The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
Kayleigh Summers 266 episodes Nov 10, 2026
Kayleigh Summers, a licensed therapist and birth trauma survivor, hosts this podcast dedicated to discussing the difficult and often taboo subject of birth trauma. The show aims to bring birth trauma out of the shadows through storytelling and education, featuring interviews with experts and survivors. It rejects toxic positivity and embraces dark humor while acknowledging the pain of birth trauma. The message is that healing is possible and listeners are not alone.
Episodes
Ep. 280: Maternal Health Advocacy for Latine Families
In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes back Ana Lepe Vick to discuss her continued advocacy work in maternal health, stillbirth prevention, and improving care for the Latina community. Ana shares how her own experience of stillbirth and a traumatic crash C-section shaped her commitment to creating systemic change and ensuring that families receive the compassionate, in
Ep. 279: AFE, a Hysterectomy, and a Nurse Becoming the Patient feat. Kelly
What happens when you're a labor and delivery nurse who suddenly finds yourself on the other side of the hospital bed? In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Kelly, a registered nurse who experienced a catastrophic birth trauma while delivering at the very hospital where she worked.Kelly shares the story of her 39-week induction, which quickly turned into a
Ep. 278: Beyond Awareness: Caring for Black Mothers with Integrity Part 1
What does it actually mean to provide safe, equitable, and compassionate care to Black mothers? And why isn't simply being aware of the Black maternal health crisis enough?In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Frances Ivy-Marie, author of Beyond Awareness: Caring for Black Mothers with Integrity, to unpack the realities of Black maternal health and the changes that
277: Severe Preeclampsia, a Micro Preemie, and a 90-Day NICU Stay feat. Meg
In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Meg to share her powerful story of developing severe preeclampsia at just 24 weeks pregnant and welcoming her daughter, Beaux, at 26 weeks and 4 days. We hear about the fear and uncertainty of an unexpected hospitalization, the emotional experience of delivering a baby weighing just 1 pound, 5 ounces, and the 90-day NICU sta
276: Twin Birth with Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy, DIC, and ICU Delirium feat. Amber
In this powerful episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Amber, a midwife and mother of three, to share her story of a life-threatening pregnancy and birth experience with her twins in July 2019. What began as a relatively uneventful twin pregnancy quickly turned into a medical emergency involving acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP), disseminated intravascular coagulati
275: The 2AM Episode: A Gentle Reminder for Birth Trauma Survivors
If you’re rocking your baby in the middle of the night, replaying your birth experience for what feels like the hundred-thousandth time, this special mini episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast is for you. ❤️🩹In this deeply personal and grounding episode, Kayleigh speaks to the version of herself who once sat in the nursery at 2 AM, overwhelmed by memories, grief, and the fear that she had some
Ep. 274: Special Re-release The Adalyn Rose Foundation: Hope & Support After Loss
In Honor of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, we are re-releasing one of our favorite episodes with The Adalyn Rose Foundation. The Adalyn Rose Foundation was created in 2019 on what would have been Chloe and Adam Ciferri's daughter's second birthday. Chloe was having a seemingly normal pregnancy with her daughter Adayln, until about 20 weeks. Chloe and her husband were
Ep. 273: Not Ungrateful, Just Traumatized
In this Mini Series episode, I dive into a nuanced conversation around gratitude practices for perinatal trauma survivors. While gratitude can be a powerful tool for healing, it often becomes complicated when paired with the experiences of trauma, grief, and loss.Whether you’ve felt pressure to “just be grateful” or are searching for ways to reconnect with yourself and your story, this episode off
Ep. 272: Placenta Accreta, Emergency Hysterectomy, a 23-Week Birth and Surrogacy feat. Lauren
In this listener series episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Lauren to hear the story of her traumatic pregnancy, unexpected diagnosis of placenta accreta, life-threatening hemorrhage, emergency hysterectomy, and the premature birth of her daughter at just 23 weeks and 6 days. Lauren shares what it was like to know throughout her pregnancy that her life was at risk, th
Ep. 271: Healing Doesn't Mean Being Okay With It
What if part of you is actually afraid to heal?We talk about healing from birth trauma as though the goal is to eventually feel completely okay with what happened. But what if healing doesn’t mean that at all?In this solo episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh explores the complicated relationship many birth trauma survivors have with healing, including the fear that if the pain gets q
Ep. 270: Third-Degree Tear, Emergency C-Section & Delayed Bonding feat. Brittany
In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Brittany to hear about two birth experiences that left a lasting impact on her. Brittany shares her experience with an initial molar pregnancy diagnosis that was later determined to be a healthy pregnancy, followed by a difficult first birth involving a third-degree tear and feelings of invalidation.Years later, Brittany bec
Ep. 269: Pregnancy After Birth Trauma
A special re-release:In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh opens a gentle and honest conversation about the journey of considering pregnancy after birth trauma and introduces her new workshop, created specifically for this season.The Pregnancy After Birth Trauma Workshop was designed as a supportive, trauma-informed space for anyone exploring a subsequent pregnancy after a dif
Ep. 268: From NICU Trauma to NICU Support: Prematurity, NICU Trauma, and Healing feat. Melissa
In this listener series episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Melissa to hear her story of pregnancy, unexpected complications, premature birth, and an almost six-month NICU stay. Melissa shares how her experience at 25–27 weeks pregnant turned her birth plans upside down and how her son’s congenital heart defect and battle with NEC added layers of fear and uncertainty
Ep. 267: Hope After Birth Trauma: Rethinking Birth, Interventions, and Autonomy
In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC, an OB nurse, educator, mom of four, and creator of The Labor Mama. Lo shares her journey into nursing, what she calls the “art of nursing,” and how her experiences both as a nurse and as a mother have shaped the way she thinks about birth.Kayleigh and Lo dive into the importance of nuance, aut
Ep. 266: Undiagnosed Placenta Accreta, Hemorrhage, and Emergency Hysterectomy feat. Shelby
On today’s listener series episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes Shelby to share the story of her traumatic birth experience and the unexpected complications that changed her life forever. What began as a planned C-section due to placenta previa and cholestasis quickly became a life-threatening emergency involving severe hemorrhaging, multiple interventions, blood transfusio
Ep. 265: When the Emergency Is Over, But the Trauma Isn’t: Creating The Post Care
In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Alexsis Gilles, founder of The Postcare, to talk about her experience of birth trauma and the journey that followed. Alexsis shares the story of her daughter Ella’s birth, including a difficult induction, 11 attempts at an epidural, an emergency C-section, a severe hemorrhage, and being separated from her daughter while she
Ep. 264: When Care Isn’t Trauma-Informed: Infertility, Sexual Trauma, and Obstetric Violence feat. Liz
In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Liz Gray, a fellow perinatal therapist, to hear her deeply personal story of infertility, birth, sexual trauma, and obstetric violence. Liz shares how her history of sexual trauma shaped her experience with fertility treatment and birth, and how moments of dismissal, lack of empathy, and feeling unseen ultimately contributed
Ep. 263: What is a "Positive" Pregnancy & Birth?
What does it actually mean to have a positive pregnancy experience, especially when we know that birth and postpartum don't always go according to plan? In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Nina Spears, birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and author of Positive Pregnancy, to talk about preparing for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and everything in between.Nina shares her unexp
Ep. 262: Two Traumatic Births As an L&D Nurse feat. Stacy
In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes Stacy to share her powerful story of experiencing birth trauma through two very different pregnancies. As a labor and delivery nurse, Stacy entered motherhood with an understanding of the medical side of birth, but that knowledge made it even more difficult to process what happened when both of her births took unexpected and traum
Ep. 261: What Makes Birth Safer? The Human Side of Patient Safety
What happens when we look at perinatal patient safety as more than protocols, checklists, and clinical outcomes? In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Cheniqua Morales, a perinatal patient safety nurse, to talk about the human side of making birth safer. Cheniqua shares how her experiences as a doula, labor and delivery nurse, educator, and patient safety leader
Ep. 260: Uterine Rupture, Postpartum Hemorrhage & a Rare Tumor feat. Rebecca
Rebecca's story is one of extraordinary resilience. What began as a routine induction quickly turned into a life-threatening postpartum emergency, followed by the discovery of a rare orbital tumor, multiple surgeries, and a long road through PTSD and healing. In this heartfelt Listener Series episode, Rebecca shares how community, therapy, faith, and giving back helped her reclaim her life af
Ep. 259: Celebrating The Worst Day of Your Life: Birth Trauma Anniversaries
This week's episode is a solo conversation about one of the most complicated parts of healing after birth trauma: anniversaries.Whether it's your baby's birthday, the day you were admitted to the hospital, your NICU discharge, or another date tied to your experience, trauma anniversaries can bring up overwhelming emotions, even years later. Kayleigh shares why these reactions are so
Ep. 258: Three Births, Two NICU Stays, and the Trauma She Didn't Recognize feat. Liana
In this heartfelt listener story, Liana shares how three very different pregnancies and births each shaped her experience of motherhood in unexpected ways. After developing gestational hypertension that progressed to postpartum preeclampsia with her first baby, she found herself navigating the uncertainty of a premature birth and NICU stay, all while trying to understand what had happened to her o
Ep. 257: Self Blame After Birth Trauma
This week's episode is a solo conversation tackling one of the most common, and most painful, themes that emerges after a traumatic birth: self-blame.If you've ever found yourself replaying your birth and thinking, "I should have spoken up," "I should have known something was wrong," or "My body failed my baby," this episode is for you. Kayleigh explores why
Ep. 256: Mothering Through Loss: Pregnancy Loss, TFMR, Birth Trauma, and Healing feat. Carmen
In this moving listener story, Carmen shares her complicated journey through pregnancy loss, recurrent miscarriage, TFMR (termination for medical reasons), traumatic births, emergency deliveries, and ultimately building the family she always dreamed of. As a mother of 12 babies, five Earthside and seven who are no longer physically here, Carmen offers a powerful perspective on grief, resilience, a
Ep. 255: PTSD in the Perinatal Period
We often use the terms birth trauma, perinatal trauma, and PTSD interchangeably, but they're not actually the same thing.In this episode closing out PTSD Awareness Month, Kayleigh breaks down the important differences between:Birth and perinatal trauma as an experiencePost-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) that may not meet diagnostic criteriaPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a clinical
Ep. 254: Healing After Birth Trauma: A Conversation with My Former Therapist
Kayleigh sits down with her former therapist, Hilary Waller, to reflect on the years they spent working together after Kayleigh's amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), birth trauma, and the life-altering experiences that followed. Together, they explore the therapeutic relationship, what healing actually looks like over time, and how trauma recovery often evolves from surviving to grieving to fully
Ep. 253: Preeclampsia at 30 Weeks: The Hospital Stay, Premature Birth, and Healing That Followed feat. Jess
In this listener story, Jess shares her experience with preeclampsia that went from seemingly mild and manageable to severe in a matter of days. As a first-time mom with an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy, she found herself blindsided by a diagnosis she knew very little about and quickly facing decisions she never imagined having to make.Jess opens up about the fear, confusion, and lack of educa
Ep. 252: A Different Kind of Episode: Our Disney & Universal Adventure
This week’s episode is a little different than our usual conversations about birth trauma, healing, and maternal mental health.Kayleigh is taking listeners behind the scenes of her family's recent trip to Disney World and Universal Orlando, a trip she never expected would become one of their favorite family experiences. As a self-proclaimed non-theme-park expert, Kayleigh shares the planning
Ep. 251: Waking Up to a New Reality at 27 Weeks: Placental Abruption, Emergency Twin Birth, & NICU feat. Kirsten
In this heartfelt episode, Kirsten shares the story of her unexpected twin pregnancy, a sudden placental abruption at just 27 weeks, and the terrifying emergency C-section that changed everything in a matter of minutes. Far from home and under general anesthesia, Kirsten woke up to a reality she never imagined: two extremely premature babies fighting for their lives in the NICU.Kirsten opens up ab
Ep. 250: Birth Trauma, Preeclampsia, and a Life-Changing Prenatal Diagnosis feat. Kate
In this powerful listener story, Kate returns to share her second birth experience after previously sharing her first story years ago. After surviving postpartum preeclampsia and medical trauma with her first child, Kate spent years healing through therapy, EMDR, community support, and advocacy work. When she became pregnant again, she hoped for a different experience, but life had other plans.At
Ep. 249: One and Done After Birth Trauma - A Special ReRelease
This week, we are rereleasing a powerful episode with our guest Jess Myhre to talk about the choice (or sometimes not) to be one and done, particularly after birth trauma. Jess has been a pioneer in the discussion and support of families with only children, regardless of the reason. She fiercely advocates and validates for these families in her beautiful space @onlyyoucommunity. On this episode, J
Ep. 248: Preeclampsia, Birth Trauma, and the Search for A Redemption Birth feat. Kayelynn
This week on the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast listener series, Kayleigh is joined by Kayelynn to share her powerful story of preeclampsia, birth trauma, repeat C-sections, and the complicated journey of pregnancy after trauma. In honor of Preeclampsia Awareness Month, this episode highlights the reality of living through severe preeclampsia, navigating emergency medical decisions, and coping with the
Ep. 247: Losing Yourself After Birth Trauma
This episode explores the profound identity shift that can happen after birth trauma, the grief of losing who you were before, the disorientation of feeling disconnected from yourself, and the complicated process of rebuilding after trauma. Kayleigh shares how trauma can reshape personality, relationships, interests, and even the way we experience parenthood itself.Through personal stories and ref
Ep. 246: The Accident, the NICU, and the Aftermath: A Twin Sisters’ Birth Trauma Story feat. Holly & Alison
In this deeply emotional and powerful listener episode, Kayleigh is joined by sisters identical twin sisters Alison and Holly, whose journeys through pregnancy, birth trauma, medical trauma, and survival became heartbreakingly intertwined. Both clinical psychologists, both high-achieving perfectionists, and both navigating pregnancy at the same time, neither could have imagined the life-altering e
Ep. 245: Medical Records and Debriefs - Mini Series - A Special Rerelease
On this week's episode, we are doing a special rerelease! We are talking all things medical records and debriefs.On this episode you will hear:- understanding medical records- process of requesting medical records- the importance of debriefs- empowering patients through effective communicationFor more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @theb
Ep. 244: From Twin Birth to Neuro ICU feat. Jessica
In this episode, Jessica shares the unimaginable journey of becoming a first-time mom to twin boys while surviving a rare and life-threatening postpartum medical complication after a wet tap during her epidural. From seizures and brain bleeds to time in the neuro ICU and separation from her newborns, Jessica vulnerably opens up about trauma, healing, advocacy, and ultimately finding hope through a
Ep. 243: EMDR for Perinatal OCD & Trauma
In this insightful episode, Kayleigh sits down with therapist and perinatal mental health expert Hilary Waller to explore the nuanced overlap between perinatal OCD, trauma, and EMDR. Hilary shares her journey into this work, her passion for supporting parents through medical trauma and loss, and how EMDR can help address the nervous system responses underneath intrusive thoughts and anxiety.💛 Why
Ep. 242: When Loss and Trauma Collide feat. Katherine
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Katherine to hold space for the layers of trauma that can exist alongside stillbirth and loss. Katherine shares the story of her son Brody, the life-threatening complications she experienced after his birth, and the continued trauma that unfolded in her pregnancy and delivery with her living child.Through her unfiltered honesty, Katherine sheds light on the
Ep. 241: Mother's Day After Birth Trauma
In this mini episode, Kayleigh opens up about the often unexpected and deeply layered experience of Mother’s Day after birth trauma. She offers validation, normalization, and gentle guidance for navigating a day that can feel both meaningful and incredibly heavy.💐 The many layers of Mother’s Day grief, including loss, infertility, complicated relationships, and birth trauma🤍 Why Mother’s Day can f
Ep. 240: Chronic Illness, Pregnancy Loss, and a Traumatic Birth feat. Megan
In this episode, Megan shares her journey through recurrent pregnancy loss, chronic illness, medical trauma, and a life-threatening birth experience that led to her son’s premature arrival. Her story sheds light on the complexities of pregnancy after loss, the realities of navigating the healthcare system with chronic conditions, and the lasting impact of birth trauma and a NICU stay.💔 Recurrent p
Ep. 239: Beyond “What to Expect”: Birth Education with Dr. Jennifer Lincoln
In this informative episode, Kayleigh sits down with OB-GYN and author Dr. Jennifer Lincoln to break down what pregnant people actually need to know about birth. From navigating medical decisions to unpacking misinformation online, this conversation is packed with insight, nuance, and practical tools to help you feel more confident and informed heading into your birth experience.💛 Why feeling info
Ep. 238: Birth Trauma, Endometriosis, and the Long Road to Answers feat. Leah
In this powerful Listener Series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Leah to share her story of giving birth during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating a traumatic delivery, and enduring years of unexplained postpartum pain before finally being diagnosed with severe endometriosis. Leah opens up about medical dismissal, complex trauma, subsequent pregnancies, and the ongoing journey of
Ep. 237: Review of The Pitt Season Finale
In this episode, Kayleigh breaks down a widely discussed episode of The Pit—exploring both the medical accuracy and the emotional impact it’s had on the birth trauma community. Through a nuanced and honest lens, she unpacks what the show got right, what it missed, and why these portrayals matter so deeply.🎬 The viral episode that sparked major conversation across both medical and patient communiti
Ep. 236: Cody’s Legacy: Loving, Losing, and Learning to Carry Both feat. Michelle
In this deeply emotional listener episode, Michelle bravely shares her story of pregnancy complications, medical trauma, and the heartbreaking loss of her son, Cody. Through her vulnerability, she offers connection, validation, and hope to anyone navigating grief after loss.💛 The loneliness of trauma and the power of having a space to share your story🤰 Repeatedly dismissed concerns, ongoing bleedi
Ep. 235: Medical Trauma and Post-Intensive Care Syndrome
In this validating episode, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. James Jackson, an internationally recognized psychologist, neuropsychology specialist, and pioneer in post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). Together, they explore the often-overlooked reality of medical trauma and what true healing can look like after surviving critical illness.📖 His book Reclaiming Your Life from Medical Trauma offers a compass
Ep. 235: Two Best Friends & Their Intersecting Birth Traumas feat. Sam & Paige
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with two best friends, Sam and Paige, whose lives became forever intertwined through shared birth trauma. What began as a friendship rooted in everyday life quickly transformed into something much deeper when both women experienced rare, life-threatening birth complications just months apart.Together, they open up about the shock, grief, and confusion of their e
Ep. 234: What Patients Need to Hear: Trauma-Informed Scripts for Providers
In this mini episode, Kayleigh is speaking directly to providers, nurses, and healthcare workers about the real-life application of trauma-informed care. Moving beyond the buzzword, she breaks down how trauma shows up in healthcare settings, and more importantly, how communication can either help prevent or contribute to it.This episode is packed with practical, easy-to-implement scripts and minds
Ep. 233: Part 2 Pregnancy After AFE feat. Olivia
In Part 2 of Olivia’s story, we move beyond the resuscitation and into what so many survivors say is the hardest part, the aftermath. From ICU recovery to postpartum trauma, returning to work, and making the deeply personal decision to grow her family again, Olivia shares a raw and powerful look at life after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism.This episode is a testament to grit, grief, and rede
Ep. 232: C-Sections & Birth Trauma - Not One Size Fits All
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 o
Ep. 231: Part 1 When an ER Nurse has an AFE (and is conscious for most of it) feat. Olivia
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Olivia, a nurse, Navy veteran, and fellow AFE survivor, who shares her powerful and truly unique birth story.Olivia walks us through her experience of an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during the birth of her son, Theo, including the unimaginable reality of being awake and aware during much of her own resuscitation. Her stor
Special Rerelease: Honoring AFE Awareness Day: Understanding Amniotic Fluid Embolism
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 complicat
Ep 230: The Cost of Not Being Believed: HELLP, Stroke, and Survival feat. Samina
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh speaks with author and advocate Samina Ali, who shares her devastating and powerful birth story. What began as a healthy first pregnancy quickly turned into a life-threatening medical emergency when her symptoms of preeclampsia were repeatedly dismissed by providers.Samina vulnerably shares how undiagnosed preeclampsia progressed into H
Ep 229: "Was My Birth Actually Traumatic?"
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh answers one of the most common questions she hears from both clients and her online community: “Was my birth actually traumatic?”In this mini episode, she breaks down the truth about trauma, reminding listeners that trauma is not defined by how something “looked” on paper, but by how it was experienced in the body and nervous system. Th
Ep. 228: Birth Trauma, a High Spinal, and the Power of the Right Care Team feat. Anya
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes Anya to share the story of her first birth — a pregnancy that was completely uncomplicated until a cascade of unexpected events in labor led to a traumatic emergency C-section experience.Anya opens up about feeling pressured into surgery, a frightening complication with anesthesia in the operating room, and the terror of feelin
Ep. 227: My EMDR Expereince
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh shifts perspectives and shares her own therapy journey, not as a clinician, but as a client. After surviving a life-threatening birth experience and amniotic fluid embolism, Kayleigh opens up about the role therapy, medication, EMDR, and parts work have played in her healing.This vulnerable episode explores what trauma healing can actua
Ep. 226 Stillbirth, Infertility, and a NICU Stay With COVID feat. Leslie
On today’s episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Leslie shares the story of her daughter Cora born via emergency C-section after a full-term pregnancy and the unimaginable grief of losing her shortly after birth. She also opens up about secondary infertility, pregnancy after loss, a traumatic COVID birth, and the long road of healing that followed.This episode is a powerful reminder that grief
Special Rerelease: EMDR with Dr. Pria Alpern
✨ Special Rerelease Episode ✨In this important conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Pria Alpern to talk about EMDR therapy and its powerful role in healing birth trauma. If you’ve ever felt stuck in intrusive memories, body flashbacks, or overwhelming anxiety after your birth experience, this episode offers both education and hope. We break down what EMDR actually is, how it works, and why it
Ep. 225: Placenta Increta & Emergency Hysterectomy After IVF feat. Annie
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Annie to share her powerful story of birth trauma, medical complications, and the long road of postpartum healing. Annie opens up about how quickly plans changed, the fear and confusion that followed, and what it has looked like to process trauma while learning to parent. This conversation is honest, validating, and a reminder that trauma isn’t defined by o
Ep. 224: Sharing Your Birth Trauma: Timing, Safety, and Choice
In this episode, Kayleigh talks about something that comes up again and again in our community: how, when, and whether to share your birth trauma story. From conversations with pregnant friends to posting publicly or presenting professionally, this episode explores navigating boundaries, safety, and connection, without shame. You are allowed to share your story. And you’re also allowed to protect
Ep. 223: Knowing Too Much: Birth Trauma & NICU as a Physician feat. Nicola
In this listener series episode, Kayleigh sits down with Nicola, a physician who shares her own experience with birth trauma, placenta previa, a massive hemorrhage, and a terrifying NICU journey with her son. Nicola opens up about what it’s like to be on the other side of medicine, how “knowing too much” can increase anxiety, and the deep loneliness that can come with traumatic birth and a NICU st
Ep. 222: Partner & Family Trauma
In this episode, Kayleigh dives into a topic we don’t talk about enough: partner and family trauma after birth. Birth trauma doesn’t just impact the birthing person; it can deeply affect the non-birthing partner and the entire family system. From helplessness in the delivery room to tension in relationships afterward, this conversation explores what we know (and what we’re still learning) about ho
Ep. 221: A Birth Marked by Racism, HIE, and Survival feat. Ruby
In this powerful and necessary episode, Ruby shares her story of birth trauma, medical dismissal, and her daughter Rumi’s diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy). Ruby walks us through being sent home multiple times while in labor, giving birth to a baby who was not breathing, surviving a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, and navigating the NICU and devastating uncertainty that fo
Ep. 220: Support for Formula Feeding, Too.
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Mallory—aka The Formula Mom—to talk all things formula feeding, combo feeding, and her brand-new book Bottle Service. They dive into the real, messy, emotional side of infant feeding: the lack of education around formula, the grief of not being able to breastfeed, the pressure of “at all costs” narratives, and why nuance, support, and compassion matter more
Episode 219: Two Births, Two NICU Stays: Why Only One Was Traumatic feat. Abigail
In this episode, Kayleigh sits down with Abigail to talk about her first birth complicated by low amniotic fluid, a late preterm induction, and a long, emotionally exhausting NICU stay, and how that experience shaped her postpartum mental health and feeding journey. Abigail also shares her second birth story, including intentional preparation, advocacy, and what it looked like to face another NICU
Ep. 218: Understanding ECMO & Flight Transport
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Derek Grassley, RN CEN, CFRN, CCRN, NRP, FP-C WP-C - a flight nurse and ECMO specialist, to break down what ECMO is, when it’s used, and why it can be life-saving for critically ill pregnant and postpartum patients.This powerful conversation pulls back the curtain on critical care, emergency transport, and the realities of c
Ep. 217: Placenta Accreta with Postpartum Complications feat. Andrea
In this powerful Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Andrea, who shares her story of an unexpected pregnancy complicated by severe placenta accreta, a nine-hour delivery surgery, massive hemorrhage, ICU recovery, and a long, complex postpartum healing journey.Andrea walks listeners through receiving a terrifying accreta diagnosis at her anatomy scan, nav
A Special ReRelease - Ep. 107: Parenting After Birth Trauma
✨ Special Re-Release ✨ Parenting After Birth TraumaAs our children grow, many of us begin to notice something unexpected: the ways our birth trauma continues to show up, not just in our bodies and minds, but in our parenting.In this special re-release episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we revisit a conversation that feels just as relevant, if not more so, today. Kayleigh offers a brief but
Ep. 216: Placenta Previa, Accreta, NICU, and Finding Power After Repeated Birth Trauma feat. Kailee
In this deeply moving Listener Series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Kailee, who shares her story of infertility, recurrent placenta previa, NICU stays, medical trauma, and ultimately surviving placenta accreta with a life-saving hysterectomy.Kailee walks us through two high-risk pregnancies marked by hemorrhage, emergency cesareans, prolonged antepartum hospitaliz
Ep. 215: Giving Yourself Permission: Identity, Advocacy & Reclaiming Joy
What does it really mean to give yourself permission, especially when you’ve been conditioned to put everyone else first?In this thoughtful and deeply resonant episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. George James, psychologist, speaker, executive coach, and author of I Give Myself Permission. With over a decade of shared history, Kayleigh and Dr. James reflect on growth
Ep. 214: High Risk Pregnancies, Cardioversion, & NICU Stays feat. Alex
In this powerful episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Alex, a mom of two and congenital heart disease survivor, who shares her journey through two high-risk pregnancies and two traumatic births.Alex opens up about living with complex congenital heart defects, undergoing open-heart surgery as an infant, and entering pregnancy knowing she would always be medically high-ris
Ep. 213: Coherence Therapy, Memory Reconsolidation, and Healing Birth Trauma
In this clinically grounded episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Kina Wolfenstein, LCSW, therapist, educator, and certified trainer in Coherence Therapy, for a deep dive into a lesser-known but incredibly powerful trauma modality.Together, they explore what coherence therapy is, how it differs from more familiar approaches like EMDR, CBT, and IFS, and why it can be espec
Ep. 212: Triplet Loss, Twin Birth, Emergency C-Section, and The NICU feat. Bella
In this Listener Series episode, Kayleigh is joined by Bella, who courageously shares her journey through infertility, a high-risk twin pregnancy, perinatal depression, placenta previa, repeated hospitalizations, and an emergency C-section at just under 33 weeks.Bella walks us through the shock of conceiving triplets after one round of Clomid, the grief of losing one baby early in pregnancy, and t
Ep. 211: Ethics in The Birth Room
What happens when something doesn’t feel right during labor or birth, but you don’t know what to do, who to call, or even what to name it?In this eye-opening episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. Jennifer Dunatov, a healthcare ethicist with nearly 20 years of experience working inside hospital systems. Together, they unpack what ethics really looks like in labor and d
Ep. 210: Eight Months Postpartum: A “Routine” Procedure Turned Traumatic
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Danielle, a therapist and mother of three, to share a story that challenges the narrow ways we often define birth and postpartum trauma.Danielle’s trauma did not occur during labor or delivery, it unfolded months postpartum, following what was supposed to be a routine surgical procedure to remove a fibroid. Instead, a cascad
Ep. 209: EMDR, Perinatal Trauma, & OCD
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Tiffany Lowther, LMHC, a certified perinatal mental health professional and EMDR therapist, for an in-depth conversation about using EMDR to treat birth trauma, postpartum anxiety, OCD-like symptoms, and other perinatal mental health challenges.Tiffany shares both her professional expertise and lived experience, offering clear
Ep. 208: Rushed to the NICU: Navigating Pneumothorax, Infection Fears, and Postpartum Chaos ft. Kelsea
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Kelsea, a mom of three, to share the emotional, terrifying, and deeply transformative story of her son Oliver’s birth and NICU journey a birth she hoped would finally be a peaceful experience after two difficult deliveries, but instead became her most traumatic one yet.Scheduled for a repeat C-section at 37 weeks due to risi
Ep. 207: Surrogacy After Birth Trauma: The Feelings Beneath the Process
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dvora Entin, LCSW, PMH-C, therapist, educator, and host of The Misconceptions Podcast, for a deeply honest and compassionate conversation about surrogacy— the hopes, complexities, grief, joy, and emotional labor that shape this path to parenthood. Dvora shares what intended parents often navigate beneath the surface: the gri
A Special Re-Release: Ep. 129 Navigating the Holidays After Birth Trauma
As the holiday season approaches, we’re revisiting one of the most requested and resonant solo episodes of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. In this special re-release, Kayleigh dives into the complex, emotional landscape of navigating the holidays after birth or perinatal trauma, a topic that so many in our community quietly struggle with, but one that’s rarely talked about openly.Drawing from her
Ep. 206: Preeclampsia, Magnesium Toxicity, & a NICU Journey feat. Rachel
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Rachel, a mom of two, to share her powerful and deeply layered story of navigating two very different pregnancies and births, both marked by moments of dismissal, fear, and intense advocacy.Rachel’s first pregnancy shifted dramatically at 30 weeks when she developed severe high blood pressure and preeclampsia, leading to we
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