by thebirthhour | Nov 15, 2018 | Birth Stories, Cesarean, Hospital, VBAC
Elizabeth Quinn is married to Percy and they are raising their four children in Jackson, Mississippi. Elizabeth Quinn returns to The Birth Hour to share her most recent birth story with her son, Sims. Elizabeth had two cesareans and then a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and is really involved in the birth community in Jackson. She is super passionate about being educated about birth and helping women who have had c sections to know their options.
In this episode she mentions:
Spinning Babies Daily Essentials Dvd
The Miles Circuit
Here’s a link to the original episode:
Birth Resources
You can check out a long list of resources (many specifically helpful for VBAC) from Elizabeth on her original birth story page.
Aeroflow Breastpumps
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by thebirthhour | Nov 8, 2018 | Birth Stories, Cesarean, Hospital, VBAC
A VBA2C Birth Story – Elizabeth Quinn
Elizabeth Quinn is married to Percy and they are raising three girls in Jackson, Mississippi. Her daughters are Chesley Cox, 6 years old, Anderson Lillian ‘Anders’ 4 years old, and Adella Calhoon 22 months old.
In almost seven years of motherhood she’s gone from the totally oblivious first time mom, focused on the nursery and stroller and clueless about all things birth related to a certifiable birth junkie. The journey from unwanted, unplanned, unnecessary cesarean section to incredible VBA2C (vaginal birth after two cesareans) has given her a passion for birth education and vbac support.
She’s now a co-leader of her local ICAN chapter, coordinator of the Jackson, MS Improving Birth Rally, and administrator of a Facebook group that advocates for evidence based practices in maternity care called Birth Circle.
Elizabeth did her fair share of research and preparation for her VBAC and has since been connected with even more amazing birth resources so you’ll definitely want to check out her resource list.
You can listen to Elizabeth’s fourth birth story (another VBAC) with her first BOY after three girls here And here are links to our original parts 1 and 2 broadcasts:
Resource Links
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
ICAN of Jackson, Ms Facebook page and blog
Improving Birth
Evidence Based Birth
VBAC Facts
The VBAC Project
Trial of Labor
BLOGS
Birth Without Fear
Mama Birth
CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION COURSE
Birth Boot Camp
BOOKS
‘Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth’ by Ina May Gaskin
‘Cut, Stapled, Mended: When one woman reclaimed her body and gave birth on her own terms.’ by Roanna Rosewood
‘The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth’ by Henci Goer
‘Birthing Normally after a Cesarean or Two’ by Helene Vadeboncoeur
Crane
This episode is sponsored by Crane Humidifiers. Crane’s colorful humidifiers are a nursery necessity to help relieve your baby’s tiny congested nose, which can make feeding and sleeping a struggle for both baby and mom. A happy baby is a healthy baby. Crane is generously offering $10 OFF and free shipping on all of their full-priced 1 gallon adorable animal shaped humidifiers and drop humidifiers with the code BIRTH18 at www.crane-usa.com.
by thebirthhour | Nov 1, 2018 | Birth Stories, Hospital, Twins
Triplets Birth Story with Postpartum Hemorrhage
Desiree delivered her triplets at 34 weeks 1 day, her goal date. Her babies were all about 5 pounds each. Unfortunately, Desiree had some complications after her delivery. She hemorrhaged and needed blood transfusions. Her delivery was certainly not what she anticipated, but she is thankful she and her babies were safe.
Desiree Fortin Bio
Desiree is a Mom of almost 3 year old triplets. She is a Mommy Blogger and loves to share all things Motherhood, the good and the hard. On her blog she shares her infertility struggles, triplet pregnancy and delivery, and is incredibly vulnerable in sharing her postpartum depression and anxiety journey. Connect with her at theperfectmomblog.com or on Instagram @thefortintrio.
Earth Mama Organics
Today’s episode is sponsored by Earth Mama Organics. From the positive test to the big push, from the first latch to the thousandth diaper, Earth Mama makes effective organic and natural herbal products for the whole journey of motherhood including pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, and baby care. They’ve been safely nurturing mamas this way since 2002 — and they wouldn’t do it any other way. At the end of today’s episode I’ll talk to Natalie about why she loves Earth mama products. Here is the Periodic Tea recipe I mentioned in today’s episode!
by thebirthhour | Oct 30, 2018 | Birth Stories, Cesarean, Hospital
Getting pregnant via IUI and how a very rare neuromuscular condition affected pregnancy
Ali got pregnant super quickly via IUI and had a normal pregnancy, except for a very rare neuromuscular condition, which she had prior, that ended up affecting her very negatively. Her first instinct was a home birth, but a few months into her pregnancy it was recommended that she assemble a small team of specialists and birth at a teaching hospital in Tampa, FL. In this time, her wife Hayley also became pregnant! Their due dates were 5 months apart.
PROM, Induction and Frustrations with Hospital Staff
Ali was 38.5 weeks when her water broke with a slow leak and she was admitted to the hospital with no contractions. After being checked at 1 cm and waiting in triage for over 6 hours, she was advanced into the birth and delivery room where she was administered Cytotec, an oral inducer. Her contractions started that evening after a second, double dose, and quickly intensified to over a minute long, coming every minute. She was with her adoring wife and had the help of a doula, Laura. Because of her neuromuscular disorder, there was total chaos surrounding her birth plan.
No one among her self-assembled medical team was accountable or there when they were needed. A midwife at the hospital gave her an excruciating vaginal check, 12 hours into contractions, and she remained at 1 cm. It was then she knew instinctually that something was wrong, and not just ‘first timer’ wrong. She told her doula and her wife that she wanted an ultrasound (she thought maybe the baby was in a strange position) because something felt off. The medical staff told Ali, Hayley, and Laura that they did not offer ultrasounds in active labor. They questioned this repeatedly, but no help came.
Surprise Breech Baby Delivered Via C Section
After pleading with the staff for an epidural to gain some rest and combat the intensity of the contractions, one was administered 6 hours after the request. Another vaginal check came by 8 pm, 24 hours into active labor, and Ali remained at 1 cm. During this exam, the midwife-on-call mentioned that “something doesn’t feel right.” It was in this moment Ali realized her baby was breech, and she would have a cesarean.
Otis Bear was born 2 hours later at 9:56 PM via cesarean section, 7 pounds even and entirely perfect. His heart rate remained stellar throughout the labor and birth. Ali’s wife, Hayley, tucked him into her tank top for skin to skin, while Ali was sewn up. The three met again in recovery and left the hospital 2 days later.
Ali Kesner Bio
Ali lives with her wife, Hayley, and two sons, Otis and Bowie, in Florida. Otis is a little over 6 months and Bowie is 2 weeks old. Ali is a professional photographer, specializing in portrait work. She and her wife each carried, sharing the same donor. They live in their adorable Floridian cottage with two dogs, Brick and Amelia, and a chicken, Edie. Connect with her on Instagram at @creating_kesners or @kesner_creative.
Resources
Bradley Classes – These were really helpful, in working with my partner. When we signed up for the class, that is how we met my doula, Laura. She was the instructor.
The Birth Hour – I listened every single day beginning before I was pregnant. I listened to all of them because I wanted to know as many possible outcomes as possible – even the really tough stories.
Mama Natural – Love her approach to having a healthy pregnancy. Did as well as I could on that path until my absolute need for french fries 2 -3 times a day could not be ignored.
Kindred Bravely
Today’s 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 and use the coupon code BIRTHHOUR20 for 20% off.
by thebirthhour | Oct 23, 2018 | Birth Stories, Hospital, Infertility
Long Prodromal Labor then Only 5 Minutes of Pushing
Chelsea was thrilled to conceive her son using the Ava Bracelet and talks about how helpful it was for her. After two weeks(!) of intense back-to-back contractions, Chelsea was induced at 37 weeks. Her son’s heart rate started dropping during really strong contractions, and the doctors didn’t feel comfortable sending Chelsea home. Her water was broken at around 10 AM on 3/21/18 and at 2:44 PM, after only 5 minutes of pushing, Micah was born.
Chelsea Johnson Bio
Chelsea is a 31 year old first time mom, wife and #girlboss. She owns a Campaign Disclosure firm (CJ & Associates, Inc.) in Roseville, CA. Her and her husband, Jason, had been trying to have a baby for 3 years before they were blessed with Micah. The three of them currently live in Antelope, CA with their two dogs, Kona and Dozer.
Resources
Ava Bracelet for Tracking Fertility and the Ava Facebook groups
The Healthy Pregnancy Book
The Baby Book
Ava Women
This episode is sponsored by Ava Women. Wear the Ava bracelet while you sleep for effortless insight about your fertility, your cycle, and your health. Ava monitors nine physiological parameters and is clinically proven to detect the beginning of the fertile window in real time. You can use the promo code: BIRTHHOUR for $20 off each order at avawomen.com.
by thebirthhour | Oct 16, 2018 | Birth Stories, Cesarean, Hospital, Loss, Twins
In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month we are sharing this beautiful story again.
Same-sex couple Mariel and Viviana knew they always wanted a baby; so, a year into their marriage they began trying to conceive by the traditional route of IUI’s with frozen sperm via a sperm bank. After nearly a dozen failed tries, they switched gears to a known-donor and were quickly pregnant. Early on in Viviana’s pregnancy she began having complications, and on the same day of her anatomy scan at 20 weeks and 6 days, Viviana’s water bag prolapsed and broke. Tune in to hear the details of their devastating infant loss due to incompetent cervix and the redemption story of their boy/girl rainbow babies conceived within 7 days of each other and born only three days apart. Follow their journey on Instagram at @moderndaytwins.
Viviana Bio
I don’t have a hometown, but if I had to claim one, it would be Dallas, TX. I met Mariel in college at UNT and quickly fell in love. A few years into our dating, and after moving to Austin, she asked me to marry her; so, we had a ceremony in TX and made it legal in NYC when I was 29 and she was 22. I’ve always wanted to be a mother and never could have guessed the road to realizing it would be so hard. Now the Mama to my “modern day twins” and my little angel baby in heaven, I’m at peace. My loss and the birth world has been truly inspirational to me so I share as much as I can on social media and hope to give back somehow. Connect with me on Instagram at @vivianarchy.
Mariel Bio
I grew up in Brownsville, TX, which is on the Texas/Mexico border and never lived anywhere else until I left for college where I met Viviana and instantly fell in love. Up until meeting her, my life was pretty vanilla: I had a set goal, and was meeting every expectation my very traditional Mexican family set out for me. Then, all of a sudden, I threw all of that out of the window and started taking risks I’d never imagine were possible – I graduated college in three years and moved to the most expensive city in Texas without a job just so I could finally live passionately. It’s been a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs, but despite the uncertainties, we’ve always managed to land on our feet and have been blessed beyond measure. I love to tell our story to anybody that will listen so that people see that there is hope so long as you don’t give up and are willing to take as many detours as life throws your way. Connect with me on Instagram at @cafesitamami.
Aeroflow Breastpumps
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