After a long journey with infertility, today’s guest shares her early struggles to conceive and carry a child to term, her journey in search of alternative ways to have a family, and racial and societal pressures of parenthood and love.

Kimberly Gowdy experienced the loss of multiple pregnancies, and was in an unstable marriage peppered with spousal abuse and addiction. In today’s episode she takes us back on her journey to motherhood that was filled with loss, tears, doubt, heartache, and ultimate joy of remarriage and her rainbow son.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have given up on hope on your journey to becoming a mother and need a hope lift and inspiration.

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Have you heard of having a double uterus or double cervix? The term is Uterine didelphys is a rare condition that happens when you grow two uteruses instead of one. This happens when you are a developing baby. You are born with it. ‌ While developing as babies, girls typically grow a uterus from two channels called the Mullerian ducts.

Today’s guest was born with a didelphys uterus after 3 laparoscopic surgeries it was confirmed she also had endometriosis, fibroids, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. That did not stop today’s guest from trying to conceive. La-Anna Douglass began fertility treatments with drugs and still was unable to conceive. She decided to try IVF and IVF did not work for her leaving her depressed and heartbroken. In today’s episode La-Anna shares her journey to conceiving a baby naturally after 8 years of trying to conceive and her current journey through secondary infertility.

This podcast is for you to listen to to learn more about a double uterus and double cervix, but also if you have any underlying conditions like endometriosis, fibriods, and pcos.

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Have you heard of an Ectopic Pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. An ectopic pregnancy most often occurs in a fallopian tube, which carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This type of ectopic pregnancy is called a tubal pregnancy.

Today’s guest experienced an ectopic pregnancy that was discovered during her first prenatal visit and would need surgery. The morning of her surgery date her fallopian tube ruptured causing internal bleeding and changed her. Ashlee Epps found out she was pregnant with her second baby after losing her job, being in law school, and her husband’s work hours being reduced. She was stressed with all that was going on in her life. After losing her baby she went through a “why” and denial period and felt very alone.

In today’s episode, Ashlee shares how her faith was tested after her loss, how she had to navigate through grief while being a wife, mom, and student, and how her healing journey has been filled with lessons of love and learning about herself.

Today’s episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced an ectopic pregnancy and if you have ever questioned why this happened to me?

Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here

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Congenital heart disease is a general term for a range of birth defects that affect the normal way the heart works. The term “congenital” means the condition is present from birth.

Today’s guest was diagnosed with Endometriosis and after many years of fertility treatments including IVF her first child Jasper died in her arms 30 hours after he was born from congenital heart disease. Coping with the grief of child loss at the onset of a global pandemic has made, Jamala Arland passionate about supporting the community for bereaved mothers and normalizing grief through writing and speaking engagements.

In todays episode, Jamala shares her journey through endometriosis, infertility, and finding out how her son had congenital heart disease.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have battled infertility and infant loss.

Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here

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Book Recommendations and Links Below

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Not all fertility treatments end in success. Some end in undetermined infertility and unsuccessful IUI and IVF cycles.

Today’s guest experienced unexplained infertility and underwent fertility treatments. After going through an IUI and 2 IVF cycles that were unsuccessful, she and her husband decided to take a break from fertility treatments and decided to adopt. The adoption process was an immediate success. Juauna Lewis decided to try another IVF round, but that was also unsuccessful. To continue to grow her family, she turned to foster care to adoption and added another two boys to her family. Juauna is now the mom to 3 sweet little boys who she considers the pot of gold at the end of her rainbow of failed fertility treatments and losses.

In today’s episode we discuss her decision to stop fertility treatments and turn to adoption, why foster to adoption is another option to growing your family, and how motherhood is not defined if you birth children from your body.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have had a failed IVF experience, are curious about adoption or fostering to adopt, and for inspiration that motherhood comes in many forms even if you don’t birth the baby.

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Have you heard of the term micropreemie?

A micropreemie is a baby that is born before the 26th week of pregnancy or weighs less than 28 ounces.

Today’s guest is a mother of two an angel baby and rainbow baby both who were micropreemies born before 26 weeks. Diane Olusado combatted infertility with professional help for 4 years. After 7 failed IUIs and 1 failed IVF cycle she had a successful transfer and gave birth to her baby at 23 weeks and 5 days. Alayo died in the NICU after living for 9 days. Diane went onto another round of IVF that was successful and had her rainbow baby Iyanu at 26 weeks and 2 days and spent 108 days in the NICU.

In todays episode, Diane shares her journey through infertility and loss and how she is preparing for her next IVF or Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET).

This episode is for you to listen to if you have battled infertility and are also preparing for your next FET and IVF cycle.

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

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Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group

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There is nothing we can do” the 6 words us @sistersinloss dreads to hear.How many of us have heard “There is nothing we can do” after a doctor’s appointment or emergency room visit?

Today’s guest experienced a miscarriage at 7 weeks and was told “there is nothing we can do.” Elijah’s passing was traumatic. Jessica Jackson could not comprehend that statement. She saw Elijah in a dream and writing became her grief therapy. “Elijah Broke the Gate” is a book of performance pieces based on true child loss, miscarriage, and regretted abortion experiences.

In today’s episode, Jessica shares her traumatic birthing experience of miscarriage and her inspiration for her book “Elijah’s Broke the Gate.”

Today’s episode is for you to listen to if you have ever been told “there is nothing we can do” and experienced a miscarriage or pregnancy loss.

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Dear Mama,

What if I told you Black mamas aren’t superheroes, that the cape is choking us, and our backs are brittle? What if I told you motherhood ain’t killing us, though, but the narratives we buy into hook, line, and sinker are? What if you had the option not to be the primary custodial parent? Would you decline out of obligation to the belief that a good Black mama would never choose to leave their children in the care of others, even the other parent? How does a Black mother respond when what’s best for her or her destiny clashes with cultural norms?

In this Mother’s Day episode, I shared my journey with Dem Black Mamas Podcast about the complexities and challenges of non-custodial parenting and Black motherhood. When Erica and her husband decided to divorce, they also agreed to shared custody. Each parent would have primary custody for 3 years of their son Maxwell who was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy 10 years ago.

We dive into:

• Confronting societal norms and cultural stigmas
• Navigating health and care decisions for children with special needs as a noncustodial parent
• Historical trauma and Black motherhood
• Renegotiating Black motherhood

Connect with Dem Black Mamas: YouTube | Email List | Patreon | Blusky

🗣️Engage: This is a conversation. Speak back to us! Share your thoughts about the episode using the hashtag #DemBlackMamas, DM us or email us at magic@demblackmamas.com.

Join our Weekly Grief Support Groups at sistersinloss.com/psi

You can shop my Amazon Store for the Book Recommendations

Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group

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Erica’s Website

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