Season 6 Episode 6: Preeclampsia: A Personal Point of View with Lauren Larsen
Release Date: 11/09/2022
Supporting Families Through Pregnancy & Infant Loss: What Birth Workers Need to Know with Ashley Rose Salvitti
InCast
Pregnancy often begins with joy and anticipation—but for some, it ends in unimaginable heartbreak. In this powerful episode, we explore what happens when pregnancy ends in loss, and how doulas, birth workers, and loved ones can offer meaningful support. This episode offers insight into the complexity of perinatal grief, the power of presence, and practical strategies for compassionate care. Learn how to support families through the emotional, physical, and spiritual aftermath of loss—and why grief education and specialized training should be a standard part of all birth...
info_outline
S9 E4 Insights on Perinatal Mental Health from PROSPER Leaders: Practical Tips for Educators and Doulas
InCast
We’re diving into a vital topic that touches the heart of our work as birth professionals: supporting mental health during the perinatal period. Whether you're a childbirth educator, a doula, or another type of birth professional, your role is uniquely positioned to offer meaningful support during one of the most emotionally complex times in a person's life. Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (PMHDs) affect 1 in 5 individuals during pregnancy and postpartum—yet they often go undiscussed or unnoticed. In this episode, we’ll explore how educators, doulas, and other birth...
info_outline
S9 E3 Inside the Newborn Mind: Tools for Teaching Parents How to Understand Their Babies
InCast
Hillary helps us learn how newborns experience their brand-new world —and how we as educators and doulas can help families understand them in ways they may have never been taught. Rather than seeing babies as a blob to be shaped, we can recognize them as fully formed people with unique needs. Transitioning from an internal dark, warm, water-filled home to the bright, ever-changing world can be quite an undertaking— but with our love and guidance, we can help them grow to their full potential, starting from the very first breath. Learning more about how we can teach this in a wonderfully...
info_outline
S9 E2 Gentle Sleep Support with Sierra Brooks
InCast
Join us as we explore gentle sleep support—for both parents and babies—with Sierra Brooks, CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula, Gentle Sleep Coach, and Certified Lactation Counselor. In this episode, Sierra shares insights into how helping parents understand the biological needs of their babies, and how to accommodate those needs while getting enough rest themselves, can reduce maternal mental health struggles. After years of “cry it out” being the norm, Sierra offers a fresh perspective on emerging, more compassionate, and evidence-based sleep strategies. By...
info_outline
S9 E1 Preparing for Low-Intervention Birth with Sarah, the “Labor Junkie RN”
InCast
Sarah —better known as the “Labor Junkie RN”— is a practicing high-risk labor nurse, social media influencer, and mom of three. You may have seen her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook sharing evidence-based insights on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She often ends reels with “For more information on pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum, give me a follow and check out my page”. So, we did—and invited her to share her wisdom with you in this special podcast episode. As a nurse and mom of three who chose unmedicated births, Sarah brings a unique...
info_outline
S8 E7 Dialogue in Action: How Disruption in Current Norms Can Lead to Meaningful Change With Dr. Renée Canady
InCast
Too many moms and babies are dying in the US! Many of those tragedies are avoidable. We have seen this problem, talked about the problem, and yet, the problem still exists. Poor outcomes can happen because of lack of respect and not listening to what is being said by the patient, especially BIPOC patients. Today we are speaking to Dr. Renée Canady, a relationship-driven leader and author of the recently published book, “Room at the Table: A Leader’s Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice.” She is recognized as a national thought leader in the areas of...
info_outline
S8 E6: Expert Insights: Latest Updates on Gestational Diabetes with Lily Nichols, RDN
InCast
Gestational diabetes changes the direction of many women’s pregnancies. Once the determination is made, things are not so straightforward after that. In this podcast we will explore how the path to birth changes once a diagnosis is made and what women can do to have a birth with as few complications as possible. We also look at what women can do to prevent the diagnosis in the first place. We discussed this important topic with Lily Nichols, who is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for...
info_outline
S8E5: Comforting Mothers Who Have Experienced Infant Loss with Elizabeth O’Donnell of Aaliyah in Action
InCast
When a mother has the devastating experience of leaving the hospital without a baby and perhaps only a memory box, many in our society expect them to get on with living and go back to their normal life. But their life is changed forever, and many don’t recognize or acknowledge that. Today we will hear the story of grief, anger, a battle, and finally, a life’s purpose for one mother who had to walk this hard path. Through her mission, she struggled to get family leave extended to grieving parents, so no one would have to suffer as she did. She also discovered the importance of...
info_outline
S8 E4: The Latest in Treating Substance Use in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding With Dr. Kaylin Klie, MD, MA of UCHealth
InCast
Join us for the latest information on perinatal addiction. We will explore the most commonly used substances that affect the lives of families and their babies during pregnancy and postpartum. We also discuss the new legislation in some states that has changed the way that parents with substance use issues are treated. Since it’s been proven that punitive measures do not lead to change with people who have this complicated problem, new laws were put into place with the hope that women with substance use issues start prenatal care earlier. You’ll also learn how educators and...
info_outline
Season 8 Episode 3: Mama Bird: Serving the Community Through Compassionate Doula Services
InCast
Mama Bird Doula Services' mission is to improve the maternal health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and their babies in their community. They believe that all birthing persons and their families should feel Safe, Seen, and Heard. Through lived experience, the founder of Mama Bird, Birdie Johnson, came to understand the importance of having complete support and information to make decisions for the best possible outcomes. Knowing that this support and information is often missing, she made it her mission to be sure that others would have a better...
info_outlinePregnancy and birth are often portrayed with a single brush as if all these experiences are basically the same for every birthing person. But for Lauren and her family, that was far from the truth. The anticipation of the ideal birth ended abruptly and unexpectedly when her husband arrived home early with flowers one day, finding her looking unwell. He talked Lauren into going to the doctor for a “just in case” checkup, which turned into a totally unexpected outcome for Lauren.
We will explore Lauren’s story to understand how preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome impacted not just her birth but continue to impact Lauren’s life to this day. In sharing her story, we will discover the tenacity of all those involved in her experience, including Lauren. During the conversation, we will discuss what, if any, warning signs were there that she didn’t recognize at the time. She will give us ideas for ways to speak to our students and patients about this still largely mysterious malady that affects 5 to 8% of pregnant people (and of these, 15% of these develop HELLP syndrome). Overcoming preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome takes not just a team but an entire village—and that is just what happened in Lauren’s journey.
Lauren Ward Larsen is a storyteller, writer, speaker, advocate, and former corporate and nonprofit executive. As a professional speaker, Lauren has delivered hundreds of keynote addresses at corporate meetings, conferences, nonprofit events, and fundraisers in the U.S and Europe. Based on her birth experience with Clare, she has added another type of storytelling to her repertoire. Educating pregnant families and medical care providers about her experience with preeclampsia has become a key component of her life.
Listen and Learn:
- How the lack of information caused big trouble for Lauren: “I didn’t know what I didn’t know
- The signs to look out for regarding preeclampsia, including upper right abdominal pain
- How things changed for Lauren so quickly 3 days after a “normal” appointment
- How her husband’s unusual mid-day personal flower delivery likely saved her life
- While pre-existing health conditions like high blood pressure can be a predictor, others can be affected, including Lauren, who is an active athlete
- How important it is for everyone in the hospital and medical community to understand the signs of preeclampsia, including the Emergency Department
- The importance of listening to your intuition and not taking possible symptoms lightly
- Zuzu’s Petals is not a book for pregnant people
Resources & Mentions:
Zuzu's Petals: A True Story of Second Chances by Lauren Ward Larsen (on Amazon or other book sellers)
Lauren’s website: https://laurenwardlarsen.com
Related Products from InJoy:
Discussion and Warning signs in: