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

You can follow Erica on Social

242 – Double Uterus and Double Cervix and Hope Still Stands with La-Anna Douglass Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

Have you heard of having a double uterus or double cervix? The term is Uterine didelphys is a rare condition that happens when you grow two uteruses instead of one. This happens when you are a developing baby. You are born with it. ‌ While developing as babies, girls typically grow a uterus from two channels called the Mullerian ducts.

Today's guest was born with a didelphys uterus after 3 laparoscopic surgeries it was confirmed she also had endometriosis, fibroids, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. That did not stop today's guest from trying to conceive. La-Anna Douglass began fertility treatments with drugs and still was unable to conceive. She decided to try IVF and IVF did not work for her leaving her depressed and heartbroken. In today's episode La-Anna shares her journey to conceiving a baby naturally after 8 years of trying to conceive and her current journey through secondary infertility.

This podcast is for you to listen to to learn more about a double uterus and double cervix, but also if you have any underlying conditions like endometriosis, fibriods, and pcos.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep242

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

241 - Ectopic Pregnancy, Fallopian Tube Rupture, and "Why did this happen to me"? with Ashlee Epps Feb 16, 2022

Show notes

Have you heard of an Ectopic Pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy most often occurs in a fallopian tube, which carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This type of ectopic pregnancy is called a tubal pregnancy.

Today's guest experienced an ectopic pregnancy that was discovered during her first prenatal visit and would need surgery. The morning of her surgery date her fallopian tube ruptured causing internal bleeding and changed her. Ashlee Epps found out she was pregnant with her second baby after losing her job, being in law school, and her husband's work hours being reduced. She was stressed with all that was going on in her life. After losing her baby she went through a "why" and denial period and felt very alone.

In today's episode, Ashlee shares how her faith was tested after her loss, how she had to navigate through grief while being a wife, mom, and student, and how her healing journey has been filled with lessons of love and learning about herself.

Today's episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced an ectopic pregnancy and if you have ever questioned why this happened to me?

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep241

240 - Endometriosis, Infertility, and Congenital Heart Disease and Infant Loss with Jamala Arland Feb 09, 2022

Show notes

Congenital heart disease is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal way the heart works. The term "congenital" means the condition is present from birth. Today's guest was diagnosed with Endometriosis and after many years of fertility treatments including IVF her first child Jasper died in her arms 30 hours after he was born from congenital heart disease. Coping with the grief of child loss at the onset of a global pandemic has made, Jamala Arland passionate about supporting the community for bereaved mothers and normalizing grief through writing and speaking engagements.

In todays episode, Jamala shares her journey through endometriosis, infertility, and finding out how her son had congenital heart disease.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have battled infertility and infant loss.

Watch this episode here: sistersinloss.tv

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

239 – Foster Care to Adoption after failed IVF with Juauna Lewis Feb 02, 2022

Show notes

Not all fertility treatments end in success. Some end in undetermined infertility and unsuccessful IUI and IVF cycles. Today's guest experienced unexplained infertility and underwent fertility treatments. After going through an IUI and 2 IVF cycles that were unsuccessful, she and her husband decided to take a break from fertility treatments and decided to adopt. The adoption process was an immediate success. Juauna Lewis decided to try another IVF round, but that was also unsuccessful. To continue to grow her family, she turned to foster care to adoption and added another two boys to her family. Juauna is now the mom to 3 sweet little boys who she considers the pot of gold at the end of her rainbow of failed fertility treatments and losses.

In today's episode we discuss her decision to stop fertility treatments and turn to adoption, why foster to adoption is another option to growing your family, and how motherhood is not defined if you birth children from your body.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have had a failed IVF experience, are curious about adoption or fostering to adopt, and for inspiration that motherhood comes in many forms even if you don't birth the baby.

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

238 - Micropreemies, Infertility, and Preparing for next round of IVF with Diane Olusada Jan 27, 2022

Show notes

Have you heard of the term micropreemie?

A micropreemie is a baby that is born before the 26th week of pregnancy or weighs less than 28 ounces.

Today's guest is a mother of two an angel baby and rainbow baby both who were micropreemies born before 26 weeks. Diane Olusado combatted infertility with professional help for 4 years. After 7 failed IUIs and 1 failed IVF cycle she had a successful transfer and gave birth to her baby at 23 weeks and 5 days. Alayo died in the NICU after living for 9 days. Diane went onto another round of IVF that was successful and had her rainbow baby Iyanu at 26 weeks and 2 days and spent 108 days in the NICU.

In todays episode, Diane shares her journey through infertility and loss and how she is preparing for her next IVF or Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET).

This episode is for you to listen to if you have battled infertility and are also preparing for your next FET and IVF cycle.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep238

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 Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica's Website Erica's Instagram Erica's Facebook Erica's Twitter

237 - "There is nothing we can do" Miscarriage and Elijah Broke the Gate with Jessica Jackson Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

There is nothing we can do" the 6 words us @sistersinloss dreads to hear. How many of us have heard "There is nothing we can do" after a doctor's appointment or emergency room visit?

Today's guest experienced a miscarriage at 7 weeks and was told "there is nothing we can do." Elijah's passing was traumatic. Jessica Jackson could not comprehend that statement. She saw Elijah in a dream and writing became her grief therapy. "Elijah Broke the Gate" is a book of performance pieces based on true child loss, miscarriage, and regretted abortion experiences.

In today's episode, Jessica shares her traumatic birthing experience of miscarriage and her inspiration for her book "Elijah's Broke the Gate."

Today's episode is for you to listen to if you have ever been told "there is nothing we can do" and experienced a miscarriage or pregnancy loss.

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

236 - From Miscarriages to Mobile App Poppy Seed Health with Simmone Taitt Jan 12, 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.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep236

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

235 - Gestational Carriers and Surrogacy Miracles with Shadina Blunt Jan 05, 2022

Show notes

Shadina Blunt is a two-time gestational carrier, most notably for Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Kandi Burrus and her husband Todd Tucker of the Real Housewives of Atlanta. Shadina came forward with her story along with the Tuckers, and is now known as the face of surrogacy.

Shadina released her first book in December 2021, a children's book entitled Miracle Motherhood: Mary's Gift of Life. This self-published, beautifully illustrated book follows two families whose chance meeting leads them through gestational surrogacy...and helps answer many of the questions children of intended families and carrier families tend to have about the gestational surrogacy process.

Shadina is passionate about gestational surrogacy as an option for families who cannot safely carry a baby. Shadina is also co-owner Surrogacy Miracles Consulting in Atlanta where she helps families navigate the complexities of gestational surrogacy. Her new non-profit is designed to help financially support families - especially families of color and same sex-couples- who seek gestational surrogacy to grow their families after suffering in silence after pregnancy loss, fertility issues, and societal stigmas and shame. Gestational surrogacy is not just for celebrities!

In today's episode we discuss her journey to motherhood, becoming a gestational carrier, her new book and Surrogacy Miracles agency and upcoming Brunch in Janaury 2022 in Atlanta.

Click Here to Follow Shadina.

Click Here for her Brunch info.

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

234 - All About Uterine Fibroids Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

Today's episode is another throwback episode talking about Uterine Fibroids.

In today's episode we have Fibroids Activist and Health Coach, Gessie Thompson who shares her Uterine Fibroid Journey and Eliminating Fibroids through Diet and Detox. Gessie Thompson is one of the 90% of Black Women affected by fibroids by age 50. She personally battled the epidemic for 14 years and the resulting infertility for 10 of those years to have her miracle baby Nia. Her grueling journey included 10 surgeries, five IVF cycles, a devastating miscarriage and even her heart stopping on the delivery table. In this episode Gessie takes us back on her healing journey spiritually and physically, we both share how our hysterectomy's led to us eating a plant based diet, and how she is helping other women eliminate estrogen dominance and inflammation through her DetoxNow and Fibroid Elimination program.

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