The Birth I Didn't Plan For: Loss, Emergency C-Section, and Postpartum Healing
Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed discussion of pregnancy loss/miscarriage, medical emergencies, emergency C-section, and postpartum mental health struggles, including Perinatal/ postpartum OCD. Please take care while listening, and skip ahead or sit this one out if these topics don't feel safe for you right now.In this deeply personal episode, I open up about my journey through pregnancy loss, a birth that didn't go according to plan, and the postpartum mental health challenges that followed. From an early miscarriage while traveling to an emergency C-section during the birth of my daughter Daisy, I share the medical realities, emotional aftermath, and hard-won lessons on trusting healthcare providers, letting go of control, and healing — both physically and mentally — after birth.This conversation is for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss, is preparing for birth, or is navigating the often-unspoken realities of postpartum mental health.Pregnancy loss and its emotional impactMedical emergencies during childbirthThe importance of trusting healthcare providersPostpartum mental health and postpartum OCDBirth plan expectations vs. realityHealing from a C-section and postpartum recoveryLessons on control and trust in the birth processThe impact of pregnancy on mental healthPostpartum care and self-compassionEpisode Quotes:"I felt so much shame I did not expect.""Trust the healthcare providers, they are the experts.""My birth was not what I wanted, but I am okay."If you're currently struggling with your mental health during pregnancy or postpartum, please reach out to your healthcare provider — you deserve support.If this episode resonated with you and you're looking for support with your own hormone health, fertility, or postpartum journey, I'd love to work with you 1:1.👉 Book a discovery call: https://l.bttr.to/k7yxtFor more evidence-based content on hormone health, including my ongoing meal plan series, subscribe to my Substack:👉 Subscribe on Substack: https://substack.com/@hormonerdpregnancy loss, childbirth, postpartum, mental health, medical emergency, birth story, miscarriage, postpartum depression, healing, hormone healthThe Period Chats Podcast is hosted by me, Kate — helping women navigate hormone health with evidence-based, honest conversation.Episode Summary Key Topics Covered:00:00 Introduction and overview of the episode01:03 Pregnancy loss experience and emotional response02:11 Travel, pregnancy, and early signs of miscarriage03:37 Medical care and initial diagnosis in New York04:13 Emotional aftermath — feelings of shame and anger05:08 Learning about miscarriage statistics and fertility06:03 Pregnancy with Daisy and mental health challenges07:20 Pregnancy OCD and mental health during pregnancy08:52 Daisy's breech position and birth preparations09:46 Birth plan, birth classes, and control issues10:37 Daisy's position changes and anxiety about her health11:30 Labor onset, hospital stay, and medical interventions13:45 Labor progression and the decision for an epidural16:37 Labor complications and emergency C-section18:15 Birth of Daisy and postpartum recovery19:20 Postpartum challenges, blood pressure, and NICU stay20:45 Reflections on the birth experience and lessons learned21:41 Postpartum healing, mental health, and self-care23:53 Returning to practice and future plans 25:21 Closing thoughts and upcoming episodes