Raw Mama Talks is a motherhood podcast about infertility, IVF, pregnancy complications, postpartum healing, and all the unexpected, messy, beautiful moments that come with becoming a mom. It’s a space for the stories we don’t always share out loud, the ones that deserve to be heard.
Hosted by Ashley Hernandez, a mom who has experienced infertility, pregnancy complications including placenta accreta, and the early stages of motherhood, she shares real stories of the journey to motherhood and overcoming the unexpected.
No filters. Just truth, healing, and connection. Whether you’re in it, been
S2 E2: Understanding the Role of Anesthesiology in Women's Health: Insights from Dr. Maria Sheikh
What does your anesthesiologist actually do during childbirth—and what happens behind the scenes when a delivery becomes high-risk?
In this episode of Raw Mama Talks, Ashley sits down with OB anesthesiologist Dr. Maria Sheikh for a conversation about the often-overlooked role of anesthesia in maternity care.
They talk about what the anesthesia team is watching for during labor and delivery, how they prepare for complications like hemorrhage and placenta accreta—a serious pregnancy complication now affecting approximately 1 in 272 pregnancies—and the split-second decisions happening behind the scenes that patients may never realize are being made.
Ashley and Dr. Sheikh also get into the way childbirth is portrayed on social media, the reality that even seemingly straightforward deliveries can change quickly, and why understanding risk doesn't have to mean approaching birth with fear.
They also discuss the human side of high-risk obstetrics—the emotional impact these deliveries can have on both patients and the medical professionals caring for them.
Whether you're preparing for birth, have experienced a complicated delivery, or have ever wondered who is behind the curtain keeping things running when the unexpected happens, this conversation offers a perspective we don't hear nearly enough.
In this episode:
What an OB anesthesiologist actually does
Anesthesia during childbirth and C-sections
Why placenta accreta is becoming more common
Hemorrhage and high-risk delivery preparation
What happens when a birth changes unexpectedly
Social media vs. the realities of childbirth
The emotional side of high-risk obstetric care
If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to follow the show, share it with another mama who might need to hear it, and leave a review so other families can find these stories.
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @rawmamatalks
TikTok: @rawmamatalks
Share this with another mama who needs to hear it.
8 Jan 2026
S2 E1: Placenta Accreta & High-Risk Pregnancy — Caroline’s Story
Season 2 of Raw Mama Talks begins with an honest conversation about placenta accreta, high-risk pregnancy, and motherhood when things don’t go as planned.
In this episode, Ashley is joined by placenta accreta survivor Caroline, who was diagnosed during her second pregnancy. Together, they share a real, thoughtful conversation about fear, uncertainty, birth trauma, survival, and healing.
This episode is for anyone who has experienced placenta accreta, a high-risk pregnancy, or motherhood that looks different than expected.
Season 2 starts here.
If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to follow the show, share it with another mama who might need to hear it, and leave a review so other families can find these stories.
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @rawmamatalks
TikTok: @rawmamatalks
Share this with another mama who need to hear it
17 Oct 2025
Whew.. what a season
Whew… what a season it’s been. When I started Raw Mama Talks, I never expected it to grow into the community it has — a space for real, unfiltered conversations about IVF, birth trauma, postpartum, and the unexpected sides of motherhood.
In this season finale, I’m taking a moment to pause and reflect — on what made me start, what I’ve learned from these stories, and how sharing my own journey opened doors for so many other mamas to do the same. I’m also talking about what’s next: a little break before Season 2, but don’t worry — Coffee & Confessions will still be brewing.
If you’ve been here since episode one, or you’re just finding us now — thank you. Your messages, your stories, your support… it’s meant everything. Season 2 is already shaping up to be bigger, deeper, and full of incredible new voices (and maybe a few surprises).
Stay tuned, mama — we’re just getting started.
Let’s connect:
Instagram: @rawmamatalks
TikTok: @rawmamatalks
Share this with a mama who needs to hear it
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
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