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

Erica M. Freeman
  • 4.8 (95)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

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, are trying to conceive or have an infertility diagnosis, you will learn about resources and strategies to heal, gain clarity, peace, hope, and find an empowering path forward after loss. Join Erica M. Freeman 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.

  1. 2d ago

    442 - Fertile Ground: Navigating Secondary Infertility, Surrogacy, and a Natural Miracle with Quisha Umemba

    "Just when I thought I had exhausted every medical, financial, and emotional option, a miracle took root." In this week's jaw-dropping episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are joined by the remarkable Quisha Umemba. Quisha is a Registered Nurse, Community Health Worker, and a Fertility Doula in training who knows the clinical side of reproductive health inside and out. But today, she is sharing her deeply personal, heavily tested journey to motherhood—a story of cultivating "Fertile Ground" even when all hope seemed lost. Quisha opens up about her grueling five-year battle with secondary infertility. She holds nothing back as she discusses the immense physical, emotional, and financial toll of her journey, which included multiple intense medical procedures and spending close to $100,000. Seeking every available avenue to grow her family, Quisha even navigated the complex processes of utilizing an egg donor and a gestational surrogate. During this exhausting waiting season, Quisha admits she nearly lost her faith entirely. But then, the unimaginable happened: after years of intense medical intervention, she miraculously became pregnant naturally. In this episode, we discuss: The heavy, often silent emotional and financial weight of secondary infertility. Quisha's experience navigating the complex world of egg donation and gestational surrogacy. The profound crisis of faith that can accompany a prolonged season of waiting and loss. The jaw-dropping story of her natural, miraculous pregnancy. How her lived experience is shaping her new path as a Fertility Doula. The profound impact the book Supernatural Childbirth had on restoring her spiritual foundation. If you are currently feeling financially drained, spiritually exhausted, or just need a reminder that miracles still happen when we least expect them, this episode is exactly what you need to hear. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook

    55 min
  2. You Might Also Like: MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

    2d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

    Introducing Holding It Together (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE) from MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories. Follow the show: MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories In October 1999, a 911 dispatcher in Austin, Texas was nearing the end of a long night shift when a strange call came in. The man said his guts had blown out of his stomach. The dispatcher asked him to explain what happened, but all the caller would say was that he just woke up and his guts were coming out. He was holding them in with his hand. And he needed an ambulance... now.   You can WATCH all new & exclusive MrBallen podcast episodes on my YouTube channel, just called "MrBallen" - https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallen If you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform, my username on all of them is @mrballen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Jun 24

    441 - Cultivating Community Bump & Beyond: Maternal Advocacy and Doula Sustainability with Alexia Doumbouya

    "We are cultivating community to support moms Bump & Beyond!" In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are sitting down with the phenomenal Alexia Doumbouya (pronounced uh-LEK-see-uh DOOM-boy-yah). Alexia is the Founder and President of CocoLife (cocolife.black), an award-winning international speaker, certified Doula, and Childbirth Educator. With a Master's in Organizational Leadership and over 20 years of experience in Healthcare Administration and Public Health, Alexia is a true powerhouse and a leading voice in maternal health advocacy and doula workforce sustainability. Her life-changing work has been recognized by the CDC, March of Dimes, and CVS Health, and she has featured on major platforms including CNN, iHeart Media, and the US Department of Health and Human Services. Alexia's own path to motherhood with her two "Jr. Interns" (ages 14 and 6) was the catalyst for her life's work. Her eldest child was the exact reason she became a doula, and the heavy stories of maternal loss, mental health struggles, and obstetric systemic barriers she witnessed in her community became the driving force behind launching CocoLife. In this episode, Alexia shares how building a strong, faith-based village and growing in community allowed her to boldly walk into the purpose God called on her life. We discuss how she is actively bridging the gap between clinical healthcare and community-based doula support to save lives. In this episode, we discuss: Alexia's transition from public health administration to hands-on doula advocacy. How her 14-year-old inspired her to step into birth work. The birth of CocoLife and how it supports mothers from the "Bump & Beyond." The critical need for maternal health equity and sustainable doula workforces. The resources that keep her anchored, including Dr. Anita Phillips' The Garden Within, Dr. Cindy Trimm's Command Your Morning, and her indispensable village. If you are a birth worker, an advocate, or a mother looking to build a stronger village, Alexia's words will ignite your spirit and inspire you to walk boldly in your own calling. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook

    43 min

  4. Jun 17

    440 - Embracing the "No" That Saved My Life: Infertility, IVF, and the Grace of Adoption with Angie Booker

    "What if the 'no' you've been mourning was actually a shield of protection?" In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we sit down with Angie Booker—an incredibly gifted writer, marketing strategist, and public advocate for infertility whose work masterfully bridges professional storytelling with raw, lived experience. Angie's path to motherhood began nearly a decade ago and was defined by years of silent unraveling. She navigated the heartbreak of infertility, failed IVF cycles, and the heavy grief of a life she imagined slowly slipping away. But then, her story took an unexpected and life-altering turn. A delayed medical diagnosis revealed that pregnancy would have been highly unsafe for Angie. Suddenly, the "no" she had spent years grieving took on a completely different shape. She began to see that her closed womb was not a failure, but a form of divine protection. Angie eventually became a mother through the beautiful, grounding path of adoption. Today, she speaks out to help other women and families not just survive infertility, but make sense of it. She shares how she learned to live inside a story that held both heartbreak and grace, and how she allowed motherhood to expand her heart, rather than letting it be defined by how she got there. In this episode, we discuss: Angie's decade-long journey navigating infertility, failed IVF, and the silent grief of waiting. How a delayed medical diagnosis reframed her perspective on infertility as a form of physical protection. The transition from mourning a biological story to finding grounding joy in adoption. Integrating faith and identity when your life's script goes completely off-course. The resources that kept her anchored, including Therapy for Black Girls, Fertility Ain't Fair, and the books that guided her adoption journey. Angie's story is a powerful, comforting reminder for anyone sitting in a season of waiting or dealing with a closed door. It reminds us that our stories can be beautiful, even when they don't look the way we planned. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook

    33 min

  5. Jun 10

    439 - Surviving Trauma and Miscarriage with Dr. Shayla Élise Walker

    "How do we hold space for the miracle of survival while grieving the loss of a dream?" In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Shayla Élise Walker, PhD, LCSW. Dr. Walker is a licensed clinical social worker, professor, and public speaker with over a decade of experience addressing mental health, racial justice, and restorative healing. But beyond her impressive credentials, she joins us today as a sister in loss, blending her profound scholarship with her own raw, lived experience. Dr. Walker shares one of the most unique and harrowing pregnancy journeys we have ever heard on this platform. After surviving a life-threatening car accident, she was hospitalized in the trauma ICU, where she discovered she was 3.5 weeks pregnant. In the midst of severe physical trauma, this baby felt like an added, beautiful miracle. Tragically, just five weeks later at her first OB appointment, she and her partner learned the pregnancy was non-viable. Dr. Walker takes us into the unspeakable heartbreak of surviving a near-fatal accident, only to lose her miracle baby a month later. As an expert who actively works to redefine what it means to be a "Strong Black Woman," Dr. Walker opens up about her biggest obstacles during this time: navigating the intense societal pressure to "be strong," keep hope, and distract herself by pouring her energy into work. Instead, she advocates for a different path—one that allows us to hold the complex, messy truth of grief, fear of the future, and gratitude for survival, all at the same time. In this episode, we discuss: Dr. Walker's life-threatening car accident and discovering her pregnancy in the trauma ICU. The devastating transition from surviving physical trauma to navigating perinatal loss. Redefining the "Strong Black Woman" trope and resisting the pressure to heal on anyone else's timeline. The complexity of holding grief, fear of future miscarriages, and gratitude simultaneously. The healing power of connecting with other "heavenly baby" mothers and finding community with Sisters in Loss. This is a masterclass in healing, vulnerability, and maternal mental health. Please tune in, grab your tissue, and let Dr. Walker's wisdom wrap around you. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook

    35 min

  6. Jun 3

    438 - Faces of H.O.P.E.: Surviving PPROM, NICU, and Pregnancy After Loss with Nekia Mba

    "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." In this week's deeply moving episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are welcoming back a familiar voice to our community. The incredible Nekia Mba returns to share her ongoing journey as one of our "Faces of H.O.P.E." Nekia is a military spouse, a devoted mother to two living children and three angel babies, the founder of a maternal health advocacy and education nonprofit, and the owner of a strategic advisory firm for women in leadership. She is the true definition of turning pain into purpose. Since her last interview with us in June 2023, Nekia's path to growing her family has been a rollercoaster of heartbreak and miracles. She bravely opens up about experiencing an interstitial pregnancy, followed by a subsequent pregnancy that resulted in PPROM (preterm premature rupture of the membranes) at 29 weeks. Nekia walks us through the terrifying reality of an unexpected early delivery, the 50 grueling days she spent by her son's side in the NICU, and the absolute joy of watching him thrive today at 15 months old. In this episode, we discuss: Nekia's emotional updates and health journey since June 2023. Navigating the trauma of an interstitial pregnancy. Surviving PPROM, an early delivery, and a 50-day NICU stay. Balancing life as a military spouse, CEO, and mother to both living and deceased children. The resources that kept her grounded: Stillbirthday education, Mamma's Voice, the Sisters in Loss community, and the healing power of sharing your story with other mothers. If you are currently navigating pregnancy after loss, facing a NICU stay, or just need a powerful reminder that joy can follow grief, this episode is for you. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook

    30 min

  7. May 27

    437 - The Oak of Justice: Stepping Out of Silence with Bertha Mowelle

    Have you ever felt like you had to stand as strong as an oak tree in the midst of your grief? In this week's episode of the Sisters in Loss podcast, we are taking our community global! We are joined by the incredible Bertha Mowelle, joining us all the way from Berlin. Known to many as "The Oak of Justice," Bertha is a fierce advocate and a pillar of strength who is deeply rooted in building and uplifting a powerful community of women. In our conversation, Bertha opens up about her complex and deeply personal journey to motherhood. She holds nothing back as we discuss the many challenges and heavy obstacles she had to overcome to find her footing again after loss. One of the most beautiful and relatable moments in this episode is when Bertha shares the specific resource that helped her heal. It wasn't a clinical textbook or a step-by-step guide. Instead, it was the raw, vulnerable testimony of another woman grieving the loss of her husband. Hearing another sister speak her truth gave Bertha the courage to finally "step out," break her own silence, and walk into her purpose. In this episode, we discuss: Bertha's journey to motherhood and overcoming profound challenges. What it means to be an "Oak of Justice" in your community. The life-changing power of hearing another woman's testimony. How shared grief can give us the courage to step out of the shadows. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! Click the link in our bio to tune in. Question for the community: Has hearing someone else's story of grief ever given you the courage to share your own? Let me know in the comments below! 👇🏾 #SistersInLoss #PregnancyLoss #InfantLoss #GriefJourney #TheOakOfJustice #BlackMaternalHealth #MiscarriageSupport #StillbirthAwareness #MotherhoodJourney #GriefSupport #HealingCommunity Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook

    23 min

  8. May 20

    436 - Fibroids, Infertility and Mommy in Waiting with Shana-Lee Scott

    In today's episode, Author, Shana-Lee Scott, vulnerably shares her ongoing journey through infertility after being diagnosed with 33 uterine fibroids following her 2017 marriage. After three doctors recommended a hysterectomy, Shannon's faith and persistence led her to a surgeon in Florida who successfully removed all 33 fibroids — saving her womb.  Years of trying to conceive, a 2023 fertility clinic visit recommending surrogacy, and seasons of wrestling with God have shaped Shannon into a voice of hope for women in the waiting. She discusses her 40-day devotional Mommy In Waiting, her work with a fertility doula, and the importance of building the right care team and faith community while surrendering the timeline to God. Shana-Lee Scott Bio Shana-Lee Scott is ready to add author to her list of titles. She is the CEO and founder of Breathe & Exhale 360, a certified life coach, and now, a published author. With over twenty years of personal self-care practice, she is passionate about encouraging her family, friends, and audience to take meaningful moments for themselves. Mommy in Waiting: A 40-Day Devotional is a deeply personal exploration of the emotional journey experienced during seasons of waiting. Through heartfelt devotionals, she shares her own experience of longing for a child and the faith it requires. She offers comfort and reassurance to others walking a similar path, reminding them that if it's taking longer than expected to have a child, there is nothing wrong with them. Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here Book Recommendations and Links Below You can shop my Amazon Store or  ​Bookshop.org for the Book Recommendations You can follow Sisters in Loss on Social Join our Black Moms in Loss Online Weekly Grief Support Group Join the Sisters in Loss Online Community Sisters in Loss TV Youtube Channel Sisters in Loss Instagram Sisters in Loss Facebook

    41 min
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4.8
out of 5
95 Ratings

About

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, are trying to conceive or have an infertility diagnosis, you will learn about resources and strategies to heal, gain clarity, peace, hope, and find an empowering path forward after loss. Join Erica M. Freeman 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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