Alexxis’ birth story had a lot of unexpected changes. From being considered high risk in the first trimester to then planning an unmedicated and intervention free delivery at a local birthing center while in her third trimester. Alexxis labored at home for 12 hours. When she arrived at the birthing center she was already 8cm dilated. After another 12 hours of unmedicated active labor her husband drove her to the nearby hospital where she received an epidural and gave birth to their baby girl hours later. Although it was tough and she had to deviate from her original birth plan, Alexxis experienced a very fulfilling labor and is now a proud new momma.
Alexxis Ellison Bio
Alexxis is 25 years old and just welcomed her baby girl into the world on 4/4/23. She resides in Tampa Florida with her family of four. She is a full time homemaker and aids her husband in their family owned Real Estate Development business. She is a talented pastry chef, loves to cook, and avid gym goer. Connect with her on Instagram @alexxisnicoleco
Resources
Hypnobirthing
Mommy Labor Nurse
Evidence Based Birth Podcast
The Birth Hour Podcast
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.
Rachael’s first birth was a 9 hr unmedicated labor and delivery, but then two months later she had two craniotomies to remove a subdural hematoma. Despite that jarring postpartum experience, she was eager to have another baby, so right around her daughter’s first birthday Rachael and Zane were excited to find out they were pregnant again. Once again, Rachael had a very straightforward, easy (as easy as possible) pregnancy. She was excited to give birth in the same hospital with an OB/midwife practice, but this time she wanted to use a doula to have more experienced support. At 39+2, Rachael started to have cramps and pretty quickly they left for the hospital. When they arrived she was already 6cm dilated, and they quickly set up the labor and delivery room with twinkle lights and started playing the hypno birthing tracks. After an intense labor, Willow was born at 10:18pm after just 7 hrs. The first night in the hospital was difficult but the rest of postpartum was very restful and sweet.
Rachael DeGraffenried Bio
Rachael is 32 years old and lives in Western Colorado with her husband Zane and two daughters, Juniper (3) and Willow (1). Rachael stays home with her crazy girls and Zane is a software engineer. She also teaches a mom fitness class at the local rec center and line-dancing at a local watering hole.
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.
Erika is honored to share her story of two hospital unmedicated, hypnobirthing births as a Black and Asian mom. Each birth couldn’t be more different with the first one in the summer of June 2018 and the second in January 2021, where she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and induced. Erika was still able to have two empowering, life changing experiences. She was surrounded by love and support from her husband, sister, doula, midwives, Hypnobabies tracks, and of course endless birth hour episodes in preparation.
Erika Pablo Bio
Erika (she/her/hers) is married (for 8) to her partner of 14 years and is a mother of two kiddos, one kindergartner and a 2.5 year old. She identifies as Black and Dutch-Indonesian. She was born and raised in Tacoma and currently resides at her home in West Seattle with her husband and two young kids. She works in local government and previously served on a coalition that provided legal info and doula support to incarcerated parents impacted by the Child Welfare System. She enjoys family walks, visits to the beach, all things personal finance, bravo reality tv, and fantasy football. Connect with Erika on IG at @mixedgirlfinance or @erikaa_p.
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.
Katy and her husband Andy welcomed their first daughter in February 2020, just before the world shut down. An uncomplicated and mostly unremarkable pregnancy, followed by a dreamy 3+ weeks early, mild, precipitous labor and unmedicated birth, led Katy to believe her story wasn’t “birth hour” worthy! That all changed when she got pregnant for the second time and experienced a vanishing twin and the surviving twin flipped between breach to head down throughout the pregnancy. Confirmed head down by the OB that morning, they arrived at the hospital an hour after contractions began (and less than 30 minutes before baby Lena arrived) when the OB resident said there were feet hanging out of the vagina. Lena’s head was stuck in the birth canal for 5-7 minutes and was pulled out by the OB not breathing and with a dangerously low heart rate. Miraculously she only spent 2 days in the NICU and came home as perfect as could be. Connect with Katy @carolglawrence on Instagram.
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.
Siri lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Jason, and 2 children, Adira (3), and Journey (7 months), 3 cats, 1 dog and 9 chickens! She has over 5 years of experience as a teacher of young children but changed career paths in 2021 and now works at her father’s electrical supply company. Siri has had type 1 diabetes since 2001 and she is excited to share the story of her first pregnancy and birth of her daughter, Adira. Connect with Siri on Instagram @sirilachmansingh
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.
Experienced mother, African-American, who had prior textbook birth experiences at a very young age (I had my first at 21 and my second at 23). Third pregnancy at 32 through me through a loop despite being more prepared (financially, emotionally, and physically).
Induction due to preeclampsia at 36 weeks. Hard pregnancy that ended with a great pain-medication free birth with chaotic after birth experience. My daughter and I had an extended stay at the hospital due to the pre-e medication and I had to leave the hospital without her while she stayed in the NICU.
Daphny Sharpe Bio
Daphny is 37 years old, a mom of 4 kids (17, 14, 4 and 3) and they currently live in Memphis, TN. Connect with Daphny on IG @daphny_nicole or on LinkedIn Daphny Sharpe.
Ava Bracelet & their communitt (found out about it on The Birth Hour!)
Needed
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.
