In this episode’s birth story, Dara describes her experience of giving birth as both “magical” and “frustrating”. This is the story of a first-time labor and vaginal birth working with a midwifery practice at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Hospital. She shares about using nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) for pain relief, very briefly, and then getting an epidural. Listen to hear the magical way mama Dara instinctively helps her baby come closer to being born. Here’s a hint: If you like music, you’ll enjoy this one! We had a musician dad featured a couple of episodes ago, and now we have a professional singer mom and massage therapist sharing her perspectives. You’ll also hear how a fever Dara developed led to baby having to go to the NICU (or neonatal intensive care unit), and how having a baby in the NICU can be challenging for new parents and baby.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 9 - Induction w/o Pain Meds, Baby Music Therapy
Today you’ll hear Mariko’s & Rick’s story of hiring a doula very well-suited to them for Mariko’s labor and who served them in very practical and holistic ways throughout pregnancy, labor, and into postpartum. Right around 40 weeks, Mariko’s OB decides there’s a bit of concern about baby’s well-being due to lack of movement, so they check into their Long Island hospital, Winthrop, for an induction. She shares the ways in which she was able to find coping strategies that rendered an epidural or other pain meds unnecessary. They also talk a bit about how they believe their meditation practice translated into labor. They’re also going to share a few parenting strategies that could be useful for parenting your newborn.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 8 - A Physician's Perspective on Giving Birth
Today you’ll hear a birth story told by Leah & Trevor, first time parents. Leah is a hospitalist physician, and she’ll share how her professional background informed the way she approached assembling her birth & pediatrician team. Her partner, Trevor, will share his insights about the experience of supporting her through labor. Leah & Trevor will talk about their uncomplicated birth with an epidural and a bit of pitocin when things weren’t progressing as readily as it seemed they should. She’ll also discuss how she couldn’t bear to be on her back for pushing and was encouraged to push in whatever way felt instinctive to her. You’ll also hear about some of her frustrations with the lack of anticipatory guidance in the breastfeeding support at her hospital.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 7 - Choosing Home Birth for a 2nd Baby
In this episode, Kat & Tom share their positive, empowering story of their 2nd son’s rather efficient birth at home with midwife, Cara Muhlhahn, their doula and a friend who just happens to also be a doula. This birth followed their much more challenging first birth in a hospital environment, which largely informed their decision to give birth at home the second time around.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 6 - An Uncomplicated Hospital Epidural Birth with Doula Support
On today’s episode, Ariel shares her birth story about laboring at home for a good, long time until active labor, then moving on to epidural once at the hospital, and an efficient pushing stage. She shares the importance of doula support & taking birth classes. Listen to hear about her baby's struggle with tongue tie & how getting it corrected helped breastfeeding dramatically improve.
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