Host Amy Pelkey speaks with Mandy Wannarka, LICSW, PMH-C, RYT-200, a therapist specializing in supporting mothers and couples through the difficult journey of pregnancy and infant loss, including making the decision to terminate a pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR).

Mandy shares insights from her career in social work, focusing on her experience with the perinatal population in hospital settings and now in her outpatient mental health practice called Mindful Wellbeing Clinic in Coon Rapids, MN. They discuss the emotional toll of medical terminations, how to make informed decisions, and the importance of finding supportive community and professional resources.

Mandy also introduces therapeutic approaches like EMDR and mindfulness to help individuals process their emotions and build resilience. This episode aims to offer compassionate guidance and a sense of community for healthcare providers and other parents navigating this challenging topic.

00:00 Introduction to a Heartbreaking Decision

00:36 Meet the Host: Amy Pelkey

01:26 Introducing Mandy Wannarka

02:31 Mandy's Journey into Perinatal Support

03:40 Challenges and Transitions in Hospital Settings

04:52 Establishing an Outpatient Mental Health Practice

05:08 Supporting Families with Complex Medical Journeys

09:31 Empowered Boundary Setting

15:43 Navigating Family Dynamics and Unsolicited Opinions

19:37 Returning to Work After a Loss

25:10 Trauma-Informed Care and EMDR

31:55 Unpacking Childhood Trauma

33:18 Addressing Immediate Needs

35:13 Coping Mechanisms and Maladaptive Behaviors

37:21 Navigating Grief in Relationships

44:20 Pharmacological Options and Therapy

48:41 Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

54:59 Finding the Right Therapist

57:42 Final Thoughts and Support

Links
Mindful Wellbeing Clinic
199 Coon Rapids Blvd NW, Suite 208, Coon Rapids, MN 55433; phone (612) 440-1899; email: hello@mindfulwellbeingmn.com

Postpartum Support International (PPI)

• PSI TFMR Support Groups
• PSI Directory to find a provider
• Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C)

Pause to Remember

• Virtual Support Group (monthly), Facebook Groups, eBook, Be a guest on the podcast
• Contact, Amy's Calendar
• Financially Support Pause to Remember

Music credit: Fractal of Light by, Chris Haugen

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Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website

Kelly Powers, CRNA and Divorce Coach, offers invaluable insights and guidance for those facing the daunting prospect of a crumbling marriage amidst the burden of losing a baby.

The episode touches on several key points:

• Kelly's Personal Journey: Kelly shares her own challenging divorce experience and how it led to her career as a divorce coach.
• Compounded Grief: The discussion explores how divorce can intensify grief, especially after pregnancy or infant loss, and the reluctance of healthcare providers to seek emotional support.
• Seeking Professional Help: Kelly stresses the significance building a team of professionals including a assistance early in the divorce process, whether through therapy, counseling, or working with a divorce coach.
• Building a Support Team: Creating a support network a therapist, divorce coach, attorney, real estate agent, financial planner, et

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Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website

Reverend Daryl Lavway engages in a meaningful conversation with host Amy Pelkey, CRNA. Leveraging his extensive ministry experience and role as a chaplain in a Level 1, academic, medical center, Daryl provides profound insights into the intersection of grief and faith.

Five key points discussed include:

1. Unhelpful religious comments like, "It was God's will,” or "God needed another angel,” can be challenged with, "How do you know?"
2. The complex relationship between religion and grief (including church)
3. God grieves with us
4. Using faith as a comforting tool if it feels right to you
5. Avoiding isolation and seeking trustworthy support with an individual or community

Daryl's insights offer a fresh perspective on how to approach religious comments, embrace your faith, and seek meaningful support with the help of an individual or community. He reminds listeners to trust their instincts honoring the memory of your baby. Read more here.

If you have questions or would like to connect with Daryl, email: amy@puasetoremember.org.

Pause to Remember Resources for female, healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy and infant loss:

• Facebook Group, Virtual Support Group, Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1, eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss, Refer a provider (therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, etc), Be a guest on the podcast, Contact Amy

Where to find Pause to Remember Website, Instagram, Facebook

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Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website

Dr. Errin Weisman is a burnout coach, mentor, speaker, podcaster, and friend. She shares her experience with burnout that began in medical school and escalated during her residency and early years as an attending physician. This led to her feeling trapped.

The episode highlights the impact of the pandemic on burnout and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals. Dr. Weisman emphasizes the importance of seeking support, finding a community, and making changes to overcome burnout.

The conversation explores topics like self-discovery, navigating grief, and making assertive choices. Financial concerns, prioritizing mental health, and addressing work addiction are also discussed.

Find inspiration and resources to deal with burnout by listening to the conversation.

Mentioned in the podcast:

• Life coach, Philippa Kennealy, MD
• Dr. Kara Pepper
• Dr. Michelle Quirk

Connect with Dr. Errin Weisman:

• Email: hello@burntouttobadass.com
• Website: https://www.burntouttobadass.com/ and https://www.doctormefirst.com/
• Podcast: Burntout to Badass and Doctor Me First
• Instagram: @errinweisman and @burntout_to_badass

Blog post with additional information is here.

Pause to Remember Resources for Healthcare Providers Grieving After Pregnancy and Infant Loss

• Facebook Group, Virtual Support Group, Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1, eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss,

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Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website

Two experiences can co-exist. Create space to tend to your experiences and the feelings that arise along the way while cultivating self-compassion and love. This meditation is about 5 minutes long.

Pause to Remember Information

Pause to Remember Resources for Healthcare Providers Grieving After Pregnancy and Infant Loss

• Facebook Group
• Virtual Support Group
• Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1
• eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
• Refer a provider (therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, etc)
• Be a guest on the podcast, Contact Amy

Where to find Pause to Remember

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

NEW OFFERING IN 2023! - MNDFL Rx (Mindful Prescription) A 4-week mindfulness based grief course for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss. Learn more and sign up here.

Financially Support Pause to Remember - Click here to donate.

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Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website

Katie Cooper, MS, CRNA, APRN has a unique perspective on fertility care. Not only did she donate her eggs to a family in her 20s, she now specializes in fertility anesthesia.

Listen to our conversation as we cover:

• Tips to optimize your health in preparation for infertility treatments
• Suggestions and questions to ask when researching a fertility clinic
• Financial considerations
• Anesthesia for fertility treatments
• Personal experience with miscarriage
• ABC News segment about four families going through infertility care. One family received treatment where Katie works (you can see Katie at 10:15).

Here is Katie's contact information:

• Website: www.CRNAACLS.com
• Contact Katie here
• Katie's email address is: kcoopercrna@gmail.com

Pause to Remember Resources for Healthcare Providers Grieving After Pregnancy and Infant Loss

• Facebook Group, Virtual Support Group, Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1, eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss, Refer a provider (therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, etc), Be a guest on the podcast, Contact Amy

Where to find Pause to Remember Website, Instagram, Facebook

NEW OFFERING IN 2023! - MNDFL Rx (Mindful Prescription) A 4-week mindfulness based grief course for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or i

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Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website

Chelsey Herzig, CRNA works in a critical access hospital in Minnesota. She talks about her daughter, Brynn, and the impact losing her has made in her life including her career and marriage.

Some of the things discussed include:

• Infertility treatment
• Process of diagnosing Brynn with a life limiting diagnosis (included a fetal MRI)
• Decision to terminate the pregnancy in a larger facility with more resources
• Anticipatory grieving
• Experience of labor induction at ~21 weeks
• Special urn made from a woman on Etsy (click here)
• Maternity leave before gradually re-entering the operating room
• Impact of infertility and loss on Chelsey's marriage
• Therapy
• Freezing eggs

Pause to Remember Information

Pause to Remember Resources for Healthcare Providers Grieving After Pregnancy and Infant Loss

• Facebook Group, Virtual Support Group, Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1, eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss, Refer a provider (therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, etc), Be a guest on the podcast, Contact Amy

Where to find Pause to Remember Website, Instagram, Facebook

NEW OFFERING IN 2023! - MNDFL Rx (Mindful Prescription) A 4-week mindfulness based grief course for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss. Learn more and sign up here.

Financially Su

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Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website

MNDFL Rx (Mindful Prescription) A 4-week mindfulness based grief course for healthcare providers grieving after pregnancy or infant loss. Learn more and sign up for group or private options here.

Pause to Remember FREE Resources for Healthcare Providers Grieving After Pregnancy and Infant Loss

• Facebook Group
• Virtual Support Group
• Amy's Calendar to talk 1:1
• eBook - A Guide After Pregnancy & Infant Loss
  

Where to find Pause to Remember Website, Instagram, Facebook

Other Links

• Refer a provider (therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, etc)
• Be a guest on the podcast, Contact Amy

Financially Support Pause to Remember - Click here to donate.

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Amy Pelkey, MSN, CRNA, RYT-200 - Speaker at conferences, Website