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The Rainbow Connection

Kristin Mundy

THE RAINBOW CONNECTION is a podcast for mothers navigating the sacred, often silent path of pregnancy after loss. Hosted by Kristin Mundy -- birth and bereavement doula, grief educator, and fellow loss mom. Each episode holds space for real, vulnerable birth stories — from women who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, TFMR, or infant loss. Some are holding their rainbow babies now. Some are pregnant again, and others are still on the path of trying to conceive after loss. All are sharing the truth of what it means to keep going after life shattering grief.

Here, you'll hear stories that aren't often told — the ones full of fear, strength, heartbreak, and hope. These are not your typical blissful birth stories. They are stories of angel babies and rainbow babies. Stories of resilience. Of courage. Of a love that endures.

Here at TRC we believe a rainbow isn't just a baby born after loss — it's a bridge: a connection between what was lost and what may still come. A symbol of strength, love, and healing.

If you're pregnant after loss, trying to conceive, or searching for hope after pregnancy loss, this podcast is for you.

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24 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 11 min
English

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Yesterday · 1 hr 14 min
"Every Day Is One Day Closer" — Dr. Danielle Davis on Faith, Grief, and Motherhood After Loss
Dr. Danielle Davis shares the story of her son Lennon — a full-term, healthy pregnancy that turned into every parent's worst fear during labor. In this episode, she takes us through a home-to-hospital transfer, a birth that left Lennon without enough oxygen, a diagnosis of HIE, and the suspected medical negligence behind it. We also talk about the decision to say goodbye, secondary infertility, a high-risk pregnancy with her son Lincoln, and how Danielle turned her own fertility training into Kairos Fertility, a faith-based program for women trying to conceive after loss. We talk about: A PCOS diagnosis at 16 that she was told would keep her from conceiving naturally A calm, complication-free pregnancy that turned into an emergency during labor Lennon's HIE diagnosis, and the suspected medical negligence behind it The decision to remove life support, and the hours spent saying goodbye Requesting medical records months later, and what they revealed A secondary infertility diagnosis, and using cycle charting to conceive Lincoln Being followed at a high-risk placenta clinic throughout her pregnancy with Lincoln Building Kairos Fertility, a faith-based fertility awareness program for women trying to conceive after loss This episode is a reminder that grief and faith can hold each other, even when neither one has easy answers. Get to Know Dr. Danielle: Dr. Danielle Davis is a Fertility Awareness Practitioner, writer, and PhD-trained educator. She lives with her husband and their son Lincoln, and carries her son Lennon, born in 2023, with her always. Danielle is the founder of Kairos Fertility, a faith-based cycle charting program for women trying to conceive after loss or infertility. Instagram: @dr.danielledavis Kairos Fertility: @kairosfertility Connect with Kristin: Website: thedoulalife.ca Free Community: thedoulalife.ca/community The Nest: thedoulalife.ca/nest Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S2 · E56
September 15 · 40 min
Welcome Back to The Rainbow Connection - with Kristin Mundy
"Welcome Back to The Rainbow Connection - with Kristin Mundy" Kristin Mundy welcomes listeners back for Season 2 of The Rainbow Connection. Looking back on 55 episodes of Season 1, she reflects on how far she's come since her nervous first recording with her friend Parisa, and shares what's changing this season, including more solo episodes and a wider range of stories from loss moms at every stage. She also opens up about recording this episode just days before her daughter Vienna's fifth heavenly birthday, and what five years of grief has actually taught her. We talk about: What Season 1 taught Kristin, and how she's grown as a host since episode one What's different this season, including more frequent solo episodes and a wider range of guest stories Why September is one of the hardest months of Kristin's year, with Vienna's birthday on the 22nd and her earthside daughter Senna's birthday on the 21st What five years of grief has taught her about thresholds, grace, and making her own rules An update on the Held Through Certification for practitioners, launching in early 2027 Where to find deeper support, including the free community, Mother Like No Other, The Nest, and The Haven This episode is a reminder that grief doesn't get smaller with time, it just gives you more room to breathe. Connect with Kristin: Website: thedoulalife.ca Free Community: thedoulalife.ca/community Certification Waitlist: thedoulalife.ca/held-through-providers Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S2 · E57
September 15 · 1 hr 24 min
"This Is Who I Am Now" — Maycie Buniotto on Grief, Identity, and Pregnancy After Loss
Maycie Buniotto lives in Colorado with her husband. In February 2025, at just shy of 32 weeks, her daughter Romy was born still, following weeks of worsening growth restriction and a suspected placental and umbilical cord issue that doctors could never fully tie together. Maycie also shares about the two miscarriages before Romy and the one after, the fertility clinic that finally looked at her story as a whole, and where she's at now, nineteen weeks into an IVF pregnancy. We talk about: A severe growth restriction diagnosis that kept getting more serious by the week The last ultrasound where Romy was moving, and the one where she wasn't Choosing to labor and deliver Romy naturally instead of by C-section The night spent with Romy, and turning their nursery into a grieving sanctuary Two more pregnancy losses before turning to a fertility clinic for answers Rebuilding trust in her own intuition through an anxious, closely monitored pregnancy after loss How The Haven has held her through both losing Romy and carrying her second baby This episode is a reminder that grief and love can exist in the same body at the same time, and that even in the hardest seasons, there's still room for hope. Get to Know Maycie: Maycie Buniotto lives in Colorado with her husband. In February 2025, her daughter Romy Olivia was born still at 31 weeks, 5 days. Maycie has spent the last 11 years working in cancer care, and is now exploring a career change into interior design. Instagram: @maycie.victoria Substack: @maycievictoria Connect with Kristin Website: thedoulalife.ca Mother Like No Other: thedoulalife.ca/mother Haven: thedoulalife.ca/haven Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S2 · E58
September 15 · 1 hr 14 min
"A Mother's Intuition Is Data" — Cara Groves on the Stillbirth of Her Son, and Pregnancy After Loss
Cara Groves is a family doctor in the West Lincoln region of Ontario. In April 2025, at 38 weeks pregnant, Cara and her husband Sean's son Callum was born still, suspected to be caused by a rare hypocoiled umbilical cord her own OB had never seen before. Three months later, Cara was pregnant again. Her son Dale was born in March 2026, less than a year after his brother, and delivered by the same OB. We talk about: The hypocoiled cord found at 30 weeks, suspected as the cause, that no one could fully explain Laboring for four days at the hospital, and the moment her OB told her Callum was gone Choosing to spend the night with Callum after he was born, and the family members who met him The decision to try again just three months later, and getting pregnant faster than expected Being induced at 37 weeks with Dale, one week ahead of when she lost Callum The same OB and nurse from Callum's birth being there for Dale's delivery The half marathon her friend organized in Callum's name The gap Cara sees in bereavement training for medical providers, and her push to help close it This episode is a reminder that grief and love can exist in the same body at the same time, and that birth, even after loss, can still hold moments of peace. Get to know Cara: Cara Groves is a family doctor in the West Lincoln region of Ontario. She lives in Hamilton with her husband Sean, their dog Berkeley, and their son Dale. In April 2025, Cara and Sean's first son, Callum, was born still at 38 weeks. Outside of work, Cara is a longtime distance runner who ran cross country and track at Dalhousie University. Instagram: @cdonnell_ Connect with Kristin Website: thedoulalife.ca Held Through: thedoulalife.ca/held The Nest: thedoulalife.ca/nest Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E55
August 4 · 1 hr 20 min
Where are they now: Brianna Miller on Grief, Reality TV and Motherhood After Loss
The Rainbow Connection welcomes back Bri Miller almost a year after her first recording. She was pregnant then, with her rainbow baby, Maverick. Her daughter, Caroline, was diagnosed in utero and passed away shortly after birth in 2023. This time, Bri and Kristin talk about the coping strategy nobody expects: reality TV, and how it carried her through hospital stays, the darkest months of grief, and the newborn trenches that followed. We talk about: Life one year into mothering her rainbow baby, Maverick Watching TV in the hospital during Caroline's diagnosis (below deck, obviously) Coming home the night Caroline died and turning on Netflix anyway "Train," the code word Bri and her husband used to pause and grieve Why reality TV felt safer than scripted shows (no surprise stillbirth plotlines on Vanderpump Rules) Laughing again for the first time after loss True crime, escapism, and why the most horrifying content is somehow the most relaxing Finding unexpected comfort in the medical drama The Pit Carrying grief into everyday motherhood, one Bravo scandal at a time Healing doesn't have to look profound to count. Sometimes it just looks like turning on the TV. Get to know Bri: Bri Miller is mom to Caroline, born still in 2023, and Maverick, her rainbow baby. Since Caroline's death, Bri has focused on building community with other loss moms. She's now figuring out what's next, work, school, maybe growing her family again, all while staying present with Maverick and keeping Caroline close. Instagram: @brihansen Website: carolinecares.us Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Community Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E54
July 21 · 55 min
“Learning to Feel Safe Again” — Katie on Miscarriage, Breathwork, and Motherhood After Loss
Katie shares her experience of miscarriage, the emotional impact of early pregnancy loss, and the path that led her to becoming a mother to her two rainbow babies. Through her story, we explore what it means to navigate pregnancy after loss, to reconnect with the body, and to move through grief while still holding space for hope. Katie’s journey into breathwork and yoga nidra is deeply intertwined with her healing, and her work now supports women through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood after loss. We talk about: Experiencing miscarriage in a first pregnancy The emotional and physical impact of pregnancy loss Navigating grief while continuing to move forward Pregnancy after loss and the complexity of holding fear and hope Rebuilding trust in the body after miscarriage The role of breathwork and nervous system support in healing Motherhood after loss and what it looks like day-to-day The identity shift that comes with loss and becoming a mother Supporting other women through TTC, pregnancy, and postpartum after loss This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to know Katie: Katie is a breathwork and yoga nidra facilitator based on Vancouver Island, supporting women through every stage of motherhood — from trying to conceive to postpartum. Her work is deeply rooted in her own lived experience with miscarriage and pregnancy after loss, and she is passionate about helping women reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and feel supported in the messy, complex realities of motherhood. She lives with her husband, their two rainbow babies, and their beloved fur baby. Instagram: @othermindbreathwork Website: Othermind.ca Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Community Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E53
July 14 · 59 min
“How Do You Prepare for the Unknown?” — Nancy on Loss, Fear, and Pregnancy After Loss
Nancy shares the story of her son Callum — a pregnancy that began with surprise and joy, and slowly unfolded into uncertainty after a CMV diagnosis. In this episode, she walks us through what it was like to navigate pregnancy loss, the fear of the unknown, and how her experience shaped the way she approached pregnancy after loss. She also shares about her earthside sons and what motherhood after loss looks like for her today. We talk about: Receiving a CMV diagnosis during pregnancy and what that meant The emotional shift from joy to fear in pregnancy Navigating the unknowns of pregnancy loss Grieving an angel baby while continuing forward The complexity of pregnancy after loss Holding fear and hope at the same time Motherhood after loss and raising earthside children How loss changes your identity as a mother Finding moments of grounding and connection again This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and love live side by side — and that even after loss, there can still be space for hope. Get to know Nancy: Nancy is a mother of three, including her angel baby Callum and her two earthside sons, Declan and Landon. She lives in Oakville, Ontario with her husband Cody, and works as an elementary school teacher. Outside of work, she loves spending time outdoors with her boys, reading, gardening, and playing soccer — finding joy in the everyday moments of motherhood after loss. Learn more about CMV: https://cmvcanada.com/what-is-cmv/#prevention Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Community Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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July 7 · 1 hr 22 min
“Learning to Trust My Body Again” — Pregnancy After Loss and Healing with Ummul Patrawala
Ummul Patrawala shares her journey through multiple pregnancy losses, including the stillbirth of her daughter Sakina at 38 weeks, and how those experiences shaped her understanding of the deep connection between trauma and the body. In this episode, we explore motherhood after loss, the physical and emotional imprint of grief, and how her rainbow baby helped her begin to rebuild trust, connection, and safety within herself. This conversation is a powerful reflection on healing after stillbirth, pregnancy after loss, and the evolving identity of motherhood in the after. We talk about: The story and meaning behind Ummul’s name and identity as “the mother of all mothers” Navigating stillbirth and the loss of her daughter Sakina at 38 weeks The physical impact of grief, including autoimmune conditions, IBS, and chronic pain PTSD and the body’s response to unresolved trauma after pregnancy loss Rebuilding trust in your body during pregnancy after loss The emotional complexity of welcoming a rainbow baby Motherhood after loss and holding both grief and hope at the same time Supporting women through the invisible impact of trauma on the body Learning to listen to your body instead of disconnecting from it This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to know Ummul: Ummul Patrawala is a mother to three boys and five angel babies, living in Mississauga, Ontario. After experiencing profound pregnancy loss, including the stillbirth of her daughter Sakina at 38 weeks, her path shifted in a deeply personal way. Today, she is a psychotherapist who supports women navigating the physical and emotional effects of trauma — including chronic pain, autoimmune conditions, and pelvic health challenges. Her work is rooted in helping women reconnect with their bodies, rebuild trust, and feel seen in experiences that are often overlooked. Instagram: @ThriveHolisticCoaching Website: www.hopetherapyjourney.com Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Community Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E51
June 30 · 1 hr 23 min
“Grief Lives in the Body Too” — Sara Rian on Loss, Intimacy, and Healing After Loss
Sara Rian, a poet, therapist, and mother based in Metro Detroit, joins me to share her story of losing her mother to suicide — and the profound way that loss shaped her understanding of grief, love, and connection. In this episode, we explore how grief lives not just in our minds, but in our bodies, and how experiences of loss can impact intimacy, identity, and the way we move through motherhood and healing. This is a conversation about what it means to live after loss — to carry it, to feel it, and to slowly find your way back to yourself. We talk about: Navigating grief after losing a parent to suicide How grief lives in the body and impacts daily life The connection between grief and intimacy Feeling disconnected from your body after loss The role of poetry and expression in healing Holding both love and grief at the same time Identity shifts after profound loss The unspoken parts of healing and moving forward This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and love can coexist. And that even in the aftermath of loss, there is space for connection, healing, and coming home to yourself. Get to know Sara Rian: Sara Rian is a poet, self-published author, licensed therapist, mother, and wife living in Metro Detroit. Her journey with grief began after the loss of her mother to suicide in 2018 — a loss that continues to shape both her personal life and her work. Through her writing, Sara creates space for others to feel seen in their grief, reminding them that they are not alone in their love or their loss. As both a mental health professional and a grieving daughter, she brings a deeply compassionate and honest voice to the conversations we often struggle to have. Instagram: @sara_rian_books Website: www.sararianbooks.com Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Community Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E50
June 23 · 1 hr 42 min
“It Took Everything to Get Here” — Miranda Stout on Infertility, Loss, and Motherhood After Trauma
Miranda Stout shares her story of navigating infertility, pregnancy loss, a complicated pregnancy, birth trauma, and a NICU stay — and what it means to now be parenting her two living sons after everything it took to get here. In this episode, we talk about the long road to motherhood after loss, the lingering impact of trauma, and the slow shift from survival mode into something softer. This conversation holds space for both the grief that stays and the life that continues to unfold. We talk about: Miranda’s experience with infertility and the early challenges of trying to conceive Navigating pregnancy loss and the emotional toll it carries A complicated pregnancy and birth trauma The experience of having a baby in the NICU What survival mode looks like in motherhood after loss The lingering presence of trauma, even in “normal” life Parenting living children while carrying past grief The transition from surviving to slowly feeling safe again Holding both gratitude and grief at the same time This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to know Miranda: Miranda Stout is a wife, boy mom of two, and interior designer based in Ottawa, Ontario. Her path to motherhood has been anything but straightforward — shaped by infertility, pregnancy loss, a complicated pregnancy, birth trauma, and a NICU stay. Through it all, she has found her way into a life that feels both hard-earned and deeply meaningful, holding space for the messiness and beauty that can exist side by side. Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Community Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E49
June 16 · 1 hr 24 min
“They Never Really Leave Us” — Abbie on Grief, Healing, and Life After Losing Rowan
Abbie shares the story of her son Rowan — a pregnancy that felt calm, grounded, and deeply connected, until everything shifted. In this episode, we talk about pregnancy loss, grief, and the identity changes that come with motherhood after loss. Abbie opens up about how Rowan shaped not only her journey as a mother, but also her work, her purpose, and the way she now moves through the world. We also talk about her rainbow baby, and what it looks like to hold both grief and joy in the same life. We talk about: Experiencing an unexpected pregnancy after infertility and PCOS A peaceful, connected pregnancy during the quiet of COVID The moment everything changed and navigating pregnancy loss How grief reshapes identity and motherhood after loss The concept of “before and after” loss — and living in both Carrying your baby with you in your body, your work, and your life Finding purpose and moving into grief-informed care Parenting a rainbow baby while honouring an angel baby The ongoing nature of healing after pregnancy loss This episode is a gentle reminder that grief and love can live side by side — and that even after loss, motherhood continues in its own sacred way. Get to know Abbie: Abbie is a massage therapist, nurturer, and mother currently living in Southwest Florida. Originally from rural upstate New York, she brings a deep sense of care and presence into both her work and her life. She is a mom to her daughters and her son Rowan, who passed away — an experience that has shaped her compassion, her purpose, and the way she supports others through grief and healing. Abbie believes in slowing down, finding beauty in the simple moments, and living with gentle intention. Instagram: @bonitaspringsmassage Website: https://www.facebook.com/Rowanwellnesscenter/ Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Community Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E48
June 2 · 1 hr 16 min
"We Chose Love" — Fernanda on Saying Goodbye, Grief, and Motherhood After Loss
Fernanda shares the story of her daughter, who was diagnosed during pregnancy with metatropic dysplasia — a rare and life-limiting condition. After weeks of uncertainty, testing, and slowly losing hope, Fernanda and her partner were faced with an impossible decision: to continue the pregnancy knowing their daughter would suffer, or to say goodbye. In this episode, Fernanda speaks openly about choosing to say goodbye to her daughter at 27 weeks, the three days she had to hold her close and prepare her heart, and the sacred, life-changing moment of meeting her after birth. She also takes us into the depths of grief — what it truly looks like to live in the aftermath of loss — and the hard, intentional work it took to survive. Finally, she shares about her rainbow baby, Theo, and how becoming his mother helped bring her back to life while still carrying love for her first baby. We talk about: Receiving a rare diagnosis during pregnancy The emotional weight of waiting for answers Making an impossible, compassionate decision Carrying her daughter and preparing to say goodbye The sacred experience of birth after loss What grief actually looks like in the months after loss The role of therapy, routine, and medication in healing The deep desire to become a mother again Pregnancy after loss and the fear that comes with it Meeting her rainbow baby and learning to feel again This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and love are never separate — and that even in the darkest moments, there can still be connection, meaning, and a path forward. Get to know Fernanda: Fernanda is a creative, graphic designer, and community leader based in Berlin, Germany, where she lives with her husband and their son. Originally from Santiago, Chile, she has built a life rooted in creativity, movement, and connection. Her journey through pregnancy loss and motherhood after loss has deeply shaped the way she sees the world — and the way she shows up in it today. Instagram: @mandarina.caiman Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E47
May 26 · 1 hr 4 min
“You Were Always Meant to Be Held” — Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum on Nurturing, Neuroscience, and Parenting After Loss
Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum, neuroscientist, author, and doula, joins me for a deeply grounding conversation on how early experiences shape both baby and mother — especially in the context of pregnancy after loss and raising a rainbow baby. We explore the intersection of science and instinct, and what it really means to nurture, connect, and rebuild trust in motherhood after loss. This episode offers a powerful reframe: that the closeness you feel called to offer your baby is not only valid — it’s biologically essential. We talk about: How early experiences shape brain development in babies The neuroscience behind attachment and connection Parenting a rainbow baby after pregnancy loss Rebuilding trust in your body and instincts after loss The impact of nurturing on maternal mental health Letting go of fear-based parenting narratives Why closeness is not “spoiling” — it’s protective The intersection of grief, healing, and motherhood after loss How to feel more grounded and confident in your parenting choices This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that the way you love and nurture your baby truly matters. Get to know Dr Greer: Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum is a neuroscientist, author, and educator dedicated to transforming how we understand early development. Trained at the University of Toronto, Columbia University, NYU, and Yale, she brings together cutting-edge research and her lived experience as a mother and doula. Through her work, Greer helps families understand how nurturing the mother–baby relationship supports both infant brain development and maternal mental health. She is the author of The Nurture Revolution and leads a global movement empowering parents to raise emotionally resilient children through connection and care. Instagram: @drgreerkirshenbaum Website: www.nurture-neuroscience.com Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E46
May 19 · 1 hr 22 min
“We Were Expecting Three” — Elle Margetson on Losing Her Triplets and the Journey to Her Rainbow Baby
Elle Margetson shares the story of her triplets — a pregnancy that began with surprise and quickly became something much bigger than she ever imagined. After conceiving with the help of medication, Elle discovered she was carrying three babies — a moment that shifted everything. But as her pregnancy progressed, complications arose, and she was faced with infection, medical dismissal, and ultimately premature labour. Her babies were born far too soon — each one alive, each one deeply loved — and each one lost in the days that followed in the NICU. In this episode, we talk about pregnancy loss, neonatal loss, and what it means to become a mother in the midst of unimaginable grief. We also talk about pregnancy after loss, postpartum mental health, and the complex journey of welcoming a rainbow baby while still carrying the love for the babies who came before. We talk about: Conceiving after infertility and PCOS Discovering a triplet pregnancy Medical gaslighting and infection during pregnancy Premature birth and NICU experiences Losing each of her babies after birth Grief and identity in motherhood after loss Pregnancy after loss and the fear that comes with it Postpartum anxiety and mental health after bringing a baby home Finding purpose through supporting other loss moms Holding grief and hope at the same time This episode is a reminder that grief and love do not exist separately — they live side by side, shaping the way we move forward. Get to know Elle: Elle Margetson is a grief therapist, loss mom, and the creator of The Loss Mama Method. After losing her triplets following premature birth in 2021, Elle turned her experience into a mission to support other women navigating pregnancy loss, neonatal loss, and motherhood after loss. Through her work in Superconscious Grief Therapy, she helps mothers release guilt, calm overwhelm, and reconnect with themselves. Based in the UK, Elle has supported over 120 loss moms worldwide — offering a space where healing and remembrance can exist together. Instagram: @elle.hypnotherapy Connect with Kristin 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much! We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E45
May 12 · 1 hr
“His Life Was a Gift” — William, Loss, and the Story Behind Held Through
In this solo episode, Kristin Mundy reflects on the emotional weight of Mother’s Day after loss while sharing the story of her son William, whose life and passing deeply shaped the creation of Held Through. Through her own experiences with miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss, Kristin speaks openly about navigating loss within the medical system, the importance of informed choices, and the sacred moments we get with our babies. We talk about: Grief after Mother’s Day and Bereaved Mother’s Day Kristin’s pregnancy and loss with William Navigating a life-limiting diagnosis during pregnancy The difference between informed and unsupported loss experiences Advocacy, options, and decision making during pregnancy and loss Creating meaningful, sacred time with your baby The impact of birth and postpartum experiences on grief The gaps in care for women experiencing loss The creation and purpose behind Held Through Supporting mothers, loved ones, and practitioners through loss This episode is a reminder that even in the most heartbreaking circumstances, there can be moments of connection, love, and meaning — and that no mother should have to walk through loss without support. Get to know your Host: This is a solo episode with Kristin Mundy — birth, postpartum, and bereavement doula, childbirth educator, and founder of The Doula Life. Based in Hamilton, Canada, Kristin supports women through pregnancy, loss, and motherhood after loss with a compassionate, trauma-informed approach. Her work is rooted in her own lived experience of loss and her mission to ensure no mother feels alone in any part of her journey. Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🕊 The Held Through Series: thedoulalife.ca/held 🌸 Mother Like No Other: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review—it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E44
May 5 · 1 hr 9 min
“She Made Me a Mother First” — Samantha Vera Cleland on Loss, Love, and Life with Her Rainbow Baby
Samantha Vera Cleland shares her journey through pregnancy loss, beginning with an early miscarriage that was minimized by others, and continuing into her pregnancy with her daughter Vera — a baby she already saw as her rainbow after loss. In this episode, Sam opens up about the anxiety of pregnancy after loss, the emotional weight of navigating milestones, and how her identity has evolved as both a bereaved mother and a mother to her living son. Her story is an honest reflection on grief, healing, and the complexity of motherhood after loss. We talk about: - Experiencing early miscarriage and the impact of dismissive language around loss - Why “chemical pregnancy” doesn’t reflect the depth of grief - The anxiety of pregnancy after loss and daily testing for reassurance - Navigating the myth of a “safe zone” in pregnancy - Holding the identity of both a bereaved mother and a present parent - The emotional reality of postpartum after a rainbow baby - Learning to carry grief and gratitude at the same time - The evolving definition of motherhood after loss - Supporting families through baby loss and changing the narrative - Finding moments of connection with both babies — here and not here This episode is a powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist and that even after loss, motherhood continues in so many forms. Get to Know Samantha: Samantha Vera Cleland is a mental health social worker, bereaved mother, and advocate for families navigating pregnancy and infant loss. After the death of her daughter Vera, Sam’s identity shifted in ways she never expected — shaping how she sees motherhood, grief, and healing. Now parenting her living son, she is passionate about changing the narrative around baby loss and supporting other families through their own journeys. She lives with her husband and their beloved pets, finding comfort in connection, family, and the quiet moments at home. Instagram: @remembering_verarose Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much! We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E43
April 28 · 1 hr 5 min
“Nothing About It Felt Easy” — Lindsay Hall on Twin Loss and the Road Through Pregnancy After Loss
Lindsay Hall joins me to share her story of infertility, a twin pregnancy, and the devastating loss of her daughter Rosalind after childbirth. In this episode, Lindsay opens up about giving birth to both twins, bringing Josephine home while navigating postpartum grief, and how motherhood after loss asked more of her than she ever expected. She also reflects on her later pregnancy after loss with her daughter Scarlett, and how fear, grief, and hope followed her into that chapter as well. We talk about: Infertility and fertility treatments Discovering a twin pregnancy Giving birth to twins and experiencing postpartum loss Losing Rosalind and bringing Josephine home Navigating postpartum grief while parenting The long-term impact of loss on motherhood Pregnancy after loss with Scarlett Fear, resilience, and continuing forward after loss This episode is a tender, powerful reminder that grief and beauty can coexist — and that birth, even in loss, can absolutely be sacred. Get to Know Lindsay: Lindsay Hall is a mother of four daughters — three earthside and one angel baby — living in Windsor, Colorado with her husband, Bruce. She works part time in the education non-profit space and spends the rest of her time mothering and delighting in her girls. Lindsay’s story reflects the quiet strength it takes to continue forward through loss, grief, and pregnancy after loss. Instagram: @lindzhall Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E42
April 23 · 1 hr 6 min
“I Chose to Hope for Her” — Constance on Lucy, Advocacy, and Pregnancy After Loss
Constance joins me to share the story of her daughter Lucy who passed shortly after birth due to a life-limiting diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). In this conversation, Constance reflects on receiving Lucy’s diagnosis at the 20-week anatomy scan and navigating a medical system that often felt clinical and outcome-focused, rather than centred on her baby’s life. We talk about what it means to continue a pregnancy with a life-limiting diagnosis — to choose presence, advocacy, and deep connection, even in the face of uncertainty. Constance shares about Lucy’s birth, the time they had together, and the heartbreak of saying goodbye. She also opens up about how this experience reshaped her faith, identity, and understanding of motherhood, and what it looked like to step into pregnancy after loss, eventually welcoming her rainbow baby while continuing to honour Lucy as a foundational part of her story. This is a conversation about intentional love — about mothering a baby for their entire life, no matter how long that life is. We talk about: Receiving a CDH diagnosis at the 20-week anatomy scan Navigating medical care that felt impersonal and outcome-driven Choosing to continue the pregnancy after a life-limiting diagnosis Advocating for Lucy and her birth experience Birth and time with a baby who passed shortly after Grief, faith, and rebuilding identity after infant loss Pregnancy after loss and holding fear alongside hope Welcoming a rainbow baby while honouring Lucy Motherhood after loss and living in both grief and love This episode is a reminder that even the briefest lives are deeply meaningful and that the love we carry for our babies continues to shape us, forever. Get to know Constance: Constance is a stay-at-home mom and military spouse living in Georgia. She is a former professional ballerina who danced with Ballet Austin in Austin, Texas, before stepping away from the stage to become a mother. Life after loss has taken her through grief, rebuilding her faith, cross-country moves, and the realities of military life — all while mothering her children and honoring the daughter who changed everything. Guest Links: Instagram: @constybleek Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E41
April 14 · 59 min
“Your Body Is Not Broken” — Fertility Acupuncturist and Expert Anne Matthews on Fertility and Trying to Conceive
In this episode, I sit down with Anne Matthews, a fertility acupuncturist and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner based in Oakville, Ontario, to talk about fertility, IVF, IUI, and what integrative support can look like while trying to conceive. For many women — especially those navigating pregnancy loss — trying again can feel overwhelming. It’s not just about ovulation charts or embryo transfers. It’s about trust, nervous systems, grief, and hope living side by side. Anne shares how acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine can work alongside Western fertility treatments to support hormone balance, egg quality, uterine health, and emotional regulation. We also talk about the mental load of fertility treatments and how to care for your body without slipping into blame or shame. We talk about: How acupuncture supports IVF and IUI The connection between the nervous system and fertility TTC after miscarriage and rebuilding trust in your body Integrating Eastern and Western medicine Supporting egg quality and uterine environment The emotional weight of trying to conceive Advocating for yourself in fertility care Why your body is not broken This episode is a grounded, empowering reminder that fertility support can be layered, holistic, and compassionate. Get to Know Anne: Anne Matthews is a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and fertility acupuncturist based in Oakville, Ontario. With advanced training in Chinese medicine and nutrition, Anne specializes in supporting women through fertility challenges, IVF and IUI cycles, and integrative reproductive care. Her approach blends evidence-based practice with whole-person support — helping women feel informed, empowered, and cared for while trying to conceive. Instagram: @energytreeanne Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Membership: thedoulalife.ca/haven 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim 🌸 Mother Like No Other — TTC After Loss Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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S1 · E40
April 7 · 1 hr 30 min
“Grief Changed Us” — Mahaley & Ravi Patel on Infant Loss, Marriage, and Pregnancy After Loss
Mahaley and Ravi Patel join me to share the story of their daughter, Saachi. After complications during birth led to meconium aspiration, Saachi spent five days in the NICU before her parents said had to say goodbye. In this episode, Mahaley and Ravi gently reflect on those early days — the hope, the uncertainty, the sacred time they were given — and the heartbreak of leaving the hospital without their baby. Mahaley, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, grief, trauma, and infant and child loss, speaks openly about what it was like to be supporting families through birth trauma and NICU experiences while navigating the loss of her own daughter. Losing Saachi profoundly deepened and redirected her work — shaping how she now holds space for bereaved parents and ultimately leading her to write her book, Your NICU Story, a resource born from both clinical expertise and lived experience. Ravi shares honestly about fatherhood in grief, the strain and strengthening of their marriage, and what survival mode truly looked like in those first months. Over time, their story expanded to include pregnancy after loss, surrogacy, and the arrival of their rainbow babies — all while continuing to honour Saachi in their everyday lives. We talk about: Saachi’s birth and her time in the NICU Meconium aspiration and unexpected birth complications The sacred and painful experience of saying goodbye Grieving differently within a marriage Supporting one another when both partners are hurting How losing a child reshapes identity and professional calling The creation of Your NICU Story and supporting other NICU families Pregnancy after loss and cautious hope Parenting rainbow babies while carrying enduring love This episode is a reminder that a baby’s life — no matter how brief — can alter the course of a family forever. Saachi’s life continues to ripple outward, shaping the way her parents love, parent, work, and serve other grieving families. Get to Know Mahaley: Mahaley Patel, LMFT, PMH-C is a licensed therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, grief, trauma, and infant/child loss. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and a Master’s degree from Pepperdine University. With a compassionate and client-centered approach, Mahaley is dedicated to supporting individuals navigating their journey to and through parenthood. She also serves on the bereaved parent advisory board at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and runs a child loss support group for grieving parents. Beyond her professional work, she is a wife, a mother of four, and a bereaved parent, bringing both personal and clinical experience to her practice. Website: www.mahaleypatel.com Instagram: @mahaleyhpatel Read her book "Your NICU Story": https://a.co/d/07dscQMi Connect with Kristin: 📍 Website: thedoulalife.ca 🌈 The Haven — Pregnancy After Loss Support Program: thedoulalife.ca/haven (use code RAINBOW to save $100) 🕊 RECLAIM — The PAL Birth Course: thedoulalife.ca/reclaim (use code RECLAIM to save $100) 🌸 Mother Like No Other — Loss Mom Community: thedoulalife.ca/mother 📸 Instagram: @the.doula.life If you enjoyed this episode, please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review — it helps get these stories and resources into the hands of the women who need them most. And please share it with someone who could use this kind of support. Your support means so much. We'd love to hear how you enjoyed this episode!
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