In this week’s Listener Series episode, I sit down with Megan to explore the layered and emotional journey of holding both immense gratitude and deep grief. After years of infertility, a traumatic ectopic pregnancy, and two rounds of IVF, Megan finally became pregnant with her miracle baby, but her story didn’t end there.

What followed was a high-risk pregnancy marked by preeclampsia, a NICU stay, and a traumatic C-section that left Megan under general anesthesia, missing the birth of her son. In this powerful conversation, Megan shares the duality of her experience, the joy of finally becoming a parent, and the trauma of how it unfolded.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🩺 Megan’s IVF and infertility journey
💔 The trauma of a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy
⚠️ Developing preeclampsia and being hospitalized at 34 weeks
🩻 An emergency C-section under general anesthesia after failed spinal and ketamine
👶 Meeting her baby in the NICU for the first time from a hospital bed
🧠 Processing PTSD, flashbacks, and ongoing triggers
💬 The importance of therapy, storytelling, and self-compassion in healing
🌈 What it’s like to consider future pregnancy after trauma

Resources Mentioned:

• Postpartum Support International
• The Birth Trauma Mama Support Resources
• Talk therapy, PTSD support, and NICU family support services

🎧 Tune in now wherever you listen to podcasts, and please subscribe, rate, and share this episode to help more families feel seen, supported, and not alone. 💜

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Colleen Reichmann, clinical psychologist, eating disorder specialist, and founder of Wildflower Therapy. Together, we dive deep into the complex intersections of body image, eating concerns, infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and birth trauma.

Dr. Reichmann shares her professional expertise and personal journey navigating anorexia, infertility, and postpartum body changes, offering validation, compassion, and essential insights for anyone who has felt disconnected, angry, or let down by their body.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🌸 How control, body image, and trauma collide during pregnancy and postpartum
🌸 The emotional impact of infertility, loss, and complicated pregnancies on body trust
🌸 Normalizing feelings of anger, disappointment, and grief toward your body after trauma
🌸 The myth that “healing” means feeling 100% positive about your body
🌸 Why it’s okay to hold space for complicated emotions and imperfect relationships with our bodies
🌸 The importance of individualized, compassionate support (not one-size-fits-all solutions)
🌸 Strategies for navigating body image struggles during TTC, pregnancy, and postpartum
🌸 How trauma-informed care can change the postpartum experience

Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Dr. Colleen Reichmann: @drcolleenreichmann
• Wildflower Therapy: Wildflower Therapy Website
• Birth Trauma Support: The Birth Trauma Mama Website

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

Guest Bio:

Dr. Colleen Reichmann is a licensed clinical psychologist, practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She works in her private practice, Therapy for Eating Disorders and Body Image. She is recovered from an eating disorder, and this experience sparked her passion for spreading knowledge and awareness that recovery is possible. She is now an eating disorders specialist, and has worked at various treatment facilities including University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro Center for Eating Disorder Care, and The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt. She is an advocate for intersectional feminism, body liberation, fat positivity, and Health At Every Size.

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this week’s Listener Series episode features a deeply moving and courageous conversation with Jocelyn. She shares her story of how a sexual assault in college—though years in the past—powerfully influenced her second birth experience, which unfolded into a traumatic emergency C-section under general anesthesia.

Jocelyn Rodal's experience highlights the devastating impact of being unheard, unprepared, and uninformed in moments of extreme vulnerability—and how a history of sexual trauma can resurface in the birthing room in ways that even well-meaning providers may not realize.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🔹 Jocelyn’s background and how her past sexual assault shaped her birth choices
🔹 A positive and healing first birth experience—and how it differed drastically from the second
🔹 A cascade of medical decisions and lack of communication that led to trauma
🔹 Being restrained, intubated, and operated on while still conscious
🔹 The emotional and physical aftermath of being dehumanized in the OR
🔹 How language like “we don’t allow” can strip away patient autonomy and retraumatize survivors
🔹 The long road of PTSD recovery and the role of therapy, debriefing, and validation in healing

This episode is a powerful reminder that birth is not just medical—it is deeply emotional and personal. Jocelyn’s story urges providers to communicate clearly, seek informed consent, and practice trauma-informed care, especially for survivors of sexual trauma.

Resources Mentioned:

• RAINN – National Sexual Assault Hotline
• Postpartum Support International
• Trauma-informed birth support and therapy directories available at thebirthtraumamama.com

Trigger Warning: This episode includes graphic descriptions of sexual trauma, medical restraint, and non-consensual procedures. Please take care while listening.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform, and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to support this essential conversation. 💜

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this deeply emotional and courageous Listener Series episode , Mandy shares her story- a story of medical trauma, sexual assault, domestic violence, birth trauma, and survival.

From a devastating hospitalization at the start of the pandemic to becoming pregnant through rape and surviving an abusive relationship during pregnancy, Mandy brings raw honesty and incredible insight into how trauma, resilience, and advocacy can co-exist.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🔹 Mandy’s life-threatening medical complications leading up to pregnancy
🔹 Discovering she was pregnant by rape while in an abusive relationship
🔹 Living through hyperemesis, preeclampsia, and a collapsing spine
🔹 How trauma-informed nurses helped her survive and find hope
🔹 Her C-section birth experience and postpartum challenges
🔹 Battling postpartum psychosis and fighting for her safety
🔹 Why her story is a call for compassionate, trauma-informed care in every step of the maternal health journey

Mandy’s voice is one of strength, vulnerability, and advocacy. She reminds us that two things can be true, we can live through immense trauma and still love our children, that no one story represents every path, and that everyone deserves the right to choose what’s best for their body, their baby, and their healing.

Resources & Support:

• Domestic violence & sexual assault support: RAINN, The Hotline
• Birth trauma resources: thebirthtraumamama.com

Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of sexual assault, domestic violence, substance use, and medical trauma. Please take care while listening. 💜

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this powerful and nuanced episode, I’m joined once again by Morgan Bradwell, LCSW, PMH-C, to explore the intersection between sexual trauma and perinatal trauma.

We discuss how past sexual trauma can shape the perinatal experience, increase the risk of birth trauma, and impact postpartum mental health, including rates of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Morgan draws from her clinical experience supporting survivors of sexual trauma and perinatal trauma to help us better understand how to support pregnant people with this history, whether you’re a provider, a partner, or navigating it yourself.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🔹 How Morgan’s clinical work with survivors of sexual trauma led her to perinatal mental health 
🔹 The increased risk of perinatal trauma and postpartum PTSD for survivors
🔹 How medical systems and provider interactions can unintentionally retraumatize
🔹 Why trauma-informed care should be the standard for everyone, always
🔹 Scripts and strategies for survivors to advocate for their needs during pregnancy and birth
🔹 Actionable tools for partners and providers to offer safer, more supportive care
🔹 The power of healing, planning, and preparation to mitigate future trauma

⚠️ Content Warning:
This episode discusses sexual trauma, birth trauma, PTSD, and medical trauma. Please take care while listening and return to this episode when/if it feels safe enough for you.

Guest Bio:

Morgan is passionate about all things women’s health, trauma recovery, & maternal mental health. She is a firm believer that we all make sense in the context of what we’ve walked through, and that we all deserve villages of support as we navigate new seasons in life.

Morgan walks with women as they navigate anxiety, depression, major life transitions, grief, & trauma recovery. In addition to general women’s health concerns, as a certified perinatal mental health specialist she also works with a lot of women who are experiencing or have experienced postpartum depression/anxiety, pregnancy loss, infertility, birth trauma, NICU experiences, and adjustment struggles within parenthood. She practices from a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, and enjoys helping clients integrate their mind & their bodies in order to find the way out of survival mode.

Learn more about Morgan Bradwell

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this Listener Episode, I sit down with Priya as she shares her deeply personal and emotional journey through birth trauma, emergency medical interventions, and the unimaginable grief of losing her baby in the NICU. Priya opens up about experiencing a traumatic birth, the unexpected complications that followed, and the physical and emotional toll it took on her postpartum experience.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Priya’s birth trauma experience and emergency medical interventions
• Facing a postpartum hemorrhage and its impact on recovery
• Navigating the NICU stay and the heartbreak of infant loss
• PTSD, anxiety, and the mental health struggles that followed
• The emotional toll of grieving while recovering postpartum
• How Priya found support, advocacy, and resources to aid in healing
• Advice for those recovering from traumatic birth and infant loss

Priya’s story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and healing, tune in now to hear her journey and find support for your own. 💜

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

April is Cesarean Awareness Month, and we’re re-releasing this incredibly important conversation to spotlight the complexities, emotions, and real stories behind C-sections.

On this solo episode, Kayleigh is discussing all things c-section. She shares a few different studies highlighting the data on c-sections and PTSD, as well as how they compare to other modes of delivery. Kayleigh also touches on TOLACs and planned cesarean sections after birth trauma. 

In this episode:
- Types of C-Sections
- C-Section and birth trauma
- Communication and Support as mitigating factors
- Delivery decisions after birth trauma (TOLAC v. planned c-section)
- C-Sections under general anesthesia

Studies Discussed:

Garthus-Niegel S, von Soest T, Knoph C, Simonsen TB, Torgersen L, Eberhard-Gran M. The influence of women's preferences and actual mode of delivery on post-traumatic stress symptoms following childbirth: a population-based, longitudinal study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014 Jun 5;14:191. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-191. PMID: 24898436; PMCID: PMC4053555.

Orovou E, Iliadou M, Chatzopoulou MT, Dagla M, Eskitzis P, Rigas N, Antoniou E. The Relation between Birth with Cesarean Section and Posttraumatic Stress in Postpartum Women. Maedica (Bucur). 2023 Dec;18(4):615-622. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.4.615. PMID: 38348064; PMCID: PMC10859197.

Rowlands IJ, Redshaw M. Mode of birth and women's psychological and physical wellbeing in the postnatal period. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012 Nov 28;12:138. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-12-138. PMID: 23190575; PMCID: PMC3533875.

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

Why This Episode Matters: C-sections are the most common major surgery performed on women, yet they’re often misunderstood and under-supported. Whether you're a birthing parent, a partner, a provider, or a friend—this episode offers insight and empathy that can shift how we talk about and hold space for C-section experiences.

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I sit down with a Victoria, a midwife to explore the complexities of birth trauma from a provider’s perspective. Together, we discuss the emotional and physical impact of traumatic births, how midwives support birthing people through these experiences, and the importance of trauma-informed care in maternity settings.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How midwives approach birth trauma and support their clients
• The role of informed consent and shared decision-making in reducing trauma
• Practical advice for navigating the postpartum period after a traumatic birth
• How providers can cultivate a compassionate and trauma-sensitive approach to care

Resources:

• C Section Walkthrough Audio
• csectionuk.com
• Follow csectionuk on instagram: @csectionuk

Guest Bio:

With over a decade of experience as a Midwife, and educator and now leading the award winning C-sectionUK, It would be fair to say that Midwife Vic is pretty passionate about helping women achieve the birth that is right for them, and on their terms. Vic’s 130,000 strong social following, has been testament to the huge interest and need that women have for comprehensive, professional-led information for their c-section journeys. 

“Whilst the conversation around the increasing rates of c-section births goes on ( which is important) , women are being left feeling unsure what their options are for c-section birth and importantly, how to recover. I really wanted to remove some of that fear, and validate and support c-section parents when they needed it most. There really are very practical, tangible things that will change everything for c-section parents - so we started talking about it! Before we knew it, we created a movement that is now reaching women across the globe” 

While Midwife Vic dedicates most of her time to raising awareness for c-section care and education, she also works closely with programmes such as the World Health Organisation’s Fides programme challenging medical misinformation online, and sits on the advisory board for The Practicing Midwife. She continues to work clinically in the public sector periodically, but much of her clinical practice is now dedicated to working with clients privately, and through teaching digitally. Vic also works with pregnancy and birth brands, consulting on campaigns as well as creating content that aligns with her values.

Her mantra is knowledge is power, and she is determined to empower as many women as she can.

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I sit down with Jenna, an ICU nurse and fellow Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) survivor. Jenna shares her harrowing birth experience, the life-saving interventions she received, and the long road to recovery.

We discuss:
💔 The shocking moment Jenna realized something was very wrong after birth
🚨 Her rapid decline  & emergency medical response
🩸 Being diagnosed with AFE, intubated, and placed on ECMO
🦵 The unexpected vascular complications & multiple surgeries that followed
💜 How Jenna navigated postpartum, physical recovery & mental health struggles
🏃‍♀️ The incredible progress she’s made, learning to walk again & reclaim her life

Jenna’s journey is unimaginable, yet she speaks with raw honesty, resilience, and even humor. This episode is a must-listen for anyone impacted by birth trauma, critical illness, or navigating life after a near-death experience.

Resources Mentioned:
🌐 AFE Foundation & Support Resources
📚 Free CEU Course for Healthcare Providers on AFE Management
📑 AFE Survivor & Family Support Guides

Jenna’s story is a testament to the strength of survivors and the importance of raising AFE awareness.

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.

March 27th marks Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) Awareness Day, a time to honor the lives affected by this rare but life-threatening complication. In this special episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we take a deep dive into what AFE is, how it happens, and what can be done to improve survival rates.

In this episode, we discuss:
🩸 What is AFE? Understanding this sudden and unpredictable complication
⚕️ Symptoms & Diagnosis: How AFE presents and why it’s difficult to diagnose
🚨 Emergency Response & Treatment: The critical importance of rapid medical intervention
📉 Risk Factors & Research Gaps: What we know (and don’t know) about AFE prevention
💜 Support for Survivors & Families: Resources for those impacted

AFE is rare—affecting about 1 in 40,000 births—but its impact is devastating. The best way to save lives is through awareness, preparedness, and research funding.

Resources Mentioned:
🌐 AFE Foundation & Support Resources
📚 Free CEU Course for Healthcare Providers on AFE Management
📑 Simulation Toolkit & Emergency Guides for Medical Teams
📞 24/7 AFE Hotline for Medical Teams Managing Suspected Cases

AFE survivors, grieving families, and medical professionals—this episode is for you. Let’s continue to raise awareness and push for better understanding, treatment, and support.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.

Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.

Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.