In this episode of Finding Hope After Loss, Kassandra shares her experience with TFMR (termination for medical reasons) after her baby Atlas was diagnosed with anencephaly. After being diagnosed with PCOS and a uterine abnormality at a young age and told she would never be able to get pregnant, Kassandra never imagined she would face the devastating reality of ending a deeply wanted pregnancy.
Kassandra opens up about receiving the diagnosis at her 13-week appointment, navigating the impossible decisions surrounding TFMR, and the emotional trauma of losing her son Atlas. She also shares the lasting impact grief has had on her identity, motherhood, and mental health, even after welcoming her rainbow baby daughter.
Throughout the episode, Kassandra discusses the stigma TFMR moms often face, why TFMR families deserve support within the pregnancy loss community, and the importance of talking openly about termination for medical reasons and fatal prenatal diagnoses like anencephaly.
This episode is for anyone navigating TFMR, pregnancy loss, infertility, PCOS, grief after loss, or the emotional complexity of parenting after loss.
Table of Contents
In This Episode
- TFMR (termination for medical reasons)
- Anencephaly diagnosis
- Ending a wanted pregnancy
- Grief after TFMR
- Supporting TFMR families
- PCOS and infertility
- Uterine abnormalities and pregnancy
- Rainbow baby after loss
- Parenting after pregnancy loss
- Stigma surrounding TFMR
Memorable Quotes
“I didn’t even know about TFMR before this.”
“I tried to give my baby the best last week with me that I could.”
“To be met with slander over having to terminate a very wanted baby — no one deserves that.”
“TFMR moms need that extra support and need to know they belong in the loss community too.”
“A lot of people think once you have a rainbow baby, the grief is closed up. But it’s just reopened.”
About Kassandra
Kassandra is a loss mom of two and mother to one rainbow baby daughter. After being told she would never become pregnant due to PCOS and a uterine abnormality, she later experienced TFMR after her son Atlas was diagnosed with anencephaly. Through sharing her story, she hopes to help TFMR families feel less isolated and more supported.
Related Episodes
Calyn’s Story: TFMR, Vanishing Twin, and Rainbow Baby
Robin’s Story: TFMR, Giant Omphalocele, Rainbow Baby
Carmen: Recurrent Loss, Miscarriage, TFMR
If Kassandra’s story resonated with you, please consider sharing this episode with someone navigating TFMR, infertility, pregnancy loss, or grief after ending a wanted pregnancy. Stories like these help TFMR families feel seen, supported, and less alone.
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