Sisters in Loss Podcast: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, & Infertility Stories

Do you know what a Placental Abruption is? Placental abruption occurs when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth . Placental abruption can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients and cause heavy bleeding in the mother. In some cases, early delivery is needed. Today's guest experienced a placental abruption along with a uterine rupture that lead to her pre-term birt...

A miscarriage is one of the most devastating things that can happen to a couple. You grieve and become fearful. Fearful that parts of history may repeat itself, the part where you lose your baby at 3 months old so you decide to not try again for another child. Yes, that part! But then, by God's grace, you somehow got over your fears and are ready to try again. You tried and nothing happened, you k...

Have you heard of the term hydrosalpinx? Hydrosalpinx is  the blockage of a woman's fallopian tube  caused by a fluid buildup and dilation of the tube at its end. Most often it occurs at the fimbrial end of the tube next to the ovary, but it can also occur at the other end of the tube that attaches to the uterus. Today's guest was diagnosed with infertility after trying to conceive for a year.  Sh...

You are listening to a special episode of the Sisters in Loss Podcast.  As many of my US listeners know we are less than two weeks away from, November 8, 2022 which is Election Day and Midterm elections, and we have the power to change and shift the paradigm of maternal and infant mortality in America with our vote.  In today's episode, a rewind episode, I sit down with March of Dimes President St...

According to the most recent data, Black infants are 2.3 times more likely to die before their first birthday compared to their White counterparts. Black American parents also experience higher rates of fetal and perinatal deaths, making Black families disproportionately more susceptible to pregnancy loss und bereavement. Bereaved Black parents' ability and ways of coping with their loss is influe...

In April 2021, Sisters in Loss founder, Erica Michelle, had the pleasure of attending the first Black Maternal Health Roundtable held at The White House by Vice President Kamala Harris and Ambassador Susan Rice.  In today's podcast episode she is sharing this experience with you and what Vice President Kamala Harris asked her about being a doula and why doulas are needed. Sisters in Loss Training...

More than five million people in the United States experience some type of infertility, miscarriage or infant loss. Although this type of trauma is widely acknowledged as something that affects millions of families, many families still feel ashamed, hopeless, and isolated.  Resilience Rising is an intimate compilation of stories by families living with infertility who have experienced pregnancy an...

After battling infertility for 10 years with Poly cystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS, today's guest delivered her baby at 27 weeks, spent 6 months in the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and lost her baby.  Lianne Totty, went on to have another baby at 25 weeks who also spent time in the NICU and is now thriving.  Her experience led her to writing her children's book "Baby went to Heaven" to help...

After being diagnosed with PCOS and having her thyroid removed today's guest knew there would be challenges to becoming a mother.  Without trying Sasha Palin was able to get pregnant.  Unfortunately at 7 weeks she began spotting and miscarried at 9 weeks.  Sasha did not receive favorable care as a result of her miscarriage, no sympathy, being brushed off, and no one there to explain exactly what w...

Have you practiced mindful meditation? Well your time to do so is now using the Expectful app. What is Expectful? It is the mental health app for use before, during, and after pregnancy. Including Pregnancy Loss, Infertility, and Trying to Conceive. In today's episode, we have on Expectful's CEO, Nathalie Walton to share how meditation saved her pregnancy, her transition into being an app user to...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone disorder in women that is also the leading cause of female infertility. September is recognized as PCOS awareness month. PCOS is one of the most underdiagnosed diseases in the world, with less than 25% of women with PCOS being diagnosed. Today's guest was diagnosed with PCOS after experiencing a missed miscarriage. Nkemka Egbuho has been trying...

After experiencing multiple miscarriages today's guest found herself on Dr. Google to find comfort.  She found exactly what she was seeking an online doula board which inspired her to become a birth doula.  Today's guest is one of the 100+ Black women founders that have raised over 1 million dollars in capital.  She has leveraged the power of technology to bring together womxn seeking emotional an...

Have you been searching for an app for your pregnancy after loss?  Well there is an online app that is for you called Wolomi. Wolomi is the only digital community that offers support to women of color to improve maternal health outcomes. Membership to Wolomi gives you access to maternal health experts, events, and a community of amazing women. Today's guest is Wolomi's founder Layo George, who is...

ave you heard of a Myomectomy procedure? Myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids. These common noncancerous growths appear in the uterus. Uterine fibroids usually develop during childbearing years, but they can occur at any age. Women of Color have the highest occurrence of fibroids in up to 90% of black women before age of 50.   Today's guest experienced an untimely loss at...

Imagine birthing your rainbow baby and losing your first born on the same day!? Today's episode is one that hits close to home as her story is very similar to my own. I would be lying to you if I didn't say I cried throughout this entire interview and hours afterward. This episode is a trigger, so please grab some tissue, and brace yourself as you embark on this woman's journey to motherhood. Shan...

On August 2, 2017 we released our first episode of the Sisters in Loss Podcast.  Today, we celebrate 5 Years of this podcast and community. In today's solo episode, Erica McAfee, Sisters in Loss Founder shares: The History of Sisters in Loss Black Maternal Health Crisis and Roe vs. Wade Community Building in the last 5 Years What's Next for Sisters in Loss? Her personal journey and how this podcas...

Have you ever heard the perspective of loss from a grandmother?   Today's episode features the story of triplet loss of Alicia Harris grandbabies.  She is joined by her daughter who both highlight and share their experiences of the journey to motherhood.  This episode is for you to listen to if you want to hear the loss perspective of a mother and grandmother, how they overcame grief together, and...

Have you ever heard the perspective of loss from a grandmother, sibling, or cousin?   Today's episode features the story of Audri Cabness's son Sebastien who was fatally injured and died to due to medical negligence in 2016. This catastrophic incident let Audri and her family to start a foundation called Sebastien's smile in his honor.  Audri also has a family healing book called "Scootie Toots an...

There is a new webseries that has been all the buzz on Instagram, and its called Black Girls Guide to Fertility, created, written, and based on Sonhara' Eastman's own battle with infertility. Black Girls Guide to Fertility tackles infertility in a profoundly intimate way that's both dramatic and comedic without ever feeling rigid. It focuses on Ava, a 37-year old romance novelist, who faded into o...

Have you heard of the term Missed Miscarriage?   A missed miscarriage is when a baby has died in the womb, but the mother hasn't had any symptoms, such as bleeding or pain. Any type of miscarriage can cause shock, but a missed miscarriage can be particularly difficult because of the lack of symptoms.   Today's guest experienced a missed miscarriage and has battled infertility.  Whitney McCoy is a...

Do you know what TFMR or Termination for Medical Reasons is?   Termination for Medical Reasons, or TFMR, is when a pregnancy is terminated due to a chromosomal, genetic or structural fetal abnormality, or where continuing the pregnancy would risk the health or life of the mother.   Today's guest experienced 14 losses.  Yes, this isn't a typo.  Turia West is a wife and mom and is still on the journ...

Today's guest experienced secondary infertility due to male factor.  Senoria Cain is wife and mom to a 13 year old daughter.  She always knew her husband had a low sperm count and was able to see a urologist who recommended surgery to assist.  After 10 years of no protection and experiencing secondary infertility she was able to get pregnant.  At 12 weeks she was able to see the doctor for an ultr...

Today's guest is a doula, student midwife, and single mother who has experienced racial disparities in the hospital that has affected her and her son.  Kourtney Mcgowan experienced a miscarriage after thinking she wouldn't be able to conceive anymore children due to her endometriosis diagnosis.  In today's episode she takes us back on her journey, the prejudice she faced, and how being a single mo...

The road to parenthood looks different for many of us Sisters in Loss.  This can be especially difficult for our masculine presenting LGBTQ+ sisters.  Today's guest has experienced parenthood in many forms, from step kids, birthing her own with a sperm donor, IVF, loss, and a successful birth with her partner.   Dr. Gloria Pope began to document her journey through her partner's fertility treatmen...