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Healing 2nd Birth Story after Birth Injury and Prolapse and Midwife Attending as Doula for Hospital Birth

Posted on March 6, 2025 - 2:12 am by
birth after birth injury and prolapse

After an anxious pregnancy due to a prior birth injury and challenging first labor, Carolyn had a beautiful and gentle second birth at 40+5 days. Her water started leaking at 40+2, and after three days of patience and gentle induction techniques, active labor moved quickly and she happily surprised herself by birthing unmedicated in an extremely supportive hospital setting.

Due to her prior experiences, Carolyn did a lot of emotional, mental, and physical preparation ahead of this birth. Additionally, she did co-care between a homebirth midwife practice and a team of hospital midwives, with her homebirth midwife attending her birth in a doula capacity, and this turned out to be a perfect integration of care for her. She was also pleasantly surprised with a much easier recovery and postpartum period this time around!

Carolyn Schulte Bio

Carolyn lives in Portland, OR with her partner and two young kids. She is a Marriage and Family Therapist and enjoys time with friends, running, word games, colorful jewelry, delicious meals, and spending time outside. You can connect with her on Instagram at @carolyn__hart.

Resources

AirDoctor

Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code BIRTHHOUR to get UP TO $300 off today! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year warranty—an $84 value, free! Get this exclusive, podcast-only offer now at AirDoctorPro.com

Other Birth Hour Links

Know Your Options Online Childbirth Course – use code 100OFF to save $100 on

Beyond the First Latch Course (comes free with KYO course) 

Support The Birth Hour via Patreon! You can now gift memberships to Patreon here!

Informed Epidural Birth, Spinal Headache, and Short NICU Stay

Posted on March 4, 2025 - 2:45 am by
spinal headache nicu stay

Averi had an uneventful pregnancy and was preparing for an unmedicated hospital birth, until she was induced at 41 weeks and 3 days. After 12 hours of pitocin and only dilating 3 cm, she got an epidural but felt empowered by being prepared and having the chance to make choices throughout her labor. Ultimately, after 17 hours on Pitocin, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl in a joyful and pain free pushing phase. Despite an easy vaginal recovery, she developed a spinal headache in the days following her birth. Her baby also had to be taken back to the NICU due to a number of small issues. She got a blood patch to relieve her headache and her baby begin to show signs of improvement within a couple hours as she began pumping. She was released from the NICU with no issues a couple days later. The breastfeeding journey was difficult, which ended up in Averi exclusively pumping for the first year of her baby’s life. Overall, she looks back at her birth and post partum joyfully because she felt informed and like she used all of her resources throughout labor and recovery.

Averi Dutton Bio

Bio: Averi Dutton lives with her husband, Nick, and one year old, Collins, in Anniston, AL. She is an engineer and enjoys being active, involvement in her local church, spending time with family, cooking, and being outdoors. She is currently pregnant with their second baby girl. Connect with Averi via email at averidutton@gmail.com or Instagram @averidutton23

Resources

Risen Motherhood book

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 6000 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. Use code BIRTHHOUR for 20% off including on monthly plans at thisisneeded.com.

Prodromal Labor Before Long but Empowering Homebirth Birth Story

Posted on February 25, 2025 - 3:00 am by
homebirth after prodromal labor

After about 2 weeks of prodromal labor, Kaely went into “real” labor at 40 weeks 6 days  just as her midwife arrived back in town. Her 31 hour labor was full of many unexpected challenges from back labor to a cervical lip and a nuchal hand. Kaely gave birth to a healthy baby boy in the peace and comfort of her home and, though difficult, she walked away from birth feeling empowered, forever changed and excited to experience birth again one day. 

Kaely McDevitt Bio

Kaely is a Registered Dietitian specializing in nutrition for women’s health. She owns a virtual private practice where she and her team help their clients reclaim their energy, optimize fertility and overcome hormone symptoms through personalized nutrition. Having experienced the pitfalls of a conventional approach to women’s health first hand, Kaely is passionate about empowering women to build health from a place of connection: to self, to nature and to community.

Resources

Motif Medical

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 Motif’s Luna breast pump, AND how Motif’s Aura Glow wearable pump can give you flexibility in your pumping routine. Plus, see how you can get your pump covered through insurance at motifmedical.com/birthhour. 

Short Cervix & Hypermobility; Unmedicated Hospital Birth followed by Prolapse Diagnosis

Posted on February 18, 2025 - 2:46 am by
hypermobility in pregnancy

Danielle’s pregnancy was marked by a surprise diagnosis of Cervical insufficiency at 20 weeks  during her anatomy scan where they found she was beginning to dilate. The MFM providers gave her a 30-60% chance of delivering preterm, anytime between 20 and 34 weeks and explained it was likely due to her hypermobility disorder (EDS). She was placed on “modified bedrest” and vaginal progesterone.  

The days slowly turned to weeks as she tried to emotionally prepare for a potential pre-viable/preterm birth, during which she found support groups, birth stories and a caring doula to help deal with isolation and uncertainty. Miraculously she made it to term and spent the last several weeks of pregnancy in a joyful state of gratitude and relief. Due to the risk of precipitous labor Danielle had been preparing for an unmedicated birth and went into hard and fast spontaneous labor at 40+2.  

The hospital drive was a blur and the delivery room was extremely quiet and peaceful as her doula helped her cope with intense labor using multiple position changes. She experienced a strong fetal ejection reflex but after 2+ hours of pushing, the on-call midwife seemed fearful and used some aggressive “tough-love” coaching to alert her to the possibility of shoulder dystocia. An OB was called in for backup and Danielle safely delivered a baby boy about 40 minutes later after being placed in McRoberts position.  

The moments following birth were marked by relief and adrenaline but left her feeling powerful. She was in awe of her healthy 8lb 9oz baby and her birthing body. She seemed to experience a quick recovery in the initial weeks but began to notice onset of prolapse symptoms a few weeks postpartum. Her prolapse hasn’t resolved but she has been able to manage symptoms with pelvic PT, and a pessary.

Danielle Mossberg Bio

Danielle lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband Daniel and their 2 year old son. At the time of recording they are planning a homebirth to welcome baby #2. She enjoys delicious food, native gardening and nerding about all things birth. Absorbing birth stories was a lifeline for her during a difficult pregnancy and she is honored to be among those who have shared their birth stories on The Birth Hour. Connect with her via email daniellemossberg@gmail.com

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 6000 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. Use code BIRTHHOUR for 20% off including on monthly plans at thisisneeded.com.

Fast, Peaceful Homebirth Birth Story After Loss

Posted on February 11, 2025 - 2:56 am by
waterbirth birth story

Katie returns to the Birth Hour for a second time to share the birth story of her third daughter. At exactly 40 weeks pregnant, Katie went into labor and gave birth at home with the same midwife and doula team that supported her previous birth. After an emotionally difficult pregnancy, this birth was fast, calm, and healing — everything she had hoped for, and more!

Katie lives in the New York City Metro Area with her husband and three children. Along with her career in transportation planning, she is incredibly passionate about birth and supporting new moms and birthing people as result of her experiences with birth and pregnancy loss. Feel free to connect with Katie via Instagram @kmagz.

Resources

Aeroflow Breastpumps

Did you know breast pumps and milk storage bags, maternity compression garments, even lactation education & support can all be covered by your insurance? Aeroflow helps millions of parents unlock these breastfeeding and postpartum essentials by working directly with your insurance company 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. Visit AeroflowBreastpumps.com/birthhour to fill out their free and easy Qualify Through Insurance form. Don’t forget to use the promo code “BIRTHHOUR15” in their online shop for 15% off all supplies and accessories. You’ve got enough on your plate. Why not let Aeroflow Breastpumps help support you on your breastfeeding journey?

Unmedicated, En Caul Hospital Birth and Coping with Two Family Cancer Diagnoses during Pregnancy and Postpartum

Posted on February 6, 2025 - 3:03 am by
en caul birth in hospital

Molly and her husband always wanted children, so after a year of traveling they settled back down in Austin and prepared for their next stage of parenthood. Molly was blessed with a physically healthy pregnancy, and, as a hobby marathon runner, treated pregnancy like a training cycle with a physiological birth being the end goal. Molly was fortunate to find a doula who was passionate and knowledgeable about physiological births and mentally prepared Molly for the big day. To physically prepare, Molly stayed active by running until 36 weeks, strength training, and consistently attending pelvic floor PT. When Molly was 8 months pregnant, their world was rocked when both her mother and mother-in-law received cancer diagnoses within weeks of each other. The remainder of her pregnancy and postpartum were filled with emotional ups and downs as their families navigated the new normal of hospitalizations and medical treatments. Molly gave birth to a healthy baby boy three days after her due date via a peaceful unmedicated hospital birth. She used coping strategies to labor at home for 9 hours and arrived at the hospital 10cm dilated. She pushed for four hours (about the same time it takes her to run a marathon) with her doula and husband as her support crew. Baby Tyler was born en caul which is rare and meant to bring good luck. Molly and Wes practice gratitude everyday for a healthy baby, smooth recovery for Molly, and an abundance of family time as they bond with Tyler who has been a huge source of joy for both families during this time.

Molly Wheeler Bio

Molly lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Wes, and 5 week old son, Tyler. She is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and hobby runner. She and her husband are passionate about traveling, cooking, spending time outdoors, and now raising their newborn son. Instagram handle: @willrunforqueso

Resources

American Giving Birth in France PROM and Unmedicated Birth Story at Hospital with Midwives

Posted on February 4, 2025 - 3:16 am by
american giving birth in france

Rachel moved to France when she was six months pregnant and had to quickly learn to navigate a new healthcare system in a new language to get ready to welcome her first child. Her water broke prematurely at 36 weeks and she spent about 10 days in a French public hospital waiting to go into labor. At 37 weeks, Rachel had a challenging 24-hour unmedicated labor, but ultimately welcomed a healthy, sweet little baby boy. 

Two and a half years later, Rachel gave birth to her daughter through a natural birthing program at a different hospital in France, with an amazing team of midwives. Active labor was just three hours start-to-finish, and many parts of the experience felt redemptive and healing after a difficult experience with her first labor and delivery. 

Rachel Truman Bio

Originally from Minnesota, Rachel Truman lives in Marseille, France, with her husband, son (age 6), and daughter (age 3). She is also expecting baby #3 this year. 

Resources

  • Birth Stories from The Birth Hour
  • meetup.com – A website for connecting with different groups of people with shared interests or activities. Definitely a good option for international folks looking for mom groups or parent groups. 

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 6000 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. Use code BIRTHHOUR for 20% off including on monthly plans at thisisneeded.com.

Three Birth Stories: Hospital, Birth Center, and Homebirth

Posted on January 22, 2025 - 5:14 pm by
waterbirth birth story

Josie birthed three girls. Her birth journey began with unexplained infertility. During the season of infertility, the Clark family still managed to grow through fostering a son.  The OB Josie worked with discovered an intrauterine polyp. She performed a polypectomy, followed by a successful IUI.  Despite some red flags in the relationship with the OB, Josie continued to work with her through the hospital birth of her first daughter. Through the difficulties of that birth,  Josie learned more about her preferences and what provider would support her for any future births. Josie found her voice and planned her second birth with a black midwife at a birth center. This second birthing experience increased her knowledge and confidence, and she felt ready to transition to a home setting for her third birth. Josie’s birth journey led her to discover that her most desired birth setting is the home. The shorter labor and birth, the empowerment through experience, the relaxing home setting and a supportive birth team, Josie couldn’t have planned it any better.

Josie Clark Bio

Josie is a self-proclaimed birth nerd from the Bay Area of California.  She lives in the city of Richmond with her husband of 13 years, David, three daughters aged 7, 5, and 3, known as the J-Crew, and their 9-year-old Goldendoodle, Montana. Josie’s journey to growing her family includes a battle with infertility, becoming a foster mom, and then the experiences of birthing her daughters.  First in a hospital, second at a birthing center, and finally at home.  Each experience was better than the last, which she credits to the knowledge she gained from each birth. She now uses her love of birth to help women have their own positive birth experiences as a birth doula. Reach out to her on Instagram: @joclocs77  or via Email: ja92777@gmail.com

joanna clark birth story

Resources

Natural Childbirth: The Bradley Way – Susan McCutcheon

Motif Medical

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.