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

In today's episode we have Rana Campbell host of Dreams in Drive Podcast who shares her miscarriage story and the cost of miscarriage from her feature on Elle.com. After her miscarriage in 2016 Rana found the hospital bills quickly adding up to the thousands of dollars even with insurance. In this episode Rana takes us back to how she started Dreams in Drive while grieving the loss of her baby, and how her feature on Elle.com helped her shed light on the financial burden of losing a child.

Rana's Bio Rana Campbell is a marketing strategist, content creator, and host of the Dreams In Drive Podcast - a podcast she launched in January 2016 that teaches creatives & lifestyle entrepreneurs how to take their dreams out of PARK and into DRIVE. With over 120 episodes in her arsenal and streams in 100+ countries, she has interviewed top leaders in lifestyle and business and was featured as a empowering podcast by Essence Magazine and a top Business podcast for Black Voices on Apple Podcasts. She is a 2013 graduate of Princeton University and a proud alum of the Emma Bowen Foundation media program.Rana's work has been featured on MadameNoire, Blavity, Huffington Post, Fox 5 Good Day New York, Princeton Alumni Weekly, and more. When she isn't helping clients grow their brands and businesses or podcasting, Rana enjoys practicing her fashion photography skills, taking her favorite heels dance class, snuggling up with a good book or movie, and writing poetry.

Rana's Elle.com Feature

Facebook Link Elle.com Feature

Instagram @rainshineluv @dreamsindrive

ranacampbell.com

dreamsindrive.com

Sisters in Loss Brunch April 21, 2018

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

In today's episode we have Michelle Smith who shares her 2nd trimester pregnancy loss story at 19 weeks gestation, her journey to become a full circle doula, and her non profit Miracle Speaks. Michelle is wife and mom of 4 and is passionate about helping other women and mothers of loss. After her loss of daughter Miracle at 19 weeks she knew she wanted to help other moms through their birthing process as she is currently 2 live births away from receiving her Full Circle Doula Certification with a specialization in Bereavement services. In this episode Michelle shares the details of her pregnancy loss story and how that journey inspired her to start her new non profit Miracle Speaks named after her daughter.

Miracle Speaks Miracle Speaks was created for Mothers and families that have experienced a Pregnancy or Infant Loss or for individuals that may know someone who may have dealt with this type of loss. This is a safe space to share our stories, to reach out for resources, and to also raise awareness. In this group you will find information, resources, testimonies, love, support and so much more. Our goal is to unite the lives of those who may have experienced a loss.

Michelle's Bio Michelle Smith is a 29 year old who is on a mission to fulfill her passion in life. She is a mother of 5, a wife of almost 8 years, daughter, sister, an author, socialist, and so much more. 8 years ago, Michelle found herself experiencing a loss like non other. Expecting her first child, at 5 months pregnant, unexpectedly her water broke and she was force to go into labor. Although they remained optimistic, God had other plans for Michelle and her Fiancé and her baby girls life. At 12:01am, February 21st, 2010 Michelle delivered her babygirl, Miracle who had passed prior to birth. This loss was a tough one but it would be that loss that would give Michelle a new passion in life. Although Michelle was grieving and lost, she later understood that nothing happens without reason. Years had passed and Michelle was called to assist other women of give advice being faced with miscarriage or pregnancy loss. And Michelle would do it without a hesitation. It was then when Michelle realized that one of her purposes was to help other Mothers of Loss grieve through their loss so that they could heal, unite and use their voices and stories of strength to share with other mothers to encourage them to break the silence surrounding Pregnancy and Infant Loss. September 2017 The non profit Miracle Speaks emerged out of Michelle's pass came her passion. Miracle speaks came about so that Michelle could host events and support groups and activities for other mothers of Loss and the community could come together to support each other, share with each other and unite so that we could use our stories to help heal ourselves and others. And in doing that, educating ourselves and each other so that we can effectively raise awareness and bring about a change surround Pregnancy and Infant Loss. They also wish to raise funds to assist mothers of Loss financially so that they don't have to worry about finances during their time of Loss. That's what Michelle had dedicated herself to doing! She also is in the final stages of becoming a Full Circle Doula specializing in Bereavement Doula services to better assist mothers of Loss during the postpartum period after losing a child. Michelle will be sharing her story in her own book entitled All is not Loss which will be released this year! Michelle is dedicated to changing the narrative around pregnancy and Infant Loss, this is only the beginning.

www.miraclestouch02.wixsite.com/miraclespeaks

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/158899187979363

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miracle_speaks/

Miracle Speaks Private FB Group

Sisters in Loss Brunch April 21, 2018

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

In today's episode we have Bettye Williams who shares her SIDS story of four month old daughter, Bailey Nicole. On June 26th 2015, Bettye loss her my four month old daughter, Bailey Nicole to SIDS. It was the most devastating, life shattering experience of her life. Trouble is inevitable in this life but when you lose a child, so suddenly and so unexpectedly in their death, a part of you die as well. One day while struggling to get through the day, Bettye fell to her knees and asked the Lord to not only strengthen her, but to open up her eyes so that she can see the purpose in all of the pain she was feeling. Bettye reminded him of his promise in Romans 8:28. After pouring her heart out and weeping with much despair, she stood up. Immediately she felt the burden lift. The Lord put it in on her heart to "just write" and that is what she did. Bettye created Bailey's Dash Foundation with the goal of assisting other families who were grieving. She decided to share some of my transparent moments with facebook. Within three weeks, there were over 15,000 followers. She knew that this was a portion of God's greater plan for her life.

Bettye is an upcoming author, Bible teacher and is working towards a radio program. Each and every day she is trusting the Lord and is so very grateful for His faithfulness to her and my family. Because of the brokenness she experienced, she am now able to encourage the hearts of other women, standing on the promise "That all things work together for the good… We have two choices when we are faced with a storm, we can become bitter or better. she has chosen the latter.

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Phone 618-709-7677

Email: [email protected]

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

It's Women's History Month as well as National Developmental Disabilities Month. In today's episode we are featuring the 5th black women author who shares her journey around Faith, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infant and Pregnancy Loss, and Hope to continue on this grief journey.

In today's epsiode we have LaTanya Sothern who shares her infant loss journey and journey with special needs son. Tiffany is the author of Victory Through the Rainbow: Living with Pregnancy and Infant Loss. This book chronicles 7 women's stories of heartbreak, healing, and hope as well as their testimonies of loss, both during and shortly after pregnancy. Celebrate their bravery as they seek to help remove the stigma of pregnancy and infant loss, and show other women how they can have victory in spite of these losses. During this interview with LaTanya and one of the book contributors Ms. Aviyah Forrest we find that we share loss and having a Special Needs child in common. Listen to both of these dynamic stories of having victory after loss.

LaTanya S. Sothern has been an educator for over 20 years. She is a passionate supporter of families of children diagnosed with disabilities, and it is her mission to help them get services appropriate for their needs. A native Washingtonian, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Communication and Economics from The American University and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Howard University. She is certified in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and School Administration; achieved National Board Certification (Early Childhood Generalist), and is the C.E.O. and Owner of Sothern Education Solutions, LLC – offering special education consulting, workshop presentation, and public speaking. Ms. Sothern currently serves as an administrator in the Prince George's County Public School system. Her first book, The Birth of an Advocate: How My Son Helped Me Find My Voice, chronicles the story of her oldest son's first year of life as she and her husband learned to manage his various special needs. It was as featured at both the NAACP and The Congressional Black Caucus conventions in 2017. She is happily married to her husband Greg and they reside in Prince George's County, Maryland with their two sons, Thomas III (Tré) and Quinton.

Victory through the Rainbow Book

LaTanya's Instagram

LaTanya's Facebook

LaTanya's Twitter

LaTanya's Website

LaTanya's Book about her Special Needs Son: The Birth of an Advocate: How my son helped me find my voice

Aviyah A. Forrest Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Aviyah's Website AviyahAForrest.com

Sister's in Loss Brunch Tickets - April 21, 2018 Chesapeake, VA

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

It's the last day of Black History Month! We are highlighting the 4th book of 6 books by black authors around Faith, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infant and Pregnancy Loss, and Hope to continue on this grief journey.

In today's episode we have Tiffany "B.Renee" Upchurch-Rivera who shares her ectopic pregnancy loss and infertility journey. Tiffany is also the author of Ruined Womb: From Fertility to Inspiration. A book of poetry and spoken word pieces to inspire those who have faced infertility or child loss. She is a veteran, army wife, mom to Elijah, and she loves to write poetry, books, anything that shares the light of God to others. Her writing style is unashamedly transparent, freeing and relatable to those who have a past but who strive for excellence everyday. Tiffany shares how an STD caused her to have blocked fallopian tubes, her surgery to unblock them, lost of a fallopian tube due to a ectopic pregnancy, and stay tuned for a special Spoken Word piece from her book.

Mrs. Tiffany "B.Renee" Upchurch-Rivera is just like you and I. She has traveled through life with purpose and faith in her view always wondering why God created her, what role she would play on earth and what she would ultimately bring to society that was refreshing, inspiring, different and legendary! Mrs. Rivera's writing started around 12 years old raised in a single parent military household. As young girl, she often used her writing to give her a voice. She used writing poetry as a way to express herself and a way to free herself of feeling insufficient and unimportant. Poetry was therapy and a mind releasing activity Tiffany loved to use. As the youngest of three, born in Nuremberg, Germany and raised in Texas and NC, she always saw herself traveling to different cities and states encouraging women. After married in 2009, she was blessed to travel back to Germany with her family for 2 years before they were stationed in yongsan, Korea for 2 more years! Being stationed in Germany opened doors for her poetically to involve the community in open mic events She is known internationally in 2011 for creating a teen open mic for the after school program she worked at, in 2012 she hosted an open mic for soldiers and families at the nearby USO building that got the attention to the radio/ media station AFN. Both events were a success! So after being stationed in Yongsan, Korea for a year, she created another open mic event at the nearby R&R Grill for soldiers and families as well! In 2011 she also started writing for a women's magazine called Promoting Purpose for a year, in 2014 she wrote for Everything Girls Love Magazine geared towards urban young teens to women and in 2015 she wrote in a natural hair magazine called Natural From The Roots Magazine ! She is also a Veteran of the U.S Army Reserves, a former Radio Intern at Fayetteville State University's Radio Station Bronco-iradio, a Poet, Writer, Sex Educator, Mentor, and An Author! She is currently a Self- Published Author of Her Poetry/ Inspirational Book: RUINED WOMB: From Infertility To Inspiration where she has sold over 100 books, her audience is young teens to women and families addressing the hard struggles of child loss, infertility, miscarriages, overcoming guilt from the past and learning how to love yourself ! She loves to write poetry,books, anything that shares the light of God to others. Her writing style is unashamedly transparent, freeing and relatable to those who have a past but who strive for excellence everyday.

She attends open mics and shares her poetry wherever she goes, she speaks at churches, book signings and community events. Part time she works in Clayton NC as a Community Support Technician to an autistic teenager, she's a Mother of an 12 year old anointed son Elijah, a Wife, a Sister, Daughter and Friend! She currently resides in Spring Lake, NC but knows that is not her final destination! To God Be The Glory!

Her Book Ruined Womb: From Infertility to Inspiration

Tiffany on Facebook

Tiffany Instagram

Sister's in Loss Brunch Tickets - April 21, 2018 Chesapeake, VA

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

It's Black History Month! We are highlighting the 3rd author of 6 black authors of books around Faith, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infant and Pregnancy Loss, and Hope to continue on this grief journey.

In today's episode, we have Tanika Fitzgerald who shares her miscarriage story and her book titled "Miscarried Joy: Moving Beyond Incredible Pain to Extraordinary Faith." We discuss how her faith played a role in her miscarriage with twins and ectopic pregnancy, her incompetent cervix diagnosis with her rainbow baby, and her inspiration for writing her book. We also talk about the barren women in the bible Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and Elizabeth, and which barren women she identifies with the most. Tanika is a woman who is passionate about her relationship with Jesus Christ, family, giving to others, laughter, having fun and enjoying every moment that life brings, and you will hear that in this interview.

Tanika Fitzgerald is a lover of Christ, a wife to her husband, Maurice, a loving daughter and sister. She is passionate about equipping women to grow spiritually, live balanced lives and helping them to be ARMED for victory in every area of life. Tanika has been called to minister to others through her passion and gift of writing to inspire women all over the globe. She is also the visionary behind ARMED Magazine – a publication created to "Spiritually Equip for you Victory in Battle." Her inspirational writing has been featured in numerous publications including Hope for Women Magazine,Black and Married with Kids and more. Tanika has also interviewed powerful voices in the Christian Community including, Lady Serita Jakes, Sheryl Brady, Charles Jenkins, Earnest Pugh and more!

Website: www.tanikafitzgerald.com

Book Details: www.miscarriedjoy.com

Book Miscarried Joy

Facebook: Tanika Fitzgerald

Instagram: @tanikafitzgerald

Sister's in Loss Brunch Tickets - April 21, 2018 Chesapeake, VA

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

It's Black History Month! We are highlight 6 books and 6 authors of books around Faith, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infant and Pregnancy Loss, and Hope to continue on this grief journey.

In today's episode we have Danielle and Chris Jones. They share their Infant Loss Story of son Chris Jr, Chris Sr.'s Journey with Multiple Sclerosis, Danielle's breast health challenges, and how it was documented in their book As Sure as Tomorrow Comes: One Couple's Journey through Loss and Love. They also founded the Angel Baby Network out of the desire to help other parents who had surged pregnancy or infant loss.

In July 2015, Christopher Jones, Sr. and Danielle Jones had their first child, Christopher Jones, Jr. Christopher, Jr., also referred to as "Junior," was born with multiple congenital abnormalities due to a genetic defect. At 10-days-old, his short life on earth ended, but his purpose was only beginning. Out of a desire to help other parents who had suffered pregnancy and infant loss, Danielle and a friend whose son was born still, Clarissa Doggett, started the Angel Baby Network. Their mission is to help parents who have endured a pregnancy and/or infant loss and to give them a hand to hold as they walk through such a devastating time in their lives. We exist to ensure that parents do not go through the death of their child alone by offering resources where they can get the help they need and social gatherings where they can connect with other parents who can identify with their circumstance. Danielle and Christopher Jones are a fun-loving couple who make sure to laugh every day. They have weathered a variety of storms throughout their lives, all while holding on to their faith in God and their love for each other. Founders of the Angel Baby Network, Chris and Danielle are passionate about supporting families who have endured child loss, and they seek to inspire others with their story, As Sure As Tomorrow Comes: One Couple's Journey through Loss and Love

Angel Baby Network

Danielle's Instagram

Book: As Sure as Tomorrow Comes: One Couple's Journey through Loss and Love

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

Happy Black History Month! After a quick Amazon search, I realized there aren't many black authors of books in this Grief and Pregnancy Loss Community. For the next 6 weeks on the podcast we are featuring 6 Books from Black Authors around Faith, Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Infant and Pregnancy Loss, and Hope to continue on this grief journey.

In today's episode we have Keanna Barnes who shares her Stillbirth story and Fibroid Journey. She is the author of Journey to Peace a 31 Day Devotional: Through the Grief of Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Other Pregnancy Loss. In this episode she shares her journey to getting pregnant with fibroids, how her miscarriage broke her heart into a million pieces, and her courage to try again and get pregnant with her current baby due in March 2018.

Nearly a year into their marriage, Keanna and her husband awere overcome with joy to find out we were pregnant! This was the first pregnancy for both of them so we were elated. Keanna went through all of the anticipation and nervousness that many first time mothers do. She struggled in trying not to google everything, she bought books, researched strollers, cribs, car seats, and every new baby gadget on the market. Keanna took prenatal yoga classes, aqua zumba, and she even hired a doula to help me through the pregnancy process. Even though she was very prepared, nothing could prepare her for what was to come. At her 27 week prenatal appointment, the nurse looked pretty alarmed when she saw her elevated blood pressure reading. Keanna assured her that it was because she just left work, but after they checked a second time, the nurse had her lie down while she waited for the doctor. Once the doctor was informed of her blood pressure, they insisted that she immediately go to the hospital. Before they ushered her out they wanted to check the baby's heartbeat. As they rolled the Doppler over her stomach, Keanna's husband joked that their son was hiding from us. They searched and searched. Nothing. Keanna could feel her heart racing and her body getting hot because she knew that there was nowhere for her child to hide. This was the day that Keanna's heart was broken into a million pieces. By the grace of God, Keanna is still finding her own peace with what happened. In that peace, they were blessed to conceive for the second time and they are due in March 2018. Trying again was not an easy decision and neither is the road as the mother of an angel baby. This journey has brought my husband and I closer together and my 1st born son has taught me so much and I am grateful to God for him.

Website

Book: Journey to Peace: A 31-Day Devotional Through the Grief of Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Other Pregnancy Loss by Keanna Barnes

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

In today's episode we have Morgan Goodwin who shares her incompetent cervix loss story and new blog Incompetent but Hopeful. Morgan Goodwin is married to Marquise Goodwin, wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. Morgan was born and raised in Atlanta, GA before going to college at the University of Texas, at Austin. She has a bachelors in Public Relations and a Masters in Strategic communications. Morgan and her husband currently reside in Dallas, TX. They enjoy traveling and exploring different countries around the world. They also enjoy going to the gun range, cooking, and watching movies.

Most of us who watch football became familiar with the Goodwin's story back in November 2017. On Sunday, November 12, 2017, Morgan's husband Marquise scored an 83 yard touchdown on the same day their baby passed away prematurely. Marquise celebrated the touch down by blowing a kiss to the sky, dropped to his knees and broke down crying in the end zone. Morgan then went on instagram to post "This whole week has taken an emotional toll on my husband and I, Struggling to keep our healthy baby safe in my womb. However, God had other plans for us. Today, I had to deliver my precious baby boy early this morning due to preterm labor. Despite our loss, my hubby kept grinding, scored his son a touchdown & got our first "W" of the season. He had a wonderful game today. I️ appreciate everyone who kept us in their prayers and constantly checked in on us. This was truly and an amazing experience and it was also a tragic experience. But that's okay because we won't stop fighting and we won't give up on what God has in store for us. It's just important for us to remember that things happen for a reason, even though we may question ourselves "why us." Our faith is strong..." In this interview Morgan share's what happened up until that day and that moment when she saw her husband make that touchdown, how her faith in God played a role in her grief, and how she is writing through her newest venture her blog Incompetent but Hopeful.

Morgan's Blog: Incompetent but Hopeful

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter

In today's episode we have Aniesa Knapp who shares her 20 week pregnancy loss story of daughter Ava and her personal blog My Hope Floats. Aniesa is the mom to Angel Ava who was born into heaven at 20 weeks and has been married to her husband Don for 3 years. They live in Hartford County, Maryland with their fur baby Piper. Aniesa is a nurse and works as a home care nurse liaison. She created the My Hope Floats blog to continue to heal and to hopefully connect with others who have experienced pregnancy loss.

Aniesa and her husband Don became pregnant without even "trying" in July 2014, but didn't find out until August. They had just gotten married. Happiness, joy, a touch of anxiety. It was the "perfect" pregnancy. All bloodwork and vitals, both her and the babies, were good. No sickness, concerns or complications. At our 20 week anatomy scan, they found out they were having a girl. That was a Tuesday. They had our gender reveal that Saturday, November 1, 2014. Aniesa didn't know it at the time but her water broke. She thought it was her bladder. She did not have any pain, cramps or bleeding. Aniesa didn't think anything of it. The following Tuesday, she felt like she needed to hear her heartbeat. Aniesa went to her GYN. There was no heartbeat. She was then induced, dialated and delivered her baby girl. They started trying again 3 months later. By November 2016, they saw an RE for fertility testing and treatments. They did our first of 3 unsuccessful IUI's in November. They still are continuing to try naturally and ask God for a baby either naturally or by adoption.

Website

Instagram

Book: Grieving the Child I Never Knew

Book: Anxious for Nothing

Join the Sister's in Loss Facebook Group

Erica's Website

Erica's Instagram

Erica's Facebook

Erica's Twitter