In this powerful episode of the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast, Kayleigh sits down with Amber, a midwife and mother of three, to share her story of a life-threatening pregnancy and birth experience with her twins in July 2019. What began as a relatively uneventful twin pregnancy quickly turned into a medical emergency involving acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and a prolonged ICU stay. Amber shares the terrifying physical and psychological realities of her experience, including ICU delirium, hallucinations, and the lasting impact of feeling betrayed by the people she believed were trying to hurt her. She also opens up about her husband's trauma, the complicated emotions of meeting her babies after being separated from them, and the long road of processing what happened. This conversation highlights the importance of recognizing subtle warning signs, advocating for critically ill obstetric patients, and making space for the emotional aftermath of birth trauma, even years later. In this episode, we discuss: 🤰 Amber’s twin pregnancy: Discovering she was expecting twins as a midwife and navigating the fears and risks she anticipated throughout pregnancy.🚩 The warning signs: How extreme exhaustion, difficulty concentrating, changes in behavior, and trouble communicating were initially attributed to normal pregnancy symptoms.🩺 Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP): Understanding this rare, serious pregnancy complication and how it affected Amber’s liver, kidneys, and overall health.🩸 Postpartum hemorrhage and DIC: What happened after Amber’s C-section, how severe bleeding and clotting complications developed, and why DIC is so dangerous.🏥 A critical ICU experience: The challenges of coordinating obstetric and critical care, the importance of recognizing obstetric emergencies, and how advocacy from her husband and trusted physicians helped save her life.🧠 ICU delirium and hallucinations: Amber’s vivid, terrifying experiences while intubated and sedated—and why these experiences can feel completely real and contribute to trauma.💔 The impact on relationships: How ICU delirium affected Amber’s trust in her husband, despite his tireless efforts to advocate for her and get her the care she needed.👶 Reuniting with her twins: The emotional complexity of meeting her babies after being separated from them, and the significance of having them brought to her in the ICU.🫂 The postpartum recovery nobody talks about: Struggling with memory, independence, parenting, returning home, and wondering whether her brain would ever feel like itself again.💬 Healing through storytelling: Why talking about her experience, revisiting memories, and continuing to process the trauma have been important parts of Amber’s healing.❤️ Lessons for providers and families: The importance of listening to loved ones when they recognize changes in a patient's behavior and advocating when something doesn't feel right.Content note: This episode includes discussion of life-threatening pregnancy complications, severe hemorrhage, the possibility of death, ICU delirium and hallucinations, and traumatic medical experiences. Thank you to Amber for sharing her story with such honesty, humor, and vulnerability. Her experience is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening, advocacy, and compassionate care for birthing people and their families. 💛 You can follow Amber on Instagram and TikTok: @aflp_midwife Please note: This episode shares Amber’s personal experience and is intended for educational and informational purposes. It is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. For more birth trauma content and a community full of love and support, head to my Instagram at @thebirthtrauma_mama. Learn more about the support and services I offer through The Birth Trauma Mama Therapy & Support Services. Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.
