What happens when every instinct tells you something is wrong, but no one can find answers?
In this deeply moving conversation, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Christina Bernardo, Cuban-American mother of five and co-founder of Avocado Health, to discuss parenting through uncertainty, navigating unimaginable grief, and learning to trust your instincts.
Christina shares the story of her daughter, Aviva, whose health struggles began at just nine days old. Despite six unexplained hospitalizations, extensive testing, and consultations with specialists, doctors were never able to determine why Aviva experienced recurring episodes of lethargy, low body temperature, slow heart rate, and breathing difficulties. At just 10½ months old, Aviva passed away when her heart suddenly stopped.
Christina opens up about the guilt, questions, and heartbreak that followed, as well as the unique challenges of grieving during the COVID pandemic. She discusses how writing became a lifeline in processing not only the loss of Aviva, but other layers of grief connected to family relationships and past experiences.
The conversation also explores how friends and family can better support those who are grieving, the importance of self-compassion, and how Christina transformed her pain into purpose by helping launch Avocado Health. Designed to empower parents, Avocado Health combines clinician-vetted AI guidance with access to parent coaches, workshops, and trusted resources to help families advocate confidently for their children.
If you've ever questioned your instincts as a parent, struggled through loss, or wondered how to support someone who is grieving, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and practical encouragement.
In This Episode
- Christina's experience with postpartum anxiety
- Aviva's first medical emergency and six unexplained hospitalizations
- The grief, guilt, and "what ifs" that follow child loss
- Processing grief through writing and creative expression
- How friends can show up for grieving families
- Learning self-compassion after tragedy
- The story behind Avocado Health
- How AI can support parents without replacing medical professionals
- Why trusting your gut matters as a parent
- Finding purpose after profound loss
Connect with Avocado Health
Learn more about Avocado Health and its parent-support resources at https://avocadohealth.com.
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Tragic Cold Open
00:15 Meet Christina Bernardo
01:26 Postpartum Anxiety Reality
03:25 Aviva's First Scare
06:09 Six Hospitalizations
09:46 Aftermath and Guilt
14:13 Writing Through Grief
17:55 How Friends Can Help
19:33 Show Up For Grief
21:04 Turning Pain Into Purpose
23:14 Self Critic To Self Kindness
25:02 Parent Coach In Pocket
26:13 How The AI Works
27:51 Origin Story And Pivot
30:04 Human Coaches And Workshops
31:56 Why Avocado Health
32:18 Trust Your Gut
36:06 How To Join And Connect
37:00 Final Takeaways
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