AFE Foundation: https://afesupport.org Support Firefighter Matt Okula & Baby Crew After Tragic Loss: https://gofund.me/35664636 Jen and Bethany welcome Kayleigh Summers—licensed therapist, birth trauma survivor, and creator of The Birth Trauma Mama—for a powerful conversation about birth trauma, C-sections, and healing after traumatic birth experiences. Kayleigh shares her personal story of surviving an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during her son's birth in 2019, a rare and life-threatening childbirth complication. Together, they honor the memory of Hailey Okula, who tragically passed away from an AFE, and discuss the critical need for awareness, preparedness, and compassionate care in maternal health.

This episode dives deep into the emotional and psychological effects of birth trauma, especially for C-section moms and the healthcare providers who care for them. Topics include:

The connection between C-sections and birth trauma Delayed bonding and its emotional impact The importance of skin-to-skin contact for healing Why debriefing after a traumatic birth matters The under-recognized trauma experienced by providers How to reduce stigma and support postpartum mental health More from Kayleigh Summers Podcast: The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast Instagram: @thebirthtrauma_mama https://thebirthtraumamama.com/ Website: csxpodcast.com Email us: [email protected]. Follow us on instagram: @thecsxpodcast Birth Services + postpartum support: lemontreebabies.com. Download our FREE C-Section guide here: https://www.csxpodcast.com/guide This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. The content in this podcast should not be considered medical advice.