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

What happens when the heartbeat stops? What happens when doctors say "there is nothing we can do?"

Today's guest experienced two miscarriages outside of the hospital one at a rental car facility and the other at home. JaRonda Dockett has Sickle Cell Anemia and was considered high risk because of the blood disease, being diagnosed with gestational diabetes and bacterial vaginosis when she became pregnant. She went to take her rental car back to the facility and miscarried in their restroom. JaRonda shares in this episode how she had to process her grief and learn her loss was a birth, finding out she was pregnant again and overcoming the trauma of her first loss, and miscarrying her second baby at home. She turns her pain into purpose by sharing her experiences in her book When the Heartbeat Stops.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have Sickle Cell Anemia, have been considered high risk, and want to know what do you do When the Heartbeat stops?

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When you suffer the loss of a baby there is no formula or checklist to grieve and heal. Grief is such a unique journey that presents itself differently in each individual. Life After Loss can be a roller coaster of emotions filled with anxiety, anger, sadness, and love frustrated.

Today's guest is using her loss experience to bring light and truth to the struggles faced by black and brown women as they quietly struggle through miscarriage, infant loss, and infertility. Theresa Mitchell is using her story to create a documentary on Life After Loss and in this episode she shares how she suffered three miscarriages, had her rainbow baby, and discusses the struggles, complications, and inadequate care black and brown birthing people face in hospitals and wellness centers all over America and the world.

Today's episode if you want to know how to navigate Life After Loss. Be sure to check out the show notes for a Free Downloadable Life After Loss guide HERE!

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Endometriosis or Endo, as some of us like to call it, is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus, often resulting in chronic pain and other symptoms. It's not very widely understood, so seeing other people who understand it is like finding gold.

In today's episode we are discussing advocacy around endometriosis. Today's guest was diagnosed with endometriosis At the age of 24, Samantha Sanders @_samanthadenae_ was diagnosed with Endometriosis and has since began her mission to educate young ladies and women around the world. We discuss how Black people are less likely to get our endometriosis diagnosed, how doctors are less likely to believe us about our pain, and how Endometriosis can overlap with other conditions that Black people are more likely to have.

This episode is for you to listen to learn more about Endometriosis and how you can be an advocate for yourself and others.

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After being diagnosed with PCOS and having her thyroid removed today's guest knew there would be challenges to becoming a mother. Without trying Sasha Palin was able to get pregnant. Unfortunately at 7 weeks she began spotting and miscarried at 9 weeks. Sasha did not receive favorable care as a result of her miscarriage, no sympathy, being brushed off, and no one there to explain exactly what was happening to her body. She felt alone.

In this episode Sasha takes us back to those moments of pain of miscarrying at home, she shares what PCOS and thyroid removal and the miracle conception, and how she researched and learned to advocate for herself and is now becoming a Doula with Sisters in Loss.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced not being listened to or acknowledged during childbirth including miscarriage. This episode is for you to listen to if you are interested in becoming a Sisters in Loss doula.

Today's episode is sponsored by AVA Women. Our listeners receive $20 off the AVA fertility tracker using code AVASISTERS. Go to avawomen.com and use the code AVASISTERS for $20 off the fertility tracker.

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May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness month today's episode focuses on Postpartum Depression.

Postpartum Depression is defined as depression that occurs after childbirth. Those who develop postpartum depression are at greater risk of developing major depression later on in life. Symptoms might include insomnia, loss of appetite, intense irritability, and difficulty bonding with the baby. Untreated, the condition may last months or longer. Treatment can include counseling, antidepressants, or hormone therapy.

Today's guest experienced Postpartum depression after having her first son and didn't believe in it until it happened to her. Shirley Hargett did not know she was experiencing postpartum depression and was ashamed to get the help she needed. She showed up to her son's pediatrician office for an appointment he did not have and they reached out to her OB/GYN to get the help she needed. After surviving through PPD Shirley went on to have another child, and experienced loss of a daughter and miscarrying identical twins in which she experienced postpartum depression again.

In this episode, Shirley takes us back to the signs and symptoms she experienced with postpartum depression, gives us the warning signs on how it shows up after loss, and grieving with PPD.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced Postpartum depression, loss, and want to know the signs and symptoms and how to seek help.

Today's episode is sponsored by AVA Women. Our listeners receive $20 off the AVA fertility tracker using code AVASISTERS. Go to avawomen.com and use the code AVASISTERS for $20 off the fertility tracker.

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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman's hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes their body to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.

Since childhood, today's guest knew that she wanted to become a mother. However, in 2007, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Tipping the scale at an alarming 419 pounds, her chances of becoming a mother were nonexistent until she decided to have bariatric surgery. In 2017, Kameika Hinson, became pregnant before losing her baby to a miscarriage. Although heartbroken, her calling from God to help others became clear.

In today's episode, Kameika takes us back to being diagnosed with PCOS, how she made the decision to have bariatric surgery, the excitement of getting pregnant, and miscarrying her son Jeremiah.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have PCOS, have considered weight loss surgery, and turn your pain into purpose with a nonprofit in memory of your angel baby.

Today's episode is sponsored by AVA Women. Our listeners receive $20 off the AVA fertility tracker using code AVASISTERS. Go to avawomen.com and use the code AVASISTERS for $20 off the fertility tracker.

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Today's episode is a Bonus Episode where we discuss the COVID Vaccine in detail with our sponsor Ava Women.

We discuss with Brianna Goodale, PhD scientist and Managing Director of AVA-COVID. In this episode we share:

• Guidelines and recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant birthing people and those Trying to Conceive
• How the COVID-19 Vaccine works
• Existing data on how each vaccine has affected pregnant birthing people, their babies, and those TTC
• COVID-19 vaccination while pregnant, breastfeeding, and antibodies affect baby
• How black people and people of color being affected by COVID-19 and the vaccination efficacy

Our listeners receive $20 off the AVA fertility tracker using code AVASISTERS. Go to avawomen.com and use code AVASISTERS for $20 off.

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This upcoming Sunday and Second Sunday in May, the world stops to honor and celebrate moms around the world. Families splurge on greeting cards, flowers, gifts, fun traditions, and lavish meals to show the motherly figures in their lives how much they are loved.

I can't think of anyone more deserving on Mother's Day than a mother who had to give her child back.

Today's episode is a solo episode celebrating 200 episodes. I share ways you can honor your angel this Mother's Day and my White House experience.

Our listeners receive $20 off the AVA fertility tracker using code AVASISTERS. Go to avawomen.com and use code AVASISTERS for $20 off.

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April is Sisters in Loss Infertility Awareness Month! All month long we will be highlighting infertility stories and journey's.

Black Maternal Health week was April 11-17 and Infertility Awareness Week is April 18-24. This week we are talking about reproductive health.

Did you know that some midwives specialize in high risk births and pregnancy after loss or infertility?

Today's guest is a Certified Nurse Midwife and founder of Sakina Health who partners with birthing families to inspire them to become savvy birthers. After spending nearly two decades as a midwife with nearly 1000 births in the hospital, birth center, and home, Takiya Ballard knows what it truly means to offer a unique type of healthcare that is unbiased and respectful in every way.

In this episode we deep dive into the State of Black Maternal Health, we discuss the differences between midwifery and doulas, her podcast The Savvy Black Birther, and creating the right birth team for us as black women.

This episode is for you to listen to if you want to learn how to create the right birth team for you, the differences of midwifery and doulas, and how you can take control of your reproductive health.

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April is Sisters in Loss Infertility Awareness Month! All month long we will be highlighting infertility stories and journey's.

Have you heard of the term diminished ovarian reserve?

Women diagnosed with diminished ovarian reserve have the same reduced success of conceiving with in vitro fertilization (IVF) as they do with natural efforts to conceive. In addition, women with DOR often have a greater risk of miscarriage when conceiving via IVF with their own eggs due to lower egg quality.

Today's guest was diagnosed with diminished ovarian function after researching if she was a good candidate for egg freezing. Leah Forney had a missed miscarriage that led to having a D&C. After grieving the death of her fiance she realized her menstruation cycle was more frequent that once a month. Her OB/GYN told her she had a massive fibroid and uterine cysts that was contributing to her frequent and heavy menstruation.

In today's episode Leah shares her journey to egg freezing and finding out she had 7 eggs left at 33 years old. She shares her grief from losing a baby, losing her fiance, and losing the ability to conceive naturally. Leah also shares her hopes in becoming a mother through IVF, donor eggs and sperm and adoption.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have been diagnosed with diminished ovarian function.

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