In this heartfelt episode, Ashley shares her deeply personal story of loss, grief, and healing after losing her daughter, Willow, at nearly 37 weeks. She talks about the emotional rollercoaster of her pregnancy, the trauma of discovering Willow's heartbeat was gone, and the subsequent emergency C-section. Ashley discusses the moments of immense grief, guilt, and the process of making peace with the loss. She also describes the healing journey, including finding support in community groups, having another child, and the decision-making involved in a home birth for her rainbow baby. Through her story, she emphasizes the importance of support, community, and honoring the memory of lost loved ones.
00:00 Introduction and Shared Experiences
01:46 Reflecting on Willow's Life
03:30 The Pregnancy Journey
05:35 The Heartbreaking Discovery
07:12 The Hospital Experience
11:51 Coping with the Loss
18:08 Guilt and Healing
23:22 Joining Support Groups for Grieving Parents
23:36 Therapy and Staying Active
23:53 Holy Sows: A Healing Initiative
24:23 Coping with Grief and Depression
24:46 Husband's Grief and Support
26:44 Planning for Another Baby
27:13 Pregnancy After Loss
30:51 Home Birth Decision
33:16 The Birth of Oakland
42:32 Advice for Those Experiencing Loss
44:21 Honoring Willow and Moving Forward
46:23 Conclusion and Future Plans
Struggling to tell where grief ends and guilt begins? This free journal is for you. Five gentle, trauma-informed prompts to help release the "what ifs" and reconnect with your baby through love instead of blame. Work through it at your own pace — no pressure, just comfort. Download now at navigatingbabyloss.com/journal
Download my FREE "Guilt and Grief Release Journal" at navigatingbabyloss.com/journal
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