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In a recent episode of the Healthful Woman podcast, “Gabrielle’s Story, Part 1: Bad Experiences, Time for a Change,” host Dr. Nathan Fox speaks with Gabrielle Moskovitz, a licensed social worker with a focus on maternal mental health. Gabrielle shares her personal birth story, detailing the challenges of early pregnancy loss, a difficult delivery, and her path toward a career supporting pregnant women through similar experiences.

Gabrielle’s First Pregnancy and Healthy Delivery

After relocating to New York City following her husband’s graduation from medical school in Israel, Gabrielle and her husband were ready to begin growing their family. Her first visit to an OB-GYN left her without much direction, so she sought a second opinion. This doctor diagnosed her with PCOS and advised against waiting six months to a year to become pregnant. Instead, Gabrielle discontinued birth control pills and began treatment with Clomid. After two cycles, she became pregnant and had a healthy baby and vaginal delivery at 38 weeks.

Gabrielle’s Second Pregnancy and Miscarriage

When their son turned one, Gabrielle and her husband decided to try for a second child. This time, Clomid was not effective,, differing from her first pregnancy outcome. After six months and a trial of letrozole, they were referred to a fertility specialist. They suggested beginning with another round of Clomid, accompanied by a trigger shot, and Gabrielle became pregnant again. Early ultrasounds were reassuring, but at her nine-week appointment, her OB could not detect a heartbeat. Although initially reassuring, the pregnancy ended in what her OB confirmed as an inevitable miscarriage. She and her husband opted for a D&C, a common surgical treatment for managing pregnancy tissue when miscarriages happen. “Those ten days between finding out and the procedure were the most difficult part,” Gabrielle said. Fortunately, the D&C itself was uncomplicated and her physical recovery was smooth.

Gabrielle’s Third Pregnancy and C-Section Delivery

After recovering and dealing with feelings of grief from her miscarriage of her unborn child, Gabrielle moved forward with fertility plans but became pregnant again before starting another treatment cycle. Although the pregnancy progressed without incident, her anxiety remained high due to her previous miscarriage. At 36 weeks and 5 days, Gabrielle experienced significant bleeding and could not feel fetal movement. She called her doctor and was told to come to the hospital immediately. At the hospital, a placental abruption was suspected, and induction was recommended. When labor did not progress, she underwent a C-section. While the baby was healthy, Gabrielle struggled with her recovery and felt the birth process was not what she had hoped for.

Gabrielle’s Postpartum Care and Interest in Maternal Mental Health

Gabrielle had been attending therapy since her first son was a few months old to manage postpartum anxiety. Following her second delivery, she continued to work with her therapist and began reflecting more seriously on her own interest in maternal mental health. That experience pushed her to pursue becoming a therapist for women’s health support, as she realized how important it is to feel understood in those moments.

Gabrielle’s Fourth Pregnancy and Loss

Gabrielle became pregnant again just four months after her C-section. Around eight weeks, she experienced spotting and felt her concerns were brushed off by her OB. She contacted Dr. Fox, who offered to scan her after hours, but Gabrielle ultimately chose to visit the ER that evening after continued bleeding. At the hospital, an ultrasound confirmed that she had miscarried. She later followed up with her OB to confirm that the miscarriage had passed and decided to transfer care elsewhere.

Gabrielle’s Postpartum Depression and Fifth Pregnancy

Following her second miscarriage, Gabrielle began treatment for postpartum depression, including starting medication. Not long afterward, she became pregnant again and chose Dr. Fox as her OB moving forward, confident that she would receive the level of support she needed.

Certain health conditions, like PCOS, can increase the miscarriage risk or place patients at greater risk for complications, but working with a trusted healthcare provider can make a meaningful difference. Understanding how miscarriages occur, and knowing the available treatment options, helps women and families navigating loss.

Listen to Part Two of the Healthful Woman Podcast

To hear more about Gabrielle’s journey and how her experiences continued to shape her personal and professional life, listen to Part Two of her story on the Healthful Woman podcast. For imaging care, contact Carnegie Imaging for Women by completing our online contact form. For pregnancy care, contact Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates through the online form.

Carnegie Imaging for Women blogs are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace certified professional care. Medical conditions vary and change frequently. Please ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your condition to receive a proper diagnosis or risk analysis. Thank you!