Strength in the Struggle: Prematurity, Power, and Possibility

When Lauren’s twins arrived at 34 weeks, her delivery quickly turned into a fight for survival ~ including multiple surgeries and time in a coma. Despite being an accomplished attorney, she still struggled to be fully respected and heard in her care.

Today, her twins are thriving, and her journey offers powerful lessons for both expectant parents and healthcare providers.

This workshop highlights the critical importance of listening to patients, and practical ways families and providers can work together to prepare, advocate, and thrive in the face of prematurity.

Lauren Young Durbin is a licensed attorney, entrepreneur, and advocate whose work focuses on helping people find their voice in high-stakes situations. She has spoken to women’s employee resource groups and alumni audiences about how to effectively advocate for oneself and has spoken about her own birth experience for the Wellesley alumnae magazine, where her story contributed to a broader conversation on maternity care of Black mothers.

Lauren’s perspective is shaped by both her professional training and her lived experience navigating a complex birth and recovery. She now brings those lessons to families and providers, highlighting the critical importance of patient self-advocacy and provider listening in healthcare settings.

In addition to her advocacy work, Lauren is the founder of Tyche Career Coaching, where she equips women — especially attorneys — to reclaim their power and voice in professional settings. She lives in Virginia with her husband Michael, their thriving twin boys, and a boisterous Boerboel, Caesar.