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.
The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
Ep. 225: Placenta Increta & Emergency Hysterectomy After IVF feat. Annie
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
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 one moment.
In this episode, we talk about:
🤰 A pregnancy that didn’t unfold the way she expected
🏥 Medical complications and rapid decision-making during labor
😔 Feeling dismissed, confused, or out of control in key moments
🧠 How trauma lives in the body long after birth
💔 The emotional aftermath in the early postpartum weeks
🫶 The impact birth trauma had on identity and relationships
🌪️ Anxiety, hypervigilance, and trying to make sense of what happened
🗂️ Revisiting medical records and searching for answers
✨ Finding support through therapy and safe spaces
🌿 What healing has looked like over time
This episode's artwork for the reel was done by Annie as a way of processing her experience. You can follow her art page on instagram for more: @abowlerdraws
If you’ve ever questioned whether your experience “counts” as trauma, this episode is for you. You are not dramatic. You are not weak. And you are not alone. 🤍
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services.
Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.