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

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. All month long we are discussing Life After Loss. In today's episode we have Renee' Coakley a Certified Holistic Health Coach who shares about Healthy Living After Loss. Renee' experienced a stillbirth of her son in February 2017 at 36 weeks gestation due to placenta abruption. Renee' helps transcend women through their motherhood journey, to live a life of holistic mindfulness. In this episode Renee' shares how her stillbirth lead her to the work of holistic heath and how we should be living healthy lives after loss.

Renee' Coakley's Bio

Renee' Ashley, a soon-to-be certified holistic health coach. I'll be focusing on elevating women to live a life of mindfulness through their hormonal balance. Currently, I focus on sharing holistic living through lifestyle, wellness, and self-care.

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October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. All month long we are discussing Life After Loss. In today's episode we have Alishia Anderson who shares her stillbirth story and her new memoir Still Here: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph After Stillbirth. On January 15, 2016, at 28 weeks pregnant she went in for a routine ultrasound when she was told her son no longer had a heartbeat. In a matter of seconds her world was flipped upside down. They were given a day to process the news then went to the hospital the very next day to deliver their stillborn son. After three days of labor she gave birth to her angel Derrek Jerrell Anderson Jr aka DJ on Monday, January 18, 2016. Alishia went on to have her rainbow baby Grayson after working on herself for a year. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a Stillbirth and are still on your own healing journey and are unsure what life after loss looks like for you. I apologize for the quality of the audio in this interview in advance.

Alishia Anderson Bio My name is Alishia Anderson. I am a new resident of Carson, California by way of Byron, Georgia, by way of Ypsilanti (Ip-si-lan-tee), Michigan. I received my B.S in Industrial Engineering from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL (in 2009) and then went on to obtain my B.A in Apparel Textile Technology (in 2016) from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. I have been married 6 years to my wonderful husband Derrek Anderson and am the proud mommy to my first born angel Derrek Jerrell Anderson Jr. and the rainbow mama to my second born son Grayson Anderson. It is my hope that baby loss is eradicated from the pregnancy experience, but until then I want to help foster honest dialogue surrounding the taboo topic of baby loss and help contribute support and hope to a community often suffering in silence.

Grieving the Child I Never Knew by Kathee Wunneberg, The 4:8 Principle by Tommy Newberry

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October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. This month we are talking all about Life After Loss. In today's episode Keisha Wells is sharing on Self Care After Loss. Keisha experienced 2nd trimester loss of twin boys in 2017. In this episode we talk about Self Care after loss, how her loss pushed her to become a licensed Professional Counselor, and how she is eradicating injustices in pregnancy and birth experiences via educating women, particularly WOC, on their rights and assisting them in advocating for their emotional and physical well being while working with medical professionals.

Keisha Wells BioKeisha Wells is a licensed professional counselor and mother to twin angels, Kyle and Kendrick. Additionally, Keisha is the owner of Transformation Counseling Services, a practice specializing in grief counseling and perinatal mental health services for mothers (and their families) impacted by neonatal loss, postpartum depression, and traumatic birth experiences. With a call to serve and support others during their most heart-wrenching trials in parenthood, Keisha is a compassionate therapist and advocate for under served and often misunderstood populations.

My journey to motherhood includes a traumatic, second trimester loss to multiples. My twin sons were born prematurely in 2007 and transitioned shortly after a few hours of precious life. To date, they have been my greatest creation. I embrace and celebrate the depth of their lifetimes in my support of others. This holding space for others and walking alongside them in their grief journeys and trials in parenthood has been a privilege and contributed to my resilience in grieving the unimaginable and out-of-order loss of a child. In working through the pain, shame, and guilt of loss, I've committed to advocating for others in my practice and volunteering with organizations such as the March of Dimes/March for Babies and Postpartum Support International. My current work also includes eradicating injustices in pregnancy and birth experiences via educating women, particularly WOC, on their rights and assisting them in advocating for their emotional and physical well being while working with medical professionals.

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In today's episode we have Qiana Wright who shares her miscarriage at 8 weeks, premature birth at 28 weeks, and infant loss story at 9 months due to daycare abuse. We also talk about her inspiration for starting her foundation Savannah Smiles, and trying again for a family after having her tubes tied. Qiana shares in this episode how her first pregnancy ended in a premature birth of son Julius. He spent a month in the NICU and came home on a breathing monitor. Later she conceived and ended up miscarrying at 8 weeks. Qiana and her husband were determined to try again, and became pregnant with daughter Savannah. After not having a known cause for her previous preterm birth and miscarriage, a cerclage was placed at 21 weeks due to her cervix shortening. Qiana gave birth to her beautiful healthy baby girl Savannah on March 1, 2015. She knew her family was complete and opted to get her tubes tied in April 2015. On December 4, 2015, Savannah died at 9 months due to child abuse while at daycare. This episode is for you to listen to if you have had a miscarriage, premature birth, infertility, and to understand how a couple and family grieves while going through the legal process of child abuse at daycare.

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In today's episode we have Sanita Mitchell who shares her infertility journey, infant loss story of daughter Anaya, and starting the Anaya's Project foundation. Sanita is a wife, business owner, non-profit CEO of Anaya's project, and the mom of 4 children (3 boys and 1 princess) and 1 Angel Baby named Anaya. Sanita shares in this episode how having her tubes removed gave her 10-12% chance of becoming pregnant on her own, how she naturally conceived her rainbow baby, and now that pregnancy as well as her second rainbow baby pregnancy was met with challenges including high risk pregnancy, gestational diabetes, and uterine rupture. She also shares how she was led to start Anaya's project which serves couple's or individuals who have experienced the painful experience of pregnancy and infant loss as well as those who are experiencing infertility challenges. This episode is for you to listen to if you have had one of you tubes removed and if you have had pregnancy challenges like gestational diabetes or being considered high risk.

Sanita Mitchell's Bio I am the Founder and CEO of Anaya's Project Inc. Anaya's Project serves couple's or individuals who have experienced the painful experience of pregnancy and infant loss as well as those who are experiencing infertility challenges. I am a wife, business owner of Bright Sparkles Family Daycare, Co-Founder of The Perfect Family Blend, and mom of 4 children (3 boys and 1 princess) and 1 Angel Baby. I married my best friend on September 19, 2009. We are a blended family. After being married for about 2 months we learned that we were expecting a new addition to our family. Then we became even more excited once we learned that we were expecting a little girl. On April 22, I would be sent to the hospital because I was experiencing contractions only to be sent home. I would be admitted to the hospital on Friday, April 22. On April 26, for the safety of my life and my daughter Anaya's life the decision was made to forward with delivery. Anaya would not survive. A pain that is totally indescribable occurred in my life and my family. I dealt with thoughts of suicide and battled with depression. I had even became somewhat addicted to the pain medicines; which seemed to numb the pain. As time progressed, my husband and I would try to conceive again with no avail. I became obsessive with becoming pregnant and the more it didn't occur the more depressed I became. One day, I got over myself, pride and fear. I went to my OB/GYN to find out what the problem could be. After meeting with IVF specialist and having one of my tubes removed. I was given a very low percent around 10-12% chance of becoming pregnant on my own. There was talks of IVF and other medications to be administered if I didn't become pregnant within a certain period of time. Well, my husband and I were thrilled to learn that our three year journey produced our rainbow baby!!! After being high risked, gestational diabetes, fear of losing her, carpal tunnel, sciatic nerve pain, weekly injections, BPP, stress tests; we welcomed into the world Aryana Faith. After her birth we were blessed with our second rainbow baby Samuel Marquis. Through all of the physical challenges of carrying two babies back to back and being considered very high risk. During Sam's birth I almost ruptured; but Praise God!! God intervened and had the placenta in a very unusual place which kept Sam from pushing through the rupture!! There were the mental challenges and faith challenges that I had to overcome. The mental challenges were getting over the fear that there may have been something wrong with me and that I would not be able to give my husband the one thing he desired. Another challenge that overcame was worrying about what people thought or said. After losing Anaya people said some very hurtful things, that I later learned that they were not being intentionally insensitive; but they just can't totally understand this walk. Next, the testing and procedures were difficult; however, we had to face them in order to receive what we were believing God for. Our faith was challenged. My husband and I were very active in ministry and Deacons in our church. But this rocked our foundation but we had to become relentless in our faith. God gave His word and we had to walk it out. I had to overcome my head noise. I had to release the could've, would've and should've. I had to stop entertaining that my past mistakes were the reasons why I loss Anaya.

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Anaya's Project Inc Paint Event October 15, 2018 at National Harbor, MD

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In today's episode we have Jennifer Robertson who shares her 2nd trimester losses due to cervical incompetence and her memory boxes called Memorize Forever. Jennifer experienced 3 miscarriages including the loss of her twin boys Kyrie and Karson at 17 weeks due to an incompetent cervix. The loss of her twins inspired her to start working on memory boxes that holds memories forever. She then experienced the loss of a daughter named Joelle at 20 weeks, and knew she was called to this work. Jennifer is committed to meeting and uplifting woman who have walked the same path as she. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss and are still waiting for your rainbow baby.

Jennifer Robertson's Bio My name is Jennifer Robertson I am 24 years old and I am an Angel Mom to 3 beautiful angels. I lost my twin boys, Kyrie and Karson, on February 19,2017 at 17 weeks due to an incompetent cervix. After my loss I started to work on building a brand that holds memories forever. I became pregnant again with what I thought was going to be my angel baby. I soon lost her, Joelle on April 29,2018 at 20 weeks due to my incompetent cervix even after getting a cervical cerclage. After this loss I went tunnel vision into my brand. Not to get my mind off of another loss but because I was faced with a possibility of having to have a hysterectomy. At 24 I could've lost the possibility to conceive ever! I realized, in that moment, how blessed I am to have dodged a bullet others take. My brand has allowed me to commit to meeting and uplifting woman who have walked the same path as me. We truly never realize the fight others have to fight until we are the ones fighting it.

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Jennifer's October Pregnancy Loss Event in Houston, Texas

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In today's episode we have Jewel Carey-Smith who shares her stillbirth story with daughter Darielle Ava. She started her youtube and facebook community She Rises from SIDS to educate around Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS and create a safe haven for other parents to express themselves, and to impart knowledge for those parents who have walked down this road. Jewel shares in this episode how sharing her story and her journey is not for herself, but for the healing and deliverance of others. This episode is for you to listen to if you are looking for a community around Sudden Infant Death Syndrome also known as SIDS.

Jewel Carey-Smith Bio My name is Jewel Carey-Smith and I am a 30 year old wife and mother of two children. I still include my angel in my child count because she is eternally mine. I live in Nassau, The Bahamas. I am the creator of the YouTube Channel and Facebook Community Space "SheRisesFromSIDS", where my aim is to educate the public on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, create a safe haven for other parents to express themselves and to impart knowledge and sensitivity on behalf of the parents who have walked down this road. This journey has taught me one thing...My story is not for myself but for the healing and deliverance of others. I am nothing with my Heavenly Father and I stand on the belief of Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.".

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In today's episode we have Mych'laya Alexandar who shares how being diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and struggling with infertility led to her starting the Womb Keeper blog and community. Mych'laya struggled with infertility for many years and had 3 miscarriages. She is determined to encourage and support those who have struggled or is struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss. This episode is for you if you have being diagnosed infertile due to PCOS.

Mych'Iayla Alexander's bio I was born and raised in Rockford, IL, moving to Brown Deer, WI in my early teenage years. I have a dual Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Spanish and a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling. I have many titles. Among them are wife, mother, bonus mother, daughter, sister, friend, elder, cousin, niece, aunt, teacher, counselor, and I was once called INFERTILE. I am an angel mother as well as a earthly mother and bonus mother (I have step children). I am very active in ministry, with my husband. I struggled with infertility and I have had 3 miscarriages. I'm determined to support, Coach, encourage, love, prayer with/for each woman who has struggled, is struggling with, infertility and pregnancy loss.

I had struggled with infertility for years. My ex husband and I tried for over a year and there was no success. It impacted the marriage and was partly a factor for divorce. My husband and I tried for a little under 2 years and then we stopped. I had tried medications, natural remedies, prayer, and any other things I thought would "get me pregnant." The 3 miscarriages I had were VERY hard and at different stages in my life. Each May I would fall apart but 2 years ago I made up in my mind that I would use that pain for a purpose. Doesn't mean I don't get sad, it just means I channel it differently.

Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize, prayer, journaling, blessing expectant mother's, allowing my heart to break, and finding my purpose BEFORE my daughter came.

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In today's episode we have Lindsey Boxie who shares her stillbirth journey with us. Lindsey was diagnosed with Endometriosis in middle school and told her that because of the way her uterus was shaped she would have difficulty getting and staying pregnant. After college she was able to conceive and around 36 weeks she went into labor arrived at the hospital and found that her baby passed away. She then went on to have her rainbow baby afterwards which led her to going back to school to help others through grief therapy. This episode is for you if you have been diagnosed with Endometriosis and those who have experienced a stillbirth.

Lindsey's Boxie's Bio My journey began when I began my cycle at 8 years old. By the time I was in middle school, my ObGyn has diagnosed me with endometriosis, and told me that because of the way my uterus was shaped i may have difficulty getting and staying pregnant. Fast forward to 2014 after i graduated from college i was pregnant! My pregnancy was perfect until about 20 weeks when i was referred to a maternal fetal medicine doctor because of the low weight, and shallow heart beat of my baby. At 36 weeks i went to the hospital after having a sharp pain in my belly, and they kept me overnight for monitoring. I was released the Sunday morning, went to the doctor Monday, and Wednesday for checkups. On Thursday night i awoke out of my sleep in labor, and by the time i arrived at the hospital my baby had passed away. I remained in labor for about 12 hours, until i vaginally delivered my daughter Friday afternoon. I am a stay at home with two children. My oldest was stillborn in July 2015, and my second was born in August 2016. I am currently enrolled in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Capella University, and plan to specialize in grief therapy, and family court evaluations.

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In today's episode we have Courtney Arlesia who shares her 2nd trimester miscarriage and how she is being patient in the wait. Courtney is a native of Murfreesboro, TN and creator of Endless Love. She started this in 2012 to motivate and inspire all women to get in tune with themselves and find solace in their creator. In this episode Courtney shares how her 2nd trimester miscarriage affected her and how she is being patient while trying to conceive. This episode is for you if you are still waiting for your rainbow baby and trying to conceive.

Courtney Arlesia's Bio Courtney Arlesia is your everyday woman with an extraordinary thirst for God. She prides herself on being a shining example of strength, empowerment, and inspiration to those around her. With a rugged start, Courtney managed to obtain her Bachelor's degree in Social Work with a minor in Recording Industry, all while motivating and inspiring family, friends, and strangers with hopes that they too will fall in love with Christ. Courtney recently obtained her Masters of Science in Social Work in May of 2017, in an effort to expand her service in the community with the knowledge, experience, and research that she has gained throughout her educational career.

Now a published author and the writer of affirmation book Glow Up Sis, Glow Up!, she continues to be ferociously focused on writing inspiring blog posts, books, and beginning to gear more toward public speaking. In 2012, Courtney created an in home bible study group for women known as "Endless Love" that has expanded to a Facebook group, inspirational videos, and now this website. These personal pursuits for a true relationship with Christ have now become a staple for women who have had a rough start or find themselves in the midst of the chaos of a transition.

Courtney Arlesia aspires to continue to encourage and empower women worldwide, to get in tune with themselves and find solace in their creator.

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