In this episode of Breaking the Browndary, I’m joined by Ananya, a workplace wellbeing and pregnancy loss specialist, certified coach, trauma-informed breathwork practitioner, and former reproductive biologist — for a thoughtful conversation on pregnancy loss, grief, healing, and the cultural silence that so often surrounds these experiences.

We begin with a short grounding breathwork practice you can follow along with in the episode, before exploring Ananya’s personal journey through miscarriage, the pressure many South Asians feel to carry loss quietly, and the ways grief can show up emotionally, physically, mentally, and at work.

✨ In this episode, we explore:

🤍 Pregnancy loss and the silence that can surround it
🌿 A grounding breathwork practice for grief and anxiety
🫂 Miscarriage in South Asian communities
💭 How grief can affect the mind, body, relationships, and work
🌸 Pregnancy after loss and the emotions it can bring
👧🏽 The pressure to be the “good Indian girl” while carrying pain privately
🧠 Cultural shame, stigma, and inherited silence
🫁 Breathwork, healing, and creating space for grief in the body
💼 How workplaces can better support those affected by pregnancy loss

This is a compassionate conversation for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss, is navigating pregnancy after loss, or wants to understand better how to support someone through it.

Please share this episode with someone who may need it.

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Connect with Ananya:
Website: www.ananyaampersand.com
Instagram: @ananyaampersand

Free resources:
🎧 Pregnancy loss audio bundle + PDF guide:
https://ananyaampersand.myflodesk.com/freemiscarriageaudiobundle

🧰 First response toolkit for HR professionals supporting staff through pregnancy loss:
https://ananyaampersand.myflodesk.com/firstresponsekit

🌿 Guided breathwork and meditation practice specifically for pregnancy after loss: https://ananyaampersand.myflodesk.com/pregnancyafterlossaudio

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If this episode resonated with you, I’d be so grateful if you followed Breaking the Browndary and left a review. It genuinely helps the podcast reach more people who might benefit from these conversations.

Thank you for being here, for listening, and for supporting this space. You can follow ⁠@breakingthebrowndary on Instagram and always feel free to share your reflections with me there — I’d genuinely love to hear from you.

Stay blessed,

Rhea x

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Grief and Pregnancy Loss

02:37 Grounding Practice for Healing

06:20 Ananya's Personal Journey with Pregnancy Loss

17:26 Navigating Grief in South Asian Culture

21:50 The Impact of Interracial Relationships on Grief

24:48 Friendships and Grief

26:30 Tools for Coping with Grief

30:44 Understanding Support in Friendships During Grief

34:26 The Pressure on Women and Male Factor Infertility

34:49 Navigating Grief and Emotional Flexibility

38:44 Cultural Taboos and the Role of 'Aunties'

40:36 Pregnancy After Loss: Myths and Realities

43:05 The Male Perspective on Grief and Support

45:53 Workplace Policies and Support for Grieving Parents

49:14 Future of Bereavement Leave and Support Resources