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In this heartfelt episode, Kirsten shares the story of her unexpected twin pregnancy, a sudden placental abruption at just 27 weeks, and the terrifying emergency C-section that changed everything in a matter of minutes. Far from home and under general anesthesia, Kirsten woke up to a reality she never imagined: two extremely premature babies fighting for their lives in the NICU.Kirsten opens up about the grief, fear, and disconnection she experienced during those early days, as well as the challenges of navigating a lengthy NICU stay. She also shares how family support, community, faith, and time helped her process the trauma and begin healing. This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and gratitude can exist side by side, and that healing doesn't require forgetting what happened.In This Episode, We Discuss:
In this powerful listener story, Kate returns to share her second birth experience after previously sharing her first story years ago. After surviving postpartum preeclampsia and medical trauma with her first child, Kate spent years healing through therapy, EMDR, community support, and advocacy work. When she became pregnant again, she hoped for a different experience, but life had other plans.At 24 weeks pregnant, Kate learned that her son had a rare congenital heart condition. What followed was months of uncertainty, specialist appointments, a surprise early delivery, NICU and cardiac ICU stays, and ultimately open-heart surgery when her son was just five weeks old. Through it all, Kate shares how community, mental health support, and unwavering advocacy helped her navigate some of the most difficult moments of her life.In This Episode, We Discuss:
This week, we are rereleasing a powerful episode with our guest Jess Myhre to talk about the choice (or sometimes not) to be one and done, particularly after birth trauma. Jess has been a pioneer in the discussion and support of families with only children, regardless of the reason. She fiercely advocates and validates for these families in her beautiful space @onlyyoucommunity. On this episode, Jess shares her story of birth trauma along with hope and encouragement for those who are one and done through choice, trauma, or for any reason at all. You can learn more about the Birth Trauma & Secondary Infertility Webinar here.Guest Bio: Hi I'm Jess! I am a preeclampsia survivor, mom of an only child, and advocate for parents of one, by choice or by circumstance. I am also the creator of Only You: A One and Done Podcast, a show for parents of only children.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
This week on the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast listener series, Kayleigh is joined by Kayelynn to share her powerful story of preeclampsia, birth trauma, repeat C-sections, and the complicated journey of pregnancy after trauma. In honor of Preeclampsia Awareness Month, this episode highlights the reality of living through severe preeclampsia, navigating emergency medical decisions, and coping with the emotional aftermath that can linger long after birth.Kayelynn vulnerably shares her experiences across three pregnancies and births, from a traumatic induction and emergency C-section at 35 weeks to pursuing a VBAC after trauma to ultimately finding empowerment in choice, healing, and reclaiming trust in herself. This conversation is an honest reminder that healing is not always linear, and that “redemption” after birth trauma can look very different from what we imagine.✨ In this episode, we discuss:
This podcast is a recording of a webinar presented by Oonagh Gilvarry, Chief Research Officer at HCI. Oonagh provides an overview of what home support providers can do now to get ahead of regulation. While the standards are still in development, many of the core expectations are already clear. Existing regulatory requirements around safeguarding, incident and complaint management, infection prevention and control (IPC), and HSE guidance are unlikely to change, and providers can begin implementing these immediately. Learn more about HCI's supports at hci.care.
This episode explores the profound identity shift that can happen after birth trauma, the grief of losing who you were before, the disorientation of feeling disconnected from yourself, and the complicated process of rebuilding after trauma. Kayleigh shares how trauma can reshape personality, relationships, interests, and even the way we experience parenthood itself.Through personal stories and reflections from the birth trauma community, this conversation offers validation, hope, and reassurance that healing does not mean becoming who you were before, it means learning to reconnect with yourself in a new way. If you've ever felt like birth trauma changed you forever, this episode reminds you that while trauma leaves its mark, healing can bring pieces of yourself back to life again.In this episode, we discuss:
In this powerful listener episode, Kayleigh is joined by identical twin sisters Alison and Holly, whose journeys through pregnancy, birth trauma, medical trauma, and survival became heartbreakingly intertwined. Both clinical psychologists, both high-achieving perfectionists, and both navigating pregnancy at the same time, neither could have imagined the life-altering experiences ahead of them.From severe pregnancy complications and traumatic medical experiences to a devastating accident involving Holly while pregnant with twins, this conversation explores the profound impact trauma can have not only on individuals but on families navigating it together.Through vulnerability, honesty, and immense strength, Alison and Holly share what it meant to survive the unimaginable while also supporting one another as sisters, twins, clinicians, and mothers.This episode is raw, validating, heartbreaking, and ultimately full of hope and resilience.
On this week's episode, we are doing a special rerelease! We are talking all things medical records and debriefs.On this episode you will hear:- understanding medical records- process of requesting medical records- the importance of debriefs- empowering patients through effective communicationFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
In this episode, Jessica shares the unimaginable journey of becoming a first-time mom to twin boys while surviving a rare and life-threatening postpartum medical complication after a wet tap during her epidural. From seizures and brain bleeds to time in the neuro ICU and separation from her newborns, Jessica vulnerably opens up about trauma, healing, advocacy, and ultimately finding hope through a healing birth experience with her third baby.
In this insightful episode, Kayleigh sits down with therapist and perinatal mental health expert Hilary Waller to explore the nuanced overlap between perinatal OCD, trauma, and EMDR. Hilary shares her journey into this work, her passion for supporting parents through medical trauma and loss, and how EMDR can help address the nervous system responses underneath intrusive thoughts and anxiety.
PLS NOTE: THIS PODCAST DISCUSSES EXTREME VIOLENCE & SUICIDE. THINK CAREFULLY IF THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR YOU TO LISTEN Lisa Boaden's childhood was marred by violence by her father who spent time in a mental health hospital. Her mother, like so many women from years gone by, stayed because she had no choice. Lisa is now 57 & can still recall distressing & disturbing incidents which from when she was 5yo. It reiterates the importance of protecting children from harm, both physical & psychological as much as we can because the repercussions can last a lifetime. Lisa shares some insights into the horrendous process of 'shock treatment' her father endured & which she was forced to watch. Domestic Violence was constant in her young life & she has spent a lifetime trying to make sense of it all.Support Services include;BeyondBlue: 1300 224 636DV Connect Women's Line: 1800 811 811Lifeline: 131 1141800 Respect National Helpline: 1800 737 732Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292Casa (Centre Against Sexual Assault) 1800 806 292If you have just been sexually assaulted - ring 000Victims of Crime: 1800 819 817 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Katherine to hold space for the layers of trauma that can exist alongside stillbirth and loss. Katherine shares the story of her son Brody, the life-threatening complications she experienced after his birth, and the continued trauma that unfolded in her pregnancy and delivery with her living child.Through her unfiltered honesty, Katherine sheds light on the often-overlooked realities of birth trauma within the loss community, and reminds us that grief and trauma can coexist in complex, valid ways.
Social isolation can increase seniors' risk of developing dementia, stroke and heart disease. But Chicago advocates say the services, classes and resources that senior centers offer can act as preventative care. In the Loop check in with Yolanda Curry and Alicia Henry of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and senior Jeannine Sharpe. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
In this mini episode, Kayleigh opens up about the often unexpected and deeply layered experience of Mother's Day after birth trauma. She offers validation, normalization, and gentle guidance for navigating a day that can feel both meaningful and incredibly heavy.
Episode 59: How Do Jails Work? – features David Thaxton, who explores the differences between jails and prisons, the reality of daily operations, and how the justice system can better serve society.Episode Summary: This episode of The Simple Questions Podcast features a conversation between Dylan Carnahan and David Thaxton, the retired Warden of the Wyandotte County Detention Center. Thaxton draws back the curtain on the internal workings of the jail system, sharing firsthand insights from a career that spanned over two decades in law enforcement and corrections.Listen as David shares his transition from the Army National Guard to the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office, eventually rising to the rank of Major of Support Services. He provides a candid look at the daily realities of managing a detention facility, the complexities of the justice system, and his post-retirement mission with "Beyond the Cell".In this episode, we discuss:00:46 – Introducing David Thaxton01:49 – David's journey: From a GED at 20 to seeking a life of service. 02:40 – Joining the Kansas Army National Guard and his transition from construction work. 05:25 – The path to law enforcement: Why being a police officer felt similar to being a soldier. 06:40 – Starting at the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office and the reality of being a "pod officer". 11:52 – Defining the difference: Jails vs. detention centers vs. prisons. 14:54 – Why jails are the "triage centers" of the justice system. 17:33 – The lack of rehabilitation resources in municipal jails. 20:33 – Why detention officers should be trained and viewed as law enforcement. 25:14 – The "Six Factors" of jail operation: Health, welfare, custody, control, safety, and security. 28:06 – Managing mental health and medical needs within a 500-person population. 31:12 – Evolution of training: Moving from a 5-day orientation to a 16-week program. 36:22 – The dangers of complacency and the importance of leadership in the pods. 44:33 – What can the system do better? Addressing trauma and the "people problem". 47:33 – Implementing Jail Intelligence Officers to break criminal cycles. 51:00 – The concept of a "Cognitive Deputy" and planting seeds for change. 59:15 – Shifting from punitive measures to mandatory positive engagement. 01:02:15 – Conclusion: The personal toll of service and final reflections. Resources:Beyond the CellThis episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music here.
The Orphanage Support Services Organization, or OSSO, is always looking for new volunteers who can help provide one-on-one support to the people OSSO supports.
In this episode, Megan shares her journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, chronic illness, medical trauma, and a life-threatening birth experience that led to her son's premature arrival. Her story sheds light on the complexities of pregnancy after loss, the realities of navigating the healthcare system with chronic conditions, and the lasting impact of birth trauma and a NICU stay.
Often, cases of sexual violence are treated as a criminal justice issue. But this approach can lead to repeated harm, doubt, and underreporting. Survivors, experts and service providers alike are calling on all of us to start viewing this as a public health crisis. In the Loop discusses how our approach to treating and preventing sexual violence could improve, and what resources exist to support and empower survivors in our area. Resilience clinical services supervisor Jillian Furey, DePaul University professor Megan Greeson and Department of Family and Support Services' Laura Ng all join us to dig into this issue. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.
In this informative episode, Kayleigh sits down with OB-GYN and author Dr. Jennifer Lincoln to break down what pregnant people actually need to know about birth. From navigating medical decisions to unpacking misinformation online, this conversation is packed with insight, nuance, and practical tools to help you feel more confident and informed heading into your birth experience.
In this powerful Listener Series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Leah to share her story of giving birth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating a traumatic delivery, and enduring years of unexplained postpartum pain before finally being diagnosed with severe endometriosis. Leah opens up about medical dismissal, complex trauma, subsequent pregnancies, and the ongoing journey of healing, both physically and emotionally. This episode is a raw and honest look at what happens when trauma isn't just one moment, but a series of experiences over time.In this episode, we talk about:
In this episode, Kayleigh breaks down a widely discussed episode of The Pit—exploring both the medical accuracy and the emotional impact it's had on the birth trauma community. Through a nuanced and honest lens, she unpacks what the show got right, what it missed, and why these portrayals matter so deeply.
In this deeply emotional listener episode, Michelle bravely shares her story of pregnancy complications, medical trauma, and the heartbreaking loss of her son, Cody. Through her vulnerability, she offers connection, validation, and hope to anyone navigating grief after loss.
In this validating episode, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. James Jackson, an internationally recognized psychologist, neuropsychology specialist, and pioneer in post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Together, they explore the often-overlooked reality of medical trauma and what true healing can look like after surviving critical illness.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with two best friends, Sam and Paige, whose lives became forever intertwined through shared birth trauma. What began as a friendship rooted in everyday life quickly transformed into something much deeper when both women experienced rare, life-threatening birth complications just months apart.Together, they open up about the shock, grief, and confusion of their experiences, the parts they remember (and the parts they don't), and the complex emotions that followed. Most importantly, they share what it means to have each other a person who truly gets it, in a space that can feel incredibly isolating.This episode is a testament to the power of connection, validation, and being seen in your hardest moments.
In this mini episode, Kayleigh is speaking directly to providers, nurses, and healthcare workers about the real-life application of trauma-informed care. Moving beyond the buzzword, she breaks down how trauma shows up in healthcare settings, and more importantly, how communication can either help prevent or contribute to it.This episode is packed with practical, easy-to-implement scripts and mindset shifts you can use immediately in patient interactions. From validating fears to navigating emergencies and repairing missteps, Kayleigh highlights how even the smallest moments of connection can have a lasting impact on patient outcomes.Whether you're a provider looking to deepen your approach or a patient wanting insight into what trauma-informed care should look like, this episode offers powerful, tangible takeaways.✨ A mini episode for providers, nurses, and healthcare workers on trauma-informed communication
In Part 2 of Olivia's story, we move beyond the resuscitation and into what so many survivors say is the hardest part, the aftermath. From ICU recovery to postpartum trauma, returning to work, and making the deeply personal decision to grow her family again, Olivia shares a raw and powerful look at life after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism.This episode is a testament to grit, grief, and redefining what healing actually looks like.✨ In this episode, we cover:
April is Cesarean Awareness Month, and we're re-releasing this incredibly important conversation to spotlight the complexities, emotions, and real stories behind C-sections.On this solo episode, Kayleigh is discussing all things c-section. She shares a few different studies highlighting the data on c-sections and PTSD, as well as how they compare to other modes of delivery. Kayleigh also touches on TOLACs and planned cesarean sections after birth trauma. In this episode:- Types of C-Sections- C-Section and birth trauma- Communication and Support as mitigating factors- Delivery decisions after birth trauma (TOLAC v. planned c-section)- C-Sections under general anesthesiaStudies Discussed:Garthus-Niegel S, von Soest T, Knoph C, Simonsen TB, Torgersen L, Eberhard-Gran M. The influence of women's preferences and actual mode of delivery on post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth: a population-based, longitudinal study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014 Jun 5;14:191. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-191. PMID: 24898436; PMCID: PMC4053555.Orovou E, Iliadou M, Chatzopoulou MT, Dagla M, Eskitzis P, Rigas N, Antoniou E. The Relation between Birth with Cesarean Section and Posttraumatic Stress in Postpartum Women. Maedica (Bucur). 2023 Dec;18(4):615-622. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.4.615. PMID: 38348064; PMCID: PMC10859197.Rowlands IJ, Redshaw M. Mode of birth and women's psychological and physical wellbeing in the postnatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Nov 28;12:138. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-138. PMID: 23190575; PMCID: PMC3533875.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.Why This Episode Matters: C-sections are the most common major surgery performed on women, yet they're often misunderstood and under-supported. Whether you're a birthing parent, a partner, a provider, or a friend—this episode offers insight and empathy that can shift how we talk about and hold space for C-section experiences.For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Olivia, a nurse, Navy veteran, and fellow AFE survivor, who shares her powerful and truly unique birth story.Olivia walks us through her experience of an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during the birth of her son, Theo, including the unimaginable reality of being awake and aware during much of her own resuscitation. Her story is both medically complex and deeply human, highlighting the layers of trauma that can exist even when lives are ultimately saved.This is Part 1 of Olivia's story.
March 27th marks Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Awareness Day, a time to honor the lives affected by this rare but life-threatening complication. In this special episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we take a deep dive into what AFE is, how it happens, and what can be done to improve survival rates.In this episode, we discuss:
On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh speaks with author and advocate Samina Ali, who shares her devastating and powerful birth story. What began as a healthy first pregnancy quickly turned into a life-threatening medical emergency when her symptoms of preeclampsia were repeatedly dismissed by providers.Samina vulnerably shares how undiagnosed preeclampsia progressed into HELLP syndrome, seizures, stroke, and multi-organ failure, and the long road of recovery that followed. Her story highlights the dangerous consequences of not being believed in medical spaces and the systemic issues that continue to impact maternal health outcomes.In this episode, we discuss:✨ A first pregnancy at 29 with symptoms that didn't feel right⚠️ Warning signs of preeclampsia that were repeatedly dismissed by providers
On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh answers one of the most common questions she hears from both clients and her online community: “Was my birth actually traumatic?”In this mini episode, she breaks down the truth about trauma, reminding listeners that trauma is not defined by how something “looked” on paper, but by how it was experienced in the body and nervous system. This conversation invites you to release comparison, validate your own experience, and understand that you are worthy of support.In this episode, we discuss:✨ The question so many parents ask: “Was it bad enough to be trauma?”
PLEASE BE WARNED THIS EPISODE CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGUAGE & DESCRIPTIONSKirsty Prince was working for Corrections New South Wales as a Junior Corrections Officer when she received a picture on her mobile from her supervisor of his genitalia. The picture was also sent to four children, one being 9yo. He tried the sympathy vote with "Its going to kill my wife, I've been very stressed, it was a mistake or I'll lose my job if you tell anyone". But Kirsty was having none of it. Kirsty believed she'd be supported & the matter would be investigated. It WAS investigated & somehow, Corrections NSW decided to reinstate her supervisor without ever consulting her.Support Services include:Whistleblower Project (protecting & empowering Whistleblowers) @ the Human Rights Law Centre E: admin@hrlc.org.auLifeline: 13 11 14 Text 0477 13 11 14Police: 0001800 RESPECT 1800 737 732Victims of Crime: 1800 819 817Community Legal Centres: 9652 1501Worksafe (Advisor) 1800 136 089 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New figures from FASD Ireland reveal that 57% of children referred in the first three months of 2026 showed evidence of prenatal alcohol exposure, highlighting serious concerns about undiagnosed Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and the urgent need for improved awareness, diagnosis and support services across Ireland. Joining Alan Morrissey to discuss this on Monday's Morning Focus was Tristan Casson-Rennie, Chief Executive Officer, FASD Ireland. Photo (c) FASD
On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes Anya to share the story of her first birth — a pregnancy that was completely uncomplicated until a cascade of unexpected events in labor led to a traumatic emergency C-section experience.Anya opens up about feeling pressured into surgery, a frightening complication with anesthesia in the operating room, and the terror of feeling unable to breathe while fully conscious. Her story highlights how quickly birth can shift and how important communication, consent, and emotional support are during labor and delivery. In this episode, we discuss:✨ An uncomplicated pregnancy that suddenly shifted during labor
Community Action for Veterans (CAV) Executive Director Jill Baker says the biggest request her organization gets is support for military families. We hear an update on CAV and its work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh shifts perspectives and shares her own therapy journey, not as a clinician, but as a client. After surviving a life-threatening birth experience and amniotic fluid embolism, Kayleigh opens up about the role therapy, medication, EMDR, and parts work have played in her healing.This vulnerable episode explores what trauma healing can actually look like years after the initial event and how deeper layers of trauma can surface in surprising ways. In this episode, we discuss:✨ Kayleigh's personal therapy journey after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism
In this episode, Christopher Burks, Vice President of Laboratory and Support Services at Brown University Health, discusses integrating newly acquired hospitals, aligning revenue and operations, and building the laboratory bandwidth needed to support ambulatory growth and long term system expansion.
On today's episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Leslie shares the story of her daughter Cora born via emergency C-section after a full-term pregnancy and the unimaginable grief of losing her shortly after birth. She also opens up about secondary infertility, pregnancy after loss, a traumatic COVID birth, and the long road of healing that followed.This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and trauma can coexist and that both deserve care.
✨ Special Rerelease Episode ✨In this important conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Pria Alpern to talk about EMDR therapy and its powerful role in healing birth trauma. If you've ever felt stuck in intrusive memories, body flashbacks, or overwhelming anxiety after your birth experience, this episode offers both education and hope. We break down what EMDR actually is, how it works, and why it can be especially effective for perinatal trauma.In this episode, we talk about:
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Annie to share her powerful story of birth trauma, medical complications, and the long road of postpartum healing. Annie opens up about how quickly plans changed, the fear and confusion that followed, and what it has looked like to process trauma while learning to parent. This conversation is honest, validating, and a reminder that trauma isn't defined by one moment.In this episode, we talk about:
In this episode, Kayleigh talks about something that comes up again and again in our community: how, when, and whether to share your birth trauma story. From conversations with pregnant friends to posting publicly or presenting professionally, this episode explores navigating boundaries, safety, and connection, without shame. You are allowed to share your story. And you're also allowed to protect it.In this episode, we talk about:
In this listener series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Nicola, a physician who shares her own experience with birth trauma, placenta previa, a massive hemorrhage, and a terrifying NICU journey with her son. Nicola opens up about what it's like to be on the other side of medicine, how “knowing too much” can increase anxiety, and the deep loneliness that can come with traumatic birth and a NICU stay. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating birth trauma, NICU life, or the long road of healing afterward.In this episode, we talk about:
In this episode, Kayleigh dives into a topic we don't talk about enough: partner and family trauma after birth. Birth trauma doesn't just impact the birthing person; it can deeply affect the non-birthing partner and the entire family system. From helplessness in the delivery room to tension in relationships afterward, this conversation explores what we know (and what we're still learning) about how trauma shows up for partners and what healing can look like together.In this episode, we talk about:
In this powerful episode, Ruby shares her story of birth trauma, medical dismissal, and her daughter Rumi's diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy). Ruby walks us through being sent home multiple times while in labor, giving birth to a baby who was not breathing, surviving a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, and navigating the NICU and devastating uncertainty that followed. This conversation also names the role of racism and bias in women's health, especially toward Indigenous and other marginalized parents, and how being ignored, minimized, and not believed can have life-altering consequences for both parent and baby.In this episode, we talk about:
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Mallory, aka The Formula Mom, to talk all things formula feeding, combo feeding, and her brand-new book Bottle Service. They dive into the real, messy, emotional side of infant feeding: the lack of education around formula, the grief of not being able to breastfeed, the pressure of “at all costs” narratives, and why nuance, support, and compassion matter more than ever. This is an honest, validating conversation for anyone who has ever questioned, grieved, or defended how they feed their baby.In this episode, we talk about:
Ever feel like you're running on empty trying to do it all yourself? I used to feel that way too! That's exactly why I finally hired an executive assistant, and within a week, she freed up 5-10 hours of my time. Wild, right? In this episode, I'm breaking down the four support services that truly unlock growth in your practice (plus two that are nice to have). We're talking about the kind of leverage that doesn't just save you time, it actually opens up opportunities you didn't even know were waiting for you. Whether you're a solo practitioner white-knuckling it or a group practice owner trying to scale past that 3-5 clinician mark, this one's for you. Want more options? Check out our business directory for providers across all these categories. And if you're curious about our intake and admin support, let's talk.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Abigail to talk about her first birth complicated by low amniotic fluid, a late preterm induction, and a long, emotionally exhausting NICU stay, and how that experience shaped her postpartum mental health and feeding journey. Abigail also shares her second birth story, including intentional preparation, advocacy, and what it looked like to face another NICU admission without it becoming traumatic. This episode is a powerful conversation about control, grief, healing, and how trauma-informed care and support can change everything.In this episode, we talk about:
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Derek Grassley, RN CEN, CFRN, CCRN, NRP, FP-C WP-C - a flight nurse and ECMO specialist, to break down what ECMO is, when it's used, and why it can be life-saving for critically ill pregnant and postpartum patients.This powerful conversation pulls back the curtain on critical care, emergency transport, and the realities of caring for patients at the edge of survival.
In this powerful Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Andrea, who shares her story of an unexpected pregnancy complicated by severe placenta accreta, a nine-hour delivery surgery, massive hemorrhage, ICU recovery, and a long, complex postpartum healing journey.Andrea walks listeners through receiving a terrifying accreta diagnosis at her anatomy scan, navigating the fear of life-threatening hemorrhage, and making the critical decision to transfer care to a specialized accreta center. Her story highlights the importance of self-advocacy, multidisciplinary care, and listening to your instincts, especially when your life is on the line.This episode also tenderly explores the emotional aftermath of survival: delayed bonding after general anesthesia, prolonged separation from her baby, months of physical complications, depression, and the long road to processing trauma once the body finally stabilizes.In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Special Re-Release ✨ Parenting After Birth TraumaAs our children grow, many of us begin to notice something unexpected: the ways our birth trauma continues to show up, not just in our bodies and minds, but in our parenting.In this special re-release episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we revisit a conversation that feels just as relevant, if not more so, today. Kayleigh offers a brief but meaningful overview of what it means to parent after birth trauma, and why this topic comes up again and again in our community.Parenting after birth trauma is layered and complex. It may include unresolved trauma from pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or earlier life experiences, all of which can shape how we bond with, protect, and respond to our children. This episode doesn't cover everything, but it opens the door to awareness, reflection, and compassion.Whether you're parenting a newborn, a toddler, or an older child, this re-release offers perspective for navigating the emotional ripple effects of trauma while raising humans you love deeply.In this episode, we discuss: