Welcome to the ChildLife On Call podcast, where I, Katie Taylor, sit down with Kayleigh Koehler, a certified child life specialist, to discuss her journey as a medical mom and a child life specialist in a cardiac ICU. Join us as we dive into Kayleigh's personal story, from her gut intuition during pregnancy to her son's diagnosis, and the emotional challenges she faced along the way. We explore the importance of trusting gut intuition, the complexities of navigating the healthcare system as a parent, and the impact of personal experiences on professional practice. Whether you're a child life specialist, nurse, doctor, or any healthcare professional working with pediatric patients, this episode will provide you with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the emotional journey of becoming a medical mom. Get ready to be inspired and gain a new perspective on supporting families through challenging medical experiences.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Delve into the empathetic journey of a child life specialist turned medical mom and the untold lessons it brings.

• Learn the underrated power of trusting gut instincts during pregnancy for improved health decisions.

• Acknowledge the challenges and rewards of juggling roles as a child life specialist and a parent to a child with a cardiac defect.

• Dissect the fight for children's rights in healthcare and the persistence it requires to make a change.

• Unpack the emotional turmoil in parenting and its impact on one's personal identity in exigent situations.

My special guest is Kayleigh Koehler

Our guest today, Kayleigh Koehler, paints a picture of resilience and determination in her unique personal and professional journey. From her early days being a carefree high school lover with her husband, Mitch, to becoming a mother to their vibrant son, Hudson - she personifies strength. Alongside the joys and challenges of parenting, Kayleigh also stars as a certified child life specialist working passionately in a cardiac ICU. When they discovered Hudson's heart condition, her professional and personal life merged in an unprecedented way. This transformative experience endowed Kayleigh with a profound understanding of patient care, advocacy, and resilience. Her story is a testament to her unbreakable spirit.

The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 - Introduction, 00:03:59 - Colliding Worlds, 00:06:20 - Identity Shift, 00:08:55 - Gut Intuition, 00:12:11 - Anatomy Scan, 00:14:57 - The Moment of Knowing, 00:18:08 - Feeling Angry and Resentful, 00:19:36 - Coming to Terms with the Diagnosis, 00:21:42 - Living in the Messiness, 00:28:22 - Giving Permission for Imperfection,

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