Reproductive & Family-Related
Medical Trauma
Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Care
for When the Unexpected Occurs
Stillbirth Support Services
How do you keep breathing when your arms are empty and your heart is shattered—when the world expects you to move forward but all you want is your baby? We can create ‘next steps’ where you may feel there are none, by processing things like…
· Devastating grief that feels unbearable - mourning your baby, your dreams, and the future you imagined
· Trauma from the experience of birthing your baby and/or saying goodbye
· Decisions about mementos, funeral or celebration of life arrangements, and how to honor your baby while others may not understand their significance
· Physical recovery while your body still shows signs of pregnancy, but you have no baby to hold
· Unbearable silence and emptiness where there should be cries and the chaos of new parenthood
· Guilt and self-blame, torturing yourself with questions about what went wrong or what you could have done differently
· Isolation & frustration as others avoid you, say the wrong things, or expect you to "move on" before you're ready
· Fear and anxiety about potential future pregnancies, wondering if you can survive this pain again or trust your body
Your baby's life matters, and so does your grief. There is no timeline for healing from this loss, but you don't have to face it alone. Together, we can honor your baby, survive the unbearable days, and create a way to carry your love and your loss forward.
Infant Loss
Does the world feel impossibly cruel right now - like you're supposed to keep functioning when your baby is gone and nothing makes sense? Slowly and carefully, we can create a path forward by exploring things like …
· Crushing grief that permeates everything, making it hard to function or find any reason to keep going
· Trauma from the circumstances of your baby's death that replays in your mind constantly
· Guilt and agonizing questions about whether you missed signs, did something wrong, or could have saved them
· Isolation as others don't know what to say, disappear from your life, or minimize your loss
· Relationship strain as you and your partner grieve differently while trying to support each other through the impossible
· Terrible uncertainty about the future—whether to try again, how to trust life, or if joy will ever feel possible
Your baby's life was real and precious, no matter how brief. This grief doesn't have an expiration date, and you shouldn't have to carry it alone. Support can help you survive unimaginable grief, honor your baby's memory, and find your way through one impossible day at a time.
Traumatic Childbirth Experiences
Does it feel like everyone expects you to be grateful your baby is here while you're still trying to process what happened to you during childbirth? I understand how unmooring childbirth can be; you are not alone in your experiences like …
· Grief and anger over the birth experience you expected versus the traumatic reality you endured
· Being physically removed from your baby when you were unconscious, severely ill, or separated during critical bonding time
· Trauma from feeling your life was in danger or waking up to learn how close you came to dying
· Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts about the birth that won't go away
· Fear and hypervigilance about your body, feeling betrayed by what happened
· Guilt for having "negative" feelings about the birth when you're supposed to “be happy” you & your baby survived
· Physical recovery from serious complications while trying to care for a newborn and process psychological trauma
· Isolation when others dismiss your experience or tell you to focus on the positive outcome instead of your emotional and/or physical pain
What happened to you during birth matters; you're allowed to grieve the experience even while appreciating your baby. Trauma doesn't disappear just because the outcome was "good". We can process what you went through, reconnect with your body and baby, and begin to heal from an experience that shouldn’t be minimized.
Ending a Pregnancy for Medical Reasons
Did you make an impossible choice to protect your baby from suffering or save your own life (emotionally, physically, socially, or otherwise) - only to be met with silence, judgment, or people who don't understand? You will find solace and understanding as we navigate complex challenges like …
· Anger at your body, at fate, at the unfairness of having to make this impossible decision
· Guilt and second-guessing your decision even when you know it was the most compassionate choice available
· Trauma from the medical procedures and the physical experience of ending a wanted or unwanted pregnancy
· Isolation because people don't know how to talk about pregnancy loss when it involves a difficult choice
· Complicated emotions including relief, love, sorrow, and regret all existing at the same time
· Lack of recognition or ritual for your loss when others may not understand complex grief
You made a decision out of love, in the most painful circumstances imaginable. Your grief is valid, and you deserve compassion - not judgment. I offer non-judgmental support to help you process this complex loss, honor painful realities, and hold space for all the feelings that come with making an impossible choice.
Infant & Family Medical Trauma
Are you living in survival mode, watching your baby fight for their life while everyone expects you to stay strong? Does it feel like you can't take a breath until you know your baby is okay - like you're trapped between hope and terror with no idea how to keep going (or how you survived)? These are common reactions to infant medical trauma, and we can work together to help you recover from other experiences like …
· Trauma from watching your baby undergo painful procedures, medical crises, or fighting to survive
· Constant fear and hyper-vigilance about your baby's health, monitoring every breath and beep of the machines
· Grief for the healthy newborn experience you expected versus the medical nightmare you're living through
· Guilt and self-blame wondering if you caused this or if you're doing enough to help your baby
· Exhaustion from navigating the NICU or hospital life, managing medical decisions, and living in crisis mode indefinitely
· Difficulty bonding with your baby when they're surrounded by tubes, wires, and medical equipment or you fear losing them Isolation from the "normal" postpartum world while dealing with specialists, diagnoses, and uncertain futures
· Relationship strain as you and your partner cope differently while facing impossible stress and decisions together
This isn't the beginning you imagined, and living through your family’s medical crisis is genuinely traumatic. You're allowed to fall apart, feel terrified, and grieve what you've lost while still fighting for your child. Over time, we can process the trauma and find strength for the road ahead.
“When our son was in the NICU for three months, I completely shut down. I couldn't process what was happening or bond with him because I was so scared we'd lose him. Even after we brought him home, I had panic attacks and couldn't stop replaying the worst moments. Heidi helped me work through the trauma without judgment. She understood that I could love my son and still be devastated by what we went through.”
– Former Client
Get In Touch
If you're interested in working with me, complete the form with a few details about your experience. I'll get back to you within 48 hours.
