In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Ashley for a powerful story of high-risk pregnancy, trauma, and resilience. Ashley walks us through her experience carrying monoamniotic-monochorionic (mono-mono) twins, an extremely rare and high-risk type of twin pregnancy where both babies share a placenta and amniotic sac, significantly increasing the risk of cord entanglement and fetal demise.

From a shocking twin diagnosis to navigating weeks of inpatient monitoring, Ashley opens up about the impossible decisions she and her husband faced, the emotional toll of living in constant fear, and the gratitude and grief that coexisted throughout her pregnancy, birth, and NICU journey.

This episode shines a light on a lesser-discussed but deeply traumatic form of perinatal trauma: pregnancy trauma. Ashley’s story is a reminder of how layered, lonely, and long-lasting that trauma can be, and how community and connection can be a powerful part of healing.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

👶 Ashley’s unexpected diagnosis of mono-mono twins
📉 The emotional whiplash of joy and fear all at once
📆 The impossible decisions: inpatient monitoring, viability, and early delivery
🫣 The experience of living in constant fight-or-flight mode throughout pregnancy
🏥 Five weeks of inpatient care and finding support among other high-risk moms
🚨 The night it all changed: decels, a missed heartbeat, and a race to the OR
💔 Birth trauma, NICU trauma, and the grief that doesn’t end when the babies are okay
🧠 How hard it was to access mental health support, and why that must change
🫶 A full-circle moment: becoming a NICU mentor for other parents
🌈 What it means to hold joy, grief, and trauma all at once

Resources & Mentions:

📱 Follow along for more support and stories: @birthtraumamama
📚 Find postpartum mental health resources: birthtraumamama.com/resources

🎧 Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. If Ashley’s story resonated with you or helped you feel a little less alone, please share, rate, and review. It truly makes a difference.

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.