Confessions of a Grieving Mother

Listen as Jaime shares her feelings about getting the diagnosis of Down Syndrome and delivering Josiah preterm at 25 weeks gestation. Josiah lived for 21 days and passed away on November 15th, 2020. Jaime pumped her breast milk for six months and gave back to families in honor of Josiah. That is just the beginning of how she has shown up as his mother. 

As one year comes to a close and another begins, this final episode of our holiday series offers space to reflect, breathe, and look forward with gentle hope. Together, we recap the moments, themes, and lessons of 2025—both the heavy and the meaningful—while creating space to acknowledge the continued presence of grief alongside growth. We also look ahead to 2026 with intention, discussing how to carry our babies with us into a new year, set realistic expectations, and find grace for whatever comes. This episode is an invitation to reflect without pressure and to step forward with tenderness and courage.

Grief changes us—and often, it deepens our compassion in ways we never expected. In this episode, we explore intentional acts of kindness as a way to honor our babies and their legacy. Whether it’s paying it forward, serving another grieving family, volunteering, donating in your child’s name, or simply showing up for someone who is hurting, these acts become living tributes to the love we carry. Together, we reflect on how kindness can be healing, how it connects us to purpose, and how our babies continue to make an impact through our hearts and hands.

Rituals create rhythm, grounding, and special space for remembrance—especially in seasons filled with memory and emotion. In this episode of our holiday series, we talk about what rituals can look like after loss and how families can thoughtfully incorporate them into everyday life and holiday traditions. From lighting candles and saying names out loud to annual acts of remembrance and quiet moments of reflection, we explore how ritual doesn’t have to be elaborate to be powerful. Join us as we discuss how these sacred practices can help us grieve, remember, and continue carrying our babies with us in intentional ways.

The holidays can make loss feel even heavier—especially when the absence is so deeply felt. In this special holiday series kickoff, we explore the power of physical remembrance and the many ways grieving parents and families honor their babies during this season and beyond. From memory boxes and ornaments to tattoos, journals, and sacred spaces in the home, this episode invites you to reflect on how tangible reminders can hold love, legacy, and connection. Whether you’re just beginning your grief journey or years into it, this conversation offers gentle ideas and heartfelt encouragement to honor your baby in ways that feel meaningful to you.

In this fun and relaxed episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Julie, Tracy, and Falon step away from the heavy topics and invite listeners into a lighthearted “get to know us” conversation.From favorite snacks to go-to activities and small joys that brighten their days, this episode gives you a chance to hear the voices behind the mic in a more personal way. It’s an opportunity to laugh with us, learn something new, and feel a little more connected to the women who show up each week to hold space for grieving families.Whether you’re a longtime listener or tuning in for the first time, this episode offers a sweet glimpse into who we are beyond our roles and our stories. Grab a snack of your own and join us for something a little lighter.

Type of loss: Twin loss, TTTS Stage 4More about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we talk with Rachel Badalamenti as she shares the incredible, emotional, and deeply complex journey that brought her both her sons...Dean and Robbie.After years of infertility, multiple failed IUIs and IVF cycles, and finally finding the right doctor, Rachel learned she was pregnant with twins. What began as overwhelming joy quickly shifted when, at 23 weeks, she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). Despite the fear and uncertainty, Rachel and her husband chose laser surgery in hopes of saving both babies.When Rachel woke from surgery, she learned that her son Dean had passed away due to heart failure. She carried him with his brother, Robbie, all the way to 35 weeks, a gift she calls nothing short of a miracle. On Easter Sunday, Rachel delivered both of her boys, holding the heartbreak of losing Dean alongside the profound gratitude of welcoming her surviving son, Robbie.Rachel opens up about the grief that resurfaces as Robbie reaches milestones, the strength she found through hope, and the vulnerability she brings in sharing both her love and her loss. Her story is a powerful reminder that no parent walks this journey alone.

Type of Loss: StillbirthMore about Maggie & Dave's Story:In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Maggie and Dave Geier share the heartbreaking story of their daughter, Hannah Marie.After a long journey through infertility and surgeries to restore Maggie’s ability to carry a pregnancy, the couple was overjoyed to be expecting their second child. But at just over 17 weeks, Maggie’s water unexpectedly broke, and their world changed in an instant. Despite their prayers and the small hope that Hannah might survive, Maggie went into labor the following day and delivered their precious daughter.Maggie opens up about the trauma of her medical experiences, the compassion and challenges they faced in the hospital, and the deep ache of leaving the hospital without their baby. Together, she and Dave share how they’re navigating the grief that comes after such a devastating and complex loss.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth, Life-limiting diagnosis, Multiple lossesMore about Michael Ann's story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we talk with Michael Ann Thomas as she shares the story of her daughter, Amelia.After experiencing an early miscarriage, Michael Ann and her husband were thrilled to be expecting their baby girl. Everything appeared normal until their 20-week anatomy scan revealed anomalies consistent with a lethal form of skeletal dysplasia. Amelia’s diagnosis meant her chest and limbs were too small to support life outside the womb. At 21 weeks and 5 days, Michael Ann was induced and surrounded by family as they welcomed and said goodbye to their daughter.Michael Ann also reflects on her ongoing journey, now pregnant with a healthy baby boy, and the complex emotions of carrying new life while holding space for grief. Her story is one of love, loss, and the courage to find hope again.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.In this episode, Pam shares an interesting phrase with us 𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚. She shares what it is and how you can have Grief Confidence.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.In this episode, Pam shares how to parent your baby after loss. It may seem like a confusing concept, but she shares ways to do it and the importance of it for your healing journey.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.In this episode, Pam shares the importance of naming your baby and how helpful it can be to your grief journey.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC.In this episode, we ask Pam all the questions we've heard loss parents ask the most.

For the month of October, in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we will be sharing special interviews with Pamela Presler, LCSW, CPLC. In this episode, we introduce Pam, how we met Pam and what she provides the Emma's Footprints community.

Type of Loss: Stillbirth, AbortionMore about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Cara Postma shares the painful and complex journey of losing both her son and her daughter in very different circumstances.Cara speaks bravely about the forced abortion of her son, a loss she was told to keep secret for nearly 20 years, and the deep grief of carrying that silence for so long. She also opens up about the stillbirth of her daughter, a devastating loss compounded by medical negligence.Her story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and the courage it takes to bring hidden grief into the light. Through sharing her journey, Cara reminds us of the importance of giving voice to every loss, no matter how long it has been silenced.

Type of Loss: StillbirthMore about this story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Brittney Dunphy shares the heartbreaking story of her son, Garth. After a long and healthy pregnancy, Brittney went into her 38-week appointment expecting to hear her baby boy’s heartbeat—but instead learned the unimaginable: Garth had passed away.He was stillborn after tying a true knot in his umbilical cord, a tragic and rare event that forever changed Brittney’s life. She opens up about the shock, the grief, and the love she carries for her son.Join us as we honor Garth’s memory and hold space for Brittney’s journey through loss and healing.

Grief doesn’t follow a straight line and triggers can show up anywhere, anytime. In this episode, we talk with Pamela Presler, about what grief triggers really are, why they can feel so overwhelming, and how to navigate them with compassion and care.Pam shares practical strategies for recognizing your own triggers, responding in ways that honor both your grief and your healing, and creating space for growth along the way. Whether it’s a date on the calendar, a place you visit, or an unexpected reminder, this conversation offers hope and tools to walk through those difficult moments.

Type of Loss: Infant lossMore about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we hear from Emily as she shares the story of her son, Charlie. From the very beginning, Charlie’s journey was filled with uncertainty. He was expected not to survive pregnancy and faced a 95% chance of having Down syndrome. Against all odds, he was born and continued to defy expectations.At just five months old, Charlie went into cardiac arrest, leaving lasting neurological impacts. Despite ongoing medical challenges, he lived at home surrounded by love until pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension became too much for his little body to fight. Emily opens up about the many layers of grief she and her family have faced from grieving during pregnancy, through medical crises, and finally in saying goodbye. She shares honestly about the anger, the heartbreak, and the tension between faith and human limitation when it comes to caring for medically complex children.

Type of loss: StillbirthMore about Christina’s story: In this episode, we talk with Christina Fitting as she shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter, Julia. At 38 and a half weeks pregnant, Christina went in for what was supposed to be a routine appointment—only to be told that her baby girl’s heartbeat had stopped.Christina opens up about the shock of hearing those words, the moments that followed, and the lifelong impact of carrying both love and grief for Julia. Through her story, she reminds us that behind every stillbirth statistic is a family forever changed.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

In this episode, Tracy and Julie share everything you need to know about our upcoming Emma’s Footprints Memorial Walks. These special gatherings are a time to say your baby’s name out loud, walk beside others who truly understand, and honor where you are in your grief journey.Whether this will be your very first walk or it has become a yearly tradition, we invite you to join us in remembrance, healing, and connection. Save the dates:🧡 Pittsburgh, PA – September 13 at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center🩷 Erie, PA – September 21 at Penn State Behrend💙 Melbourne, FL – November 15 at Wickham ParkYour baby’s life matters, and we are here to walk beside you.