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

In today's episode we are discussing polycystic ovarian syndrome and incompetent cervix. Theresa Brown has been on her journey to motherhood since September 2018. She went off birth control and struggle to conceive due to her diagnosis with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome that caused her to miss periods, have unwanted facial hair, and difficulty losing weight. Theresa wanted to conceive naturally but it hadn't happened for years. She found out she was pregnant in February 2022 as a complete shock. She ended up losing the baby at 21.5 weeks due to incompetent cervix.

In today's episode Theresa takes us on her journey to conceiving with PCOS, having an incompetent cervix, and how therapy has helped her navigate continuing on her journey to become a mother.

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For years, Sisters in Loss has been a sacred space for storytelling, healing, and honoring life after pregnancy and infant loss.

Today, I'm sharing something new.

In this episode, I introduce you to Held Here — my new Substack publication — a space for deeper reflection, cultural commentary, faith, justice, womanhood, and what it means to navigate grief while living in a world that often refuses to see or hold Black women fully.

I'll share:

• Why I created Held Here

• How it expands (not replaces) Sisters in Loss

• A personal excerpt from my latest Black History Month issue

• How you can subscribe and support this next chapter

If you've ever needed a place to process what's happening in your personal life and in the world around you — this is for you.

Because healing doesn't only happen in therapy rooms.

It happens in community.

It happens in truth-telling.

It happens when we are held.

Subscribe to Held Here here: ericamichellefree.substack.com

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Today's guest experienced premature rupture of the membranes with her first pregnancy at 20 weeks gestation and was bedridden/hospitalized for 6 weeks to keep the pregnancy viable. Tabitha Pazmino delivered her daughter Gabriela Grace at 26 weeks and 2 days gestation. A week later Gabriela passed away due to Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC). This is a devastating intestional disease that primarily effects premature babies and has no cure. It disproporiationately effects Black and Brown babies.

In this episode, Tabitha shares her journey to motherhood, what it was like to be hospitalized bedridden, her NICU stay, and then burying her daughter. She discusses her why in starting a non-profit in honor of her daughter Gabriela and her rainbow baby pregnancy with cerclage.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced PPROM, infant loss, or are wanting hope as you try again for your rainbow baby.

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On today's episode we discuss recurrent pregnancy loss and listening and trusting your body. Today's guest Rachell Dumas, shares her journey to motherhood after experiencing nine pregnancy losses. Determined to turn her pain into purpose, Rachell created the nonprofit called A Light After Nine to provide families navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, and maternal trauma with the emotional, financial, and mental health resources they need.

Rachell takes us on her journey through her own advocacy to help ensure other families receive holistic, compassionate support from the bedside to the clinic and into their homes. Her goal is to bring light, hope, and resilience to families facing their darkest moments.

This episode is for your to listen to if you have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss and are looking for hope and healing.

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Black mothers in America often navigate a path layered with anxiety, fear, and concerns for their own wellness in a system that has too often failed them. This book captures that complex reality—where the intersection of race, gender, and motherhood brings both obstacles and profound moments of joy. Yet, amid every challenge, these mothers find strength, beauty, and grace as they push through to the other side.

With images from past and present and heartfelt stories, Moms In Focus reveals the diversity of Black motherhood, shattering stereotypes and showing that it is anything but a monolith. Each mother's journey is a story of transformation, whether through navigating infertility, enduring grief, altering generational curses, adjusting to change or embracing mental health support. Just as a lotus blooms from the mud, these mothers rise, reminding us that even during trying times, there is an extraordinary beauty in Pushing Thru.

In today's episode I sit down with Keisha and RaQuita who are phenomenal women in their own right, trailblazers in their respective fields. We discuss how they met, came together, and combine their expertise in storytelling and visual execution to bring the Moms in Focus Project to life—a powerful masterpiece that captures the essence of motherhood with intention and artistry.

Bios

Keisha Reaves is the clinical director and owner of Push Thru Therapy. She is a licensed mental health therapist who is also certified in perinatal mental health. Keisha Reaves, specializes in assisting birthing parents navigating diverse challenges, from fertility issues to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. In 2023 she completed her fellowship at Emory University's Psychoanalytic Institute. She also served on the Georgia Department of Public Health Maternal Mortality Review Committee. Keisha has also co-authored the published research study, Enhancing Obstetric Healthcare Providers' Knowledge of Black Maternal Mental Health: A Feasibility Study.

RaQuita Weathers is a professional photographer and creative strategist based in Atlanta, GA, celebrated for her expertise in personal branding and portrait photography. As the founder of Belle Rouge Photography, Flarehaus Creative Agency, and co-founder of Photography BAE Studios, RaQuita has dedicated her career to helping women of color tell their stories boldly and authentically through dynamic visual storytelling. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for empowering others, she creates visual narratives that resonate with authenticity and purpose. With a Master's degree in Business Administration and a background in Corporate Finance, RaQuita seamlessly combines her analytical expertise with artistic vision.

https://www.momsinfocusproject.com/

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Today's episode is a solo episode where I am sharing my new publication date for Never Healing Alone. All the things happening with Sisters in Loss and Sisters in Loss Foundation. My personal hobbies I'm exploring for 2026 and stepping into who I am becoming.

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After experiencing three losses today's guest felt ashamed and guilty of her grief as she experienced secondary infertility with already having two children.

Jessica Hortman had a spontaneous miscarriage in 2015 at 6 weeks, a miscarriage due to a submucosal fibroid at 10 weeks in 2016, two years years of not getting pregnant, and then finding out she had a fibroid in 50 percent of my uterus. After having the fibroid removed, Jessica had an ectopic pregnancy in 2018.

In today's episode Jessica takes us back on how she navigated her emotions of grief while still being a mother, and how she is overcoming secondary infertility.

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group

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Erica's Website

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After experiencing three losses today's guest felt ashamed and guilty of her grief as she experienced secondary infertility with already having two children.

Jessica Hortman had a spontaneous miscarriage in 2015 at 6 weeks, a miscarriage due to a submucosal fibroid at 10 weeks in 2016, two years years of not getting pregnant, and then finding out she had a fibroid in 50 percent of my uterus. After having the fibroid removed, Jessica had an ectopic pregnancy in 2018.

In today's episode Jessica takes us back on how she navigated her emotions of grief while still being a mother, and how she is overcoming secondary infertility.

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group

Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community

Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel

Sisters in Loss Instagram

Sisters in Loss Facebook

Sisters in Loss Twitter

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

Imagine being told that your baby had no fetal heartbeat one month from their due date? Today's guest Tomeka Isaac takes us back to that very moment where she and her husband were faced with the news no parent ever wants to hear that her son Jace was not going to make it. Then they were dealt another blow that she was diagnosed with H.E.L.L.P Syndrome (Hemolysis Elevated Liver Enzymes Low Platelet) which is pre-eclampsia on steroids and she was dying. This episode is for you to listen to if you have never heard of H.E.L.L.P. Syndrome and how God covers you so that you can survive and thrive after a near death birth experience.

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group

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In the medical world miscarriages are called spontaneous abortions, and in this community we have to learn how to extend grace to individuals who electively terminate their pregnancies no matter their choice. Join us this month as we explore abortion stories and how healing, grief, and shame can keep all of us bound.

When today's guest became pregnant with her daughter she sobbed to a friend "how was she going to take care of one when she had given up another" Latoya Mathews shares her abortion story, how post-partum depression along with guilt and shame of her abortion came alive after having her daughter, and how she has turned her pain into power by helping other post-abortive women eliminate shame, guilt, and regret of their abortions.

This episode is for you to listen to if you are ready to release the shame and stigma of having an abortion and want a community to help you.

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group

Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community

Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel

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Sisters in Loss Facebook

Sisters in Loss Twitter

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter