In this heartfelt episode, Kirsten shares the story of her unexpected twin pregnancy, a sudden placental abruption at just 27 weeks, and the terrifying emergency C-section that changed everything in a matter of minutes. Far from home and under general anesthesia, Kirsten woke up to a reality she never imagined: two extremely premature babies fighting for their lives in the NICU.
Kirsten opens up about the grief, fear, and disconnection she experienced during those early days, as well as the challenges of navigating a lengthy NICU stay. She also shares how family support, community, faith, and time helped her process the trauma and begin healing. This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and gratitude can exist side by side, and that healing doesn't require forgetting what happened.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
👶 Finding out she was unexpectedly pregnant with twins shortly after getting married
🩺 A healthy twin pregnancy that suddenly changed at 27 weeks due to a placental abruption
🚑 Being rushed to the hospital while visiting family out of state
🩸 Experiencing severe blood loss and an emergency C-section under general anesthesia
💔 Waking up after birth without knowing what had happened or whether her babies were alive
👨👩👧👦 The emotional experience of becoming parents in the midst of a medical crisis
🏥 Meeting her premature twins for the first time in the NICU
😭 Feeling disconnected, fearful, and overwhelmed during the early days of motherhood
🤍 Why struggling to bond immediately with your baby does not mean you love them any less
🫶 The challenges of navigating life with two babies born at just 27 weeks gestation
👩⚕️ The incredible impact of compassionate NICU nurses, volunteers, and medical staff
🎄 Spending the holiday season in the NICU while feeling like the outside world kept moving on
🌟 The importance of family support during a prolonged hospitalization
🏡 Bringing her twins home healthy just one day before their due date
😔 The unexpected emotional challenges that surfaced after NICU discharge
💭 Processing grief, trauma, and the reality that healing doesn't happen the moment you leave the hospital
✨ Learning that grief and gratitude can coexist
💪 Finding confidence in her own strength and resilience as a mother
❤️ How faith, time, and community helped her move toward healing
Key Takeaway
Kirsten's story highlights the reality that surviving a traumatic birth and NICU experience is only part of the journey. Healing often continues long after discharge, and it's okay to hold both gratitude for positive outcomes and grief for what was lost. Her story offers hope to parents navigating trauma, reminding them that they are not alone and that healing can happen one step at a time.
Topics Covered
🔹 Twin Pregnancy
🔹 Placental Abruption
🔹 Emergency C-Section
🔹 Premature Birth
🔹 NICU Journey
🔹 Birth Trauma
🔹 Maternal Mental Health
🔹 Parent-Infant Bonding
🔹 NICU Discharge
🔹 Healing After Trauma
You can follow and connect with Kirsten on Instagram: @kirstenzhuravlev
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.
