Kelly’s first pregnancy in 2017 sadly ended in a missed miscarriage at 8 weeks. Her second pregnancy almost 8 months later was also a missed miscarriage, ending in a blighted ovum at 7 weeks in early 2018. After a round of genetic testing that came back completely normal, her OB determined the back to back miscarriages to be a fluke, and 6 weeks later she became pregnant with their first daughter. At 26 weeks pregnant, Kelly was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, but through diet and exercise was able to stay low risk and to have the unmedicated hospital delivery she’d hoped for following a membrane sweep at 39 weeks.
Her second baby was also born at 39 weeks, 2 and a half years later at the same hospital during the height of covid restrictions and only 56 minutes after arriving at her hospital room. For her third pregnancy, she decided to switch to a home birth hybrid model of care where she saw both her home birth midwife team and a hospital based midwife practice during her pregnancy. Besides an ER visit to treat acute urinary retention at 15 weeks, she enjoyed a textbook pregnancy. And after weeks of prodromal labor and even a full false alarm, she welcomed their third daughter earth side by way of a dreamy water birth at almost 41 weeks pregnant, 2 years and 1 week exactly after their second baby was born.
Kelly Martin Bio
Kelly and her husband Chad live outside of Atlanta, GA with their 3 daughters Charlotte (almost 5), Claire (2 and a half), and Mabel (almost 7 months old). Kelly is a full time mom to their 3 girls and also works remotely as director of business operations for a boutique marketing agency in Atlanta. She also professionally plans Disney vacations for nearly 100 families each year. In her spare time, she loves baking cookies, singing, yoga and pilates, reading, and girls nights. She and her husband are huge Atlanta Braves fans and love going out for tacos. You can find her on instagram @martinmagicmaker and can message with her on facebook as well.
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.
Eve is sharing 2 quick and unmedicated hospital birth stories. Her first birth began with her water breaking and immediate rapid contractions. She labored in a tub and focused on birth affirmations. This birth was 5 hours from water break to delivery, and her daughter Ada was born. Her second birth was 18 months after the first and was very different, with a new care team due to finding her heart arrhythmia at 14 weeks. She switched from midwife to OB and MFM care and ultimately was induced due to hypertension. The induction was intimidating but resulted in another speedy unmedicated delivery of her son, Harvey
Eve Kath Bio
Eve is a 5th grade teacher turned stay at home mom. She lives in Bismarck, ND, with her husband Jamison, daughter Ada (21 months), and son Harvey (3 months). Eve enjoys playing piano, reading, traveling, and spending time with family. Eve can be contacted on Instagram at @eveekath, just send a message request.
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.
Endometriosis is a silent epidemic – affecting more than 1 in 10 women in their child bearing years. This incurable, painful disease takes an average of 10 years to diagnose. Endometriosis happens when uterine-like lining grows outside of the uterus and can only be confirmed through surgery. Main symptoms include severe cramps, heavy periods, pelvic or abdominal pain during your period, lower back or leg pain, pain with sex, stomach problems like bloating or nausea, painful urination or bowel movements, infertility, fatigue or depression. Less common symptoms include breathing or shoulder pain. Red flags include having to go to the ER for pain, if you have to get up in the middle of the night to change your pad or tampon or if you consistently have to miss work or school on your period, you should talk to your doctor about possible endometriosis. There is a genetic link – if your mother has endometriosis, you are 7 times more likely to have it.
Emily Sutton shares her personal story of pain and triumph on her journey with endometriosis. Emily and her husband Michael battled infertility through multiple procedures and treatments. Following years of failures and heartbreak, the couple successfully conceived through their second embryo transfer (IVF). After months of preparing for a natural birth through Hypnobirthing and meditation, Emily was able to have a beautiful, unmedicated hospital birth, delivering a healthy baby girl!
Emily Sutton Bio
Emily Sutton is an Emmy-award winning meteorologist in Oklahoma City. Her storm chasing gained national recognition through CNN, MSNBC, The New Yorker and Popular Mechanics. She’s passionate about raising awareness about endometriosis and Science, Technology, Education, Arts and Math (STEAM). Emily and her firefighter husband, Michael, have been married for 7 years and are proud parents to their baby girl, Ginny, and their bulldog, Winnie.
You can find Emily on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads and Tiktok: @ emilyrsutton YouTube: @ emilyrsuttonweather
Books: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, Hypnobirthing
Happiest Baby on the Block Video
The Science Baby on TikTok – leilaincredible
Redd Remedies
Today’s episode is sponsored by Redd Remedies. Redd Remedies has strong roots in the natural product industry and crafts Master Herbalist formulated supplements from premium ingredients, ensuring natural and effective solutions for life’s physical and emotional challenges. Peaceful Mama, one of their star products, provides stress support to all moms, including pregnant and nursing women!
To learn more about Peaceful Mama, Rhythm and Flo, and Redd Remedies and to view testimonials, head to www.reddremedies.com and use code BIRTHHOUR at checkout to get 20% off any 2 or more items. And be sure to head over th @thebirthhour on Instagram to enter a giveaway!
Stephanie’s first birth was a planned home birth with a long labor. After exhaustion set in, she decided to transfer to the hospital, but ended up having the baby in the back of the midwife’s car.
Stephanie’s second birth was another planned home birth that was much more manageable than the first. During delivery, the baby had double shoulder dystocia but her midwives took action and delivered the baby safely.
Stephanie Adney Bio
Stephanie lives outside Memphis, TN with her wife and 2 kids and is a real estate agent turned postpartum doula. She’s passionate about all things birth and postpartum and enjoys serving the families in her community. Instagram name is the.kitchen.doula
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.
Sheena shares 4 vaginal deliveries spanning over 13 years. Each pregnancy and delivery were different.
Her first, at 22 years old. She experienced awful morning sickness and was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. A 14 hour hospital induction with an epidural that failed during a long pushing phase. An episiotomy was needed during delivery and she began hemorrhaging. A blood transfusion was almost needed, but thankfully the bleeding stopped. She had no idea recovery would be so hard.
Sheena’s second pregnancy was her easiest. A breech baby who finally flipped at 37 weeks. A pain free, quick induction. She even got to pull her baby out and onto her chest. Unfortunately a fast delivery caused her prior episiotomy scar and tears to reopen.
Her third pregnancy was a surprise, 8 years after her second. Sheena had a lot of mixed emotions over this pregnancy and felt guilt at the beginning. Soon she began to get excited and was thrilled when she found an incredible OB. Her pregnancy was relatively easy and she went into labor after a membrane sweep at 39 weeks. A shoulder dystocia caused some panic, but was quickly resolved using the McRoberts maneuver.
Sheena’s last baby was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic. A subchorianic hematoma and a marginal cord insertion, made for extra monitoring throughout her pregnancy. She also experience prodromal labor for the first time and it lasted for weeks. She was induced and the induction started out slowly, but ramped up at the end. She went from 6 cm to baby in her arms in 12 minutes.
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.
Realizing how underprepared she was during her first child’s birth, Magdalena decided to take matters into her own hands and do some serious birth-prep work prior to her second delivery. She spent nine months listening to podcasts, working with midwives, reading all the books and practicing different laboring techniques to prepare herself for a completely physiological birth.
After 12 hours of what felt like harmonious labor at home, her baby was born accidentally on the bathroom floor while her husband loaded the car for the hospital. Magdalena describes it as the most empowering experience of her life and adds, “the whole story still in some ways feels unreal when I share it.” She adds that “if my story can help just one person or inspire someone to be their own birthing advocate I would be thrilled.”
Magdalena Berger
Magdalena is 35 and has two kids, Olive (2) Sunny (4 months). She lives in south Jersey on the coast with her husband who is a pilot in the US Coast Guard.
Magdalena has a swimwear line and business – MAGDAKINEDESIGNS.co founded in 2016 and manages an Airbnb in South Jersey while staying home with their kids. Her husband’s current position in the military requires him to be deployed 1/3 of the year and also that they relocate every four years. Both of these aspects of his work keep their family very busy…and always on the move!
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.
