This episode of the AllPaths podcast features Dr. Kim Murray, a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified perinatal mental health provider, candidly recounting her history of recurrent pregnancy loss, the physical and emotional toll of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), and her and her husband’s struggles with postpartum depression. Dr. Murray’s family building journey was shaped by a generational history of loss where women in her family often experienced one loss for every live birth — a pattern she ultimately mirrored with two miscarriages and two live births. During the two pregnancies carried to term, she dealt with hyperemesis gravidarum, a rare condition that eventually led to the difficult decision to stop after two children despite her dream of having a large family.
Beyond her personal experience, Dr. Murray offers vital professional insights into perinatal mental health, emphasizing that Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are biological and physiological crises, rooted in brain chemistry and hormones, rather than a lack of “grit.” Dr. Murray talks about both her own and her husband’s experiences with postpartum depression and the stark differences in resources and understanding that existed for them. Dr. Murray also offers practical guidance on navigating changing relationships and family dynamics as you grow your family, such as how to talk to young children about pregnancy loss. Ultimately, Dr. Murray punctuates the discussion with a message of grace: if you’re struggling with mental or physical health during this complex time it is not your fault.
Connect with Dr. Murray at https://www.safehavenfamilytherapy.com/.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with perinatal mental health, reach out to Postpartum Support International for support and resources.
Dr. Kim Murray, LMFT, PMH-C is a mom of 2 little girls and is married to her best friend. She is a mental health therapist in Colorado and Wyoming, specializing in perinatal mental health, to include the journey of conception, pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. She also specializes in couples therapy, supporting both partners through these moments. Dr. Murray has experienced pregnancy loss, as well as postpartum depression and anxiety herself, giving her a deep understanding of how challenging the path into parenthood can be.
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