cognitive rehabilitation, he completed his psychology residency at the Veteran’s Affairs/Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Consortium while also receiving post-doctoral training in cognitive rehabilitation at the Oliver Zangwill Center in Ely, England. A pioneer in the investigation and treatment of Post–Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS),—a condition that impacts up to a third of survivors of critical illness—he is a research professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt, where he is also the co-founder and director of Behavioral Health at the award-winning ICU Recovery Center, one of the first comprehensive clinical resources devoted to diagnosing and treating survivors of both mild and critical illness, including those who survived Covid-19.There, Dr. Jackson consults with patients and their families from around the world. Additionally, he serves as the director of Long-Term Outcomes at the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, a consortium focused on advancing knowledge, education, and models of care for people affected by acute and longterm brain dysfunction following wide ranging illnesses (from mild to severe). He and his team created the first psychologist-led long Covid support groups in the United States early in the pandemic and continue to offer multiple groups every week.  For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with two best friends, Sam and Paige, whose lives became forever intertwined through shared birth trauma. What began as a friendship rooted in everyday life quickly transformed into something much deeper when both women experienced rare, life-threatening birth complications just months apart.Together, they open up about the shock, grief, and confusion of their experiences, the parts they remember (and the parts they don’t), and the complex emotions that followed. Most importantly, they share what it means to have each other a person who truly gets it, in a space that can feel incredibly isolating.This episode is a testament to the power of connection, validation, and being seen in your hardest moments. 💛✨ In this episode, we cover:🌿 The story of how Sam and Paige became friends and discovered they were pregnant at the same time🧠 Paige’s sudden, life-threatening birth experience and the trauma of not remembering meeting her daughter🚨 Sam’s unexpected emergency C-section and complications just months later🩸 How rare and severe complications (like DIC) impacted both of their journeys🌊 The emotional aftermath of birth trauma, including grief, jealousy, and confusion🧩 What it feels like to not remember key moments and why that loss matters🫶 The isolation of birth trauma and the healing power of having someone who truly understands🗣️ Navigating support from others who may not fully “get it”🛋️ The role of therapy and processing trauma with professional support🌅 Finding meaning and connection through shared experience, including the beautiful tradition of “Live Day”💛 This episode is for you if:🌼 You’ve experienced birth trauma and felt alone in your story🌀 You’re navigating complex emotions like grief, jealousy, or guilt postpartum🔍 You wish others understood your experience more deeply🤝 You’re a support person wanting to better understand what birth trauma can feel like💫 You believe in the power of connection and shared healingThis conversation is raw, validating, and full of heart. You are not alone—and stories like these remind us just how powerful it is to be seen, heard, and understood. 💛For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this mini episode, Kayleigh is speaking directly to providers, nurses, and healthcare workers about the real-life application of trauma-informed care. Moving beyond the buzzword, she breaks down how trauma shows up in healthcare settings, and more importantly, how communication can either help prevent or contribute to it.This episode is packed with practical, easy-to-implement scripts and mindset shifts you can use immediately in patient interactions. From validating fears to navigating emergencies and repairing missteps, Kayleigh highlights how even the smallest moments of connection can have a lasting impact on patient outcomes.Whether you’re a provider looking to deepen your approach or a patient wanting insight into what trauma-informed care should look like, this episode offers powerful, tangible takeaways.✨ A mini episode for providers, nurses, and healthcare workers on trauma-informed communication🧠 Why trauma-informed care is more than a buzzword—it’s a necessity for every patient💬 Real, practical scripts: what to say (and what to avoid) in common patient scenarios❤️ The power of validation—100% of community feedback emphasized feeling seen and acknowledged🔍 Why trauma is subjective and not defined by the “severity” of the medical event🏥 How small shifts (eye contact, body language, reading charts) can transform patient experiences⚠️ The harm of “empty reassurance” and what to say instead when patients express fear🙌 Asking for consent: giving patients autonomy in even the smallest moments🚨 Communication during emergencies—how seconds of connection can reduce trauma😔 Supporting patients through unexpected outcomes (like unplanned C-sections) with empathy🔄 Repairing missteps: how owning mistakes can completely change a patient’s experience📊 The long-term impact of validation vs. invalidation on postpartum healing and support-seeking🌱 A reminder: your words matter—sometimes one moment stays with patients foreverFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In Part 2 of Olivia’s story, we move beyond the resuscitation and into what so many survivors say is the hardest part, the aftermath. From ICU recovery to postpartum trauma, returning to work, and making the deeply personal decision to grow her family again, Olivia shares a raw and powerful look at life after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism.This episode is a testament to grit, grief, and redefining what healing actually looks like.✨ In this episode, we cover:🩺 Life after survival, ICU recovery, dialysis, and the long road home💔 The hidden trauma of the postpartum period after a near-death experience🚫 Loss of autonomy, HIPAA violations, and navigating care as both patient + provider🧠 PTSD triggers, panic attacks, and the reality of returning to work in healthcare🤍 The role of support systems and showing up when it matters most👶 Becoming a mother while still healing physically and emotionally🤰 Choosing a subsequent pregnancy after AFE and facing judgment for it🏥 A high-risk pregnancy with intense monitoring and a carefully crafted birth plan⚠️ When the plan falls apart: an unexpected early delivery🎀 Welcoming Rosie, and why a “healing birth” didn’t erase the trauma📚 Starting a DNP program postpartum and turning pain into purpose📊 Using lived experience to drive change in maternal healthcare💡 Olivia also shares her powerful DNP project focused on improving emergency department response to maternal emergencies, bridging critical gaps in care and advocating for systemic change.💭 Key Takeaway:Healing after birth trauma isn’t linear, and it isn’t about “fixing” what happened. It’s about learning to carry both grief and hope, while continuing to write your story forward.⚠️ Content Note:This episode includes discussion of medical trauma, ICU stays, and life-threatening birth complications. Please listen with care.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

April is Cesarean Awareness Month, and we’re re-releasing this incredibly important conversation to spotlight the complexities, emotions, and real stories behind C-sections.On this solo episode, Kayleigh is discussing all things c-section. She shares a few different studies highlighting the data on c-sections and PTSD, as well as how they compare to other modes of delivery. Kayleigh also touches on TOLACs and planned cesarean sections after birth trauma. In this episode:- Types of C-Sections- C-Section and birth trauma- Communication and Support as mitigating factors- Delivery decisions after birth trauma (TOLAC v. planned c-section)- C-Sections under general anesthesiaStudies Discussed:Garthus-Niegel S, von Soest T, Knoph C, Simonsen TB, Torgersen L, Eberhard-Gran M. The influence of women's preferences and actual mode of delivery on post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth: a population-based, longitudinal study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014 Jun 5;14:191. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-191. PMID: 24898436; PMCID: PMC4053555.Orovou E, Iliadou M, Chatzopoulou MT, Dagla M, Eskitzis P, Rigas N, Antoniou E. The Relation between Birth with Cesarean Section and Posttraumatic Stress in Postpartum Women. Maedica (Bucur). 2023 Dec;18(4):615-622. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.4.615. PMID: 38348064; PMCID: PMC10859197.Rowlands IJ, Redshaw M. Mode of birth and women's psychological and physical wellbeing in the postnatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Nov 28;12:138. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-138. PMID: 23190575; PMCID: PMC3533875.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.Why This Episode Matters: C-sections are the most common major surgery performed on women, yet they’re often misunderstood and under-supported. Whether you're a birthing parent, a partner, a provider, or a friend—this episode offers insight and empathy that can shift how we talk about and hold space for C-section experiences.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Olivia, a nurse, Navy veteran, and fellow AFE survivor, who shares her powerful and truly unique birth story.Olivia walks us through her experience of an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during the birth of her son, Theo, including the unimaginable reality of being awake and aware during much of her own resuscitation. Her story is both medically complex and deeply human, highlighting the layers of trauma that can exist even when lives are ultimately saved.This is Part 1 of Olivia’s story. 🤍In this episode, we discuss:✨ Olivia’s background as an ER nurse and Navy veteran🌍 Deploying during COVID and the impact of repeated medical trauma exposure🤰 A challenging pregnancy while working night shift and relocating alone⚠️ Early warning signs like vision changes and rising blood pressure🏥 Electing for induction at 39 weeks and questioning that decision afterward🫁 The sudden onset of shortness of breath — a key symptom of AFE🚨 Rapid deterioration and emergency C-section under intense circumstances😳 Being awake and aware during her own medical emergency🩸 Developing DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)🏥 Massive transfusion protocol and ongoing resuscitation efforts⏳ A prolonged, 23-hour decline leading to ECMO🫀 Understanding how AFE can present without full cardiac arrest🫁 Being placed on VV ECMO for lung support😨 Experiencing awareness while paralyzed in the ICU👂 Hearing conversations, procedures, and care while unable to move💬 The importance of how providers speak around patients — even when they appear sedatedOlivia’s story is a profound reminder that trauma is not just about survival — but about what is experienced during those life-threatening moments.Her perspective as both a patient and a medical provider offers an incredibly rare and important lens into birth trauma, critical care, and the lasting impact of these experiences.Be sure to tune in next week for Part 2, where Olivia shares her recovery, mental health journey, and what it was like to go on to have another baby after AFE — something rarely discussed. 🤍For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

March 27th marks Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Awareness Day, a time to honor the lives affected by this rare but life-threatening complication. In this special episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we take a deep dive into what AFE is, how it happens, and what can be done to improve survival rates.In this episode, we discuss:🩸 What is AFE? Understanding this sudden and unpredictable complication⚕️ Symptoms & Diagnosis: How AFE presents and why it’s difficult to diagnose🚨 Emergency Response & Treatment: The critical importance of rapid medical intervention📉 Risk Factors & Research Gaps: What we know (and don’t know) about AFE prevention💜 Support for Survivors & Families: Resources for those impactedAFE is rare—affecting about 1 in 40,000 births—but its impact is devastating. The best way to save lives is through awareness, preparedness, and research funding.Resources Mentioned:🌐 AFE Foundation & Support Resources📚 Free CEU Course for Healthcare Providers on AFE Management📑 Simulation Toolkit & Emergency Guides for Medical Teams📞 24/7 AFE Hotline for Medical Teams Managing Suspected CasesAFE survivors, grieving families, and medical professionals—this episode is for you. Let’s continue to raise awareness and push for better understanding, treatment, and support.🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh speaks with author and advocate Samina Ali, who shares her devastating and powerful birth story. What began as a healthy first pregnancy quickly turned into a life-threatening medical emergency when her symptoms of preeclampsia were repeatedly dismissed by providers.Samina vulnerably shares how undiagnosed preeclampsia progressed into HELLP syndrome, seizures, stroke, and multi-organ failure, and the long road of recovery that followed. Her story highlights the dangerous consequences of not being believed in medical spaces and the systemic issues that continue to impact maternal health outcomes.In this episode, we discuss:✨ A first pregnancy at 29 with symptoms that didn’t feel right⚠️ Warning signs of preeclampsia that were repeatedly dismissed by providers👁️ Experiencing visual disturbances, headaches, swelling, and severe symptoms late in pregnancy🩺 Carrying a pregnancy to term while unknowingly experiencing multiple small strokes💔 Feeling unheard and dismissed by the medical team during labor🚨 Developing HELLP syndrome 🧠 Experiencing a grand mal seizure immediately after delivery🩸 Suffering a massive brain hemorrhage and stroke🏥 Being rushed to the neuro ICU in a coma after multi-organ failure💔 Her newborn son requiring NICU care after the traumatic birth⚖️ The role of systemic bias, racism, and dismissal in maternal healthcare🌱 Surviving the unimaginable and eventually sharing her story through writing and advocacySamina’s story is a powerful reminder that listening to women and especially women of color in medical spaces is life-saving care.Her experience sheds light on the realities of maternal morbidity in the United States and the urgent need for systemic change in how pregnant patients are heard, believed, and treated.We are incredibly grateful to Samina for sharing her story and continuing to advocate for safer maternal healthcare. 🤍You can find Samina's books through her website HERE.Guest Bio:Samina Ali is an award-winning author, curator, and popular speaker. Her debut novel, MADRAS ON RAINY DAYS, won France’s prestigious Prix Premier Roman Etranger and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award in fiction. Her latest memoir, PIECES YOU'LL NEVER GET BACK, is a harrowing and redemptive memoir, in which a new mother must reconstruct her shattered mind, her relationship to her religious upbringing, and her life’s purpose. Named a "Most Anticipated Book of 2025" by multiple outlets, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Pieces You’ll Never Get Back was an April pick by the celebrity book club, Belletrist, and has been optioned for the screen.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh answers one of the most common questions she hears from both clients and her online community: “Was my birth actually traumatic?”In this mini episode, she breaks down the truth about trauma, reminding listeners that trauma is not defined by how something “looked” on paper, but by how it was experienced in the body and nervous system. This conversation invites you to release comparison, validate your own experience, and understand that you are worthy of support.In this episode, we discuss:✨ The question so many parents ask: “Was it bad enough to be trauma?”🧠 Why trauma is subjective and based on your nervous system response⚡ How trauma is a survival response not a choice🤍 Letting go of the idea that trauma needs to meet a certain “threshold.”🔍 Getting curious about why you’re asking if your birth was traumatic💬 The desire for validation and feeling “worthy” of support⚖️ The harmful impact of comparing your experience to others🌱 Why you don’t need a label to seek help or healing🫶 Giving yourself permission to acknowledge your experience as it was💡 Understanding that if it felt traumatic, it was traumaticKayleigh gently challenges the belief that we need to justify our pain in order to receive care and reminds listeners that healing starts with validating your own experience, not minimizing it.If you’ve ever questioned whether your birth “counts” as trauma or felt unsure if you deserve support, this episode is for you. 🤍For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes Anya to share the story of her first birth — a pregnancy that was completely uncomplicated until a cascade of unexpected events in labor led to a traumatic emergency C-section experience.Anya opens up about feeling pressured into surgery, a frightening complication with anesthesia in the operating room, and the terror of feeling unable to breathe while fully conscious. Her story highlights how quickly birth can shift and how important communication, consent, and emotional support are during labor and delivery. In this episode, we discuss:✨ An uncomplicated pregnancy that suddenly shifted during labor💧 An accidental rupture of membranes during a membrane sweep🏥 Induction with a Cook catheter and Pitocin💉 Receiving a very heavy epidural and not realizing something was unusual⚠️ A new on-call OB pushing for a C-section despite earlier progress😔 Feeling confused, pressured, and unheard during labor decisions🚨 Being rushed toward surgery without clear explanations🩺 A frightening complication when anesthesia didn’t work as expected😨 Experiencing panic and terror after suddenly losing the ability to breathe in the OR🫁 The moment monitors alarmed and the team realized something was wrong🤍 The emotional impact of feeling powerless and alone during a medical crisisAnya shares vulnerably about the fear, confusion, and loss of control she experienced in those moments — and how deeply those experiences can shape the way we process birth afterward.Her story is a powerful reminder that trauma in birth isn’t only about what happens medically, but how supported, informed, and safe a birthing person feels throughout the process.We are so grateful to Anya for sharing her story and helping others feel less alone in their experiences. 🤍For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh shifts perspectives and shares her own therapy journey, not as a clinician, but as a client. After surviving a life-threatening birth experience and amniotic fluid embolism, Kayleigh opens up about the role therapy, medication, EMDR, and parts work have played in her healing.This vulnerable episode explores what trauma healing can actually look like years after the initial event and how deeper layers of trauma can surface in surprising ways. In this episode, we discuss:✨ Kayleigh’s personal therapy journey after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism🧠 Why she sought therapy immediately after being discharged from the ICU🤍 The power of relational therapy and feeling deeply seen in trauma recovery💊 Navigating postpartum anxiety, health anxiety, and starting an SSRI🔍 The overlap between health anxiety and OCD-style intrusive thoughts🧑‍⚕️ How becoming an EMDR therapist changed the way she understood trauma healing🌀 What EMDR and parts work looked like from the client perspective🧩 How childhood experiences can shape the way we experience birth trauma🏥 A surprising connection between childhood medical experiences and feeling unheard during birth🌙 Processing an early childhood home robbery that fueled nighttime anxiety for decades👩‍👦 The lingering trauma of nearly leaving her son without a mother💬 Why talk therapy alone sometimes isn’t enough for trauma healing🌱 How EMDR helped process trauma that was stored in the nervous systemKayleigh also shares an honest look at what healing can look like six years after trauma,  including the reality that some pieces resolve while others take longer to process.If you’ve wondered what EMDR therapy actually feels like, why trauma responses can appear years later, or why talking about trauma doesn’t always resolve it, this episode offers a deeply personal and insightful perspective.This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is not linear — and that even therapists need support, care, and space to process their own stories. 🤍For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Leslie shares the story of her daughter Cora born via emergency C-section after a full-term pregnancy and the unimaginable grief of losing her shortly after birth. She also opens up about secondary infertility, pregnancy after loss, a traumatic COVID birth, and the long road of healing that followed.This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and trauma can coexist and that both deserve care. 🤍In this episode, we discuss:✨ A full-term pregnancy that ended in emergency C-section and stillbirth💔 Holding, honoring, and saying goodbye to Cora Ann📦 The impact of compassionate bereavement care and memory-making🌈 Secondary infertility: IUIs, IVF, and multiple pregnancy losses🩺 A high-risk pregnancy complicated by subchorionic hemorrhage and COVID🏥 Delivering at 34 weeks alone due to hospital COVID policies🫁 NICU separation and leaving the hospital — again — with empty arms🧠 Postpartum anxiety, trauma triggers, and difficulty bonding after loss💬 Finding the language for birth trauma and healing through EMDR🤍 The power of loss-specific support groups🎈 Honoring Cora each year with intentional remembrance traditionsLeslie vulnerably shares what it felt like to barely breathe in the thick of grief and how asking for support, finding trauma-informed therapy, and continuing to honor her daughter has shaped her healing.If you have experienced stillbirth, infertility, NICU trauma, pregnancy after loss, or postpartum anxiety, this conversation will help you feel less alone.We are so grateful to Leslie for honoring Cora by sharing her story with us. 💛You can follow along with Leslie on instagram: @braving_forwardFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

✨ Special Rerelease Episode ✨In this important conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Pria Alpern to talk about EMDR therapy and its powerful role in healing birth trauma. If you’ve ever felt stuck in intrusive memories, body flashbacks, or overwhelming anxiety after your birth experience, this episode offers both education and hope. We break down what EMDR actually is, how it works, and why it can be especially effective for perinatal trauma.In this episode, we talk about:🧠 What EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) actually is🔄 How trauma gets “stuck” in the brain and nervous system👁️ Why bilateral stimulation can help reprocess traumatic memories🤰 How birth trauma uniquely impacts the body and identity😔 Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and triggers after birth🫶 What an EMDR session looks like and how to know if it’s right for you⏳ The difference between retelling your story and reprocessing it💛 Why you don’t have to live in fight-or-flight forever🌿 Finding trauma-informed support in the perinatal periodWhy this episode matters:✨ Birth trauma is real—and treatable✨ Healing doesn’t require reliving every detail over and over✨ Your nervous system deserves support✨ You are not broken—your brain adapted to surviveGuest Bio: Dr. Alpern is the founder of Center Psychology Group. She is an EMDR clinician certified by EMDRIA, the organization dedicated to upholding the modality’s standards. She is also a graduate of the EMDR Clinical Affiliate Program at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies (NIP) Trauma Treatment Center in New York City. Dr. Alpern is an EMDRIA-approved consultant and provides individual and group consultation to EMDR therapists. She the founder of the Manhattan Center for Trauma Studies, where she oversees continuing education trainings focused on EMDR and trauma-informed psychotherapy. Dr. Alpern is an Advanced-level Somatic Experiencing practitioner (SEI). She completed specialized training in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders from Postpartum Support International, and she is a special adjunct clinical professor at Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus, where she earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Rosemary Furman Counseling Center at Barnard College, where she specialized in late adolescence, early adulthood, and trauma. Dr. Alpern holds a B.A. in Psychology and Art History from Georgetown University. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Alpern offers trauma-related psychoeducation through her TikTok and Instagram accounts.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Annie to share her powerful story of birth trauma, medical complications, and the long road of postpartum healing. Annie opens up about how quickly plans changed, the fear and confusion that followed, and what it has looked like to process trauma while learning to parent. This conversation is honest, validating, and a reminder that trauma isn’t defined by one moment.In this episode, we talk about:🤰 A pregnancy that didn’t unfold the way she expected🏥 Medical complications and rapid decision-making during labor😔 Feeling dismissed, confused, or out of control in key moments🧠 How trauma lives in the body long after birth💔 The emotional aftermath in the early postpartum weeks🫶 The impact birth trauma had on identity and relationships🌪️ Anxiety, hypervigilance, and trying to make sense of what happened🗂️ Revisiting medical records and searching for answers✨ Finding support through therapy and safe spaces🌿 What healing has looked like over timeThis episode's artwork for the reel was done by Annie as a way of processing her experience. You can follow her art page on instagram for more: @abowlerdrawsIf you’ve ever questioned whether your experience “counts” as trauma, this episode is for you. You are not dramatic. You are not weak. And you are not alone. 🤍For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Kayleigh talks about something that comes up again and again in our community: how, when, and whether to share your birth trauma story. From conversations with pregnant friends to posting publicly or presenting professionally, this episode explores navigating boundaries, safety, and connection, without shame. You are allowed to share your story. And you’re also allowed to protect it.In this episode, we talk about:🗣️ The myth of “trauma dumping” and why your story isn’t too much🤰 How to navigate conversations with pregnant friends💛 Offering “what I wish I had known” instead of every detail🧠 Asking: Is this space safe for my story?😔 The icky feeling of oversharing—and why it happens after trauma✨ Replacing shame with self-compassion🚧 Simple phrases to set boundaries when you don’t want to share🌍 Sharing your story publicly in a way that feels intentional⏱️ Why practicing different lengths/versions of your story matters🛠️ The role of therapy and processing before public storytelling🤍 Protecting your nervous system while raising awarenessWhy this episode matters:🌟 You are allowed to tell your story🌟 You don’t owe anyone the details🌟 Boundaries and advocacy can coexist🌟 Your story deserves safety, care, and intentionWhether you’re figuring out how to talk to a pregnant friend or preparing to share your story on a bigger stage, this episode offers practical tools and gentle validation. Your story matters, and you get to decide how it’s told. 🤍For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this listener series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Nicola, a physician who shares her own experience with birth trauma, placenta previa, a massive hemorrhage, and a terrifying NICU journey with her son. Nicola opens up about what it’s like to be on the other side of medicine, how “knowing too much” can increase anxiety, and the deep loneliness that can come with traumatic birth and a NICU stay. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating birth trauma, NICU life, or the long road of healing afterward.In this episode, we talk about:🩺 Being a physician and still experiencing profound birth trauma🤰 A pregnancy complicated by placenta previa and multiple hospitalizations🚑 A sudden, life-threatening hemorrhage and emergency C-section at 34 weeks🩸 Massive blood loss, ICU-level care, and the shock of surviving a near-death experience👶 A premature baby, NICU life, and the fear of sepsis and breathing complications🏥 What it’s really like to be a parent in the NICU—especially when you understand the medicine😔 The deep isolation and loneliness that can follow traumatic birth and NICU stays💔 Grieving the lack of support you hoped for from family and your “village”🫶 The importance of therapy, community, and building your own support system🌱 How postpartum anxiety showed up after medical trauma🤍 Finding healing through connection, support, and timeIf you’ve ever felt alone in your NICU or birth trauma experience, this episode is for you. You are not weak. You are not overreacting. And you are not alone. 💛For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Kayleigh dives into a topic we don’t talk about enough: partner and family trauma after birth. Birth trauma doesn’t just impact the birthing person; it can deeply affect the non-birthing partner and the entire family system. From helplessness in the delivery room to tension in relationships afterward, this conversation explores what we know (and what we’re still learning) about how trauma shows up for partners and what healing can look like together.In this episode, we talk about:🤝 What partner trauma is—and why it’s not “secondary”📊 What research says about PTSD rates in non-birthing partners😔 Feelings of helplessness, guilt, and powerlessness during traumatic births🧱 Avoidance, shutdown, anger, and “I’m fine” responses after trauma🔥 “Trauma soup” — when both partners are hurting in different ways💔 How birth trauma can create distance, resentment, or tension in relationships🗣️ The mismatch between wanting to talk about it vs. wanting to fix it👶 Hypervigilance around baby (and birthing parent) after medical emergencies or NICU stays🌀 Why some partners aren’t traumatized—and how that can feel confusing⭕ Ring Theory: support in, process out🛠️ Therapy, transparency, and practical ways to start hard conversationsWhy this episode matters:✨ Partner trauma is real and valid✨ Birth trauma impacts the whole family system✨ You can both be hurting—and both deserve support✨ Healing often requires outside help, not just each otherTo hear our previous episodes on partner trauma, listen to Kayleigh and Steve's joint episodes - 101 and 102.If birth trauma has impacted your relationship, you are not alone. The wedge you feel isn’t a failure—it’s trauma. And with support, understanding, and space for both stories, healing is possible. 🤍References from this episode:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02646838.2024.2346893#abstracthttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11796141/https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378%2823%2900713-5/fulltext?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35584590/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7179006/For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this powerful and necessary episode, Ruby shares her story of birth trauma, medical dismissal, and her daughter Rumi’s diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy). Ruby walks us through being sent home multiple times while in labor, giving birth to a baby who was not breathing, surviving a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, and navigating the NICU and devastating uncertainty that followed. This conversation also names the role of racism and bias in women’s health—especially toward Indigenous and other marginalized parents—and how being ignored, minimized, and not believed can have life-altering consequences for both parent and baby.In this episode, we talk about:🤰 A pregnancy that seemed normal—until everything changed during labor and delivery🚫 Being sent home multiple times despite leaking fluid and regular contractions💧 Meconium-stained fluid and clear signs of fetal distress that were downplayed⏳ Laboring for days, pushing for hours, and being overdue without escalation of care🩺 Developing an infection (chorioamnionitis) and running a fever during labor🗣️ Repeated concerns from Ruby and her family about needing a C-section—and not being listened to✊ How medical dismissal and loss of autonomy can be rooted in systemic bias and racism🧡 The reality of being an Indigenous woman navigating a healthcare system that often fails to listen to Black and Brown patients👶 A baby born not breathing, blue, and needing resuscitation and CPAP🩸 A severe postpartum hemorrhage, retained placenta, D&C, and a life-saving Bakri balloon🏥 A NICU stay and transfer to a children’s hospital🧠 A diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy) and evidence of brain injury on MRI❄️ Cooling therapy, seizure management, and the terrifying early days of uncertainty⏰ The “wait and see” reality of the first year after an HIE diagnosis👣 Milestones, therapy, and later learning her child has mild hemiplegic cerebral palsy🌱 What healing looks like years later—and learning to live alongside trauma📚 Obsessively reading medical records, searching for answers, and trying to make sense of what happened🔥 Why racism and biased care in obstetrics are not abstract—and how they impact real families and real outcomesWhy this episode matters:✨ Racism in healthcare is real—and it affects who is believed, who is protected, and who receives timely care✨ Indigenous, Black, and Brown parents are more likely to experience dismissal, delayed care, and worse outcomes✨ Birth trauma is not just personal—it’s also systemic✨ HIE and NICU journeys are filled with uncertainty, grief, and fear—but also resilience and love✨ You deserve to be listened to, respected, and taken seriously in your careThis episode is a call to witness, to believe birthing people—especially Indigenous and other marginalized parents—and to name how bias in medicine can change lives. Ruby’s story is about trauma, survival, motherhood, and the urgent need for more just, respectful, and equitable maternity care. 🤍For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Mallory—aka The Formula Mom—to talk all things formula feeding, combo feeding, and her brand-new book Bottle Service. They dive into the real, messy, emotional side of infant feeding: the lack of education around formula, the grief of not being able to breastfeed, the pressure of “at all costs” narratives, and why nuance, support, and compassion matter more than ever. This is an honest, validating conversation for anyone who has ever questioned, grieved, or defended how they feed their baby.In this episode, we talk about:🍼 How Mallory became “The Formula Mom” and why she started sharing formula education📚 Her new book Bottle Service and the mission behind it🤱 The lack of accessible, supportive formula feeding education😔 The grief of wanting to breastfeed but not being able to💬 Shame, guilt, and stigma around formula feeding⚖️ Why feeding conversations have become so polarized🧠 The impact of feeding struggles on mental health🔀 What combo feeding actually is—and why more families do it than we realize👶 Navigating gas, allergies, colic, and when (or if) to switch formulas🏥 Why “just talk to your pediatrician” isn’t always enough🫶 The importance of supporting the whole parent–baby dyad🌙 How formula feeding (or combo feeding) can support sleep and family balance📢 The truth about “predatory marketing” and the history behind the debate🤍 Why parents deserve information, autonomy, and trust in their own decisions✨ Creating space for nuance, empathy, and individualized feeding journeysWhy this episode matters:🌱 There is no one “right” way to feed a baby🤍 Grief and relief can coexist in feeding journeys🫶 Parents deserve support—not shame—no matter how they feed their baby📚 Education + compassion = empowered families⚖️ The goal isn’t perfection—it’s helping families thriveYou can find Mallory's book here! If you order before the 24th of February, you can get some pre-order goodies by uploading your receipt to the website!Guest Bio:Mallory is a mom of two, advocate, infant feeding tech, and the author of BOTTLE SERVICE: Education and Encouragement for Guilt-Free and Successful Formula Feeding. She's the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform that helps parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions. She can be found on Instagram @theformulamom, leading education for Bobbie, and hanging in Nashville with her family.Research Referenced:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112190 https://voxdev.org/topic/health/deadly-toll-marketing-infant-formula-low-and-middle-income-countriesFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Abigail to talk about her first birth complicated by low amniotic fluid, a late preterm induction, and a long, emotionally exhausting NICU stay, and how that experience shaped her postpartum mental health and feeding journey. Abigail also shares her second birth story, including intentional preparation, advocacy, and what it looked like to face another NICU admission without it becoming traumatic. This episode is a powerful conversation about control, grief, healing, and how trauma-informed care and support can change everything.In this episode, we talk about:🤰 A pregnancy complicated by low amniotic fluid and an unexpected early induction🕰️ A long, 48-hour induction and vaginal birth at 34+ weeks👶 Having a late preterm baby who struggled with feeding, weight gain, and jaundice🏥 A prolonged NICU stay and the heartbreak of early separation💔 Grieving the loss of the postpartum experience you imagined🍼 Pumping in the NICU, feeding challenges, mastitis, and the mental load of it all😰 Postpartum anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the impact of early separation from your baby🧠 Healing through therapy, time, support, and self-compassion🤍 Babywearing, skin-to-skin, and reclaiming connection after NICU trauma🌱 Deciding to try again and preparing intentionally for a second birth🧭 The power of advocacy, informed consent, and slowing things down in medical moments🚑 A second baby, a beautiful birth center birth—and an unexpected NICU transfer again🛡️ How autonomy, preparation, and support changed the emotional outcome the second time✨ Why loss of control is a major factor in birth trauma—and respectful care is protective🫶 Turning lived experience into purpose as a trauma-informed lactation consultantWhy this episode matters:🌟 You can have trauma from a “medically stable” birth or NICU stay🌟 Subsequent births don’t have to repeat the same emotional outcome—even if complications happen again🌟 Advocacy, support, and compassionate care can make a real difference🌟 Healing is possible, and your postpartum doesn’t have to look the same after traumaAbigail is a board certified lactation consultant and a speech-language pathologist. You can follow along or connect with her by visiting her website: https://www.abbybslp.com/If you’ve experienced a NICU stay, feeding trauma, or are navigating pregnancy after birth trauma, this episode offers both validation and hope. You’re not alone—and your story gets to keep evolving. 💛For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Derek Grassley, RN CEN, CFRN, CCRN, NRP, FP-C WP-C - a flight nurse and ECMO specialist, to break down what ECMO is, when it’s used, and why it can be life-saving for critically ill pregnant and postpartum patients.This powerful conversation pulls back the curtain on critical care, emergency transport, and the realities of caring for patients at the edge of survival.🩺 In this episode, we cover:🫀 What ECMO is and the difference between VV and VA ECMO🚑 Why and when ECMO is used, including AFE, cardiac arrest, and respiratory failure⚖️ Risks and ethical considerations of ECMO care✈️ Flight nursing & critical care transport explained🤰 Unique challenges of transporting pregnant and postpartum patients🏥 Access to ECMO, especially in rural and underserved areas🧠 The emotional toll of caring for critically ill patients🎧 This episode is a must-listen for survivors, clinicians, and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of critical care in pregnancy and postpartum.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this powerful Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Andrea, who shares her story of an unexpected pregnancy complicated by severe placenta accreta, a nine-hour delivery surgery, massive hemorrhage, ICU recovery, and a long, complex postpartum healing journey.Andrea walks listeners through receiving a terrifying accreta diagnosis at her anatomy scan, navigating the fear of life-threatening hemorrhage, and making the critical decision to transfer care to a specialized accreta center. Her story highlights the importance of self-advocacy, multidisciplinary care, and listening to your instincts, especially when your life is on the line.This episode also tenderly explores the emotional aftermath of survival: delayed bonding after general anesthesia, prolonged separation from her baby, months of physical complications, depression, and the long road to processing trauma once the body finally stabilizes.In this episode, we discuss:🤰 An unexpected fourth pregnancy and a shocking placenta accreta diagnosi🩺 Learning what placenta accreta is and why severity matters🚩Recognizing red flags and transferring care to a high-volume accreta center🩸 Preparing for hemorrhage, blood loss, and a planned preterm delivery😴 Delivery under general anesthesia and emergency hysterectomy🚨 Massive hemorrhage and receiving life-saving blood transfusions🏥 Waking up intubated in the ICU after a nine-hour surgery🧵Multiple surgeries, drains, catheters, and prolonged hospitalization🖤 Delayed bonding and questioning connection after traumatic birth💔 Postpartum depression, despondency, and emotional collapse after survival🧍‍♂️The toll of birth trauma on partners and families💸 Financial strain, caregiving, and extended medical recovery🔁 Intrusive memories, rumination, and trauma resurfacing months later🛋️ EMDR therapy and turning down the volume on trauma🌱 Redefining gratitude without guilt or toxic positivity❤️ Advocacy for placenta accreta awareness and blood donation🗣️ The power of self-advocacy in saving your own lifeKey takeaway:Surviving doesn’t mean you’re instantly okay. Healing after birth trauma often begins after the body is safe and you are allowed to feel grief, anger, and relief at the same time.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

✨ Special Re-Release ✨ Parenting After Birth TraumaAs our children grow, many of us begin to notice something unexpected: the ways our birth trauma continues to show up, not just in our bodies and minds, but in our parenting.In this special re-release episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we revisit a conversation that feels just as relevant, if not more so, today. Kayleigh offers a brief but meaningful overview of what it means to parent after birth trauma, and why this topic comes up again and again in our community.Parenting after birth trauma is layered and complex. It may include unresolved trauma from pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or earlier life experiences, all of which can shape how we bond with, protect, and respond to our children. This episode doesn’t cover everything, but it opens the door to awareness, reflection, and compassion.Whether you’re parenting a newborn, a toddler, or an older child, this re-release offers perspective for navigating the emotional ripple effects of trauma while raising humans you love deeply.In this episode, we discuss:👶 What it means to parent after birth trauma🧠 How trauma can impact parenting styles and responses🔗 Bonding and attachment after a traumatic experience⚠️ Hypervigilance, anxiety, and fear in parenting🩺 Awareness, support, and treating unresolved trauma🔧 Parenting imperfections, rupture, and repair🌸 Practicing self-compassion as a parent and survivorKey takeaway:You don’t need to be a perfect parent to be a good one. Parenting after birth trauma is hard, and awareness, repair, and compassion matter far more than getting it “right.”Why we’re re-releasing this episode:Because this conversation doesn’t expire. As our kids grow, so does our understanding of how trauma shapes us, and revisiting these topics can be an important part of healing.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this deeply moving Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Kailee, who shares her story of infertility, recurrent placenta previa, NICU stays, medical trauma, and ultimately surviving placenta accreta with a life-saving hysterectomy.Kailee walks us through two high-risk pregnancies marked by hemorrhage, emergency cesareans, prolonged antepartum hospitalizations, NICU stays, and profound grief, alongside moments of advocacy, empowerment, and healing. Her story highlights how trauma can live alongside gratitude, and how reclaiming your voice can be life-saving.This episode is especially meaningful for NICU parents, those navigating placenta complications, birth trauma survivors, and anyone grieving the birth experience, or future, that was taken from them.In this episode, we discuss:💔 Infertility, PCOS, and the loneliness of unanswered medical questions🩸 Placenta previa and the trauma of sudden hemorrhage🚑 Emergency transfers, antepartum stays, and fear for survival💭 The shock of hearing “miscarriage” language during a viable pregnancy👶 Preterm birth at 31 weeks and a 30-day NICU stay📉 Delayed bonding, CPTSD, anxiety, and postpartum grief🌈 Grieving the pregnancy, birth, and moments you never got✊ Learning to advocate for yourself in future pregnancies🔁 Facing placenta previa again in a subsequent pregnancy🧬 Placenta accreta/percreta and preparing for a hysterectomy🙅‍♀️ The power of saying “no” and trusting your instincts🩺 Multidisciplinary care and accreta delivery protocols💗 Meeting your baby after trauma—and reclaiming that moment🏥 A second NICU journey and coming home sooner than expected🌧️ Holding empowerment and trauma at the same time🕊️ Grieving future children while choosing survival🛋️ The role of therapy, medication, boundaries, and journaling📸 Why taking photos—even when it’s hard—matters✨ Finding purpose, advocacy, and hope after medical traumaKey takeaway:A birth can be traumatic and empowering. Survival, advocacy, grief, and gratitude are allowed to coexist—and your story still matters, even when the ending looks different than you imagined.Listener Love:Kailee’s courage, honesty, and willingness to share the messy middle offers validation and hope to anyone walking through birth trauma, NICU life, or life after hysterectomy.If this episode resonated with you, you are not alone and healing does not require forgetting what you endured.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

What does it really mean to give yourself permission, especially when you’ve been conditioned to put everyone else first?In this thoughtful and deeply resonant episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. George James, psychologist, speaker, executive coach, and author of I Give Myself Permission. With over a decade of shared history, Kayleigh and Dr. James reflect on growth, identity, trauma, and the invisible narratives that shape how we show up for ourselves, particularly after birth trauma.Dr. James shares how the pandemic, racial reckoning, leadership burnout, and family loss shaped his work and inspired his book. Together, they unpack why “just take care of yourself” is not only unhelpful, but often impossible without understanding the systems, identities, and stories we carry.This conversation is especially powerful for parents navigating birth trauma, clinicians supporting perinatal mental health, and anyone who feels stuck between survival and self-care.In this episode, we discuss:🧠 How internal narratives shape what we believe we’re allowed to need🔑 What “giving yourself permission” really means (and what it doesn’t)🫧 Why self-care is more than bubble baths and catchphrases🌍 Social stress, leadership stress, injustice stress, and family-of-origin stress👩‍👧‍👦 Why parents, especially mothers, are taught to put themselves last🤰How perinatal trauma reinforces harmful narratives like “the baby comes first”🗣️Giving yourself permission to advocate for your body and your life🪞 How identity and lived experience influence permission and self-worth❤️ Rewriting family scripts around affection, care, and masculinity😨 Facing fear, perfectionism, and shame in everyday moments🔄 Why permission is both a mindset and an action🪜 Taking half-steps when full steps aren’t accessible⚖️ Acknowledging privilege while honoring that permission is still possible🔍 Doing the deeper work underneath boundaries and self-care🤍 Learning to pause, celebrate growth, and notice where permission already existsKey takeaway:Giving yourself permission is not about willpower or positivity, it’s about understanding the stories, systems, and stressors that shaped you, and choosing care anyway.Guest Info:Dr. George JamesPsychologist | Speaker | Executive Coach | Author🌐 Website: georgetalks.com📘 Book: I Give Myself Permission (available wherever books are sold)📱 Social: @georgetalks🔗 More info: igivemyselfpermission.comIf this episode resonated with you:You are not failing at self-care. You may simply be carrying stories that once kept you safe. Awareness is the first step and permission can start small.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this powerful episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Alex, a mom of two and congenital heart disease survivor, who shares her journey through two high-risk pregnancies and two traumatic births.Alex opens up about living with complex congenital heart defects, undergoing open-heart surgery as an infant, and entering pregnancy knowing she would always be medically high-risk. Despite meticulous care and expert providers, both pregnancies took sudden, life-threatening turns, illustrating how trauma can exist even when everything is “managed well.”This episode explores the fear, grief, and lasting impact of emergency medical decisions, general anesthesia during birth, NICU life, and the heartbreak of realizing a redemptive birth may never come.In this episode, we discuss:🫀 Living with congenital heart disease and lifelong cardiac care🤰 Navigating pregnancy as a medically complex, high-risk patient🩸 Subchorionic hematoma and sub-placental abruption📉 Severe fetal growth restriction and constant monitoring🚨 Sudden cardiac crisis at 28 weeks and rapid atrial fibrillation🚑 Emergency transport, medical chaos, and lack of clear communication🩺 Cardioversion during pregnancy💉 Emergency C-section under general anesthesia👩‍⚕️ Being both a healthcare worker and a NICU parent🩹 Postpartum recovery after life-threatening birth trauma🔁 Experiencing pregnancy and birth trauma again❌ Grieving the loss of a redemptive birth experience🤝 Healing through community, shared stories, and compassion⚖️ Learning to hold grief and pride at the same timeKey takeaway:Survival does not erase trauma. You can be deeply grateful your children are here and grieve how their stories began. Both deserve space.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this clinically grounded episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Kina Wolfenstein, LCSW, therapist, educator, and certified trainer in Coherence Therapy, for a deep dive into a lesser-known but incredibly powerful trauma modality.Together, they explore what coherence therapy is, how it differs from more familiar approaches like EMDR, CBT, and IFS, and why it can be especially effective for birth trauma, medical trauma, and complex attachment wounds.Kina explains how coherence therapy views symptoms not as pathology, but as coherent responses rooted in emotional learnings and how true healing happens through memory reconsolidation, an innate brain process that allows those learnings to be updated at the root.This episode speaks directly to survivors who say, “I understand why I feel this way, but nothing changes,” and to clinicians looking for more precise, bottom-up tools for trauma healing.In this episode, we discuss:✨ What coherence therapy is and why so few people have heard of it🧩 How coherence therapy differs from CBT, DBT, and other counteractive models💡 What “symptom coherence” means and why it reduces shame🌊 The difference between top-down and bottom-up trauma therapies🧠 Memory reconsolidation as an innate brain process (not owned by any one modality)📚 Why insight alone doesn’t lead to healing❤️‍🩹 How emotional learnings form and drive symptoms like anxiety, shame, and avoidance🔁 The role of mismatch and felt-sense experiences in neurological change🤝 Where coherence therapy overlaps with EMDR and parts work🎯 Why vague beliefs like “I’m unsafe” are hard to update—and why specificity matters💔 How birth trauma often activates older attachment-based emotional learnings😔 Self-blame, worthlessness, and shame after medical and birth trauma🔧 Why healing means symptoms no longer require constant effort to manage🌱 How therapists can begin using a coherence lens even without formal trainingGuest Info:Kina Wolfenstein, LCSWCoherence Therapy Practitioner & Certified Trainer📸 Instagram: @cptsdtherapist🎥 TikTok: @kinacptsdtherapist🔗 Trainings, resources, and practice info available via her link in bioFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this Listener Series episode, Kayleigh is joined by Bella, who courageously shares her journey through infertility, a high-risk twin pregnancy, perinatal depression, placenta previa, repeated hospitalizations, and an emergency C-section at just under 33 weeks.Bella walks us through the shock of conceiving triplets after one round of Clomid, the grief of losing one baby early in pregnancy, and the fear and uncertainty that followed as complications continued to stack. From significant bleeding episodes and preterm labor to an emergency birth that separated her from her babies, Bella’s story sheds light on the physical and emotional toll of high-risk pregnancy and NICU life.Together, Kayleigh and Bella explore not only what happened medically, but the lasting emotional impact, including grief over missed milestones, infertility due to medical necessity, and learning how to cope when the birth and motherhood journey looks nothing like what you imagined.This episode is a powerful reminder that survival does not erase trauma, and that community can be a lifeline.In this episode, we discuss:🧪🤍 Infertility, Clomid, and the shock of conceiving triplets🕊️💔 Early pregnancy loss and the complicated emotions that can follow⚠️🤰 Placenta previa and what happens when it doesn’t resolve🧠🌧️ Perinatal depression and intrusive thoughts during pregnancy🚑🩸 Recurrent bleeding, preterm labor, and extended bed rest⏱️🏥 A sudden placental abruption and emergency C-section at 32 weeks, 6 days🚫👨‍👩‍👧 Separation from partner during an emergency birth🩺🍼 NICU life, steroid shots, and premature twins who beat the odds🩸⚡ Postpartum hemorrhage and delayed first meeting with her babies📸💭 Grief over missing first moments and memories🍼🧊 Exclusively pumping, overproduction, and milk donation🚫🤰 Being unable to carry another pregnancy and the finality of that loss💔🌈 Mourning the birth, pregnancy, and motherhood experiences you didn’t get🤝💬 Finding healing through community, shared stories, and connection🕯️🗓️ Coping one day at a time through trauma and recoveryKey takeaway:You can be grateful your babies are here and grieve what was taken from you. Both can exist at the same time, and you don’t have to carry it alone.If this episode resonated with you:You’re not broken. You’re not weak. And you’re not alone. Sharing stories like Bella’s helps make space for honesty, grief, and healing in a world that often expects silence.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

What happens when something doesn’t feel right during labor or birth, but you don’t know what to do, who to call, or even what to name it?In this eye-opening episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. Jennifer Dunatov, a healthcare ethicist with nearly 20 years of experience working inside hospital systems. Together, they unpack what ethics really looks like in labor and delivery and why it’s a vastly underutilized (but incredibly important) resource for birthing people, families, doulas, and clinicians.Dr. Dunatov shares how becoming a mother herself transformed her work, leading her to focus on birth ethics after hearing countless stories of consent violations, loss of autonomy, and traumatic care. She explains what clinical ethicists actually do, how ethics consults work in real time, and how they can help amplify patient voices even when something has already gone wrong.This episode is essential listening for anyone who has experienced birth trauma, is preparing to give birth, or works in maternity care.In this episode, we discuss:What healthcare ethics actually is (and why it’s not boring 😉)How ethics shows up in labor & delivery and why it’s often invisibleCommon ethical violations in birth, including lack of consent and shared decision-makingThe difference between ethics consults and patient advocacy servicesWhether ethics can be involved after a traumatic or harmful birth experienceHow fear of liability influences provider decision-makingWhy documentation in medical charts matters more than you thinkHow ethics consults can lead to accountability and systemic change not just “checking a box”Who can request an ethics consult (hint: anyone)Exactly what to say if you want to request an ethics consult in the hospitalWhy you don’t need the “right language” to advocate for yourself, your gut is enoughKey takeaway:If something doesn’t feel right during your care, you are allowed to say so and there are people inside the system whose job is to listen, name the issue, and advocate with you.Resources & Guest Info:Dr. Jennifer DunatovHealthcare Ethicist | Birth Ethics AdvocateInstagram: @notraumamama (transitioning to @jenniferdunatov)Website: jenniferdunatov.com or notraumamama.comIf this episode resonated with you:Please consider sharing it with a friend, doula, provider, or loved one. Visibility saves people and knowledge is power.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Danielle, a therapist and mother of three, to share a story that challenges the narrow ways we often define birth and postpartum trauma.Danielle’s trauma did not occur during labor or delivery, it unfolded months postpartum, following what was supposed to be a routine surgical procedure to remove a fibroid. Instead, a cascade of medical complications led to a medical emergency, multiple surgeries, bladder injury, and an unplanned hysterectomy that permanently ended her ability to carry another pregnancy.Already navigating life with three young children, including a baby under one, Danielle suddenly found herself recovering from a major abdominal surgery, managing a catheter for weeks, and confronting the profound grief of losing her fertility without warning or choice.As both a therapist and a patient, Danielle brings a deeply reflective lens to this conversation, naming the invisible grief that so often accompanies medical trauma, especially when it doesn’t “fit” neatly into recognized categories of loss.Together, Kayleigh and Danielle explore:💔 Experiencing traumatic medical complications in the postpartum period🏥 How a routine procedure can turn into a life-threatening emergency🩺 Bladder injury, emergency hysterectomy, and long-term physical recovery🤍 The grief of losing fertility, regardless of how many children you already have🧠 Recognizing trauma in real time, even as a trained clinician🫥 Disenfranchised grief and the pain of not “fitting” into traditional loss narratives🌪 Navigating recovery while still parenting young children🌱 What healing looked like years later and why trauma can resurface long after the crisis🧩 How Danielle’s experience reshaped her clinical work and passion for perinatal mental healthThis episode offers validation to anyone whose trauma feels invisible, delayed, or difficult to name and serves as a powerful reminder that loss is loss, trauma is trauma, and none of it requires comparison to be worthy of care."If you'd like to follow along Danielle's journey - check out her instagram: @themendedmotherhoodcollectiveResources & Links💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at: HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Tiffany Lowther, LMHC, a certified perinatal mental health professional and EMDR therapist, for an in-depth conversation about using EMDR to treat birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, OCD-like symptoms, and other perinatal mental health challenges.Tiffany shares both her professional expertise and lived experience, offering clear explanations of what EMDR is, how it works in the brain and body, and why it can be especially effective during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Together, Kayleigh and Tiffany unpack common misconceptions about EMDR and explain how this modality can support healing without requiring years of traditional talk therapy.In this episode, you’ll learn:🧠 What EMDR is and how it helps the brain reprocess birth trauma🗣 How EMDR differs from talk therapy and CBT🌊 Why postpartum anxiety, anger, and OCD-like symptoms are often trauma-based🤰 When EMDR can be helpful during pregnancy, postpartum, or years later🛟 The importance of safety, grounding, and preparation before trauma work⏱ Why reprocessing should never be rushed, especially with complex trauma🧩 Differences between standard EMDR and R-TEP (Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol)🧘‍♀️ How EMDR supports nervous system regulation, not just memory processing✅ What good, ethical EMDR care should look and feel like for clientsThis conversation is a must-listen for birth trauma survivors, perinatal clinicians, and anyone curious about how neuroscience and trauma-informed therapy can create meaningful, lasting healing.About the guest:Tiffany Lowther is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, EMDR-certified therapist, and perinatal mental health specialist. She works with individuals navigating trauma, anxiety, OCD, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, with a strong focus on safety and nervous system regulation.Resources & Connect:🌐 Learn more: lowthercs.com📧 Contact Tiffany: [email protected] more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Kelsea, a mom of three, to share the emotional, terrifying, and deeply transformative story of her son Oliver’s birth and NICU journey a birth she hoped would finally be a peaceful experience after two difficult deliveries, but instead became her most traumatic one yet.Scheduled for a repeat C-section at 37 weeks due to rising blood pressures and a history of preeclampsia, Kelsea entered the hospital with a pit in her stomach,  a feeling she now knows was intuition. The days that followed were filled with fear and uncertainty. Oliver deteriorated quickly, and for 24 hours, doctors weren’t sure what was wrong. Finally, a NICU physician discovered that he had a pneumothorax, a collapsed left lung, and early signs of sepsis. He was intubated, placed on chest tubes, and put under strict no-hold restrictions leading to a heartbreaking stretch where Kelsea couldn’t touch, comfort, or even pick up her newborn son.Together, Kayleigh and Kelsea talk through:💔 The trauma of being left out of communication during a crisis birth🩺 The emotional impact of undergoing sterilization during medical chaos👶 The shock of seeing your newborn decline — and the terror of hearing “a crucial 24 hours”🫁 Understanding pneumothorax, ventilation, and NICU stabilization🤍 The grief of not being able to hold or comfort your baby🌪 How prolonged NICU stays affect bonding, breastfeeding, and postpartum anxiety🧠 Navigating postpartum depression, medical PTSD, and extreme anxiety🌱 Kelsea’s healing journey — from EMDR to ketamine-assisted therapy✨ What it means to rebuild your life and find moments of joy after traumaToday, Oliver is home, growing, and defying early predictions  walking, connecting, and meeting milestones doctors weren’t sure he’d reach. But the journey isn’t simple: Oliver lives with mild right-sided cerebral palsy, swallowing challenges, global developmental delays, and ongoing medical needs.And yet, Kelsea has transformed her pain into purpose. She and her family have given back to more than 100 NICU families, and she shares their story openly to remind others that they are not alone and that healing is possible.Connect with Kelsea📸 Instagram: @lifewithmonroe📧 Email available in episode notesConnect with Kayleigh💜 @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dvora Entin, LCSW, PMH-C, therapist, educator, and host of The Misconceptions Podcast, for a deeply honest and compassionate conversation about surrogacy— the hopes, complexities, grief, joy, and emotional labor that shape this path to parenthood. Dvora shares what intended parents often navigate beneath the surface: the grief of letting go of a hoped-for pregnancy, the vulnerability of trusting another person with your baby, and the invisible emotional work that unfolds long before birth and long after.This conversation between with Dvora brings clarity to a journey that is too often misunderstood and oversimplified.Together, Kayleigh and Dvora explore:🤍 The emotional realities intended parents face long before choosing surrogacy💔 The grief and loss that can accompany the decision not to carry a pregnancy yourself🤝 Building trust, communication, and connection with a gestational carrier🧠 What trauma, infertility, or past births can bring into the surrogacy process🩺 The challenges of navigating medical systems when you’re not the patient but deeply impacted👶 Preparing for birth as an intended parent — the hopes, fears, and unknownsThis conversation shines a light on the emotional complexity of surrogacy — the beauty, the grief, the profound relational bonds, and the internal work that often goes unseen. Whether you’re considering surrogacy, supporting someone through it, or simply wanting to understand it more deeply, Dvora’s story offers validation, insight, and heart.Resources & Links🎙 Listen to The Misconceptions Podcast💜 Connect with Dvora: @parentingwithdvora💬 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

As the holiday season approaches, we’re revisiting one of the most requested and resonant solo episodes of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. In this special re-release, Kayleigh dives into the complex, emotional landscape of navigating the holidays after birth or perinatal trauma,  a topic that so many in our community quietly struggle with, but one that’s rarely talked about openly.Drawing from her own experience and the countless stories shared within this community, Kayleigh unpacks the many layers that make the holiday season uniquely challenging after trauma, whether your trauma happened during the holidays or you’re simply facing your first (or fifth) holiday season that looks nothing like you imagined.Inside this episode, Kayleigh explores:🎄 Why the holidays can feel surprisingly hard, even when your trauma didn’t occur during this season💔 The painful “expectation vs. reality” gap of first holidays after birth trauma🗓️ How trauma anniversaries collide with holiday markers, memories, and traditions✨ Coping strategies to help you make space for grief while still accessing moments of joy👨‍👩‍👧 Navigating family gatherings, unsolicited comments, and invalidation🛑 Setting boundaries and preparing scripts for challenging conversations🤝 How partners, friends, and birth trauma buddies can support you through triggering moments🌱 Creating new traditions when you’re ready, without erasing the pastWhether you’re stepping into the holiday season for the first time after trauma or have carried these heavy feelings for years, this episode offers grounded tools, compassionate validation, and the reminder that you’re not doing anything wrong and you’re not alone.Resources & Links💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Rachel, a mom of two, to share her powerful and deeply layered story of navigating two very different pregnancies and births, both marked by moments of dismissal, fear, and intense advocacy.Rachel’s first pregnancy shifted dramatically at 30 weeks when she developed severe high blood pressure and preeclampsia, leading to weeks of confusion, mixed messages, and ultimately an induction at 34 weeks. Her experience left deep emotional imprints, including guilt, hypervigilance, and the grief of feeling disconnected from her own birth and early postpartum moments.Years later, Rachel and her wife decided to grow their family again,  a choice shaped by both longing and the fear of repeating past trauma. Her second pregnancy was medically smoother, but her birth once again challenged her sense of safety and autonomy through unheard concerns, rapid labor, and providers who dismissed her awareness of her own body.Together, Kayleigh and Rachel explore:💔 The trauma of being dismissed by providers during medical emergencies🩺 The danger of consent violations and rough, unexplained cervical exams👶 The emotional complexity of having a baby in the NICU,  and not “feeling it” right away🧠 Why even the fiercest self-advocates can’t always advocate in crisis🤍 Making decisions about growing your family after a traumatic birth🌱 What Rachel learned about agency, preparation, and choosing supportive partners in careRachel’s story is a window into how medical trauma can unfold quickly, quietly, and in ways that shape a person’s relationship with birth, their body, and their future. Her reflections offer validation, wisdom, and a reminder that no one should have to fight this hard to be heard.Resources & Links💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at: HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this powerful conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Cheryl Tatano Beck, one of the most influential researchers in postpartum mood disorders and psychological birth trauma. Dr. Beck shares how her clinical work as a nurse and nurse-midwife led her into research, how she “fell into” traumatic birth as a focus, and why listening to mothers’ own words and metaphors changed everything.Together, they explore breastfeeding after birth trauma, the role of dignity and respect in preventing trauma, and the possibility of post-traumatic growth—not as a silver lining, but as a real, complex outcome of surviving something life-shattering.This episode is for survivors, clinicians, nurses, midwives, OBs, lactation consultants, and therapists who want to better understand the lived experience of birth trauma and the research that gave it language.Together, Kayleigh and Dr. Beck explore: ✨ How she found her way into researching postpartum depression and traumatic birth ✨ Why qualitative research (and metaphors!) can crack open truth in a way numbers never could ✨ The powerful two-path framework for breastfeeding after trauma ✨ What surprised her most after decades of listening to survivors ✨ Post-traumatic growth and the ways some parents rebuild after everything collapses ✨ How clinicians can prevent trauma by protecting dignity, autonomy, and humanityResources & Links💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this special listener series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Lillian, a licensed clinical social worker to unpack both the personal and professional realities of NICU trauma, for parents, families, and the clinicians who support them.As a psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mental health, Lillian has spent years supporting women through infertility, postpartum mood disorders, and the transition to motherhood. But her work took on new meaning after her own experience as a NICU parent, giving birth to triplets at 34 weeks during the height of COVID-19 and being separated from her babies for ten long days after delivery.Through vulnerability and clinical wisdom, Lillian shares what it’s really like to be a “visitor” in your own child’s life, the deep shame that can come from not feeling instantly bonded, and the importance of validation and compassion in healing from perinatal trauma.Together, Kayleigh and Lillian explore:👶 The unique layers of trauma in NICU experiences, even when you “expect” them💔 The shame and guilt parents feel when bonding doesn’t happen right away🧠 Why NICU parents often delay treatment and what healing can look like months later💬 The power of validation, psychoeducation, and space before trauma reprocessing🪞 How lived experience can strengthen, but not define, a therapist’s work🌱 The reminder that you can hold both gratitude and grief in your NICU storyLillian’s story is a powerful reminder that even when your baby is “okay,” you still deserve care, space, and healing. Her clinical perspective brings hope and understanding to every parent who’s ever walked out of a NICU feeling both grateful and broken and to every provider working to support them better.Resources & Links💜 Connect with Lillian: nyctherapygroup.com | @nyctherapygroup💬 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Maggie Runyon, nurse educator, author, and co-creator of the Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program, for an insightful and heartfelt conversation about what it means to care — and to keep caring — in a system that so often asks too much of its helpers.Maggie’s new book, I Thought I Was Here to Help, explores the emotional and professional identity of nurses and other healthcare providers, unpacking how the “helper” mindset — while rooted in empathy and purpose — can also lead to burnout, moral distress, and trauma when left unchecked.Together, Kayleigh and Maggie explore how the same drive that brings so many clinicians to this work can, without boundaries and reflection, begin to harm them — and how shifting from a hero or handmaiden mindset to one of advocacy can create space for more sustainable, compassionate care.They also dive into:💜 The “helper identity” in nursing — and how it can blur the line between care and self-sacrifice🩺 Why trauma-informed care must include both patients and providers🌱 How self-regulation and connection protect against burnout👩‍⚕️ The power of sitting down, slowing down, and listening as acts of advocacy🧠 The Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program and how it’s changing unit culture📚 Maggie’s book I Thought I Was Here to Help — and why she believes reflection, not perfection, is the key to healingThis episode is a must-listen for nurses, birth workers, and anyone in a helping profession who’s ever felt the pull between compassion and exhaustion. Maggie’s words offer both practical wisdom and deep validation — a reminder that caring for others starts with caring for ourselves.Resources & Links📘 Grab Maggie’s book: I Thought I Was Here to Help at MaggieRunyon.com🩺 Learn more: The Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program💜 Connect with Maggie: @maggierunyon💬 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Betsey, a therapist, mother, and birth trauma survivor, to share her powerful and ongoing story of survival, advocacy, and rebuilding trust in the medical system.Betsey’s pregnancy started off routine, until her daughter Mara’s heart rate began showing signs of distress at 39 weeks. What followed was a series of events that would forever change Betsey’s experience of birth and motherhood.But Betsey’s trauma didn’t end in the delivery room. Her postpartum experience was marked by repeated medical dismissal, for both herself and her daughter, as she navigated months of unanswered questions, failure-to-thrive diagnoses, and a long fight to uncover the truth: a severe cow’s milk protein intolerance that had gone unnoticed by multiple providers.As both a mental health therapist and a mother, Betsey brings unique insight into the emotional and psychological toll of birth trauma, medical gaslighting, and raising a medically complex child.Together, Kayleigh and Betsey explore:💔 The fear and chaos of an emergency C-section and NICU stay🩺 How medical gaslighting and dismissal compound trauma🧠 What it’s like to advocate for a child’s health while surviving your own🤱 The toll of repeated mastitis, chronic pain, and emotional exhaustion👩‍❤️‍👨 The ripple effects of trauma on marriage and family dynamics🌱 How Betsey is finding healing through therapy, EMDR, and reconnectionBetsey’s story is a reminder that for many, birth trauma doesn’t end when the baby is born. It continues in every unanswered question, every dismissal, and every act of courage to speak up and be heard.Resources & Links💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh opens a gentle and honest conversation about the journey of considering pregnancy after birth trauma and introduces her new workshop, created specifically for this season.The Pregnancy After Birth Trauma workshop was designed as a supportive, trauma-informed space for anyone exploring a subsequent pregnancy after a difficult or traumatic birth. It offers guidance, reflection prompts, and tools to help you move through this process with clarity and a sense of agency. Whether you're actively trying, quietly wondering if you're ready, or still holding the question gently from a distance, this workshop honors the complexity of your experience and walks alongside you with care and grounding.In today’s episode, Kayleigh speaks to the emotional landscape that so many survivors navigate when thinking about growing their family again. Rather than rushing answers, she reflects on the fears, hopes, and complicated "maybes" that live in this space, and why this decision deserves slowness, compassion, and support.She explores:💜 Why mixed emotions about another pregnancy are a completely normal trauma response 🫶 The grief, pressure, and self-doubt that can surface during this decision-making process 🤍 What it means to rebuild trust in your body and the systems that care for you 🧭 How to approach this season at your pace, without urgency or expectation 🌱 A grounding mindset shift to help you feel more supported and less aloneThis episode is an invitation to breathe, soften around uncertainty, and remember that you don’t have to figure everything out all at once. Considering another pregnancy after trauma isn’t a test of readiness, strength, or certainty. It’s a deeply human process that unfolds in layers. And you deserve a safe place to land inside it.Workshop & Resources✨ Pregnancy After Birth Trauma Workshop: Join Here 🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com 💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mamaFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Christine, a mom of four, to share her harrowing and powerful story of surviving a rare and life-threatening birth and postpartum experience.After being induced at 37 weeks for hypertension, Christine’s delivery with her fourth son, Caden, started calmly, until everything changed. What followed was a series of medical emergencies including a cervical tear, uterine rupture, hemorrhage, and emergency exploratory surgery, followed by multiple re-hospitalizations and near-death experiences in the weeks after giving birth.Christine opens up about the long physical and emotional recovery that followed, from memory loss and PTSD to regaining her strength through pelvic floor physical therapy, and how her desire to understand what happened to her body led to deep reflection on communication gaps in healthcare.Together, Kayleigh and Christine explore:💔 The trauma of experiencing multiple postpartum hemorrhages and emergency surgeries🩺 What it feels like to face life-threatening complications after a “routine” delivery🧠 The importance of follow-up conversations and debriefing with providers after trauma💬 Why being denied that information can add to the pain and confusion of recovery🌱 How physical therapy and mental health support played key roles in Christine’s healing💜 The power of holding both grief and gratitude in motherhoodChristine’s story is one of survival, resilience, and advocacy — a reminder that postpartum complications are real, often misunderstood, and deserve to be met with compassion, information, and care.Resources & Links💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Jackie Dallaire, an OBGYN and former social work major, to explore what truly human-centered care looks like inside the world of obstetrics.Jackie’s path to medicine began with a foundation in social work, where she learned the importance of empathy, systems thinking, and seeing every person in the context of their story. Those lessons have shaped how she shows up in her practice today, as a doctor who listens deeply, centers her patients’ autonomy, and advocates for a more compassionate model of care.Together, Kayleigh and Dr. Dallaire unpack what it means to practice trauma-informed medicine in a system that often prioritizes efficiency over empathy, and why collaboration between OBs and midwives is one of the most powerful ways to create safer, more empowering birth experiences.They explore:💜 How a social work background can transform the way a doctor approaches patient care🩺 The role of empathy and social context in maternal health outcomes🤰 Why integrated OB + midwifery care models support both safety and autonomy💬 How to rebuild trust between patients and providers in a post-trauma system🌱 What trauma-informed obstetric care really looks like, in both practice and philosophyDr. Dallaire’s insights are a reminder that birth work can be both evidence-based and heart-centered,  and that true healing begins when patients and providers meet each other with trust, humility, and compassion.Resources & Links💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.comFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.