In this powerful and deeply affirming episode of Empower Hour, April and Audrey welcome Tasha Cofer, a certified postpartum and bereavement doula, grief and life coach, and host of the Holding Women Through Grief podcast. Tasha brings wisdom, honesty, and tenderness to a conversation many women desperately need but rarely hear spoken aloud. Together, they explore the realities of postpartum life, grief in all its forms, and the vital importance of support, advocacy, and permission to heal at your own pace. 💛 What You’ll Hear in This Episode What a Postpartum & Bereavement Doula Really Does Tasha explains the difference between birth doulas and postpartum doulas, and how bereavement doulas specifically support women through miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, and other forms of grief. Unlike traditional therapy settings, her work often begins in the home or even at the hospital, meeting women exactly where they are. Grief Is More Than Loss of a Person Grief can come from miscarriage or infant loss, but it can also come from unmet expectations, traumatic births, NICU stays, breastfeeding struggles, body changes, or the loss of identity and independence after becoming a parent. Postpartum Depression vs. Grief Tasha breaks down how grief, mourning, depression, and anxiety can overlap, and how to recognize when someone may need additional mental health support beyond grief care. The Pressure to “Bounce Back” The episode confronts the harmful societal expectations placed on postpartum women. Tasha shares why rest, not performance, is essential and why social media often adds pressure instead of support. Boundaries, Advocacy, and Saying the Hard Things From hospital rooms to family visits, women are often unsure how to speak up. Tasha explains how doulas can help advocate when women aren’t ready or able to do so themselves and why it’s okay to let someone else be the “bad guy.” Three Essential Postpartum Needs • Rest (not just sleep) • Self-care (beyond basic hygiene) • Connection and community Trusting Yourself as a Parent Tasha emphasizes the importance of trusting your instincts, asking questions, slowing providers down when needed, and avoiding the overwhelm of Google and social media rabbit holes. Honoring Loss and Creating Meaningful Remembrance From candles and prayer to memory bears and keepsakes, Tasha shares many ways families can honor babies and experiences they’ve lost, with no pressure to grieve “the right way.” What Loved Ones Should (and Shouldn’t) Say Tasha introduces the powerful concept of WAIT: Why Am I Talking? and explains why silence, presence, and practical help often speak louder than words. Rapid Fire Wisdom • Every postpartum parent needs more grace • It’s time to ask for help when functioning and connection feel impossible • The smallest acts of care, like meals and chores, can make the biggest difference ⸻ 📍 How to Find Tasha Cofer Tasha shares several ways to connect with her and her work: • Email: holdingwomenthroughgrief@gmail.com • Podcast: Holding Women Through Grief (available on all major podcast platforms)
