In this powerful listener story, Kate returns to share her second birth experience after previously sharing her first story years ago. After surviving postpartum preeclampsia and medical trauma with her first child, Kate spent years healing through therapy, EMDR, community support, and advocacy work. When she became pregnant again, she hoped for a different experience, but life had other plans.
At 24 weeks pregnant, Kate learned that her son had a rare congenital heart condition. What followed was months of uncertainty, specialist appointments, a surprise early delivery, NICU and cardiac ICU stays, and ultimately open-heart surgery when her son was just five weeks old. Through it all, Kate shares how community, mental health support, and unwavering advocacy helped her navigate some of the most difficult moments of her life.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
🩺 Kate’s experience with preeclampsia and postpartum preeclampsia after her first birth
💔 Developing PTSD following a traumatic postpartum hospital readmission
🧠 How EMDR therapy helped her process medical trauma and begin healing
🤝 Finding support through the Preeclampsia Foundation, Mama’s Voices, and the birth trauma community
👶 The emotional challenges of trying to conceive after a traumatic birth experience
🔬 Receiving a prenatal diagnosis of a rare congenital heart condition during her second pregnancy
🏥 Navigating fetal echocardiograms, specialist appointments, and uncertainty throughout pregnancy
❤️ Understanding her son’s diagnosis of Shone’s Complex and the impact on his developing heart
📋 Transferring medical care and advocating for both her baby’s needs and her own mental health
🌪️ Going into labor unexpectedly just 48 hours before her scheduled C-section
👩⚕️ Delivering a medically complex baby and coping with immediate separation after birth
🏨 The realities of NICU and Cardiac ICU life as a heart parent
🚗 The emotional experience of leaving the hospital without her baby
💉 Watching her son undergo open-heart surgery at only five weeks old
🌟 The incredible advances in pediatric cardiac care and modern medicine
💙 How chosen family, therapists, healthcare providers, and community support carried her through
🎙️ Becoming a patient-family partner and using her story to advocate for better care and awareness
Take a look at Kate's writing for a professional organization: Read here
Baby Boy Principe's Caring Bridge - read "in real time" how Kate processed their experience.
Resources Mentioned
🔹 The Preeclampsia Foundation @preeclampsia.foundation
🔹 Mama’s Voices @mommasvoices
🔹 Mended Little Hearts @mendedlittleheartsnational
🔹 Conquering CHD @conqueringCHD
🔹 CHD Doodles @chd_doodles
Connect With Birth Trauma Mama
✨ Follow along for more birth stories, healing resources, and support for parents navigating birth trauma and perinatal mental health challenges.
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.
