Cindy discusses her 5th pregnancy which ended in a loss via ectopic pregnancy. She opens up about her journey, how the Creighton Method and Napro Technology helped her see the red flags in this pregnancy. She talks about advocating for herself with multiple physicians. We discuss postoperative recovery and the grief that came from this loss. We discuss the importance of mental health, healing and good friends. This type of loss is hard to overcome, it feels like a cycle of hope that ends in heartbreak. We hope this story, that was hard to share, helps someone out there that needs to hear these words. You are never alone in your experiences, it is so very important to hold onto that sentiment in your darkest of days. You are loved.

Alex speaks to us about losing her infant daughter, Noel, 10 years ago. At 19 weeks pregnant she received the devastating news that her daughter had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) and would not survive long after birth. When given the option to terminate her pregnancy, Alex made the decision to “carry her child to her death”. Her daughter was taken home on hospice and lived for 15 days. We discuss navigating grief, how grief challenged her marriage, parenting after loss and therapy. Alex and her husband have gone on to have 2 more daughters she shares with us how to incorporate their sister in their lives. She discusses the dichotomy of joy and grief. We know Alex’s story will touch many lives and we are so thankful for her honesty.

“There are times when I see my girls holding hands, playing togerher and I cry. That is joy and grief coexisting. I am fully taking in that moment, that my two living daughters are here, but I’m also very aware that my first born is not here, and that’s ok.”

In honor of Noel (April 22 - May 11, 2013)

We speak to Ale, a mother of 4 small children, married to her high school sweetheart and currently a doctoral student. We talk about her postpartum journeys and how she navigated postpartum depression. She also takes us through her breastfeeding journey, getting mastitis 6 times, seek the appropriate resources in the community, and her breast milk donations to NICU babies. Follow her and her family on IG: @alebbyy_ and @hdz_familyy.

I would also like to add links to the resources we mentioned in the podcast:

The Breastfeeding Garden: https://www.facebook.com/BreastfeedingGarden/

Mother’s Milk Bank

https://milkbank.org/

On this week’s episode we talk to a Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse. She has been a nurse since 2018 and worked in L&D units in El Paso before starting her travel nursing career. She talks to us about how her travel assignments have differed from her work in El Paso as well as how they have shaped her views on physiological and unmedicated birth. We talk about some tips for women who are giving birth in El Paso. We talk about potential limits as a nurse and working for the hospital and within the hospital system. Disclaimer: The views expressed are not to be taken as medical advice of any kind based sheerly on the experiences our guest has had in the years she’s been working.

We explain why we have taken a break from the pod (as Cindy’s dad would call it). Cindy lost her dad and grandma in the span of 2 months. Karla also talks about losing her mom almost 11 years ago. We hope our vulnerability helps anyone who has experienced loss or knows someone that has. To our mom and dad, we love you you are our angels and you live through us and our kids. Rest in peace.

We talk with Lauren. She’s 29 years old married with two children. She tells us her birth stories, her son was born in the hospital, she became a doula and when she was pregnant with her daughter she knew she’d want a home birth. She talks about both experiences as well as her passion for birth work. We talk a bit about doula life and placenta encapsulation. If you’d like to contact her follow her on Instagram: @ladyyleebirthco and @_ladyylee

We speak to Marcy a 29 year old El Paso native, mom to a 6 year old son. She is also a proud surrogate and currently 4 1/2 weeks postpartum. We are so honored to have her share her surrogacy journey. We discuss her pregnancy and postpartum with her son and compare it to her pregnancy/postpartum as a surrogate. She also talks about her husband’s reaction and ultimately how he supported her through this. We talk about how she explained this to her son and how they incorporated him through the experience. She provides great information for those that have ever considered being surrogates and is excited to be a resource for those women. You can reach out to her on Instagram: @marcyy_raee.

Molly Talks about Raising Children with Autism 

We’re excited to share this episode with our community. Thank you @mreyes1831 for sharing your experience as a mother advocating for your children with Autism and providing assistance to the community. 

She talks about building a community for families to support each other with Autism

The importance of being the voice for your children when seeking help and resources

The joys and challenges of this journey and the importance of finding community.

We talk with Kevin (Karem’s husband from episode 5). He talks in depth about male infertility and their journey with IVF. He gives us insight into the stigma of infertility as well as how he handled the journey with his wife’s help. We also have him tell us the story of the birth of their daughter. He also talks about how postpartum and adjusting to fatherhood was for him!

Feel free to contact Kevin through his Instagram if you have any questions about his journey: @kevlambo

Follow Teresa here: https://linktr.ee/Teresa.C.Urbina and visit her website https://www.teresacurbina.com