Melissa shares 2 birth stories on today’s episode. First, she shares her first 1st birth story, which was an unusually quick, 6-hour induction with no pain meds and with doula support. Then she shares her rationale for switching care providers from an OB over to working with a hospital midwife for her 2nd baby’s birth, which was an even faster, 4-hour, unmedicated labor.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 14 - A NYC Actor's Vocal Work in Birth
Today’s birth story begins with a spontaneous rupture of the membranes, laboring at home for a number of hours, eventually transferring to the hospital where the labor continues with induction and epidural. As Amy and her husband are both actors, she describes the ways in which their acting training, specifically breath work & bodywork, helped her find her groove in her 3-hour pushing stage with a fairly large baby. She also details some compelling things to consider in partner communication and establishing healthy boundaries entering parenthood, particularly in light of the hormonal roller coaster we experience after birth.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 13 - Clubfoot Diagnosis & Early Induction (Pt 2)
Today’s birth story is part two of a 2-part story, and will be especially helpful for expectant parents whose baby gets a clubfoot diagnosis. In part 1, Joe & Beckie shared about their journey of their son, Elliot, getting this diagnosis early in pregnancy and part of their birth story. In this episode, they’ll continue detailing 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. They’ll also share a bit about early clubfoot treatments for their son.
Read moreBirth Matters Podcast, Ep 12 - Clubfoot Diagnosis & Early Induction (Pt 1)
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 more