What happens when a doctor becomes the patient—and experiences the very loss she’s spent years helping others navigate?

In this deeply moving episode of The Birth Squad, we sit down with Dr. Margaret Towolawi—family medicine physician, author, speaker, and founder of multiple wellness-focused practices including Nurture Well Center and SkinStatMD. Dr. Towolawi opens up about her personal journey through cervical insufficiency and second-trimester pregnancy loss, offering both clinical insight and raw vulnerability.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced pregnancy loss—or walked beside someone who has. From warning signs to diagnosis, treatment options to emotional recovery, we’re breaking the silence around an often-overlooked condition and offering hope through shared experience.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What cervical insufficiency is—and why it’s often missed
• Dr. Towolawi’s own story of pregnancy loss as a physician and mother
• Current treatment options, including cerclage and progesterone
• The emotional toll of loss and the process of healing
• How we can better support families facing second-trimester loss

Connect with Dr. Margaret Towolawi:

• Clinical Practice: www.margarettowolawimd.com
• Primary Care: www.nurturewellcenter.com
• Skin Care: www.skinstatmd.com
• Speaking Engagements: admin@margarettowolawimd.com
• Children’s Book: Ayomide’s Train Ride to Graceland – Buy on Amazon

Resources for Pregnancy Loss Support:

• Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support

• Star Legacy Foundation

• Return to Zero: HOPE

• Postpartum Support International

If you’ve walked this road, or are walking it now—you are not alone. Share your story in the comments or reach out to connect. We see you. We honor you.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share The Birth Squad—where real moms share real stories, every other Sunday.

#PregnancyLoss #CervicalInsufficiency #HealingAfterLoss #TheBirthSquad #MaternalHealth #BlackMaternalHealth #RealTalkHealing

What happens when an emergency room doctor turns her focus from trauma bays to baby blues?

In this powerful episode of The Birth Squad, we’re joined by Dr. Phindile Chowa—board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, CEO of EMCare2U, and author of What to Expect Next: A Postpartum Guide for A Healthy, Happy Mom. She’s also the host of The 4th Trimester Podcast, where she dives deep into what really happens after birth—the messy, beautiful, often ignored chapter of postpartum healing.

Dr. Chowa pulls back the curtain on the real fourth trimester, sharing insights from both her medical background and personal journey. Whether you’re in the thick of new motherhood or preparing for what’s ahead, this conversation is your invitation to feel seen, heard, and supported.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear: ✔️ Why even doctors are surprised by the reality of postpartum ✔️ How to build your postpartum care plan BEFORE baby arrives ✔️ The truth about mental, emotional, and physical healing ✔️ What ER visits can teach us about what’s missing in postpartum care ✔️ Dr. Chowa’s mission to make postpartum support accessible, mobile, and real

🩺 Connect with Dr. Phindile Chowa: 📘 What to Expect Next: A Postpartum Guide for A Healthy, Happy Mom – Buy on Amazon 🌐 Website: www.emcare2u.com 📸 Instagram: @drphindile 🎙️ Podcast: The 4th Trimester on Spotify ▶️ YouTube: @The4thTrimester

💬 Have you experienced the “invisible” 4th trimester? Share your story in the comments—we see you.

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode of The Birth Squad—where real moms share real stories every other Sunday.

What happens when a powerhouse entrepreneur and top-selling realtor trades closing deals for contractions—and chooses to birth her baby at home?

Today on The Birth Squad, we’re joined by Shalaya Shipman, a real estate broker, entrepreneur, and fearless first-time mama— to hear her inspiring, no-filter story of planning and experiencing a home birth. From client meetings to contractions, Shalaya opens up about navigating business, birth prep, and the empowering decision to bring her baby into the world on her own terms.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:✔️ Why Shalaya chose a home birth (and how people reacted)

✔️ How being a bonus mom shaped her approach to pregnancy and birth✔️ The mindset shift from boss mode to birth mode✔️ The moment she knew she could do it—and did

✔️ The support system that made all the difference

🎙️“I think women need to trust their bodies and lead with that.”

💪🏾 Whether you’re a birth worker, a business owner, or a mama-to-be weighing your options, Shalaya’s story will leave you fired up and fearless about following your own path.

💬 Have you had (or considered) a home birth? Tell us in the comments — we love hearing your stories.

🏠 Connect with Shalaya Shipman and her real estate work (🏆 Featured on HGTV):

📲 Instagram: @shayanee

🏡 Real Estate Services: www.shalayashipman.com

📍From the Bay to LA — 🗝️ Voted Top 10 In CA Real Estate By  News

🔔 Like, subscribe, and tap the bell to get raw, real birth stories every other Sunday!

🎙️ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms: https://open.spotify.com/show/5oUKy30oJQPTYzK25kVLlw?si=ab88aa2fbe3e4153

🔗 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCucYqnP446Gp86B-1gISc6g