On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, an anonymous guest joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-being a “normal” frum (religious) woman—living the life she always imagined…until everything changed

-the agonizing journey of facing a devastating diagnosis, weeks of uncertainty, and the unbearable weight of an unthinkable decision

-her story of pain, grief, and resilience

-a glimpse into the realities of TFMR (Termination for Medical Reasons) in the frum community

Disclaimer: The voices in this episode have been altered using AI to ensure anonymity of our guest.

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Chani Melamed joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-our last conversation, around Mother's day, where she shared her fervent belief that she would one day be a mother...even after 14 years of marriage

-how 5 months ago, her daughter was born! (I sobbed when she told me). And I knew, that when she was ready, I wanted her to share the story of her pregnancy

-the years of infertility, this time with the lens of what kinds of things they did to try to have a child

-numerous medical procedures, doctor appointments, looking into adoption, waiting, waiting, and more waiting, and davening (praying)

-the anxiety of finally being pregnant, parenting after infertility and some of the comments that people (still) make to her. Sigh.

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-Follow her on Instagram

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Shira Collings joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-her medical trauma, and she never thought she would get to a place where she would feel comfortable having a baby

-how she and her husband pursued adoption, but soon discovered that there were all kinds of issues that arose with that path to parenthood as well

-returning to trying to get pregnant naturally, but becoming plagued with recurrent loss and Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)

-her complicated feelings during all parts of the process, what kinds of support she needed to get through each stage, and where she is now in the process (she’s 30 weeks pregnant)

Books mentioned “The Baby Decision” and “Motherhood- Is it for me?”

More about Shira:

Shira Collings, MS, NCC, LPC (she/they) is a psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She primarily specializes in eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image, and is especially passionate about providing LGBTQ+-affirming, neurodiversity-affirming, and fat-affirming eating disorder care. Shira’s personal experience with pregnancy loss sparked their passion for supporting those who are struggling to build their families as well.

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-Send her an email

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Michelle (Malka) Grunstein, LMFT CATC-IV, joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-the beginning of her journey to becoming a SMBC

-how she is finally pregnant again (after three early losses) and gives us a window into the process

-how she needed to do IVF and use a sperm donor, which were both completely new experiences for her

-dealing with some complications which forced her on bed rest

-the insensitive comments from IRL friends and people on the internet…sigh

More about Michelle (Malka) Grunstein:

Michelle is a licensed therapist who is multifaceted. Some of her specialties include child and adolescent development, addiction, trauma (EMDR), grief, depression, and anxiety. She is currently the Clinical Director and Executive Director of multiple dual diagnosis treatment centers, catering to those struggling with mental health and addiction. Michelle's difficult childhood lead her to become a therapist as a young adult and she has built her career with the focus of helping others. Despite attempts at dating and building a family throughout adulthood, she has been unable to do so due to a combination of infertility and not finding "the one". Michelle has chosen to fulfill her dream of becoming a mom through the use of a donor and has been on the journey of becoming a solo mom by choice for the last few years.

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Sharon Cabelly joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-how she has NEVER gotten over her pain

-her rich and full life as a teacher - a job that she adored

-how she yearned for a large family

-her medical issues, that meant she was only able to have one child (and now three grandchildren)

-how the comments have never stopped, people constantly ask her why she only has one, even to this day

-her story, bringing these insensitive comments to light, so others will learn what NOT to say when meeting someone for the first time

More about Sharon:

I am a retired early childhood educator. I have written and recorded eight children's books, which are in the process of being published. I love reading to children all over the world, especially those who are in hospitals or ill at home. I enjoy speaking on podcasts, sharing my journey and talking about my books. Giving back to the world is what throws me out of bed each and every day.

I want to help anyone that I can who has experienced a loss during pregnancy. It is especially important to me to change the way that people speak to others, with insensitivity and incessant questions. The more that we talk about these issues, the more that we will be able to change the trajectory of this narrative.

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On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Nechamie Stefansky joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-having endured struggle earlier on in her life

-her fear of infertility

-why it was important for her to talk about her story

-how secondary infertility has healed parts of her she wasn’t ready to face until she had no choice

-how grieving her two losses (a miscarriage and chemical pregnancy) was an important piece of her healing, and how yoga grounded her during this journey

-how she tries to maintain a positive but realistic attitude, which helps her have strength to move forward

More about Nechamie:

I live in Monsey, NY with my husband and two beautiful daughters. I’m a yoga instructor for both adults and children, as well as a remedial teacher. I’m doing my best to navigate the challenges of secondary infertility, while also finding joy and peace in my life.

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DISCLAIMER: This episode talks about the original sources where infertilty and pregnancy loss are discussed. Topics and ideas mentioned here may be triggering or comforting for people, depending on where you are on your journey. Please be advised.

On this episode of Talking Away The Taboo, Hadassah Shemtov, the cofounder of the “Batsheva Learning Center” joins Aimee Baron, MD to talk about...

-a number of the sources that discuss infertility and pregnancy loss

-her hope that having this knowledge could help shape the way people process and relate to some of the difficult experiences that they are having on their journey

-the concept of being “busy with” Pe’ru U’revu (being fruitful and multiply) versus “fulfilling” the mitzvah (commandment) of Pe’ru U’revu

-how adoption or raising someone else’s child is considered the same as being a biological parent

-the essential value of a jewish soul, from the time of conception, even if that soul doesn’t become a live child

More about Hadassah:

Hadassah co-founded Batsheva Learning Center in 2015 and continues to shape the organization’s vision and direct its ongoing activities. She is passionate about education and excited about creating innovative learning opportunities for women. She lives in Los Angeles where she directs the Beis Midrash track at Ohel Chana High School.

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-Follow Batsheva Learning Center on Instagram

-Check out their courses

-Subscribe to her Substack

-Listen to their podcast

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