In this deeply moving episode of the Star Legacy Foundation podcast, we sit down with Rachell Dumas, founder of A Light After Nine. Rachell shares her personal journey through the heartbreak of nine pregnancy losses and how she transformed her grief into a mission to support other families navigating the unimaginable. Learn how she created A Light After Nine to honor her children, bring hope, and build a community of comfort and healing for families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. This conversation is both heart-wrenching and inspiring, offering compassion, insight, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, light can be found.

In this episode, Dr. Ponnila Marinescu, MFM specialist and faculty at the University of Rochester Medical, joins us to talk about perinatal palliative care, and how she’s preparing future clinicians to both prevent loss and compassionately support families when it occurs.

Dr. Mana Parast, Director of Perinatal Pathology at UC San Diego and physician-scientist leading groundbreaking research on placental development and pregnancy outcomes. Dr. Parast’s work spans from studying placental pathology in stillbirth and cord accidents, to creating innovative stem cell “disease-in-a-dish” models for disorders like pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Most recently, she co-founded the Center for Perinatal Discovery at UCSD, uniting experts to better understand and prevent placenta-based complications, including stillbirth.

In this episode, we welcome Jane Warland – midwife, researcher, and advocate – who joins us to discuss the Wince Project. This culturally sensitive stillbirth awareness initiative is working to help prevent stillbirth in Australia’s Indigenous communities through respectful engagement, education, and collaboration.

A conversation exploring perspectives on pregnancy, health, and approaches to loss prevention.

From addressing racial disparities in patient care to emphasizing the importance of including partners, prioritizing preventive care before pregnancy, and tailoring care to each individual—these ladies cover a lot of ground. Join us for a meaningful conversation during Black Maternal Health Week as we explore what it truly means to provide culturally humble care in the perinatal setting.

A discussion highlighting insights and experiences related to Birth With Dignity.