Infant Loss, Stillbirth, Hysterectomy & Finding Hope | Episode 098 with Erica McAfee
Episode 98
Listen in as I chat with Erica McAfee. Erica’s story of motherhood is incredibly difficult, she has experienced significant loss and yet she speaks with such hope and joy. Erica shares honestly about what someone who is new to this grief journey can expect, what she wishes she had known about grief and what misconceptions exist about life after loss. She also shares about the work she does for an organization she founded called Sisters in Loss, why she is passionate about doulas, what role they serve and why they are important.
We also spend some time talking about the disparities that exist for women of color in regards to maternal health care -- she helps me understand how we can raise awareness about the staggering numbers that exist and what we can do to become advocates for these women.
This episode is incredibly helpful and eye opening and full of so much hope as Erica finishes out our time together by saying “God has not forgotten you.”
QUESTIONS WE ANSWER (OR TRY TO ANSWER) DURING THIS EPISODE
You have walked through so much in regards to maternal health and baby loss -- will you share your story with us?
What would you tell a mom who is new to this grief journey about what to expect in regards to life after miscarriage or infant loss?
What do you wish you had known or someone had told you?
What do you think the biggest misconceptions surrounding baby loss and grief are?
You are doing a great work advocating and raising awareness surrounding black infant and maternal mortality and health -- why is this an important topic we should be discussing and advocating for?
You founded an organization called Sisters In Loss -- tell me about your work there.
How can we get involved? How do we become advocates?
What encouragement would you give to another mom who is grieving?
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
MEET ERICA
I’m Erica, the Founder and Head Sister of Sisters in Loss, a digital media platform where Black Women replace Silence with Storytelling around Pregnancy and Infant Loss and Infertility.
I started Sisters in Loss when I was searching for a podcast and community of black women with shared experiences around miscarriages and infertility. After experiencing a stillbirth at 39 weeks and miscarriage at 18 weeks, I know the pain and healing that comes with life after loss.
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