The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast

Birth trauma is the dark and sometimes scary side of pregnancy & postpartum that no one wants to talk about. But, we're here to change that! I'm Kayleigh, a licensed therapist and birth trauma survivor, determined to bring birth trauma out of the shadows and into the light. When we talk about birth trauma, we take away its power and leave space for healing. Your birth trauma does not need to “happen for a reason." Birth trauma sucks and it’s okay to admit that. Join us as we navigate what it means to heal from birth trauma. You’ll hear from experts in the field as well as others who have experienced birth trauma. Storytelling and education are keys to raising awareness and better understanding how we heal trauma. We don’t do toxic positivity in this space, but you’ll definitely hear some dark humor. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry, but, most importantly, you’ll learn that you’re not alone and that healing is possible. Birth trauma is bullish*it, but your healing is not.
Episode 158: C-Section/PTSD
Apr 9
This episode solidified my values and drive to VBAC with my next baby. With my first, I really wanted a home birth with limited interventions that I knew could ruin my experience. Because I am active duty Navy, I was told I wouldn’t be covered or authorized to ask for a home birth. My providers told me, “don’t even bother to ask”. But that was one of my first mistakes, the second was going through with an induction at 39 weeks even after the midwife checking me out asked if I wanted to go home, I replied “yes” because she offered. I should have left right then and there and came back after I ate something and my water broke on its own. All of that being said, this episode was my favorite so far. When I thought Kayleigh was concluding she threw a fastball at me. She left space for people like my husband and I who didn’t hear our daughter’s first cry because I was put under GA for my emergency C-section. Which, let me remind you: I didn’t want. I greatly appreciate this podcast and think anyone who has suffered from birth trauma should give it a listen. Even if you start ugly crying on your way to work and the sentry at the base gate has to ask you if you’re okay. Great Episode!!!
Love this show!
10/29/2024
This show is such a wonderful resource for people who are looking for a space to process their birth/pregnancy trauma or experience. As a labor nurse it’s incredibly interesting to hear these stories as well to hear the other side of patients experiences. Love highly recommend!
Soft place to land
05/10/2024
I discovered the Birth Trauma Mama Podcast after my own birth trauma 10 months ago. I appreciate how articulate and graceful these moms are when sharing their stories. I can connect in various ways to each story even when it’s significantly different from my own. For all of the icky that comes with birth trauma, this podcast feels like a soft place to land. Thank you, Kayleigh, for creating space and guiding this conversation to let us know we aren’t alone!
Thank you for this community!
04/11/2024
Finding this podcast has given me such a sense of community, in what has otherwise felt like a very lonely journey. I am exactly 9mo pp, and experienced birth trauma with my daughter last July. I am in therapy, and was starting to feel much better, however I recently had a pretty bad relapse when a close friend gave birth. Seeing her experience go relatively smoothly brought up so much grief, and I realized this will most likely be a lifelong struggle. I particularly appreciate the listener stories, and thank you thank you to the brave women who share - it is so impactful. My daughter had the same complication as Lindsey, and was also a full term birth. The way she described the shock of having a healthy pregnancy and baby suddenly turn to a NICU experience made me feel so seen. I am so sad to think someone else out there went through the same thing as us, but it also hurts when your trauma feels invisible to others. Thank you for giving a platform to this seemingly unpopular topic, and hopefully it can help take the “othering” out of mothering ❤️
Trauma
05/04/2024
Please do not compare miscarriage to abortion. Thanks.
One of my go-to podcasts
03/29/2024
From deep conversations on pregnancy and postpartum, to expert insights on prenatal care, pregnancy, and postpartum health, The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast has quickly become one of my go-to podcasts.
Highly recommend
03/07/2024
This podcast has helped me so much in working through my own “birth accident”. I wouldn’t be where I am now in my healing journey if it wasn’t for the amazing work that Kayleigh is doing. Forever grateful!
Like a warm hug
03/02/2024
I am so grateful for this podcast. Kayleigh and her guests walk through their hardest times with insight, balance, humanity, and love. This is heavy stuff, and Kayleigh treats it with the respect it deserves. In case you’re looking for somewhere to start, the episode with Aundi Kolber is one of my personal favorites. Thank you Kayleigh!
Constantly listening to this in the car
02/16/2024
Listening to January 29th épisode now. Just when I think I can’t learn more I learn more. Hearing these things and experiences of other women is just…..life changing. Crying in my car. Hurting. Healing. Connecting with strangers through traumas both past and present. Thank you so much ❤️🙏
Thank you
02/02/2024
Kayleigh, Thank you for sharing your story and creating a platform that not only helps others share their story and grieve but also helping to educate and prevent preventable birth trauma. Since listening to your podcast and finding you on instagram I have felt so much less alone and so validated. This is a hard space and club to be in and often I have struggled to share how I am really feeling and you and your guests on the podcast have helped me put words to feelings I am feeling. I’m in PA as well and if you are ever looking for other listeners to share their story I would be open to sharing mine. My experience was a readmission to the hospital for a week after only being home for 12 hours with my baby due to an infection and then a dnc due to retained tissue and PPH, blood transfusions, and hallucinations in the icu. It’s been a wild ride since and from the bottom of my heart thank you for what you do and I am so sorry for everything you have gone through as well.
About
Information
- CreatorKayleigh Summers
- Years Active2022 - 2025
- Episodes159
- RatingExplicit
- Copyright© 2025 The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
- Show Website
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