Confessions of a Grieving Mother

Type of loss: Stillbirth

More about Casey's story: In this episode, Casey Mihalko shares the heartbreaking story of losing her son at 31 weeks. After a routine checkup turned devastating, Casey was faced with the unimaginable task of delivering her baby boy, only to learn that no cause of death could be found. She opens up about her journey through grief, the challenges of dealing with PTSD, and the well-meaning but painful comments she received. Casey’s strength and resilience shine through as she reflects on the support she found and the unexpected kindness of strangers.

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Type of loss: Early-term loss, ectopic loss, multiple losses, stillborn

More about Kayla's story: In this episode, Kayla DeCristoforo shares her journey through multiple devastating losses. After two ectopic pregnancies, Kayla was hopeful when she became pregnant with her daughter. Tragically, at 22 weeks, she received the heartbreaking news that her baby no longer had a heartbeat. Kayla opens up about the emotional and physical toll of repeated loss and the challenges of navigating grief after such unimaginable heartbreak.

Type of Loss: Early-term loss

More about Tabitha's Story: Listen as Tabitha shares about the tragic early-term loss of her daughter, Hanna, during the height of the COVID pandemic. Faced with inadequate medical care and heartbreaking personal struggles, Tabitha shares how she navigated grief, family drama, and the devastating loss of her baby girl. From traumatic medical experiences to healing after loss, Tabitha reflects on the impact of losing Hanna and the challenges of moving forward with subsequent pregnancies.

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Taboo Topic Series: This season, we are kicking off our Taboo Topic series where we discuss the uncomfortable topics that go hand-in-hand with losing your baby. If you have a suggestion for this series, please reach out to us at [email protected].

More about this episode: In this episode of our Taboo Topic series, we dive into one of the most difficult conversations surrounding pregnancy loss—the heartbreaking decision to terminate a wanted pregnancy. We explore the emotional turmoil, societal stigma, and the complex realities faced by those who have had to make this unimaginable choice. This episode aims to bring understanding and support to a topic often shrouded in silence.

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Type of Loss: Life-limiting diagnosis, Infant loss, Early-term loss, Multiple losses

More about Danielle's Story: Listen as Danielle shares the emotional story of her daughter Daniela. After a smooth pregnancy at 45, Danielle's world was turned upside down at 42 weeks when unexpected complications arose. Born not breathing and quickly taken to the NICU, Daniela was later diagnosed with Trisomy 18. Despite her brief but impactful 23 days, Daniela left a lasting mark on her family's hearts. Danielle reflects on the bittersweet moments of meeting her long-awaited daughter and the heartache of losing her too soon.

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Type of Loss: Stillborn

More about Jamie's Story: Jamie Halwey shares the heartbreaking story of losing her son Charles, whose life was tragically cut short due to true knots in his umbilical cord. Jamie reflects on what seemed to be a textbook pregnancy and the profound grief that followed.

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Type of loss: Early term loss, multiple losses, Infant loss

More about Madi's Story: Listen as Madi bravely shares her sweet Ruth with us. Madi had experienced two early term pregnancy losses prior to getting pregnant with Ruth. Madi and her husband, Ben, were ecstatic when they got pregnant with Ruth and had a fairly uneventful pregnancy until 36 weeks gestation. Madi had to be induced due to preeclampsia. Despite being born 4 weeks early, Ruth was born healthy on November 18. Madi and Ben's lives were turned upside down when Ruth passes away suddenly less than 4 weeks later.

Type of Loss: Early-term loss, multiple losses, heterotopic pregnancy

More about Tara's Story: Tara and her husband were over the excited when they found out they were pregnant with their first child in October 2011. After a few weeks, she started bleeding, after an ER visit, and 2 HCG tests, they discovered that the baby was not growing correctly. At this time, Tara started to experience severe pain on the right side of her abdomen. At her 12 week appointment she was told her baby had no heartbeat. After processing the devastating news, she had a D&C. In the following 6 weeks, Tara explains that she was still experiencing extreme pain. She made countless doctors appointments, had kidney tests, cat scans, saw chiropractors, and more ultrasounds and nothing was discovered. While at dinner in early January 2012, she started experiencing more severe stomach pain and bleeding and was rushed to the ER. She begged for an exploratory laparoscopy where it was finally discovered that her right fallopian tube had ruptured due to an ectopic pregnancy that had occurred at the same time as the intrauterine pregnancy. This is called a heterotopic pregnancy an occurs in only 1 of 30,000 pregnancies.

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Listen as Tracy and Julie talk with one of our favorite guests, Pamela Presler. Pam dives into the topic of Grief Confidence, explains what it is and what it means to your grief journey.

More about Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC: Pamela is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in Erie, Pennsylvania. The services she provides are based on 20 years of developing new and innovative approaches to improving human relationships. Whether coaching couples, building "Grief Confidence" in individuals and families, or empowering parents to create a unified parenting plan to support their children’s needs, Pamela provides tools for healthy coping, guiding others in problem-solving their own outcomes. Learn more about her here.

Contact Pam:

phone: (814) 455-1301

email: [email protected]

website: https://www.pamelapresler.com/

Type of Loss: Stillborn

More about Negar's Story: Negar explains her pregnancy as a textbook pregnancy until around 27 weeks gestation. At a routine appointment she was given the devastating news that her baby no longer had a heartbeat. Negar describes how losing her daughter plunged her into several months of deep grief. Listen as she describes how she pulled herself from that deep grief and what rebuilding a life after losing her daughter.

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