The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
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. 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
Ep. 205: In The Eye of The Beholder: Dr. Cheryl Beck on Birth Trauma
In this powerful conversation, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Cheryl Tatano Beck, one of the most influential researchers in postpartum mood disorders and psychological birth trauma. Dr. Beck shares how her clinical work as a nurse and nurse-midwife led her into research, how she “fell into” traumatic birth as a focus, and why listening to mothers’ own words and metaphors changed everything.Together,
Ep. 204: How a Lived Experience Can Strengthen (but not define) a Therapist's Work feat. Lillian
In this special listener series episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Lillian, a licensed clinical social worker to unpack both the personal and professional realities of NICU trauma, for parents, families, and the clinicians who support them.As a psychotherapist specializing in perinatal mental health, Lillian has spent years supporting women through infertility, postp
Ep. 203: “I Thought I Was Here to Help”: Healing the Helpers in Birth Work
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Maggie Runyon, nurse educator, author, and co-creator of the Trauma-Informed Birth Nurse Program, for an insightful and heartfelt conversation about what it means to care — and to keep caring — in a system that so often asks too much of its helpers.Maggie’s new book, I Thought I Was Here to Help, explores the emotional and p
Ep. 202: Emergency C-Section & Dismissive Care feat. Betsey
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Betsey, a therapist, mother, and birth trauma survivor, to share her powerful and ongoing story of survival, advocacy, and rebuilding trust in the medical system.Betsey’s pregnancy started off routine, until her daughter Mara’s heart rate began showing signs of distress at 39 weeks. What followed was a series of events that
Mini Series: Pregnancy After Birth Trauma
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 difficult or traumatic b
Ep. 200: Cervical Tear, Uterine Rupture, PPH & No Debrief feat. Christine
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Christine, a mom of four, to share her harrowing and powerful story of surviving a rare and life-threatening birth and postpartum experience.After being induced at 37 weeks for hypertension, Christine’s delivery with her fourth son, Caden, started calmly, until everything changed. What followed was a series of medical emerge
Ep. 199: Social Work, Medicine, and the Heart of OB Care
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Jackie Dallaire, an OBGYN and former social work major, to explore what truly human-centered care looks like inside the world of obstetrics.Jackie’s path to medicine began with a foundation in social work, where she learned the importance of empathy, systems thinking, and seeing every person in the context of their story
Ep. 198: Placental Abruption, Stillbirth, & Honoring Max’s Legacy feat. Meghan
In this deeply moving listener story episode, Kayleigh is joined by Meghan, who shares the heartbreaking and powerful story of her son, Max. 💛At 33 weeks pregnant, Meghan experienced a sudden placental abruption that led to a traumatic emergency delivery and the devastating loss of her baby. Through her story, Meghan opens up about the terrifying moments of realizing something was wrong, the life-
Ep. 197: Midwifery Care in the Hospital
In this episode, of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Caitlin, a certified nurse midwife practicing within an OB/GYN group, to talk about how midwives are redefining patient-centered care inside traditional medical settings. Together, they explore what makes the midwifery model unique, why collaboration with obstetricians matters, and how integrating both perspectives can crea
Ep. 196: Medical Gaslighting, Racial Bias, & Emotional Fallout in the NICU feat. Sowania
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Sowania Germain, LMHC-D, PMHC, a licensed therapist and fellow birth trauma survivor, to share her powerful story of pregnancy complications, hospitalization, and healing.Sowania’s journey began with an unexpected pregnancy that led to months of antepartum bed rest, countless medical interventions, and a premature birth, follo
Ep. 195: From Hospital Halls to Healing Spaces: Meet Alicia Rainwater, LCSW
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Alicia Rainwater, LCSW, the newest member of the Holding Hope Perinatal therapy team. Alicia brings nearly a decade of experience as a medical social worker and shares how both her professional and personal journeys have shaped her approach to perinatal trauma and grief work.From walking alongside families in hospitals durin
Ep. 194: Placenta Accreta x2 & a Hysterectomy feat. Rachael
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Rachael to share her powerful story of surviving placenta accreta, not once, but twice, and the far-reaching impact it had on her body, her family, and her healing.Rachael, an IVF mom and nurse, opens up about her traumatic birth experiences: the emergency surgeries, hemorrhage, ICU stay, and the devastating loss of her abil
Ep. 193: Inside UCSF’s Accreta Center: Lessons in Care, Trauma, and Healing
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Dr. Arianna Cassidy, maternal-fetal medicine physician at UCSF, to unpack one of the most complex and high-risk conditions in pregnancy: placenta accreta.Placenta accreta spectrum disorders have been rising alongside C-section rates, yet remain widely misunderstood. Dr. Cassidy shares her personal journey into medicine, her
Ep. 192: Placenta Accreta, Postpartum Hemorrhage, & a Hysterectomy feat. Diane
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, I’m joined by Diane for a powerful and emotional retelling of her son Tommy’s birth and the long, complicated postpartum recovery that followed. What began as a smooth induction and quick delivery turned into a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, a diagnosis of placenta accreta, and an eventual hysterectomy, weeks after birth.Diane walks us thr
Ep. 191: The Retrievals Podcast Debrief with Dvora Entin
In this debrief episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast and The Misconceptions Podcast, Kayleigh and Dvora reflect on their powerful conversation with Dr. Heather Nixon, an OB anesthesiologist working to transform how pain is managed and communicated during C-sections.While the first conversation laid the groundwork, this follow-up goes deeper into the emotional, psychological, and systemic layer
Ep. 190: A Retrievals Podcast Conversation with Dr. Heather Nixon & Dvora Entin
In this special crossover episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast and The Misconceptions Podcast, Kayleigh and Dvora sit down with Dr. Heather Nixon, an obstetric anesthesiologist, to unpack one of the most overlooked aspects of birth trauma: pain during C-sections and failed anesthesia.Inspired by Season 2 of The Retrievals podcast, this conversation dives into what happens when patients are tol
Ep. 189: AFLP, HELLP, & ICU Delirium feat. Lindsey
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Lindsey, who shares her harrowing story of developing acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and HELLP syndrome at 37 weeks. What began as a healthy, joyful pregnancy quickly spiraled into a medical emergency involving liver failure, internal bleeding, intubation, dialysis, and a two-week ICU stay.Lindsey walks us through her f
Ep. 188: Birth Trauma, Body Image, and Eating Concerns
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Andrea Wetterau, a licensed clinical social worker, EMDRIA-certified EMDR therapist, and perinatal mental health certified provider, for an eye-opening conversation on the intersection of birth trauma, body image, and eating concerns in the perinatal period.Andrea shares her personal journey of developing an eating disorder as
Ep. 187: Uterine Inversion, Life-Saving Hysterectomy, & Postpartum Healing feat. Angel
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, we are joined by Angel, who shares her powerful story of birth, near-death, and healing after a rare and life-threatening complication: uterine inversion.Angel describes how her labor started smoothly and seemed “perfect" until the unexpected happened. What followed was a cascade of emergencies, including massive blood loss, emergency surgery,
Ep. 186: Small Rebellions in a Broken System
In this episode of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh is joined by Dr. Ono Nseyo, an OB-GYN practicing in the Bay Area, for a deeply honest and inspiring conversation about patient-centered, trauma-informed care and what it means to show up as both a clinician and a human.Dr. Nseyo shares her journey from growing up as the daughter of Nigerian immigrants to becoming a physician passionate abo
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