The Hardest Choice: A Real Story of Pregnancy Loss, Medical Abortion, and Healing

The Hardest Choice: A Real Story of Pregnancy Loss, Medical Abortion, and Healing

As heard on A Holistic Dose Podcast

When you imagine growing your family, you dream about names, nursery colors, strollers, and road trips with your kids in the back seat. For Tiffany, co-host of A Holistic Dose, those dreams were just starting to take shape. Already a mother to a two-year-old daughter, she was excited to welcome a second child into their lives. But at a routine ultrasound during her sixth month of pregnancy, everything changed.

This is her story—one that touches on grief, medical trauma, reproductive health, and resilience. It's a story far too many women experience but not enough talk about.

A Fatal Diagnosis: Tuberous Sclerosis at 24 Weeks

Tiffany's baby boy was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in vital organs, including the heart and brain. The diagnosis came after doctors discovered three tumors in the baby’s heart. The specialists were clear: the prognosis was poor. The baby would require immediate surgery at birth—if he survived.

Tuberous Sclerosis affects approximately 1 in 6,000 births. It’s unpredictable, incurable, and can lead to complications like seizures, cognitive impairments, and organ failure.

Doctors subtly hinted at her limited options. Because of restrictive abortion laws in Georgia, Tiffany and her then-husband had to travel out of state to access medical abortion care.

The Journey to Maryland: Meeting Dr. LeRoy Carhart

In her desperate search for a provider, Tiffany found Dr. LeRoy Carhart, one of only two doctors in the U.S. at the time who could legally and safely perform a late-term abortion for medical reasons. The other provider was out of the country.

Dr. Carhart, a renowned abortion provider and activist, had dedicated his life to safe reproductive care. He trained over 300 physicians and fought for the right of women to access safe abortions—even under extreme circumstances. Tiffany began the procedure on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2013.

“He didn’t just provide care—he made you feel seen. His clinic was a place of dignity and compassion.”

Dr. Carhart passed away in April 2023 at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy of care that saved countless lives.

Labor, Loss, and Love

Over several days, Tiffany returned to the clinic for the insertion of laminaria, a natural dilator used to induce labor. Her mother—an experienced nurse who had worked in abortion care—was by her side during the delivery. It was one of the hardest decisions Tiffany had ever made. Yet in that moment, she knew her safety, dignity, and emotional survival mattered.

Going Back to Normal (Too Soon)

Just one week later, Tiffany returned to work. At the time, she was an art director at one of the world’s largest baby clothing brands. Surrounded by photoshoots, baby clothes, and tiny models, she requested that her colleagues treat her "normally." She needed to feel strong. She wanted to keep going.

But beneath the surface, she was grieving.

A Moment of Gratitude

In this episode, Tiffany also reflects on the people who helped her hold it all together:

• Her mother, who was strong and steady when everything else was falling apart.

• Dr. Carhart and his wife, Mary, who wrapped her in care when the world felt cruel.

• Her now co-host and friend, who offered a thoughtful care basket in the early days of their friendship—an act of kindness Tiffany never forgot.

Why This Story Matters

Tiffany’s experience is one that countless women endure—quietly, painfully, and often without support. Whether due to rare medical diagnoses, lack of access to care, or societal stigma, pregnancy loss and medical abortion are deeply misunderstood.

By sharing her story, Tiffany hopes to remind others that they are not alone. That there is strength in truth, and healing in community.

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This story deserves your full attention.

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