In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh welcomes Stacy to share her powerful story of experiencing birth trauma through two very different pregnancies. As a labor and delivery nurse, Stacy entered motherhood with an understanding of the medical side of birth, but that knowledge made it even more difficult to process what happened when both of her births took unexpected and traumatic turns. Her first daughter was born via C-section after developing gestational hypertension, followed by a significant postpartum hemorrhage, severe anemia, fluid overload, and a difficult recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Stacy became pregnant again, she discovered she was expecting twins. At 33 weeks and 5 days, she was diagnosed with preeclampsia with severe features and underwent an urgent C-section. What followed was a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage, magnesium toxicity, multiple emergency procedures, and a massive transfusion of 16 units of blood and blood products. Stacy shares what it was like to wake up in the ICU, feel disconnected from her newborn daughters, and later realize just how close she had come to dying.
In this vulnerable conversation, Stacy also opens up about the emotional aftermath of her births — postpartum anxiety, grief, guilt, losing her sense of identity, the loneliness of recovering during COVID, and the pressure she felt to simply be grateful because everyone had survived. Ultimately, her healing began when she gave herself permission to acknowledge that what happened was traumatic, without comparing her experience to anyone else's.
✨ In this episode, Stacy shares:
🩺 What it was like experiencing birth trauma as both a patient and a labor and delivery nurse
💔 The grief of having the birth experience she envisioned taken away from her
🩸 Her first postpartum hemorrhage, severe anemia, and difficult recovery
👶 Discovering she was unexpectedly pregnant with twins — and the complicated emotions that came with that news
⚠️ Developing preeclampsia with severe features during her twin pregnancy
🚨 Experiencing a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage and emergency surgery
🏥 Waking up in the surgical ICU and later learning how serious her condition had been
🩸 Receiving 16 units of blood and blood products after losing more than half of her blood volume
👯♀️ The surreal experience of meeting her premature twin daughters after nearly dying
🦠 How the COVID-19 pandemic changed her postpartum experience and limited the support surrounding her family
🧠 Struggling with postpartum anxiety, grief, anger, guilt, and feeling like she had lost herself
💭 The complicated reality of loving your children while still grieving the life and experiences you thought you would have
🤍 Learning that asking for help, setting boundaries, and caring for yourself aren't selfish
🌱 Why trauma doesn't disappear simply because the ending was positive
💬 The importance of sharing your story and hearing others say, “That is exactly how I feel”
🫶 A powerful reminder that you don't have to justify your trauma or compare it to someone else's for it to matter
Stacy's story is an important reminder that a positive outcome does not erase a traumatic experience. You can be grateful that your family survived and still be heartbroken about what happened. You can deeply love your children and grieve the motherhood experience you thought you would have. And most importantly, if it changed you, it matters — and you deserve healing.
You can follow Stacy on instagram: @thatsmestacy
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.
