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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.
The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
Ep. 227: My EMDR Expereince
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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 actually look like years after the initial event and how deeper layers of trauma can surface in surprising ways.
In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Kayleigh’s personal therapy journey after surviving an amniotic fluid embolism
🧠 Why she sought therapy immediately after being discharged from the ICU
🤍 The power of relational therapy and feeling deeply seen in trauma recovery
💊 Navigating postpartum anxiety, health anxiety, and starting an SSRI
🔍 The overlap between health anxiety and OCD-style intrusive thoughts
🧑⚕️ How becoming an EMDR therapist changed the way she understood trauma healing
🌀 What EMDR and parts work looked like from the client perspective
🧩 How childhood experiences can shape the way we experience birth trauma
🏥 A surprising connection between childhood medical experiences and feeling unheard during birth
🌙 Processing an early childhood home robbery that fueled nighttime anxiety for decades
👩👦 The lingering trauma of nearly leaving her son without a mother
💬 Why talk therapy alone sometimes isn’t enough for trauma healing
🌱 How EMDR helped process trauma that was stored in the nervous system
Kayleigh also shares an honest look at what healing can look like six years after trauma, including the reality that some pieces resolve while others take longer to process.
If you’ve wondered what EMDR therapy actually feels like, why trauma responses can appear years later, or why talking about trauma doesn’t always resolve it, this episode offers a deeply personal and insightful perspective.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is not linear — and that even therapists need support, care, and space to process their own stories. 🤍
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.