This week we talk with Lori Brooks, a dear friend of Nadine's who graciously came onto the pod to talk about what it means to live through repeated loss on the road to becoming a mom. 

Lori always knew she wanted kids, and after experiencing a long period of trying to conceive, she miscarried the first time just 6 weeks into her pregnancy. Two more miscarriages later, Lori takes us through each one, sharing the lived experience, but also the depression that followed and the pressure she felt to "stay positive".

Throughout this talk she candidly describes the isolation and awkwardness of miscarriage, why many people don’t talk about it, and how insensitive comments can land. Lori explains that causes of miscarriages are often unknown, how self-blame takes hold, and how she coped with cycles of anger, grief, and attempts to “fix” fertility through lifestyle changes and alternative therapies.

Lori's fertility story ends with the joy of twins - something that happened after a second round of IUI. While this is the happy ending she dreamt about, she normalizes not getting the pregnancy experience she hoped for, explains how it was shaped by her previous losses, and then leaves the pod with practical guidance for supporting someone through miscarriage: show up, be curious, take cues, offer tangible help, and make room for both grief and joy without forcing optimism.

@the_otherside_pod