We are here to love, support, and dignify the women and families who have suffered early pregnancy loss. Through story-telling and educational interviews the Hope Blooms podcast helps us build a community so that no one suffers miscarriage alone. Hope Blooms is a production of the Early Pregnancy Loss Association.
…
continue reading
Send us a text A miscarriage is a significant physical and emotional event for a woman and her family. Often under prepared and under informed women experience miscarriages without the right supplies or information. EPLA is committed to distributing our miscarriage care kits at no cost to families or providers. We seek to help bear the burden of gr…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Resource Spotlight: Missing Pieces Support Group
25:30
25:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:30
Send us a text This week we sit down with Jamilah Robinson, the co-founder and Executive Director of Missing Pieces Support Group in Houston, Texas. EPLA is excited to highlight this organization as our missions are quite alike! It is the mission of Missing Pieces to bring awareness to pregnancy loss by providing community support, resources, and c…
…
continue reading
Send us a text In this episode we briefly summarize what's in both sizes of our Miscarriage Care Kits (small for after a loss is completed or post-D&C or large for an expectant or at-home miscarriage). If you or someone you know would like a kit, please visit https://www.miscarriagecare.com/care-kit-request.html Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog F…
…
continue reading
Send us a text Early Pregnancy Loss Association's treasurer, Abby Strehle, tells the story of her miscarriage, which was also her first pregnancy, and how she was an EPLA "success story," as she was connected to our organization and provided with a Miscarriage Care Kit soon after her loss. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @ear…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Stories: Haley Naida (From the Archives
28:49
28:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:49
Send us a text Only a few weeks into her first pregnancy, Haley Naida was surprised to discover she was experiencing a Missed Miscarriage. The following days, weeks, months, and years brought grief and confusion as she and her husband muddled through the spiritual, emotional, and physical suffering. But they also experienced great hope and healing …
…
continue reading
Send us a text As we approach Mother's Day many mothers are left grieving the children they never knew. Miscarriage not only robs us of our child's life, but sometimes it feels like it can rob us of our motherhood. You are a mother. Your motherhood began at conception. If you are suffering this time of year know that both Bereaved Mother's Day and …
…
continue reading
Send us a text Ten years ago our co-host, Emily, discovered that her first child, affectionately known as Baby, no longer had a heartbeat. It was the end of April and she and her husband were looking forward to a new house, new job, and new baby, only to be told Baby had died. While Emily has told her story before this episode specifically remember…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A World Where No One Suffers Miscarriage Alone
23:48
23:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:48
Send us a text Emily and Steph talk about a world where no one suffers miscarriage alone. What does that look like? How do we help women and families? What can we do to make this world a reality? Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitter: @miscarriagecare Email: Miscarriagecare@gmail.com P.O. Box …
…
continue reading
Send us a text After suffering and recovering from miscarriage many women and families experience an urge to help others. In this episode Emily and Steph talk about ways to help your community, ways to help EPLA, and ways to meet the needs of other women and families suffering miscarriage around you. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Inst…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Reflections: Sitting with the Grieving
29:41
29:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:41
Send us a text Grieving is hard and when our friends are grieving we often want to fix it. But does that really work? So if we can't fix grief, how do we help women as they walk through miscarriage? We personally loved this little video about grief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2zLCCRT-nE Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Grief in the New Year: Moving Forward Does Not Have to Mean Moving On
19:18
19:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:18
Send us a text The holiday season is over and 2024 is now on a roll. Christmas trees have been cleaned up and the family rooms reset to their "normal" arrangement. But what if life doesn't feel normal yet? What if you aren't ready for it to feel normal. While we often look to a new year with hope and anticipation, this can be particularly difficult…
…
continue reading
Send us a text The emotional, spiritual, and physical burden of miscarriage are painful enough. Then, often as women are starting to feel a little better the bills start coming. Medical expenses can start to add up quickly. Depending on the her physical needs a bereaved mother might face bills for ultrasounds, emergency room visits, surgery, ambula…
…
continue reading
Send us a text Steph Gordon joins us to share her story of loss. From the moments she started bleeding, to taking misoprostal, and the days and weeks afterwards, the memories remain clear for Steph even though her loss happened over a decade ago. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitter: @miscarr…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A Blue Christmas: Dealing with Miscarriage Grief at Christmas
19:15
19:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:15
Send us a text Grief can sneak up on us during what we might have always known as the happiest time of the year. Emily and Maria remember their first Christmases after loss. Emily felt deep sadness missing her baby, Maria suffered missing her baby bump. Whatever it is something is missing and something is not right. If you are grieving this year we…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Infant Death in Puritan New England, The Poetry of Anne Bradstreet
26:21
26:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:21
Send us a text Anne Bradstreet weathered the harsh New England Winters and the hard life of starting a society in the new world. America's first poet, Bradstreet chronicles the joy and pain of her life experience. While she never lost any of her own children - she suffered the grief of infant death losing several of her grandchildren. Her poetry po…
…
continue reading
Send us a text Emily and Maria take time to give thanks for all of the blessings we have at the Early Pregnancy Loss Association this year. We are especially thankful for our listeners and we wish you a gentle holiday season full of healing and hope. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitter: @mis…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Handling Death: A Brief History of Grieving Rituals and Human Mourning
32:56
32:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:56
Send us a text Women suffering early pregnancy loss are often unable to bury their babies, especially in cemeteries. This can be for many reasons sometimes they are unable to collect the body, the body was needed for testing, or they do not have the resources available bury their little one. Many women aren't even given the information necessary to…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Stories: Kathryn Wales (From the Archive)
35:33
35:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:33
Send us a text For Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month we are resharing the special story of Kathryn Wales and her sweet daughter Theodora. This episode originally ran September 20, 2022. ------- Kathryn joins us to share her story of the death of her dear Theodora at 16 weeks gestation. While miscarriages most commonly occur during the first…
…
continue reading
Send us a text For a long time myths and misconceptions have haunted women suffering miscarriage. In this episode Emily and Maria tackle some these frustrating lies that pollute the miscarriage conversation. People Have Misconceptions About Miscarriage, And That Can Hurt Miscarriage Resource Packet Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instag…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Muddling Through Miscarriage: Be Gentle With Yourself? What Does That Even Mean? (From the Archives)
30:06
30:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:06
Send us a text For Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month we encourage you to think about gentleness as you care for your heart and remember your little one. Wherever you are in your grief journey, this episode serves as a good reminder to care for yourself where you are. We are republishing this episode from December 20, 2022 to help us through…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Pregnancy And Infant Loss Awareness Month
27:13
27:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:13
Send us a text Emily and Maria talk abou how Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness (PAIL) Month has grown over the years. They also offer ways to remember our children and care for our hearts and bodies during this time. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitter: @miscarriagecare Email: Miscarriagec…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Perspectives: A Grandma Weighs In
34:00
34:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:00
Send us a text Emily miscarried 9 years ago. Her mother, Linda, thought her daughter's experience and care might be different than her own loss nearly 30 years earlier. But it wasn't. Emily was stuck with the same hushed culture and confusion surrounding miscarriage. There was a lack of educational resources and limited community support not much d…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Caring for Your Marriage After Miscarriage
28:01
28:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:01
Send us a text Working through the trauma of miscarriage can take its toll on a relationship. Each person might experience grief differently, have different needs, or even different expectations. Emily and Maria talk about some of these challenges and look for ways to love, care, and support each other following early pregnancy loss. Find us any ti…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Perspectives: How Can Churches Help More?
32:24
32:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:24
Send us a text The frontlines of miscarriage care are diverse. While medical professionals are an integral part of this, they are not the only ones faced with serving women and families after loss. Due to the nature of miscarriage and prenatal care, some women aren't even in the care of a doctor yet at the time of their loss. This leaves other care…
…
continue reading
Send us a text The U.K. Government recently reviewed an independent report concerning was to improve care following early pregnancy loss. As a couple of Americans looking on, Emily and Maria take this episode to respond to the recommendations. Maybe there really is a better way? So many of our stories talk about painful interactions with medical pr…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Perspectives: Talking about Miscarriage with Children
27:29
27:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:29
Send us a text Early pregnancy loss brings grief to the whole family. Often parents, in the midst of their own grief, are also left to guide their living children through the loss of a sibling. Later on families might face the difficulty of sharing their previous losses with children born after their miscarriage. Either way, talking about life and …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Resources: Forget-Me-Not Baskets, an Interview with Sara Ringle
32:05
32:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:05
Send us a text Starting with one bereavement basket in 2007 Forget-Me-Not Baskets has served Northeast Ohio and beyond for over 15 years. Since then they have given away thousands of baskets to families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. Emily and Maria are joined by Sara Ringle to talk about the changing culture of pregnancy lo…
…
continue reading
Send us a text Only a few weeks into her first pregnancy, Haley Naida was surprised to discover she was experiencing a Missed Miscarriage. The following days, weeks, months, and years brought grief and confusion as she and her husband muddled through the spiritual, emotional, and physical suffering. But they also experienced great hope and healing …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Reflections: When Seeds of Hope Bloom
29:24
29:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:24
Send us a text This is our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY EPISODE and we want to honor this achievement with you. Be sure to listen for opportunities to give us your feedback and receive some special EPLA swag! On June 7, 2022 we launched Hope Blooms: Surviving Miscarriage Together with our first episode: The Changing Culture of Pregnancy Loss: An Interview …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Perspectives: An Interview with Kathy Petersen
25:59
25:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:59
Send us a text Kathy Petersen joins Maria and Emily to talk about her prespective as a Labor and Delivery Nurse and a loss mom herself. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitter: @miscarriagecare Email: Miscarriagecare@gmail.com P.O. Box 179 Hillsdale, MI 49242 To request a miscarriage care kit pl…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Perspectives: Mother's Day is Coming.
23:18
23:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:18
Send us a text Well here it comes again: Mother's Day is on the horizon. And did you know there is a Bereaved Mother's Day too? Do we need two holidays? Does it help? Does it hurt? What should you do on Mother's Day? How should you feel? We don't have the answers to all of these questions, but we are here to say: Dear miscarriage mamas, You are a r…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Muddling Through Miscarriage: What Does it Mean to Remember?
25:34
25:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:34
Send us a text Grieving a miscarriage is complicated. The life lost was real. The grief is real. But there feels like there is so little to hold onto. Maybe an ultrasound, a pregnancy test, some early baby presents. But there are no pictures, no birthdays, no conversations, or stories. How do we remember little ones we never met living? Emily and M…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
New Miscarriage Service Coming Soon! (Hopefully!)
19:23
19:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:23
Send us a text Emily had an idea: She wanted to provide relief for medical bills incurred due to miscarriage. This was really the seed that planted what would become EPLA, but we still don't do it. In this episode Maria and Emily discuss the early days of EPLA, the vision of medical bill relief, and our hopes for what is on the horizon! Find us any…
…
continue reading
Send us a text "I didn't want the claim that she was happy to mean I wasn't allowed to be sad." Jordan Wales shares his story of losing Theodora and how he cared for his wife Kathryn and worked through his grief in the coming days, weeks, months, and years. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitte…
…
continue reading
Send us a text Maria and Emily explain the two miscarriage care kits offered by EPLA. This episode is a great opportunity to understand what is in each kit and why. For more information about miscarriage care kits visit our website: https://www.miscarriagecare.com/blog/epla-service-miscarriage-care-kits To request a kit for yourself or a loved one …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Poetry Gives Words to the Depths of Pregnancy Loss
30:08
30:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:08
Send us a text Poetry lends itself to a deep expression of feelings and is often able of capturing the most painful parts of the human experience. This week we are joined by Dr. Elizabeth Fredericks, Assistant Professor of English at Hillsdale College to look at three Irish poems on early pregnancy loss. We hope that these guided readings through t…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Stories: Ben and Heidi Part 2
26:23
26:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:23
Send us a text Working through grief after pregnancy loss can be really challenging. Ben and Heidi pick up where we left off in our previous episode discussing their own path through grief and working through that grief within their marriage. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitter: @miscarriage…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Stories: Ben and Heidi, Part 1
27:35
27:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:35
Send us a text Ben and Heidi Kafferlin join Maria and Emily to share their miscarriage story. From a traumatic trip to the hospital to the emotional aftermath of loss, the Kafferlin's open up about working through miscarriage as a young couple in early marriage. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation T…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
I Have Never Had A Miscarriage! How Do I Help My Friend?
25:02
25:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:02
Send us a text Robin Bertram joins us to talk about her lack of experience with early pregnancy loss and how that led her to be one of EPLA's most active volunteers. We often talk about the prevalence of early pregnancy loss, but that doesn't mean everyone has had first hand experience. This lack of personal experience doesn't mean you can't help -…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Muddling Through Miscarriage: Be Gentle With Yourself? What Does That Even Mean?!
29:32
29:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:32
Send us a text We are quick to prescribe gentleness in times of grief, but do we even know what that means? Has the command to be 'gentle with yourself' become just one more thing to do in a time of helplessness? How do we understand gentleness in a way that allows for healing and restoration. Emily and Maria start the conversation digging in to wh…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Living With Our Grief: Can a Grief Coach Help After Pregnancy Loss?
33:41
33:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:41
Send us a text What is a grief coach? How is it different than therapy? Can we really live a happy life after grief? Often it is hard to find the right support following early pregnancy loss. Maybe support groups aren't your thing, maybe therapy didn't work, often there isn't a one size fixes all solution to grief. So what else is out there? Grief …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Perspectives: Our Friends and Family Grieve with Us
28:47
28:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
28:47
Send us a text Emily Carrington sits down with her brother-in-law, Nick Carrington, to talk about walking through miscarriage with loved ones. Nick addresses his own grief watching his family suffer miscarriage while also recognizing his role as a support person. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Shadow of Loss: Due Dates, Thanksgiving, and Babies
24:58
24:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:58
Send us a text Emily's first Thanksgiving after two miscarriages was very hard. In this episode Emily remembers the agony she felt passing her own due date, welcoming her new nephew, and failing to help in the kitchen. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitter: @miscarriagecare Email: Miscarriagec…
…
continue reading
Send us a text While still in her first trimester, Maria's first pregnancy ended in a trip to the emergency department. In this episode EPLA President and Co-Founder, Maria, talks about the physical and emotional experience of sitting in the ER with the grief of losing a baby. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage: The Basics and More (From the Archives)
32:51
32:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:51
Send us a Text Message. In this episode from our archives of the Hope Blooms podcast, Emily talks with Dr. Marguerite Duane. Dr. Duane is co-founder and Executive Director of FACTS. A Board-certified family physician, she serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Georgetown University, where she directs an introductory course on natural or fertil…
…
continue reading
Send us a text A hushed culture surrounding pregnancy loss has not nurtured respect, privacy, and space; instead we have isolated women, encouraged shame, and failed to provide for their basic needs during and following early pregnancy loss. To kick of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month Emily and Maria discuss how an open dialog of early pre…
…
continue reading
Send us a text Kathryn joins us to share her story of the death of her dear Theodora at 16 weeks gestation. While miscarriages most commonly occur during the first trimester of pregnancy, any pregnancy loss before 20 weeks is considered a miscarriage. Kathryn's story details the experience and grief of a second trimester miscarriage. Find us any ti…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Resources: Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support (From the Archives)
21:26
21:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:26
Send us a text In this edition of the Hope Blooms podcast, we revisit an archived episode from January 2019. Emily is joined by Patti Budnick of Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support to discuss their wonderful organization. Share is the national organization discussed in our last episode with Metro-Detroit Share. Emily and Ms. Budnick talk about …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Miscarriage Resources: Metro Detroit Share
30:25
30:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
30:25
Send us a text Emily and Maria host Angie Winton of Metro-Detroit Share to talk about the benefits of support groups after pregnancy loss. In addition to these support groups, Metro-Detroit Share also offers many amazing services throughout Michigan. Over the last three years EPLA and MDS have partnered to distribute 1,500 miscarriage care kits. Fo…
…
continue reading
Send us a text In this episode Emily Carrington, EPLA Executive Director and Co-Founder, shares the story of her three miscarriages and what led her to start EPLA. Find us any time: Hope Blooms Blog Facebook Instagram: @earlypregnancylossassociation Twitter: @miscarriagecare Email: Miscarriagecare@gmail.com P.O. Box 179 Hillsdale, MI 49242 To reque…
…
continue reading