Today’s birth story, which will be broken up into two consecutive episodes, will be especially helpful for expectant parents whose baby gets a clubfoot diagnosis. Joe & Beckie share their journey of their son, Elliot, getting this diagnosis early in pregnancy. They also detail their birth story of a long, 30-hour induction several weeks before their due date due to low amniotic fluid. Beckie shares lots of details about the ways that her OB helped her feel involved and informed in the decision-making process every step of the way. Because she was not even quite 37 weeks when the induction took place, there are particular challenges to the induction that Beckie shares.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 11 - Self-Advocacy in Induced Birth & Breastfeeding
Today Jennifer will share her story of an IVF-conceived pregnancy in which more than one doctor suggested scheduling a cesarean due to the size of her baby. She’ll share about her journey toward the decision to at least have what we call a “trial of labor” toward the vaginal birth that she desired. You'll hear how she impressed everyone by giving birth vaginally to an almost 9-pound baby. Listen to hear the smart ways she advocates for herself and makes the choices that were preferred and ideal for her & her baby along the way of her induced labor with an epidural at Long Island’s LIJ Katz Hospital. Jenn will also share a bit about how easy initial breastfeeding was, but then how things got a little trickier after that.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 10 - Singing Baby Down with a Midwife
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.
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