On today’s episode, Julie shares the story of struggles to conceive for 6 years and ultimately conceiving via IVF, and then goes on to tell her son Cian’s birth story. Her water breaks as the first sign of labor and she proceeds to have a 22-hour induced, but otherwise unmedicated, labor. This is a great birth story to learn some of the benefits of hiring a doula -- also known as professional labor support -- toward strategically avoiding unnecessary interventions. You’ll also hear the smart ways in which Julie advocates for herself to help get the kind of communication she needs to feel confident and peaceful along the way.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 4 - When Water Breaks in Birth Class
Today’s birth story is one of my favorites because it was the very first time I had a student’s water break (release) in class, right in the middle of a meditation/relaxation exercise! It’s the story of a 5-hour, unmedicated vaginal birth, with some complications and a necessary surgical procedure after the birth due to how quickly the labor progressed. Listen as Brooke shares details about the overall compassionate care she received through the complications and how, when the staff clearly communicated with her what was going on, she felt taken care of and, overall, really positive about the way things went. After she shares her birth story, Brooke also discusses how her partner is enjoying being a stay-at-home for the first time after having 2 children in a previous relationship and not having the opportunity to stay home. She’ll also share insights about the surprising things you sometimes learn about yourself as you become a parent as well as tips for maintaining a healthy identity.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 3 - Host Lisa's Unassisted Home Birth (Ready, Get Set, CATCH!)
In Episode 3, you’ll hear my second (kinda crazy) birth story, in which I changed care providers several times and switched from planning to give birth in an in-hospital birthing center to giving birth at home. You’ll hear quite a bit of talk about the perks of working with a midwife and will hear about a couple of different types of midwives, so this episode will provide some education on that topic.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 2 - Host Lisa's 1st-born's Birth Story
In this episode, my husband, Bryan, and I share our first baby’s birth story. It’s a story of giving birth in an in-hospital birthing center in Manhattan at Mt. Sinai West in 2005. You’ll hear about a textbook-length 20+ hr labor with the expert labor support of a doula, and you’ll hear about the gamechanger self-advocacy tips and strategies that we used (and you can use!) to avoid interventions that were strategically avoidable and rendered unnecessary. These strategies helped us achieve what I had very much hoped for, which was an unmedicated, vaginal birth.
Read moreI've Given Birth to a Baby! (a baby PODCAST, that is)
Announcing the BIRTH MATTERS podcast! This show is here to lessen expectant parents’ overwhelm on the journey into parenthood by equipping and encouraging with current, evidence-based info & soulful interviews with parents & birth pros. It’s also here for birth professionals to continue growing their knowledge base, and even for anyone who is simply interested in birth.
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