by thebirthhour | Mar 14, 2019 | Birth Stories, Homebirth, Hospital, Hypnobirthing
Megacystis Diagnosis & Homebirth with Hypnobirthing
After suffering from an autoimmune condition most of her life, Caroline approached pregnancy with trepidation, initially unsure she would be able to successfully conceive. After becoming pregnant in Fall 2016, her initial elation gave way to concern when a 12 week scan revealed her son was suffering from a condition called megacystis. When not resolved in utero, megacystis proves fatal. Careful monitoring continued until 24 weeks when she was finally given the “all clear” to enjoy a healthy pregnancy. Meeting with a doula around the same time gave Caroline and her husband, Brett, the confidence to pursue a homebirth; and, despite insurance difficulties, they secured the services of an incredible homebirth midwife.
At 38 weeks, Caroline’s waters broke and after an intense but pain free night (thanks hypnobirthing!) her son was born after a posterior labor in the bedroom of their home. When her placenta tore after delivery, Caroline was transferred to the local hospital for a D&C where her impeccable care continued.
Caroline Snider Bio
Caroline moved to Los Angeles from her native England back in early 2008 to further her career in advertising. There she met her husband Brett who directs TV commercials and together they’ve pursued many adventures, most notably the 18 months they spent living in a Winnebago traveling the widths and breadths of the United States. Caroline now lives in Upstate NY with Brett, their son Casper, dog Knuckles and Cat Artemis Pizza where she is a writer, professional photographer, mother and homemaker. Connect with her on Instagram.
CollegeBacker
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by thebirthhour | Mar 12, 2019 | Birth Stories, Hospital, International
Sofia Abdul Ali shares her experience with the maternity health care system in India as well as her dissatisfaction with her birth experiences and finally the amazing postpartum care she received from family. Sofia didn’t have any pictures she wanted to share and prefers to communicate with listeners via the comments on this page.
Sakura Bloom
This episode is sponsored by Sakura Bloom. Baby carriers crafted in California with the softest hand-dyed linens, hand-loomed silks, coziest bamboo & cashmere. Sakura Bloom covers you from the newborn days through toddlerhood with three unique carrier styles – The Ring Sling, The Onbuhimo and The Scout. Sakura Bloom believes in keeping waste to a minimum and attention to detail high, which means crafting in small batches in their coastal San Diego workshop. Learn more via their customer Facebook Group or on Instagram.
by thebirthhour | Mar 7, 2019 | Birth Stories, Breech, Cesarean, Homebirth, Hospital, VBAC
In this episode January Harshe shares her first four birth stories: a cesarean, a homebirth transfer to cesarean, a hospital VBAC after being dropped from care by her homebirth midwife, and a very healing unassisted homebirth. You can hear her 5th and 6th birth stories on her podcast that she hosts with her husband, The Harshe Podcast.
January Harshe Bio
January owns Birth Without Fear where she blogs and runs its social media sites. January recently published Birth Without Fear: The Judgment-Free Guide to Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum. She also blogs at the Harshe.blog and hosts The Harshe Podcast with her husband Brandon. She also organizes MeetUps and Conferences, speaking at those and other events across the country. January has formula fed, pumped, breastfed, tandem nursed, used a crib, co-slept, homeschooled, and sent them all to school. Basically, she does what she can with what she has, learns from it, then does her best. No matter what she’s doing to survive the craziness of motherhood, she loves her children and knows she’s a good mother.
Quiz: Where Should You Give Birth?
Take this fun quiz and find out where you should give birth based on your daily preferences and personality type?
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 | Mar 5, 2019 | Birth Stories, Hospital
An Epidural-Free Birth Hospital Birth
After a 20 hour labor, Liesel delivered her son epidural-free at the hospital (and department) where she worked. Liesel battled an OP presentation during labor, with her biggest hurdle being back labor. She stuck it out at home until she was 5cm dilated, and then got admitted to the hospital where she had her doctor break her water. After many position changes, a few doses of IV pain medication, and pushing on hands and knees, she was able to successfully vaginally deliver her son epidural-free. She prepared for her birth by reading countless birth stories, interviewing her co-workers, and studying “Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth”.
Liesel Teen B
Liesel is a labor and delivery nurse from Raleigh, North Carolina. She is the mother of a fabulous 2-year-old boy and spends her weekdays caring for him. She works part-time at the hospital she delivered at, and the rest of her free-time blogging on her pregnancy/mommy blog! She started her blog in February of 2018 as a way to educate more moms on the internet about the birth process. After having such a fulfilling birth experience at her hospital, she felt that she wanted to educate other moms in hopes that more women feel empowered and educated about their births, instead of scared and anxious. She has always had a passion for educating women and thoroughly enjoys spreading knowledge and awareness about birth on her blog! You can connect with Liesel on her Instagram at @mommy.labornurse, or at her blog, laborteen.com.
Resources
Ina May Gaskin’s Guide To Childbirth
Look up your hospital’s statistics (including C-section rates, early elective rates, episiotomies etc.):
Zahler Prenatal Vitamins
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by thebirthhour | Feb 28, 2019 | Birth Stories, Hospital, International, Waterbirth
Giving Birth in Paris France
Gaela delivered both of her babies in Paris, France. For her first birth, Gaela took HypnoBirthing, the Mongan Method classes, which got her incredibly excited to give birth. She labored at home and kept waiting for the pain to arrive and it never did. Her daughter was born 47 minutes after arriving at the maternity in a birth tub with hardly any water in it! Gaela became a HypnoBirthing instructor after her daughter’s birth. She gave birth to her son 23 months later in a birth center. She was able to deploy all of the techniques that she teaches in order to stay focused and have a peaceful birth. She was able to “breathe” her baby down and have him auto-latch during the sacred hour. She had two distinct yet wildly empowering childbirth experiences.
Gaela Bio
Gaela is a French, Mexican, American from San Diego, CA and currently residing in Philadelphia, PA. She lived in Paris, France for almost 10 years where she met her husband and had her two children. Gaela was so inspired by the birth of her first baby, she became a HypnoBirthing® Instructor, the Mongan Method. She empowers not only mothers but also fathers/birthing partners in their pivotal role in the experience by providing them with concrete tools to have an enjoyable childbirth experience and ultimately gets parents excited for the biggest collaboration they will share with their child—his/her arrival in the world! Social media: @1gaelita on instagram, Gaela Fernandez on facebook or at www.luzcommunity.com.
Resources
Unicist homeopathy medicine
Magnesium supplement
HypnoBirthing, the Mongan Method
Osteopathic Medicine
Magical or Sacred Hour Postpartum
The Baby Catcher
Happy kids, Healthy Kids
March of Dimes
Today’s episode is sponsored by March of Dimes. March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. They support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. March of Dimes is partnering with the CDC to generate awareness among women of childbearing age, families, and health care providers about things they can do to help prevent birth defects. At the end of this episode I spoke to mom, rare disease warrior and March of Dimes Gretchen Carlson Advocacy Fellow, Sarah Wilkerson, about the 5 main tips from March of Dimes and the CDC to help you be a healthy mom and have a strong baby. You can also find out more at marchofdimes.org/TheBirthHour.
by thebirthhour | Feb 21, 2019 | Birth Stories, Hospital
VBALM Birth Story
Mabel planned for an unmedicated hospital birth with an OB practice. This desire was prompted by her deep research of VBALM — vaginal birth after Laparoscopic Myomectomy. After years of searching for an OB who would support her desire to have a vaginal birth, she found Dr. John Gonzalez, who encouraged her of his support. However, upon the unexpected death of Dr. Gonzalez, she switched to Centreville OBGYN, a midwife/OB practice, at 35 weeks. The plan changed to having a midwife, instead of an OB, deliver her son. Due to her history of GD and fibroid removal, the midwives and OBs decided that if a vaginal birth was desired, Mabel should not be induced but she should instead hope for a spontaneous labor.
At 40 weeks and 6 days, Mabel went into labor at home and labored at home as long as possible. She checked into the hospital at 4 pm on September 14th and labored with support of her doulas, husband, and midwife. After almost 14 hours of slowly progressing, she opted for an epidural at 9.5 cm. After a total of 36 hours, she welcomed her son after almost 2 hours of pushing. Upon delivering the placenta, she experienced a major hemorrhage which resulted in the placement of a Rusch balloon and a blood transfusion. Despite how crazy things got after delivery, Mabel was still very proud of her pregnancy and birth experience. After being told that a vaginal birth was not possible for her, she is proud that she stood her ground, did her research and sought for the right medical team to support her wishes. She attributes her pregnancy and birth experience to the great support of her husband, doula, her determination, and the grace of God.
Mabel Bashorun Bio
Mabel is 31 years old and lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Tim and son, Darasimi. She married her college sweetheart in 2013 and the couple decided to wait for a year before actively trying to get pregnant. After learning she had fibroids shortly after she started her TTC journey, Mabel decided to have a laparoscopic myomectomy done to remove multiple fibroids from within her uterine wall. The journey to get pregnant continued on for another 2 years before she got a positive pregnancy test which was a both a surprise and relief. She had a relatively smooth pregnancy with a few hiccups which included fibroid degeneration and gestational diabetes. Her son was born vaginally in a hospital in September 2018 after a 36 hour labor.
Mabel works as an education specialist for her local school county and enjoys spending time with her close circle of family and friends and learning about birth work. She is also a new doula, ready to support women in advocating for their desires regarding birth and pregnancy. You can find her on Instagram @mabedababe (personal) and @withinherbirth (doula business).
Resources
Mama Natural Youtube, blog, book
Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize
Baby Center app
Medical articles on VBALM
Babylist
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