"A Mother's Intuition Is Data" — Cara Groves on the Stillbirth of Her Son, and Pregnancy After Loss
Cara Groves is a family doctor in the West Lincoln region of Ontario. In April 2025, at 38 weeks pregnant, Cara and her husband Sean's son Callum was born still, suspected to be caused by a rare hypocoiled umbilical cord her own OB had never seen before. Three months later, Cara was pregnant again. Her son Dale was born in March 2026, less than a year after his brother, and delivered by the same OB.
We talk about:
The hypocoiled cord found at 30 weeks, suspected as the cause, that no one could fully explain
Laboring for four days at the hospital, and the moment her OB told her Callum was gone
Choosing to spend the night with Callum after he was born, and the family members who met him
The decision to try again just three months later, and getting pregnant faster than expected
Being induced at 37 weeks with Dale, one week ahead of when she lost Callum
The same OB and nurse from Callum's birth being there for Dale's delivery
The half marathon her friend organized in Callum's name
The gap Cara sees in bereavement training for medical providers, and her push to help close it
This episode is a reminder that grief and love can exist in the same body at the same time, and that birth, even after loss, can still hold moments of peace.
Get to Know Cara:
Cara Groves is a family doctor in the West Lincoln region of Ontario. She lives in Hamilton with her husband Sean, their dog Berkeley, and their son Dale. In April 2025, Cara and Sean's first son, Callum, was born still at 38 weeks. Outside of work, Cara is a longtime distance runner who ran cross country and track at Dalhousie University.
