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Send us a text In this solo episode of The Rainbow Connection, Kristin Mundy shares more of her personal motherhood story — including her first miscarriage, a significant health crisis, and the early experiences with grief that shaped who she is today. Kristin reflects on where her motherhood truly began, long before holding a baby in her arms, and how loss quietly influences identity, timing, and becoming. This episode offers an honest look at the parts of the journey that are often unseen, and why slowing down and telling the fuller story matters. In this episode, Kristin shares: - Why she felt called to record a solo episode and revisit her own story - Her experience with her first miscarriage - Finding herself paralyzed and navigating a major health crisis - Being diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis and Lupus - The decision to start chemotherapy on her baby's due date - Living in the “before” and “after” of loss - What a viral post revealed about visibility, grief, and untold parts of the story This episode is a gentle reminder that motherhood doesn’t always begin the way we expect — and that grief, healing, and becoming often start long before the moments the world can see. Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share this episode with someone who might need this kind of support.

Send us a text In this episode of The Rainbow Connection, I sit down with Canadian mom and pediatric nurse, Carmen Grover, to talk about her eleven pregnancies — including early miscarriages, TFMR, the second-trimester loss of her daughter Kaia Bell, and the long, complicated road of pregnancy after loss. Carmen speaks so beautifully about the memories that tether her to each of her babies, the moments that nearly broke her, and the ones that helped her begin to heal. This is a tender story of grief, motherhood after loss, and finding hope again. We talk about: - Carmen’s first pregnancy and the early losses that followed - The heartbreaking diagnosis that led to the TFMR of her daughter Kaia Bell - How writing became a way to hold, honor, and remember each of her babies - The complexity of pregnancy after loss and learning to celebrate again - Parenting living children while grieving the ones you never got to raise - How partners grieve differently and the strain loss can place on a relationship - What it looks like to honoUr all of her babies as her family grows - The unexpected ways her children continue to teach her about love and grief - Finding healing through community, ritual, and small everyday moments This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to Know Carmen: Carmen Grover is a Canadian mom to eleven babies — four in her arms and seven she carries in her heart. A pediatric nurse and gifted storyteller, she speaks openly about miscarriage, second-trimester loss, TFMR, and the complex emotions of pregnancy after loss. Carmen’s writing and quiet rituals have become the way she continues to honor each of her babies. She shares her journey in hopes that no parent walking through grief ever feels alone. Instagram: @adiarytoourbabies A Diary to my Babies: Find Carmen's book here Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text In this episode of The Rainbow Connection, Colleen shares the story of her daughter, Kyleigh, conceived after years of infertility and IVF. Her pregnancy — filled with hope, anxiety, and countless ultrasounds — took a sudden turn when decreased cord blood flow and rapidly escalating blood pressure revealed severe preeclampsia. At just 27 weeks and 5 days, Colleen delivered baby Kyleigh, who entered the world fighting with every ounce of strength she had. Colleen and her husband held her, loved her, and spent sacred hours with her in the NICU before she passed. This is a story of pregnancy loss, premature birth, motherhood after loss, and the deep imprint one tiny life can leave on the world. We talk about: • The long journey through infertility, IVF, and finally seeing a positive pregnancy test • Anxiety during pregnancy after years of trauma and uncertainty • Decreased cord blood flow, preeclampsia, and conflicting medical advice • The maternal-fetal medicine doctor who helped save precious hours with Kyleigh • The emergency C-section at 27 weeks and Kyleigh’s beautiful birth • Meeting their daughter — her long legs, her fighting spirit, and her tiny movements • The moment everything changed in the NICU • Holding her, baptizing her, and the sacred time gifted through the cuddle cot • The community who showed up with love, cards, and gestures that meant everything • What life looks like now and the ongoing reality of postpartum after loss This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, is forever sacred. Get to Know Colleen: Colleen lives in the quiet hills of Sayre, Pennsylvania, with her husband and their two dogs — and, most recently, a pair of very loved pigs. She has been with her husband since they were sixteen and now teaches sixth grade at a small, close-knit school just over the New York border. When she’s not in the classroom, you can usually find her on the porch with a good book. Colleen is the proud mother of her daughter, Kyleigh, whose short but powerful life continues to shape her heart and her work in the world. Instagram: @coll.meehan and @kyleighslove_lives Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And if you feel called, share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text In this deeply moving episode, grief coach and mother of three, Krista Wilson, shares the story of her son, Harrison, who was born at 23.5 weeks after an unexpected preterm labor during a winter trip to Whistler. Krista recounts the ambulance ride down the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the NICU moments she will never forget, and the heartbreaking choice she and her husband had to make when machines became the only thing keeping Harrison alive. She also opens up about her pregnancy after loss, including a high-risk journey marked by cervical sutures, nine weeks of hospital bedrest, and the emotional birth of her rainbow baby, Julia — born almost to the minute Harrison passed. This is a story about infant loss, pregnancy after loss, and the extraordinary resilience of a mother’s love. We talk about: - The night Krista went into preterm labor at 23.5 weeks - The ambulance ride through a snowy mountain highway - Meeting Harrison, holding him, and saying goodbye - Pregnancy after loss while navigating trauma, fear, and hypervigilance - Nine weeks of strict hospital bedrest for her rainbow pregnancy - Julia’s premature birth and the cord around her neck - The moment Krista realized Julia arrived almost exactly nine months after Harrison’s death - How grief ultimately shaped Krista’s calling to support others through pregnancy and infant loss This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to know Krista: Krista Harrison lives in Richmond, BC with her husband, John, and their youngest daughter, Jaina. After raising two biological children and fostering four others over 25 years, Krista felt called into grief work following the loss of her son, Harrison, and the high-risk pregnancy that brought her rainbow baby, Julia, into the world. Today, she is a life and grief coach specializing in pregnancy and infant loss, supporting families through some of the most tender and transformative moments of their lives. Krista brings warmth, lived wisdom, and deep compassion to every woman she supports. Instagram: @kristaharrisoncoaching Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And feel free to share this episode with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text In this powerful episode, Channing Hart shares the heartbreaking story of losing her sons—Leo, who she and her husband lovingly chose to release at 16 weeks after a Jacob syndrome diagnosis, and Oliver, who was stillborn at 26 weeks following severe intrauterine growth restriction, reverse blood flow, and rapid decline. While navigating her grief and fear in pregnancy after loss, Channing also faced a shocking diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma at just eight weeks pregnant. Through impossible decisions, profound love, cancer treatment, and the quiet work of rebuilding her life, Channing speaks openly about grief, survival, motherhood after loss, and the hope she now holds for trying to conceive again.  We talk about: Channing’s surprise first pregnancy and the TFMR decision for her son LeoNavigating stigma, grief, and family dynamics after termination for medical reasonsBecoming pregnant again and receiving a cancer diagnosis at eight weeksSevere IUGR, reverse blood flow, and the loss of her son Oliver at 26 weeksThe agonizing decision between labor & delivery and a D&E for OliverPost-loss cancer surgery, healing, and the meaning she found in timingHow she honors both her sons daily and keeps their memories woven into her lifeThe role of community, connection, and storytelling in her healingMoving toward trying to conceive after loss with fear, courage, and hopeThis episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist—and that birth, even in loss, can be sacred. Channing’s story invites us all to slow down, soften, and honor the complicated, courageous truth of motherhood after loss. Get to Know Channing: Channing Hart lives just outside Washington, DC with her husband and their two cats, Boots and Joni. She is the mother of two angel sons—Leo, who she and her husband released at 16 weeks, and Oliver, who was stillborn at 26 weeks in February 2025. Channing is also a recent thyroid cancer survivor, diagnosed at eight weeks pregnant with Oliver, and now finds deep purpose in connecting with other mothers navigating cancer during pregnancy. With a background in Studio Art, she finds joy in interior design, photography, cooking, and time spent near the ocean. She is profoundly grateful for the community of mothers she’s found through The Doula Life, walking this path of grief and healing together. Instagram:  @channing.hart Hope for Two - The Pregnant with Cancer Network: https://hopefortwo.org/   Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review—it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And feel free to share this episode with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text In this tender episode of The Rainbow Connection, Laurel Schaffman shares the heartbreaking and beautiful story of her son Miles, born at 24 weeks after severe fetal growth restriction and complications that led to his passing just two days later. Laurel speaks honestly about their NICU time, navigating grief, and the overwhelming return home to a quiet nursery. She also invites us into the truth of pregnancy after loss, the fear that surfaced when she conceived again, and the careful, monitored journey that brought her rainbow baby Theo safely into her arms. Through her story, Laurel reflects on motherhood after loss, honoring Miles, and learning to live in the present with her son on earth. We talk about: The whirlwind beginning of her first pregnancy and the first signs of concern.Receiving devastating news at 24 weeks and the decision to deliver early.The two precious days Laurel and Josh spent with Miles in the NICU.The disorienting early grief, funeral arrangements, and advocating for her son even after his passing.The longing to try again and the emotional complexity of pregnancy after loss.Navigating fear, frequent monitoring, and finding the right support team.Setting boundaries during PAL and choosing who to tell — and how.The redemptive, carefully planned C-section that brought Theo safely into the world.How motherhood after loss reshapes everything: language, presence, gratitude, and identity.Honoring Miles while raising Theo, and learning to mother both her boys in different ways.This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to Know Laurel: Laurel Schaffman is an elementary school teacher and mother from West Hartford, Connecticut. She is the mom of two beautiful boys — her angel baby, Miles, and her rainbow baby, Theo. Typically a private person, Laurel found that walking through pregnancy loss, NICU loss, and pregnancy after loss opened her heart in new ways. She now shares her story so other women walking this path know they are not alone, and so Miles’ life continues to be honored through the ways she mothers. Guest Links: Instagram: @lshaff13   Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories into the hands of the women who need them most. And feel free to share this with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text In this tender and faith-rooted episode, Julie Wells shares the story of her son Gabriel, who she lost at 14 weeks after a traumatic and mishandled ER experience. She walks us through the early joy of his pregnancy, the sudden shift into contractions, her water breaking in the hospital hallway, and the heartbreaking moment she delivered him after a sneeze. Julie speaks vulnerably about holding Gabriel, naming him through tears, and navigating the deep grief that followed — as well as the regret and acceptance that came with his burial. She also opens her heart about pregnancy after loss, fearfully approaching the 14-week mark again, and the miraculous, spiritually-charged birth of her rainbow baby girl, Amayah, born after a fast labor while her husband was sick with norovirus. This is a story of grief, motherhood, faith, and the thin places between earth and heaven. We talk about: The early symptoms, sickness, and intuition Julie had during Gabriel’s pregnancyThe ER experience where her concerns were dismissed and minimizedThe moment her water broke, the instant grief, and giving birth in the hallway Holding Gabriel, naming him, and finding meaning in the sacredness of his lifeNavigating postpartum grief without a baby in her armsWanting to conceive again and becoming pregnant a month laterThe fear of reaching (and passing) 14 weeks in her rainbow pregnancyThe powerful birth of her daughter Ameya and the “veil” feeling thin between worldsHow she honors Gabriel today — scones, ducks, keepsakes, and connectionWalking alongside other loss moms as a way of honoring her son’s lifeThis episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to know Julie: Julie Wells is a Minnesota-based mama to three: her toddler son, her angel baby Gabriel, and her rainbow baby girl, Ameya. A former certified midwife for developing nations and a full-time mother, Julie carries a deep passion for maternal health, faith, and creating everyday adventures with her little ones. Her heart for loss families shines through everything she does — honoring Gabriel by supporting other mothers walking through pregnancy after loss.  Instagram: @mrs.juwells Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text In this tender and courageous episode of The Rainbow Connection, Kristine McNeil shares the story of her daughter Banks, the profound loss that reshaped her life, and the emotional landscape of navigating miscarriage, trying to conceive after loss, and pregnancy after loss. Kristine opens up about the early signs she tried to ignore, the intuition she wishes had been heard, and the grief that followed the moment everything changed. She also reflects on the journey toward her rainbow baby—what it meant to carry both fear and hope, how she rebuilt trust in her body, and the ways she continues to honour Banks in her motherhood today. This episode holds space for the complexity of stillbirth, pregnancy loss, healing after miscarriage, and the transformative path of motherhood after loss. We talk about: - The early signs and intuition that something wasn’t right - The devastating moment of losing Banks - Navigating grief, trauma, and the unraveling that followed - The fear and emotional weight of trying to conceive after loss - How pregnancy after loss changed the way she trusted her body - Rebuilding connection with herself while honouring her baby - The birth of her rainbow baby and the emotions that came with it - Motherhood after loss and living with both grief and gratitude - The ways Banks continues to shape her life - What healing now looks like for Kristine This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist—and that birth, even in loss, can be sacred. Get to Know Kristine: Kristine McNeil lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her husband, Shawn, and their three beautiful children Earthside—Cadence, Sutler, and Cash. She also carries the love of her daughter, Banks, who lives forever in her heart. Kristine is a devoted mother, a lover of home decorating, and someone who finds joy in cheering her kids on from the sidelines and spending time with the people she loves most. Having walked through profound grief, she approaches life with gratitude, tenderness, and a commitment to finding beauty and purpose in every moment. Instagram: @kristineemcneil Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And feel free to share this episode with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text Shelby Corallo shares the story of her son, Luke, born at 22 weeks after a long and deeply hoped-for pregnancy following two years of IVF. In this episode, Shelby invites us into the joy of finally becoming pregnant, the sudden and traumatic turn that led to preterm labor, and the sacred hours she and her husband spent holding their baby boy. She reflects on grief, signs, and the ongoing journey of healing as she navigates life, motherhood, and pregnancy after loss with courage and honesty. We talk about: Two years of IVF and the joy of finally seeing a positive pregnancy testA sudden hospital visit and the shock of preterm labor at 22 weeksGiving birth to Luke and the sacred hours spent holding himLeaving the hospital without a baby and the layers of early griefLearning to say her son’s name and claim her motherhood after lossFinding comfort in signs like rainbows and cardinalsHow grief shows up differently for partnersTherapy, coping, and caring for yourself after lossNavigating the fear and hope of trying to conceive again after pregnancy lossThis episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to Know Shelby: Shelby Corallo lives in Peterborough, Ontario, and works as a resource consultant in Durham Region. She is a wife, a dog mama, and the loving mother of her son, Luke. Shelby shares openly about loss, healing, and the quiet ways her baby continues to be part of her life. When she’s not lakeside soaking up the views, she finds comfort in cooking, cozy TV shows, and moments that help her feel close to her son. Instagram: @shelbycorallo Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: https://www.thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: https://www.thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: https://www.thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: https://www.thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text Tallia Deljou shares the story of her son, born at 22 weeks, and the transformative journey that followed — through miscarriage, grief, and the slow reimagining of what motherhood could look like after loss. In this heartfelt conversation, Tallia opens up about rebuilding trust in her body, choosing not to become pregnant again, and finding peace and purpose in the waiting as she prepares to grow her family through surrogacy. We talk about: - Navigating multiple pregnancy losses and a 22-week delivery - The shock, grief, and meaning-making that followed loss - Rebuilding trust in her body and marriage after trauma - Choosing not to get pregnant again and honoring her boundaries - Exploring surrogacy and learning to wait with hope - The spiritual and emotional lessons of loss and surrender - Creating Mothers Rising, a space for moms-in-waiting - Healing through community, reflection, and inner work - Learning to give hope a place to live again This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to know Tallia: Tallia Deljou is a life coach and writer on emotional health. Grounded in positive psychology and Internal Family Systems, her work offers insight, frameworks, and tools to help people navigate their inner landscapes, heal emotional wounds, and find their way forward. As a loss mom, she brings a deep understanding of grief, resilience, and the courage it takes to rebuild— weaving her lived experience into everything she teaches and creates. Instagram: @talliadeljou Website: talliadeljou.com/workshop-library Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text Sue shares the extraordinary and deeply human story of becoming a mother at just 17, and the impossible, selfless choice she was forced to make — to give her baby up for adoption. From the isolation of a maternity home in the 1980s to the moment she held her son again 18 years later, Sue reflects on the heartbreak of loving from afar, and the profound healing that reunion brought. Her path to motherhood took many winding turns. After reconnecting with her firstborn, she experienced a miscarriage — a loss she didn’t have the opportunity to process until many years later, something so many women quietly carry. Eventually, Sue welcomed her rainbow baby, and found redemption and fullness in a chapter she had once feared she’d never reach. In this conversation, Sue opens up about grief, forgiveness, adoption, reunion, miscarriage, and the love that asked her to let go… only to find its way back home. We talk about:  - Becoming pregnant at 17 and being sent to a maternity home  - The emotional weight of giving her baby up for adoption  - Writing letters to her son during pregnancy  - Reuniting with him 18 years later  - Meeting his adoptive mother and finding unexpected connection  - Experiencing miscarriage years later and grieving it in hindsight  - Welcoming her rainbow baby Nick  - How her story shapes the way she now supports families through loss Sue’s story is a powerful reminder that motherhood is not defined by proximity, timing, or circumstance — but by love, in every form it takes. 🕊 This one is for the mothers who’ve had to love from afar, and for the love that always finds its way home. Get to Know Sue: Sue lives in Burlington, Ontario with her husband Joe and their two spoiled cats. She is the proud mother of two young adults, Nick and Hailey, who are both emerging artists in the film and musical theatre industries. Sue is a doula specializing in surrogacy births and pregnancy & infant loss, a certified Grief & Loss Coach, and a long-time facilitator of grief support groups. When she’s not supporting families or working as an Executive Assistant, she can be found long-distance cycling with Joe.  📧 Email: [email protected] Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven – Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌿 Mother Like No Other – Loss Mom Community: www.thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life and @therainbowconnectionpodcast If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review — your support helps this show reach more families who need it.

Send us a text Rachael Shepard-Ohta, the founder of Hey Sleepy Baby, joins me for an honest and deeply validating conversation about postpartum anxiety, sleep after loss, and what it means to create safety — for both yourself and your baby — in those sleepless early months. Rachael shares her own experience with postpartum anxiety, how it shaped the work she does now, and why so many mothers silently struggle with sleep. Together, we talk about the myths that make mothers feel like they’re “doing it wrong,” the pressure to sleep train, and how to tune out the noise and listen to your own instincts again. We talk about: 🌙 The link between postpartum anxiety and sleep deprivation 🌙 Why mothers after loss often struggle with hypervigilance and safety fears 🌙 The science behind co-regulation and why closeness matters 🌙 Safe sleep setups — from bedside bassinets to the safe sleep 7 🌙 How to navigate online overwhelm and conflicting advice 🌙 The role of temperament in baby sleep (and why it’s not your fault) 🌙 Simple, realistic ways to reclaim rest and reduce nighttime anxiety 🌙 Letting go of guilt, bad-habit fears, and the myth that you’ll “spoil” your baby This episode is a balm for every mother who has ever questioned if she’s doing it wrong. It’s a gentle reminder that there’s no one right way to sleep, to parent, or to heal — and that both you and your baby are wired for connection, not perfection. 🤍 Get to Know Rachael Rachael Shepard-Ohta is an Infant-Parent Mental Health Specialist, Certified Sleep Consultant, and former Educator. She founded Hey Sleepy Baby in 2020 and hosts two podcasts — No One Told Us and You’re So Right. Rachael lives in San Francisco with her husband and their three young children. 📸 Instagram: @heysleepybaby 🌐 Website: heysleepybaby.com Resources Mentioned in This Episode Articles & Guides: The Safe Sleep Seven — La Leche League InternationalIs Bed Sharing Dangerous?BabyBay Bedside Sleeper Book: Safe Infant Sleep by Dr. James McKenna Podcast Episodes: Bed Sharing & SIDS — The Science and the MythsSleep Training + Bed Sharing — What the Research Actually SaysConnect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌷 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌙 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram:

Send us a text Simona shares the story of her son, Saul, born still at 19 weeks, and the deep unraveling that followed. From the early days of IVF and endometriosis to the heartbreak of stillbirth and the silence that came after, she invites us into the complexity of love, loss, and lineage. We talk about: Navigating endometriosis and IVF before pregnancyThe day she learned Saul’s heart had stoppedGrieving far from family and finding support onlineDiscovering her mother’s own unspoken stillbirthBreaking generational silence around griefThe power of embodiment, yoga, and breathwork in healingLearning to mother herself and honor her inner landscapeThe compassion she found — and the care she wished she’d receivedThe friendships that deepened and those that fell awayWhat it means to hold hope for her future rainbow babyThis episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that love, even in loss, continues to grow. Saul, this one is for you 🕊 Get to Know Simona: Simona lives in Berlin, Germany with her husband. Originally from Romania, she works as a user experience designer and is deeply devoted to her healing journey — attending an online Sangha (meditation community) and being an active member of the Healthy Grieving group for nearly two years. When she isn’t tending to her adult responsibilities, you’ll find her wandering the streets of Berlin, practicing yoga, exploring somatics, or rating ramen restaurants and ice-cream shops across the city. She proudly holds a 2,758-day (and counting!) Duolingo streak in German and Portuguese — and humbly admits that English is not her first language. Losing her baby boy, Saul, in the summer of 2023 opened a portal into the world of grief. Her path since has been tender and transformative, as she continues to hold hope for her rainbow baby. Through this experience, she’s learned not to hide her inner landscape, to honor her loss out loud, and to be steadfast in calling herself a mother — even when the world doesn’t always recognize it. Simona is slowly becoming a student and advocate of grief, devoted to practicing this sacred, embodied way of healing. 📸 Instagram: @simona.cilliers Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. your support means so much. 🌷

Send us a text Dr. Jessica Zucker joins Kristin for an honest, compassionate conversation about miscarriage, shame, and the lifelong work of normalizing women’s experiences. Jessica opens up about her own second-trimester loss, what inspired her to write I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, A Movement, and how one New York Times essay became a viral campaign that changed the way we talk about reproductive loss. She also shares her journey through breast cancer, her latest book Normalize It, and the lessons she’s learned about grief, womanhood, and resilience along the way. We talk about: The story behind the I Had a Miscarriage movement and its impact worldwideWhy shame thrives in silence—and how storytelling helps it dissolveThe cultural discomfort around grief and why “at least” statements cause harmHow to truly show up for someone after loss (and what not to say)Why pregnancy loss education should begin in sex edThe ripple effect of sharing our stories and normalizing painThe importance of acknowledging hidden griefs—from miscarriage to menopauseHow Dr. Zucker continues her mission to support women after loss This episode is a gentle invitation to move closer to the parts of our stories that hurt—and to discover how connection, compassion, and truth-telling can help us heal. Get to Know Dr. Jessica Zucker Dr. Jessica Zucker is a Los Angeles–based psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health. She is the author of I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement and Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women’s Lives, and the creator of the viral #IHadaMiscarriage campaign. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vogue, and more. Website: drjessicazucker.com Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage Dr Jessica's newest release: Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 💛 Mother Like No Other — TTC After Loss Support Space: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode of the podcast, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review—it helps get the show and the resources mentioned into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much.

Send us a text Cathy shares the sacred and devastating story of her daughter Sage, stillborn just days after a healthy ultrasound at 36 weeks. In this raw and powerful episode, she walks us through the shock of hearing “I’m sorry, there’s no heartbeat,” the 30-hour labor she endured, and the precious five days she and her husband spent with their daughter in the hospital. Cathy also opens up about her subsequent pregnancy with her son River—a complicated, fear-filled journey marked by early labor, infections, and the exhaustion of navigating pregnancy after loss. Now, as a mother of both Sage and River and pregnant once more, Cathy reflects on resilience, legacy, and the daily balancing act of holding grief and joy side by side. We talk about: The innocence of first pregnancy and the devastation of stillbirthChoosing induction, enduring a 30-hour labor, and advocating for an empowering birth even in lossSpending five days with Sage, and the importance of acknowledgment and memory-makingThe secondary losses of strained relationships and misguided supportThe emptiness of leaving the hospital without her babyNavigating TTC, delayed cycles, and the complexity of pregnancy after lossRiver’s birth and the overwhelming relief of hearing his first cryThe coexistence of joy and grief in mothering both a living and non-living childHonoring Sage’s legacy while raising River and preparing to welcome another babyThis episode is a deeply moving reminder that grief is never just one goodbye — motherhood after loss means holding the “should-have-beens” alongside the living present. 🕊️ Sage, this one is for you.   Get to Know Cathy:Cathy Nguyen is a podiatrist, yoga teacher, and mother to her daughter Sage and son River. Born and raised in Perth, Australia, Cathy shares her motherhood journey openly, weaving grief, resilience, and advocacy into her life and work. Instagram: @cathy.nguyen93Cathy's book: It Started with... "I'm Sorry, There's No Heartbeat"   Connect with Kristin:📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven – Pregnancy After Loss Support Program (use promo code RAINBOW to save $100)🕊 Mother Like No Other – Loss Community (use promo code MOTHER to get your first month for only $11)📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review. Please share it with someone who could use this kind of support—your support helps this podcast reach the women who need it most.