This week, I’m joined by my sister-friend, Rachel, who is the third and final of my sisters-in-laws to share her story with us! Rachel went through quite the journey to bring her two daughters into the world. Starting with endometriosis-related fertility struggles, followed by hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and severe preeclampsia that led to one daughter being born at 30 weeks and the other at 33 weeks. We discuss extended NICU stays, the long-term effects of being a micropremie, and how Rachel learned to stand up for her family through it all.

This week’s discussion is a bit heavier, but it is a reminder of the power of a mother’s intuition and the strength that comes when fighting for your children.

Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

Trigger Warning: Discussion of miscarriage and traumatic birth throughout

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Meet Rachel

00:19:50 - 1st Pregnancy: PCOS + Clomid, HG, & Bed Rest at 29 Weeks

00:52:33 - 1st Delivery: Preeclampsia & Life Saving Measures

01:01:58 - 1st Postpartum: 2 Month NICU Stay & Learning to be Assertive

01:15:46 - 2nd Pregnancy: Secondary Infertility, Subchorionic Hematoma, & Feeding Tubes

01:32:42 - 2nd Delivery: Failed Stress Tests, Redemptive C-Section, & OR Skin-to-Skin

01:40:12 - 2nd Postpartum: COVID in the NICU & Coping with Postpartum OCD

01:55:42 - To My Pre-Mom Self…