Sarah Treleaven

Caitlin narrates as she goes through triage, then up the elevator and she's booked into labor and delivery. Finally, finally, things seem to be going in the right direction. And Amy's relieved that Caitlin will not be having this stillborn baby by herself. A few hours later, there's news. Baby Eden is here.

Caitlin narrates as she goes through triage, then up the elevator and she's booked into labor and delivery. Finally, finally, things seem to be going in the right direction. And Amy's relieved that Caitlin will not be having this stillborn baby by herself. A few hours later, there's news. Baby Eden is here.

It's such a heartbreaking situation and they made the best of it together. All of this, remember, Amy is just on the phone.

It's such a heartbreaking situation and they made the best of it together. All of this, remember, Amy is just on the phone.

I just love that name, Placenta Squad. Amy, along with most of the Placenta Squad, is a doula.

I just love that name, Placenta Squad. Amy, along with most of the Placenta Squad, is a doula.

Caitlin is bleeding. A lot. She tells Amy that the doctors are nervous and she's heading to the operating table. Ultimately, the decision was made that she needs a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is when a woman's uterus is removed. It's major surgery.

Caitlin is bleeding. A lot. She tells Amy that the doctors are nervous and she's heading to the operating table. Ultimately, the decision was made that she needs a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is when a woman's uterus is removed. It's major surgery.

And I just want to pause you there for one second. Tell me about where Caitlin's at at this moment.

And I just want to pause you there for one second. Tell me about where Caitlin's at at this moment.

But things go from bad to worse. The hysterectomy didn't stop the bleeding. Caitlin needs life-saving surgery and needs to be moved to a bigger hospital with a trauma unit.

But things go from bad to worse. The hysterectomy didn't stop the bleeding. Caitlin needs life-saving surgery and needs to be moved to a bigger hospital with a trauma unit.

Amy stays with Caitlin on the phone the whole ambulance ride to the bigger hospital.

Amy stays with Caitlin on the phone the whole ambulance ride to the bigger hospital.

Suddenly, Amy realizes that none of the doctors or nurses working on Caitlin have Amy's contact information.

Suddenly, Amy realizes that none of the doctors or nurses working on Caitlin have Amy's contact information.

Doulas work with pregnant people. They're not medical professionals. They assist people through labor and delivery by offering emotional support. The focus is on the woman, not the baby. They will help with massage or position or talk you through the pain or when things start to get too overwhelming. And they're different from midwives. A midwife has medical training.

Doulas work with pregnant people. They're not medical professionals. They assist people through labor and delivery by offering emotional support. The focus is on the woman, not the baby. They will help with massage or position or talk you through the pain or when things start to get too overwhelming. And they're different from midwives. A midwife has medical training.

Caitlin tells Amy that she's being wheeled into surgery and hangs up. Amy is alone, off the phone, for the first time in days.

Caitlin tells Amy that she's being wheeled into surgery and hangs up. Amy is alone, off the phone, for the first time in days.

At around 3 a.m., not long after an exhausted Amy finally drifts off to sleep, she gets a call from Caitlin. Out of surgery, but not out of danger.

At around 3 a.m., not long after an exhausted Amy finally drifts off to sleep, she gets a call from Caitlin. Out of surgery, but not out of danger.

It is not over.

It is not over.

I want to just stop here and acknowledge that this is a lot. Like, so much. And in hindsight, Amy sees that now. But at the time she was tending to Caitlin, even though it was all on the phone, it was overwhelming. She hardly ate, rarely slept. All she did was focus all of her energy on what Caitlin needed.

I want to just stop here and acknowledge that this is a lot. Like, so much. And in hindsight, Amy sees that now. But at the time she was tending to Caitlin, even though it was all on the phone, it was overwhelming. She hardly ate, rarely slept. All she did was focus all of her energy on what Caitlin needed.

And as someone who had chosen a profession that at its core is about caring for others, her instinct wasn't to say, hey, this seems like a lot for one person.

And as someone who had chosen a profession that at its core is about caring for others, her instinct wasn't to say, hey, this seems like a lot for one person.

It's something Amy's ex-husband has noticed. It's why he was keeping their kids at his place. Amy's girlfriend at the time, is also concerned. But at this point, everyone is just doing what they can to support Amy. And Amy needs the support. It's been three days now, and Caitlin's problems just keep getting worse and worse.

It's something Amy's ex-husband has noticed. It's why he was keeping their kids at his place. Amy's girlfriend at the time, is also concerned. But at this point, everyone is just doing what they can to support Amy. And Amy needs the support. It's been three days now, and Caitlin's problems just keep getting worse and worse.

Often a doula will work alongside midwives or doctors, but unlike someone with medical expertise, they cannot give or prescribe medication.

Often a doula will work alongside midwives or doctors, but unlike someone with medical expertise, they cannot give or prescribe medication.

At this point, Katie, Amy's friend and fellow doula, is back on the calls, sometimes together and sometimes with Caitlin alone.

At this point, Katie, Amy's friend and fellow doula, is back on the calls, sometimes together and sometimes with Caitlin alone.

Caitlin tells the two doulas that she's starting to go septic. She needs dialysis. It's a smorgasbord of catastrophe. Everything that can go wrong is going wrong. And all to this desperate young woman who just lost her baby.

Caitlin tells the two doulas that she's starting to go septic. She needs dialysis. It's a smorgasbord of catastrophe. Everything that can go wrong is going wrong. And all to this desperate young woman who just lost her baby.

At some point, the call drops. For a few hours, Katie and Amy do nothing but worry. Until Caitlin gets back in touch at 5 a.m. the next day.

At some point, the call drops. For a few hours, Katie and Amy do nothing but worry. Until Caitlin gets back in touch at 5 a.m. the next day.

It's now been a week since Caitlin went into labor.

It's now been a week since Caitlin went into labor.

Doula work can involve helping women through trauma. In fact, many doulas come to this line of work through their own bad experiences, so it's a point of pride that they take on the really hard cases. And that night in November, Amy is scrolling on the Placenta Squad page when she sees a post from her friend and fellow doula, Katie.

Doula work can involve helping women through trauma. In fact, many doulas come to this line of work through their own bad experiences, so it's a point of pride that they take on the really hard cases. And that night in November, Amy is scrolling on the Placenta Squad page when she sees a post from her friend and fellow doula, Katie.

Just one week after Amy started coaching Caitlin on giving birth, she's now coaching her for her own death. Amy suggests it's a good time for Caitlin to reach out to her estranged sister in England and tell her that things aren't looking good. They talked about who Caitlin would give her social media passwords to, what they should say after she died. They figure out where Caitlin should be buried.

Just one week after Amy started coaching Caitlin on giving birth, she's now coaching her for her own death. Amy suggests it's a good time for Caitlin to reach out to her estranged sister in England and tell her that things aren't looking good. They talked about who Caitlin would give her social media passwords to, what they should say after she died. They figure out where Caitlin should be buried.

Amy helps Caitlin write a will to disperse her very few meaningful possessions. And then Caitlin says that she's having a nurse witness and sign it.

Amy helps Caitlin write a will to disperse her very few meaningful possessions. And then Caitlin says that she's having a nurse witness and sign it.

Amy and Katie promise they'll come and spend Christmas with Caitlin. It's just a month away, and Caitlin is really worried that she'll be all alone, if she's even still alive. The two doulas commit to decorating her room at the hospice and singing Caitlin's favorite carols.

Amy and Katie promise they'll come and spend Christmas with Caitlin. It's just a month away, and Caitlin is really worried that she'll be all alone, if she's even still alive. The two doulas commit to decorating her room at the hospice and singing Caitlin's favorite carols.

At some point in all of this mess, a little over a week since Caitlin went into labor, it's decided that Caitlin has to be moved again to another hospital to deal with the cancer. Caitlin tells Amy that she's been loaded into yet another ambulance.

At some point in all of this mess, a little over a week since Caitlin went into labor, it's decided that Caitlin has to be moved again to another hospital to deal with the cancer. Caitlin tells Amy that she's been loaded into yet another ambulance.

Katie is working with a client in crisis, who says her pregnancy is the result of an assault. Here's Katie.

Katie is working with a client in crisis, who says her pregnancy is the result of an assault. Here's Katie.

Amy is freaking out. She can't believe this is happening.

Amy is freaking out. She can't believe this is happening.

Before the doulas can even decide what to do, Caitlin calls back. She tells them that the attack is over and the doctor is out of the ambulance. She tells Amy that she's at the new hospital and has reported the incident. But to Amy, she seems oddly calm. And Caitlin really wants to recount every graphic detail.

Before the doulas can even decide what to do, Caitlin calls back. She tells them that the attack is over and the doctor is out of the ambulance. She tells Amy that she's at the new hospital and has reported the incident. But to Amy, she seems oddly calm. And Caitlin really wants to recount every graphic detail.

This whole ordeal goes on for a total of 10 days. Frantic calls that go on for hours. Katie and Amy putting their lives on hold for Caitlin.

This whole ordeal goes on for a total of 10 days. Frantic calls that go on for hours. Katie and Amy putting their lives on hold for Caitlin.

Friends are checking. Family is worried. But neither Amy nor Katie can get off the train. They are trauma-bonded.

Friends are checking. Family is worried. But neither Amy nor Katie can get off the train. They are trauma-bonded.

That comment, Amy's friend wondering out loud what we are all wondering, finally makes Amy ask the same thing. Those red flags, the old sports bra instead of a hospital gown, the strange timing of the Pitocin shot, all of a sudden, these were pretty hard to ignore. And then Amy remembers something that happened a few days before.

That comment, Amy's friend wondering out loud what we are all wondering, finally makes Amy ask the same thing. Those red flags, the old sports bra instead of a hospital gown, the strange timing of the Pitocin shot, all of a sudden, these were pretty hard to ignore. And then Amy remembers something that happened a few days before.

Caitlin told Amy that the doctor that assaulted her was being arrested. And Amy starts to think her girlfriend has a point. Surely if a doctor's arrested for sexually assaulting a dying woman in an ambulance, it would make the news. So we started digging. And very quickly, we started getting our answers.

Caitlin told Amy that the doctor that assaulted her was being arrested. And Amy starts to think her girlfriend has a point. Surely if a doctor's arrested for sexually assaulting a dying woman in an ambulance, it would make the news. So we started digging. And very quickly, we started getting our answers.

This client's name was Caitlin Braun, and she was 24 years old, and she would now have to birth a stillborn baby. Caitlin found Katie through social media. After sending a message and setting things up, Katie and Caitlin connected on the phone. Caitlin said she lived with her mom, but they didn't have the best relationship. Her life had been hard and full of neglect.

This client's name was Caitlin Braun, and she was 24 years old, and she would now have to birth a stillborn baby. Caitlin found Katie through social media. After sending a message and setting things up, Katie and Caitlin connected on the phone. Caitlin said she lived with her mom, but they didn't have the best relationship. Her life had been hard and full of neglect.

Katie is put in charge of sleuthing, trying to verify everything Caitlin had told them, all of the pictures she had sent.

Katie is put in charge of sleuthing, trying to verify everything Caitlin had told them, all of the pictures she had sent.

Amy's mind is racing. What is happening, but also why? Why would anyone lie about all of this? What did Caitlin really want from them? And how is it possible that she was able to do all of this so well? And in that moment, it occurred to her. There's no way we're the first.

Amy's mind is racing. What is happening, but also why? Why would anyone lie about all of this? What did Caitlin really want from them? And how is it possible that she was able to do all of this so well? And in that moment, it occurred to her. There's no way we're the first.

That's next time on The Con, Caitlin's Baby. We made numerous attempts to contact Caitlin Braun, outlining the allegations made through the series and inviting her to respond to what has been said. She made it clear to me that she didn't want to be involved with the podcast. The invitation remains open to Caitlin should she change her mind and wish to respond.

That's next time on The Con, Caitlin's Baby. We made numerous attempts to contact Caitlin Braun, outlining the allegations made through the series and inviting her to respond to what has been said. She made it clear to me that she didn't want to be involved with the podcast. The invitation remains open to Caitlin should she change her mind and wish to respond.

This is a CBC and BBC World Service production. The show is written, researched, and produced by me, Sarah Trelevan. It was also written and produced by Kathleen Goldhar. Extra production support from Andrew Friesen and Alexis Green. Sound design and scoring by Mitchell Stewart. Emily Quinnell is our digital coordinating producer. Our senior producer is Veronica Simmons.

This is a CBC and BBC World Service production. The show is written, researched, and produced by me, Sarah Trelevan. It was also written and produced by Kathleen Goldhar. Extra production support from Andrew Friesen and Alexis Green. Sound design and scoring by Mitchell Stewart. Emily Quinnell is our digital coordinating producer. Our senior producer is Veronica Simmons.

The fact checker is Emily Mathieu. Our executive producers are Cecil Fernandez and Chris Oak. Tanya Springer is our senior manager and Arif Noorani is the director of CBC Podcasts. For the BBC World Service, Kat Collins is the senior producer and John Manel is the podcast commissioning editor.

The fact checker is Emily Mathieu. Our executive producers are Cecil Fernandez and Chris Oak. Tanya Springer is our senior manager and Arif Noorani is the director of CBC Podcasts. For the BBC World Service, Kat Collins is the senior producer and John Manel is the podcast commissioning editor.

This is November 2022. Remember COVID? Much of our world was online or by phone, and that includes doula work. So when labor started, it was Katie on the phone with Caitlin.

This is November 2022. Remember COVID? Much of our world was online or by phone, and that includes doula work. So when labor started, it was Katie on the phone with Caitlin.

It's at this point that Katie has to go to her day job. So she tags in Amy from the placenta squad, who's sick in bed but able to support Caitlin through what is bound to be an emotional and difficult birth of a stillborn baby.

It's at this point that Katie has to go to her day job. So she tags in Amy from the placenta squad, who's sick in bed but able to support Caitlin through what is bound to be an emotional and difficult birth of a stillborn baby.

Caitlin had mentioned to Amy that she was naming her child Eden.

Caitlin had mentioned to Amy that she was naming her child Eden.

While it might sound like a young woman having to deliver a stillborn baby that was conceived through rape could not possibly get more tragic, the truth of this story is devastating in a completely different way.

While it might sound like a young woman having to deliver a stillborn baby that was conceived through rape could not possibly get more tragic, the truth of this story is devastating in a completely different way.

I've reported on a lot of heart-wrenching stories. Social workers who exploited vulnerable kids. Ponzi schemers who stole life savings. I've spent the last year and a half immersed in Caitlin's world. And this is one of the most complex stories I've ever covered. A story that has puzzled psychiatrists and legal systems. A story that contorts moral and ethical instincts.

I've reported on a lot of heart-wrenching stories. Social workers who exploited vulnerable kids. Ponzi schemers who stole life savings. I've spent the last year and a half immersed in Caitlin's world. And this is one of the most complex stories I've ever covered. A story that has puzzled psychiatrists and legal systems. A story that contorts moral and ethical instincts.

and a perpetrator who takes up the valuable time of a stressed and overloaded medical system. A woman who took so much from people whose job is to give. The people you will hear from never want any of this to happen again. But no one really knows what they would have done differently.

and a perpetrator who takes up the valuable time of a stressed and overloaded medical system. A woman who took so much from people whose job is to give. The people you will hear from never want any of this to happen again. But no one really knows what they would have done differently.

For CBC and the BBC World Service, I'm Sarah Trelevan. And this is The Con, Caitlin's baby. Episode one, The Barking Dog. Hour after hour, Amy helps Caitlin with the early stages of labor. Amy constantly on the phone, encouraging, listening, crying, everything and anything Caitlin needs.

For CBC and the BBC World Service, I'm Sarah Trelevan. And this is The Con, Caitlin's baby. Episode one, The Barking Dog. Hour after hour, Amy helps Caitlin with the early stages of labor. Amy constantly on the phone, encouraging, listening, crying, everything and anything Caitlin needs.

Here is this lonely young woman, traumatized by a sexual assault that led to a pregnancy. A baby that died in utero at around 32 weeks, and she is now birthing her child alone. She tells Amy and Katie that her family has abandoned her, that they blamed her for the rape and didn't support her decision to keep the baby.

Here is this lonely young woman, traumatized by a sexual assault that led to a pregnancy. A baby that died in utero at around 32 weeks, and she is now birthing her child alone. She tells Amy and Katie that her family has abandoned her, that they blamed her for the rape and didn't support her decision to keep the baby.

In fact, Amy says that Caitlin told her all sorts of intimate things, which isn't unusual for doulas.

In fact, Amy says that Caitlin told her all sorts of intimate things, which isn't unusual for doulas.

A warning. This story contains references to medical emergencies, including baby loss. We also deal with sexual assault, and there is some strong language. Please take care. It's a Friday night in November 2022. Amy Perry is at home, in a town just west of Toronto, Canada. And she's sick.

A warning. This story contains references to medical emergencies, including baby loss. We also deal with sexual assault, and there is some strong language. Please take care. It's a Friday night in November 2022. Amy Perry is at home, in a town just west of Toronto, Canada. And she's sick.

Caitlin has been in labor for nearly 40 hours. And Amy was hardly sleeping, hardly eating.

Caitlin has been in labor for nearly 40 hours. And Amy was hardly sleeping, hardly eating.

Amy is sick, so she can't meet Caitlin at the hospital. And Amy's friend and doula partner, Katie, is at work.

Amy is sick, so she can't meet Caitlin at the hospital. And Amy's friend and doula partner, Katie, is at work.

Finally, after what felt like a lot more work than it should have, Amy convinces Caitlin to call a car.

Finally, after what felt like a lot more work than it should have, Amy convinces Caitlin to call a car.

Back and forth they go until finally the car arrives.

Back and forth they go until finally the car arrives.

Amy feels a wave of relief once Caitlin makes it to the hospital.

Amy feels a wave of relief once Caitlin makes it to the hospital.

When they finally reconnect, there's news. Caitlin's labor is progressing. She's four centimeters dilated, which for Amy means she's now in active labor and can be admitted to the hospital.

When they finally reconnect, there's news. Caitlin's labor is progressing. She's four centimeters dilated, which for Amy means she's now in active labor and can be admitted to the hospital.

Pitocin is a drug that induces labor.

Pitocin is a drug that induces labor.

She was spending most of her time in bed, bored and scrolling on Facebook.

She was spending most of her time in bed, bored and scrolling on Facebook.