 COVID-19 has brought about a loneliness in pregnancy that has yet to be measured. Going to doctors appointments alone, via Zoom, and not receiving the same care priorto COVID has made navigating pregnancy difficult. Today’s guest got pregnant with twins in Summer 2019 and had a healthy pregnancy until the 3rd trimester. They began telling her that Baby B was smaller than Baby A, but nothing to be concerned about as they were in two separate placentas and not sharing nutrition. Dominique Timmons had her 34th week appointment with the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist and they suggested that she schedule her C-section for April 1, 2020. Then COVID happened and shut down everything where she had to go to doctors appointments alone. She went to her 35th week appointment and the doctor suggested steroid shots to strengthen the baby's lungs and to come back the next day for another round of shots. The doctor fell silent during the ultrasound and her husband was on facetime in the lobby knowing something was wrong. He asked the doctor if he could come back and the doctor said yes. The doctor broke the news that Baby B, their daughter Drew, heart stopped beating and she died. In this episode, Dominique takes us on the journey of extreme grief and extreme joy while she celebrates one baby and loses another on the same day. This episode is for you to listen to if you want to know how it was being pregnant and losing a baby during COVID-19. Listen to this episode here: Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter 

Sisters in Loss Podcast: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, & Infertility Stories

Ep224 - Birth of Twins and Losing one Twin during Covid pandemic with Dominique Timmons

Do you know what a hysterectomy is? A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the womb (uterus). You'll no longer be able to get pregnant after the operation. If you have not already gone through the menopause, you'll no longer have periods, regardless of your age. Many women have a hysterectomy. It's more common for women aged 40 to 50.   Today’s guest struggled with fibroids in her early 20s and had her first myomectomy, the removal of fibroids at 26.  Dr. Katashia Kendrick quickly found out that fibroids could grow back and had another myomectomy at 36.  Two years later her fibroids came back and she was diagnosed with endometriosis where she was always in severe, debilitating pain, blood transfusions, iron infusions (severe anemic) and no quality of life.  At age 38 Dr. Katashia decided to undergo a hysterectomy and not have children naturally, but rather through adoption.  In this episode, she shares how she made the decision to remove her uterus, the relief after, and her decision to grow her family through adoption.   This episode is for you to listen to and understand how someone would wrestle with the decision of not being able to get pregnant, and how fibroids and endometriosis does not define who you are.   Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter

Ep223 - Uterine Fibroids, Endometriosis, and Hysterectomy with Dr. Katashia Partee Kendrick

Do you know what Stillbirth is? A stillbirth is the death or loss of a baby before or during delivery. Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ according to when the loss occurs. Today’s guest experienced a stillbirth at 21 weeks followed by a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks.  She became pregnant again and experienced anxiety, had an upsetting birth experience with her son and developed postpartum depression.  Shanna Williams continued to grow her family by having another baby while her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder at age 2.  During that birth she secured a doula and midwife in an attempt to have a home birth, but had to be transferred to hospital care due to preeclampsia.  Shanna focused on therapy work on maternal health and became a Doula and Lactation consultant to serve families in pregnancy and parenting after loss.  In this episode, she takes us back to that moment when she heard her son didn’t have a heartbeat and what inspired her PhD studies focusing on Historical trauma, Black Maternal Health Outcomes and Pregnancy after loss.   This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, postpartum depression, pre-eclampisa, or any trauma during childbirth.   Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter

Ep222 - Stillbirth, Postpartum Depression, Preeclampsia, and Serving in Pregnancy After Loss with Shanna Williams

 Have you heard of Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project? Dr. Shalon’s Maternal Action Project (DSMAP) is an Atlanta-based nonprofit created in honor of Dr. Shalon Irving, who passed away from complications due to childbirth and was a fierce health equity advocate. Our mission is to increase awareness of the Black maternal health crisis and develop and promote evidence-based strategies that improve health outcomes for Black birthing people and families. Today’s podcast episode is in honor of Dr. Shalon Irving who died due to complications of childbirth told in memory of her best friend Bianca Pryor.  Bianca has a passion for fighting equity and inclusion and has turned her pain into purpose after losing her best friend while giving birth to her daughter Soleil.  Bianca takes us back to her own journey to motherhood and how she and Dr. Shalon was pregnant at the same time as she was 10 weeks ahead in pregnancy with her bestie.  She shares in this episode her journey of delivering a 24 weeker, his NICU stay, and her getting that call that her bestie Dr. Shalon was rushed to the emergency room from complications after delivering her daughter Soleil.   This episode is for you to listen to if you are passionate about infant and maternal health.  This episode is for you to listen to for you to hear the grief of a best friend and her fight to save other mothers from pregnancy related complications and death. Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep221 Register for the Sisters in Loss Summit 2021 October 1-2, 2021 HERE! Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter 

Ep221 - Maternal Action Project in Memory of Dr. Shalon Irving with Bianca Pryor

 Today’s guest feels like she has faced it all.  From being diagnosed with Endometriosis and Fibroids.  To battling this infertility with fertility treatments including 9 failed IVF cycles, two surgeries, multiple miscarriages, a failed attempt at surrogacy, one egg donor, and a successful adoption of a son.  Candace Clark Trinicheri had many setbacks on her journey to motherhood, but she kept persevering. In this episode she takes us on her motherhood journey including surgical set backs, financial hardships, a non-responsiveness to stimulation drugs to the hardships of trying to find an egg donor of color all while dealing with the trauma of pregnancy loss. This episode is for you to listen to if you have given up on hope on your journey.  This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced endometriosis, fibroids, failed IVF cycles, and want to learn about adoption. Register for the Sisters in Loss Summit 2021 October 1-2, 2021 HERE! Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter 

Ep220 - Endometriosis, Failed IVF, Miscarriages, to Adoption with Candace Trinchieri

After experiencing a spontaneous abortion and six months later being faced with another loss that resulted from a ectopic pregnancy and one less fallopian tube today’s guest was shattered and disappointed.  Tiana Rogers grieved her losses and five months later after her ectopic loss she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.  There were no words to describe the utter devastation of being met with a cancer diagnosis in her early 30s with no family history and she continuously prayed and hoped for a baby.  Cancer treatment and fertility treatments consumed her and her husband’s lives as the doctors were not sure whether she would need chemotherapy initially.  In this episode Tiana shares how she grieved and turned to her faith to get her through fertility treatments and cancer.  She shares how she did not want to risk missing the window to preserve any chances to have biological children so IVF was the natural next step before undergoing cancer treatments.     This episode is for you to listen to encourage you to continue your journey to building the family of your dreams through faith and with mended hope.  This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced ectopic pregnancy loss or a cancer diagnosis. Register for the Sisters in Loss Summit 2021 October 1-2, 2021 HERE! Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter  

Ep219 - From Ectopic Pregnancy Loss to Breast Cancer Diagnosis to Mended Hope with Tiana Rogers

Do you know what a missed miscarriage is? A missed (or silent) miscarriage is one where the baby has died or not developed, but has not been physically miscarried.  In many cases, there has been no sign that anything was wrong, so the news can come as a complete shock. Today’s guest experienced a missed miscarriage with twins after having three daughters.  Sibyl Lilly has 6 children here on earth and 4 angels in heaven.  After losing her twins to a missed miscarriage she became pregnant with a boy who was stillborn at 32 weeks.  She was broken, angry, sad, and felt guilty as her faith was pushed to the limits.  In this episode Sibyl shares how she conceived again and had her rainbow baby boy, after that pregnancy she suffered another miscarriage, and went onto having her final two rainbow twin girls. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced missed miscarriage or stillbirth.  This episode is for you to listen to what it means to stay resilient on the journey to motherhood.  Register for the Sisters in Loss Summit 2021 October 1-2, 2021 HERE! Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter

Ep218 - Missed Miscarriage of Twins with Sibyl Lilly

Do you know the symptoms of stillbirth? Stopping of fetal movement and kicks. Spotting or bleeding. No fetal heartbeat heard with a stethoscope or Doppler. No fetal movement or heartbeat seen on ultrasound, which makes the definitive diagnosis that a baby is stillborn.  Today’s guest experienced some of these symptoms going into her 7 month of pregnancy.  Angela Hampton found out she was pregnant and that she needed to take supplements.  She then started to celebrate her pregnancy by preparing for her baby.  During her 7 month she became ill and took a few days off of work to rest.  She went back to work and was talking with a coworker that she had not felt the baby move as much.  The coworker recommended that she go to the OB/GYN to get checked out.  Angela was sent straight to the hospital after that OBGYN appointment and they told her then that her baby had died and she would have to be induced.  In this episode Angela takes us back to the moment she was told her baby died and she would have to labor and deliver them. She shares how she has started living life after loss healthy and abundantly. Register for the Sisters in Loss Summit 2021 October 1-2, 2021 HERE! Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter  

Ep217 - Stillbirth and Living Healthy and Abundantly with Angela Hampton

Do you know what a placental abruption is? Placental Abruption is a serious pregnancy complication in which the placenta detaches from the womb (uterus). Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches from the inner wall of the womb before delivery. The condition can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding, belly pain, and back pain in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy. Depending on the degree of placental separation and how close the baby is to full-term, treatment may include bed rest or a cesarean section. Today’s guest experienced a placental abruption of her daughter.  Leslie Damper found out she was becoming a mother in August 2020 and by November 2020 she was called home due to placental abruption.  In this episode Leslie takes us back to the joy she experienced when finding out she was pregnant and to the day when she lost her baby girl.  She shares in this episode how she overcame fear and weakness and how she is not giving up hope to become a mother again. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a placental abruption. Register for the Sisters in Loss Summit 2021 October 1-2, 2021 HERE! Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter

Ep216 - Placental Abruption and Overcoming Fear with Leslie Damper

 Fertility is not just a birthing factor, sometimes it is male factor.  Male infertility can be caused by low sperm production, abnormal sperm function or blockages that prevent the delivery of sperm. Illnesses, injuries, chronic health problems, lifestyle choices and other factors may contribute to male infertility. Today’s guest shares her story with male factor infertility, going through IUI which resulted in a miscarriage, and having her rainbow baby.  She knew her partner had a high probability of infertility due to his medical history.  They started trying naturally and were unsuccessful so they went to a fertility specialist.  Then they were formally diagnosed with male factor infertility azoospermia with less than 5% chance of having natural children.  They then moved to third party reproduction and decided on using donor sperm.  They were successful with their medicated IUI that resulted in their first child.  When they tried for their second child the medicated IUI was successful but it resulted in miscarriage at 11 weeks gestation.  In this episode, we discuss male factor infertility, how to find donor sperm for black and brown people, and recovery and healing from miscarriage. This episode is for you to listen to if you and your partner have been diagnosed with male factor infertility or are considering searching for donor sperm for people of color. Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep215 Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter 

Ep215 - Male Factor Infertility and Donor Sperm

Have you heard of the term myomectomy? Myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroids from the uterus. It allows the uterus to be left in place and, for some women, makes pregnancy more likely than before.  Myomectomy is the preferred fibroid treatment for women who want to become pregnant. Today’s guest experienced infertility and gave birth to her stillborn son at 28 weeks.  Kima Tozay was diagnosed with Fibroids and endured a myomectomy surgery to remove her fibroids.  She explored IVF that was unsuccessful and was able to get pregnant twice an early twin pregnancy loss and a 27 week stillbirth due to preeclampsia.  In this episode Kima shares how she know helps advocate for those who have experienced infertility and pregnancy and infant loss and how she is keeping her son Jaxson’s memory alive by spreading awareness about maternal and infant mortality in communities of color.  We also discuss her next steps on her journey to motherhood that includes fostering to adopt. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced stillbirth or fibroids and have considered a myomectomy to remove them.  This episode is for you to listen to if you have considered fostering to adopt as an option to grow your family. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter

Ep214 - Fibroids, Myomectomy, and Miscarriage with Kima Tozay

Have you been told you need to experience at least 2 or more miscarriages before seeing a fertility specialist? Today’s guest experienced that after going through a miscarriage, a chemical pregnancy loss, and another miscarriage the fertility clinic would determine there were no genetic abnormalities and nothing wrong with her remains.  They suggested she lose weight and would run more tests after she lost half of the weight.  Andrea Clark Horton didn’t make it back to the fertility clinic because she found out she was pregnant.  After losing 30 pounds, she became pregnant, and she left her role as a Labor Attorney and went back to school to obtain a Masters in Divinity.  Andrea birthed her rainbow baby boy and changed careers to become a pastoral care counselor and chaplain responsible for supporting women and families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss or illness and other chronic or terminal illness.  In today’s episode Andrea takes us on her journey of miscarriages, D&Cs, getting the call from God to ministry and switching careers, going through divorce, and finding hope in helping others with her ministry All the Beautiful Pieces. This episode is for you to listen to if you have been called to a higher purpose and have yet to surrender to this call.  This episode is for you to listen to if you if you have experienced miscarriage or chemical pregnancy loss. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth and Bereavement Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter    

Ep213 - Chemical Pregnancy Loss and going from Lawyer to Chaplin with Andrea Clark Horton

After battling infertility for 10 years with Poly cystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS, today's guest delivered her baby at 27 weeks, spent 6 months in the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and lost her baby.  Lianne Totty, went on to have another baby at 25 weeks who also spent time in the NICU and is now thriving.  Her experience led her to writing her children's book “Baby went to Heaven” to help explain infant loss to children when her god daughter asked her where the baby was and she didn’t know what to tell her.  In this episode she takes us back to being diagnosed with PCOS, getting weight loss surgery, NICU experience, and PTSD from birth experiences.  We discuss about feeling like your body has failed you and that you are being punished by not being able to bring a baby home.   This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a long road to parenthood and want to hear hope and resilience on this journey. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth and Bereavement Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter

Ep212 - 10 Years After Infertility and PCOS having Miracle Babies with Lianne Totty

Have you heard of preeclampsia? Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. There may be no symptoms. High blood pressure and protein in the urine are key features. There may also be swelling in the legs and water retention, but this can be hard to distinguish from normal pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia can often be managed with oral or IV medications until the baby is sufficiently mature to be delivered. This often requires weighing the risks of early delivery versus the risks of continued preeclampsia symptoms. Today’s guest is a survivor of preeclampsia, losing 2 babies prior to the birth of her daughter. Her first loss was due to misinformation about preeclampsia and her second was due to severe placental abruption that almost cost her life. Jaye Wilson thought motherhood was not really for her and doubted her worthiness in self and in her relationship. After birthing her two babies she went through divorce and rediscovered herself in a new form as a single mother. This inspired her to create her organization Melanited Moms to inspire others to find their voices in their own motherhood journey. In this episode we discuss preeclampsia, signs and symptoms of preeclampsia, how she found her voice in her subsequent pregnancies and after divorce, and how she is helping Melanited Moms around the world. Listen to this episode here: sistersinloss.com/ep211 Become a Sisters in Loss Birth and Bereavement Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter

Ep211 - Preeclampsia and Miscarriage and helping Melinated Moms with Jaye Wilson

It’s My Birthday and 4 Year Podcast Episode!  Today’s episode is a solo episode where I catch you up on all the things happening with Sisters in Loss and celebrating my birthday on July 17th and 4 years of podcasting on August 2.   In this episode we discuss: -Taking a solo vacation for my birthday -Recapping this year so far for Sisters in Loss -What is next for Sisters in Loss?  Our 2021 Summit and Retreat in 2022! This episode is for you to listen to celebrate my birthday and 4 years of podcasting.  Stay tuned until the end of the episode for a special message. For my birthday I would love for you to leave us a fresh review on your podcast medium.   Become a Sisters in Loss Birth and Bereavement Doula Here Living Water Doula Services Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Healing Collective Online Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook Sisters in Loss Twitter You can follow Erica on Social Erica’s Website Erica’s Instagram Erica’s Facebook Erica’s Twitter

Ep210 - What is next for Sisters in Loss? Birthday and 4 Year Anniversary Celebration

Sisters in Loss podcast spotlights faith filled black women who share their grief and loss stories and testimonies. Black women experience miscarriage and stillbirth four times more than white women according to the NIH and CDC. Whether you have experienced a miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or infertility, you will learn about resources and strategies to heal, gain clarity, peace, hope, and find an empowering path forward after loss. Join Erica M. McAfee weekly as she interviews Sisters in Loss who have healed from such a painful and traumatic experience by sharing their testimonies to inspire and help others to turn their pain into their purpose.

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Sisters in Loss Podcast: Miscarriage, Pregnancy Loss, & Infe...

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