Enya Kroon first had a homebirth when she gave birth to her son in 2017 at her mother’s home. In 2018, Enya became a surrogate and developed Intrahepatic Cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) in her third trimester, she was then induced and ultimately had a hospital birth with an epidural. Finally, in 2022 Enya found out mid pregnancy with her second son that she had placenta previa, and though she wanted another homebirth, she delivered her son in the hospital with an urgent C-section when the previa did not resolve.
Enya Kroon Bio
Enya is a mother of 2 boys who lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She is both a stay at home mom and a potter who shows her love of birth and the feminine body through her pottery. Her art can be found through social media at @fruitofthewomb.
Aeroflow Breastpumps
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.
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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.
To listen to this episode, and more than 300 other birth stories in The Birth Hour archives, join our listener supporter group here!
Surrogate for her best friend birth story
For Dana, this birth was as much about the process to become pregnant, and the relationship with the father, as the birth itself. Dana and Chad met their freshman year of high school, when Chad asked Dana to go to the Fall Formal dance. They quickly became best friends, and have remained so ever since. And 20 years after they met in high school, Dana gave birth to a girl for Chad and his husband Jim.
Being a surrogate came with different legal, psychological, and emotional ramifications for Dana than her other births. And the birth itself ended up having some complications.
Going from a perfect check up on a Wednesday to developing severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome by Saturday, Dana had to be induced at 35 weeks. But she still thinks of it all as one of the most magical experiences she has gone through, and has an even more special bond with the father that she could have ever imagined.
Dana Hawkins Bio
Dana is married to Ken, and a mother of three- Tanner 23, Kianna 7, and Joey 4. She is from central Minnesota, but now lives in Seattle. She works in Marketing at the T-Mobile headquarters in Bellevue, WA (which she loves!). She is an avid camper, LGBTQ activist, and pop culture fanatic. Connect with her via her website grummiesgoodies.wixsite.com/website
Earth Mama Organics
Today’s episode is brought to you 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: 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.
Nicole’s first birth was a positive, peaceful experience. She gave birth in a hospital with an OB she trusted, and felt that having an epidural helped her to relax and be present as she brought her daughter into the world.
Nicole’s second birth was only 16 months after the first. Her plan going into the birth was to do things about the same as the first time… which ended up with a-less-than-magical birth experience. Nicole was in love with her son, but also knew that she hoped she could get a chance to have a different kind of birth experience.
Nicole decided to be a gestational surrogate, and carried twins for two international dads. She was able advocate for herself and to have the unmedicated twin birth she hoped for at the hospital where she works, and had a great birth and surrogacy experience.
Nicole Gricius Bio
Nicole is a happy working mom who lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband, two children ages 3 and 4, two dogs, a cat, and three chickens. She works in Inpatient Behavioral Health and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She loves running, skiing, hiking, and spending time with her family. Connect with her on instagram: @nikkigricius.
To listen to this episode, and more than 300 other birth stories in The Birth Hour archives, join our listener supporter group here!
A Surrogate’s Pregnancy and Birth Story
Having had a very unsupported home to hospital transfer birth in Louisiana (a not very midwifery friendly state) Whitney knew one end of the spectrum of hospital birth, something she would happily never opt to experience again. 4 years later, having a swift, cozy, super-supported home birth in Austin, TX with a 10lb, 4oz boy—she experienced the rosey, ideal, other side of the spectrum.
After two very different births of her own children, Whitney was eager to support another family’s desire for children and experience the excitement and awe of birth again. Through consistent ‘flukes’ her gestational carrier journey resulted in the birth of life-long friends and identical twin boys, born naturally (one footling breech). Whitney knew her gestational carrier journey would automatically fall somewhere in the middle—something, as the birthing goddess title she allowed herself to own, she knew she could face either way.
With the twins, she asked her providers for what she wanted and to know all the possible options throughout the entire pregnancy. As with every birth there are some unpredictable turns (literally in this case) and knowing all the options, allowed for the best experience and smoothest recovery she and the twin’s parents could have hoped for.
Whitney LeBlanc Bio
Whitney LeBlanc is the mother to her little lady, Hazel, age 6 and her big boy, Cypress, age 2. Their birth stories are huge contributors to her decisions and experiences along her journey with the twins, and a balancing reminder of the gift it is to be involved in such an experience. She also owns a retail storefront and online specialty store called Enlightened Baby; the atmosphere of expecting women and small children was the perfect nurturing environment for her journey through another pregnancy. She and her husband trust the process, and welcome what the future holds.
This episode was sponsored by Babylist. Babylist believes that you should be able to get exactly what you need for your unique and growing family. That’s why their baby registry lets you add any item from any store. Even add cool services and favors like prenatal yoga, doula support, home-cooked meals or dog walking. Start your registry today to be eligible for a free Hello Baby Box of goodies for baby worth up to $190 while boxes last.
To listen to this episode, and more than 300 other birth stories in The Birth Hour archives, join our listener supporter group here!
The Journey of A Gestational Carrier Birth with Sarah Tuttle & Kara Ford
Today’s birth story podcast episode features Sarah Tuttle and her gestational carrier, turned great friend, Kara Ford. I had the chance to interview both of them and hear the story of how they found one another, how they made the decision to have Kara carry Sarah’s babies and the birth of Sarah and her husband, Chris’ sweet twin girls.
Sarah Tuttle Bio
After multiple methods and attempts at getting pregnant the best diagnosis doctors could give Sarah was “unexplained infertility.” While her infertility journey has been incredibly frustrating, especially being unexplained, Sarah never gave up her dream of becoming a mom. And after almost 9 years of infertility, a miracle happened; her and her husband were blessed with two beautiful twin baby girls through the amazing gift of a gestational carrier. Because of Kara (Sarah’s gestational carrier), Sarah’s dream of becoming a mom finally came true, and she will forever be grateful for this incredible gift.
The girls are now almost 8 months old and are so much fun! They keep Sarah very busy, not to mention her part time job. Sarah has worked for Dressing Your Truth for almost 10 years where she is a wardrobe stylist, and passionate teacher, helping women rediscover and embrace their true beauty. You can read more about Sarah’s journey to and through motherhood on her blog or on Instagram.
Kara Ford’s Bio
Kara Ford decided to become a gestational carrier because she was so blessed to be able to have children of her own and the love she has for her own children is so immense. She wanted that for everyone! She knew that there were women who were not able to carry a child for whatever reason and had so much compassion for them and wanted to be able to help them in any way she could. Kara felt that carrying a baby for someone was a way that she could show her love for those who have struggled. She met Sarah and knew immediately that she was somebody that was so deserving of being a mother and knew that she was to be the vessel that helped get her little twin girls here. She knows that she and Sarah will forever have a sacred bond.
To listen to this episode, and more than 300 other birth stories in The Birth Hour archives, join our listener supporter group here!
Surrogate Pregnancy and Birth
When surrogate, Ashley, measured large at her 38 week check, the decision was made to induce her at 39 weeks. Intended parents Nancy and Justin flew from Chicago to Utah, where their surrogate Ashley was set to deliver. Only three days later, they were all together in a labor and delivery room as Ashley was induced with a drip of Pitocin. While labor progressed uneventfully in the beginning, pushing lasted hours as baby Audrey’s head was very large and stuck. Following nearly four hours of pushing, and close to being prepared for a c-section, baby Audrey was born on a strong push at 10:21 pm. Nancy, her intended mother, cut Audrey’s cord and immediately took her into her arms for skin-to-skin bonding as feelings of gratefulness and awe washed over her.
Nancy Rohde Bio
Over three years of infertility treatments and three different doctors told Nancy that she would never be able to conceive a child. Heartbroken, she and her husband turned to surrogacy. Quickly matched with a surrogate, they were further crushed when she experienced a chemical pregnancy and lost the baby before a heartbeat could be detected. Finding it too difficult to move forward, the surrogate abruptly exited their agreement to attempt another transfer.
Feeling hopeless, Nancy and her husband decided to try more IVF attempts on Nancy while searching for another surrogate. Two further IVF transfers resulted in negative pregnancy tests while they were matched with their second surrogate, Ashley. While proceeding with legal and medical clearance for Ashley, Nancy tried one final IVF cycle. To her complete shock, it resulted in her first positive pregnancy test ever. Scared about losing the baby after so many struggles, and thrilled to have finally been matched with Ashley as their surrogate, Nancy and her husband decided to proceed with the surrogate pregnancy as well. Exactly five weeks after Nancy became pregnant, her surrogate Ashley became pregnant as well. Both babies were carried to 39 weeks and were born healthy and happy.
Today Nancy lives in Chicago with her husband and two precious daughters. Lilly is 11 months old, and Audrey is 10 months old. Nancy works in the investment management industry as an equity manager researcher when she isn’t at home doting on her miracle babies. Nancy also blogs under the name “Mrs. Starfish” on the pregnancy and parenting blog Hellobee.com. She has written extensively there about her infertility journey, her amazing surrogacy experience, and her current crazy and wonderful life with multiples! Read more from Nancy at Hellobee.
Ashley Brown Bio
Growing up a Navy brat, Ashley lived several different places; but she calls Washington home. It is there she met and married her husband, Josh. After marrying, they moved to Hawaii to continue their college educations. Ashley graduated from BYU-Hawaii with a Bachelors of Social Work. Just a few months before graduation, Josh and Ashley happily welcomed their first child. Upon completion of her internship and after much discussion they settled in Utah, where they had two more children. During the time after graduation and growing their family, Ashley went back and forth between being a stay-at-home Mom and a working Mom. Once she felt they were done having children of their own, Ashley turned to surrogacy with the support of her husband. Ashley currently works as a teaching assistant at a local elementary school.
