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

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222 - Stillbirth, Postpartum Depression, Preeclampsia, and Serving in Pregnancy After Loss with Shanna Williams Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

Do you know what Stillbirth is?

A stillbirth is the death or loss of a baby before or during delivery. Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ according to when the loss occurs.

Today's guest experienced a stillbirth at 21 weeks followed by a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks. She became pregnant again and experienced anxiety, had an upsetting birth experience with her son and developed postpartum depression. Shanna Williams continued to grow her family by having another baby while her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder at age 2. During that birth she secured a doula and midwife in an attempt to have a home birth, but had to be transferred to hospital care due to preeclampsia. Shanna focused on therapy work on maternal health and became a Doula and Lactation consultant to serve families in pregnancy and parenting after loss. In this episode, she takes us back to that moment when she heard her son didn't have a heartbeat and what inspired her PhD studies focusing on Historical trauma, Black Maternal Health Outcomes and Pregnancy after loss.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, postpartum depression, pre-eclampisa, or any trauma during childbirth.

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221 - Maternal Action Project in Memory of Dr. Shalon Irving with Bianca Pryor Sep 29, 2021

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Have you heard of Dr. Shalon's Maternal Action Project?

Dr. Shalon's Maternal Action Project (DSMAP) is an Atlanta-based nonprofit created in honor of Dr. Shalon Irving, who passed away from complications due to childbirth and was a fierce health equity advocate. Our mission is to increase awareness of the Black maternal health crisis and develop and promote evidence-based strategies that improve health outcomes for Black birthing people and families.

Today's podcast episode is in honor of Dr. Shalon Irving who died due to complications of childbirth told in memory of her best friend Bianca Pryor. Bianca has a passion for fighting equity and inclusion and has turned her pain into purpose after losing her best friend while giving birth to her daughter Soleil. Bianca takes us back to her own journey to motherhood and how she and Dr. Shalon was pregnant at the same time as she was 10 weeks ahead in pregnancy with her bestie. She shares in this episode her journey of delivering a 24 weeker, his NICU stay, and her getting that call that her bestie Dr. Shalon was rushed to the emergency room from complications after delivering her daughter Soleil.

This episode is for you to listen to if you are passionate about infant and maternal health. This episode is for you to listen to for you to hear the grief of a best friend and her fight to save other mothers from pregnancy related complications and death.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep221

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220 - Endometriosis, Failed IVF, Miscarriages, to Adoption with Candace Trinchieri Sep 22, 2021

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Today's guest feels like she has faced it all. From being diagnosed with Endometriosis and Fibroids. To battling this infertility with fertility treatments including 9 failed IVF cycles, two surgeries, multiple miscarriages, a failed attempt at surrogacy, one egg donor, and a successful adoption of a son. Candace Clark Trinicheri had many setbacks on her journey to motherhood, but she kept persevering. In this episode she takes us on her motherhood journey including surgical set backs, financial hardships, a non-responsiveness to stimulation drugs to the hardships of trying to find an egg donor of color all while dealing with the trauma of pregnancy loss.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have given up on hope on your journey. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced endometriosis, fibroids, failed IVF cycles, and want to learn about adoption.

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Ep219 - From Ectopic Pregnancy Loss to Breast Cancer Diagnosis to Mended Hope with Tiana Rogers Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

After experiencing a spontaneous abortion and six months later being faced with another loss that resulted from a ectopic pregnancy and one less fallopian tube today's guest was shattered and disappointed. Tiana Rogers grieved her losses and five months later after her ectopic loss she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. There were no words to describe the utter devastation of being met with a cancer diagnosis in her early 30s with no family history and she continuously prayed and hoped for a baby. Cancer treatment and fertility treatments consumed her and her husband's lives as the doctors were not sure whether she would need chemotherapy initially. In this episode Tiana shares how she grieved and turned to her faith to get her through fertility treatments and cancer. She shares how she did not want to risk missing the window to preserve any chances to have biological children so IVF was the natural next step before undergoing cancer treatments.

This episode is for you to listen to encourage you to continue your journey to building the family of your dreams through faith and with mended hope. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced ectopic pregnancy loss or a cancer diagnosis.

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Ep218 - Missed Miscarriage of Twins with Sibyl Lilly Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

Do you know what a missed miscarriage is?

A missed (or silent) miscarriage is one where the baby has died or not developed, but has not been physically miscarried. In many cases, there has been no sign that anything was wrong, so the news can come as a complete shock.

Today's guest experienced a missed miscarriage with twins after having three daughters. Sibyl Lilly has 6 children here on earth and 4 angels in heaven. After losing her twins to a missed miscarriage she became pregnant with a boy who was stillborn at 32 weeks. She was broken, angry, sad, and felt guilty as her faith was pushed to the limits. In this episode Sibyl shares how she conceived again and had her rainbow baby boy, after that pregnancy she suffered another miscarriage, and went onto having her final two rainbow twin girls.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced missed miscarriage or stillbirth. This episode is for you to listen to what it means to stay resilient on the journey to motherhood.

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217 - Stillbirth and Living Healthy and Abundantly with Angela Hampton Sep 01, 2021

Show notes

Do you know the symptoms of stillbirth?

Stopping of fetal movement and kicks.
Spotting or bleeding.
No fetal heartbeat heard with a stethoscope or Doppler.
No fetal movement or heartbeat seen on ultrasound, which makes the definitive diagnosis that a baby is stillborn.

Today's guest experienced some of these symptoms going into her 7 month of pregnancy. Angela Hampton found out she was pregnant and that she needed to take supplements. She then started to celebrate her pregnancy by preparing for her baby. During her 7 month she became ill and took a few days off of work to rest. She went back to work and was talking with a coworker that she had not felt the baby move as much. The coworker recommended that she go to the OB/GYN to get checked out. Angela was sent straight to the hospital after that OBGYN appointment and they told her then that her baby had died and she would have to be induced. In this episode Angela takes us back to the moment she was told her baby died and she would have to labor and deliver them. She shares how she has started living life after loss healthy and abundantly.

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

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Ep216 - Placental Abruption and Overcoming Fear with Leslie Damper Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

Do you know what a placental abruption is?

Placental Abruption is a serious pregnancy complication in which the placenta detaches from the womb (uterus). Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches from the inner wall of the womb before delivery. The condition can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding, belly pain, and back pain in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy. Depending on the degree of placental separation and how close the baby is to full-term, treatment may include bed rest or a cesarean section.

Today's guest experienced a placental abruption of her daughter. Leslie Damper found out she was becoming a mother in August 2020 and by November 2020 she was called home due to placental abruption. In this episode Leslie takes us back to the joy she experienced when finding out she was pregnant and to the day when she lost her baby girl. She shares in this episode how she overcame fear and weakness and how she is not giving up hope to become a mother again.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a placental abruption.

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

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Ep215 - Male Factor Infertility and Donor Sperm Aug 18, 2021

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Fertility is not just a birthing factor, sometimes it is male factor. Male infertility can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors may contribute to male infertility.

Today's guest shares her story with male factor infertility, going through IUI which resulted in a miscarriage, and having her rainbow baby. She knew her partner had a high probability of infertility due to his medical history. They started trying naturally and were unsuccessful so they went to a fertility specialist. Then they were formally diagnosed with male factor infertility azoospermia with less than 5% chance of having natural children. They then moved to third party reproduction and decided on using donor sperm. They were successful with their medicated IUI that resulted in their first child. When they tried for their second child the medicated IUI was successful but it resulted in miscarriage at 11 weeks gestation. In this episode, we discuss male factor infertility, how to find donor sperm for black and brown people, and recovery and healing from miscarriage.

This episode is for you to listen to if you and your partner have been diagnosed with male factor infertility or are considering searching for donor sperm for people of color.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep215

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

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Ep214 - Fibroids, Myomectomy, and Miscarriage with Kima Tozay Aug 11, 2021

Show notes

Have you heard of the term myomectomy?

Myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus. It allows the uterus to be left in place and, for some women, makes pregnancy more likely than before. Myomectomy is the preferred fibroid treatment for women who want to become pregnant.

Today's guest experienced infertility and gave birth to her stillborn son at 28 weeks. Kima Tozay was diagnosed with Fibroids and endured a myomectomy surgery to remove her fibroids. She explored IVF that was unsuccessful and was able to get pregnant twice an early twin pregnancy loss and a 27 week stillbirth due to preeclampsia. In this episode Kima shares how she know helps advocate for those who have experienced infertility and pregnancy and infant loss and how she is keeping her son Jaxson's memory alive by spreading awareness about maternal and infant mortality in communities of color. We also discuss her next steps on her journey to motherhood that includes fostering to adopt.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced stillbirth or fibroids and have considered a myomectomy to remove them. This episode is for you to listen to if you have considered fostering to adopt as an option to grow your family.

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

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