In this episode we are joined by Ana Lepe Vick, a fierce advocate, educator, and bereaved mother to share her journey through loss, trauma, and relentless advocacy. Ana opens up about the stillbirth of her son, Owen, after a textbook pregnancy, and the long, heartbreaking road of unanswered questions, birth trauma, and healing that followed.

She brings us into the world of advocacy she co-created through Push for Empowered Pregnancy, a movement working to prevent stillbirth through awareness, policy change, and provider education.

Ana reminds us that grief and trauma don’t end in the hospital and that motherhood, in all its forms, doesn’t either.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

👶 Ana’s birth story with Owen and the lack of answers that followed
🗣️ Why she’s speaking out: “I’m still his mother. I’ll never stop talking about him.”
📉 The shockingly low awareness and training around fetal movement and stillbirth
🎗 How Ana co-founded Push for Empowered Pregnancy and turned grief into action
📣 Behind the scenes of advocating on Capitol Hill and passing prevention legislation
🍼 What every parent should know about counting kicks and recognizing fetal movement changes
📊 Why third-trimester ultrasounds and cord/placenta checks are critical and often missed
🧠 The ongoing trauma of stillbirth for both mothers and partners
💪 Ana’s message to every parent: “This is how I mother my son. By fighting for yours.”

Resources & Mentions:

🔗 Push for Empowered Pregnancy: pushpregnancy.org
🎬 Push Documentary: stillnessisanillness.com
📱 Ana’s Instagram: @stillmyson
📱 Follow the movement: @pushpregnancy
📲 Kick counting app: Count the Kicks
🧾 Consensus Statement on Fetal Movement: Available on Push Pregnancy’s website

Guest Info:

Ana Lepe Vick is a bilingual Latina maternal health advocate based in North Carolina who is a Co-Founder and Director of Communications for PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy. After the unexpected stillbirth of her son Owen, Ana spent five years searching for answers—until a placental pathologist uncovered the cause, igniting her mission to help other babies have a safe arrival. Through PUSH, Ana leads national awareness campaigns, advocates for policy change from North Carolina to Capitol Hill, and works to ensure all families—regardless of language, background, or location—have access to evidence-based stillbirth prevention tools. She also serves as the Latinx Influencer Advisor for Count the Kicks and speaks openly about grief, mental health, paid family leave for loss moms and the urgent need to improve maternity care in the U.S.

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Disclaimer - The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official stance, views, or positions of The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast. The content shared is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional or medical advice and/or endorsement.