Resilient Moms: Hope, Healing & Living After Loss Teresa Reiniger with Living After Grief

In this episode Beth Frattura shares her deeply personal and challenging journey through IVF and the broader landscape of infertility treatments. After one and a half years of trying to conceive naturally, Beth and her husband received an infertility diagnosis due to male factors, leading them directly into the world of IVF with the need for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

In this episode, we discuss:

·        The Grief of Failed Transfers: Beth talks about the emotional impact of failed embryo transfers and the grief that accompanies each setback.

·       Ectopic Pregnancy Loss: Beth shares her painful experience of having to remove a pregnancy that implanted in the Fallopian tube and the specific grief associated with losing a pregnancy in such circumstances.

·       The Emotional Rollercoaster: How the process of IVF can rob you of the joy typically associated with pregnancy milestones, leading to a muted, anxious approach to celebrating progress.

·        Support Systems and Grieving: The importance of having a support network and the types of support that can help those going through infertility treatments cope better.

·       Empowerment through Knowledge: Beth emphasizes how gaining knowledge about infertility treatments empowered her to advocate for herself effectively and the importance of being informed.

·       Responding to 'How are you doing?': Insights into handling this often-complex question while navigating infertility, and the power of being honest with oneself and others.

Beth reflects on her journey, expressing a poignant wish: "If I could go back, I would open up more." She believes that sharing her struggles would have not only reduced her isolation but also enhanced her journey with the valuable advice from the community. While going through treatment she remembered thinking, I want to be able to look at myself in the mirror at 60 or 70 years old whether a mother or not a mother and be able to say confidently, “I did everything possible to follow what my heart needed.”

Beth spoke about the nonprofit organization, The Stork Foundation, which she started four years ago, which offers financial assistance to low resource individuals who need infertility treatments that would otherwise be out of financial reach.

“Know that it takes so much strength to go through and you are incredibly brave to go through this. Lean on others, trust the process, have a support system, and a team that has been through similar experiences can help you through such a confusing experience.” ~~ Beth Frattura



The Stork Foundation: 

Instagram: @storkfoundationforinfertility,

Facebook: The Stork Foundation for Infertility


Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa@livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complimentary coaching
call: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/grief-discovery-call

Podcast Guest: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com calendar/podcast-interview-call

It’s National Infertility Awareness Week. On this episode I talked about the often misunderstood and complex world of infertility. Many are unaware of the significant emotional toll and grief that accompanies infertility, affecting not only individuals but also couples and families. This episode aims to bring these issues into the light, offering understanding and support to those navigating this challenging journey.

In this episode, we cover:

·       Various Factors of Infertility:

·       Emotional Toll of Infertility

·       Infertility as a Medical Condition:

·       Finding the Right Support

·       A Look Back

·       Myths and Misconceptions:

·       Self-Care and Mindset

I provide a compassionate and informative look at infertility, fostering resilience and hope for those affected. Remember, everyone's grief journey is unique, and while grief and loss cannot be fixed, understanding and supportive conversations can make a significant difference. You are not alone in this.


Bereaved Mother's Day Brunch Link:

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/ivB6RSVpPp3zSPxT/?mibextid=9l3rBW


Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa@livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complimentary coaching
call: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/grief-discovery-call

Podcast Guest: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/podcast-interview-call

In this episode, Leah Judice shared her deeply personal journey through infertility, chronic back pain, mental health, and her decision to pursue adoption.

She opens up about her struggles with not being physically and mentally capable of becoming pregnant. She discusses the emotional toll of working through pain management while trying to fulfill her dream of becoming a mom.

Topics we talked about in this episode:

·       The Rollercoaster of Infertility Treatments

·       Deciding to Stop Treatments

·       The Unconditional Support

·       Research and the Decision to Pursue Adoption

·       Lengthy and Exhausting Process of Adoption

“It felt deeply personal, and it was not anyone else’s business. Trust yourself and seek professional support if needed.” ~ Leah Judice


Bereaved Mother's Day Brunch Link:

⁠https://www.facebook.com/share/ivB6RSVpPp3zSPxT/?mibextid=9l3rBW



Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa@livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complimentary coaching
call: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/grief-discovery-call

Podcast Guest: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/podcast-interview-call

Rebecca Eggering, a dedicated professional who has devoted over two decades in supporting families during their most vulnerable times as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Recently, Rebecca has embraced a pivotal role as the Share Bereavement Coordinator at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL, marking a new chapter in her mission to provide care and understanding.

Rebecca effectively enhances pregnancy loss education among the OB community in the local area. Her approach involves personalized visits to the medical staff in each OB doctor’s office, fostering a network of support and empathy for families navigating pregnancy loss. 

Within this episode we talked about:

·       Using gentle language, rather than always using medical terminology

·       Taking much-needed time with the families.

·       Respectful Care by Funeral Homes for all pregnancy losses.

·       Sensitive Scheduling for women that have experienced a loss.

·       Creating Lasting Mementos with and for the families

Rebecca leaves us with a powerful message of self-compassion: "Give yourself grace, you may become angrier more quickly, and again give yourself grace." This reminder underlines the importance of patience and kindness towards oneself through the ebb and flow of emotions encountered in grief.

Bereaved Mother's Day Brunch Link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/ivB6RSVpPp3zSPxT/?mibextid=9l3rBW

Axe Throwing Event Link:

https://facebook.com/events/s/axe-throwing-with-share-anders/1742844562877748/

Anderson Hospital Share Group Link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/ViM7oyTGXqVZ6c3a/?mibextid=LQQJ4d


Connect with Rebecca:

Email: pregnancyloss_suppor@andersonhospital.org

Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa@livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complimentary coaching
call: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/grief-discovery-call

Podcast Guest: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.comcalendar/podcast-interview-call

Katrina Travis shares her heart-wrenching experience of loss and the resilience it took to navigate grief while supporting her daughter and son-in-law during one of the most challenging times of their lives. In this episode, we talked about the profound grief and unwavering strength that Katrina faced when her daughter lost her full-term daughter. Through her story, we delve into the complexities of grieving as a parent and grandparent.

In this episode we talked about:

·        Needing to be strong for my daughter and son-in-law

·        Making Funeral Arrangements

·        Journaling her feelings became a crucial outlet.

·        The importance of supportive people.

·        Finding purpose in sharing her story

It is OK to not be OK ~~ Katrina Travis

I thank Katrina for her courage in sharing her story and hope her journey brings comfort and understanding to those who hear it. Let her story be a reminder that you are not alone in your grief, and there is strength in community and shared experiences.


Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa@livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complimentary coaching
call: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/grief-discovery-call

Podcast Guest:  https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/podcast-interview-call

March is Pregnancy After Loss Awareness Month and in this episode Teresa talks about the complex journey of becoming pregnant again after losing a child. It's a path marked by resilience, courage, and the delicate balance of hope and grief.

Losing a child, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, leaves a broken heart that never fully heals. It’s a loss that encompasses not just emotional turmoil but also profound psychological, social, and economic impacts. 

Things Teresa Talked About: 


Deciding to become pregnant after experiencing such a loss. 
Milestone Moments and Managing Anxiety


Needs from the medical staff.


The Additional Challenge of Unexplained Losses

 Pregnancy after loss is a journey where fear meets hope and where women find strength, and healing. It’s a path that requires support, understanding, and an immense amount of courage.

 I want to thank my clients, the women in the support groups that I work with and the podcast guests that continue to share their stories to advocate for other women. It is so very much needed, appreciated and it is changing the lives of so many. 


Connect with Teresa:

EMAIL: teresa@livingaftergrief.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/.livingaftergrief/.

Instagram: @livingaftergrief

Website: www.livingaftergrief.com

click and schedule a free complimentary coaching
call: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/grief-discovery-call

Podcast Guest: https://livingaftergrief.coachesconsole.com/calendar/podcast-interview-call