Hannah shared her cesarean birth story on episode 524 and her VBAC story on episode 741. Hannah is a mom of two that also works as a nurse part time. She delivered her 10lb VBAC baby 6 months ago and is continuing to work through her postpartum recovery from internal tearing and bladder prolapse. She shares her thoughts on pelvic floor therapy and the role it has played in her recovery, as well as knowing when to switch providers or look for help through other avenues.
Connect with her via Instagram: Hannah_wildhaber, Facebook: Hannah Wildhaber, or Email: harder.hannah@gmail.com.
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 Embrace in Soft Air Mesh and new Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer that we discussed on the podcast!
Andrea Faulkner Williams is the Head Mama and Co-founder of Tubby Todd Bath Co., which she launched in 2014 with her husband, Brian Todd, as a solution to their own family’s sensitive skin. Tubby Todd’s mission is to connect families through good, clean fun bodycare basics. The company started out by sharing products on Instagram with friends and family and they now have a cult following of a million+ community members across their channels. Andrea believes that bubbles are for everyone and is on a mission to provide families with connection opportunities. She lives in San Diego with Brian and their four little ones. Join her on Instagram @andreafaulknerwilliams
Tubby Todd Bath Co.
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.
Needed
Today’s episode was also sponsored by Needed, the authority on perinatal and women’s nutrition. Needed is a nutrition platform dedicated to optimally nourishing women before, during, and after pregnancy. Needed is backed by the latest clinical research and 3,000+ perinatal nutrition practitioners. They’re the #1 women’s health supplement brand recommended by nutritionally-trained practitioners, and the first perinatal nutrition company to be B-Corp and Climate-Neutral Certified. Optimal nourishment is needed, and most prenatal vitamins are missing key nutrients and include bare minimum amounts. In fact, while 97% of women in the US take a prenatal supplement, 95%+ are still deficient in key nutrients. Needed’s Prenatal Multi was formulated in partnership with perinatal practitioners – using the latest research and by testing thousands of mamas’ nutrient levels to know what’s truly needed to thrive, not just survive. Optimally nourish yourself with their complete line of perinatal and women’s health supplements at thisisneeded.com. Use code BIRTHHOUR for 20% off at thisisneeded.com.
In November of 2021, Jessica and her boyfriend (now husband), Julian, were surprised with an unplanned pregnancy! She knew from the start that an unmedicated birth was up her alley and switched over to a home birth during the third trimester. She shares several resources she used to prepare for her positive birth experience. After 33 long hours of labor, their baby boy was born sunny side up.
Jessica also shares her baby’s experience with four oral ties and the 3-month process to getting them released with the help of a lactation consultant, as well as the struggle of breastfeeding during this time.
Jessica Wagle Bio
Jessica and her husband live in Wichita, Kansas, with their 7-month-old, Judah, and their goldendoodle. She is currently staying at home full-time but aspires to help women and couples conceive and learn about their fertility through charting cycles. During her free time, Jess loves reading and hiking. Connect with her on Instagram at @jessicalwagle or on FB at Jessica Wagle (she’s in the Birth Hour patreon group too!).
This episode is sponsored by Milkies by Fairhaven Health. Milkies is a line of thoughtfully designed products for moms, by moms, to help support you in your breastfeeding journey. Products include breast milk collection and storage, like the award winning Milk-Saver, supplements, teas, nursing pads and much more! Milkies is generously offering 15% off all Milkies products with the code BirthHour15 at www.fairhavenhealth.com.
India shares some highlights from her births below… listen to the full episode (771) in your favorite podcast app to hear the full story!
India’s first daughter: 2 weeks before my due date I went through 3 days of prodromal labor. Hardly any rest because the contractions were waking me up. Beyond exhausted. Progressing but very slow (Arrived at the birth center at 5/6AM ish and she arrived at 6:33PM) She slightly turned when I got to the birthing center but we got her to turn back All back labor We went home within 8 hours
India’s second daughter: 2 weeks before my due date Complete opposite from my 1st birth I was sleeping and it felt like I peed the bed. I thought I was dreaming I went to get up to go to the bathroom and water is just gushing I literally thought I was going to have her in the car. My birth center is 45 minutes away. All back labor Quick and hard Arrived at the birth center at 10PM/11PM and she came at 3:51AM
India Brown Bio
India is a sought-after Video Marketing Strategist known for her ability to help coaches, entrepreneurs, and SME’s leverage the power of video to grow their businesses.
This episode is sponsored by Oath Care – a welcoming community to connect with fellow moms, find judgement-free support, and get personalized expert advice from pediatricians, marriage and family therapists, lactation and sleep consultants, pelvic floor therapists and more. Download the free to use Oath Care app from oathcare.com or in the App Store or Google Play.
Enya Kroon first had a homebirth when she gave birth to her son in 2017 at her mother’s home. In 2018, Enya became a surrogate and developed Intrahepatic Cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) in her third trimester, she was then induced and ultimately had a hospital birth with an epidural. Finally, in 2022 Enya found out mid pregnancy with her second son that she had placenta previa, and though she wanted another homebirth, she delivered her son in the hospital with an urgent C-section when the previa did not resolve.
Enya Kroon Bio
Enya is a mother of 2 boys who lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is both a stay at home mom and a potter who shows her love of birth and the feminine body through her pottery. Her art can be found through social media at @fruitofthewomb.
Aeroflow Breastpumps
Today’s episode is sponsored by Aeroflow Breastpumps. Aeroflow has helped millions of new and expecting parents discover the breastfeeding and postpartum essentials covered by their insurance including breast pumps, maternity compression, and lactation education & support.
They take care of everything – including all paperwork, working with your insurance company, and explaining your options to get these free essentials shipped straight to your door. Aeroflow offers all major breast pump brands including Medela, Spectra, Motif, Lansinoh, Ameda, Elvie, Willow and more.
All you have to do is go to the Aeroflow Breastpumps website and fill out their free and easy Qualify Through Insurance form. Be sure to go to aeroflowbreastpumps.com/birthhour so they will know we sent you! Bonus — use the promo code “BIRTHHOUR15” in their online shop for 15% off all supplies and accessories.
This Marielis’ first pregnancy/birth. She had a very normal/healthy pregnancy and has no history of mental illness. After planning a mostly unmedicated birth, she ended up having an unplanned c-section. Is he started off using nitrous oxide for some time but after 16 hours, was only dilated to 6cm. She was stuck at 9 cm for another 8 hours so they decided it was time for a c-section. After a week she started feeling a bit weird. At first she felt like she was fading in and out of her body. She’d feel normal for a few hours then felt like she wasn’t all there and during these times would feel extreme paranoia and manic episodes. She wasn’t able to sleep or eat and when she started to realize she wasn’t feeling herself her baby’s father started looking into getting her help and was able to find her a doctor who diagnosed her with postpartum psychosis (over zoom). She wasn’t able to care for her baby (when she looked at her she felt like she wasn’t really there/alive) It was an extremely scary time for her and everyone around her. She was checking into a mental health facility for 6 days and finally felt like herself again. Connect with her on Instagram at @hailmari__
Call the PSI emergency hotline 1-800-273-8255. Emergency Hotlines are available all the time. It is very important that you reach out right now and find the support and information you need to be safe. Call for yourself or someone you care about; available 24/7.
Ergobaby
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 Embrace in Soft Air Mesh and new Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer that we discussed on the podcast!
After two years of trying to get pregnant, Madelyn was eventually diagnosed with PCOS and began fertility treatment. With the aid of a trigger shot and timed intercourse, Madelyn became pregnant, and gave birth to her first son in June 2020. Her pregnancy was uncomplicated and joyful. As a trained doula, Madelyn had prepared for an unmediated hospital birth. Despite her preparation, a prolonged labor ultimately resulting in a C-section left Madelyn feeling exhausted and out of control. Immediately following birth, Madelyn felt overwhelmed and highly anxious. In the first months postpartum, depression and anxiety coalesced around an increasingly fraught relationship with alcohol and the isolation of early COVID quarantines. Intrusive thoughts creeped in. As the months passed, her drinking became more frequent and secretive, and her relationships with those closest to her began to fray. With the assistance of therapy, medication and intensive outpatient rehabilitation, Madelyn was able to take control of her mental health and find sobriety. A profound period of introspection and healing followed.
In Spring 2022, Madelyn and her husband decided they wanted to try for a second baby. They were pleasantly surprised when Madelyn became pregnant only two months later and even more surprised when they discovered she was pregnant with twins!
Like her first, Madelyn’s second pregnancy was uncomplicated and joyful; although physically more challenging. Due to the babies’ positioning, a VBAC was not an option and a planned C-section at 38 weeks became an incredibly redemptive birth experience for Madelyn. In the three weeks since the birth of the twins, Madelyn is grateful to report that her postpartum experience has been completely different from her first.
Madelyn Morris Bio
Madelyn is a mom to three. Her first son, Leo was born June 2020 and her twins, Juniper and Elias, were born December 2022. Madelyn and her husband, Andrew, have been married almost 8 years. Madelyn is originally from Utah, but she and her family currently reside in Chicago, IL. Madelyn is a family law attorney. Connect with her on FB or instagram by searching for Madelyn Morris.
This episode is sponsored by Woolino. Woolino’s innovative sleep sacks help babies sleep better and longer. More sleep for baby means more sleep for you! Woolino’s super-soft, temperature-regulating merino wool sleep sacks use 100% natural fibers that are safe for babies, environmentally friendly, and easy to care for. Discover why thousands of babies and parents are sleeping better at woolino.com/thebirthhour and use the coupon code BIRTHHOUR for 15% off.
Hope and her spouse Tyler decided they were ready to have a baby in 2017 and began trying to conceive. It was a long road of unexplained infertility and multiple miscarriages. They conceived a sticky baby in June 2018 and gave birth to their daughter, Magnolia, March 5, 2019 at 38+5 weeks at a free standing birth center in Nashville (Baby&Co, now Vanderbilt Birth center). After 24 hours of back labor, thanks to Magnolia being OP, Hope achieved her goal of an unmedicated birth while squatting in the corner of the room at 9:45 pm.
Hope Aberg Bio
Hope Aberg (@Hope_aberg)is a full spectrum doula (BADT) and childbirth educator (ICEA) in Nashville, Tn. She found her passion for birthwork through her journey ttc, kisses and eventually the birth of her daughter. She began birth work in 2020 and founded @VillageBirthServices. She works along side the incredible doulas on the @EastNashvilleDoulas team.
An out of Hospital evidence-based Childbirth Education course
Spontaneous labor, induction and surgical birth plans
Spinning Babies
Blossoming Bellies
Pelvic Floor PT prenatal and postnatal
Secure lactation consultant prenatally
Happy Baby Carrier
Kindred Bravely
This episode is brought to you by Kindred Bravely. From adorable maternity wear to comfortable nursing bras, this mom-owned company has you covered. See all of their comfy clothing at kindredbravely.com! I especially love their Simply Sublime nursing tank, their high waisted leggings (for pregnancy AND postpartum). Listen to this episode for a special coupon code and to hear about my new favorites in their summer line of clothing and loungewear!
After an uncomplicated pregnancy, Samara had many days of prodromal labor that lasted well into her 41st week of pregnancy. True labor finally kicked off at 41 weeks and 4 days after a foley balloon placement at the freestanding birth center where she planned to meet her baby boy. Over the next thirty-eight hours, Samara went from laboring at home with her doula to laboring at the birth center in a big, beautiful tub to laboring on all fours in the back of her Mazda 2 Hatchback due to a meconium-related hospital transfer. She was going for an unmedicated, out-of-hospital birth and ended up epiduralized, working with her hospital care team (who were also her coworkers) to pull out all the interventional stops to get her a vaginal delivery. While both she and baby tolerated labor well (the meconium never presented a problem), she still never progressed past 7 centimeters. At the 38th hour, she had a c-section for arrest of dilation.
It’s taken time to process the birth and her feelings have evolved with each passing month. Labor came with its fair share of stress and pain and things did NOT go as planned but overall she’s grateful for the feelings of autonomy she had throughout the experience. She believes that regardless of birth outcome, feeling respected and having autonomy throughout the experience can turn a potentially traumatic birth into an empowering one. She’s incredibly grateful for the care she received both outside and inside the hospital, and she hopes to one day provide that same level of care to her patients as a Certified Nurse-Midwife.
Samara Bio
Samara is a Labor and Delivery nurse and Master’s student at UCSF where she’s studying to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. A once astute conversationalist, Samara now struggles to chat about anything but birth, pregnancy, and her new favorite subject…babies. She welcomes any and all new conversation topics. A lazy cyclist, beer lover, and self-help enthusiast, she lives in San Francisco with her husband Toby, baby boy Ziggy, and two precious cats Sass and Frankie.
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.
Britt previously shared her first birth story and experience with Postpartum Depression on episode 470. She returns to share her second story and how her plans for the birth and postpartum changed the second time around. Britt discusses how fear played a part of her labor progressing, and the power of letting go and trusting your body. She describes a euphoric birth & postpartum experience in a hospital birth center. She went home to enjoy a 4th trimester that felt calm, peaceful and empowering – a stark and welcome contrast after previously experiencing PPD.
Britt also shares the ups and downs of adjusting to life with a toddler and a newborn, as well as dealing with breastfeeding and infant weight gain issues, and a misdiagnosed tongue tie.
Britt Watkins Bio
Britt and her husband Matt reside in Upstate New York with their daughters Maya & Callie, and their sweet old dog, Doc. Britt and Matt love living in NY, taking full advantage of all four seasons in the Adirondack Mountains. Britt’s a total birth nerd, a certified lactation consultant, and loves sharing and hearing about birth & postpartum experiences.
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 Embrace in Soft Air Mesh and new Evolve 3-in-1 Bouncer that we discussed on the podcast!
To speak with experience requires one having taken the journey. To speak with knowledge requires teachers. No one is a more experienced teacher of the joys and challenges of motherhood than mothers themselves!
There are endless experiences of motherhood: from tranquil peaceful moments, to peak triumphs, and tension-filled ordeals. As both a family doctor and perinatal psychotherapist, I have had the privilege of partnering with hundreds of women as they enter motherhood. Each has her own unique experience.
For over two decades I have treated women with postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA). These are experiences that I wish for no one to endure, yet 1 out of 7 moms develop PPD and 1 in 10 develop PPA. Unfortunately, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are common.
Women describe PPD as feeling overwhelmed, sad or numb, irritable, empty, exhausted, or feeling like a failure as a mother. PPD robs moms of their ability to take pleasure in sweet moments with their baby. It can even block your ability to bond with your baby.
Often PPD dramatically amplifies relationship distress in a couple. Maternal depression increases the risk of a partner developing PPD. (One in ten dads and adoptive moms get PPD too!) Many moms don’t even realize that the cause of what they’re feeling is depression. Instead, they withdraw from support and blame themselves or their partners, rather than the depression they are enduring.
Over the past 20 years our knowledge of treatments, including natural options, counseling, and medications, has improved dramatically. Perhaps even more importantly, multiple studies have proven that specific strategies can prevent perinatal depression. Contrary to popular belief, hormonal changes are not the sole cause of PPD. Instead there are many contributing factors responsible: prolonged sleep deprivation, stress, life changes, isolation, loss of one’s prior life, etc.
The good news is that because there are so many causes coming together to create it, we can make numerous interventions to treat PPD and prevent it. Let’s start with the basics. Getting adequate sleep is essential for wellness. That’s easier said than done! That’s why I teach over 20 different methods for improving your sleep quality and quantity. Some techniques are as simple as giving your baby a ‘dream feed’ each night. Just this one simple routine of waking a baby to feed last thing before you or your partner goes to bed at night, has been shown to increase parental sleep and reduce PPD.
There are numerous other techniques that can help, including getting twenty minutes of morning sunshine daily or developing a daily practice of gratitude. Even certain foods can reduce PPD: such as 1) Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil or chia seeds, 2) Vitamin D from milk, supplements or sunshine, or 3) Selenium – just one Brazil nut a day is all you need to get the recommended amount to boost your mood.
There are also many strategies that can reduce postpartum anxiety (PPA). Spending at least 30 minutes a day doing something you enjoy away from your baby (while a trusted person watches them), allows your maternal vigilance to rest. This is so important when you are otherwise responsible for your baby 24/7. When you give your protective ‘baby radar’ a break, you create space to be your ‘old self’. If separating from your baby feels difficult, start with ten minute breaks daily and gradually increase.
You can also reduce your stress by practicing self care. Specific self-care strategies, such as taking periodic 1-minute pauses to breathe, can reduce your stress level and improve your energy level.
In addition, there are techniques to increase teamwork in a couple. When your partner actively assists you to get more sleep and take things off your plate you feel more supported and understood.
Knowing what predictable pitfalls commonly trigger depression and how to side-step them, can make a huge difference in your entire family’s wellness and contentment. These preventative measures can be found in medical and psychology research journals, but every woman should have the tools to thrive through motherhood. In my masterclass I teach these strategies in bite-sized chunks for busy moms. Each of these techniques helps just a little bit, but when you put them all together in one simple program, you create a powerful force for wellbeing in motherhood. This is how you get off to a great start! That’s the purpose of the Motherhood Survival Manual Masterclass.
Kym could not have asked for a better birth experience. She planned and hoped for a natural unmedicated birth but knew birth can be extremely unpredictable, so she was open and ready for anything. Kym was able to achieve her goal of bringing her son into this world without medication and she could not have done so without her midwife team, support from her husband, and the cooperation from the star of the show, baby boy Travis.
Kym’s husband left for the Pendleton Roundup that weekend and it was a running joke that the baby better not come until Dad gets home. Coincidentally enough things started the evening Dad returned. Contractions started the Sunday evening of September 19th, 2021. Kym thought it may have just been indigestion since it was very minor and inconsistent, and she was only 37 weeks and 2 days. The cramping/contractions continued through the night. She was able to sleep through the contractions but would check her phone after each one to know they were hitting on average every 20 minutes. She was able to breathe through them and fall back asleep. The next morning, she woke up and showered and clocked into work (at the time she was working remotely). She checked emails with contractions still happening and her husband went into work. She lasted only about an hour and a half when she told her manager she wasn’t feeling well and might be in labor. She called her husband, and he came home immediately.
Panic started to set in, so they were quickly googling what to pack for the hospital bag since the baby wasn’t expected for another 2 ½ weeks. The unopened car seat box was even thrown into the trunk of the car since they had not set it up yet. The on-call midwife was on the phone and calmed the two of them down since contractions needed to be a minute long and they were only about 15-30 seconds at the time. Kym labored at home for the entire day. Four showers and two baths were taken. Things started to get intense after 5pm and Kym was feeling as though she needed some sort of relief. She decided to take another bath and contractions stopped and she felt as if she could finally relax and breathe. Those ten minutes of tranquility was just what her body needed. Things started to become very intense, and contractions were now lasting 45 seconds-1 minute long, so it was go time. It was 7pm and Kym remembers the uncomfortable drive to the hospital and peeking through her sunglasses and seeing the most beautiful sunset she had ever seen. She remembers thinking in her head “I’m about to meet my baby.” It was the most idyllic moment.
After arriving at the hospital, the midwives asked if she wanted to be checked and sure enough, she was 7 cm dilated and fully effaced. Kym was at the hospital a total of 90 minutes until her son was born. Kym was exhausted and checked out, but one of the midwives got eye level with Kym and gave her a pep talk that she will never forget. Once in a room she pushed for a total of 25 minutes. Pushing was done mostly on the toilet which is where her water broke and her baby started crowning. The midwives suggested she transfer to the bed where Brett and a nurse helped escort her to. Kym pushed a couple more times and her son came out and hit her husband’s leg. Kym remembers hearing his first cry and getting to hold him on her chest. It was the most magical moment that she never wanted to end. Once the umbilical cord was done pulsing, Brett cut the cord while the midwives took a couple photos. The midwives then helped the mom and baby nurse for the very first time. It was the most wonderful day on the most beautiful fall harvest moon.
Kym Dove Bio
Kym is a local Pacific Northwest girl who has been living in Portland for the past 6 years with her husband Brett, her one-year-old son Travis, and her pit hound mix named Raynie. She met her husband back in 2013 in Portland at a mutual friends’ house. Life decided to speed up for the two of them starting in February of 2021 when they unexpectedly found out they were pregnant. All the major live events then followed. They became engaged May 2021, had their baby boy September 20, 2021, got married June 2022, and bought their first home August 2022. You could say 2021 and 2022 were big years for them! Brett is a Salesman at Tec Equipment in North Portland and Kym use to work for the medical school program at OHSU and is now a full time stay at home mom. The Doves love the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Kym can be contacted on Instagram at @kym_dove
Resources
Ina May Guide to Childbirth
The Birth Hour Podcast
All About Pregnancy & Birth-Nicole Rankins
Pregnancy Podcast by Vanessa Merten
Evidence Based Birth -Rebecca Dekker
Devi Prayer-Craig Pruess & Ananda-Hindu Prayer (21 min long)
BabyIt from Fairhaven Health
This episode is sponsored by Fairhaven Health. Fairhaven Health offers a wide range of products for fertility, pregnancy, breastfeeding and women’s health. Today, we’re highlighting a product from their vaginal care line – BabyIt Perineal Massage and Postpartum Gel. BabyIt is a water-based, isotonic and paraben-free gel designed specifically for perineal massage during pregnancy, and to soothe sore tissues postpartum. Fairhaven Health is generously offering 15% off of all products with the code BirthHour15 at www.fairhavenhealth.com
