In this listener series episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Lauren to hear the story of her traumatic pregnancy, unexpected diagnosis of placenta accreta, life-threatening hemorrhage, emergency hysterectomy, and the premature birth of her daughter at just 23 weeks and 6 days. Lauren shares what it was like to know throughout her pregnancy that her life was at risk, the anticipatory grief she experienced, and the long road of processing what happened after surviving such a traumatic birth.
Lauren also opens up about infertility after hysterectomy, IVF, adoption, and ultimately growing her family through a gestational carrier. She shares the complicated emotions that came with surrogacy after birth trauma, including grief, gratitude, anxiety, loss of control, and the powerful experience of being present for her daughter's birth. Her story is a beautiful reminder that healing isn't linear, that grief and gratitude can coexist, and that there is no "right" way to feel after birth trauma.
✨ In this episode, we talk about:
🩸 Lauren's diagnosis of placenta accreta during her second pregnancy
🏥 Being told at just under 13 weeks that continuing the pregnancy could put her life at risk
🤰 Relocating closer to a specialist and living on bed rest while hoping to reach viability
💔 The anticipatory grief of knowing she could lose her life and her fertility
🚨 Experiencing an internal hemorrhage and uterine rupture at 23 weeks and 6 days
🏥 An emergency hysterectomy and the fight to save both Lauren and her daughter
👶 Her daughter's extreme prematurity, 145-day NICU stay, and resulting cerebral palsy
🧠 Processing guilt surrounding her daughter's disability and learning to recognize that she did not cause what happened
💭 The importance of accepting that life after trauma may look different rather than trying to become the person you were before
🌱 Navigating triggers, pregnancy announcements, baby showers, and the ongoing nature of grief
🧬 Exploring IVF and adoption after losing the ability to carry another pregnancy
🤍 Finding a gestational carrier and the complicated emotions surrounding surrogacy after birth trauma
🎢 Learning to navigate anxiety and the loss of control during someone else's pregnancy
👩🍼 Being present for her daughter's birth and experiencing an unexpectedly powerful and cathartic moment
💕 The reality that bonding doesn't always happen instantly even when the love is immediate
🌈 Holding grief and gratitude at the same time
🫶 Learning that healing is not linear and there is no timeline for grief
✨ Finding radical acceptance and recognizing that the person you become after trauma is allowed to be different
Lauren's story is a powerful reminder that surviving doesn't mean the experience stops affecting you and that you can be deeply grateful for where you are while still grieving what you lost.
For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama.
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.
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
Kayleigh Summers. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Kayleigh Summers och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
