In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Betsey, a therapist, mother, and birth trauma survivor, to share her powerful and ongoing story of survival, advocacy, and rebuilding trust in the medical system.

Betsey’s pregnancy started off routine, until her daughter Mara’s heart rate began showing signs of distress at 39 weeks. What followed was a series of events that would forever change Betsey’s experience of birth and motherhood.

But Betsey’s trauma didn’t end in the delivery room. Her postpartum experience was marked by repeated medical dismissal, for both herself and her daughter, as she navigated months of unanswered questions, failure-to-thrive diagnoses, and a long fight to uncover the truth: a severe cow’s milk protein intolerance that had gone unnoticed by multiple providers.

As both a mental health therapist and a mother, Betsey brings unique insight into the emotional and psychological toll of birth trauma, medical gaslighting, and raising a medically complex child.

Together, Kayleigh and Betsey explore:

💔 The fear and chaos of an emergency C-section and NICU stay
🩺 How medical gaslighting and dismissal compound trauma
🧠 What it’s like to advocate for a child’s health while surviving your own
🤱 The toll of repeated mastitis, chronic pain, and emotional exhaustion
👩‍❤️‍👨 The ripple effects of trauma on marriage and family dynamics
🌱 How Betsey is finding healing through therapy, EMDR, and reconnection

Betsey’s story is a reminder that for many, birth trauma doesn’t end when the baby is born. It continues in every unanswered question, every dismissal, and every act of courage to speak up and be heard.

Resources & Links

💜 Connect with Kayleigh: @thebirthtrauma_mama

🌐 Learn more at HoldingHopePerinatal.com

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.