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

Erica M. Freeman
  • 4.8 (98)
  • Parenting
  • 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. 3d ago

    The Raw Reality of Loss and Medical Trauma with Kennedy Marie

    In this deeply emotional and urgent episode of Sisters in Loss, we sit down with Kennedy Marie, a 26-year-old yogini, doula, and artist from Houston, TX. Kennedy shares her story from the absolute center of her grief—just one month after the devastating loss of her twins. Kennedy's pregnancy was beautiful until her water broke prematurely at 20 weeks. She bravely walks us through the trauma that followed: being placed on hospital bedrest, delivering and losing her daughter a week later, and the harrowing delivery of her son just days after that due to suspected infection. Kennedy sheds light on the horrific medical negligence she endured, from delivering her son completely unassisted on a hospital table, to facing overt racial slurs from nursing staff on the darkest night of her life. There is no neatly packaged healing journey in this episode. Instead, Kennedy offers a profoundly honest look at the raw, immediate aftermath of loss, the glaring disparities Black women face in maternal healthcare, and the exhausting reality of having to advocate for your basic humanity while saying goodbye to your children. Episode Takeaways The Rawness of Early Grief An honest look at what it means to just survive the first 30 days after unimaginable loss, without the pressure of "healing" yet. Systemic Medical Negligence Kennedy's firsthand account of being neglected by hospital staff during a traumatic, premature delivery. Maternal Healthcare Disparities The horrifying reality of facing overt racism and administrative incompetence (including major HIPAA violations) while in active mourning. The Strength to Speak How Kennedy found the strength to report her experiences to hospital administration the very next morning before discharging herself. 🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us

  2. Aug 12

    Turning Pain into Poetry: Navigating Premature Ovarian Failure with Melissa Felix

    In this inspiring episode of Sisters in Loss, we are honored to speak with Melissa Felix, an author, poet, storyteller, and the founder of Rhoyal Scribe, LLC. Melissa opens up about her unexpected diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) and the profound emotional challenge of grieving a future she always envisioned. For 13 years, she served as a dedicated educator and beloved "school mom," pouring her heart into her students while silently carrying the weight of her own reproductive loss. Melissa shares how she transformed her silent struggle into a powerful voice through writing, ultimately giving birth to her debut poetry collection, Silence Speaks. As a Black woman navigating infertility, she is on a mission to break the stigma, increase awareness, and create safe spaces for honest conversations within Black and Brown communities. Tune in to hear how therapy, online support systems, and the power of the pen helped Melissa find purpose beyond the pain, proving that grief does not have to be the final chapter. 📌 Episode Takeaways Navigating the Dual Reality How Melissa balanced the joy of being a "school mom" for 13 years while privately grieving her infertility diagnosis. Healing Through Art The ways poetry and creative writing can serve as a refuge and a practical tool for processing complex grief. Breaking the Stigma The critical importance of shattering the silence surrounding reproductive loss in Black and Brown communities. Building Support Systems How therapy, online communities, and non-judgmental loved ones can provide a safe space for healing. 🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us

  3. Aug 5

    9 Years of Sisters in Loss – Replacing Silence with Storytelling

    Today is an incredibly special episode because we are celebrating our 9-Year Anniversary! 🎉 Nine years ago, I took my pain and turned it into purpose, launching this platform to highlight the stories of Black mothers navigating pregnancy loss, infant loss, and infertility. In this milestone episode, I'm taking a look back at the origins of Sisters in Loss, the defining moments that shaped our community, and how our mission has expanded into training the next generation of bereavement doulas. In this episode, we cover: The Origin Story: Why I started Sisters in Loss in 2017 and the early days of the podcast. Community Impact: How storytelling has helped thousands of Black women heal and break the stigma surrounding maternal loss. The Evolution: Expanding from a podcast to an educational platform and doula training program. What's Next: A sneak peek into the future of Sisters in Loss, including details about my upcoming book, Never Healing Alone. Thank you for being part of this journey for the last 9 years. If this podcast has touched your life, please take a moment to celebrate with us by sharing this episode with a sister who needs it, leaving a review, or tagging us on social media! 🔗 Important Links: Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz:  HAQuiz.com Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us

  4. Jul 29

    Stillbirth, Postpartum Depression, Preeclampsia, and Serving in Pregnancy After Loss with Shanna Williams

    Do you know what Stillbirth is? A stillbirth is the death or loss of a baby before or during delivery. Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ according to when the loss occurs. Today's guest experienced a stillbirth at 21 weeks followed by a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks.  She became pregnant again and experienced anxiety, had an upsetting birth experience with her son and developed postpartum depression.  Shanna Williams continued to grow her family by having another baby while her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder at age 2.  During that birth she secured a doula and midwife in an attempt to have a home birth, but had to be transferred to hospital care due to preeclampsia.  Shanna focused on therapy work on maternal health and became a Doula and Lactation consultant to serve families in pregnancy and parenting after loss.  In this episode, she takes us back to that moment when she heard her son didn't have a heartbeat and what inspired her PhD studies focusing on Historical trauma, Black Maternal Health Outcomes and Pregnancy after loss. This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, postpartum depression, pre-eclampisa, or any trauma during childbirth. 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

  5. Jul 22

    Finding Joy and Strength through Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Therapy with Dr. Loree Johnson

    Have you heard of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss? Recurrent pregnancy loss is historically defined as 3 or more consecutive pregnancy losses prior to 20 weeks. Today's guest has experienced 4 pregnancy losses including losing a son at 15 weeks due to chromosomal abnormalities. Dr. Loree Johnson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, shares her loss story and journey to motherhood. In this episode you will hear Dr. Loree's story of strength and perseverance and how she found joy and peace in the uncertainty of this journey. We all could use more joy and peace as we navigate the current uncertain times. This episode is for you to listen to if you are seeking a story of finding joy and strength after recurrent pregnancy loss. Dr. Loree Johnson's Bio I'm Dr. Loree Johnson, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with more than 25 years of experience as a clinician, educator, and clinical supervisor. I help my clients navigate uncertainty in their relationships, overcome the emotional challenges that come with infertility and the loss of a pregnancy, and strengthen their relationships. By combining my licensed clinical background and personal experience into a holistic and therapeutic approach, I support women and couples on their path to parenthood. I'm a clinical fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and I've also served on the state and national boards. I live in Hermosa Beach, CA with my husband and pampered pooch. In my spare time, I enjoy salsa dancing, traveling, reading, and riding my motorcycle. 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

  6. Jul 15

    Diagnosed at 13 - Navigating Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, Bonus Motherhood, and IVF Hope with DaMarra King

    Imagine being diagnosed with infertility before you even finish middle school. For DaMarra King, this isn't a hypothetical—it has been her reality since age 13. In this episode, we are joined by DaMarra King—a wife, bonus mom, grants manager, and the voice behind the Suddenly Infertile podcast. DaMarra opens up about her lifelong journey to motherhood, which began when her period stopped at 13 and she was diagnosed with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). Growing up without seeing Black women talking about infertility, she had to unlearn the shame surrounding her diagnosis and choose to speak openly. DaMarra keeps it incredibly real about the highs and lows of trying to conceive. She shares the realities of starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) late, navigating impatient medical professionals, and often feeling more like a "science experiment" than a patient due to her unique story. She also discusses the heartache of betrayal in her first marriage, the complexities of dating with an infertility diagnosis, and the nuanced, beautiful, yet challenging experience of being a bonus mom while longing for a biological child with her husband. But DaMarra's story is also one of immense faith and hope. She shares the exciting news that she was recently awarded a grant for a full IVF cycle and will be beginning her treatment this July! In this episode, we discuss: Processing an infertility (POI) diagnosis at just 13 years old. Advocating for your body in the medical system and the challenges of HRT. Navigating the dating world, divorce, and finding true love after betrayal. The emotional complexities of bonus motherhood while battling primary infertility. The process of receiving a fertility grant and preparing for IVF. Why DaMarra launched the Suddenly Infertile podcast to be the representation for Black women that she didn't have growing up. Listen to DaMarra's podcast: Suddenly Infertile (available on all major platforms) 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

  7. Jul 8

    The Sacred Pause: Knowing When to Step Away - Never Healing Alone Updates

    We often mistake productivity for healing, but true self-care is knowing exactly when to close the laptop and walk away.  In this intimate solo episode, Erica pulls back the curtain on the final editing stages of her upcoming book, *Never Healing Alone* (coming April 2027). After returning from vacation and facing the heavy emotional labor of reviewing her July edits, Erica hit a wall of secondary "grief fatigue." Instead of pushing through, she decided to practice exactly what she preaches in Chapter 8: she chose the Sacred Pause. Tune in as Erica shares the raw reality of editing trauma, how to recognize when your body is screaming for rest, and why protecting your peace is a radical act of rebellion against the "Strong Black Woman" schema. Key Takeaways From This Episode: * Why writing, speaking, and editing your trauma requires a secondary level of emotional labor. * How to identify the difference between "pushing through" and self-gaslighting. * Practical ways to put up your "Boundary Shield" when you are simply "over it". 📓 Journal Prompt of the Week: *Where in your life do you need to take a sacred pause right now? What are you over-carrying, and what would happen if you simply set it down today? 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

  8. Jul 1

    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

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4.8
out of 5
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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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