What I Wish I Knew beyond Pregnancy Loss

Sharna Southan
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

What I wish I knew beyond Pregnancy Loss: The Intersection of Fertility, Trauma & Purpose This podcast is a space for deep, honest conversations about fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, and the unseen layers of healing. Here, we explore the intersection of trauma, the nervous system, and emotional recovery—because healing is not just about moving forward; it’s about understanding how loss changes us and how we can reclaim our power. Whether you’re navigating life after loss, facing reproductive challenges, or seeking purpose in your own healing journey, this is where we go beyond the surface. Through expert insights, personal stories, and trauma-informed support, you’ll gain the tools to heal, grow, and step into a future that honours your past while embracing what’s next. Your story matters. Your healing matters. And there is more waiting for you beyond loss

  1. 5D AGO

    E124: Hartley's legacy, ritual as medicine, and the Grief that unlocks joy with Amana Mayfield-Faulkner

    "I have been pregnant now six times, and I have two living children." Amana Mayfield-Faulkner spent 15 years attending births before she became the mother who needed support. Six pregnancies. Two living children. Four babies who died—including Hartley, her daughter born at full term without kidneys, who lived for just a few moments in her mother's arms. In this episode: → The maiden-to-mother grief that exists even in "healthy" pregnancies → Mothering babies in spirit—what it looks like, how it heals → "Am I still a mother?" navigating identity after loss → Creating altars, rituals, and embodied grief practices → Why not all grief can be expressed through words → Post-traumatic growth and how sorrow unlocks our capacity for joy → The spiral nature of grief and how our bodies hold the memory "Grief doesn't always have to be dark or scary or sad. For me, movement—putting on a song and letting my body show me what grief looks like—has been transformative." CONNECT WITH AMANA: Instagram & Facebook: @ambelove Website: www.amanabelove.com  Podcast: The Heart of the Soul Monthly Mother Grief Call for bereaved mothers READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR CALLING INTO CLARITY? If Amana's story mirrors your own and you've been circling this calling to support bereaved mothers—wondering what am I actually building and can this work?— From Loss to Legacy is the 4-week immersion that crystallises your calling into a clear roadmap. ✨ Limited spots ✨ Starts March 19th ✨ Special partner discount available DM me "IMMERSION" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instituteofhealing_pl/ Stop circling. Start building. OR you can jump into my FREE Masterclass & get a taste of what the Immersion can give you: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/loss-to-purpose-masterclass

    47 min

  2. FEB 8

    E123: A 5-Year healing journey. Endometriosis, failed IVF & miscarriage to a healthy pregnancy with Alyssa Chavez

    After years of debilitating endometriosis, failed fertility treatments, and a devastating miscarriage, Alyssa Chavez found herself at rock bottom—sitting in her closet every morning, crying, with zero resources for emotional support. The medical system had cleared her physically but left her completely alone in her grief. What happened next changed everything. In this deeply moving episode, Alyssa shares her 5-year journey from that closet floor to spontaneously conceiving her baby girl—not through more interventions, but through learning to listen to what her body had been trying to tell her all along. In this episode, we explore: Why "medically cleared" after pregnancy loss means nothing for your emotional, nervous system, or hormonal health The critical connection between your gut, nervous system, and reproductive system that most doctors never mention How symptoms aren't problems to fix—they're your body's communication system Why fertility isn't just about hormones (and what's really happening when your body won't conceive) The power of taking one tiny 1% step when you're feeling completely stuck How Alyssa went from debilitating endometriosis pain to completely pain-free periods What actually shifted when she stopped trying so hard and started supporting her nervous system This episode is for you if: You've been "cleared" medically but know something still isn't right You're tired of doctors offering only birth control or "just relax" You want to understand what your body is actually trying to tell you You're ready to reclaim your power in your own healing journey Alyssa's story is proof that your body isn't broken—it's brilliant. Sometimes it just needs you to listen. Connect with Alyssa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aligned.to.rise Website: https://www.alignedtorise.com My podcast: Aligned to Rise   FROM LOSS TO LEGACY: From Loss to Legacy is a 4-week immersion that takes loss mothers or practitioners from calling to clarity. Participants define their unique positioning, purpose, message, and Money Map —giving you the confidence and roadmap to turn your lived experience into life-changing support for bereaved mothers. Registrations are open NOW. DM me "IMMERSION" and lets chat about what gaining this clarity on your calling would mean to you; https://www.instagram.com/instituteofhealing_pl/    If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your story matters.  Connect with Sharna: Join my Newsletter: HERE Apply for the Certification: HERE IG: Biz Mentorship: @instituteofhealing_pl IG: Podcast: @pregnancyloss_podcast  IG: Loss Support & Certifications: @insitituteofhealing.losssupport LinkedIn: @sharnasouthan   Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations and realize they're not alone in their journey. Remember: You don't have to heal alone. Your grief is valid, your babies mattered, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.   Resources & Support The Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™ offers specialised support for bereaved mothers that treats pregnancy loss as reproductive trauma—because your experience deserves more than general grief counseling. Ready to transform your experience into expertise? If you're a bereaved mother practitioner called to support others through pregnancy loss, explore the Pregnancy Loss & Trauma-Informed Specialist Certification at: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/certification-vsl

    54 min

  3. JAN 25

    E122: Finding your voice in the wait: Being unapologetically weird through infertility with Renea Linsom

    What do you do when your body feels like it's betraying you every single month? How do you hold onto hope when everyone around you seems to get pregnant "just by looking at each other"? In this deeply honest conversation, SEO blog writer and co-author Renea Linsom shares her ongoing fertility journey as she navigates her early 40s still hoping to become a mother. But this isn't just a story about waiting - it's about discovering who you truly are in the process. In this episode, we explore: The monthly cycle of hope and "betrayal" that comes with infertility Why hiding your weird, quirky self makes everything harder How to surrender without giving up completely The power of faith (however that looks for you) when you can't control outcomes Creating safe spaces for your emotions - even the uncomfortable ones Why gratitude for what you have doesn't erase the grief for what you don't Building a relationship that can weather the fertility storm Finding community when you feel completely alone in your experience Key Takeaway: Your life can be beautiful AND full right now, even while you're still hoping for more. The two can coexist. Connect with Renee: Find Renea on all social media platforms @QueenReliableRenea Instagram: @QueenReliableRenea TikTok: @QueenReliableRenee Facebook: @QueenReliableRenea Resources Mentioned: "My Pain Is For Purpose" (co-authored by Renea Linsom) If this episode resonated with you: Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with someone who needs to hear Renea's message of hope.   Ready to turn your calling into clarity? Access the FREE Loss to Purpose Masterclass Link to access it here: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/loss-to-purpose-masterclass  If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your story matters.  Connect with Sharna: Join my Newsletter: HERE Apply for the Certification: HERE IG: Biz Mentorship: @instituteofhealing_pl IG: Podcast: @pregnancyloss_podcast  IG: Loss Support & Certifications: @insitituteofhealing.losssupport LinkedIn: @sharnasouthan   Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations and realize they're not alone in their journey. Remember: You don't have to heal alone. Your grief is valid, your babies mattered, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.   Resources & Support The Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™ offers specialised support for bereaved mothers that treats pregnancy loss as reproductive trauma—because your experience deserves more than general grief counseling. Ready to transform your experience into expertise? If you're a bereaved mother practitioner called to support others through pregnancy loss, explore the Pregnancy Loss & Trauma-Informed Specialist Certification at: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/certification-vsl

    47 min

  4. JAN 23

    E121: From elevator escape to digital vulnerability: Navigating workplace boundaries and social media after loss with Shruti Trivedi

    In this essential conversation, Shruti Trivedi shares the raw reality of returning to work after losing her twin boys—and how she went from literally running away from a pregnant colleague in the elevator to openly sharing her story across social media platforms worldwide. Shruti describes those first devastating days back at work: seeing her friend who was eight months pregnant (they'd shared their pregnancy news together), people assuming she'd been on maternity leave and asking "How are the twins?", and breaking down in her cubicle while trying to keep herself "busy enough" not to feel. She didn't know how to set boundaries. She didn't know she could say "I'm not ready to talk about this." This episode tackles two critical topics that bereaved mothers face: workplace reentry and sharing your story on social media—both spaces where you're suddenly vulnerable to other people's reactions, questions, and sometimes cruelty. On Workplace Boundaries: Why "just staying busy" doesn't actually help you heal The simple sentence that protects your energy: "Can we talk about this later?" Why saying no at work translates to saying no to invasive questions What workplaces SHOULD offer (but often don't): mental health support, trained advocates, grief resources The beautiful reunion with the pregnant colleague she'd avoided—and why you don't need to apologize for protecting yourself On Social Media Vulnerability: How sharing your story can be cathartic and empowering—but also comes with trolls and triggers Managing the emotional weight of strangers' stories flooding your DMs The importance of writing content down first and checking how it makes you feel before posting Why you should screenshot positive comments for when you question yourself Setting boundaries: you don't have to respond immediately, you can delete posts, you can block negativity Choosing what platform feels right (Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Substack) The power of reaching people across the world who need to hear "you're not alone" Shruti's journey from workplace isolation to global connection is a masterclass in finding your voice after loss—while still protecting your peace. Key Takeaways: ✨ You never have to apologize for protecting your energy ✨ "Can we not talk about this right now?" is a complete sentence ✨ Workplaces need trained advocates and visible mental health resources ✨ Sharing on social media is a choice—not an obligation ✨ Focus on positive comments; don't feed energy to negativity ✨ Take time responding to DMs—absorbing others' trauma takes a toll ✨ Delete, block, and protect your space without guilt ✨ You're allowed to care deeply AND protect yourself   Connect with Shruti: Shruti works with working mothers and professionals to release guilt, prioritize self-care, and embrace mental wellbeing with compassion and courage. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tulsiheals_life_coaching/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tulsihealslifecoaching LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shruti-trivedi-pmp-acc-8793671a Substack: https://tulsihealslifecoaching.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEuJzTER4Lz2u42KQIg2X9w  Book a complimentary session through the links in her social media bios   Ready to turn your calling into clarity? Access the FREE Loss to Purpose Masterclass Link to access it here: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/loss-to-purpose-masterclass    If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your story matters.  Connect with Sharna: Join my Newsletter: HERE Apply for the Certification: HERE IG: Biz Mentorship: @instituteofhealing_pl IG: Podcast: @pregnancyloss_podcast  IG: Loss Support & Certifications: @insitituteofhealing.losssupport LinkedIn: @sharnasouthan   Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations and realize they're not alone in their journey. Remember: You don't have to heal alone. Your grief is valid, your babies mattered, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.   Resources & Support The Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™ offers specialised support for bereaved mothers that treats pregnancy loss as reproductive trauma—because your experience deserves more than general grief counseling. Ready to transform your experience into expertise? If you're a bereaved mother practitioner called to support others through pregnancy loss, explore the Pregnancy Loss & Trauma-Informed Specialist Certification at: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/certification-vsl

    59 min

  5. JAN 11

    E120: You're not too late: How to turn your pregnancy loss story into a movement with Sharna

    What if the support you wish you'd had is exactly what bereaved mothers are searching for right now? In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing the questions that almost stopped me from building this work—and why they might be holding you back too. If you've ever wondered "Is my story enough?" or "Am I too late?"—this one's for you. I take you behind the scenes of how I went from feeling like I'd missed my window to creating the Institute of Healing Through Pregnancy Loss, the Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™, and a global certification program—all because I stopped waiting for someone else to create what needed to exist. In this episode, you'll discover: Why being "too late" actually means you're right on time (and how others' success proves there's demand) The counterintuitive truth about niching down: how getting more specific makes you more visible, not less What nobody tells you about pregnancy loss being postpartum—and why this gap in care is your opportunity The exact questions I circled for months that kept me stuck (and how to move through them in weeks, not years) How to position your lived experience as authority without re-traumatizing yourself Why everything I've built came from what I wish I'd had—and how you can do the same The truth is: Bereaved mothers aren't looking for another grief coach. They're looking for someone who understands that pregnancy loss is reproductive trauma. If you don't see that specialist, you're meant to become that specialist. Your story is enough. Your niche isn't too small. And the work you're being called to do? It's needed right now. Ready to turn your calling into clarity? Watch the free Loss to Purpose Masterclass and discover the complete roadmap from lived experience to sustainable income in reproductive loss support.  Link to access it here: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/loss-to-purpose-masterclass  If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. Your story matters. Your work matters. And bereaved mothers are waiting for you.   Connect with Sharna: Join my Newsletter: HERE Apply for the Certification: HERE IG: Biz Mentorship: @instituteofhealing_pl IG: Podcast: @pregnancyloss_podcast  IG: Loss Support & Certifications: @insitituteofhealing.losssupport LinkedIn: @sharnasouthan   Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations and realize they're not alone in their journey. Remember: You don't have to heal alone. Your grief is valid, your babies mattered, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.   Resources & Support The Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™ offers specialised support for bereaved mothers that treats pregnancy loss as reproductive trauma—because your experience deserves more than general grief counseling. Ready to transform your experience into expertise? If you're a bereaved mother practitioner called to support others through pregnancy loss, explore the Pregnancy Loss & Trauma-Informed Specialist Certification at: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/certification-vsl

    27 min

  6. JAN 4

    E119: From IVF Loss to Fostering 90+ Children: One Mother's Journey of Love Beyond Biology

    When Irina Castellano was just 12 years old, babysitting neighborhood children, she never imagined her path to motherhood would include IVF, miscarriage, a heartbreaking termination, and fostering over 90 children across 25 years. In this powerful conversation, Irina shares her unique journey—one that began with a childhood dream of fostering, evolved through fertility challenges and reproductive loss, and ultimately led to creating a family through both biological birth and adoption while providing temporary homes for dozens of children in need. In this episode, we explore: How Irina navigated miscarriage and the devastating decision to terminate a wanted pregnancy due to severe fetal abnormalities Why her first miscarriage felt different from her later loss—and why both experiences were valid The reality of fostering: reunification as success, even when it breaks your heart How partners grieve differently and why we need more support for loss dads The intersection of reproductive grief and foster care—letting go of children who return to birth families Practical guidance for anyone considering fostering or adoption after loss Why Irina advocates for IVF clinics to connect unsuccessful clients with fostering information The foundational role of emotional processing in healing from any loss Key Themes: Reproductive loss (miscarriage, termination for medical reasons) Fertility challenges and IVF Fostering and adoption pathways Partner grief and support Emotional healing and nervous system regulation Creating family beyond biology Resources mentioned: Irina's 4-week fostering exploration program Louise Hay emotional healing workshops (February 7-8, Sydney): https://go.irinacastellano.com.au/opt-in-page  Connect with Irina: Facebook: Irina Castellano LinkedIn: Irina Castellano Instagram: @irinasyd   Connect with Sharna: Join my Newsletter: HERE Apply for the Certification: HERE IG: Biz Mentorship: @instituteofhealing_pl IG: Podcast: @pregnancyloss_podcast  IG: Loss Support & Certifications: @insitituteofhealing.losssupport LinkedIn: @sharnasouthan   Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations and realize they're not alone in their journey. Remember: You don't have to heal alone. Your grief is valid, your babies mattered, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.   Resources & Support The Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™ offers specialised support for bereaved mothers that treats pregnancy loss as reproductive trauma—because your experience deserves more than general grief counseling. Ready to transform your experience into expertise? If you're a bereaved mother practitioner called to support others through pregnancy loss, explore the Pregnancy Loss & Trauma-Informed Specialist Certification at: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/certification-vsl  Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear Dimi's story.

    57 min

  7. 12/28/2025

    E118: When Pregnancy becomes a Medical Emergency with Guest Dimi Sfetsas

    At 41, after being told natural pregnancy would be nearly impossible, Dimi received the shock of her life—a positive pregnancy test. But what began as unexpected joy quickly spiraled into a rare medical emergency that would keep her hospitalized for six weeks and change her understanding of fertility, loss, and resilience forever. In this deeply moving episode, assistant principal Dimi Sfetsas shares her experience with cervical ectopic pregnancy—one of the rarest forms of ectopic pregnancy, occurring in less than 0.1% of all pregnancies. Her story takes us through: The whirlwind of discovering an unexpected pregnancy after being referred to egg donors The terrifying progression from miscarriage suspicion to life-threatening ectopic diagnosis Six weeks of hospital isolation during COVID, including methotrexate injections, constant haemorrhage risk, and the emotional weight of a procedure that ended a heartbeat 10 days in complete isolation after COVID exposure—no window, no walks, just surviving The dismissive aftermath: "It happened, just forget about it" How fertility treatments became both a distraction and an obsession through 8 egg freezing cycles in one year The four-year journey to finally grieve and reconnect with herself through meditation and sound healing in Greece Where she stands now: in the two-week wait, still navigating the question every person facing infertility asks—when is enough, enough? Dimi's vulnerability in sharing her story—much of which she's never spoken about publicly—offers validation for anyone who has felt alone in pregnancy loss, fertility struggles, or the isolating experience of medical trauma. This episode covers sensitive topics including pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, medical procedures, and infertility. Please listen with care.   Connect with Dimi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimusmaximus/    Connect with Sharna: Join my Newsletter: HERE Apply for the Certification: HERE IG: Biz Mentorship: @instituteofhealing_pl IG: Podcast: @pregnancyloss_podcast  IG: Loss Support & Certifications: @insitituteofhealing.losssupport LinkedIn: @sharnasouthan   Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations and realize they're not alone in their journey. Remember: You don't have to heal alone. Your grief is valid, your babies mattered, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.   Resources & Support If Dimi's story resonated with you and you're navigating pregnancy loss or fertility challenges, you don't have to do this alone. The Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™ offers specialised support for bereaved mothers that treats pregnancy loss as reproductive trauma—because your experience deserves more than general grief counseling. Ready to transform your experience into expertise? If you're a bereaved mother practitioner called to support others through pregnancy loss, explore the Pregnancy Loss & Trauma-Informed Specialist Certification at: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/certification-vsl  Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear Dimi's story.

    1h 9m

  8. 12/21/2025

    Ep 117: PART TWO When children see the unseen & Parenting after Loss with Guest Shruti Trivedi

    PART TWO - If you haven't, head back & tune in to PART ONE. Before the episode: The From Loss to Legacy Immersion - Join before December 31st & get 61% OFF - $499 AUD If you've been circling "Is my story enough?" "What makes MY approach unique?" "Can I make this viable?"—this is for you. Over 4 weeks, we work together to give you complete clarity on your story, your positioning, proof this work is financially sustainable, and your 12-month roadmap. Why this immersion: So you stop researching and start building with confidence. LIMITED SPOTS -  JOIN HERE & claim your spot: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/loss-to-legacy-immersion   NOW FOR PART TWO: In this profound Part Two conversation, Shruti Trivedi shares one of the most spine-chilling and beautiful moments of her healing journey—when her three-year-old son began carrying two identical pandas everywhere, calling them "his brothers" and insisting they stay together. He had no way of knowing about the identical twin boys she lost. Until he pointed to the sky and said, "I saw them." Shruti and Sharna explore the mysterious spiritual connections young children have—particularly around age three—when they seem to exist between worlds, speaking with spirits and seeing what we cannot. They discuss the importance of age-appropriate grief conversations with children, why we must use literal language ("died" not "passed away"), and how children process trauma through play. This conversation also tackles the ongoing challenge of parenting both your earthside children and your angel babies simultaneously. Shruti shares how she's learned to balance grieving her three losses while being present for her three living children, and why she refuses to forget her babies—instead choosing to "move forward WITH all six of my children." From the terror of wondering if removing the pandas was the right choice, to finding peace in that spiritual connection, to attending candlelight vigils and creating meaningful rituals—this episode shows the multifaceted, ongoing nature of healing after loss. Key Topics: The mysterious pandas story: when a three-year-old revealed what he "saw" Why young children (especially around age 3) seem to connect with the spirit realm How to talk to children about death and loss with age-appropriate honesty Using literal language ("died" not "passed") and why it matters Children processing trauma through play The balancing act of parenting living children while honoring angel babies Creating meaningful rituals and connections (candlelight vigils, memory practices) Why healing is "work in progress" and that's okay Being proactive in your healing journey while allowing all emotions Choosing how to move forward WITH your babies, not without them   Connect with Shruti: Shruti works with working mothers and professionals to release guilt, prioritize self-care, and embrace mental wellbeing with compassion and courage. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tulsiheals_life_coaching/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tulsihealslifecoaching LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/shruti-trivedi-pmp-acc-8793671a Substack: https://tulsihealslifecoaching.substack.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEuJzTER4Lz2u42KQIg2X9w  Book a complimentary session through the links in her social media bios About Tulsi Heals: The name honours Shruti's twin boys, with the logo's two leaves representing them. Tulsi is a holy Indian basil plant in Hindu culture, making this work deeply meaningful and connected to her journey.   Connect with Sharna: Join my Newsletter: HERE Apply for the Certification: HERE IG: Biz Mentorship: @instituteofhealing_pl IG: Podcast: @pregnancyloss_podcast  IG: Loss Support & Certifications: @insitituteofhealing.losssupport LinkedIn: @sharnasouthan   Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your reviews help other women find these conversations and realize they're not alone in their journey. Remember: You don't have to heal alone. Your grief is valid, your babies mattered, and seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

    35 min
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What I wish I knew beyond Pregnancy Loss: The Intersection of Fertility, Trauma & Purpose This podcast is a space for deep, honest conversations about fertility struggles, pregnancy loss, and the unseen layers of healing. Here, we explore the intersection of trauma, the nervous system, and emotional recovery—because healing is not just about moving forward; it’s about understanding how loss changes us and how we can reclaim our power. Whether you’re navigating life after loss, facing reproductive challenges, or seeking purpose in your own healing journey, this is where we go beyond the surface. Through expert insights, personal stories, and trauma-informed support, you’ll gain the tools to heal, grow, and step into a future that honours your past while embracing what’s next. Your story matters. Your healing matters. And there is more waiting for you beyond loss

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