Sisters in Loss Podcast: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, &amp; Infertility Stories

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332 - Can marriage survive the loss of a child? Donor Sperm and IVF Journey in Same Sex Marriage with Tynisha Walker-Whitfield - REWIMD Jan 10, 2024

Show notes

What is PPROM? Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is a pregnancy complication. In this condition, the sac (amniotic membrane) surrounding your baby breaks (ruptures) before week 37 of pregnancy. Once the sac breaks, you have an increased risk for infection.

Today's guest experienced 4 losses, 9 IUIs, and 5 IVF transfers. Her most recent loss was due to PPROM and incompetent cervix of her son Gabriel at 19 weeks gestation. Her first loss was due to a left ovarian ectopic pregnancy, her 2nd loss was at 6 weeks with no fetal heartbeat, 3rd loss was a chemica pregnancy, and 4th loss was Gabriel. Tynisha has a story to tell about how much she and her partner spent in their journey to be come parents. Ty and her partner take us on the journey through ups and downs and discuss how they chose donor sperm, and why they continue on their pursuit to become parents.

In this episode, Ty shares how she used to be embasrrased to share her journey because non of her friends and family could relate. Ty and her wife share their love in this episode and how this podcast helped save their marriage. Its an emotional one because their love and desire to become parents radiates on screen.

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331 - Can marriage survive the loss of a child? Xenia and Sheldon's Twin Miscarriage Story & Twin Parenting Journey with Nolan and Nash - REWIND Jan 03, 2024

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Can marriage survive the loss of a child? Losing a child is the hardest thing a couple can go through. In fact 80 percent of marriages end in divorce after the loss of a child. For the month of December we are sharing the stories of 4 couples and how their marriages not only survived the loss of a child, but continued to thrive.

In today's episode we have the Garrets. Sheldon and Xenia met in undergrad at Louisiana State University and began dating a little over 10 years ago. They were married in 2013 after completing grad school and moved to Houston a couple of months later. Sheldon is a Senior Business Analyst for a managed healthcare company in Houston. Prior to having our twins, Xenia was a Talent Acquisition Manager for a Restaurant Group here. They are the proud parents of Nolan and Nash (1 year old fraternal twin boys) and Cassius, our 3 year old English Bulldog. Prior to Nolan and Nash, they unfortunately lost a set of twins while they were 17 weeks along. It was the most devastating life event for their family and an adversity they initially struggled with overcoming. They are blessed to have their rainbow twin boys, as well as their angels who will always reside in their hearts.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here

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330 - Can marriage survive the loss of a child? Ivori and Kevin's Loss Story and Loving Our Angel - REWIND Dec 27, 2023

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In today's episode we have the Warren's. Ivori and Kevin Warren have been married for 16 years and are a the mommy and daddy to an Angel born in heaven on August 21, 2017. Ivori is a creative entrepreneur and many times has some bright ideas, one of which is the Loving Our Angel blog. The blog is their personal journal about her and hubby's journey to healing. Loving Our Angel is also a new initiative that has been added to their non-profit foundation to increase pregnancy and infant loss awareness. As a very private person, it wasn't her initial thought to be so transparent, but as God did when she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in February 2012, He is leading her to be transparent about their loss. Ivori holds degrees in both Psychology and Human Resources Management – and currently working toward a doctoral degree in Higher Education. Kevin holds degrees in both Information Systems & Science and Information Assurance – and currently working towards a doctoral degree in Applied Information System Management.

She is also a MOMpreneur – Creative Director of Ivori Nicole EventsTM, professor, author, speaker, mentor, Chief Operating Officer of the Warren Community Cares Foundation, and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. He is a United States Army Veteran, Master Rated 82nd Airborne Paratrooper, Chief Executive Officer of the Warren Community Cares Foundation, and active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. We reside in Northern Maryland with our two fur babies, Kole (the spoiled Pit Bull) and Kloe (the bossy cat). Here are the Warren's.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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329 - Can marriage survive the loss of a child? Valencya and Jerrell Thompson's Fertility Journey and Fertility Hope Ministry - REWIND Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode we have the Thompsons. Valencya and Jerrell Thompson are the founders of the #fertilityhope ministry. Valencya Thompson holds Master and Specialist degrees in School Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and has completed seminary studies. Jerrell Thompson is an engineer by trade with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. Considering their diverse areas of study joining their female vs. male perspectives, they have written a divinely inspired personal testimony that is an informative read that was written to help you heal as you read about their healing process from losing children preterm to birthing healthy children. In "Our Journey To #fertilityhope", Thompson and Thompson candidly share about their experiences of tragedy & triumph on the road to birthing two children. This text is written on a down-to-earth level intertwined with scholarly-researched biblical scripture and medical commentary by Dr. Desiree' McCarthy-Keith, MD, MPH, FACOG to encourage others who might find themselves on a similar path. In the frequent words of the authors, "Hang in there. Keep the faith. Don't lose hope. Trust God. God has not forgot!" Here are the Thompsons.

You may order this book at www.writethevisioncreativeworks.com, just click "Products".

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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328 - Can marriage survive the loss of a child? Talysa & John's Miscarriage Story & Helping Others through Connections - REWIND Dec 13, 2023

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In today's episode we have the McCall's. John and Talysa McCall have been married for 6 years and reside Camp Lejeune, NC. John is serving our country in the Marine Corps and Talysa McCall Talysa holds a MBA in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University & currently works as a Community Outreach Coordinator for Lower Cape Fear Hospice. The McCalls have endured several relocations, a healthy pregnancy, a miscarriage that shook their marriage, and a devastating diagnosis during the pregnancy with their rainbow baby. Talysa aspires to one day start her own non-profit organization focused on instilling self-confidence & self-validation skills to young girls. Talysa believes her life's mission is to help others through connections.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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327 - Remembering my Child with Alisha Reginal Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

Today's episode is all about how to remember your child during the Holidays, but also all year long.

Alisha Reginal shares her stillbirth journey losing her first son at 36 weeks gestation. She left the hospital empty handed full of memorabilia but her heart was shattered. Alisha still doesn't know the medical reason for his death. She clung to her faith and tried again and shares her journey to conceiving her rainbow baby and delivery.

Alisha chose to remember her son Travis Jr. through her determination to give back to other families through her organization and website rememberingmychild.com. She shares how journaling helped her as she grieved and how it continues to help her as she parents after loss.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced loss and want to know how to remember and honor your baby during the holiday season and all year long.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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326 - Getting to Joy after Infertility, Stillbirth, and Parenting after loss with Tacole Robinson Nov 22, 2023

Show notes

Today's guest is a mother of 8! Yes, you read that correct she was called to this hood called motherhood. Tacole Robinson endured much heartache and disappointment while seeking to fulfill God's promises for her to become a mother. She has 2 adopted children, 2 foster child, 2 stepchildren, and 2 biological children through IVF. Her ministry centers her children both foster and adopted medically fragile and healing and deliverance for those in need. She shares her story in detail in episode 299 so go back to listen or watch this episode.

In today's episode, Tacole shares her first book which chronicles how she got back to joy after her battle through infertility, stillbirth, and navigating adoptive children and parenting after loss. We discussed how to navigate the holidays and creating memories for your angel and most importantly how to get back to joy during this holiday season.

You can find her book Getting to Joy on Amazon.

Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below

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325 - Join the Sisters in Loss Grief Support Group with Erica M. Freeman Nov 08, 2023

Show notes

Today's episode is a solo episode where I discuss what has been going on with Sisters in Loss behind the scenes and all about our grief support groups. In 2022, Sisters in Loss partnered with Postpartum Support International to host a bi-weekly grief support group for Black mothers who have experienced pregnancy loss, infant loss, stillbirth, miscarriage, child loss, and infertiilty. Our group named Black Moms in Loss falls under the support groups that PSI offers at postpartum.net. This group is peer led by Sisters in Loss doulas and other grief support workers. In 2023, we moved to weekly grief support groups through Black Moms in Loss and our weekly grief support group meets at 8pm EST every Thursday.

In this episode, I discuss why grief support groups are supplemental to therapy and other healing modalities, why you should join our weekly support group, how to join, and how to continue to support Sisters in Loss.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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324 - Why your VOTE matters for Black Infant and Maternal Health! Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

You are listening to a special episode of the Sisters in Loss Podcast. As many of my US listeners know next Tuesday, November 7, 2023 is Election Day and Midterm elections, and we have the power to change and shift the paradigm of maternal and infant mortality in America with our vote. In today's episode I sit down with March of Dimes President Stacey D. Stewart to discuss their Blanket Change Campaign launched on October 10, 2017, and why our vote matters in this election, why the maternal death rate is getting worse as technology advances, and how working together with March of Dimes gives all new moms a better chance to be there for their babies.

Stacey D. Stewart joined March of Dimes as its fifth President on January 1, 2017, and first African American President. In this role, Stewart heads the organization leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies. She is responsible for all aspects of the organization's strategy, vision and operations. She has moved on from this role but her impact still lives on to saving the lives of Black moms and babies.

The maternal death rate in America has doubled in just twenty five years, and it's only getting worse. More than 700 moms died due to pregnancy-related causes this year alone, making the United States the most dangerous developed nation to have a newborn baby. Women of color are most at risk of facing life-threatening complications, and black women are three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes.

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