In this inspiring episode of Sisters in Loss, we are honored to speak with Melissa Felix, an author, poet, storyteller, and the founder of Rhoyal Scribe, LLC. Melissa opens up about her unexpected diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) and the profound emotional challenge of grieving a future she always envisioned. For 13 years, she served as a dedicated educator and beloved "school mom," pouring her heart into her students while silently carrying the weight of her own reproductive loss.

Melissa shares how she transformed her silent struggle into a powerful voice through writing, ultimately giving birth to her debut poetry collection, Silence Speaks. As a Black woman navigating infertility, she is on a mission to break the stigma, increase awareness, and create safe spaces for honest conversations within Black and Brown communities. Tune in to hear how therapy, online support systems, and the power of the pen helped Melissa find purpose beyond the pain, proving that grief does not have to be the final chapter.

Navigating the Dual Reality
How Melissa balanced the joy of being a "school mom" for 13 years while privately grieving her infertility diagnosis.

Healing Through Art
The ways poetry and creative writing can serve as a refuge and a practical tool for processing complex grief.

Breaking the Stigma
The critical importance of shattering the silence surrounding reproductive loss in Black and Brown communities.

Building Support Systems
How therapy, online communities, and non-judgmental loved ones can provide a safe space for healing.

🔗 Important Links:

• Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course

• Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz: HAQuiz.com

• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss

• Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us

Today is an incredibly special episode because we are celebrating our 9-Year Anniversary! 🎉

Nine years ago, I took my pain and turned it into purpose, launching this platform to highlight the stories of Black mothers navigating pregnancy loss, infant loss, and infertility. In this milestone episode, I'm taking a look back at the origins of Sisters in Loss, the defining moments that shaped our community, and how our mission has expanded into training the next generation of bereavement doulas.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Origin Story: Why I started Sisters in Loss in 2017 and the early days of the podcast.

• Community Impact: How storytelling has helped thousands of Black women heal and break the stigma surrounding maternal loss.

• The Evolution: Expanding from a podcast to an educational platform and doula training program.

• What's Next: A sneak peek into the future of Sisters in Loss, including details about my upcoming book, Never Healing Alone.

Thank you for being part of this journey for the last 9 years. If this podcast has touched your life, please take a moment to celebrate with us by sharing this episode with a sister who needs it, leaving a review, or tagging us on social media!

🔗 Important Links:

• Learn more about Sisters in Loss and our Doula Training: sistersinloss.com/course

• Take the Healing Archetypes Quiz: HAQuiz.com

• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok: @sistersinloss

• Join the private Sisters in Loss Facebook community: Join Us

Do you know what Stillbirth is?

A stillbirth is the death or loss of a baby before or during delivery. Both miscarriage and stillbirth describe pregnancy loss, but they differ according to when the loss occurs.

Today's guest experienced a stillbirth at 21 weeks followed by a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks. She became pregnant again and experienced anxiety, had an upsetting birth experience with her son and developed postpartum depression. Shanna Williams continued to grow her family by having another baby while her son was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum disorder at age 2. During that birth she secured a doula and midwife in an attempt to have a home birth, but had to be transferred to hospital care due to preeclampsia. Shanna focused on therapy work on maternal health and became a Doula and Lactation consultant to serve families in pregnancy and parenting after loss. In this episode, she takes us back to that moment when she heard her son didn't have a heartbeat and what inspired her PhD studies focusing on Historical trauma, Black Maternal Health Outcomes and Pregnancy after loss.

This episode is for you to listen to if you have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth, postpartum depression, pre-eclampisa, or any trauma during childbirth.

Become a Sisters in Loss Birth Bereavement, and Postpartum Doula Here

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