This week, I am joined by my friend Hannah, who went from not knowing how an epidural worked to delivering her third without her husband while he was at military training! Her experiences include (but aren’t limited to) pre-eclampsia, severe postpartum depression, the emotional impact of 2 miscarriages, and joyfully welcoming their son with Down syndrome.

In this episode:

• 38 hours of labor (!!) followed by a month-long NICU stay
• The emotional whiplash of pregnancy closing following loss
• Learning the difference between “baby blues” and postpartum depression
• Choosing an amniocentesis to confirm genetic testing
• Being welcomed into the tight-knit Down syndrome community

Hannah’s story stands as a testament to the strength and resilience of moms everywhere. This is your reminder that brighter days are ahead, even if you feel at the end of your rope.

Trigger Warning: Discussion of suicidal ideation (24:55 to 25:13 & 1:02:18)

Full episode transcript available at thelaborline.com/episodes

Chapters:

4:47 - Meet Hannah

10:57 - 1st Child: Pre-eclampsia, NICU, Colic, & Unrecognized PPD

16:30 - 1st Miscarriage

19:00 - 2nd Child: Easy Pregnancy, Positive Birth, & Recognized PPD

26:10 - 2nd Miscarriage

30:16 - 3rd Child: Amniocentesis, Down Syndrome Diagnosis, Emergency C-Section, & Positive Postpartum

1:04:00 - To My Pre-Mom Self…