Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Sharna Southern, a pregnancy loss practitioner who helps women navigate the difficult journey of pregnancy loss. Sharna shares her personal story and how it led her to create a program that trains others to support women through pregnancy loss.
Sharna’s Loss Story
After trying to conceive for five years, Sharna finally became pregnant. However, her joy was short-lived as she learned at her first ultrasound that there was no heartbeat. This devastating loss changed everything for her.
“I didn’t even know that was my worst nightmare until I was living it,” Sharna recalls. Like many women who experience pregnancy loss, she struggled with feelings of guilt and self-blame.
Transforming Pain into Purpose
Sharna’s loss experience became a catalyst for significant changes in her life. She reevaluated her relationships, career, and overall purpose. “It shifted everything. It changed who I was, but it also was beautiful in a way because I could choose my life again,” she explains.
Her background as a dental nurse, where she supported patients through vulnerable moments, laid the foundation for her future work. Sharna realized she had a gift for helping others through difficult times, which eventually led her to create a program for pregnancy loss support.
The Pregnancy Loss Practitioner Program
Recognizing the lack of comprehensive support for women experiencing pregnancy loss, Sharna developed a program to train others to become pregnancy loss practitioners. The program covers:
- Three key transitional phases of healing
- Tools for self-support between sessions
- Education on different types of pregnancy loss
- Deeper understanding of grief and bereavement
- Business foundations for practitioners
The program has attracted women from various backgrounds, including those who have experienced multiple losses, infant loss, and terminations for medical reasons.
Impact and Future Vision
Graduates of Sharna’s program have gone on to offer coaching services, start grief circles, integrate pregnancy loss support into existing counseling practices, and even plan retreats. Sharna’s work is creating a ripple effect, providing much-needed support for women experiencing pregnancy loss.
“I believe that by creating more support, it’s giving women more permission to experience their story, to talk about their baby, to remember and honor them,” Sharna says. “And in turn, that helps them heal in a better way.”
Honoring Angel Babies
Sharna views her work as a way to honor her own angel baby and help other women do the same. She encourages women to talk to their babies and remember them without fear of judgment or dismissal.
“I often thank my angel baby for shifting the trajectory of my life,” Sharna shares. “As much as it was a heartbreaking experience, that short period of time was enough to change everything for me.”
For those interested in learning more about Sharna’s work or the pregnancy loss practitioner program, you can find her on Instagram at @institute_of_healing_pl or visit her website at www.sharnasouthan.com.
Sharna’s story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there can be opportunities for growth, healing, and helping others. By sharing our experiences and supporting one another, we can create a more compassionate world for those navigating the difficult journey of pregnancy loss.
Jennifer Senn is a certified life coach who is also a bereaved mom of twin girls born at 32 weeks. She helps stillbirth moms let go of guilt, process their grief, and figure out what’s next for their future. You can learn more about her and schedule a free support session at jennifersenn.com.
