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

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Ep202 - Miscarrying Twins and Postpartum Depression with Shirley Hargett May 19, 2021

Show notes

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness month today's episode focuses on Postpartum Depression.

Postpartum Depression is defined as depression that occurs after childbirth. Those who develop postpartum depression are at greater risk of developing major depression later on in life. Symptoms might include insomnia, loss of appetite, intense irritability, and difficulty bonding with the baby. Untreated, the condition may last months or longer. Treatment can include counseling, antidepressants, or hormone therapy.

Today's guest experienced Postpartum depression after having her first son and didn't believe in it until it happened to her. Shirley Hargett did not know she was experiencing postpartum depression and was ashamed to get the help she needed. She showed up to her son's pediatrician office for an appointment he did not have and they reached out to her OB/GYN to get the help she needed. After surviving through PPD Shirley went on to have another child, and experienced loss of a daughter and miscarrying identical twins in which she experienced postpartum depression again.

In this episode, Shirley takes us back to the signs and symptoms she experienced with postpartum depression, gives us the warning signs on how it shows up after loss, and grieving with PPD.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced Postpartum depression, loss, and want to know the signs and symptoms and how to seek help.

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Ep201 - Weight Loss, PCOS, and Jeremiah's Journey to Healing with Kameika Hinson May 12, 2021

Show notes

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman's hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes their body to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.

Since childhood, today's guest knew that she wanted to become a mother. However, in 2007, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Tipping the scale at an alarming 419 pounds, her chances of becoming a mother were nonexistent until she decided to have bariatric surgery. In 2017, Kameika Hinson, became pregnant before losing her baby to a miscarriage. Although heartbroken, her calling from God to help others became clear.

In today's episode, Kameika takes us back to being diagnosed with PCOS, how she made the decision to have bariatric surgery, the excitement of getting pregnant, and miscarrying her son Jeremiah.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have PCOS, have considered weight loss surgery, and turn your pain into purpose with a nonprofit in memory of your angel baby.

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BONUS Episode - COVID Vaccine with our partners Ava Women May 07, 2021

Show notes

Today's episode is a Bonus Episode where we discuss the COVID Vaccine in detail with our sponsor Ava Women.

We discuss with Brianna Goodale, PhD scientist and Managing Director of AVA-COVID. In this episode we share:

Guidelines and recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant birthing people and those Trying to Conceive
How the COVID-19 Vaccine works
Existing data on how each vaccine has affected pregnant birthing people, their babies, and those TTC
COVID-19 vaccination while pregnant, breastfeeding, and antibodies affect baby
How black people and people of color being affected by COVID-19 and the vaccination efficacy

Our listeners receive $20 off the AVA fertility tracker using code AVASISTERS. Go to avawomen.com and use code AVASISTERS for $20 off.

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EP200 - Mother's Day and Ways to Remember and Honor your Angel! May 05, 2021

Show notes

This upcoming Sunday and Second Sunday in May, the world stops to honor and celebrate moms around the world. Families splurge on greeting cards, flowers, gifts, fun traditions, and lavish meals to show the motherly figures in their lives how much they are loved.

I can't think of anyone more deserving on Mother's Day than a mother who had to give her child back.

Today's episode is a solo episode celebrating 200 episodes. I share ways you can honor your angel this Mother's Day and my White House experience.

Our listeners receive $20 off the AVA fertility tracker using code AVASISTERS. Go to avawomen.com and use code AVASISTERS for $20 off.

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Ep199 - State of Black Maternal Health with Certified Nurse Midwife Taykia Sakina Ballard Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

April is Sisters in Loss Infertility Awareness Month! All month long we will be highlighting infertility stories and journey's.

Black Maternal Health week was April 11-17 and Infertility Awareness Week is April 18-24. This week we are talking about reproductive health.

Did you know that some midwives specialize in high risk births and pregnancy after loss or infertility?

Today's guest is a Certified Nurse Midwife and founder of Sakina Health who partners with birthing families to inspire them to become savvy birthers. After spending nearly two decades as a midwife with nearly 1000 births in the hospital, birth center, and home, Takiya Ballard knows what it truly means to offer a unique type of healthcare that is unbiased and respectful in every way.

In this episode we deep dive into the State of Black Maternal Health, we discuss the differences between midwifery and doulas, her podcast The Savvy Black Birther, and creating the right birth team for us as black women.

This episode is for you to listen to if you want to learn how to create the right birth team for you, the differences of midwifery and doulas, and how you can take control of your reproductive health.

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Ep198 - Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Missed Miscarriage, and Fibroids with Leah Forney Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

April is Sisters in Loss Infertility Awareness Month! All month long we will be highlighting infertility stories and journey's.

Have you heard of the term diminished ovarian reserve?

Women diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve have the same reduced success of conceiving with in vitro fertilization (IVF) as they do with natural efforts to conceive. In addition, women with DOR often have a greater risk of miscarriage when conceiving via IVF with their own eggs due to lower egg quality.

Today's guest was diagnosed with diminished ovarian function after researching if she was a good candidate for egg freezing. Leah Forney had a missed miscarriage that led to having a D&C. After grieving the death of her fiance she realized her menstruation cycle was more frequent that once a month. Her OB/GYN told her she had a massive fibroid and uterine cysts that was contributing to her frequent and heavy menstruation.

In today's episode Leah shares her journey to egg freezing and finding out she had 7 eggs left at 33 years old. She shares her grief from losing a baby, losing her fiance, and losing the ability to conceive naturally. Leah also shares her hopes in becoming a mother through IVF, donor eggs and sperm and adoption.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have been diagnosed with diminished ovarian function.

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Ep197 - Male Factor Infertility, Ectopic Pregnancy, IUI, and Fibroids with Marsha Derice Apr 14, 2021

Show notes

April is Sisters in Loss Infertility Awareness Month! All month long we will be highlighting infertility stories and journey's.

Today's guest and partner were diagnosed with infertility after trying to conceive for several months with no success and both decided to get check ups. She received positive results, but her partner had unfavorable results during his sperm analysis.

Marsha Derice found a fertility doctor and proceeded with an intrauterine insemination IUI that was unsuccessful. The IUI process was overwhelming and they decided not to try another round. She found out she conceived naturally after experiencing pain in her abdomen and the ER doctor confirmed her pregnancy and told her she was having an ectopic pregnancy. Marsha was immediately rushed into surgery to remove her fallopian tube.

In this episode, Marsha shares the emotional toll experiencing fertility challenges can have as a couple, especially seeing friends and family members having children, hosting baby showers, and feeling like something was wrong with her body. She finds out that she has a fibroids that are larger in size that will need to be surgically removed in order to continue with possible In vitro fertilization IVF.

This episode is for you to listen to if you and your partner both were diagnosed with fertility challenges, fibroids, and ectopic pregnancy.

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Ep196 - Unexplained Infertility, Miscarriage, Ectopic Pregnancy, and Journey through Faith with Sophia Campbell Apr 07, 2021

Show notes

April is Sisters in Loss Infertility Awareness Month! All month long we will be highlighting infertility stories and journey's.

A couple should go to a fertility doctor after trying on their own for twelve months, six months for women over 35, and undergo an investigation. There are standard tests for both the woman and the man.

Approximately 20% of couples struggling to get pregnant are told that they have "unexplained infertility". After examinations and tests, the doctor states there is no known medical reason to explain why they haven't conceived.

Today's guest has been diagnosed with unexplained infertility. After 3 miscarriages, 1 ectopic pregnancy, failed clomid cycles, 2 fertility clinics to being diagnosed with '"unexplained infertility." Doctors told her the only chance of her becoming a mother was through In vitro fertilization or IVF.

Sophia Campbell's journey to motherhood required her unlearning past hurts and traumas and conquering infertility by faith to have her miracle daughter. In this episode Sophia shares her journey to taking back control of her life after loss and how she is on the mission to remove the stigma, to provide the education for women to feel supported and process the roller coaster of emotions,-guilt, shame, fear, anger, frustration and to provide a safe space and community for women to share more and learn from each other.

Today's episode is for you if you have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Today's episode is for you to listen to if you want encouragement to fearlessly go after your dream of becoming a mom.

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Ep195 - Intrauterine Growth Retardation, Endometriosis and Infant Loss with Keisha Jones Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

Have you heard of IUGR Intrauterine Growth Retardation?IUGR is a term that's used to describe a baby who isn't growing as quickly as he should be inside the womb. Officially, it's defined as an estimated weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age (i.e., the stage of the pregnancy). Any baby who is smaller than normal can be diagnosed with the condition.

Causes of intrauterine growth restriction vary but include placenta abnormalities, high blood pressure in the mother, infections, and smoking or alcohol abuse.

With this condition, a baby is born weighing less than 90 percent of other babies at the same gestational age.

Ultrasounds during pregnancy help monitor a baby's weight. Depending on the results, the baby may need to be delivered early.

Today's guest was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 19 years old and became pregnant at 23. She dealt with cervical insufficiency and IUGR and her daughter was born at 34 weeks with stomach ulcers and didn't survive. Keisha Jones was determined to become a mother at 31 and after a year with no result sought the help of a fertility specialist. She did not have insurance at the time and no savings to cover the large expense of IVF. Her state offered a study to cover 90% of the cost of IVF and she became pregnant after two mini rounds. Keisha made it to 23 weeks into that pregnancy before she lost that baby. She found a company that would cover the costs of IVF and tried again at 35 years old. Keisha gave birth to her third daughter at 36 weeks after suffering from severe preeclampsia during my pregnancy.

In this episode Keisha shares her endometriosis journey and journey through IVF, she shares how to find a study that could cover the cost of IVF or IUI, and how she is supporting parents through infertility in her new support group.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have Endometriosis, experienced an infant loss, or explored and want to learn more about cost options for IVF.

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