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Vulnerability, Love and Loss with Anna Pfundstein

In this episode of the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine Leach and Sarah Adelmann engage in a heartfelt conversation with Anna Pfundstein, a birth doula, about the profound themes of vulnerability and love in the context of motherhood, loss and birth. Anna shares her personal experience of being a doula, mother and someone who has lost four babies through miscarriage. She shares how she found strength and connection being vulnerable with loved ones, emphasizing that vulnerability is not just about seeking peace but also about embracing the complexities of life, including the pain and risk that can come with vulnerability. The discussion explores how vulnerability can lead to deeper connections and the beauty that can emerge from difficult experiences, ultimately highlighting the intersection of love and loss in the journey of parenthood.

 Keywords: vulnerability, love, birth, grief, loss, miscarriage, motherhood, doula, personal stories, home birth transfer

 Takeaways

  • Vulnerability is essential for deep connections.
  • Sharing experiences of loss can foster community and support.
  • We can allow ourselves to feel both joy and sorrow.
  • Vulnerability does not guarantee peace but is still worth pursuing.
  • Being open about one's journey can help others feel less alone.
  • The beauty of birth is intertwined with the risks of vulnerability.
  • Navigating personal loss requires time and self-compassion.
  • It's okay to not be ready to be vulnerable at all times.

 Sound Bites

  • "To love at all is to be vulnerable."
  • "Vulnerability is a really scary thing."
  • "I think vulnerability is worth the risk."
  • "There's so much beauty in vulnerability."
  • "We were made to love, we were made to be loved."
  • "It's okay to say I'm not ready for that right now."
  • "Letting both things be true helps me a lot."

 Chapters:

00:00 The Power of Vulnerability

12:54 Navigating Personal Loss and Grief

25:07 The Intersection of Love and Vulnerability

38:55 Finding Joy Amidst Pain

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence and is currently working towards a Masters in Counselling.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's trainings: https://www.resilientbirth.com/workshops

Anna Pfundstein lives in Northern Illinois with her husband, Teddy, her son, Charlie, and she has a little girl on the way! Anna is a Birth Doula who is passionate about physiological birth and supporting families as they welcome their little ones. She loves being creative and granny hobbies; you can frequently find her crocheting or embroidering something and she loves to paint or draw when she gets some kid free time :)