Ep. 265: When the Emergency Is Over, But the Trauma Isn’t: Creating The Post Care

In this episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Alexsis Gilles, founder of The Postcare, to talk about her experience of birth trauma and the journey that followed. Alexsis shares the story of her daughter Ella’s birth, including a difficult induction, 11 attempts at an epidural, an emergency C-section, a severe hemorrhage, and being separated from her daughter while she received care in the NICU.
What became especially difficult was what happened after the emergency was over. Alexsis describes feeling like her traumatic experience was never acknowledged during postpartum care, leaving her to search for answers and support on her own. That experience ultimately became the catalyst for The Postcare, a nonprofit focused on helping people who have experienced traumatic births find community, resources, and meaningful support beyond the traditional postpartum check-in.
In this conversation, Alexsis and Kayleigh talk about:

• 🩷 Alexsis’s traumatic birth experience and emergency C-section
• 🩸 The hemorrhage and terrifying moments she experienced in the operating room
• 👶 Being separated from her daughter for more than 24 hours after birth
• 💔 The grief that can come when the postpartum experience doesn't look anything like you imagined
• 🧠 How birth trauma can intersect with previous childhood and complex trauma
• 🌱 Alexsis’s experience with EMDR and processing the connections between past and present trauma
• 😡 Postpartum rage, health anxiety, OCD, and the emotions that can emerge after a traumatic birth
• 🤝 Why community and a supportive “village” can be such an important part of healing
• 🏥 The gaps Alexsis sees in the healthcare system when it comes to supporting people after traumatic births
• 🍲 The many forms postpartum support can take — from therapy and resources to meals, community, and simply showing up
• 💻 How The Postcare was created to help people find resources without having to desperately Google for help in the middle of the night
• 📣 Alexsis’s hopes for growing The Postcare, partnering with hospitals, increasing access to resources, and advocating for policy change
• ✨ The reminder that you don't have to turn your trauma into something meaningful — surviving it is enough
• 🌻 And, for those who do feel called to create something from their experience, Alexsis shares what it can look like to turn that passion into advocacy and community support

You can connect with Alexsis and learn more about the work she's building through The Postcare:

• 🌐 The Postcare: postcare.org
• 📸 Instagram: @thepostcare — Alexsis shares resources, community information, and updates through Instagram. The episode identifies the handle as “the postcare” with an underscore; the website is the most reliable link provided in the episode. 
• 🎵 TikTok: Search The Postcare on TikTok to find Alexsis and her content. 

This episode is such an important reminder that what happens after a traumatic birth matters, too — and that no one should have to navigate that aftermath alone.

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.