Pregnancy & Parenting After Baby Loss | Episode 105 with Sarah Garvey
Episode 105
Back in Episode 55 I had the privilege of interviewing Sarah Garvey -- she shared her story of motherhood that included years of infertility, multiple miscarriages, losing triplets at 22 weeks and today she is back on the podcast to talk about what it has been like to be a parent to her living daughter after having walked through so much loss. Listen in to this very real and honest conversation where we talk specifically about pregnancy after loss and parenting living children after loss.
We talk about the decision to try again for more children, how to know if your family is complete. We talk about the fear that feels inescapable in the journey of parenting after loss. Sarah shares what she wishes she had known about this parenting after loss journey and how her parenting looks different today than it did early on. She talks very candidly about her daughter’s first year of life and what it looked like to seek help. And we talk about the value of inviting our living children into this grief journey, how it is not just our story but also theirs because they have a sibling in heaven.
This is a beautifully honest podcast episode about the challenges that we face as we parent living children after having experienced loss and I am sure that if you are currently parenting living children or desire to in the future this episode will be a blessing to you.
QUESTIONS WE ANSWER (OR TRY TO ANSWER) DURING THIS EPISODE
What was it like to make the decision to try to have more children?
What is the biggest challenge when pregnant after loss?
What about parenting after loss?
How do you talk to your daughter about the babies you have lost?
Are you worried about exposing your daughter to the reality of death and loss?
What wisdom would you give to a mom who is experiencing fear as she parents living children?
What it has looked like for you to include your babies in the life of your daughter?
RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE
The links below are affiliate links meaning at no extra expense to you The Morning will receive a small commission.
Sarah curated a list of books specifically for children. Download that list here: Booklist For Kids: Death, Dying, Grief & Loss The Booklist includes a list of books appropriate for school-age children and a list of book appropriate for young adults.
meet sarah
After experiencing infertility, three miscarriages, the premature birth and death of her triplets, and the premature birth and neonatal intensive care unit stay for her now nearly four year old daughter, Sarah Garvey became a passionate advocate for other parents experiencing perinatal trauma.
In the years since her losses, Sarah served as a bereavement and trauma-informed communication expert, providing support to doctors, hospital systems, nonprofits, and counseling centers. While earning a Masters Degree in Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin, Sarah oversaw homelessness response initiatives, bringing her trauma-informed communication expertise to city government. Today, Sarah continues to work for city government, overseeing organizational change and data analytics with a focus on behavioral economics and human complexity.
Read Sarah’s Full Story here: Carrying to Term
Listen to Episode 55 with Sarah: Episode 55
