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

You can follow Erica on Social

282 - Near Death Experience due to Child birth - God Within the Lily with Shawnise Cantell Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

281 - IVF and Maternal Mental Health with Karen Balumbu-Bennett Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

280 - Infant Loss due to Placental Abruption and Uterine Rupture with Kimberly May Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

Do you know what a Placental Abruption is?

Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth. Placental abruption can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients and cause heavy bleeding in the mother. In some cases, early delivery is needed.

Today's guest experienced a placental abruption along with a uterine rupture that lead to her pre-term birth. Kimberly May lost her 6 day old son due to an overlooked placental abruption/uterine rupture. While she is still struggling with grief from this profound loss she shares her journey in hope to inspire others.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep280

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

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social

You can follow Erica on Social

279 - Becoming a Mom after Miscarriage and Infertility with Colleen Turner McGregor Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

A miscarriage is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a couple. You grieve and become fearful. Fearful that parts of history may repeat itself, the part where you lose your baby at 3 months old so you decide to not try again for another child. Yes, that part! But then, by God's grace, you somehow got over your fears and are ready to try again. You tried and nothing happened, you keep trying, and still nothing. You decided to check with your doctor or even get a new doctor to find out what is happening. And then, out of nowhere, you get smacked with a curveball. That curveball for many women is the awful diagnosis of Infertility.

In today's episode, Colleen Turner McGregor takes us on her journey to motherhood with an infertility diagnosis and miscarriage and child loss. She details her journey in her book Becoming a Mom: A 14 Day Journey of Faith through Infertility and Miscarriage. We discuss grief, the fear of getting pregnant again, and battling infertility while having faith in God that everything will be alright.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social

You can follow Erica on Social

278 - REWIND - Endometriosis, IVF, and She Experienced with Sherelle Gilbert Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

Have you heard of the term hydrosalpinx?

Hydrosalpinx is the blockage of a woman's fallopian tube caused by a fluid buildup and dilation of the tube at its end. Most often it occurs at the fimbrial end of the tube next to the ovary, but it can also occur at the other end of the tube that attaches to the uterus.

Today's guest was diagnosed with infertility after trying to conceive for a year. She underwent surgery for hydrosalpinx and possible endometriosis which resulted in removal of both her fallopian tubes due to damage caused by endometriosis. Sherelle Gilbert was faced with IVF being her only option for conceiving. She went through her first round of IVF that resulted in one normal PGS tested embryo. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancellations delayed the transfer of her embryo. Sherelle had a successful transfer and was excited, until she experienced a miscarriage at 7 weeks. In this episode, Sherelle takes us back on her journey through endometriosis, IVF and the costs, and her preparing for another round of IVF in hopes of bringing home her miracle.

This episode is a rewind episode for you to listen to if you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, experienced IVF loss, or have had blocked fallopian tubes.

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

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social

You can follow Erica on Social

277 - Why your VOTE Matters in Black Maternal Health?! Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

You are listening to a special episode of the Sisters in Loss Podcast. As many of my US listeners know we are less than two weeks away from, November 8, 2022 which 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, a rewind episode, I sit down with March of Dimes President Stacey D. Stewart to discuss their Blanket Change Campaign l, 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.

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. Working together for #BlanketChange, we can give all new moms a better chance to be there for their babies.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social

You can follow Erica on Social

276 - Are you listening to Black Women in Maternal Health? Oct 19, 2022

Show notes

According to the most recent data, Black infants are 2.3 times more likely to die before their first birthday compared to their White counterparts. Black American parents also experience higher rates of fetal and perinatal deaths, making Black families disproportionately more susceptible to pregnancy loss und bereavement. Bereaved Black parents' ability and ways of coping with their loss is influenced by a multitude of factors such as the transgenerational trauma associated with 400 years of collective enslavement, poverty, and consistent discrimination in the educational, judicial, and health care system. Black American parents encounter specific barriers to receiving quality health care such as higher levels of medical mistrust, perceived discrimination, and poorer communication with their providers. However, little is known about Black parents' perception about the impact of patient-provider relationships on their perinatal outcomes and bereavement journeys. This study aims to explore Black American mothers' experiences of pregnancy, loss, and bereavement in relation to the health care system and their health care providers.

This is Erica's original research from her Master's program in Maternal Child Health. Listen as she presents her thesis "Are you listening to me? Patient Provider Relationships in Black Perinatal Bereavement"

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social

You can follow Erica on Social

275 - Sharing my Story at the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

In April 2021, Sisters in Loss founder, Erica Michelle, had the pleasure of attending the first Black Maternal Health Roundtable held at The White House by Vice President Kamala Harris and Ambassador Susan Rice. In today's podcast episode she is sharing this experience with you and what Vice President Kamala Harris asked her about being a doula and why doulas are needed.

Sisters in Loss Training Institute are opening the doors to our last live full spectrum doula training for 2022. This training is weekly on Tuesdays in November starting on November 1, 2022 at 7pm EST. Please register here:bit.ly/octdoula

This episode is for you to listen to if you want to hear more of the founder Erica Michelle's story and her journey of Sisters in Loss.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social

You can follow Erica on Social

274 - Resilience Rising: Stories of Miscarriage, Infant Loss, Infertility, and Finding Joy after Pain with the Authors Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

More than five million people in the United States experience some type of infertility, miscarriage or infant loss. Although this type of trauma is widely acknowledged as something that affects millions of families, many families still feel ashamed, hopeless, and isolated. Resilience Rising is an intimate compilation of stories by families living with infertility who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. These are stories of families overcoming grief so deep and no longer being silenced by shame and guilt.

In this episode we sit down with 3 of the storytellers and authors that make up this anthology to discuss their process of saying yes to writing, the writing process, and parenting after loss. The authors Shantell Chambliss (Author), Courtney Shorter (Author), Ngozi Baker (Author), Donnisha Davis (Author), Michele Minor (Author), Tiffany Thompson (Author), Terika Williams (Author), Joi Donaldson (Editor)

Pick up a copy of the book here: https://amzn.to/3yhY64J

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

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

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social