The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast

In this powerful listener episode, Kayleigh is joined by identical twin sisters Alison and Holly, whose journeys through pregnancy, birth trauma, medical trauma, and survival became heartbreakingly intertwined. Both clinical psychologists, both high-achieving perfectionists, and both navigating pregnancy at the same time, neither could have imagined the life-altering experiences ahead of them.From severe pregnancy complications and traumatic medical experiences to a devastating accident involving Holly while pregnant with twins, this conversation explores the profound impact trauma can have not only on individuals but on families navigating it together.Through vulnerability, honesty, and immense strength, Alison and Holly share what it meant to survive the unimaginable while also supporting one another as sisters, twins, clinicians, and mothers.This episode is raw, validating, heartbreaking, and ultimately full of hope and resilience.

On this week's episode, we are doing a special rerelease! We are talking all things medical records and debriefs.On this episode you will hear:- understanding medical records- process of requesting medical records- the importance of debriefs- empowering patients through effective communicationFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode, Jessica shares the unimaginable journey of becoming a first-time mom to twin boys while surviving a rare and life-threatening postpartum medical complication after a wet tap during her epidural. From seizures and brain bleeds to time in the neuro ICU and separation from her newborns, Jessica vulnerably opens up about trauma, healing, advocacy, and ultimately finding hope through a healing birth experience with her third baby.

In this insightful episode, Kayleigh sits down with therapist and perinatal mental health expert Hilary Waller to explore the nuanced overlap between perinatal OCD, trauma, and EMDR. Hilary shares her journey into this work, her passion for supporting parents through medical trauma and loss, and how EMDR can help address the nervous system responses underneath intrusive thoughts and anxiety.

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Katherine to hold space for the layers of trauma that can exist alongside stillbirth and loss. Katherine shares the story of her son Brody, the life-threatening complications she experienced after his birth, and the continued trauma that unfolded in her pregnancy and delivery with her living child.Through her unfiltered honesty, Katherine sheds light on the often-overlooked realities of birth trauma within the loss community, and reminds us that grief and trauma can coexist in complex, valid ways.

In this mini episode, Kayleigh opens up about the often unexpected and deeply layered experience of Mother's Day after birth trauma. She offers validation, normalization, and gentle guidance for navigating a day that can feel both meaningful and incredibly heavy.

In this episode, Megan shares her journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, chronic illness, medical trauma, and a life-threatening birth experience that led to her son's premature arrival. Her story sheds light on the complexities of pregnancy after loss, the realities of navigating the healthcare system with chronic conditions, and the lasting impact of birth trauma and a NICU stay.

In this informative episode, Kayleigh sits down with OB-GYN and author Dr. Jennifer Lincoln to break down what pregnant people actually need to know about birth. From navigating medical decisions to unpacking misinformation online, this conversation is packed with insight, nuance, and practical tools to help you feel more confident and informed heading into your birth experience.

In this powerful Listener Series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Leah to share her story of giving birth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating a traumatic delivery, and enduring years of unexplained postpartum pain before finally being diagnosed with severe endometriosis. Leah opens up about medical dismissal, complex trauma, subsequent pregnancies, and the ongoing journey of healing, both physically and emotionally. This episode is a raw and honest look at what happens when trauma isn't just one moment, but a series of experiences over time.In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode, Kayleigh breaks down a widely discussed episode of The Pit—exploring both the medical accuracy and the emotional impact it's had on the birth trauma community. Through a nuanced and honest lens, she unpacks what the show got right, what it missed, and why these portrayals matter so deeply.

In this deeply emotional listener episode, Michelle bravely shares her story of pregnancy complications, medical trauma, and the heartbreaking loss of her son, Cody. Through her vulnerability, she offers connection, validation, and hope to anyone navigating grief after loss.

In this validating episode, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. James Jackson, an internationally recognized psychologist, neuropsychology specialist, and pioneer in post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Together, they explore the often-overlooked reality of medical trauma and what true healing can look like after surviving critical illness.

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with two best friends, Sam and Paige, whose lives became forever intertwined through shared birth trauma. What began as a friendship rooted in everyday life quickly transformed into something much deeper when both women experienced rare, life-threatening birth complications just months apart.Together, they open up about the shock, grief, and confusion of their experiences, the parts they remember (and the parts they don't), and the complex emotions that followed. Most importantly, they share what it means to have each other a person who truly gets it, in a space that can feel incredibly isolating.This episode is a testament to the power of connection, validation, and being seen in your hardest moments.

In this mini episode, Kayleigh is speaking directly to providers, nurses, and healthcare workers about the real-life application of trauma-informed care. Moving beyond the buzzword, she breaks down how trauma shows up in healthcare settings, and more importantly, how communication can either help prevent or contribute to it.This episode is packed with practical, easy-to-implement scripts and mindset shifts you can use immediately in patient interactions. From validating fears to navigating emergencies and repairing missteps, Kayleigh highlights how even the smallest moments of connection can have a lasting impact on patient outcomes.Whether you're a provider looking to deepen your approach or a patient wanting insight into what trauma-informed care should look like, this episode offers powerful, tangible takeaways.✨ A mini episode for providers, nurses, and healthcare workers on trauma-informed communication

In Part 2 of Olivia's story, we move beyond the resuscitation and into what so many survivors say is the hardest part, the aftermath. From ICU recovery to postpartum trauma, returning to work, and making the deeply personal decision to grow her family again, Olivia shares a raw and powerful look at life after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism.This episode is a testament to grit, grief, and redefining what healing actually looks like.✨ In this episode, we cover:

April is Cesarean Awareness Month, and we're re-releasing this incredibly important conversation to spotlight the complexities, emotions, and real stories behind C-sections.On this solo episode, Kayleigh is discussing all things c-section. She shares a few different studies highlighting the data on c-sections and PTSD, as well as how they compare to other modes of delivery. Kayleigh also touches on TOLACs and planned cesarean sections after birth trauma. In this episode:- Types of C-Sections- C-Section and birth trauma- Communication and Support as mitigating factors- Delivery decisions after birth trauma (TOLAC v. planned c-section)- C-Sections under general anesthesiaStudies Discussed:Garthus-Niegel S, von Soest T, Knoph C, Simonsen TB, Torgersen L, Eberhard-Gran M. The influence of women's preferences and actual mode of delivery on post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth: a population-based, longitudinal study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014 Jun 5;14:191. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-191. PMID: 24898436; PMCID: PMC4053555.Orovou E, Iliadou M, Chatzopoulou MT, Dagla M, Eskitzis P, Rigas N, Antoniou E. The Relation between Birth with Cesarean Section and Posttraumatic Stress in Postpartum Women. Maedica (Bucur). 2023 Dec;18(4):615-622. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.4.615. PMID: 38348064; PMCID: PMC10859197.Rowlands IJ, Redshaw M. Mode of birth and women's psychological and physical wellbeing in the postnatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Nov 28;12:138. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-138. PMID: 23190575; PMCID: PMC3533875.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.Why This Episode Matters: C-sections are the most common major surgery performed on women, yet they're often misunderstood and under-supported. Whether you're a birthing parent, a partner, a provider, or a friend—this episode offers insight and empathy that can shift how we talk about and hold space for C-section experiences.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Olivia, a nurse, Navy veteran, and fellow AFE survivor, who shares her powerful and truly unique birth story.Olivia walks us through her experience of an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during the birth of her son, Theo, including the unimaginable reality of being awake and aware during much of her own resuscitation. Her story is both medically complex and deeply human, highlighting the layers of trauma that can exist even when lives are ultimately saved.This is Part 1 of Olivia's story.

March 27th marks Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Awareness Day, a time to honor the lives affected by this rare but life-threatening complication. In this special episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we take a deep dive into what AFE is, how it happens, and what can be done to improve survival rates.In this episode, we discuss:

On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh speaks with author and advocate Samina Ali, who shares her devastating and powerful birth story. What began as a healthy first pregnancy quickly turned into a life-threatening medical emergency when her symptoms of preeclampsia were repeatedly dismissed by providers.Samina vulnerably shares how undiagnosed preeclampsia progressed into HELLP syndrome, seizures, stroke, and multi-organ failure, and the long road of recovery that followed. Her story highlights the dangerous consequences of not being believed in medical spaces and the systemic issues that continue to impact maternal health outcomes.In this episode, we discuss:✨ A first pregnancy at 29 with symptoms that didn't feel right⚠️ Warning signs of preeclampsia that were repeatedly dismissed by providers

On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh answers one of the most common questions she hears from both clients and her online community: “Was my birth actually traumatic?”In this mini episode, she breaks down the truth about trauma, reminding listeners that trauma is not defined by how something “looked” on paper, but by how it was experienced in the body and nervous system. This conversation invites you to release comparison, validate your own experience, and understand that you are worthy of support.In this episode, we discuss:✨ The question so many parents ask: “Was it bad enough to be trauma?”

On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes Anya to share the story of her first birth — a pregnancy that was completely uncomplicated until a cascade of unexpected events in labor led to a traumatic emergency C-section experience.Anya opens up about feeling pressured into surgery, a frightening complication with anesthesia in the operating room, and the terror of feeling unable to breathe while fully conscious. Her story highlights how quickly birth can shift and how important communication, consent, and emotional support are during labor and delivery. In this episode, we discuss:✨ An uncomplicated pregnancy that suddenly shifted during labor

On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh shifts perspectives and shares her own therapy journey, not as a clinician, but as a client. After surviving a life-threatening birth experience and amniotic fluid embolism, Kayleigh opens up about the role therapy, medication, EMDR, and parts work have played in her healing.This vulnerable episode explores what trauma healing can actually look like years after the initial event and how deeper layers of trauma can surface in surprising ways. In this episode, we discuss:✨ Kayleigh's personal therapy journey after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism

On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Leslie shares the story of her daughter Cora born via emergency C-section after a full-term pregnancy and the unimaginable grief of losing her shortly after birth. She also opens up about secondary infertility, pregnancy after loss, a traumatic COVID birth, and the long road of healing that followed.This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and trauma can coexist and that both deserve care.

✨ Special Rerelease Episode ✨In this important conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Pria Alpern to talk about EMDR therapy and its powerful role in healing birth trauma. If you've ever felt stuck in intrusive memories, body flashbacks, or overwhelming anxiety after your birth experience, this episode offers both education and hope. We break down what EMDR actually is, how it works, and why it can be especially effective for perinatal trauma.In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Annie to share her powerful story of birth trauma, medical complications, and the long road of postpartum healing. Annie opens up about how quickly plans changed, the fear and confusion that followed, and what it has looked like to process trauma while learning to parent. This conversation is honest, validating, and a reminder that trauma isn't defined by one moment.In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode, Kayleigh talks about something that comes up again and again in our community: how, when, and whether to share your birth trauma story. From conversations with pregnant friends to posting publicly or presenting professionally, this episode explores navigating boundaries, safety, and connection, without shame. You are allowed to share your story. And you're also allowed to protect it.In this episode, we talk about:

In this listener series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Nicola, a physician who shares her own experience with birth trauma, placenta previa, a massive hemorrhage, and a terrifying NICU journey with her son. Nicola opens up about what it's like to be on the other side of medicine, how “knowing too much” can increase anxiety, and the deep loneliness that can come with traumatic birth and a NICU stay. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating birth trauma, NICU life, or the long road of healing afterward.In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode, Kayleigh dives into a topic we don't talk about enough: partner and family trauma after birth. Birth trauma doesn't just impact the birthing person; it can deeply affect the non-birthing partner and the entire family system. From helplessness in the delivery room to tension in relationships afterward, this conversation explores what we know (and what we're still learning) about how trauma shows up for partners and what healing can look like together.In this episode, we talk about:

In this powerful episode, Ruby shares her story of birth trauma, medical dismissal, and her daughter Rumi's diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy). Ruby walks us through being sent home multiple times while in labor, giving birth to a baby who was not breathing, surviving a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, and navigating the NICU and devastating uncertainty that followed. This conversation also names the role of racism and bias in women's health, especially toward Indigenous and other marginalized parents, and how being ignored, minimized, and not believed can have life-altering consequences for both parent and baby.In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Mallory, aka The Formula Mom, to talk all things formula feeding, combo feeding, and her brand-new book Bottle Service. They dive into the real, messy, emotional side of infant feeding: the lack of education around formula, the grief of not being able to breastfeed, the pressure of “at all costs” narratives, and why nuance, support, and compassion matter more than ever. This is an honest, validating conversation for anyone who has ever questioned, grieved, or defended how they feed their baby.In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Abigail to talk about her first birth complicated by low amniotic fluid, a late preterm induction, and a long, emotionally exhausting NICU stay, and how that experience shaped her postpartum mental health and feeding journey. Abigail also shares her second birth story, including intentional preparation, advocacy, and what it looked like to face another NICU admission without it becoming traumatic. This episode is a powerful conversation about control, grief, healing, and how trauma-informed care and support can change everything.In this episode, we talk about:

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Derek Grassley, RN CEN, CFRN, CCRN, NRP, FP-C WP-C - a flight nurse and ECMO specialist, to break down what ECMO is, when it's used, and why it can be life-saving for critically ill pregnant and postpartum patients.This powerful conversation pulls back the curtain on critical care, emergency transport, and the realities of caring for patients at the edge of survival.

In this powerful Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Andrea, who shares her story of an unexpected pregnancy complicated by severe placenta accreta, a nine-hour delivery surgery, massive hemorrhage, ICU recovery, and a long, complex postpartum healing journey.Andrea walks listeners through receiving a terrifying accreta diagnosis at her anatomy scan, navigating the fear of life-threatening hemorrhage, and making the critical decision to transfer care to a specialized accreta center. Her story highlights the importance of self-advocacy, multidisciplinary care, and listening to your instincts, especially when your life is on the line.This episode also tenderly explores the emotional aftermath of survival: delayed bonding after general anesthesia, prolonged separation from her baby, months of physical complications, depression, and the long road to processing trauma once the body finally stabilizes.In this episode, we discuss:

✨ Special Re-Release ✨ Parenting After Birth TraumaAs our children grow, many of us begin to notice something unexpected: the ways our birth trauma continues to show up, not just in our bodies and minds, but in our parenting.In this special re-release episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we revisit a conversation that feels just as relevant, if not more so, today. Kayleigh offers a brief but meaningful overview of what it means to parent after birth trauma, and why this topic comes up again and again in our community.Parenting after birth trauma is layered and complex. It may include unresolved trauma from pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or earlier life experiences, all of which can shape how we bond with, protect, and respond to our children. This episode doesn't cover everything, but it opens the door to awareness, reflection, and compassion.Whether you're parenting a newborn, a toddler, or an older child, this re-release offers perspective for navigating the emotional ripple effects of trauma while raising humans you love deeply.In this episode, we discuss:

In this deeply moving Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Kailee, who shares her story of infertility, recurrent placenta previa, NICU stays, medical trauma, and ultimately surviving placenta accreta with a life-saving hysterectomy.Kailee walks us through two high-risk pregnancies marked by hemorrhage, emergency cesareans, prolonged antepartum hospitalizations, NICU stays, and profound grief, alongside moments of advocacy, empowerment, and healing. Her story highlights how trauma can live alongside gratitude, and how reclaiming your voice can be life-saving.This episode is especially meaningful for NICU parents, those navigating placenta complications, birth trauma survivors, and anyone grieving the birth experience, or future, that was taken from them.In this episode, we discuss:

What does it really mean to give yourself permission, especially when you've been conditioned to put everyone else first?In this thoughtful and deeply resonant episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. George James, psychologist, speaker, executive coach, and author of I Give Myself Permission. With over a decade of shared history, Kayleigh and Dr. James reflect on growth, identity, trauma, and the invisible narratives that shape how we show up for ourselves, particularly after birth trauma.Dr. James shares how the pandemic, racial reckoning, leadership burnout, and family loss shaped his work and inspired his book. Together, they unpack why “just take care of yourself” is not only unhelpful, but often impossible without understanding the systems, identities, and stories we carry.This conversation is especially powerful for parents navigating birth trauma, clinicians supporting perinatal mental health, and anyone who feels stuck between survival and self-care.In this episode, we discuss:

In this powerful episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Alex, a mom of two and congenital heart disease survivor, who shares her journey through two high-risk pregnancies and two traumatic births.Alex opens up about living with complex congenital heart defects, undergoing open-heart surgery as an infant, and entering pregnancy knowing she would always be medically high-risk. Despite meticulous care and expert providers, both pregnancies took sudden, life-threatening turns, illustrating how trauma can exist even when everything is “managed well.”This episode explores the fear, grief, and lasting impact of emergency medical decisions, general anesthesia during birth, NICU life, and the heartbreak of realizing a redemptive birth may never come.In this episode, we discuss:

In this clinically grounded episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Kina Wolfenstein, LCSW, therapist, educator, and certified trainer in Coherence Therapy, for a deep dive into a lesser-known but incredibly powerful trauma modality.Together, they explore what coherence therapy is, how it differs from more familiar approaches like EMDR, CBT, and IFS, and why it can be especially effective for birth trauma, medical trauma, and complex attachment wounds.Kina explains how coherence therapy views symptoms not as pathology, but as coherent responses rooted in emotional learnings and how true healing happens through memory reconsolidation, an innate brain process that allows those learnings to be updated at the root.This episode speaks directly to survivors who say, “I understand why I feel this way, but nothing changes,” and to clinicians looking for more precise, bottom-up tools for trauma healing.In this episode, we discuss:✨ What coherence therapy is and why so few people have heard of it

In this Listener Series episode, Kayleigh is joined by Bella, who courageously shares her journey through infertility, a high-risk twin pregnancy, perinatal depression, placenta previa, repeated hospitalizations, and an emergency C-section at just under 33 weeks.Bella walks us through the shock of conceiving triplets after one round of Clomid, the grief of losing one baby early in pregnancy, and the fear and uncertainty that followed as complications continued to stack. From significant bleeding episodes and preterm labor to an emergency birth that separated her from her babies, Bella's story sheds light on the physical and emotional toll of high-risk pregnancy and NICU life.Together, Kayleigh and Bella explore not only what happened medically, but the lasting emotional impact, including grief over missed milestones, infertility due to medical necessity, and learning how to cope when the birth and motherhood journey looks nothing like what you imagined.This episode is a powerful reminder that survival does not erase trauma, and that community can be a lifeline.In this episode, we discuss:

What happens when something doesn't feel right during labor or birth, but you don't know what to do, who to call, or even what to name it?In this eye-opening episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. Jennifer Dunatov, a healthcare ethicist with nearly 20 years of experience working inside hospital systems. Together, they unpack what ethics really looks like in labor and delivery and why it's a vastly underutilized (but incredibly important) resource for birthing people, families, doulas, and clinicians.Dr. Dunatov shares how becoming a mother herself transformed her work, leading her to focus on birth ethics after hearing countless stories of consent violations, loss of autonomy, and traumatic care. She explains what clinical ethicists actually do, how ethics consults work in real time, and how they can help amplify patient voices even when something has already gone wrong.This episode is essential listening for anyone who has experienced birth trauma, is preparing to give birth, or works in maternity care.In this episode, we discuss:What healthcare ethics actually is (and why it's not boring

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Danielle, a therapist and mother of three, to share a story that challenges the narrow ways we often define birth and postpartum trauma.Danielle's trauma did not occur during labor or delivery, it unfolded months postpartum, following what was supposed to be a routine surgical procedure to remove a fibroid. Instead, a cascade of medical complications led to a medical emergency, multiple surgeries, bladder injury, and an unplanned hysterectomy that permanently ended her ability to carry another pregnancy.Already navigating life with three young children, including a baby under one, Danielle suddenly found herself recovering from a major abdominal surgery, managing a catheter for weeks, and confronting the profound grief of losing her fertility without warning or choice.As both a therapist and a patient, Danielle brings a deeply reflective lens to this conversation, naming the invisible grief that so often accompanies medical trauma, especially when it doesn't “fit” neatly into recognized categories of loss.Together, Kayleigh and Danielle explore:

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Tiffany Lowther, LMHC, a certified perinatal mental health professional and EMDR therapist, for an in-depth conversation about using EMDR to treat birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, OCD-like symptoms, and other perinatal mental health challenges.Tiffany shares both her professional expertise and lived experience, offering clear explanations of what EMDR is, how it works in the brain and body, and why it can be especially effective during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Together, Kayleigh and Tiffany unpack common misconceptions about EMDR and explain how this modality can support healing without requiring years of traditional talk therapy.In this episode, you'll learn:

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Kelsea, a mom of three, to share the emotional, terrifying, and deeply transformative story of her son Oliver's birth and NICU journey a birth she hoped would finally be a peaceful experience after two difficult deliveries, but instead became her most traumatic one yet.Scheduled for a repeat C-section at 37 weeks due to rising blood pressures and a history of preeclampsia, Kelsea entered the hospital with a pit in her stomach,  a feeling she now knows was intuition. The days that followed were filled with fear and uncertainty. Oliver deteriorated quickly, and for 24 hours, doctors weren't sure what was wrong. Finally, a NICU physician discovered that he had a pneumothorax, a collapsed left lung, and early signs of sepsis. He was intubated, placed on chest tubes, and put under strict no-hold restrictions leading to a heartbreaking stretch where Kelsea couldn't touch, comfort, or even pick up her newborn son.Together, Kayleigh and Kelsea talk through:

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dvora Entin, LCSW, PMH-C, therapist, educator, and host of The Misconceptions Podcast, for a deeply honest and compassionate conversation about surrogacy— the hopes, complexities, grief, joy, and emotional labor that shape this path to parenthood. Dvora shares what intended parents often navigate beneath the surface: the grief of letting go of a hoped-for pregnancy, the vulnerability of trusting another person with your baby, and the invisible emotional work that unfolds long before birth and long after.This conversation between with Dvora brings clarity to a journey that is too often misunderstood and oversimplified.Together, Kayleigh and Dvora explore:

As the holiday season approaches, we're revisiting one of the most requested and resonant solo episodes of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. In this special re-release, Kayleigh dives into the complex, emotional landscape of navigating the holidays after birth or perinatal trauma,  a topic that so many in our community quietly struggle with, but one that's rarely talked about openly.Drawing from her own experience and the countless stories shared within this community, Kayleigh unpacks the many layers that make the holiday season uniquely challenging after trauma, whether your trauma happened during the holidays or you're simply facing your first (or fifth) holiday season that looks nothing like you imagined.Inside this episode, Kayleigh explores:

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Rachel, a mom of two, to share her powerful and deeply layered story of navigating two very different pregnancies and births, both marked by moments of dismissal, fear, and intense advocacy.Rachel's first pregnancy shifted dramatically at 30 weeks when she developed severe high blood pressure and preeclampsia, leading to weeks of confusion, mixed messages, and ultimately an induction at 34 weeks. Her experience left deep emotional imprints, including guilt, hypervigilance, and the grief of feeling disconnected from her own birth and early postpartum moments.Years later, Rachel and her wife decided to grow their family again,  a choice shaped by both longing and the fear of repeating past trauma. Her second pregnancy was medically smoother, but her birth once again challenged her sense of safety and autonomy through unheard concerns, rapid labor, and providers who dismissed her awareness of her own body.Together, Kayleigh and Rachel explore:

In this powerful conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Cheryl Tatano Beck, one of the most influential researchers in postpartum mood disorders and psychological birth trauma. Dr. Beck shares how her clinical work as a nurse and nurse-midwife led her into research, how she “fell into” traumatic birth as a focus, and why listening to mothers' own words and metaphors changed everything.Together, they explore breastfeeding after birth trauma, the role of dignity and respect in preventing trauma, and the possibility of post-traumatic growth—not as a silver lining, but as a real, complex outcome of surviving something life-shattering.This episode is for survivors, clinicians, nurses, midwives, OBs, lactation consultants, and therapists who want to better understand the lived experience of birth trauma and the research that gave it language.Together, Kayleigh and Dr. Beck explore: ✨ How she found her way into researching postpartum depression and traumatic birth ✨ Why qualitative research (and metaphors!) can crack open truth in a way numbers never could ✨ The powerful two-path framework for breastfeeding after trauma ✨ What surprised her most after decades of listening to survivors ✨ Post-traumatic growth and the ways some parents rebuild after everything collapses ✨ How clinicians can prevent trauma by protecting dignity, autonomy, and humanityResources & Links

In this special listener series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Lillian, a licensed clinical social worker to unpack both the personal and professional realities of NICU trauma, for parents, families, and the clinicians who support them.As a psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mental health, Lillian has spent years supporting women through infertility, postpartum mood disorders, and the transition to motherhood. But her work took on new meaning after her own experience as a NICU parent, giving birth to triplets at 34 weeks during the height of COVID-19 and being separated from her babies for ten long days after delivery.Through vulnerability and clinical wisdom, Lillian shares what it's really like to be a “visitor” in your own child's life, the deep shame that can come from not feeling instantly bonded, and the importance of validation and compassion in healing from perinatal trauma.Together, Kayleigh and Lillian explore:

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Maggie Runyon, nurse educator, author, and co-creator of the Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program, for an insightful and heartfelt conversation about what it means to care, and to keep caring, in a system that so often asks too much of its helpers.Maggie's new book, I Thought I Was Here to Help, explores the emotional and professional identity of nurses and other healthcare providers, unpacking how the “helper” mindset, while rooted in empathy and purpose, can also lead to burnout, moral distress, and trauma when left unchecked.Together, Kayleigh and Maggie explore how the same drive that brings so many clinicians to this work can, without boundaries and reflection, begin to harm them, and how shifting from a hero or handmaiden mindset to one of advocacy can create space for more sustainable, compassionate care.They also dive into:

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Betsey, a therapist, mother, and birth trauma survivor, to share her powerful and ongoing story of survival, advocacy, and rebuilding trust in the medical system.Betsey's pregnancy started off routine, until her daughter Mara's heart rate began showing signs of distress at 39 weeks. What followed was a series of events that would forever change Betsey's experience of birth and motherhood.But Betsey's trauma didn't end in the delivery room. Her postpartum experience was marked by repeated medical dismissal, for both herself and her daughter, as she navigated months of unanswered questions, failure-to-thrive diagnoses, and a long fight to uncover the truth: a severe cow's milk protein intolerance that had gone unnoticed by multiple providers.As both a mental health therapist and a mother, Betsey brings unique insight into the emotional and psychological toll of birth trauma, medical gaslighting, and raising a medically complex child.Together, Kayleigh and Betsey explore:

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh opens a gentle and honest conversation about the journey of considering pregnancy after birth trauma and introduces her new workshop, created specifically for this season.The Pregnancy After Birth Trauma workshop was designed as a supportive, trauma-informed space for anyone exploring a subsequent pregnancy after a difficult or traumatic birth. It offers guidance, reflection prompts, and tools to help you move through this process with clarity and a sense of agency. Whether you're actively trying, quietly wondering if you're ready, or still holding the question gently from a distance, this workshop honors the complexity of your experience and walks alongside you with care and grounding.In today's episode, Kayleigh speaks to the emotional landscape that so many survivors navigate when thinking about growing their family again. Rather than rushing answers, she reflects on the fears, hopes, and complicated "maybes" that live in this space, and why this decision deserves slowness, compassion, and support.She explores: