Easy pregnancy, Magical Unmedicated Hospital Birth Story, then the Shock of Postpartum

First time mom Jenni had an unmedicated hospital birth in Austin, TX in June of 2021 that was 13 hours from start to finish. She had an easy pregnancy, magical hospital birth, and what she describes as a shocking and difficult postpartum. Jenni and her son had latch issues, followed by triple feeding, followed by exclusive pumping for 14 months. Jenni was diagnosed with postpartum depression and anxiety around 6 months postpartum. Around 20 months postpartum, other health issues emerged & she was also diagnosed with a prolactinoma (pituitary tumor); treatment is ongoing. Jenni credits the KYO Childbirth Course & The Birth Hour with giving her the courage to switch providers at 28 weeks pregnant!

Jenni Gordon birth story

Jenni Gordon Bio 

Jenni is a lifelong dancer & dance educator, and currently training to become a classical Pilates instructor. She lives in Austin, TX with her husband, son, and dog, Lady. You can find Jenni on Instagram @jennibegordon. 

Resources

Redd Remedies

Part I of this 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.
 

Ergobaby

Part II of this episode is sponsored by Ergobaby. Founded in 2003, Ergobaby has pioneered the gold standard for comfortable, ergonomic soft structured carriers. Their commitment to providing parents with the foundation to thrive has launched the company into creating a broad range of award-winning products that fit into families’ daily lives seamlessly, comfortably, and safely – where function and quality are not compromised. In 2020, they launched Everlove by Ergobaby, a first of its kind baby carrier buy back and resale program, a sustainability effort to support families and the planet. Check out Ergobaby’s new Life with Baby Podcast and follow Ergobaby on Instagram and Brandi Sellers-Jackson (host of their podcast) as well! Use code BIRTHHOUR for 15% off at ergobaby.com.

Redemptive Maternal Assisted Cesarean Birth after Profound Incontinence Following Vaginal Birth

Nicole was supported by her healthcare team to have an empowering and redemptive elective maternal assisted cesarean birth with the birth of her second son, Harrison. The decision to pursue this option was following a traumatic first time vaginal birth with several postpartum complications (planned homebirth turned hospital transfer for prolonged rupture of membranes and prodromal labor after attempting an at home castor oil induction followed by multiple days of a long labor once at the hospital. Nicole then experiences a retained placenta and cervical laceration with attempt at manual removal of placenta followed by the cervical laceration being improperly repaired and healing abnormally. She ultimately needed a D&C which was followed by having a latex Foley catheter inserted despite a known latex allergy that was listed in her chart. In the months that followed Nicole experienced profound postpartum urinary incontinence requiring multiple interventions and procedures and ultimately a surgery to correct at 6 months postpartum which thankfully worked.  Nicole’s second pregnancy was complicated by a shortened cervix, ptsd, anxiety, and perinatal OCD but her maternal-assisted cesarean birth was the most empowering and redemptive experience she could’ve imagined.

mom delivers own baby c-section

Nicole Minghine Bio

Nicole is a registered nurse and certified nurse midwife. Presently, she is a stay at home mom to her 2 children. Nicole lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband Josh and their 2 sons (Jude 2yo & Harrison 7w). Connect with her on Instagram @nminghine.

postpartum incontinence

Resources

  • Best pads for urinary incontinence: Poise Ultra Thin Incontinence Pads & Postpartum Incontinence Pads, 4 Drop Moderate Absorbency, Long Length, 144 Count (3 Packs of 48), Packaging May Vary https://a.co/d/iSfoF2R
  • The CONfidence app enables people with bladder and bowel leakage to find useful information, self-care tips and links to support – all in one place. The app was developed in collaboration between Expert Self Care Ltd and the Bristol Health Partners Bladder and Bowel Confidence (BABCON) Health Integration Team, and co-produced with public contributors, topic experts, charities and other partners.
  • PMSL: Or How I Literally Pissed Myself Laughing and Survived the Last Taboo to Tell the Tale https://a.co/d/0VknfCy
  • Birth photography: Jennifer Mason 
  • Maternal assisted cesarean inspo: Empowered Motherhood Project Blog

Psychiatry support

  • MC3 offers no-cost psychiatry support to prescribing health care providers who treat behavioral/mental health in youth and perinatal people in Michigan through same-day phone consultations to offer guidance on diagnostic questions, safe medications, and appropriate psychotherapy. MC3 offers direct perinatal mental health services to patients of providers enrolled in MC3 in select counties. This is a pilot program that includes free same-day access to behavioral health consultants that will provide virtual counseling, case management, and care coordination for your patients. The MC3 program offers psychiatry support to health care providers in Michigan who are managing patients with behavioral/mental health concerns. This includes children, adolescents, young adults through age 26, and women who are contemplating pregnancy, pregnant, or postpartum (up to one year). MC3 is part of the Michigan Medicine Department of Psychiatry. It is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) via general funds, Medicaid Administration funds, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) funds, and Flint Water Crisis funds.

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.

Advocating for a VBAC after Two Cesarean Births

Kara shares the story of her son’s vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) birth after the two cesarean births of her daughters. She ended up having to drive two hours to find a care provider who was supportive of her decision to VBAC. She also discusses the difference in postpartum recovery, both physically and mentally, between her three different births.

Kara Swanson Bio

Kara is a proud mom of three, a certified nutritionist, and the founder of Life Well Lived. She shows women how to get to the root of their health problems by overcoming inflammation in a lasting way. This allows them to go from stuck to thriving so they feel good now and ten years from now! Connect with Kara on IG at @karaswanson or her website: lifewelllived.fitness.

kara swanson birth story

Resources

Needed

Today’s episode is sponsored by Needed. Needed is the leading women’s health supplement brand recommended by nutritionally-trained practitioners. While most perinatal supplements include the bare minimum of the nutrients needed during pregnancy, Needed’s products are based on the latest clinical research and in-practice experience of nearly 4000 practitioners. Needed has all your needs covered, from your prenatal vitamin to pregnancy-specific Pre/ and Probiotics, to egg quality support, sleep, stress, immune and hydration support, as well as your protein needs for blood sugar balance and postpartum healing. Needed’s Complete Plan delivers unparalleled nourishment for every phase — whether you’re trying to conceive, pregnant, or postpartum! Instead of having to pair 6 different products together to meet your needs, I love that Needed has simplified things by bundling together four core products you need, in an easy and flexible monthly plan. Save 20% off your first order of Needed’s Complete Plan or any of their other perinatal nutrition products at thisisneeded.com with code BIRTHHOUR.

Precipitous Birth at 36 Weeks in the UK and Difficult Postpartum and Breastfeeding Journey

After a tough pregnancy and a low Papp-A diagnosis, Sruthi’s water broke unexpectedly at 36 weeks. On the bus to the hospital, her contractions intensified, and by the time she had her first cervical check, she was fully dilated. She pushed for 30 minutes before her healthy baby boy was born. Even though she found birth empowering, postpartum and the fourth trimester was unexpectedly rough with a painful physical recovery from birth and breastfeeding issues. 

laboring-on-the-tube

Sruthi Ramesh Bio

Sruthi is originally from California but has been living in London for 4 years with her husband, cat, and 5 month old son. You can contact her on her Instagram at @sruthi.co

Resources

Sleepybelly

Today’s episode is brought to you by the Sleepybelly Pregnancy Pillow which is guaranteed to give you better sleep in 30-nights or they will give you a full refund! Sleepybelly is a three piece, adjustable pregnancy pillow designed to prevent back sleeping, whilst giving you support for your growing bump and helps align your hips to reduce hip and back pain. Being an adjustable set, it grows with you on your pregnancy journey and can be used in 5 different configurations – it is even used as a breastfeeding pillow postpartum.

Sleepybelly has offered listeners of The Birth Hour an exclusive promo, use the code THEBIRTHHOUR10 for 10% off your order, at sleepybelly.co for a more comfortable night’s sleep! With free shipping and a 30-night money back guarantee, try the Sleepybelly today! 

Hospital Vaginal Birth with Long Transition during Omicron Wave of COVID

When Caitlin became pregnant in 2021 she hoped COVID restrictions would be minimal however, her husband was not allowed to attend many of her prenatal visits. At 20 weeks she was diagnosed with placenta previa which luckily resolved, albeit late, at 36 weeks. She stayed active throughout her pregnancy by hiking, rock climbing and bike commuting. She went into labor a week before Christmas at 41w4d, shortly after developing gestational hypertension. To her surprise, labor progressed quickly. Her husband and sister-in-law provided loving support. However, since it was the peak of the Omicron variant she received minimal support from hospital staff. Her labor stalled in the transition phase which lasted over 5 hours. After most pain management strategies were either unhelpful or intensified her pain, Caitlin opted for an epidural. This reduced her pain to a point where she could again cope and she quickly became fully dilated.  After some scares about the baby’s heart rate, she delivered a healthy boy exactly 12 hours after labor started. 

Rock climbing at 35wk on halloween

Caitlin Smigelski Bio

Caitlin is a pelvic physical therapist in Portland, Oregon who specializes in obstetrics and transgender health. She has a Certificate of Achievement in Obstetric Physical Therapy and is a faculty member of the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pelvic Health. She and her husband love being active outdoors and look forward to showing their son the beauty of the PNW. You can connect with Caitlin on Instagram at @caitsmig

Resources

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.

Getting Pregnant due to a Failed IUD + Becoming a Young Mom

Mandy had just graduated from college, was in a long distance relationship, and was teaching math at a Title I middle school in Idaho through Teach For America when she shockingly found out she was pregnant—despite having an IUD. 

The following months leading up to the birth of her son were a whirlwind of major life changes. She had a pretty standard hospital induction and healthy birth with an epidural and just 30 minutes of pushing. Mandy dealt with an oversupply and became a breastmilk donor. Under the guidance of her doctor, Mandy decided to give an IUD another try and this time, the IUD perforated her uterus leading to surgery at 10 weeks postpartum. 

Especially living in Chicago, a city where a lot of people don’t become parents until their mid-or-late thirties, Mandy often finds it isolating to be a young mom. Mandy hopes her story will reach other young moms or moms with unplanned pregnancies who need to hear a story similar to their own. She also hopes to start a conversation about how we talk about birth control and birth control efficacy statistics. 

pregnant with iud

Mandy Davis Bio

Mandy lives in Chicago with her partner and their now 16 month old son. For her day job, she does digital consulting to help make federal government websites and services easier to use. Mandy loves being outside, running, and discovered the joy of rock climbing after becoming a mom. Mandy is abundantly grateful for the green spaces throughout the city and the Chicago Public Library. Mandy recently won a Moth StorySLAM and is excited to grow as a storyteller and writer. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or email her at mandydavi3 [at] gmail [dot] com.

Resources

BabyPeek 

Have you ever wondered whether your baby will inherit your partner’s eye color, or if their hair will be curly or straight, or maybe they will prefer sweet food over salty? Enter BabyPeek, the revolutionary genetic test that unveils your baby’s potential traits as early as 10 weeks gestation.

With BabyPeek, you can discover 12 distinctive traits before they’re born, from the color of their eyes to whether they’ll have a sweet tooth. For example, you might learn that your baby has a 72% chance of dark brown hair, 18% chance of dark blonde hair, and 11% chance of black hair… or that your baby has just a 12% chance of thinking cilantro tastes like soap!

What sets BabyPeek apart is that it’s the first and only genetic test of its kind, brought to you by BillionToOne’s cutting-edge technology and backed by extensive research. BabyPeek is available exclusively as an add-on to Unity Complete, a routinely offered first trimester prenatal test that screens for genetic disorders. Unity is the only version of this test that sequences your baby’s DNA directly from one maternal blood sample taken at your doctor’s office. BabyPeek uses that same sample and cutting-edge technology to give you a fun sneak peek into your baby’s genetic makeup before birth—for the first time ever.

Visit babypeek.com/birthhour now to request access and learn more about how BabyPeek is transforming the way we connect with our little ones even before they arrive.

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