CW: Infertility, Infant Loss

Episode Description:

In this episode, guest Kristin Joseph, tells her story of infant loss. She and her husband struggled for 4 years with infertility. They went through multiple rounds of IVF, miscarriage, and infant loss, before having their rainbow baby. Kristin takes us through the stress, pain, grief associated with infant loss, and the decision to try having another baby. Kristin provides advice for those supporting somebody through infant loss, or experiencing loss themselves.

Topics Discussed:

(0:00) Introductions

(1:41) Kristin’s Story: Kristin and her husband endured several cycles of IVF, miscarriage, and eventually found themselves with a healthy pregnancy. One day at work, things seemed to take a turn for the worst. Kristin had to drive herself to the hospital during a snowstorm.

(9:19) Mateo: Kristin describes Mateo’s birth, meeting him, and then saying goodbye to him. Kristin also describes recovering in the hospital maternity ward.

(22:10) Grief: Kristin describes the depths of her grief and the impact it had on her mental health then and now.

(38:32) Deciding to have another child: Kristin talks about the decision to have another child, and the anxiety throughout the pregnancy, and why she didn't want to tell others that she was pregnant again.

(52:49) Moving on or Moving through?: Kristin talks about the concept of moving forward but not moving on. She discusses the idea that having another baby doesn't take away her grief. Kristin describes other people being hesitant to talk about Mateo

(1:01:17) Kristin’s advice: Kristin tells our audience how people can support others going through this time.

Resources:

PAIL (Pregnancy and Infant Loss) Network - OntarioShare Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support - USAbout Kristin:

Kristin is a Secondary Teacher in Toronto who is blessed to love her career and enjoys learning from her students every day. She and her husband Triston and the proud parents of 15 month old Greyson and angel baby Mateo.

Kristin is a survivor of infant loss and in her episode she tells the story of losing her son Mateo and how her life changed forever. It was the first time telling her story through fully, so it is raw, messy and real. She hopes that by listening to her episode, others who have experienced tragic loss and trauma will feel less alone and be empathically supported with grace and understanding.

Once people realize that they are not alone in their grief, they, like Kristin, can learn to navigate the world differently and support others in their own healing. Also, Kristin hopes that loved ones will gain an understanding of how to support bereaved parents after a traumatic loss of a child.

After Mateo passed, to honour his memory, she began to write a blog post for/about Mateo that further expands on her story and how she and her family walk through and with grief and triggers as they move forward.

www.mateoanthonyjoseph.com

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