Christina Bernardo on Grief, Trusting Your Gut, and Building Avocado Health After Loss

What happens when every instinct tells you something is wrong, but no one can find answers?In this deeply moving conversation, Dr. Meg Meeker sits down with Christina Bernardo, Cuban-American mother of five and co-founder of Avocado Health, to discuss parenting through uncertainty, navigating unimaginable grief, and learning to trust your instincts.Christina shares the story of her daughter, Aviva, whose health struggles began at just nine days old. Despite six unexplained hospitalizations, extensive testing, and consultations with specialists, doctors were never able to determine why Aviva experienced recurring episodes of lethargy, low body temperature, slow heart rate, and breathing difficulties. At just 10½ months old, Aviva passed away when her heart suddenly stopped.Christina opens up about the guilt, questions, and heartbreak that followed, as well as the unique challenges of grieving during the COVID pandemic. She discusses how writing became a lifeline in processing not only the loss of Aviva, but other layers of grief connected to family relationships and past experiences.The conversation also explores how friends and family can better support those who are grieving, the importance of self-compassion, and how Christina transformed her pain into purpose by helping launch Avocado Health. Designed to empower parents, Avocado Health combines clinician-vetted AI guidance with access to parent coaches, workshops, and trusted resources to help families advocate confidently for their children.If you've ever questioned your instincts as a parent, struggled through loss, or wondered how to support someone who is grieving, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and practical encouragement.In This EpisodeChristina's experience with postpartum anxietyAviva's first medical emergency and six unexplained hospitalizationsThe grief, guilt, and "what ifs" that follow child lossProcessing grief through writing and creative expressionHow friends can show up for grieving familiesLearning self-compassion after tragedyThe story behind Avocado HealthHow AI can support parents without replacing medical professionalsWhy trusting your gut matters as a parentFinding purpose after profound lossConnect with Avocado HealthLearn more about Avocado Health and its parent-support resources at https://avocadohealth.com.Episode Timestamps00:00 Tragic Cold Open00:15 Meet Christina Bernardo01:26 Postpartum Anxiety Reality03:25 Aviva's First Scare06:09 Six Hospitalizations09:46 Aftermath and Guilt14:13 Writing Through Grief17:55 How Friends Can Help19:33 Show Up For Grief21:04 Turning Pain Into Purpose23:14 Self Critic To Self Kindness25:02 Parent Coach In Pocket26:13 How The AI Works27:51 Origin Story And Pivot30:04 Human Coaches And Workshops31:56 Why Avocado Health32:18 Trust Your Gut36:06 How To Join And Connect37:00 Final Takeaways See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.