What does your anesthesiologist actually do during childbirth—and what happens behind the scenes when a delivery becomes high-risk?

In this episode of Raw Mama Talks, Ashley sits down with OB anesthesiologist Dr. Maria Sheikh for a conversation about the often-overlooked role of anesthesia in maternity care.

They talk about what the anesthesia team is watching for during labor and delivery, how they prepare for complications like hemorrhage and placenta accreta—a serious pregnancy complication now affecting approximately 1 in 272 pregnancies—and the split-second decisions happening behind the scenes that patients may never realize are being made.

Ashley and Dr. Sheikh also get into the way childbirth is portrayed on social media, the reality that even seemingly straightforward deliveries can change quickly, and why understanding risk doesn't have to mean approaching birth with fear.

They also discuss the human side of high-risk obstetrics—the emotional impact these deliveries can have on both patients and the medical professionals caring for them.

Whether you're preparing for birth, have experienced a complicated delivery, or have ever wondered who is behind the curtain keeping things running when the unexpected happens, this conversation offers a perspective we don't hear nearly enough.

In this episode:

• What an OB anesthesiologist actually does
• Anesthesia during childbirth and C-sections
• Why placenta accreta is becoming more common
• Hemorrhage and high-risk delivery preparation
• What happens when a birth changes unexpectedly
• Social media vs. the realities of childbirth
• The emotional side of high-risk obstetric care

If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to follow the show, share it with another mama who might need to hear it, and leave a review so other families can find these stories.

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Season 2 of Raw Mama Talks begins with an honest conversation about placenta accreta, high-risk pregnancy, and motherhood when things don’t go as planned.

In this episode, Ashley is joined by placenta accreta survivor Caroline, who was diagnosed during her second pregnancy. Together, they share a real, thoughtful conversation about fear, uncertainty, birth trauma, survival, and healing.

This episode is for anyone who has experienced placenta accreta, a high-risk pregnancy, or motherhood that looks different than expected.

Season 2 starts here.

If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to follow the show, share it with another mama who might need to hear it, and leave a review so other families can find these stories.

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Whew… what a season it’s been. When I started Raw Mama Talks, I never expected it to grow into the community it has — a space for real, unfiltered conversations about IVF, birth trauma, postpartum, and the unexpected sides of motherhood.

In this season finale, I’m taking a moment to pause and reflect — on what made me start, what I’ve learned from these stories, and how sharing my own journey opened doors for so many other mamas to do the same. I’m also talking about what’s next: a little break before Season 2, but don’t worry — Coffee & Confessions will still be brewing.

If you’ve been here since episode one, or you’re just finding us now — thank you. Your messages, your stories, your support… it’s meant everything. Season 2 is already shaping up to be bigger, deeper, and full of incredible new voices (and maybe a few surprises).

Stay tuned, mama — we’re just getting started.

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Welcome to Raw Mama Talks — a motherhood podcast all about overcoming the unexpected. Hosted by Ashley, an IVF mama and birth trauma survivor, this show dives into real, raw stories of pregnancy, recovery, and rediscovering yourself after everything changes. If you’ve ever felt unseen in your motherhood journey, this space is for you.

Not everyone feels that instant movie-moment bond after giving birth — especially when your delivery doesn’t go as planned. In this episode of Raw Mama Talks, I open up about my own journey with bonding after birth trauma, how long it took, and what I’ve learned along the way. We’ll talk about the emotional side of postpartum recovery, the quiet guilt so many moms feel, and how connection can grow in its own time. Whether your experience was unexpected or simply different than you imagined, this one’s a reminder that you’re not alone — and that love doesn’t always show up on a schedule.

Tune in for real, raw, and relatable motherhood stories — the ones we don’t always talk about but so many of us live through.

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October is Placenta Accreta Awareness Month — and today, I’m sharing my own journey with this life-threatening condition. Placenta accreta happens when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall, and in my case, it led to complications that forever changed my story of motherhood.

This episode is about more than my experience — it’s about why maternal health needs greater awareness, conversation, and support. I’ll also share where you can find resources, including the National Accreta Foundation and their online community for survivors and families.

If you’ve been impacted by placenta accreta, or you want to better understand the importance of maternal health awareness, I hope this episode makes you feel seen, supported, and less alone.

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Grab your coffee and join me for this week’s Coffee & Confessions, where I share a little more about my personal story with placenta accreta — a serious pregnancy complication. I talk about going through 19 ultrasounds without a diagnosis, the reality of facing the unexpected in motherhood, and how delivering at a specialized hospital saved my life.

In this episode, I also discuss why it’s important to raise awareness about accreta, why women should feel empowered to share their stories, and how knowledge can truly save lives. If you’re a mom, mom-to-be, or care about maternal health, this episode shines a light on the realities of pregnancy complications and the importance of speaking up.

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September is NICU Awareness Month. In this episode, I share my experience as a late preterm NICU mom. Our stay was short, but it left a lasting impact—full of worry, gratitude, and hope.

Listen in and, if this story resonates, leave a review or share it with someone who might need encouragement today.

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In this episode of Raw Mama Talks, Thea and her husband Austin share their small-town pregnancy journey through placenta previa, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and ultimately, placenta accreta. They open up about what it was like to face these high-risk pregnancy complications with limited medical resources, how they supported each other through the unexpected, and why they’re now passionate about advocating for other families navigating similar challenges. This powerful story highlights resilience, advocacy, and hope after placenta accreta.

If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to follow the show, share it with another mama who might need it, and leave a review so more families can find these stories.

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This week on Coffee + Confession, I’m sharing our very first trip with the baby—yes, we went to Disney! From planning every detail to packing just her diaper bag, it was a mix of adventure, chaos, and joy. I’ll talk about what went well, what I’d do differently, and a few confessions along the way.

We’ll also chat about my cozy morning coffee ritual (Café Bustelo + frothy milk + pumpkin spice, yes, I’m basic ) and a little mom reflection: how Disney’s baby centers are great, but what about family-friendly feeding spaces for all parents?

Grab your coffee and join me for a chat about first trips, little wins, and the priceless moments that make it all worth it.

Follow me @rawmamatalks and subscribe so you never miss a Coffee + Confession episode!

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