Sisters in Loss Podcast: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, & Infertility Stories

Do you know what a placental abruption is?

Placental Abruption is a serious pregnancy complication in which the placenta detaches from the womb (uterus). Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches from the inner wall of the womb before delivery. The condition can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding, belly pain, and back pain in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy. Depending on the degree of placental separation and how close the baby is to full-term, treatment may include bed rest or a cesarean section.

Today's guest experienced a placental abruption of her daughter. Leslie Damper found out she was becoming a mother in August 2020 and by November 2020 she was called home due to placental abruption. In this episode Leslie takes us back to the joy she experienced when finding out she was pregnant and to the day when she lost her baby girl. She shares in this episode how she overcame fear and weakness and how she is not giving up hope to become a mother again.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a placental abruption.

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Fertility is not just a birthing factor, sometimes it is male factor. Male infertility can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors may contribute to male infertility.

Today's guest shares her story with male factor infertility, going through IUI which resulted in a miscarriage, and having her rainbow baby. She knew her partner had a high probability of infertility due to his medical history. They started trying naturally and were unsuccessful so they went to a fertility specialist. Then they were formally diagnosed with male factor infertility azoospermia with less than 5% chance of having natural children. They then moved to third party reproduction and decided on using donor sperm. They were successful with their medicated IUI that resulted in their first child. When they tried for their second child the medicated IUI was successful but it resulted in miscarriage at 11 weeks gestation. In this episode, we discuss male factor infertility, how to find donor sperm for black and brown people, and recovery and healing from miscarriage.

This episode is for you to listen to if you and your partner have been diagnosed with male factor infertility or are considering searching for donor sperm for people of color.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep215

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Have you heard of the term myomectomy?

Myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus. It allows the uterus to be left in place and, for some women, makes pregnancy more likely than before. Myomectomy is the preferred fibroid treatment for women who want to become pregnant.

Today's guest experienced infertility and gave birth to her stillborn son at 28 weeks. Kima Tozay was diagnosed with Fibroids and endured a myomectomy surgery to remove her fibroids. She explored IVF that was unsuccessful and was able to get pregnant twice an early twin pregnancy loss and a 27 week stillbirth due to preeclampsia. In this episode Kima shares how she know helps advocate for those who have experienced infertility and pregnancy and infant loss and how she is keeping her son Jaxson's memory alive by spreading awareness about maternal and infant mortality in communities of color. We also discuss her next steps on her journey to motherhood that includes fostering to adopt.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced stillbirth or fibroids and have considered a myomectomy to remove them. This episode is for you to listen to if you have considered fostering to adopt as an option to grow your family.

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Have you been told you need to experience at least 2 or more miscarriages before seeing a fertility specialist?

Today's guest experienced that after going through a miscarriage, a chemical pregnancy loss, and another miscarriage the fertility clinic would determine there were no genetic abnormalities and nothing wrong with her remains. They suggested she lose weight and would run more tests after she lost half of the weight. Andrea Clark Horton didn't make it back to the fertility clinic because she found out she was pregnant. After losing 30 pounds, she became pregnant, and she left her role as a Labor Attorney and went back to school to obtain a Masters in Divinity. Andrea birthed her rainbow baby boy and changed careers to become a pastoral care counselor and chaplain responsible for supporting women and families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss or illness and other chronic or terminal illness. In today's episode Andrea takes us on her journey of miscarriages, D&Cs, getting the call from God to ministry and switching careers, going through divorce, and finding hope in helping others with her ministry All the Beautiful Pieces.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have been called to a higher purpose and have yet to surrender to this call. This episode is for you to listen to if you if you have experienced miscarriage or chemical pregnancy loss.

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After battling infertility for 10 years with Poly cystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS, today's guest delivered her baby at 27 weeks, spent 6 months in the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and lost her baby. Lianne Totty, went on to have another baby at 25 weeks who also spent time in the NICU and is now thriving. Her experience led her to writing her children's book "Baby went to Heaven" to help explain infant loss to children when her god daughter asked her where the baby was and she didn't know what to tell her. In this episode she takes us back to being diagnosed with PCOS, getting weight loss surgery, NICU experience, and PTSD from birth experiences. We discuss about feeling like your body has failed you and that you are being punished by not being able to bring a baby home.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a long road to parenthood and want to hear hope and resilience on this journey.

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Have you heard of preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys.

There may be no symptoms. High blood pressure and protein in the urine are key features. There may also be swelling in the legs and water retention, but this can be hard to distinguish from normal pregnancy.

Pre-eclampsia can often be managed with oral or IV medications until the baby is sufficiently mature to be delivered. This often requires weighing the risks of early delivery versus the risks of continued preeclampsia symptoms.

Today's guest is a survivor of preeclampsia, losing 2 babies prior to the birth of her daughter. Her first loss was due to misinformation about preeclampsia and her second was due to severe placental abruption that almost cost her life. Jaye Wilson thought motherhood was not really for her and doubted her worthiness in self and in her relationship. After birthing her two babies she went through divorce and rediscovered herself in a new form as a single mother. This inspired her to create her organization Melanited Moms to inspire others to find their voices in their own motherhood journey.

In this episode we discuss preeclampsia, signs and symptoms of preeclampsia, how she found her voice in her subsequent pregnancies and after divorce, and how she is helping Melanited Moms around the world.

Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep211

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It's My Birthday and 4 Year Podcast Episode! Today's episode is a solo episode where I catch you up on all the things happening with Sisters in Loss and celebrating my birthday on July 17th and 4 years of podcasting on August 2.

In this episode we discuss:

-Taking a solo vacation for my birthday

-Recapping this year so far for Sisters in Loss

-What is next for Sisters in Loss? Our 2021 Summit and Retreat in 2022!

This episode is for you to listen to celebrate my birthday and 4 years of podcasting. Stay tuned until the end of the episode for a special message.

For my birthday I would love for you to leave us a fresh review on your podcast medium.

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Today's guest became a mother at 19, and used her experiences to become a doula and fertility awareness method educator, and nutritionist. Barakah Sahaiel became pregnant and she and her partner went on vacation to celebrate this new journey. It was then she knew something was wrong and she began to miscarry. In this episode Barakah takes us on the journey of finding a hospital in another country, the language barrier, and how she honored her baby by taking them back home with her.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a miscarriage.

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Imagine going to your first prenatal appointment to find out your body was beginning to miscarry.

Today's guest found out she was pregnant and then began spotting before her first prenatal appointment. She explained to the doctors about the spotting and they performed an ultrasound. The ultrasound tech went to get the doctor to break the news that the pregnancy would not be viable. Abena Hill kept telling herself to be strong and brushed away her tears while in the doctor's office, but broke down crying in her car. In today's episode she takes us back to that moment of hearing those words. There is no heartbeat and this pregnancy is no longer viable, she makes the decision to birth at home instead of a D&C, and discusses the obstacles she has overcome as a result of her grief.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have ever miscarried at home or not in a hospitalized setting. This episode is for you to listen to understand how grief shows up in our bodies after loss.

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How many of us have prayed that Hannah prayer for a baby?

Today's guest, experienced 4 miscarriages and one stillbirth and is on a mission to inform others of pregnancy and infant loss and help parents who have lost their precious babies. Christina Williams is a PAIL advocate and CEO of C.H.L.O.E. her non profit organization around pregnancy and infant loss. After experiencing her stillbirth Christina had a partial hysterectomy as a result, and in this episode she shares her experiences with her miscarriages, and her book "The Baby I Prayed For, the Angel I Received."

This episode is for you to listen to if you have prayed for a baby and received an angel.

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