Ep 227: Fighting Stillbirth with Elizabeth O’Donnell of Aaliyah in Action

Birth With Power

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins

Parenting, Kids & Family

4.9 • 637 Ratings

🗓️ 3 October 2023

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Addressing stillbirth can be a sensitive and challenging topic but it’s an essential one. Like with anything else in birth, it’s always better to learn about every possible outcome, even the ones you don’t want. Besides educating yourself, it’s important to listen to this episode because parents who have experienced stillbirth don’t deserve to suffer in silence. Avoiding their stories out of fear that it might affect your own pregnancy denies support to those who need it most. If it happened to you, wouldn’t you want others to hear your story?

Elizabeth started the non-profit Aaliyah in Action after her personal experience with stillbirth. Losing her daughter during pregnancy made her acutely aware of the system’s lack of support for grieving parents. In response, she stepped up to fill that gap, now offering the helping hand she wishes she would’ve had during that challenging time.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

How Elizabeth channeled her grief into helping other families
How she learned about her baby’s passing and figured out the process for delivery
Why she still tried to stick to her birth plan and brought in her doula
Why Aaliyah in Action prefers to send packages to hospitals rather than directly to homes (though they do that, too!)
What comes in the self-care packages
What are some dos and don’ts for supporting those who have suffered a loss

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode227

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This is one of the most heartbreaking, but also inspiring episodes that I have recorded. It's with
0:08.1	Elizabeth O'Donnell from Aalia inaction and warning it involves stillbirth. Welcome to the
0:20.6	All About Pregnancy and Birth Podcast.
0:23.8	I'm Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankin's, a board-certified OBGYN who's been in practice for nearly 15 years.
0:30.4	I've had the privilege of helping over 1,000 babies into this world, and I'm here to help you be calm, confident, and empowered to have a
0:40.0	beautiful pregnancy in birth. Quick note, this podcast is for educational purposes only, and is not
0:46.2	a substitute for medical advice. Check out the full disclaimer at Dr. Nicole Rankins.com
0:51.7	forward slash disclaimer. Now let's get to it.
0:59.0	Pregnancy can be overwhelming, but your inbox doesn't have to be. The Birth with Power
1:05.3	Brief is my free weekly newsletter with expert tips, real talk, and support you can actually use. No pressure,
1:15.3	no preachy advice, just a breath of fresh air in your inbox every Thursday. Come join me at
1:22.7	Dr. Nicole Rankins.com forward slash email. Hello there. Welcome to another episode of the podcast. This is
1:31.2	episode number 227, whether you are a new listener or a returning listener, I'm grateful that you're
1:37.8	spending some time with me today. Now, in today's episode of the podcast, we have Liz O'Donnell.
1:44.2	She is a former elementary school teacher who now focuses on Aaliyah in Action and
1:50.2	Stillbirth Prevention and Advocacy full time.
1:53.8	Aaliyah in Action is an organization that she founded after the death of her daughter Aaliyah by stillbirth.
2:03.2	The organization provides women, bir people and families comfort as they take steps towards healing after the loss of their
2:08.4	baby. They provide self-care packages for free to those who've experienced a stillbirth.
2:15.6	Now, stepping into the nonprofit world and out of the classroom is a transition Elizabeth
2:20.2	never thought she'd be making.
2:22.4	But since the death of Aaliyah, she realizes that her job as a mother is to establish a legacy
	...

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