Resilient Birth

We are recording Season 3 of the Resilient Birth podcast. Meanwhile we have selected our favorite episodes for you. In this episode, Justine and Sarah are joined by Mara Tesler-Stein, a clinical psychologist and founder of the Touchstone Institute for Psychotherapy and Training. We talk about EMDR for the perinatal population, the impact on Mara's own perinatal journey as the parent of preemie twins on her professional career, and the experience of having a baby in the NICU.

Summary

Mara begins by sharing the Talmudic quote: “Someone who saves a single life is considered as if they have saved an entire world.” The conversation then delves into the topic of EMDR therapy and its benefits for the perinatal population. Mara explains that EMDR is a trauma-focused therapy that helps individuals process and integrate traumatic experiences. Mara shares her story including her perinatal  journey of preterm labor, extended hospital stay and preemie twins. We explore what it is like for parents who have had to navigate life with a baby in the NICU and the emotional aftermath of that. The conversation explores the three core tasks that parents face in and after a perinatal crisis: developing parental identity for the baby, managing emotions, and managing relationships. Mara share that he loss of innocence and loss of peer group are significant challenges that parents face in the aftermath of a perinatal crisis, but also reassures that with window for attachment stretches well beyond the hour or hours after birth.

Keywords

EMDR therapy, perinatal mental health, birth trauma, NICU, early development, attachment, perinatal crisis, parental identity, healthcare providers,

Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Quote

03:02 Understanding EMDR Therapy

06:01 The Power of Healing and Growth

10:06 The Impact of Trauma in the Perinatal Period

14:01 Navigating Medical Settings After NICU Trauma

15:40 Mara Shares Her Personal and Professional Story

24:56 The Three Core Tasks in a Perinatal Crisis

27:54 Challenges of Loss of Innocence and Peer Group

29:42 Navigating Relationships in a Perinatal Crisis

36:01 The Role of Healthcare Providers in Supporting Parents

40:03 The Importance of Acknowledging Parents' Input and Desires

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals

Mara Tesler Stein, Psy.D., PMH-C is a clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant and trainer in Chicago and Jerusalem. She is the founder and director of The Touchstone Institute for Perinatal
Training where she offers both foundational and advanced EMDR trainings which take deep
dives into the intersections and applications of EMDR and perinatal mental health.
Dr. Stein is a staunch advocate for trauma-focused care and is trained and certified in a range of
integrative trauma therapies. Dr. Stein is also certified in Emotion-Focused Family and Couple
Therapy, Brainspotting, is a Gottman Certified Therapist, and continues to deepen her training in
Clinical Hypnosis, Yoga-Informed treatment, Advanced applications of EMDR, and Ego-State
therapies.

She is the co-author (with Deborah Davis, Ph.D.) of Parenting Your Premature Baby and Child:
The Emotional Journey (Fulcrum, 2004) and Intensive Parenting: Surviving the Journey
Through the NICU (Fulcrum, 2013). She has also contributed book chapters in the areas of
perinatal loss, EMDR treatment, and trauma focused psychological care for NICU families.
Her trauma work is grounded in her personal perinatal journey, which began 28 years ago taking
her through infertility, twin pregnancy, prolonged hospital bedrest, the NICU, and years of
raising NICU graduates.

You can find her at www.touchstoneinstitute.org and at [email protected].

We are recording Season 3 of the Resilient Birth podcast. Meanwhile we have selected our favorite episodes for you. In this episode, we are joined  by Kate White, who talks intimately about integrating implicit memories and her experience supporting mothers and babies through trauma-informed somatic healing approaches. She starts our conversation, which explores what healing from perinatal trauma can look like when we take into account the baby's experience of birth and what is happening in the relationship between parent and infant, by quoting her mentors John and Anna Chitty.

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma in the perinatal period. Through an inspirational quote that drives the weekly content, Justine and Sarah explore various trauma areas with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Kate White is an award-winning educator and an advanced bodyworker. She is trained in somatic therapies, prenatal and perinatal somatic health, lactation, brain development, infant mental health, and has specialized in parent-baby dyad care using somatic prevention and trauma healing approaches for nearly 25 years. She is a mother of two children, holds a BA and MA in Communication, is a Registered Craniosacral Therapist in the Biodynamic Craniosacral method and a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner. Her work combines somatic trauma healing, energetic therapies, bodywork, pediatric therapies and education about the nervous system to help give families with babies and small children the best possible start. She is Founding Director of Education for the Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health where from 2013 – 2019 she created and ran the Prenatal and Perinatal Educator Certificate program, a large online educational program for professionals. She went on to found Prenatal and Perinatal Healing Online and the Prenatal and Perinatal Somatics Institute. She teaches classes online and in person, and offers a professional training called Integrated Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics. She has a private practice in Charlottesville, VA called Belvedere Integrated Healing Arts (belvederearts.com) and offers her own seminars through the Center for Prenatal and Perinatal Programs, ppncenter.com

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals

We are recording Season 3 of the Resilient Birth podcast. Meanwhile we have selected our favorite episodes for you. We hope you'll enjoy this rerun of Dissociation Reframed With Morning Alexander. In this episode Sarah and Justine's guest, Morning Alexander, a birth and postpartum doula and soon to be labor and delivery nurse, surprises us with a quote from Justine that she wrote on the Resilient Birth social media. She shares how Justine helped reframe dissociation for her, shifting the shame she her felt about experiencing dissociation during a traumatic birth experience.

Here are links to Justine's words about dissociation as a gift that helped her survive the unbearable and which starts our conversation today.

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/8kAecEYzfxjiki3p/?mibextid=WC7FNe

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CIga0x-ACQS/?igsh=MWhjYXdlcGRtcWE5ZA==

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma in the perinatal period. Through an inspirational quote that drives the weekly content, Justine and Sarah explore various trauma areas with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Morning Alexander has been supporting women in the perinatal period for over a decade and have been certified as a birth and postpartum doula for nearly 5 years. She has worked as a nurse tech in the Medical ICU for the past 4 years and is graduating this summer with my BSN and will be working as a labor and delivery nurse, with the ultimate goal of becoming a certified nurse midwife. Morning has a history of childhood trauma that was largely undealt with until after the births of her children. She had a very traumatic birth with her firstborn but it wasn’t until years later, as she was diving deeper into birth and trauma training that she came to understand her own experiences. Through her continuing education and years of therapy, she has found not only healing and wholeness but a deep passion for being trauma-informed as a provider and supporting other women in finding healing and empowerment in their births.

Learn more about our course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals

Keywords: miscarriage, grief, loss, holidays, grieving rituals, perinatal trauma.

How do we cope with the profound pain of miscarriage and loss during a season often associated with joy and togetherness? Why does the holiday season intensify our grief, and how can we navigate cultural expectations that demand we put on a brave face?

In this heartfelt episode, Justine Leach and Sarah Adelmann delve into the deeply personal and often unspoken experience of miscarriage, loss, and trauma, especially as they intersect with the holiday season. Justine opens the conversation with a poignant quote by Zeynep Gurtin, "A moment that changed me: My miscarriages were devastating – but an orca gave me comfort and hope", setting the tone for an in-depth discussion on the unique challenges of grieving during a time traditionally filled with celebration.

They explore why grief feels particularly acute during the holidays and the societal pressures to appear cheerful despite personal sorrow. The discussion highlights the importance of acknowledging and honoring one's loss, the role of rituals in the grieving process, and the often-overlooked grief for the loss of an imagined future.

By addressing losses that are not always recognized by society, Justine and Sarah emphasize the need for supportive spaces where individuals can authentically express their grief. This episode underscores the significance of allowing oneself to fully experience and process grief and the critical role of community and support during such times. At the end Sarah mentions the book Healing Your Grieving Heart After Miscarriage: 100 Practical Ideas for Parents and Families by Alan Wolfelt.

We are hosting a FREE training on Trauma and the Perinatal Journey on Dec 2 at 9am EST live on Zoom. The training will be recorded so he hope you will still sign up even if the time does not work for you: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/pl/2148550678

Takeaways

Recognition of Miscarriage:

Cultural Expectations:

The Role of Rituals:

Varied Manifestations of Grief:

Importance of Support:

Challenges of the Holiday Season:

Self-Reflection for Better Support:

 On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

We are hosting a FREE training on Trauma and the Perinatal Journey on Dec 2 at 9am EST live on Zoom. The training will be recorded so he hope you will still sign up even if the time does not work for you: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/pl/2148550678

Keywords: obstetric violence, labor and delivery nurse, healthcare, moral injury, patient advocacy, maternity care, trauma-informed care, healthcare hierarchy, nursing ethics, healthcare ethics, obstetric care, mistreatment, nursing advocacy.

In this episode of the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah welcome Melissa Anne Dubois, an experienced perinatal nurse and childbirth educator. The conversation explores the themes of leadership in nursing, the importance of advocacy for patients, and the challenges faced by nurses in a hierarchical healthcare system. Melissa shares her insights on obstetric violence, moral injury, and the emotional toll of advocating for patient-centered care in a system that causes significant challenges for nurses who want to speak up on behalf of the patients and provide trauma-informed care. The discussion highlights the importance of supporting labor and delivery nurses in their roles as advocates for birthing people. In this conversation, Melissa Anne discusses the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers and the importance of acknowledging obstetric violence and mistreatment in maternity care. She emphasizes the importance of being a leader among nurses and advocating for patients wants and desires, evidence based care, and trauma-informed care, while also acknowledging the very real professional consequences of doing so.

Takeaways

 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Resilient Birth Podcast

08:49 Understanding Obstetric Violence

18:19 Moral Injury in Nursing

26:15 The Ethics of Healthcare Practice

32:32 Acknowledging Mistreatment in Healthcare

37:49 Navigating the Tension in Nursing Advocacy

46:50 Connecting to Community in Nursing

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Melissa Anne is an experienced perinatal nurse living in Central Massachusetts with her husband and three children. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Nursing in 2006 and has worked in a variety of perinatal settings since 2007 including: in-patient labor and delivery, high-risk obstetrics, outpatient OB-GYN, homebirth, and postpartum home health. Melissa Anne became a childbirth educator in 2011 and a lactation counselor in 2014. She currently teaches childbirth classes for babiesincommon.com while she pursues her PhD in nursing. Her research interests include obstetric violence and moral injury in perinatal nurses and she plans to work as a nurse researcher and professor after defending her dissertation.

A useful article of Moral Injury in Maternity Care Providers: Kendall-Tackett K and Beck CT (2022) Secondary Traumatic Stress and Moral Injury in Maternity Care Providers: A Narrative and Exploratory Review. Front. Glob. Womens Health 3:835811. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.835811

Here are some of the resources Melissa Mentions during the episode

Mandy Irby: https://mandyirby.com/

Birth Monopoly: https://birthmonopoly.com/

Evidence Based Birth: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/

Keywords: birth trauma, breastfeeding, maternal health, postpartum care, lactation consultant, hospital policies, trauma recovery, maternal bonding, cesarean birth story, NICU birth story.

In this episode of the Resilient Birth Podcast, Justine and Sarah welcome Erin Northrup, an international board certified lactation consultant, to discuss the profound impact of birth trauma on breastfeeding and maternal mental health. Erin shares her personal experiences with birth trauma after a cesarean under general anesthesia and separation from her baby who was taken to the NICU, emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of childbirth. The reason for her cesarean turned out, on further investigation after the birth, to be based on a misdiagnosis, confirming the suspicion she highlights in the episode. The conversation explores the importance of recognizing and addressing the emotional needs of mothers during and after birth, as well as the long-term effects of trauma on families. Erin advocates for better support systems and policies that honor the maternal bond and emotional wellbeing of birthing individuals. This conversation delves into the profound impact of birth trauma on breastfeeding experiences, particularly focusing on the emotional and psychological challenges faced by mothers. The speakers discuss the importance of listening to mothers' voices, the interconnectedness of birth experiences and breastfeeding, and the need for advocacy in healthcare. Erin shares her research findings, highlighting the overwhelming response from participants and the emotional weight of their stories of breastfeeding after birth trauma. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of recognizing the complexities of maternal health and the importance of support systems for new parents.

Takeaways

Sound Bites

 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Birth Trauma and Support

02:57 The Interconnectedness of Birth Experiences

05:55 Personal Story of Birth Trauma

08:54 The Impact of Hospital Policies on Birth Experiences

12:04 The Emotional Aftermath of Birth Trauma

15:08 The Long-Term Effects of Birth Trauma

17:47 Finding Strength Through Adversity

21:01 The Importance of Maternal Bonding

23:54 Reflection on Healing

25:58 The Fracture of Trust in Healthcare

28:48 The Impact of Birth Trauma on Maternal Experience

32:58 Research Insights on Birth Trauma and Breastfeeding

38:56 Navigating Personal Trauma Through Research

44:00 The Interconnectedness of Experience and Healing

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Erin Northrup is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant dedicated to educating and
supporting families who wish to breastfeed after experiencing birth trauma. She has a BA in Psychology
and a Masters in Applied Health Services Research (MAHSR) from the University of New Brunswick
where she conducted a qualitative study on the lived experience of breastfeeding after birth trauma.
Erin’s own journey with birth trauma began in 2009, when she experienced a traumatic birth with the
birth of her first child. Since then, she has been a vocal advocate for maternal infant health and a
compassionate supporter of parents through pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond.

One of Erin's key goals is to educate perinatal professionals about the impacts of birth trauma and the
importance of respectful, ethical lactation care. She believes that by raising awareness and sharing
evidence-based information, we can enhance the quality of care for families who have faced these
challenges. A mother of five wonderful children and a long time La Leche League Leader, Erin is a firm
believer in the necessity of trauma-informed care throughout the perinatal period, from preconception
to weaning.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals 

Keywords: abortion, perinatal care, women's rights, personal choice, government intervention, healthcare access, miscarriage, reproductive rights, trauma, maternal death

Justine and Sarah recorded this episode of the Resilient Birth podcast on abortion access and abortion care the day before the election in the US. At the time of recording, we thought we'd be releasing it after the results were known, but the topic felt so vital to this current moment, that we decided to release it on the day of recording as our first emergency podcast. We hope that our conversation today opens your hearts to the experiences of women who need access to medical care, whether that is to save their lives or to make the choices that are right for themselves and their babies. Sarah begins our conversation by sharing a quote by John Legend who lost his son Jack when his wife needed an abortion to save her life, and who has spoken up against the government being the ones to decide women are "sufficiently dying" before they are given life saving care. In this episode, Sarah also explores the powerful stories from the On Point podcast episode called “The Truth About Perinatal Hospice Care”. This podcast lifts the veil on perinatal hospice care and reveals the truth about the loving decisions families are making to honor their babies and their brief lives. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassion, understanding, and the recognition of women's rights in making personal health decisions. They also highlight the emotional weight of these decisions and the dangerous implications of restricting access to abortion care which has already resulted in maternal deaths in the United States.

Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Abortion Access

06:02 The Importance of Abortion Access

08:54 Perinatal Hospice Care: A Compassionate Approach

12:11 The Emotional Weight of Decision-Making

15:04 Misconceptions About Abortion Care

18:05 The Role of the Election in Abortion Rights

21:07 The Broader Implications of Abortion Access

23:57 Personal Stories and Their Impact

26:54 The Deadly Consequences of Delayed Medical Care

30:03 The Need for Comprehensive Understanding

33:11 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals 

Keywords: birth plans, informed consent, birth preferences, healthcare communication, obstetric care, birth experience, birth trauma, obstetrics, patient care, unconditional positive regard, healthcare relationships

In this conversation, Justine Leach, Ph.D. and Sarah Adelmann, L.M.H.C.,  discuss birth plans, emphasizing the need for a more holistic approach that incorporates the emotional and relational aspects of the birthing experience. Justine begins by sharing the findings of a recent article that asks whether the topics given to women on birth plan templates in Spain include what really matters to them. Justine and Sarah then critique the traditional focus on medical procedures and interventions, advocating for a shift towards understanding the feelings and emotional needs of birthing individuals. The discussion highlights the importance of informed consent, continuity of care, and the need for healthcare providers to foster a deeper connection with their patients to enhance the overall birthing experience. The conversation gets heated when Justine shares another article she read in preparation for the episode in which an obstetrician advocates for more flexibility from birth givers through creating birth preferences rather than birth plans. Justine and Sarah express their frustration with this obsterician's point of view and share their belief that his interpretation of the cause of challenging communication with patients and birth trauma is misplaced. The discussion highlights the significance of unconditional positive regard in healthcare and the necessity not only of creating better communication tools for birth givers to express their needs and concerns effectively, but also of providers understanding their role and responsibility in support birth givers in feeling seen, heard, and in control during birth.

Artieta-Pinedo, I., Paz-Pascual, C., Garcia-Alvarez, A. et al. Does the birth plan match what is relevant to women? Preferences of Spanish women when giving birth. BMC Women's Health 24, 42 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02856-5

Mohan, R., Abdalla, M. A reflective practice on difficult communication: an obstetrician’s perspective on birth plan versus birth preferences. Discov Health Systems 3, 77 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44250-024-00129-y

Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Birth Plans: A Critical Examination

09:44 The Emotional Landscape of Birth Plans

20:14 Rethinking Birth Plans: From Procedures to Feelings

29:14 Understanding Birth Experiences and Communication

36:03 The Role of Providers in Birth Decisions

43:01 Unconditional Positive Regard in Care

47:47 Creating Better Communication Tools for Birth Givers

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals

In this conversation, Justine Leach, Ph.D. and Sarah Adelmann, L.M.H.C., explore the themes of connection, vulnerability, and trust within the context of perinatal healthcare, particularly in pregnancy and birth. Sarah begins with a quote by President Barack Obama from his book A Promised Land. They discuss the importance of deep listening from OBs and midwives, and the challenges of building trust in a hospital system that often feels disconnected. The conversation emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to recognize the weight of the questions they ask and the vulnerability being demanded of their clients and patients, advocating for a more compassionate and present approach to care.

Keywords: connection, vulnerability, healthcare, trust, birth, trauma, listening, trauma-informed care, maternity care, prenatal care.

Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Connection

05:40 Building Trust in Healthcare

11:12 Vulnerability and Invitation

16:11 The Weight of Disclosure

21:45 Recognizing Vulnerability in Questions

27:01 The Role of Presence in Care

30:31 Possibilities Through Connection

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals

In this episode of the Resilient Birth Podcast, Justine Leach and Sarah Adelmann delve into the complex interplay between trauma, birth experiences, and the importance of consent and validation in therapeutic settings. Justine shares her personal journey of navigating her traumatic birth experience as a survivor of sexual assault, highlighting the disconnect between what she wanted for her birth and the reality of her experience. Justine shares how a lack of consent during her birth mirrored her experience of rape through stripping her of her sense of autonomy and control and how this aspect of her birth trauma was not recognized by her therapist at the time. The conversation emphasizes the need for therapists and medical providers to listen deeply, validate experiences, and honor the autonomy of individuals during birth.

 Keywords: birth trauma, sexual assault, rape, consent, listening, validation, therapy, counseling.

Takeaways

Chapters

00:00 Connecting Sexual Violence to Birth Trauma and the Failure to Listen

03:07 The Role of Consent in Birth

06:12 The Importance of Listening and Validation

12:12 A Fantasy of Reclaiming Power in Birth

15:00 The Impact of Medical Interventions Without Consent

20:59 Grief and the Birth Experience

24:00 The Power of Vulnerable Sharing

26:57 Understanding the Complexity of Birth Stories

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals