Confessions of a Grieving Mother (Emma's Footprints)

Listen as we ask our LCSW, Pam Presler some questions from our listeners. If you have questions for Pam that you would like answered, please send them to julie@emmasfootprints.com. Or if you are interested in a session with Pam, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We can point you in the right direction. 

Listen as Tracy and Julie talk more with Shawn Betts, Courtney's Mom. Shawn found purpose in her pain of losing her daughter Courtney, by connecting with other loss moms to form the missing angel bill. A bill that would allow you to get a birth certificate for your baby that died after 20 weeks gestation. Shawn dives into how she worked tirelessly with those moms to get that bill approved by the PA Senate. Today, Pennsylvania Senate Bill 326 CBRS exists which allows parents to get a birth certificate for their baby who was stillborn because of moms like Shawn who found purpose in their pain.

You can listen to Shawn's story here: https://bit.ly/Meet-Courtney-S7

You can find out more about the Stillborn Birth Certificate here: www.emmasfootprints.com/stillborn-birth-certificate

Listen as Tracy and Julie encourage you to make a Winter BucketList. From building a snowman to having breakfast for dinner, we can't wait to see what you choose to add to your list. OH! And don't forget about the Puzzle Challenge!

Tune in next week for another Holiday Episode! 

Type of Loss: SIDS, Infant Loss

More about Nancy's Story: Nancy Grundl shares the devastating story of losing her daughter June to SIDS at just 3 months old. After a joyful morning at daycare, June peacefully fell asleep and never woke up. Nancy reflects on the profound grief of losing her perfect baby girl, and how she continues to find signs of hope and strength to move forward. Join us as Nancy opens up about her healing journey and the ways June's brief life continues to impact and guide her family.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Listen as Ashley shares her story about losing her son Joey at 19 weeks and 4 days gestation. 

To connect with Ashley, you can email her at ashleym@emmasfootprints.com

Stacy shares how her excitement around pregnancy quickly changed into sadness, how joy has been brought back into her life and how she is excited about her future. 

Listen as Miranda shares what it was like to experience a twin loss. Levi and Luca passed away 24-48 hours after one another. Levi died from a surgery Miranda had to get and Luca was stillborn.

Listen as Alyssa shares her babies Alexander and Devin with us. Alyssa found out she was pregnant in 1997 with her son, Alexander. At a routine doctor's appointment at 26 weeks gestation they were having trouble detecting Alex's heartbeat. They sent her to the hospital for a sonogram and she was told Alexander no longer had a heartbeat. In 2002, Alyssa got pregnant again with twins. She lost her twins at 12 weeks gestation. Alyssa's third pregnancy was with her daughter, Adrianna, who is still living today. When her daughter was about two, Alyssa found out she was pregnant with her son Devin. At a routine appointment, the doctors could not find Devin's heartbeat.

Parris Baker (Father, Spouse, Pastor, College Professor and so much more) shares about his losses and how it shaped him into the person he is today.

If you have been touched by Parris's story, you can reach out to him at BAKER002@gannon.edu.

Listen as Brandon and Autumn talk about what it was like losing their son Bastion at 37 weeks pregnant. They are also the founders of Still Loved Foundation and Autumn is in the process of writing a book called In Memory of You, a baby loss journal.

Pre-Order In Memory of You

Still-Loved Foundation

Listen as Jaclyn shares about her early-term pregnancy losses and how she wrote a book to help other loss parents.

A Loss Misunderstood: Healing Your Grieving Heart After Miscarriage

Listen as Brandi shares about losing her son Kai at 18 days old from SIDS.

Listen to Ryan, Founder of Grady's Decision, talks about how Grady's started and learn more about their mission. 

Grady's Decision Facebook
Grady's Decision Website

Contact Grady's here!

In this episode, we explore the heart behind hosting a family fundraiser—what it is, where to start, and how it can make an impact.

We’ll discuss the steps to planning an event, the personal significance for loss families, and how fundraisers support the mission of Emma’s Footprints. Whether you’re looking for ways to give back or create a lasting tribute, this episode will help you navigate the process with purpose and love.

For more information about hosting a family fundraiser, please contact Julie Swanson at julie@emmasfootprints.com.

Listen as our LCSW, Pam Presler shares tips and tools for grieving families.

Find us on Facebook (Emma's Footprints) and Instagram (@emmasfootprints)

Listen as Katie shares her story. Due to PCOS, she had fertility issues so she and her husband, Josh, were over the moon when they found out they were expecting. Little did she know at the time, she was actually pregnant with twins! She had a smooth pregnancy until she was about 19.5 weeks gestation and went into preterm labor.

Listen as Mara shares what it was like to lose her son Arro at 41 weeks gestation due to a placental abruption. Mara was having a very healthy pregnancy and at 41 weeks gestation she decided to begin natural induction methods. She went into labor soon after and labored for about 16 hours when they suddenly couldn't find a heartbeat.

Type of Loss: Life-limiting diagnosis, Infant loss

More about Kathy's Story: Listen as Kathy shares her sweet Jonathan with us. Kathy talks about how her pregnancy was closely monitored because Jonathan had Down Syndrome. After birth, Kathy explains how she knew almost immediately that something was not right. Jonathan ended up being diagnosed with a rare infantile epilepsy. He spent 5 weeks in a children's hospital before passing at almost 2 months old.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: Early term loss, multiple losses, Infant loss

More about Madi's Story: Listen as Madi bravely shares her sweet Ruth with us. Madi had experienced two early term pregnancy losses prior to getting pregnant with Ruth. Madi and her husband, Ben, were ecstatic when they got pregnant with Ruth and had a fairly uneventful pregnancy until 36 weeks gestation. Madi had to be induced due to preeclampsia. Despite being born 4 weeks early, Ruth was born healthy on November 18. Madi and Ben's lives were turned upside down when Ruth passes away suddenly less than 4 weeks later.

Listen as Ashley shares how her text book pregnancy got flipped upside down at 33 weeks gestation when she went into preterm labor. When Ashley's water broke the doctors discovered it to be foul-smelling and discolored, meaning there was an issue. Ashley was rushed into an emergency c-section and Harper was born at exactly 34 weeks gestation. The doctors believed that Harper was without oxygen for up to 20 minutes. They were able to resuscitate her, but she was on life support. Doctors discovered both Ashley and Harper had a life threatening infection. Later that evening, Harper passed, her tiny body was not strong enough to fully develop and fight the infection.

Listen as Chloe shares what it was like to lose her daughter Adalyn at 17 weeks. Chloe’s pregnancy was normal until she suddenly got very sick and was diagnosed with Listeria, which was what caused her to go into preterm labor. Her grief journey led her to start The Adalyn Rose Foundation in her daughter's memory. 

Listen as Courtney shares what it was like to find out her daughter, Celeste, did not have a heartbeat at 22 weeks gestation. In 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, she attended her 22 week anatomy scan alone. At that appointment she was told her baby no longer had a heartbeat. Listen as Courtney shares that experience and giving birth to her daughter Celeste who was stillborn.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth

More about Zach & Jalissa's Story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, hosts Tracy and Julie sit down with Zach and Jalissa Tauscher as they share the heartbreaking story of losing their daughter, Brynlee. At 26 weeks, Jalissa went in for a routine appointment, only to receive the devastating news that there was no heartbeat. What was supposed to be a joyful time of preparing for Brynlee’s arrival—her nursery set up, tiny clothes folded, and her name lovingly chosen—suddenly turned into unimaginable grief.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: Neonatal Loss

More about Maddie's Story: Maddie was induced at 38 weeks due to high blood pressure, she experienced a sudden placental abruption during labor, resulting in an emergency C-section. Riley was born on April 7, 2023, but shortly after, his heart stopped while lying in the nursery. Though resuscitated and taken to the NICU, Maddie and her husband were faced with the unimaginable decision to remove him from life support just 12 hours later. Riley passed away in his grandmother's arms on April 8, 2023. Maddie reflects on the trauma, the rare velamentous cord insertion diagnosis, and the immeasurable love and loss of her perfect baby boy.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of Loss: Stillbirth, Early-term loss, multiple losses

More about Katherine's story: In this deeply emotional episode, Katherine Monita shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter Leighton to a double-knotted umbilical cord just one day before her due date. Katherine reflects on the unimaginable pain of hearing the words, 'There is no heartbeat,' navigating the grief of saying goodbye, and facing the 'after' of life without her daughter. She also shares how Leighton's story has profoundly shaped her journey as a mother and her perspective on life after loss.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Listen as Betsy shares what she has done to overcome the thought of FEAR. How it can be consuming when trying to conceive and be a supportive spouse. 

Purchase Fear Less on Amazon!

Grieving during the holidays is hard work. We don't want you to forget how important it is to self care this month! Listen as we laugh and share what our self care tips look like during this season.

Type of Loss: Early Term Loss, Multiple Losses, Terminating for Medical Reasons

More about Carmen's Story: Buckle up for this episode as Carmen shares her 11 beautiful babies with us. In this episode, she she dives deep into her pregnancies, grief and how she turned her pain into purpose. Carmen wrote A Diary to My Babies: Journeying Through Pregnancy Loss to shine light on the darkness of pregnancy loss, while also showing there is no right way to grieve. And through her incredible journey, Carmen hopes the story of her family and her babies just might help others to heal.

Purchase Carmen's book A Diary to My Babies: Journeying through Pregnancy Loss here:

• https://amzn.to/4at4Myb

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints

Listen as loss mom, Sharon Ross, shares her story about bringing Alice into this world, what that looked like for her family and how they remember Alice today. 

Type of loss: Infant-loss

More about Rebecca's story: Rebecca shares the devastating story of her twin son's passing—born prematurely at 31 weeks with underdeveloped organs, her son Jacob experienced severe breathing issues and was placed on a ventilator. Without her knowledge, he passed away on his third day of life.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of Loss: Stillborn

More about Jamie's Story: Jamie Halwey shares the heartbreaking story of losing her son Charles, whose life was tragically cut short due to true knots in his umbilical cord. Jamie reflects on what seemed to be a textbook pregnancy and the profound grief that followed.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of Loss: Early Term Loss, Multiple Losses, Stillbirth

More about Samantha's Story: Listen as Samantha shares her sweet babies Baby Lohrman and Avonlea with us. Samantha and her husband, CJ, were ecstatic when they found out they were expecting their first baby in 2021. Unfortunately, that excitement turned to sorrow when they were told at their first doctors appointment their baby didn't have a heartbeat. Listen as Samantha walks us through the grief she felt experiencing an early term loss. When they found out they were expecting again, they were quite reserved because of losing their first baby. Samantha describes her pregnancy with Avonlea as a textbook pregnancy. At 27 weeks gestation, Samantha went to the hospital because she hadn't felt Avonlea move in awhile. It was there that doctors told her they could not find a heartbeat.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints

Type of Loss: Early-term loss, Life-limiting diagnosis, Infant loss

More about Emily's Story: Listen as Emily shares her journey to motherhood with us. She shares her difficult journey to get pregnant and then how her first pregnancy ended in an early term loss. Her second pregnancy resulted in the healthy delivery of her, now 3, year old son Rhett. Her third pregnancy was not planned but they were very excited about it. Unfortunately, their excited soon turned to fear and anxiety when they were told their baby had genetic abnormalities. Their son Dylan was officially diagnosed with Trisomy 18p monosomy q. Dylan was born at 37 weeks gestation and passed away about 48 hours after birth at home.

Follow Emily's blog: joyinthechaos.com

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Listen as Sarah shares about having an early pregnancy loss and losing Ellie tragedy. 

...the things you wish you would have done before you lost your baby.

Listen as Emily shares the loss of her daughter Isabel.

Emily and her husband, Kyle, got pregnant right away before they were even officially trying to get pregnant. She shares that her pregnancy was very smooth until she was just shy of 23 weeks and didn't feel Isabel move all day. She went to triage and they gave her the devastating news that they could not find a heartbeat. At 23 weeks gestation, Isabel was stillbirth.

Emily, thank you for sharing your sweet Isabel with us and our listeners.

Through the different stages of grief, there are many ways you will remember your baby. And it most likely could change every year. Listen as we share some ways the four of us remember our 15, 8, 6, and 1 year old this season. 

Listen as Kylie shares with us about losing her daughter Hope. And the scary medical attention Kylie needed during and after delivery. 

Listen as Tracy and Julie speak with LCSW, Pam Presler about how to deal with holiday anxiety after loss. 

If you would like to connect with Pam, please email her at pamelapresler@gmail.com or call her office to set up an appointment at 814-455-1301.

Taboo Topic Series: This season, we are kicking off our Taboo Topic series where we discuss the uncomfortable topics that go hand-in-hand with losing your baby. If you have a suggestion for this series, please reach out to us at khristina@emmasfootprints.com.

Episode Warning: This episode discusses intimacy and sex after loss. Due to the nature of this topic, this may be an episode you chose to listen to with your headphones on.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints

Listen as Joe Mineo, talks about the loss his family experienced in 1986. He also shares the memories of losing his granddaughter, Josephine. 

Type of loss: Life Limiting Diagnosis - Trisomy 18

Kelly and her husband Nick found out their baby girl, Blaney, had Trisomy 18 from doing 10 week genetic testing. When Blaney made it to full term, they were hopeful that she'd be their miracle baby and survive this life limiting diagnosis. Unfortunately, Blaney passed away after just 7 hours after birth.

Connect with Kelly on socials:

Instagram: @k_smely

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kelly.reininger

Type of Loss: Stillbirth

More about Lindsey's Story: In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Lindsey Henke a psychotherapist, author, speaker and loss mama.

In 2012, Lindsey was freshly married and a newly practicing psychotherapist when she found out she is pregnant with her first child. After a perfect pregnancy, Lindsey went into labor—only to be told upon arrival at the hospital that her baby has no heartbeat.

After the stillbirth of her daughter, Lindsey grappled with the unbearable agony of losing a child. Over the next year and half, as she mourned the loss of one child while simultaneously trying to hold space for the joy of expecting another baby, she learned that grief can live side by side with joy.

When Skies Are Gray offers a poignant message to any mother who is grieving: Your pain is real. The sharp ache of the grief you feel will soften over time, though your love for the child you lost will always remain. And it’s okay to feel that love; it’s a mother’s love, and like lullabies, a mother’s love never dies.

Lindsay's Resources:

• https://lindseymhenke.com
• Purchase Lindsay's Book: When Skies Are Gray
• Pregnancy After Loss Support
• Download the Pregnancy After Loss Support App

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Listen as Mackenzie shares about losing her son to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) at 38 days old. 

Type of Loss: Early Term Loss

More about Alex's Story: Listen as Alex shares Sky with us. Alex and her husband David were so excited when they found out they were pregnant. At her first appointment, doctors confirmed Alex was pregnant, but she tells us she had a strange feeling leaving her appointment. At her next appointment, her unsettled feelings were confirmed when she was told her baby no longer had a heartbeat.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints

Welcome to Season 2 of Confessions of a Grieving Mother! We wanted to kick this 2021 off with a new season AND Emma's Dad, Bryan Dailey!

Listen as we interview our first dad on this podcast and what loss looks like through his eyes. 

This is the final episode of our 2023 Holiday Series and the final episode of the year! In this episode, Tracy and Julie discuss how to create new traditions to honor and memorialize your baby. As we move into a new year, it can can stir a wave of emotions. We are starting something new with a huge piece of our hearts missing, our babies. Tracy and Julie discuss things have done over the years that helps them honor their babies.

Listen as Lauren shares her son, Henry with us. She had two previous healthy pregnancies which resulted in her living children Rowan and Calvin. Her pregnancy with her son, Calvin, was smooth sailing until delivery. At delivery she was told Calvin had too much fluid around his heart. He spent 5 weeks in the NICU but overall lives a healthy life. Her third pregnancy ended much differently with her son Henry. At an appointment at 18 weeks gestation, she was told Henry had too much fluid around his heart. After close monitoring, they were told their baby had Hydrops Fetalis which is a life-threatening problem. Hydrops develops when too much fluid leaves the baby's bloodstream and goes into the tissues. At 22 weeks she no longer felt Henry move and was told he no longer had a heartbeat. He was stillborn at 22 weeks gestation.

LCSW, Pam Presler is back with Tracy and Julie to talk all things Self Care throughout the holiday season. 

If you are interested in connecting with Pam, please email her at pamelapresler@gmail.com or calling her office at 814-455-1301.

Type of Loss: Multiple Losses, Early Term Loss, Stillbirth

More about Brittanie's story: Listen as Brittanie shares her multiple losses with us. Brittanie and her Husband were ecstatic when they found out they were pregnant with their first, but their excitement quickly turned to heartbreak when they experienced an early term loss. When they got pregnant again, the fears diminished when Brittanie made it out of the first trimester. Her second pregnancy seemed to be a textbook pregnancy. At 39 weeks and 5 days gestation, Brittanie felt Lilah moving sporadically and soon felt contractions. As the contractions progressed, Brittanie and her husband went to the hospital filled with excitement to meet their baby girl. Upon arrival the nurses had trouble finding Lilah's heartbeat. The doctor came in and confirmed their worst fears, Lilah no longer had a heartbeat.

Connect with Brittanie:

• www.facebook.com/cannonbrittanie
• Instagram: @brittaniefreeman

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @emmasfootprints

Listen as we talk with Jennifer from Australia about infertility, surrogacy, and loss. 

Grief can be an isolating experience, but what happens when two people in a relationship are grieving the same loss? In this episode, we sit down with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC, to explore the vital role of couples grief coaching.

Listen as Maci shares her daughter Luna with us. Luna was born in March of 2021. She had a textbook pregnancy and delivery. Maci and her husband's lives were flipped upside down when at two months old, Luna was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. She fought hard, but in December 2021, Luna passed away.

Type of Loss: Infant Loss, Life Limiting Diagnosis [Restrictive cardiomyopathy]

More about Sara's Story: Listen as Sara shares her sweet June with us. Sara describes June as the perfect baby in every way. That all changed when June was four months old, she started making a strange sounds and just seemed sick. Thinking they were overreacting, Sara and her husband took June to the ER where their lives would be turned upside down. June was flown in a helicopter to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Extensive testing showed June had Restrictive Cardiomyopathy a life threatening condition. Within the next 10 days, June passed in Sara's arms while holding her dad's hand.

Connect with Sara:

• Instagram: @saravrablik

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints

Listen as we talk with Ryan about the journey of infertility to loss. He opens up and shares his twin miracles with us, Grady and Gianna. 

Grady's Website
Grady's Poem

Type of loss: SIDS

More about Griscelle's story: Griscelle shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 10-month-old daughter, Evangeline, to SIDS. On December 8, 2022, while away on a work trip for the first time in over two years, Griscelle’s world shattered. Her husband met her at the Nashville airport with the devastating news—Evangeline had passed away unexpectedly, and she never had the chance to say goodbye.

More about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Listen as Jessica talks about losing her son Nicholas at 20 weeks gestation.

Listen as one friend loses her daughter, Luna on Christmas day. And how the other friend just wants to step up and help. 

Aloha 'Oe Book on Amazon by Stephanie Solomon

Listen as Janet shares what it was like to experience multiple losses of her twin sons Emmett & Wyatt. Janet was excited when found out she was pregnant with identical twins, however her excitement turned to fear when she went into preterm labor at 23 weeks 4 days.

Carol Jacobson, shares about her two losses. 

Listen as Nicole shares what it was like losing her son Louis at 31 weeks gestation.

Co-Founder, Tracy Dailey talks about her loss.

Type of Loss: Vanishing Twin, Early-Term Loss

More about Meagan's Story: Meagan and her husband's first pregnancy with their son, Oliver, was what she described as a textbook pregnancy. Together, Meagan and her husband, decided they wanted their children to be close in age. When Oliver was about 8 months old, they made the decision to try for their second child. They quickly found out they were expecting...TWINS! They were absolutely shocked but excited to learn they were pregnant with not one but two babies. At Meagan's first appointment, the tech told them one of the baby's was measuring slightly smaller than the other, but still had a strong heartbeat. They also found out they were mono-mono twins. At a follow up appointment two weeks later to check on the smaller twin, they were informed their baby no longer had a heartbeat.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Listen as Jaime shares her feelings about getting the diagnosis of Down Syndrome and delivering Josiah preterm at 25 weeks gestation. Josiah lived for 21 days and passed away on November 15th, 2020. Jaime pumped her breast milk for six months and gave back to families in honor of Josiah. That is just the beginning of how she has shown up as his mother. 

Listen as Megan shares her daughter Aria with us. Aria passed away at 15 months on May 27th, 2016.

Follow Megan on instagram: @cultivatedfamily

Listen to how Tica joined Emma's Footprints and how BirthRoot was born! 

If you're interested in getting in contact with Tica, please email her at tica@emmasfootprints.com.

For more information about BirthRoot, head to their Facebook page or website!

If you are interested in becoming a bereavement doula or have questions for Ashley, email her at ashleym@emmasfootprints.com.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth

More about Miranda's Story: Listen as Miranda shares her sweet Piper with us. Around 32 weeks gestation, Miranda noticed decrease fetal movement. Out of precaution, she went to the hospital to be monitored. After observation, she was released being told everything looked normal that Piper was just running out of room. A few days later, Miranda realized she hadn't felt Piper move in quite some time and returned to the hospital. It was there that doctors told her they could not find a heartbeat.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints

Listen as Amanda shares about losing Levi at 36 weeks pregnant.

Listen as Danielle shares what it was like to lose her son, Liam, at 19 weeks.

Pregnancy after loss can be an emotional journey. Listen as Tracy and Julie give their views on how they handled their pregnancies after loss. 

This is episode two of our 2023 Holiday Series. In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk about how to set healthy boundaries and how important it is to your grief journey. They give examples of healthy boundaries they have set for themselves and ask you to share what boundaries you have set.

Listen as Shannon shares Charles and Benedictus with us, two different pregnancy's that both ended in loss.

Charlie, was Shanon and her husband Justin's eighth child. Shannon's pregnancy with Charlie was unlike the rest of her earlier pregnancies. She had experienced heavy bleeding at 6 weeks gestation and was told she was most likely miscarrying. She waited for signs of miscarriage and nothing ever happened. Then when she showed up for her original 10 week ultrasound they had cancelled the appointment thinking she had already miscarried. After pleading with them to make room in the schedule, the doctors were amazed when they saw that heartbeat on the screen. However, about halfway through her pregnancy Charlie was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. After receiving the Trisomy 18 diagnosis, Shannon started writing letters to Charlie to help connect and cope. (They can be found by searching #letterstocharlie on Facebook.) She carried Charlie until 36 weeks gestation when he died during labor.

Almost a year later, Shannon miscarried her next pregnancy, Benedictus. They had a funeral and buried him on Charlie’s first heavenly birthday. Then a year later their double rainbow baby, Zuzu, was born June 7 and baptized on Charlie’s 2nd heavenly birthday and Benedictus’ funeral day.

Listen as Elise shares what it was like to lose both of her babies close to the same gestation. Sam Jr passed away at 22 weeks on March 7th, 2015 and Evalena passed away at 23 weeks and 4 days on November 27th, 2020. 

Teri and her husband, Jay, thought they were done having kids after their second child was born. Jay had a vasectomy, however they felt like they had made a mistake and had the reversal. They got pregnant immediately after trying again for their third child.

At Teri's first sonogram the baby wasn’t measuring correctly. Doctors told her that her dates were probably off and they scheduled a follow up in two weeks. She started spotting a couple days after her sonogram. Listen as Teri shares her horrifying experience of being rushed into emergency surgery and leaving her with PTSD.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Listen as Military wife, Erin Richer shares her loss story. And also shares how her relationship with Jesus helped her during her journey. 

Listen as Tracy and Julie talk with Pam Presler about How to Navigate Your Emotions This Holiday Season. *Spoiler Alert* ...it is not possible. Listen as Pam gives us the tools and coping mechanisms to deal with our grief this holiday season. She reminds us that grief will show up and shares how we can prepare ourselves on how to best handle our grief.

If you are interested in learning more from Pam, please reach out to her via email at pamelapresler@gmail.com.

Listen as Becky shares her multiple losses with us. A 7-week gestation loss and a 15-week gestation loss. 

Listen as Molly shares what it was like to deliver her son Beckham on November 8th, 2019, after receiving the news that he had a life-limiting diagnosis.

In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Falon Gervais Emma's Footprints Director of Support Group about the Importance of Community During the Holidays. They talk about surrounding yourself with a positive, healthy support community and how to effectively communicate your needs this holiday season.

Listen as Brad and Jessica share their story about recurrent pregnancy loss. Suffering from early-term pregnancy loss to still birth.  

Be sure to tune into Guys & Grief in January 2023!

In honor of Wyatt's birthday, we are shaking up the Holiday Series to share his story. Hailey (Wyatt's mom) shares she had a pretty uneventful pregnancy, until the end, when she developed gestational hypertension around 34 weeks. Her doctors scheduled an induction for 37 weeks, however, she went into preeclampsia the day of her induction. Hailey shares that her induction failed and she had an emergency c-section. Wyatt was not breathing when he first emerged, but steadily got better after a few minutes. He had to spend five days in the NICU due to respiratory distress.

Hailey describes the next 4.5 months as pure bliss filled with Mommy & Me classes and new adventures. All of that changed on May 3, 2023 when Hailey received a call from daycare that changed her life forever. Wyatt was unresponsive after his nap.

EMT's and donors tried to resuscitate him but were never able to bring him back.

Listen as Hailey shares what it was like to lose her daughter Hayden at 17 weeks gestation. After Hailey lost Hayden she wanted to create a community for loss moms to gather on Instagram. She started @heylossmama and has quickly grown her following!! Head over to Instagram and give her a follow.

𝙷𝚎𝚢 𝙻𝚘𝚜𝚜 𝙼𝚊𝚖𝚊 𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 | 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 | 𝙲𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗

𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮: @𝘩𝘦𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘮𝘢

Listen as Sam shares her early-term loss with us. Since she was so excited to get pregnant with her second child, she found out immediately at four weeks gestation that she was pregnant with Angel Baby D. At about eight weeks gestation she had a questionable sonogram and later that week ended up losing her baby. 

Listen as we talk with Scott and Sarah Stoops about what it was like to go through multiple pregnancy losses. Losing Celeste from an early term loss and Dexter at 18 weeks and 3 days.  

Listen as Yvonne shares her son Nicholas with us. Nicholas was born with Early Epileptic Encephalopathy / Ohtahara Syndrome, a rare syndrome associated with intractable seizures, severe cognitive/physical impairment, and poor prognosis. Nicholas passed away at 6 months old in the arms of his loving parents. 

2020 is a wrap (well almost). For some, it was a terrible year, for others it was another year without their baby. We hope you take away something from this podcast to help your vision for 2021. Take a step forward in your grief journey, maybe find a support person.  Whatever 2021 looks like, we will be right here with you.

Listen as Morgan shares what it was like to experience two stillbirths in less than a year. Morgan and her husband Jason were overjoyed when they got pregnant right after getting married. Her pregnancy was very smooth until her 20 week ultrasound when she was told her baby didn't have a heartbeat. She was induced and her son, Harrison, was stillborn. After testing, they found out Morgan had experienced a Triploid Pregnancy which is a rare genetic condition that causes the baby to have extra chromosomes in their cells.

Longing to start their family, with the clear from their doctor, they got pregnant again right away. Right after her 20 week ultrasound she went into preterm labor and gave birth to her daughter Harper who didn't have a heartbeat.

In the final episode of our holiday series, we talk with Rob from Sad Dads Club to explore the emotions and challenges of stepping into a new year after the loss of a baby. Rob shares his perspective on processing grief, honoring your child, and finding ways to move forward with hope and purpose. Join us for a heartfelt conversation that resonates with anyone navigating the "new normal" after loss.

Type of Loss: Stillborn, Twin Loss

More about Erin's story: Erin shares her journey through infertility and the devastating loss of one of her twin daughters, Laikyn, who was stillborn at 33 weeks. After years of struggling with unexplained infertility and medical intervention, Erin was overjoyed to be carrying twins. Her pregnancy progressed smoothly until a routine appointment at 33 weeks brought heartbreaking news—Baby B, Laikyn, no longer had a heartbeat. Erin reflects on her grief, the complexities of carrying both babies to 35 weeks, and how she navigated the difficult journey of new parenthood while mourning her precious daughter.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• ⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠
• Facebook: @EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @EmmasFootprints

Listen as Karina shares what it was like to lose her son, Ari, at 39 weeks 3 days gestation. He passed due to hypoxia ischemic encephalopathy caused by a double nuchal cord. Karina had to have an emergency c-section. Ari was resuscitated at birth, but was never able to fully recover and passed early the next day.

Bereavement Coordinator, Loss Mom, and Bereavement Doula; Meghan Slater shares her loss story and where it has led her to today.  

Listen as Tricia shares what it was like to experience three miscarriages resulting in the loss of her babies Alex, Taylor and Fiona.  Her first two losses were early term miscarriage. Her third loss occurred when she found out she was pregnant with twins, but then found out one of the babies no longer had a heart beat. 

In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with loss mamas Ashley, Stacy, and Jessica about Mother's Day and how it changes after a loss. We dive deep into the feelings of being a Mother and how that feels even though our children may not be here with us. We wish you a gentle Mother's Day this year.

When a rainbow baby is expected, the grief journey changes. Each step is a "baby step" in navigating the new challenges that come with pregnancy and parenthood after loss. Baby Steps is a peer-led support group of Emma's Footprints who's mission is to provide a community and support for loss parents who are expecting or raising their rainbow baby.

🌈Learn more about Baby Steps here: www.emmasfootprints.com/support-groups

🌈Join the Baby Steps Facebook group here: https://bit.ly/BabyStepsFB

We know the holidays are tough but we want you to know you are not alone. Listen as Tracy and Julie share tips all month on how to remember your babies, celebrate them, communicate your grief, self care and more.

We are so glad you are here. 

Type of loss: Multiple Losses, Early Term loss, Stillbirth

Connect with Nelida:

• Instagram: @Nel0528

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints
• Instagram: @emmasfootprints

Type of Loss: Life-Limiting Diagnosis, Terminating For Medical Reasons (TFMR)

More about Sabrina's Story: Listen as Sabrina shares Clara with us. Sabrina and her husband, Hector, had just gotten married and were actively trying to get pregnant with their second child when they found out they were expecting. In their second trimester, they were told their baby had hydrops, a condition in which large amounts of fluid build up in a baby's tissues and organs, causing extensive swelling. After extensive discussion and research, Sabrina and her husband decided to terminate the pregnancy. Listen as Sabrina dives deep into her feelings of this decision and how she turned her pain into purpose creating a community for TFMR families.

Sabrina's Recommended Resources:

• The TFMR Support Circle - Facebook Page

• Our TFMR Stories (Podcast)

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints

Brandy Gentry, mother of Oli, shares her loss story. 

Type of Loss: Early Term Loss

More about Stacey's Story: After years of trying to conceive, Stacey and her husband, Brandon, decided to foster to adopt in which they were blessed with 6 children. They still had a strong desire to conceive, they turned to IVF, and had a successful pregnancy with their son Owen. They had one more embryo and decided to transfer their sweet girl, Vivian. All was going so well with the transfer and all of her numbers were great. Until one Sunday morning as she was leading worship, she started to bleed on stage and unfortunately lost their sweet girl.

Learn more about Emma's Footprints:

• www.EmmasFootprints.com
• Facebook: EmmasFootprints

Listen as Larissa shares the tragic loss of her son Zuri. She had to go to the hospital for kidney stones, which she had multiple times before, at 26 weeks gestation. Within minutes of arrival to the hospital, the doctors decided she needed an emergency c-section.