Merasha is sharing the story of her 2 births and ectopic pregnancy. Her first birth was planned to be an unmedicated hospital birth, but due to complications baby was born via c-section. Merasha struggled with breastfeeding and her mental health after the birth of her daughter while juggling her last undergrad course for her Bachelor’s degree just 2 weeks after the birth of her daughter. In the winter of 2021 Merasha and her husband learned they were unexpectedly pregnant. the pregnancy came during a time Merasha had a lapse in health insurance. unfortunately the pregnancy ended due to being ectopic and needing surgery, alone, because of strict visitor rules around covid. however, Merasha recovered and soon after she and her husband became pregnant again.
Merasha and her husband expected for pregnancy and birth to be uneventful; but baby had other plans. merasha went into labor 5 weeks early at work and was placed on bed rest in hopes to get her to full term, with a 2 year old at home. baby made his entrance about two weeks later via emergency c-section. baby number two went from being a planned c section, to a possible vbac to an emergency c section but due to more prepping, having a doula, and receiving therapy for her pregnancy and birth PTSD Merasha was able to have the redemption birth she dreamt of, even when all things didn’t go to plan. Connect with Merasha at @yagirlm on instagram.
This episode was sponsored by Motif Medical. Motif designs insurance-eligible products for busy moms. With a focus on innovation and empowerment, Motif’s line of breast pumps and maternity compression garments are sophisticated, yet discreet, and made to support mothers as they navigate new motherhood. Discover why moms are reporting more milk in less time with the Luna breast pump, and see how you can get it covered through insurance at motifmedical.com/birthhour.
Kayleigh @thebirthtrauma_mama had a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy. As a first-time mom, she knew birth would be one of the most challenging, but hopefully beautiful and empowering experiences of her life. She prepared in every way she could for her birth, but what she didn’t prepare for, what she couldn’t prepare for was to almost lose her life in the process. Kayleigh experienced an Amniotic Fluid Embolism when she was 10cm dilated with her son. She required a perimortem c-section, receiving CPR while her son was delivered. Through the tireless work of her incredible medical team and days of life-saving interventions, Kayleigh and her son both survived. But, as she soon realized, leaving the hospital was only the beginning of this journey. Birth trauma and its far-reaching impact would devastate her first year postpartum and forever change her life. This experience has served as the catalyst for Kayleigh’s support and advocacy work within the birth trauma community.
*Amniotic Fluid Embolism is an incredibly rare, life-threatening obstetric emergency. Please visit @afefoundation to learn more.
Kayleigh Summers Bio
Kayleigh Summers is a licensed clinical social worker and private practice owner in Downingtown, PA. She specializes in perinatal trauma and has specific training in both perinatal mental health and EMDR. Kayleigh uses her training as a licensed therapist and her lived experience as an Amniotic Fluid Embolism survivor to treat and support families experiencing perinatal trauma. Kayleigh has also created thriving birth trauma support communities through Instagram and Tik Tok, as well as her podcast, where she provides connection, story sharing, and resources to support those experiencing birth and other trauma.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Redd Remedies. Redd Remedies has strong roots in the natural product industry and crafts Master Herbalist formulated supplements from premium ingredients, ensuring natural and effective solutions for life’s physical and emotional challenges. Peaceful Mama, one of their star products, provides stress support to all moms, including pregnant and nursing women!
To learn more about Peaceful Mama, Rhythm and Flo, and Redd Remedies and to view testimonials, head to www.reddremedies.com and use code BIRTHHOUR at checkout to get 20% off any 2 or more items.
Erin had a smooth pregnancy until the end, when concerns about congenital CMV were brought up. After a crazy move across the country, her water broke unexpectedly at 35 weeks. With a labor that refused to progress, her son was born via C section and just barely making it to 36 weeks. This was followed by a week long NICU stay, and a tumultuous postpartum as her family navigated the complexities of a congenital CMV diagnosis. Two years later, they can say that they are thriving, but it was a difficult journey to get there. Connect with Erin on Instagram is @erinmgagnon or Facebook at Erin Gagnon.
Take advantage of your states early intervention programs!
SNP Therapeutics
Today’s episode is sponsored by SNP Therapeutics, makers of the Genate Test. Based on over 16 million dollars in NIH grants, and more than 30 years of nutrition and genetic research, SNP Therapeutics is leading the charge in the field of prenatal, precision-nutrition genetic testing.
SNP Therapeutics is committed to providing accurate and usable information to help mothers provide the best possible nutrition to their babies through The Genate Test: a prenatal, precision-nutrition, genetic test that offers personalized dietary adjustments and supplement recommendations based on your DNA.
You can rest easy knowing that your prenatal nutrition has been optimized by tailoring it to your genetic code. Find peace of mind about your prenatal nutrition with the Genate Test by SNP Therapeutics. Learn more at genate.com and Use code BIRTHHOUR15 for 15% off your order.
Corinne went into labor in the evening of the 29th of August with light contractions and decided to sleep for strength in her labor. The next morning Corinne woke up around 7am still in early labor and decided to shower since she’d probably give birth that day. In the shower, fresh blood started coming out of her, enough to scare her. She called the midwife who, advised her to go the hospital, where she was admitted and found out she had preeclampsia which caused a placental abruption. After hours of being put on multiple medications to lower blood pressure and trying to progress labor naturally, at 3am on August 31st Corinne was induced with Pitocin. The next morning Corinne experience more bleeding and no progress in labor which gave her two options, break her waters or Caesarian. Since Corinne didn’t want the situation to become even more dangerous, she had a Cesarean. Which saved her life and baby Rowan.
Corinne Tate Bio
Corinne is 25 years old, living in Washington State with her Husband Javan, baby Rowan (who just turned one), their two cats, and 7 chickens. Corinne loves her family, church community, holistic living, and good coffee. Corinne always wanted to be a mom, so she is busy living her dream with her sweet little family. Instagram @corinnemwallace
Resources
Know Your Options Childbirth Course and The Birth Hour podcast
This episode is sponsored by Baby Tula. Baby Tula creates unique and expressive carriers that help parents keep doing what they love while connecting with their little ones. Baby carriers are so much more than a parenting tool! When you wear your baby, you support the emotional, social, and physical well-being of your baby as well as your own! With a variety of unique prints, small batch and handwoven fabrics, inclusive sizing, and carriers for older babies too, you can find a carrier that’s distinctly you! You can use the code BIRTHHOUR at BabyTula.com and BabyTula.Co.UK.
When pregnant with her first child, Jen’s pregnancy was subject to many rounds of additional tests and scans throughout her pregnancy as she was being continuously monitored for IUGR. She eventually was pressured into an induction, which failed at the first attempt, sending her home after 48 hours not in labor and with a baby. Waiting it out over the next few days, Jen was leaking amniotic fluid without realizing and ended up back to a 2nd induction a few days later, this time with no fluid left. Her son was born at a low birth weight for gestational age which subjected him to numerous tests during his stay in the hospital and additional monitoring for months after delivery.
The anxiety surrounding her pregnancy and birth resulted in PPD where Jen turned to alcohol to self-medicate and cope. After about 2 years of evaluating her relationship with alcohol and failed attempts at moderation, Jen came to the realization that the only path for her was sobriety. Three days after making that promise to herself and her family, Jen found out she was pregnant with baby number 2.
Her second pregnancy was textbook from start until (almost) finish. It ended in an emergency C-section but despite the trauma she thought that might cause, she was able to fend off the PPD through proper medication, sobriety, and support.
Jen Fracker Bio
Jen is a mom to 2 children living in southern Connecticut. Her first, a son Eric, was born in 2018 and her daughter, Harlow, was born in March 2021. Jen and her husband Chris have been married about 6 years and live a happy and full life with their family and friends.
She can be found on Facebook by searching Jennifer Fracker or on Instagram at @jdfracker and encourages anyone who finds strength in her story to reach out.
Resources
The Milk Minute Podcast
Breastfeeding for Busy Moms FB group (ran by the two IBCLCs that host the podcast)
Mothers Embrace prenatal/postpartum yoga community for anyone in the Connecticut area
Recovery Happy Hour podcast (Has ended but has a library full of great episodes)
This Naked Mind – Annie Grace (book, podcast, program, accountability group)
Today’s episode is sponsored by SNP Therapeutics, makers of the Genate Test. Based on over 16 million dollars in NIH grants, and more than 30 years of nutrition and genetic research, SNP Therapeutics is leading the charge in the field of prenatal, precision-nutrition genetic testing.
SNP Therapeutics is committed to providing accurate and usable information to help mothers provide the best possible nutrition to their babies through The Genate Test: a prenatal, precision-nutrition, genetic test that offers personalized dietary adjustments and supplement recommendations based on your DNA.
You can rest easy knowing that your prenatal nutrition has been optimized by tailoring it to your genetic code. Find peace of mind about your prenatal nutrition with the Genate Test by SNP Therapeutics. Learn more at genate.com and Use code BIRTHHOUR15 for 15% off your order.
After the birth of her first son ended in an unplanned C-section, Anna knew she would be trying for a VBAC with future babies, and found a team of doulas and providers to help support her in achieving her goals. While her second labor was long and hard-fought, it ultimately ended in another C-section. With more intentional birth preparation and support throughout pregnancy and labor, Anna eventually welcomed her third baby via a VBA2C the day before Thanksgiving, and found peace with all three of her births in the process.
Anna Buchholtz Bio
Anna is a healthcare consultant living in Virginia with her husband, Matt; their three sons, Elliott, Tristan, and Adrian; and their standard poodle, Sloopy. In her spare time, Anna enjoys scouring Instagram for hand-dyed yarn (for knitting, crocheting, and more recently Tunisian crochet projects), and riding the Peloton, her most prized pandemic-induced purchase. You can follow Anna on Instagram @anna.leigh.knits, on the Peloton leaderboard at AnnaBu015, or find her on Facebook (Anna Leigh Buchholtz).
Today’s episode was sponsored by Tubby Todd Bath Co. Created with sensitive skin in mind, Tubby Todd’s line of bodycare basics are gentle, effective and fun for the whole family. You might have heard of their eczema miracle worker All Over Ointment (fondly referred to as AOO), but this family-owned brand offers a full line of sensitive skincare solutions that you’ll love to reach for every single day. Start with The Regulars or Baby Bundle to get your little one set up with their very first skincare routine. Join the TT fam and get 15% off your first purchase with code BIRTHHOUR15 at tubbytodd.com.
