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The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
Birth trauma is the dark and sometimes scary side of pregnancy & postpartum that no one wants to talk about. But, we're here to change that! I'm Kayleigh, a licensed therapist and birth trauma survivor, determined to bring birth trauma out of the shadows and into the light. When we talk about birth trauma, we take away its power and leave space for healing. Your birth trauma does not need to “happen for a reason." Birth trauma sucks and it’s okay to admit that. Join us as we navigate what it means to heal from birth trauma. You’ll hear from experts in the field as well as others who have experienced birth trauma. Storytelling and education are keys to raising awareness and better understanding how we heal trauma. We don’t do toxic positivity in this space, but you’ll definitely hear some dark humor. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry, but, most importantly, you’ll learn that you’re not alone and that healing is possible. Birth trauma is bullish*it, but your healing is not.
Episodes
249 episodes
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 sup...
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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 bi...
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 an...
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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...
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, thi...
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 ...
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 ri...
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 anyo...
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...
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...
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 set...
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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...
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-sectio...
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 a...
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 ...
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...
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 brea...
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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 ...
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, K...
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 ab...
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 f...
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, an...
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, ...
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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 lik...
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. Fr...