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What happens when we stop whispering about miscarriage and start telling our stories out loud? How can we begin to shed the shame and silence that so often surround women's health experiences? And why is open dialogue so essential in shifting the cultural narrative around infertility, menopause, and mental health? In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Lora Shahine is joined by psychologist and author Jessica Zucker, founder of the #IHadAMiscarriage movement. Drawing from her own experience of miscarriage and her professional expertise, Jessica shares how storytelling and vulnerability have the power to change the way we view and talk about women's health. Jessica's book Normalize It further explores these themes, encouraging women to own their experiences and find connection through honesty and shared truth. Together, Dr. Shahine and Jessica dive into the many ways women are pressured to stay silent about their bodies and emotions—from miscarriage and infertility to menopause and mental health. In this episode you'll hear: [2:19] Jessica's personal journey #IHadAMiscarriage [5:05] Impact of #IHadAMiscarriage movement [12:16] Exploring the themes in Normalize It [17:04] Healing potential of storytelling [20:55] Breaking down stigma through community [25:02] Personal experience integrated with professional practice [30:19] Societal pressures on women [34:58] Empowerment through shared experiences [36:35] The importance of education and open dialogue Resources mentioned: drjessicazucker.com Normalize It by Jessica Zucker, PhD Follow Jessica on IG - @ihadamiscarriage Inside Amy Schumer - Last F**kable Day (ft. Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Patricia Arquette Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations Follow @drlorashahine Instagram | YouTube | Tiktok | Her Books
Before we dive in: this episode includes a discussion of miscarriage, pregnancy loss and also discusses sexual assault. Please take care while listening. You're listening to Voices of Your Village, and today I get to hang out with Jessica Zucker. She's an LA based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement. Jessica's the creator of the viral hashtag #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, the Washington Post, New York Mag, Vogue, Harvard Business Review, among others. She's also been featured on casual things like NPR, CNN, the Today Show, Good Morning America. She earned her advanced degrees from NYU and Harvard, and her second book is out now: Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives. I found Jessica when I was deep in my miscarriage journey, and her account was such a light for me. It was truly an honor to get to dive into this conversation with her and talk about what this looks like and why are we living in shame and in silence and secrecy, and what does it look like to raise kids who don't have to do that? How can we lead the way? What are conversations we can be having now? Oh, I love this episode so much and I'm so excited for y'all to tune in and to snag your copy of Normalize It. All right, folks, let's dive in. Connect with Jessica: Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage Website: drjessicazucker.com Order the book: Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives Connect with us: Instagram: @seed.and.sew Podcast page: Voices of Your Village Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Tiny Humans, Big Emotions now! Website: seedandsew.org Music by: Ruby Adams and Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dr. Jessica Zucker joins me to talk about her powerful new book Normalize It, which calls for breaking the silence around women's mental, emotional, and physical health. We dive into the stigma that still surrounds miscarriage, reproductive choices, sexual trauma, and menopause—and how true healing starts when we're willing to have the hard conversations.We also explore the emotional weight so many women carry across their lives, from body image struggles to working mom guilt and perfectionism. Jessica shares her insights on aging naturally, setting boundaries with social media, and raising daughters in a culture that often pressures women to stay quiet.Leave Us A Voice Message! | https://telbee.io/channel/4_b9zzx58wdkuwirqkcxwa/Topics Discussed:What inspired Dr. Jessica Zucker to write Normalize It and how does it build on her #IHadaMiscarriage movement?How can open conversations about miscarriage and menopause support women's mental health?What are the emotional challenges women face across different stages of life?How do women set healthy boundaries with social media?Sponsored By:Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at bewellbykelly.com.AG1 | Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription at drinkAG1.com/bewell.WeNatal | You can use my link, wenatal.com/kelly, with any subscription order, to get a free one month supply of WeNatal's Omega DHA+ Fish Oil valued at 35 dollars.Fatty 15 | Fatty15 is on a mission to replenish your C15 levels and restore your long-term health. You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/KELLY15 and using code KELLY15 at checkout.Vuori | Get 20% off your first order of Vuori AND free shipping on orders over $75 at vuori.com/kelly.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:42 - Writing normalize it 00:10:30 - Kelly's miscarriage 00:13:03 - Reproduction and control 00:17:34 - Destigmatizing women's health 00:23:40 - Women & shame 00:28:52 - Working Mom Guilt 00:35:22 - Kelly & Chris 00:39:46 - Time wealth 00:42:41 - Perfectionism & motherhood advice00:47:08 - Mothers, Daughters, & Purperity 00:49:20 - Social media boundaries 00:52:35 - Compliments & attention 00:55:16 - Aging naturally00:56:29 - Perimenopause, Menopause, & breast cancer00:59:11 - Teaching body image Further Listening: 336: Create Financial Freedom + A Purpose-Driven...
Today's episode features the deeply compassionate and groundbreaking voice of Dr. Jessica Zucker, a Los Angeles–based psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health. With a PhD in clinical psychology and a master's in public health, Jessica has become a powerful advocate for breaking the silence around pregnancy loss and the complex realities of motherhood.Her first book, I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement, sparked a global conversation about grief, healing, and the need for honest storytelling. Today, we're here to talk about her new book, Normalize It—a call to challenge stigma, embrace nuance, and make space for the full spectrum of human experience, particularly in relation to women's health, identity, and mental well-being.Jessica is also the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign, which continues to create powerful ripple effects across communities worldwide.Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of pregnancy loss and sensitive topics related to reproductive and mental health. Please take care while listening.Produced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Let's be real—being a woman isn't either empowering or exhausting… it's both, often at the same damn time. And the parts we're told to keep quiet about? The messy, emotional, deeply human ones? Those are exactly the conversations we need to have out loud.In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Jessica Zucker, psychologist, writer, and creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. She's the author of I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, A Movement, and her newest book Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives is a battle cry for truth, healing, and visibility.We talk about the power of saying the quiet parts out loud—especially when it comes to miscarriage, reproductive health, grief, and the impossible expectations women are expected to carry. This is for anyone who's tired of pretending everything's fine and ready to tell the whole story—not just the polished parts.In This Episode, We Cover:✅ The emotional toll of silence, stigma, and “looking fine”✅ Why normalizing miscarriage, loss, and vulnerability matters✅ The importance of speaking up (even when it's uncomfortable)✅ Why telling your story is healing for you and for othersWhen we normalize what's real, we free ourselves—and each other. Let's stop hiding our stories and start healing through them.Connect with Jessica: Book: Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame that Shame Women's LivesIG: https://www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage/Related Podcast Episodes:The Good Mother Myth with Nancy Reddy | 274The Resilience Myth with Soraya Chemaly | 249127 / Trauma with Jessi BeyerGet up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/tiww ! #squarepodShare the Love:If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!
Send me a Text Message about the show!What should we normalize talking about?EVERYTHING!At least that's what Dr. Jessica Zucker, a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the new book, NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives, hopes. With chapters focused on bodies, friendship, intimacy, motherhood, grief-it reads like the companion book to this podcast. And I'm just so happy to share our conversation with you today. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. Jessica is the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Vogue, and Harvard Business Review, among others. She's been featured on NPR, CNN, The Today Show, and Good Morning America and earned advanced degrees from New York University and Harvard University. Her second book, NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives, is out now and is available everywhere books are sold.Support the showKeep up with all things WeSTAT on any (or ALL) of the social feeds:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westatpod/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@westatpodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/westatpod/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westatpod/Twitter: https://x.com/WeSTATpodHave a topic or want to stay in touch via e-mail on all upcoming news?https://www.westatpod.com/Help monetarily support the podcast by subscribing to the show! This is an easy way to help keep the conversations going:https://www.buzzsprout.com/768062/supporters/new
Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. Jessica is the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign.She opens up about the traumatic miscarriage that reshaped her life and career. In this powerful episode, she shares raw details of her experience, the unspoken grief of pregnancy loss, navigating breast cancer, and the societal silence that surrounds women's trauma. We dive into the emotional complexity of self-blame, recovery, the partner's role, and how her personal loss transformed her clinical work. A moving, must-watch conversation on grief, resilience, and the courage to speak out.Her new book "Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives": Buy her newest book here!Instagram: @ihadamiscarriageWebsite: drjessicazucker.comJoin the DEAD Talk Patreon for only $5/mo to support our mission & and gain access to exclusive content and features. "Dead Dad Club" & "Dead Mom Club" hats and shirts: Shop HerePurchase “Not Dead Yet” or DEAD Talk trucker hats here with free domestic shipping:
“You are not alone.”We hear this phrase often—but truly feeling less alone is something else entirely. Real connection begins when we share our stories, speak our truths, and let ourselves be seen. Few people champion this idea more powerfully than today's guest, Dr. Jessica Zucker. Jessica is a psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health, and is the author of “I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement”. After experiencing her own miscarriage, Jessica launched the now-viral #IHadAMiscarriage campaign—a deeply personal yet universal invitation for women to speak their truths on their own terms. Her next book, “Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives”, is out on April 22nd.In this episode, Erin and Jessica explore the silence, shame, and societal expectations around grief, body image, motherhood and many other fundamental aspects of women's lives—and how sharing our stories can help dismantle them. We discuss:Why storytelling is an act of liberation—and how speaking openly about miscarriage and other stigmatized experiences builds healing and connectionHow silence around common women's experiences like infertility, illness, menopause, and abortion perpetuates shame and isolationThe problem with comparative suffering—and why women often minimize their pain by telling themselves “others have it worse”How girlhood teaches us to self-silence and be “good,” and the long-term impact this has on authenticity and self-expressionWhy it's essential to talk to kids early and openly about bodies, sexuality, and emotionsThe cultural cost of silence—and how creating space for women to share their whole truths can shift the narratives we've been taught to hide OUR GUEST: Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. Jessica is the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Vogue, and Harvard Business Review, among others. She's been featured on NPR, The Today Show, and Good Morning America and earned advanced degrees from New York University and Harvard University. Her new book, NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives, is out April 22nd!Want more Jessica? Find her online at https://www.drjessicazucker.com/ and check out her books “I Had A Miscarriage” and “Normalize It” at the links below:https://www.drjessicazucker.com/i-had-a-miscarriage https://www.drjessicazucker.com/normalize-it Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage/ Want more Hotter Than Ever? Subscribe to the Hotter Than Ever Substack to dive deeper. Find episode transcripts at www.hotterthaneverpod.com Follow us on:Instagram: @hotterthaneverpod TikTok:
Just tell me what to do is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode of The Feminist Mom Podcast, Erin sits down with Dr. Jessica Zucker, a psychologist and writer specializing in reproductive health, to talk about her new book Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives. Together, they explore how shame and cultural silence shape women's experiences—from miscarriage to menopause to aging and identity.In this conversation, Erin and Jessica discuss the ways storytelling can break the cycles of shame that often accompany womanhood. Jessica shares her own experience with miscarriage and how it reshaped her understanding of women's mental health. They talk about societal pressures around perfectionism, beauty, and the expectations placed on mothers—and how healing begins when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, human, and imperfect.This episode also dives into the deeper themes of aging, intersectionality, and how we can create safe spaces for authenticity and connection. It's a powerful call for cultural change—and a reminder that we're not alone.Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement. She's the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign and her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vogue, New York Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and more. Her latest book, Normalize It, is available now.Learn more about Dr. Jessica Zucker and her work:Website: drjessicazucker.comInstagram: @ihadamiscarriagePurchase Normalize It: Amazon Bookshop.orgConnect with Erin:Instagram: instagram.com/feminist.mom.therapistWebsite: www.erinspahrtherapy.comSubstack: erinspahr.substack.com/subscribeSubscribe & Review:Love what you're hearing? Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help us reach more listeners like you! Get full access to Just tell me what to do at erinspahr.substack.com/subscribe
Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of the award-winning book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. Jessica is the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, Vogue, and Harvard Business Review, among others. She's been featured on NPR, The Today Show, and Good Morning America and earned advanced degrees from New York University and Harvard University. Her next book, NORMALIZE IT: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives, is due out April 22nd. Where to buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683738144 https://bookshop.org/p/books/normalize-it-upending-the-silence-stigma-and-shame-that-shape-women-s-lives/7bTd5Tpai2fwDAW9?ean=9781683738145&next=t& Jessica's Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage Jessica's Website: drjessicazucker.com CONNECT DVORA ENTIN: Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast
We are celebrating wonderful Women's History Month, by bringing you this episode on one of the very last days of March! We know that almost every week is Women's Week here on the LSMR podcast, because we read so many amazing women authors, but it is always wonderful to slow down and take the time to recognize it. Riss shook things up with a nonfiction book, while Liza read something that enlightens a well-beloved classic. Thank you feminist press for sending Riss this book! Be sure to follow the movement @Ihadamiscarriage
Today on the podcast I'm speaking with Jessica Zucker who is widely known on social media due to the movement she started in response to her miscarriage. She openly talks about her 16-week miscarriage and the more recent trauma of her journey with breast cancer.Similarly to Jessica's intent with her #IHadaMiscarriage movement, this podcast is encouraging people to speak about the trauma they have endured and the grief they are dealing with. Having chosen that path herself, Jessica says:‘Without truth and candidness around these life experiences, then what? It's almost like then the onus is on us to sort of feel ashamed or silenced or embarrassed or like a failure. Culture wouldn't mind us feeling like that because then it would be easier if we just kind of curl up in a ball and keep it to ourselves, but I have clearly chosen not to do that.' About this week's guest Dr Jessica Zucker is a psychologist specializing in reproductive health and the author of I had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement. She's the creator of the #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, New York Magazine, and Vogue, among others. Jessica's second book is in the works.Jessica's links:Jessica Zucker's WebsiteInstagram: @ihadamiscarriageTopics discussed in this episode16-week miscarriage Unmedicated dilation and curettage (D&C)The long journey with breast cancerDealing with the physical trauma of multiple operations and people's reactionsResources mentioned in this episodeSaying it Loudly: I Had a Miscarriage (New York Times article)Links--> For more information, please visit Nathalie's website. --> Subscribe to the newsletter to receive updates on future episodes here.--> Join the podcast's Instagram page.Thanks for listening to HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA. If you'd like to be updated on future episodes, please subscribe to my newsletter on Nathalie Himmelrich.comIf you need grief support, please contact me for a FREE 30 min discovery session.HOW TO DEAL WITH GRIEF AND TRAUMA is produced and edited by me, Nathalie Himmelrich. Support this PodcastTo support this podcast, please rate, review, subscribe to, or follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you.Remember to keep breathing, I promise, it will get easier. Follow on socials Instagram Facebook Website
Dr. Jessica Zucker talks with us about loss, and the universal shame and self blame that often comes along with it. We also hear about her new book, I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement Available everywhere books are sold. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bornintothis/message
Dr. Jessica Zucker, who started the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign after giving birth at 16 weeks gestation at home, alone, joins Arden for a deep discussion into grief, normalizing the hard parts of pregnancy loss, and how generational trauma plays a role in your healing and outlook on the world after loss. In this episode, we speak graphically about what giving birth looks like in the first and second trimesters. Please listen with caution. *Support The Miscarriage Doula Podcast for as low as $0.99/month! Click here to learn more. Buy Jessica's new book "I Had A Miscarriage: A memoir, a movement" on Amazon HERE Follow Jessica @ihadamiscarriage Follow Arden: @ardenmcartrette Follow The Miscarriage Doula: @themiscarriagedoula themiscarriagedoula.co --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/arden-cartrette/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/arden-cartrette/support
Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health. Jessica's writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, New York Magazine, and Vogue, among others. Dr. Zucker is the creator of the #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her first book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement is available now (Feminist Press + Penguin Random House Audio).Also mentioned in this podcastUSE YOUR COUPON CODE TO get 20% off using HGG20 for the ONLY SPOREBASED probiotics AND THE IMPORTANT FORM OF K-2 MK7 form for our aging brains and UT123https://justthrivehealth.com/?rfsn=1704955.7b64423beclick here for Pharmacist Ben's pure progesterone serumProHarmony Progesterone SerumSpeaking of HEALTHY FATS! Jigsaw has a high quality Alaskan Cod Liver oil NO FISHY BURPS! And of course the best magnesium ever, click here and use your couponJigsaw MagSRT and MagSoothe - use Kitty10 for a discountandSet up your own free Premier Research Labs account hereSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/stuff-your-doctor-should-know. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Today's guest has broken the conversation about miscarriage wide open. Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Vogue, among others. She is the creator of the #IHadaMiscarriage campaign and her first book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement is out now (Feminist Press + Penguin Random House Audio). We're talking about everything today, including a question no one has ever asked her before. You don't want to miss this one! I am going to be giving away some copies of the new book. To enter for yourself or for a friend (US and Canada residents only) please click here Winners will be chosen on April 30th,2021 and notified by email. Interested in coaching with me? For a free 30 minute consult call, click here to schedule: https://smoothstonescoaching.com/free_mini Music provided by ZingDog / Pond5 Photo provided by Dr. Jessica Zucker
Welcome to the Waiting for Margot podcast!In this intro episode I'll just give you a brief version of my story.After that we'll to talk to different inspirational women & experts each week, share stories, discuss how other aspects of our lives affect fertility & family planning and vice versa. Let's have a relatively lighthearted and fun discussion that normalises the fact that it's not always as easy as we grow up believing, all while reminding YOU that you're not alone. Let's break taboos, make it ok to voice the thoughts and feelings we have and talk about the things we do that we feel guilty or ashamed about - to show that everyone else is thinking and doing the same things: and that's ok!Want to support the show? Why not buy me a coffee? ;)https://www.buymeacoffee.com/waiting4margotAll production, guest sourcing & liaison, website & social content, and sound editing are done by me, Natasha Saint-Geniès. :)Am I missing a subject you'd like to hear about, or would you like to share your story?Email me at natasha@waitingformargot.comCheck out the website for loads of info & resources: www.waitingformargot.comKeep up to date by following me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waitingformargot/Or Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/waitingformargot
Highlighting life-changing experiences and their impact on the creative process, I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Jessica Zucker, psychologist, author, and creator of #IHadAMiscarriage.In this episode, we dive deeper into Dr. Jessica Zucker’s personal journey and the importance of sharing your story. As Jessica mentions, "Sharing our stories allows us to understand that vulnerability is being human, and being human means that we are flawed. And we can be loved and find joy in all of that."04:34 • Reflecting On Trauma10:50 • Using Writing To Find Purpose14:10 • How Therapy Boosts Creativity19:46 • External And Internal Pressure28:50 • Silence-Stigma-Shame Cycle41:04 • Why You Must Share Your StoryFollow Jessica on IG: @IHadAMiscarriageFollow "I See What You Mean": @aprilspodcastHost: @aprilkae.nyc
Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specialising in reproductive and maternal mental health. She writes extensively on this topic for outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Vogue. Dr. Zucker is the creator of the #IHadaMiscarriage campaign.We talk through how her own experience of miscarriage reshaped the way she thought of her own theory, how many women blame and punish themselves for something that is so out of their control and what not to say to people experiencing early pregnancy loss. Her first book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement is available worldwide now. Click here to become a Patron MemberSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health. Jessica's writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, The Guardian, NBC, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Glamour, Marie Claire, among others. Dr. Zucker is the creator of the #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her first book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement is now available (Feminist Press + Penguin Random House Audio). You can connect with Dr. Zucker on Instagram @ihadamiscarriage and on Twitter @DrZucker You can listen to more music from TALLL by heading to Spotify or on Instagram @talllmusic. To learn more about today's episode or to check out what's coming up on WTLFY follow along on Instagram: @whatsthatlikeforyou / @saharmartinezmft
Welcome to this Bonus Episode Today, I am joined by Dr Jessica Zucker who is a Los Angeles -based psychologist specialising in reproductive & maternal mental health. In this episode, she shares details of her miscarriage and the impact it had on her wellbeing. . Dr Zucker is the creator of the #IHADAMISCARRIAGE campaign. Her new book is now available; I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement. . Join us as we listen to her incredible journey and campaign as well as her newly released Memoir. Her Memoir is available. Purchase on Amazon Purchase on Audible Purchase on Penguin Random House Purchase on Rakuten Kobo Remember to Subscribe, leave a review and give this podcast a 5*rating to help spread more awareness about In(Fertility). . . This is a podcast that shares stories of fertility & Infertility in Nigeria & all across the world. Our stories matter. Our stories help others feel less alone. . If you would like to share your story, I would love to hear from you. Please email me at: fertilityconversations@gmail.com . Infertility | Pregnancy Loss| Childless Not By Choice | Baby Loss | Miscarriages | Male Factor Infertility | Donor Eggs | Fertility | Birth Control | Donor Sperm | Embryo Adoption | Surrogacy | IUI| IVF | Mental Health | Fertility Preservation |Egg Freezing | Sperm Freezing | PTSD | Sexual Cycles | Period Pains Infertility Podcast | Fertility Podcast I Menstruation |Adhesions | Adenomyosis | Fibroids | PCOS | Endometriosis | Irregular Cycles| Blocked Tubes | Fertility related topics |
"You're young..." "You'll get pregnant again..." "At least you have a healthy child..." "At least you can get pregnant..." It's estimated that nearly 1 in 4 pregnancies results in a miscarriage. Yet somehow most of us are unaware of how many people we know that have experienced pregnancy loss until we experience one. Feelings of isolation, self-blame, guilt, and shame can pour in during the aftermath of a loss, however the experience of pregnancy loss is incredibly personal and does not impact two people the same way. An out of order loss can make it difficult for our support networks to know what we need and what to do, leading to an array of platitudes. But how do we deal with these feelings and the platitudes? I sat down with Dr. Jessica Zucker the creator of the #IHadAMisscarriage campaign and the psychologist behind the Instagram account @IHadAMiscarriage. Together we discussed our personal experiences with miscarriage, common themes that show up for mothers after, and the challenges that come with asking for support when a loss has occurred. Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based reproductive and maternal mental health psychologist. She specialized in this field long before experiencing a second trimester miscarriage firsthand. She earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, a Master's degree in human development, as well as a Master's degree in public health. Her educational pursuits married with her clinical practice and research have lead her to write extensively on this topic for outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Vogue. Her first book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement is available now (Feminist Press + Penguin Random House Audio) In this episode, we discuss: What lead Dr. Jessica Zucker to do this work and her own personal journey The themes that show up for mothers after miscarriageThe platitudes that are offered by others and how to cope Dealing with uncertainty and grief surrounding miscarriage and controlDealing with self-blame, guilt, and shameHow fixing is the denial of emotional intimacy Coping with the anxiety of getting pregnant again after a loss Now it’s your turn! Join me over on Instagram, or leave me a note here about your experience with miscarriage. What’s Coming Next? My next episode is with a special guest that has changed my world, and we are going to bust through the common relationship myths that couples can fall into.
Today we are lovingly entering a deep conversation about Miscarriage and pregnancy loss. My guest Dr. Jessica Zucker is an incredible women in the movement to release the stigma that surrounds miscarriage, she is actually the creator of the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign which took over social media and magazines and aided in giving women the freedom and acceptance to share their losses and not feel like they are doing this alone. It's been too long that this subject has been silenced and shamed. Having women feel like it's their fault, or that their body has failed them. No more. We are here to help the journey of breaking down walls, pushing past judgement and standing in solidarity with the millions of women who have experienced miscarriage. A bit about Jessica, she is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specialising in reproductive and maternal mental health. She writes extensively on this topic for outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Vogue. Her first book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, a Movement is available worldwide today! I hope you enjoy this episode, #IHadAMiscarraige.
In this episode we chat to Jessica about the experience of her miscarriage, recovery and how this has gone on to affect her life. She talks very openly and honestly about her experiences and we could have chatted to her for hours. We also discussed the need for better education and breaking the taboo - you know, one of those episodes where we put the world to rights. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles based psychologist specialising in reproductive and maternal mental health. Jessica is the creator of the #ihadamiscarriage campaign and her first book I Had A Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement is available from the 9th March. You can find out more about her and connect via Instagram.This episode is sponsored by Fertility Circle an app to support anyone who is trying to conceive. Download the FREE Fertility Circle app for Apple or Android and receive your Free Fertility Wellness Pack when you sign up to the Fertility Circle newsletter.--------------------------------Thanks for listening to the podcast. Please don't forget to subscribe, rate, review and share.Contact us via social media platforms or email info@theworstgirlgangever.co.ukYou'll find us on...FacebookInstagram Twitter or you can join the TWGGE Facebook Support GroupIt's time to break the silence and open up the dialogue around the topics of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. No more shame, no more taboo, lets ditch it for our children; the ones that will come, the ones that are and the ones that never came to be.
I am honored to have Dr. Jessica Zucker on this weeks podcast. She tells us about the miscarriage that started the #ihadamiscarriage movement.She is a gift to the world of maternal mental health. Jessica has a memoir coming out in March! You can preorder it HERE.You can fine it on social media, HEREYou can find The Quillet Institute website, HERE Our Instagram is HERE
Join host Aditi Loveridge as she talks with mental health practitioner Jessica Zucker about her soon to be released book, I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, A Movement, her #IHadaMiscarriage campaign, and about her own personal loss and how her work was forever changed after her own loss. Get to Know Jessica Zucker… Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in women’s health and the author of the forthcoming book I HAD A MISCARRIAGE: A Memoir, A Movement (Feminist Press, 2021). She is also the creator of the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign and has published countless articles on the topic. Reach out to Jessica Zucker… Website: www.drjessicazucker.com Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage The Pregnancy Loss Support Hotline number is for immediate and anonymous bereavement support. If you are struggling please call or text from anywhere in North America from 9 am-11 pm (MST), 7 days a week 1-888-910-1551 The post Beyond the Loss | I Had a Miscarriage | Jessica Zucker appeared first on Get You Visible Podcast.
Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month is in October, but we all know that this devastating experience affects countless people throughout the year. Some estimate that 1 in 4 experience miscarriage and no matter how common it may be, it is still misunderstood, taboo in some circles and incredibly painful. In 2014, after a 16 week pregnancy loss, Psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker was compelled to change the conversation around miscarriage and created a campaign called "I had a miscarriage." She never expected the idea to take off so widely, and she now spends her time counseling and supporting people through loss through her private practice, her writing and her popular Instagram page. On this episode, Andrea sits down with Dr. Jessica to explore the topic of miscarriage and the grief that accompanies it for all involved -- not just the woman who was carrying the baby. They also explore how we can better support others, including ourselves, through this tough experience so that we are able to honor those who we've lost while being able to move forward.We conclude the program with singer-songwriter Andrea England's song, 'I Won't Forget About You'. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Why is it that so many pregnant people wait until 12 weeks to share the news of their pregnancy? This silence retreat may be comforting for some, but isolating for the 1 in 4 people who do not see their pregnancy go past the first trimester. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with the creator of the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign, psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker. Dr Zucker opens up about her own pregnancy loss at 16 weeks and what inspired her to break down the shame and stigma of miscarriage. She also shares how one may start to regain trust again in their body. This honest, heart felt conversation is helpful for anyone who is supporting someone through loss or has experienced loss. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL- stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit family-album.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About Dr Jessica Zucker Dr. Jessica Zucker (http://drjessicazucker.com/) is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in women's reproductive and maternal mental health. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, New York Magazine, BuzzFeed, Refinery29, TIME, SELF, ELLE, VICE, InStyle, Harper's Bazaar, among others. She is the creator of the #IHadAMiscarriage (https://www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage/?hl=en) campaign, now a mixed media multi-platform effort, to replace the antiquated silence with storytelling. Her first book, a memoir-meets-manifesto, is due out in 2021. She's been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, and NPR. TRIGGER WARNING In this episode, Dr. Jessica talks very candidly about her own experience of loss. We also talk about the sensitive subject of baby loss throughout the show. You may not be in a place to hear this right now, so please take a moment to check-in with yourself and see if it is the right time to tune into the conversation. You can always come back to it at a later stage as it will be available on all of your podcast platforms and my website whenever you are ready. Episode highlights Jessica’s own experience of baby loss. The reason Jessica started her campaign #IHadAMiscarriage and her Viral New York Times article How Jessica’s experience of baby loss impacted her practice serving women. How to deal with comments from people which although well intentioned and coming from a place of love are hurtful in the moment. Advice on what to say when you know someone who has suffered baby loss. Jessica’s tools to deal with her own experience of baby loss. Jessica’s community and the benefits of letting women know they are not alone. The internalised feelings of women who have suffered baby loss. Changing the cultural narrative from hush hush to normative. Pregnancy after loss. Jessica’s memoir which is due out in 2021. Relevant links Dr Jessica's website http://drjessicazucker.com/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ihadamiscarriage/ GRAB YOUR FREE GUIDE FOR REST AND RYHTHM FOR MAMAS HERE http://eepurl.com/dMU1EA Much love, Mamas x How to subscribe and review If you liked this episode of the Mothering the Mother Podcast, tell your friends, please! And please go to iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/mothering-the-mother-podcast/id1446253273) and SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/user-598342093) to rate/review/subscribe to the show. it really helps to get the Podcast out there and before more people and it also makes my heart sing when I read reviews - I do read every single review and am so grateful - thank you. #motheringthemother Please do share the Podcast on social media if you enjoyed the episode – I am so grateful for sharing with your community and followers. You can you use the hashtag #motheringthemother which makes it easier for me to find you. Mothering the Mother Facebook group and Instagram Follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alison_barker_/0 , join my Facebook group the Mothering the Mother (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1885649551488600/) Mama Rest Circle membership opening in November.... Work with me I currently only have 1 clinic space remaining for 2019. Please contact me at alison@alisonbarker.com if you are interested in booking your space on one of my 1:1 coaching programmes or to be added to my wait list for 2020. https://www.alisonbarker.com/work-with-me-3 Disclaimer The information and reference guides in this podcast are intended solely for the general information for the reader/listener. The contents of this podcast are not intended to offer personal medical advice, diagnose health problems or for treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications. The materials contained on this podcast are provided for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. Alison Barker does not accept any responsibility for any loss, which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site.
Amelia enrolled Teddy in kindergarten, and Edan attended a meeting with Bean's teacher and principal. They also recount various spring break madness. At 22:00, they talk to therapist Dr. Jessica Zucker about her #IhadaMiscarriage campaign, her work with parents who have experienced pregnancy loss, and how her own personal experience with miscarriage has informed both her therapy practice and her parenting. Things we mention How to support the show
In this episode of Motherhood Revival, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Zucker, a psychologist specializing in women's reproductive and maternal mental health from @ihadamiscarriage. Jessica shares her story of pregnancy loss at 16 weeks and talks about how this was a catalyst in her creation of the #ihadamiscarriage campaign. Jessica shares very openly about her experience, as well as the feelings behind it that led to #IHadAMiscarriage. We also discuss some of the motivators behind hiding pregnancy loss (especially early miscarriages), the guilt that many hold when they lose a child, and why we need to work to eliminate the stigma around miscarriage and pregnancy loss. We also talk about what you should say to someone who is experiencing pregnancy loss. To learn more about Dr. Jessica Zucker and the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign, please go to http://drjessicazucker.com/ or find her on Instagram @IHadAMiscarriage . To take advantage of my Helix Sleep discount go to helixsleep.com/motherhood
Dr. Lisa Hanasono is an associate professor of communications at BGSU. In this episode, she shares her research on “Shattering the Silence on Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss,” which she worked on in Fall 2018 while an ICS Faculty Fellow. In this episode, she discusses her research on how culture, gender, media, and interpersonal communication factors work in concert to stigmatize and silence discussions about pregnancy loss—and what we can do collectively to end the stigma and support families. Transcript: Jolie Sheffer: Welcome to the BG Ideas podcast, a collaboration between the Institute for the Study of Culture and Society and the School of Media and Communication at Bowling Green State University. I am Jolie Sheffer, an Associate Professor of English and American Culture Studies and the Director of ICS. Jolie Sheffer: This is the first of two episodes featuring fall 2018 ICS Faculty Fellows. ICS is proud to sponsor fellowships to promote the research and creating work of faculty here at BGSU. Those who receive awards are freed from one semester of teaching and service to devote unimpeded time to the interdisciplinary projects they've proposed. These projects must be of both intellectual significance and social relevance. ICS faculty fellows present their work in a public forum and engage with community partners, demonstrating BGSU's identity as a public university working for the public good. Jolie Sheffer: Today we're joined by Dr. Lisa Hanasono, an Associate Professor of Communication. Dr. Hanasono's research focuses on how supportive communication, institutional change and community advocacy can address issues related to discrimination, stigma, and resilience. Some of the topics she explores include gender bias and tenure track faculty service obligations and how online forums play a role in individuals coping with racial discrimination. Dr. Hanasono is here to discuss her research, analyzing communication around pregnancy loss and miscarriage. She spent months interviewing dozens of women who had experienced pregnancy loss and pored over popular pregnancy literature like the classic text, What to Expect When You're Expecting. In the process, she discovered deep stigmas around miscarriage, which cause people to shy away from conversations and treat the topic as taboo. Jolie Sheffer: Thanks so much for joining me. Dr. Hanasono: Thank you so much for having me. Jolie Sheffer: Why don't you start off by telling us a little more about what you're working on right now this semester. Dr. Hanasono: This semester, I am so fortunate to be at ICS Fellow, which is afforded me an amazing amount of space and time to be able to dive deeply into understanding cultural, institutional, interpersonal and personal factors that are all combining to perpetuate the silence and stigma surrounding miscarriage and pregnancy loss. But it's also given me the opportunity to look at some potential solutions, so to investigate what we can do both on an individual but also on an institutional cultural level to try to shift things so that we can break that silence and that we can shatter that stigma surrounding pregnancy loss. Jolie Sheffer: How did you become interested in this really important topic? Dr. Hanasono: So for so many years I've been studying discrimination, coping and social support, and much of my work has been focused on issues related to race, culture, gender, age, and ability and their intersections. It wasn't until 2015 when I experienced my own pregnancy loss that I had this aha moment. So I was pregnant in 2015 and had experienced something called a missed miscarriage, which up until that time I had never even knew was a thing. So really briefly, a missed miscarriage occurs when someone is or was pregnant, their fetus or embryo fails to thrive and yet the body doesn't know that it's had a miscarriage. And so I, after hearing the heartbeat of our baby, we called her baby spud, after hearing her heartbeat after seven weeks and being told everything was fine, I came back in for routine checkup at 12 weeks and found out that I had had a missed miscarriage. Dr. Hanasono: As someone who studies communication, as someone who studies social support, something really interesting happened. I started talking with people about this issue and telling them that I had experienced a miscarriage, and so many wonderful people broke their silence and said, "I've had a miscarriage, I've had a stillborn, I've had multiple pregnancy losses." I mean, these are friends and coworkers, family members, neighbors. It was amazing. To quote Alyssa Volkman who gave a great Ted Talk on parenting taboos, it was as if I was part of a secret society of women and their partners, who are all coping silently and by ourselves with this notion of pregnancy loss. Jolie Sheffer: So for our listeners, how do you define pregnancy loss and miscarriage? What are the kind of common definitions of it? Dr. Hanasono: The way I define pregnancy loss is as an umbrella term. I see it as something that's very inclusive of many different types of neonatal losses. So we can think about miscarriage, we can also think about stillbirths, we can think about abortions, we can think, even to some extent, neonatal loss, which is where a baby dies within 28 days of birth. And so it's a very inclusive umbrella term. When we think about miscarriages, it's traditionally defined as pregnancy loss within the first 20 weeks of gestation. And although it's a very narrow definition, it's something that happens so frequently. I think the American Pregnancy Association gave a statistic that about one in four known pregnancies ends in a miscarriage. And so that means that there's even more pregnancies that people didn't know about that have ended in miscarriage. Dr. Hanasono: I've noted that we've had some really interesting technological and scientific breakthroughs where pregnancy tests are getting more accurate and we're able to detect pregnancies earlier and earlier. So I think the one in four might actually be a very conservative estimate where that number is going to swell and grow in upcoming years, that more and more people are going to know that they've miscarried partly because they have detected earlier and partly because it is so pervasive. So it affects millions of people each year. Jolie Sheffer: And the effects that you study really carry into all sorts of aspects of someone's life, right? Dr. Hanasono: Yes. Jolie Sheffer: Physical, psychological, relational. Can you talk about what your research has shown your subjects as you've talked to them? What are some of the ways they've described the stressors and maybe conflicts that have resulted? Dr. Hanasono: So yes, it absolutely is a multifaceted trauma to many people. In terms of the physical participants, I did a bunch of interviews with women who had experienced pregnancy losses. They would talk about just the physical pain; the cramping, the bleeding, the backaches, and for some who had an operation, the physical tools that that could take, even more so, the psychological and relational impact that it can have. It doesn't affect everyone the same way or equally, but miscarriage and pregnancy loss has been linked to depression, to anxiety, to intense feelings of grief and hopelessness, guilt and shame, all of this amalgamation of negative emotions and psychological wellbeing. Dr. Hanasono: It also can be very destructive to close romantic relationships as well, to familial relationships. Some of my participants talked about how it was almost a turning point in their romantic relationships with their partners. So they had envisioned growing their family together, they envisioned this attachment with this baby, and when that didn't happen, it was like that future had evaporated in front of their eyes and they had to go back to the drawing board to decide, "Okay, what are our goals now?" And so it can be something that can be really damaging to relationships. But on a slightly silver lining, there were some of my participants who talked about how it actually brought some people together. So some of my participants said that they felt closer to their partner than ever before because they were grieving together and it was something that they share that they hadn't told a lot of other people and they leaned on each other. I also had some participants who made friends with women who had also experienced pregnancy loss, and so they shared this amazing bond and became much closer friends because of it. Dr. Hanasono: So it doesn't always end up in this negative outcome or this negative space, but it certainly can and it runs the risk of that. Jolie Sheffer: In your ICS presentation yesterday, you discussed why pregnancy loss and miscarriage remain taboo topics. Why is silence such a damaging approach? Dr. Hanasono: I think it's always good to question our assumptions because sometimes the silence is okay, and I think that's something that I want to emphasize a little bit more, that we don't have to break the silence for the sake of breaking silence, that sometimes our stories are our stories and we don't have to share them with everyone, and that's okay. But if we all remain silent and if no one talks about it, that can be problematic on a larger scale. So this is the reason why I think that we need to break the silence and shatter the stigma, so three main reasons. Dr. Hanasono: The first is I think that by remaining silent or forcing people to cope alone instead of cope together. And there is both research as well as personal experiential knowledge that supports the fact that when we get good support, it can really help us cope, it can help relationships, it can help us in terms of our overall wellbeing. So support matters, but unless we talk about it, we can't exchange and provide that support. Dr. Hanasono: I think the second thing that's interesting is the silence is really allowing the commonality and the prevalence of pregnancy loss to remain underground. So without us talking about it, that awareness and that proactive piece remains invisible largely to our societies. So if we don't talk about it, if we don't educate people beforehand, then it becomes even more difficult down the road. Dr. Hanasono: The third and final reason why I think that we need to shatter the silence is because silence can be complicit, silence can signal indifference. And so I'm thinking about the person who is trying to cope with pregnancy loss discloses it to a friend, discloses it on social media, or just brings it up in conversation and no one acknowledges that loss, that silence signals that indifference that your loss, so to speak, doesn't matter, and that can be extremely hurtful. And so I'm hoping that we can break the silence when we can. Jolie Sheffer: Well, one of the things you talk about is that that silence for many of the women can translate into guilt and shame. Dr. Hanasono: Yes. Jolie Sheffer: Or this sense of judgment that either they feel from others or they internalize them themselves, and you and I have talked about this. I was one of your participants. I had a miscarriage myself and I remember so vividly that sense of aloneness, and some of those conversations being devastating when someone didn't say the right thing. But on the other hand, the friends who really did just didn't know any more what to say except to say, "I'm sorry. How are you feeling?" And try and move on so quickly, like just how dramatically that shifted not only the conversation, but it really did transform those relationships. Dr. Hanasono: Something that I talked about yesterday was this notion of pregnancy loss as being a form of ambiguous loss, which [inaudible 00:11:15], a bunch of scholars write about this. It can be difficult to talk about pregnancy loss because it is so different from many of the traditional forms of death that we experience. In many cases, there may not be a baby to hold, in many cases, we don't have a burial site or even a memorial site, and in some cases, people didn't even know that we've had this loss. And so in trying to cope with it, I think sometimes we experience communicative challenges in terms of talking about and making sense of it, but I agree with you completely. Sometimes that validating and supportive conversation can make such a difference. And so I'm glad that you had some experiences where people were helpful. Jolie Sheffer: One of the things you've talked a lot is that lack of a communication script, right? Dr. Hanasono: Yeah. Jolie Sheffer: That like if someone's parent dies, you know where to go to get an appropriate card. You sort of know, "These are the things I'm supposed to do. I'm supposed to send flowers, send a note, attended a memorial service." There are kind of rituals in place. Dr. Hanasono: Yeah. Jolie Sheffer: So tell us about your research, what does and doesn't exist for those grieving a miscarriage. Dr. Hanasono: There's not usually a section in the Kroger or Hallmark aisle that's for pregnancy loss. There's stuff for grief, but many times it doesn't quite hit the mark. There are some pregnancy loss cards actually by Dr. Zucker. She's a psychology professor and she created #IHadAMiscarriage, a collection of cards that are actually specifically for people to give to loved ones who have experienced pregnancy loss, which is amazing. And some of them are very heartfelt, some of them are kind of on the lighter side. It's really interesting. Dr. Hanasono: I think that there are some aspects of resources, but I think in terms of a communication script, we often lack the words. So someone comes to you or someone comes to us and says, "I've had a pregnancy loss," or, "I've had a miscarriage," a lot of times we give pause and we just can't find the right words because it's not an automated response, and without that, we don't even know how to tailor it to the person. I think sometimes just saying, "I am sorry," and acknowledging the grief that they're in and providing a space for them to process is so helpful. Dr. Hanasono: There are many efforts where people try, I think with good intentions, to support the individual, but it falls short of helpfulness if not even being harmful. So in my talk, I discussed a few of those categories, one of which are the "at leasts". This is where someone provides a little bit of a silver lining or they try to put some sort of positive spin on it, but it's not helpful. So saying, "Well, at least you're able to get pregnant." That doesn't help someone because they want their baby, they want a healthy baby, and being pregnant isn't the same. Sometimes people will say they at least, like, "At least you have a child already." Well, that's not the same. These are different children. Dr. Hanasono: We also have the advice that sometimes people will rush to try to solve the problem by offering what people should do. So they'll say, "Oh, maybe you should've tried to conceive earlier and not put your career first," or, "Maybe you shouldn't have eaten at that restaurant or had that Sushi, or had this deli meats, or maybe you shouldn't have had that decaf coffee." So this all speculative, it's all hindsight. And not only is that problematic because there's nothing that can be done now, but it suggests implicitly that the blame is on the mom, right? That it's your fault that this happened. And so that is not helpful. Dr. Hanasono: One of the things that many of my participants said that they found to be the least helpful, which surprised me, was the statement that's well intentioned but maybe just wasn't well received, which was, "Everything happens for a reason." I think in the best of spirits that many times that's said with good intentions to try to diffuse it, but it doesn't help at all. Dr. Hanasono: So there's a lot of things that people will say in good faith, but it just is not helpful. And I think instead what we need to do is to provide the support, ask open-ended questions; how are you feeling? What can I do to help? It's not your fault, let's talk, and also not rushing that grief process. I think that's one of the other things as a communication scholar, we try to find what's the right thing to say, and then to breathe. But the coping and the grieving is such an iterative, ongoing process that it's not just a one-stop magic bullet, "Here's what you say and you're good to go," but it's really tailoring one's message to the personal relationship and the individual, and then continuing that support as the person journeys further. And I think that something else we also need to consider is the timing. Jolie Sheffer: I think Americans, maybe in general, want to have a quick fix because you feel like- Dr. Hanasono: The closure. Jolie Sheffer: Right. Like, "Okay, I've done my piece. Now we all can move on from this." And part of what your research shows really is people need the space to have their grief acknowledged in an ongoing way without this rush to say, "I'm uncomfortable. Now, can we move on to something else?" Dr. Hanasono: Yeah. And I will mention I had participants that ranged in age from 19 to 74 years old. And so I had a woman who was 74. She had had a miscarriage almost I think over 40 years ago. And the fact that she was wanting to participate and share her story, and that she was still grieving, it resonates so much with me in terms of this idea of time. It's not something that many people just get over. Jolie Sheffer: There's another version of that, which is, if someone is lucky enough to then have a successful pregnancy and have a healthy baby later on, sometimes there's a temptation people to say, "See, it all worked out, right? Now you're good." Dr. Hanasono: Yes. Jolie Sheffer: The one happiness does not erase the grief that remains. Dr. Hanasono: Absolutely. And that's an important thing too. So for my pregnancy and my story, a few years later, I did have another pregnancy which resulted in a very healthy baby boy who's now a very rambunctious, a wonderful toddler. And that is my story, but I think it is really important that that is a narrative, and it shouldn't be the dominant narrative. And furthermore, whether a person goes on to have babies biologically down the road, or adopt, or anything around the way, it doesn't negate that loss, and that these are separate things. And so I think that's really profound. Dr. Hanasono: There's a documentary that just came out about a week ago on October 15th, and it's called Don't Talk About the Baby, and it is powerful. If you get a chance to purchase it or rent it on Vimeo, it's an amazing documentary that chronicles different stories and issues related to pregnancy loss. One of the women who experienced a miscarriage, she talks about how she now has a baby, and then she takes a pause and she says, "That said, I still wish," and then she mentioned the baby that she lost was with us to meet her new baby. And so it shows these intertwined stories and lives and how we want to continue to honor and not just move on, but I think you're right. A lot of times we want that closure, we want everything packaged up in a neat bow, and we want to say, "Okay, you've accomplished this birth for whatever that's worth, and so now we can just move on." And so I think part of it is trying to resist that temptation how can we honor those that we've lost and still celebrate those that we welcome. Jolie Sheffer: Let's talk about some solutions. Dr. Hanasono: Yes. Jolie Sheffer: So what are some things that... You've talked about kind of women sharing their own stories, but what can their partners, friends and families do? Dr. Hanasono: So we've talked about providing support and some things maybe we shouldn't say, and maybe some things that we could say. I certainly think that social support is absolutely paramount. In this whole thing we need to do it, we need to do it better, we need to do more of it. Dr. Hanasono: One thing that's been coming up in my research is this idea that we also should be helping the helper, which is interesting. And what I mean by that is the partner of the woman who has miscarried, the partner of the person who has had the pregnancy loss. They're in a unique position because they're often assumed to be the primary support provider for the individual who's going through the pregnancy loss in a physical embodied sense. And so in some ways, they are expected to be expending their energies to support, but that can take a big toll. On the one hand, in some of... So it didn't start out the semester with that being the focal point, but it's something that's really bubbling to my attention. And in reviewing the transcripts and reviewing them again and again, I've been noticing a couple of things. Dr. Hanasono: So one, for when the partners are men, there's a unique layer of toxic masculinity that can play into this aspect of coping and make it much more difficult where they want to provide support to their partner, but at the same time, they feel pressured by aspects of manning up, of getting over it, about being a tough guy and powering through it. And I worry, although this may work for some people as a coping mechanism, for others, it may further add to the stress and not allow them to process their grief. I think part of it is thinking about coping as a community, and not just coping dyadically when possible. Dr. Hanasono: The other aspect is that it seems that the dominant narrative, both in media as well as in conversations when we talk about pregnancy loss, still seems largely heteronormative, largely white centric. This is troubling because when the partners are not men, when the partners are women, non-binary, they are often invisible. And so we think about the partner and we say, "Well, when he deals with this," and so when those individuals are not "he", they are rendered invisible, they're neglected, their concerns aren't even on the radar of the research agenda. They're not on the radar of the stories perpetuated in the media. And so yes, I think we need to think about not just providing support individually to the people who are experiencing it on a physical level with the pregnancy loss, but also thinking about how we can help the helper and how we can communally or as a community cope together. Jolie Sheffer: And what lessons do you think your research has for medical professionals, so for doctors, nurses, sonogram technicians, folks who might be among the first to recognize that there's a problem and to have to communicate that to individuals and their families? Dr. Hanasono: I will say that this is another thing that's really come to the forefront with my research, is how important, how significant these individuals are both in framing and breaking the news, but also in the potential for them being agents of change in de-stigmatizing pregnancy loss and miscarriage. So on the one hand, I see healthcare providers as being individuals who could really help to educate patients before they're pregnant. So for those who are thinking of expanding family planning as well as those in the earlier stages of pregnancy, to provide information about potential miscarriage, how to potentially avoid it if possible, but also being aware of the commonality of it that they could be really important people in starting that conversation and educating, but also they tend to be the ones who are the first to break the news and to confirm at least in a medical sense that this has happened. Dr. Hanasono: There has been some interesting challenges as it relates to the institutional bureaucratic aspects of it. So for example, some of my participants talked about how they were seen by a technician, and the technicians are smart and they're trained and they know when things are wrong, and non-verbally, it's very difficult to have a poker face when they pull up the screen. But at some practices, and this might be for liability reasons, but they are told that they cannot break the bad news, but it's very clear to the patients that something is not right. And there can be a long law between when that discovery happens and when the actual OB-BYN doctor is available to break this bad news and to unpack it. Dr. Hanasono: So there's something about both the culture of care, but also maybe how certain protocols and different types of policies might be able to help all in this process. But yes, I think that the healthcare providers are absolutely instrumental in both breaking the silence, but also de-stigmatizing it. When they share what happened, a lot of patients want to know why, like why did this happen? Why did this happened to me? And being very careful in how that conversation is framed and discussed can be helpful both for demystifying, but also so that the patient doesn't walk away thinking, "It's my fault, I did this," because that further spirals into shame and silence. Jolie Sheffer: One of the things you've talked about too is the way that medical providers, sort of the language they use, can be helpful or hurtful. In my own case, after that miscarriage when I was then trying to conceive, I had a different doctor, who was a fertility doctor who was really remarkable and wonderful, and actually going through the process, he confessed that or shared that he and his wife had had multiple miscarriage. That was not an expected thing to hear from my doctor, but it really provided the sense of being treated like a human being. And I think that's something you've talked about elsewhere too, is that sometimes the official medical language can get in the way of some of that human contact. Dr. Hanasono: There's an interesting disconnect sometimes with our fantastic medical professionals and with our everyday folks in terms of the terminology that's used and sometimes the jargon that's used. One of the interesting things in looking at pregnancy loss and miscarriage, when I experienced my pregnancy last as a nerdy communication scholar, I hit the journals. I went and looked at peer reviewed research to try to figure out what's going on here. And there is so much in terms of the medical, but there wasn't as much in terms of the experiential and the communicative. When I was looking at a lot of the medical literature, I learned that one common way to refer to miscarriage is as a "spontaneous abortion". And while that's, I think textbook or technically, maybe the way that it can be discussed in some medical circles, given some of the connotations of the word abortion, I think that sometimes that could actually be a translational hiccup in terms of communicating with patients. Dr. Hanasono: And so there's little things like that in terms of translating jargon to people who may not be part of the medical community, as well as be thinking different approaches and different ways to provide support when people initially find out that they had a miscarriage. Dr. Hanasono: One other thing that I had mentioned was just for some medical practitioners, because pregnancy loss is so every day and so pervasive that this can be just kind of one of the things that's part of an 8, 10, 12 hour work day is that we have to break the bad news. This is what we do. This is part of the job description, like it or not. And I get that. I get that that has to be something that people do and that it does have an emotional labor toll or tax for our medical providers. I am sympathetic to that. At the same time, it's so important to realize that although it's an everyday thing for some individuals who have to break this bad news, it is an extraordinary moment that they'll keep with them for the rest of their life, and so kind of thinking about not just the human element, but what's at stake in that conversation. Jolie Sheffer: One of the things we've seen over the last few years in particular is social media and celebrity culture actually tackling this subject head on in ways that I don't recall in the past. So could you talk about some of the kinds of social media activism and celebrity interviews that have made this a more widely understood issue? Dr. Hanasono: The landscape is changing, Jolie, and it's really fascinating both being driven by social media, but also the emergence of stories from celebrities. I mean, when you've got Beyonce talking about her experiences you know that some things have shifted. We've heard Gabrielle Union, Lisa Ling, Nicole Kidman, Mariah Carey. There's so many women who are breaking the silence and sharing their stories. And I think in some ways, it's absolutely critical in moving us toward this culture of openness to see people who are revered. Many times individuals respect or they put celebrities in a particular space where what they do can be a trendsetting kind of thing. And so I think for them to share their stories is very valuable. Dr. Hanasono: At the same time though, I worry because sometimes it can trend. And so for example, Priscilla Chan, who her partner is Mark Zuckerberg, and she was sharing her story and it was, of course, widely spread over Facebook. And I think that it's wonderful that she broke the silence and talked about it, but it was one of those things I worry that sometimes the shelf life can be very short with celebrity culture as well as with particular topics. So my hope is that pregnancy loss is something where as a course we can keep the conversation going, we can dialogue about it, as opposed to being just the number one trend thing for this particular day and then we move on. Dr. Hanasono: And so I see this tension back and forth where we keep wanting to move on to the next thing. There's a trauma, we want to move on, or there's something trendy that a celebrity says, and then we want to move on. So I think, in some ways, these celebrity stories have helped to put it on the public agenda and has raised awareness, which is wonderful, but I think we need to now shoulder the load and continue the conversation. Dr. Hanasono: As far as social media, I think that it's a really promising platform for the potential of sharing information both in terms of support groups. So I've joined some Facebook moms groups that have been really helpful in talking about this and addressing it. It gives a way for people to share their own story in their own time to a bunch of people. But at the same time, because social media is so much of what we call a many to many, meaning that it can be screen captured and shared and people are talking back, it's not just one person sharing it to the world, it's so interactive, that I do worry sometimes about the trolls and about the negativity that can come from it. And there are some individuals who are incredibly hurtful, and so it opens up possibilities for problems. Dr. Hanasono: I had a mentor who gave a great line. She said, "Don't feed something you don't want to grow." And so in some ways, when we are met with this type of negative response, I think part of it is figuring out how to diffuse that and not to escalate it. But I see social media as being a way to raise awareness and as a way for people to share their story broadly. Jolie Sheffer: So can you talk a bit about how do other cultures mark this grieving process? Dr. Hanasono: This is something that I'm hoping my future research can pursue because I think that I'm just scratching the surface at this point. In Japan, there is a particular ritual that's often led by Buddhist priest, so it's something that's very ritualized, and it is a way to remember the loss of babies and children. And there's actually a little statue, I think it's called a Jizo, and it's kind of this saint, if you will, I'm losing this in translation, for children. And so parents, loved ones can come together and participate in this actual ritual and have this kind of statue to memorialize their lost baby. And there are, in some communities, an entire area of these little statues side by side, and so people can come together and to remember. Dr. Hanasono: As I was saying, with this ambiguous loss, some of the challenges that without a body, or without necessarily a memorial, and certainly without a concrete ritual, which we really lack in our current culture, that it can be difficult to grieve. It can be difficult to remember, and sometimes we want that physical site or we want to know what to do. I would love for us to try to invent and share and embrace our own types of rituals. So I'm hesitant to say that we should appropriate what's being done in Japan, but maybe we can learn from them to say, "There are cultures that are doing things. What else can we do?" And it can be something that's more grassroots. It doesn't have to be on a national scale. We can start small and say we're going to create a community garden that people who've had pregnancy losses can have a headstone, or they can have a statue or some sort of piece where people can come together and it's a site. Dr. Hanasono: I know there's some hospitals that will do certain things, which is great and have a space. And so we need some sort of ritual, and I would like to say in a plural sense, rituals, for people to grieve and cope. Jolie Sheffer: So this semester you've worked on three interrelated research projects. Dr. Hanasono: Yes. Jolie Sheffer: So tell us a little bit about the different pieces of your research agenda, and then what's next in that project? Dr. Hanasono: Yes. I am working on these three particular projects and I do have some things already in the pipelines moving forward into the spring semester. Currently, the first project that I've been doing has been focusing on shattering the silence surrounding miscarriage by doing an interview study. So I've gathered about three dozen stories from women who have experienced pregnancy loss, and I've got five more lined up for next week, more keep coming in. So I'm aiming to get at least 40, and I think I'm going to surpass that, which is really exciting. Part of it is just listening to their stories, but also understanding how they're coping, what kind of support they've received, what kind of support they wish they would have received from their partners and healthcare providers, and also understanding what kind of barriers they've experienced in terms of what's keeping the silence going and how can we stop that. And so, one of the projects is listening to their stories and developing this manuscript that I've kind of highlighted yesterday about these three paradoxes that perpetuate the silence surrounding pregnancy loss. So that's one project. Dr. Hanasono: The second project is really so different from what I've done before. I think this is one of the beautiful things about ICS, is that it allows us to have the space to try new methods and new approaches and to consult different literatures. I have been looking at 25 pregnancy books. So if you think about the classic, What to Expect While You're Expecting, or different takes on it, like Expecting More, The Joy of Pregnancy, whether or not it's joyous, all of these different books and getting bestsellers and collecting them, and then doing a very comprehensive content analysis, how, if at all, are aspects of pregnancy loss and miscarriage engaged, discussed and represented in these manuals? And the reason that I wanted to examine this was more from a proactive piece. Dr. Hanasono: So the first project with interviews is really retrospective; what happened? How are you processing? How did you cope? This one is more proactive in so far as I think for many people who are first pregnant, one common thing to do is to consult pregnancy books and manuals like What to Expect While You're Expecting, and many times we don't look for literature on pregnancy loss until after it's happened. And so I'm curious to what extent is our issues related to pregnancy loss and miscarriage woven into these books beforehand? Because if they're not in there at all, then it really decreases some of the chances of people engaging and being aware of these issues. And not only that, for those that do include it, how has it been framed? And some of the preliminary findings that I'm having is that oftentimes it is very marginalized, so it's one chapter and that's it, or it's a couple of little blurbs here and there. Typically, it's very sterilized. So we've lost that human touch where it's, "This is what miscarriages, here's some risks, and if it happens, here are some treatments," and it's often engaged in that regard. And so we don't necessarily see, "Here's how you might be able to cope, here are some resources." Dr. Hanasono: I will say though, there are some books that do weave it out throughout the entire book, which is I think important. I recognize that these books want to sell, and I can see how a book that has too much about pregnancy loss may be a big turnoff, especially when there's hundreds of other books to pick from. So there's a delicate balance there, but I would love to find ways and some recommendations for how these popular manuals and books could include it in ways that humanize the experience, in ways that do prepare people more for it, and also provide these resources moving forward. Dr. Hanasono: So that's the second project. The final project is really... I'm so excited about this. I'm developing a book proposal, and instead of... With the first project, I'm kind of summarizing, analyzing and sharing the stories of women who've had pregnancy loss. This final project is about proposing an edited volume to invite both people who have had pregnancy losses and their partners to share their stories, to talk about their experiences and just to communicate in their own way. And I really want it to be something that's open in its form, so including poems, including essays, including artwork if people want to do that. And so my hope is that this can be a volume and a platform for people to share their own stories in their own way. And so that's the third project. Dr. Hanasono: Now you're asking about moving forward. I'm sorry, I've been talking so much, but I'm so excited. Where I want to move forward, I'm hoping, with the interview data, to write an article that focuses on healthcare patient provider communication, to look at it from a really health comm perspective. I also would love to do a media misrepresentation to look at it and how pregnancy loss is being represented on television shows. I think that that would be very, very interesting. I would also love to do some more outreach. So this is such an honor to be part of this podcast, and I know ICS does a great job helping to share the findings through video, through public talks, but if I can facilitate some workshops on social support, to facilitate a film screening for Don't Talk About the Baby and to lead a community discussion. Right now I'm in the talks of hopefully doing a workshop with healthcare providers to increase health communication with patients when they first learn that they've had a pregnancy loss. Dr. Hanasono: So, so many things in the pipeline and I'm just thrilled about this direction that it's taking. So thank you, again, so much for making this possible. Jolie Sheffer: That's also fabulous. Any last thoughts you want to leave us with about sort of the future of discourse around pregnancy loss and miscarriage, or sort of last thoughts you want to leave anyone who might be listening? Dr. Hanasono: Well, in addition to all the thank yous to you and to ICS and to my incredible research participants who have shared their story so openly and honestly with me, and I hope I can do right by that, for those who are at home, or at work, or wherever you may be and you have had a pregnancy loss, I think my message for today would be just a wholehearted reminder that you are not alone and that there are people who care and that want to do right to support you. And so whether you want to cope by herself or if you want to open that space and have those conversations, I wish you the best as you continue your journey. And if you want to reach out to me, please know that, again, you're not alone and that we care. Jolie Sheffer: Thank you so much, Lisa. Dr. Hanasono: Thank you.
**TRIGGER WARNING: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, & Pregnancy Loss In this episode, we explore the mental and emotional aspects of pregnancy loss with expert guest,Dr. Jessica Zucker, Ph.D. Dr. Zucker is a Los Angeles-based psychologist specializing in women's reproductive and maternal mental health with a background in international public health. She is the creator of the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign which launched with her first NYT piece in 2014 and has since become a global movement. Here’s an overview of what you’ll hear about in this episode: Jessica’s personal and professional background, including her own experience of having a miscarriage at 16 weeks When and why Jessica started the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign The role that shame often plays in miscarriage and pregnancy loss, and how working to release the stigma around loss can help people heal Jessica’s goal to talk about EVERY aspect of life after loss, especially the areas that don’t often get discussed (i.e. sex/masturbation, friendship, pregnancy etc.) Some exploration into why our culture/society is so uncomfortable with miscarriage and pregnancy loss and how that often manifests itself as people saying inappropriate and/or hurtful things to the person suffering a loss A bit of guidance on things to say and things NOT to say to someone grieving a loss, including the importance of just being present and willing to listen A discussion about the cultural norm of keeping a pregnancy secret until it’s “out of the woods” at 12 weeks, and how that can lead to feeling even more isolated if a miscarriage does occur The difference between a stillbirth and a miscarriage, including some stats on each, and how the gestation of a pregnancy can impact grief and the healing process Some suggestions on how to navigate a loss for people who are going through it What it’s like to be pregnant after a loss, including Jessica’s personal experience with this The strain that pregnancy loss can place on relationships, including some insight into how these losses can impact the non-pregnant partner Where to begin when it comes to processing/healing from a loss Dr. Zucker’s list of suggested books on this topic: They Were Still Born: Personal Stories about Stillbirth by Janel Atlas Trying Again by Ann Douglas What I Gave to the Fire by Kim Flowers Evans About What Was Lost: Twenty Writers on Miscarriage, Healing, and Hope edited by Jessica Berger Grose Empty Arms: Coping with Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss by Sherokee Ilse Unspeakable Losses by Kim Kluger-Bell Pregnancy After Loss by Carol Cirulli Lanham You Are Not Alone: Love Letters From Loss Mom to Loss Mom by Emily Long An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken Surviving Miscarriage: You Are Not Alone by Stacey McLaughlin Finding Hope When A Child Dies by Sukie Miller A Guide for Fathers: When a Baby Dies by Tim Nelson Waiting for Daisy by Peggy Orenstein Poor Your Soul by Mira Ptacin Vessels: A Love Story by Daniel Raeburn Holding Silvan: A Brief Life by Monica Wesolowska --- If you liked this episode of the Birth Kweens Podcast, tell your friends! And go to iTunes, Stitcher, GooglePlay, and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show. For more from us, visit www.BirthKweens.com to sign up for our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram @BirthKweens, join our Facebook group the Birth Kweens Podcast Community, and email us at birthkweens@gmail.com with your questions, suggestions and feedback. Also, be sure to click here so that you can support the show while doing your regular Amazon shopping!
Could sharing our pregnancy loss stories be the first step in helping to release the shame, self blame and guilt that can come with it? Psychologist and creator of #IHadAMiscarriage campaign – Dr. Jessica Zucker believes so. After experiencing her own pregnancy loss in 2012, Dr. Jessica Zucker has been on a mission to destigmatize pregnancy ... The post #IHadAMiscarriage, Pregnancy loss & Grief with Psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker appeared first on Expectful.
In this week's episode of Tiny Giant Losses, we share a healing yoga exercise, continue to discuss The Six Steps of Healing, review a babyloss healing resource that features an internationally known popstar, interview maternal mental health psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker, and more. Dr. Jessica Zucker is a clinical psychologist based in Los Angeles, California. She specializes in women's reproductive and maternal mental health. In 2014, Jessica launched the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign with her first New York Times piece, last year she created a line of pregnancy loss cards that aim to fill a void in the cultural conversation surrounding loss and this year she launched a line of ‘rainbow baby’ and ‘rainbow mama’ t-shirts. You can find her online at drjessicazucker.com and she writes daily on Instagram @ihadamiscarriage. Since this month is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we’re sharing lots of bonus rewards via Patreon, including an hour-long Q&A with trauma therapist Persephone Maywald (last week's interviewee), an hour-long Q&A with our interviewee from two weeks ago (Nathalie Himmelrich, the author of "Grieving Parents: Surviving Loss as a Couple"), a babyloss Ask-Me-Anything with Lindsey from Tiny Giant Losses, a video tutorial on one of Lindsey's favorite post-loss self-care routines, and a digital babyloss healing talking circle. If these resources sound healing to you, please consider becoming a Patron to support our work, and to access these (and many more) post-loss healing resources. For more information, visit Tiny Giant Losses on Patreon before Halloween! Note: This is not a call-in episode.
October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and it’s a season for recognizing the pain so many families experience but don’t always feel comfortable talking about. In this episode Lesley talks to clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker about her personal story of loss, the grief process and changing the way we talk about miscarriage. Plus, hear about a new C+C initiative to help mothers in developing countries. Like what you heard? Visit coffeeandcrumbs.net for more inspiration on your motherhood journey. And, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!
How can we help a mother who has experienced pregnancy loss? What should we say? What should we not say? Our two special guests devote their lives to the wellness of mothers and have suffered pregnancy loss themselves: clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker and training midwife Georgina Blanchard. Our first guest Dr. Jessica Zucker specializes in women's reproductive + maternal mental health and serves on the Medical Advisory Council of "Every Mother Counts". She has contributed to PBS’s "This Emotional Life", and started the #IHadAMiscarriage hashtag campaign that went viral. Our second guest Georgina Blanchard is in her final year of Midwifery studies at the Midwifery Education Program at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. After our conversations, we clear the stage to share Georgina’s exquisite essay “Still Life” published in the Canadian journal “The Walrus", read by her sister, actress Rachel Blanchard with music by Georgina's husband John Showman. October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. We hope this episode helps in some small way. Please share with your mom community. x Ellie Please subscribe on iTunes.com/AtomicMoms! Go to AtomicMoms.com for show notes and more about our guests. Sign up for our newsletter on atomicmoms.com.
After experiencing a miscarriage at 16 weeks, clinical psychologist Jessica Zucker started the hashtag #IHadaMiscarriage, which went viral. Cristen and Caroline talk to Dr. Zucker about why miscarriage remains a taboo issue, how to comfort those grieving a loss and the cards she created to help us start these much-needed conversations. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers
There is no clever way to say it. This week, Biz and Theresa talk about miscarriages. Theresa shares her experience and together we explore what it's like to go through a pregnancy loss, or have a friend experiencing pregnancy loss, in a culture that doesn't seem to offer much in the way of acknowledgment or support. Clinical psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker, whose focus is on women's reproductive and maternal mental health, joins us to talk about her own miscarriage and her efforts to make this a less taboo topic with her #IHadAMiscarriage campaign.
Ali's guest today is Nicole Lawson, who went through years of infertility, including three devastating miscarriages, before choosing to go the surrogacy route. Today, she has two healthy daughters via surrogacy--and she tells Ali all about the entire process, including some of the fears and reservations she had. Nicole was so moved by the surrogacy process that she started her own agency, called Abundant Beginnings, in L.A. On this episode, we're partnering with Mom Culture, an online lifestyle brand created to spread positive vibes and to highlight both the salty and the sweet sides of parenthood—and the road to parenthood. Their Rainbow Mama tee and Rainbow Babe tee were created in collaboration with Dr. Zucker of the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign. Check them out at www.momculture.com and use code: INFERTILEAF for 20% off your entire purchase through February 29th.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af/donations
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