Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of pregnancy loss/miscarriage, medical emergencies, emergency C-section, and postpartum mental health struggles, including Perinatal/ postpartum OCD. Please take care while listening, and skip ahead or sit this one out if these topics don't feel safe for you right now.
In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my journey through pregnancy loss, a birth that didn't go according to plan, and the postpartum mental health challenges that followed. From an early miscarriage while traveling to an emergency C-section during the birth of my daughter Daisy, I share the medical realities, emotional aftermath, and hard-won lessons on trusting healthcare providers, letting go of control, and healing — both physically and mentally — after birth.
This conversation is for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss, is preparing for birth, or is navigating the often-unspoken realities of postpartum mental health.
- Pregnancy loss and its emotional impact
- Medical emergencies during childbirth
- The importance of trusting healthcare providers
- Postpartum mental health and postpartum OCD
- Birth plan expectations vs. reality
- Healing from a C-section and postpartum recovery
- Lessons on control and trust in the birth process
- The impact of pregnancy on mental health
- Postpartum care and self-compassion
Episode Quotes:
"I felt so much shame I did not expect."
"Trust the healthcare providers, they are the experts."
"My birth was not what I wanted, but I am okay."
If you're currently struggling with your mental health during pregnancy or postpartum, please reach out to your healthcare provider — you deserve support.
If this episode resonated with you and you're looking for support with your own hormone health, fertility, or postpartum journey, I'd love to work with you 1:1.
👉 Book a discovery call: https://l.bttr.to/k7yxt
For more evidence-based content on hormone health, including my ongoing meal plan series, subscribe to my Substack:
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pregnancy loss, childbirth, postpartum, mental health, medical emergency, birth story, miscarriage, postpartum depression, healing, hormone health
The Period Chats Podcast is hosted by me, Kate — helping women navigate hormone health with evidence-based, honest conversation.
Episode Summary Key Topics Covered:
00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode
01:03 Pregnancy loss experience and emotional response
02:11 Travel, pregnancy, and early signs of miscarriage
03:37 Medical care and initial diagnosis in New York
04:13 Emotional aftermath — feelings of shame and anger
05:08 Learning about miscarriage statistics and fertility
06:03 Pregnancy with Daisy and mental health challenges
07:20 Pregnancy OCD and mental health during pregnancy
08:52 Daisy's breech position and birth preparations
09:46 Birth plan, birth classes, and control issues
10:37 Daisy's position changes and anxiety about her health
11:30 Labor onset, hospital stay, and medical interventions
13:45 Labor progression and the decision for an epidural
16:37 Labor complications and emergency C-section
18:15 Birth of Daisy and postpartum recovery
19:20 Postpartum challenges, blood pressure, and NICU stay
20:45 Reflections on the birth experience and lessons learned
21:41 Postpartum healing, mental health, and self-care
23:53 Returning to practice and future plans
25:21 Closing thoughts and upcoming episodes
