The Empty Arms Podcast -- real stories of miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss.

Kayla's son Milo was diagnosed with a massive tumor on his neck while in utero. It was determined during testing that Dr. Christopher Hartnick, an Otolaryngologist who specializes in pediatric care, would be a part of the amazing team working to save the life of both Kayla and Milo.

While determining the roadmap in which to safely bring Milo into this world, it was decided that Milo had to make it to 32 weeks in order for Dr. Hartnick to do whats called an EXIT procedure. You can read more about the procedure as well as Kayla's story here in an article written by Dr. Hartnick called "Whose life do I prioritize? A choice no parent wants to make." This article was written on Aug. 30, 2022 and can be found here. https://www.statnews.com/2022/08/30/whose-life-do-i-prioritize-a-choice-no-parent-wants-to-make/

In a devastating turn of events, Kayla went into labor at 28 weeks and ultimately, Dr. Hartnick was unable to save Milo due to the fact that the tumor never allowed the proper airway to develop while in utero. Dr. Hartnick talks about what it's like to walk a loss family through this experience and the toll it takes on him as a human being having to witness such loss.

Kayla and Dr. Hartnick tenderly replay what transpired with Milo and how the conversation around pregnancy and infant loss impacts the medical world. It is a beautiful conversation between a loss mom and her doctor.

This episode is sponsored by 207 Wellness. They can be reached at 207-949-6589.

Laura found out 16 years ago that she was carrying a son whom she named Willows. Her and her then long distance boyfriend (now husband) found out pretty early on in their pregnancy that Willows had a heart condition that would ultimately result in his devastating death. Through deep introspection and strength, Laura and Eric decided that they would carry this son to the end or whatever time that allowed and clung to hope that maybe the doctors and his diagnosis was wrong.

To everyones surprise, Willows not only survived pregnancy but gifted his parents with 30 minutes of life. His final breath was in the arms of his parents, a moment Laura talks about with tenderness. In those 30 minutes of life, he taught Laura and Eric so much about choice, love and loss. Laura spends time with me on this episode sharing the deep heartache of carrying a baby in her heart and the ways in which she had to grow and learn to live with Willows' absence. Even in loss, Laura has learned to live life with meaning, purpose and a deep sense of hope that she beautifully shares with our listeners.

Laura has so graciously offered her email address to anyone who might be going through a similar situation or are searching for someone to talk to who might understand this deep heartache. Laura can be reached at [email protected].

This episode is generously sponsored by Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic. Check them out at https://kindredvet.com.

There is no world in which Alyssa could have imagined living in without her daughter, Mariana. But at 38 weeks pregnant, Alyssa had to say goodbye. In this episode, Alyssa talks about the moments leading up to finding out there was no heartbeat as well as the devastating process of delivering her daughter stillborn. Alyssa also talks about her incredibly traumatic birth and how that has impacted her in the years since.

Alyssa speaks with bravery and empathy for others who might be facing the unimaginable tragedy of losing a baby at birth. While so many questions remain unanswered, Alyssa couragously navigates life after loss with a peace that has come from healing and time.

This episode is generously sponosred by Stage Presence for Dancers located in Winslow, Maine.

Brittney talks with me about the early losses and they ways those impacted her early on their journey to starting a family. She then goes on to share that her final pregnancy would come to a devastating end with a terminal diagnosis and the subsequent decision to medically terminate their daughter who was diagnosed with Fetal Hydrops from a Cystic Hygroma caused from severe Turner's Syndrome. Her story is filled with heartache and love for her beloved daughter Ellie-Mae. While no parent could ever be prepared to make such a difficult decision, Brittney walks this path with courage and bravery as she shares her story with us.

This episode is sponsored by 207 Wellness. 207 Wellness is a local business in Veazie, Maine that specializes in helping clients meet their health goals.

In this episode I interview Kat Sodawasser. Kat is a two-time loss mom who lives in Nebraska. Many years ago, Kat and I crossed paths through a mutual friend. Nine years later we reconnect over two parallel losses and a rainbow baby. Kat opens her heart and shares with us the details of her first miscarriage along with the sadness that followed. Her and her husband would try for another baby and get pregnant with Charlotte in 2021. Kat would find out in her second trimester that she has Incompetent Cervix which would ultimately result in the tragic and abrupt loss of their daughter. Deeply loved and desperately wanted, Charlotte's loss would bring forth a grief unlike anything Kat had ever experienced. Through her babies short lives, however, Kat shares with us the lessons she's learned about loss and love, the sweetness of friendship and how to navigate this life without holding those precious babies in her arms. Always the mother to her first two babies and now the mother to her rainbow baby Jayden, Kat offers hope and love to other loss families who may be facing the same reality.

Kat shares with us the special bond she and her husband had with Kat's OB - Dr. Karen Lauer-Silva. She also shares with us that Dr. Karen Lauer-Silva tragically passed away just after the birth of their son Jayden in 2022. We collectively, as a loss community, pause and remember the incredibly kind and loving woman that Dr. Lauer-Silva was. We thank her for her tireless work in women's health and dedicate this episode to her in hers and Charlotte's memory.

This episode is generously sponsored by MECCA Visuals. MECCA Visuals is owned and operated by Travis Maynard who is the mutual friend of Kat and I - the one who brought us together so many years ago.

In this episode, I spend time with Erin Hatch as together we tackle the unimaginable heartache that comes from carrying a baby in your heart and not your arms. Erin has walked through the loss of her twin boys, Mason & Marshall in 2015 with several subsequent losses thereafter. We discuss the suprise adoption of her son Maddox as well as the gift of her daughters and the rollercoaster of pregnancy after loss. We explore the deep feelings of grief while searching for hope around each corner of life. Erin Hatch is the President of the Board of Directors of the non-profit, Empty Arms of Greater Bangor. If you are curious about the non-profit or wish to be a guest on our podcast, please visit us at www.emptyarmsbangor.org.