Traci Stahley shares all 3 of her babies’ birth stories, which were fairly uncomplicated, vaginal births — the first being in NYC and the 2nd and 3rd in Indianapolis. She shares how, while her first two had no nursing issues and were actually avid breastfeeders, her third baby surprised them by having pretty significant feeding issues. They soon discovered that he had a condition called Laryngomalacia, where the tissue of the larynx is softer and floppier than normal. This created the challenges with breastfeeding and, later, some speech issues, both of which required some work with a speech therapist.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 47 - A Black Lactation Counselor’s Fast 1st Hospital Birth
Simone Toomer, a Brooklyn-based Black doula, childbirth educator, lactation counselor, sleep educator shares her first baby’s uncomplicated birth story in a hospital in which she shows up pretty much just in time to push and give birth. Simone will also share a bit about the great work she’s doing to improve breastfeeding outcomes for Black families through nursing support groups with Chocolate Milk Cafe.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 46 - Sorry, House Hunters, My Water Broke!
Mila goes into labor before she and her husband, Shawn, can finish shooting an episode of HOUSE HUNTERS. They share details about their hospital induction and their premature baby's stay in the NICU, and Mila shares about ways she addressed her struggles with clinical anxiety in the transition into parenthood.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 45 - Birth Team Story Circle: Optimal Support, Unmedicated Hospital Birth
First-time mom and preschool teacher Kelsey -- along with her midwife, Jenna Sood of Central Park Midwifery, and her doula, Christine Gibson -- shares her baby's unmedicated Manhattan hospital birth story.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 44 - A psychotherapist's strategies for quick induction w/o pain meds
A psychotherapist shares the story of her first baby's induction just past her due date due to elevated blood pressure. Toni uses strategies from her professional expertise in mindfulness & meditation to labor and give birth without pain medications and with the support of a doula, her husband, candles, dancing, celebration...and even a drum.
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