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

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272 - REWIND - PCOS, Thyroid Removal, and Miscarriage with Sasha Palin Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

After being diagnosed with PCOS and having her thyroid removed today's guest knew there would be challenges to becoming a mother. Without trying Sasha Palin was able to get pregnant. Unfortunately at 7 weeks she began spotting and miscarried at 9 weeks. Sasha did not receive favorable care as a result of her miscarriage, no sympathy, being brushed off, and no one there to explain exactly what was happening to her body. She felt alone.

In this episode Sasha takes us back to those moments of pain of miscarrying at home, she shares what PCOS and thyroid removal and the miracle conception, and how she researched and learned to advocate for herself and is now becoming a Doula with Sisters in Loss.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced not being listened to or acknowledged during childbirth including miscarriage. This episode is for you to listen to if you are interested in becoming a Sisters in Loss doula.

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

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Expectful Helping Hands Link

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271 - Expectful App for Pregnancy Loss and Trying to Conceive with Nathalie Walton Sep 14, 2022

Show notes

Have you practiced mindful meditation?

Well your time to do so is now using the Expectful app.

What is Expectful? It is the mental health app for use before, during, and after pregnancy. Including Pregnancy Loss, Infertility, and Trying to Conceive.

In today's episode, we have on Expectful's CEO, Nathalie Walton to share how meditation saved her pregnancy, her transition into being an app user to now CEO, Black women in Tech and why this app is for Black women, and the evolution and future of Expectful.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/links

Download Expectful now!

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

Living Water Doula Services

Book Recommendations and Links Below

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270 - PCOS, Infertility, and Trying to Conceive with Nkemka Egbuho Sep 07, 2022

Show notes

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone disorder in women that is also the leading cause of female infertility. September is recognized as PCOS awareness month. PCOS is one of the most underdiagnosed diseases in the world, with less than 25% of women with PCOS being diagnosed.

Today's guest was diagnosed with PCOS after experiencing a missed miscarriage. Nkemka Egbuho has been trying to conceive for 2 years battling infertility.

In this episode she shares how it hasn't been easy to see others celebrating while she waits. Nkemka shares how she is preparing her body and mind for a IUI treatment with the hopes of conceiving this year.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have ever doubted yourself on this journey.

For show notes go to sistersinloss.com/ep270

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

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269 - REWIND - From Miscarriages to Mobile App Poppy Seed Health with Simmone Taitt Aug 31, 2022

Show notes

After experiencing multiple miscarriages today's guest found herself on Dr. Google to find comfort. She found exactly what she was seeking an online doula board which inspired her to become a birth doula. Today's guest is one of the 100+ Black women founders that have raised over 1 million dollars in capital. She has leveraged the power of technology to bring together womxn seeking emotional and mental health support during their pregnancy and postpartum journey together into a trusted and safe digital space.

Simmone Taitt is the Founder & CEO of Poppy Seed Health, is on a mission to bring together womxn from pregnancy through postpartum. After an isolating experience with her doctor, Simmone sought comfort and community. She quickly saw the lack of emotional and mental health support for womxn going through the life changing experience of having children and sought to rectify it. Her company is transforming the way care is delivered by providing 24/7 on-demand text access to doulas, midwives, and nurses — and it's working, especially during the COVID era, when she's seen a 140% increase in business. A sales, innovation, and growth strategy leader, Simmone spent 14 years building high growth startups before starting Poppy Seed Health.

In today's episode we discuss the story behind her company, from the first product iteration to fundraising during a worldwide pandemic, her work as a doula, and how Poppy Seed Health mission goes beyond pregnancy including loss, grief, trying to conceive and fertility.

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

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268 - REWIND Women of Color App for Pregnancy and Postpartum Wolomi with Layo George Aug 26, 2022

Show notes

Have you been searching for an app for your pregnancy after loss? Well there is an online app that is for you called Wolomi.

Wolomi is the only digital community that offers support to women of color to improve maternal health outcomes. Membership to Wolomi gives you access to maternal health experts, events, and a community of amazing women.

Today's guest is Wolomi's founder Layo George, who is a registered nurse and maternal health expert that is focused on guiding and supporting aspiring moms and moms-to-be to enjoy their pregnancy journey. In this episode Layo shares her inspiration for starting Wolomi, her personal journey through perinatal depression, and why Wolomi addresses maternal mental health at all stages through pregnancy and postpartum.

267- REWIND- Myomectomy, Transabdominal Cerclage, and Faith after Loss with Dr. Shabnam Brady Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

ave you heard of a Myomectomy procedure?

Myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids. These common noncancerous growths appear in the uterus. Uterine fibroids usually develop during childbearing years, but they can occur at any age. Women of Color have the highest occurrence of fibroids in up to 90% of black women before age of 50.

Today's guest experienced an untimely loss at 22 weeks of baby girl Alexandria Shah due to preterm labor and cervical insufficiency. Dr. Shabnam Brady began to research for answers why and what could possibly have happened. She went to several specialist doctors and conducted months of research. She and her husband decided to undergo a myomectomy to remove fibroids and went to Chicago to undergo a Transabdominal Cerclage procedure due to her cervical insufficiency. Last Summer, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Shabnam for dinner while she was pregnant with her miracle Faith. In this episode, Shabnam takes us back to her making the decision for both procedures: the myomectomy and transabdominal cerclage, how her Faith after loss was during her rainbow baby pregnancy, and how therapy and mental health played a major role in her healing.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have considered a myomectomy or transabdominal cerclage procedures. This episode is for you to listen to on how to research your options and choose the best specialist or therapist for you after loss.

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

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266 - REWIND - Birthing Son and Losing Son on Same Day with Shana Anderson Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

Imagine birthing your rainbow baby and losing your first born on the same day!?

Today's episode is one that hits close to home as her story is very similar to my own. I would be lying to you if I didn't say I cried throughout this entire interview and hours afterward. This episode is a trigger, so please grab some tissue, and brace yourself as you embark on this woman's journey to motherhood.

Shana Anderson experienced a placenta abruption with her first born son Bryce, and he was later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and chronic lung disease. She then went onto having a stillbirth at 34 weeks with baby girl Aleeya. After experiencing what seemed like a year full of hospitalizations with Bryce she planned a Make a Wish trip to Disney World and found out she was expecting her third baby. In June 2020, Shana gave birth to her rainbow baby boy Brayden, and later that evening her son Bryce passed away.

In this episode, Shana is raw as it is weeks after laying her son Bryce to rest. She takes us back to the day of great joy and deep sorrow of birthing a son and losing a son. Shana is taking it one day at a time and literally spoke life over herself, her womb, and baby Brayden as he was growing in her belly while taking care of a medically fragile toddler.

This episode is for you to listen to if you want to know what God's grace and mercy looks like on earth in the form of strength and resilience. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a placenta abruption, stillbirth, or pregnancy after loss.

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

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265 - 5 Year Podcast Anniversary! What's next with Sisters in Loss? Aug 03, 2022

Show notes

On August 2, 2017 we released our first episode of the Sisters in Loss Podcast. Today, we celebrate 5 Years of this podcast and community.

In today's solo episode, Erica McAfee, Sisters in Loss Founder shares:

The History of Sisters in Loss
Black Maternal Health Crisis and Roe vs. Wade
Community Building in the last 5 Years
What's Next for Sisters in Loss?
Her personal journey and how this podcast saved her

This podcast is for you to listen to find out where Sisters in Loss is going in 2023 and beyond.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep265

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

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264 - Triplet Loss and Grandmother's Story with Alicia Harris Jul 27, 2022

Show notes

Have you ever heard the perspective of loss from a grandmother?

Today's episode features the story of triplet loss of Alicia Harris grandbabies. She is joined by her daughter who both highlight and share their experiences of the journey to motherhood. This episode is for you to listen to if you want to hear the loss perspective of a mother and grandmother, how they overcame grief together, and how a rainbow baby grounded their mother daughter relationship.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep263

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