Doing It At Home - The Home Birth Podcast

Latest Episodes:

446: Choosing Home Birth from an Academic Perspective and the Power of Women with Isis Rose (DIAH Classic) Jul 29, 2023

Show notes

Are you the type to research and look for evidence and information to support your decisions when it comes to your birth?

In today’s episode, we’re chatting with Isis Rose, a PhD student, doula and mama to baby Xena. Isis shares her journey to home birth, which first entered her awareness during a doula training. She’s a PhD student studying birth and reproductive justice. Her husband Chris, a fellow academic, is a visiting professor at UIUC. So it makes sense that Isis took a very analytical approach to planning her birth. She searched for truth and wanted to make sure she was as informed as possible when it came to her options.

We hear about her transition into home birth planning, finding midwives and working through the legality and costs associated with direct-entry midwifery being illegal in her state of Illinois.

An African-American woman and survivor of emotional abuse, it was important for Isis to have the support she needed and to do things her way - like by keeping their plans to home birth private from friends and family.

And there’s a twist in the immediate postpartum hours that gave Isis the opportunity to feel in control and release any unnecessary fear.

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More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
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Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

445: How the Letdown of a Hospital Transfer Can Shift to Magic and Gratitude with Cadyn S. (DIAH Classic) Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

How do we cope with the parts of our birth that didn’t go the way we envisioned?

In today’s episode we chat with Cadyn about her birth experience. She and her husband planned a home birth, because (in her words) of “how special we consider our home and surrounding space to be, and that this was where it seemed that magical portal of birth was meant to open.”

After a long labor, Cadyn transferred to the hospital. It was frustrating and heart-breaking. But after a period of time, she was able to get hydrated and rest. The staff gave time and space and honored her choices. She felt supported. Her husband was even able to assist in “catching” the baby.

Cadyn describes the birthing as “the best moment I’ve ever experienced.”

More from Cadyn: “My hospital experience was thankfully quite positive, and one student member of our midwife team remained with my husband/best-birth-partner-ever and me through the birth. I know now that nobody, especially myself, is to be blamed— only thanked— for the way our daughter came into this world. There are of course reasons to be nervous about giving birth, but nothing to FEAR. I went through many phases of accepting my personal birth story, and listening to birth story podcasts like yours has sincerely helped me to process everything. I hear stories that share common ground with my own, and I hear stories that remind me that EVERY birth is unique. I hope I can share something with a listener who might need to hear it.”

This birth story includes mention of: RhoGAM shot, Tay-Sachs disease, hospital transfer, epidural, pitocin.

Links From The Episode:

Immortalmountain.com

Offers From Our Awesome Partners:

Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order
Splash Blanket: https://bit.ly/3JPe1g0 - use code DIAH for 10% off your order
Esembly: https://bit.ly/3eanCSz - use code DIH20 to get 20% off your order

More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch
Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

444: When You Find Out You’re Pregnant and Don’t Know What to Do Next with Brittney Seitz (DIAH Classic) Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

What did you do the moment you found out you were pregnant?

What was going through your mind? How were you feeling?

We talk about that in today’s episode with our guest Brittney. Brittney actually reached out to us within the first few hours of discovering she was pregnant, and it opened up a beautiful dialogue. We felt inspired to bring that conversation into this space and share it with the DIAH community.

We talk about Brittney’s plans to have a home birth, how she’s preparing and how her partner Spencer is getting involved.

This is a great episode for anyone who just found out they are pregnant or are in the early stages of pregnancy with a mix of emotions and swirls of excitement and questions.

Things we discuss: finding out you’re pregnant, planning for a home birth, partner involvement and home birth resources

Links From The Episode:

Dr. Stu Fischbein - http://www.birthinginstincts.com/

Offers From Our Awesome Partners:

Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order
Splash Blanket: https://bit.ly/3JPe1g0 - use code DIAH for 10% off your order
Esembly: https://bit.ly/3eanCSz - use code DIH20 to get 20% off your order

More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch
Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

443: Home Birth for Second Baby After a Hospital Transfer with First Baby with Thea Robnett (DIAH Classic) Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

What happens when the news and experience of your pregnancy isn’t all sunshine and rainbows?

We’ve talked about this once or twice on the show and we know it’s more common than culture and society would have us convinced of - that sometimes there is confusion, reticence, frustration and even guilt around getting pregnant.

For returning guest and DIAH mama Thea Robnett, she’s open and honest about the mix of emotions she dealt with when she got pregnant right after her first daughter, Harley, turned 1. She and her husband Alex had debated on whether or not to have another one, and actually decided to pause any plans for future children. So she worked through the mental challenges and coped with the changes.

This process gave her time to get deep into her emotions and create a powerful birth experience for her second daughter, Laurel. She listened to her body and her needs, used lots of tools to prepare her for a home birth she wanted. In her first episode on the podcast, she shared the story of Laurel’s birth, which was planned for home but shifted to the hospital after a long labor and exhaustion.

We chat about the birth itself as well as the differences in the postpartum experience the second time around. The biggest thing she stresses is to focus on YOU and your healing and to honor the time.

Links From The Episode:

Thea’s first episode - https://diahpodcast.com/listen/
Natural Birth and Baby Care - https://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/shop/
Sarah’s lifestyle coaching - www.sarahbivens.com

Offers From Our Awesome Partners:

Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order
Splash Blanket: https://bit.ly/3JPe1g0 - use code DIAH for 10% off your order
Esembly: https://bit.ly/3eanCSz - use code DIH20 to get 20% off your order

More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch
Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

442: 6 Children, 4 Home Births, Circumcision and the Inner Work with Amelia Page (DIAH Classic) Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

Why home birth?

This is a question we ask most guests on the podcast. Today we dive into that with Amelia Page, mama of 6. We chat about her first two births and the influence that moved her towards home birth for her remaining 4 children.

We touch on the topic of circumcision (respecting all choices), as well as the inner work that supports in the pregnancy, birth and motherhood experience. Pregnancy was a challenging experience for Amelia, so for any mamas who can relate - this is a great one to feel understood. You are not alone!

Plus we get highlights from all 4 home births and hear about both similarities and differences amongst them.

Links From The Episode:

Amelia’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1uRvEaPD1II6WG3RSAZ2Ng

Offers From Our Awesome Partners:

Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order
Splash Blanket: https://bit.ly/3JPe1g0 - use code DIAH for 10% off your order
Esembly: https://bit.ly/3eanCSz - use code DIH20 to get 20% off your order

More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch
Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

441: Lessons in Surrender, Gratitude and Strength During Home Birth and Postpartum with Katie McCormick Part 2 (DIAH Classic) Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

We welcome back Katie McCormick to the show today! She joined us back in episode 73 where we talked about her and her husband Ryan planning a home birth in their cottage in West Cork, Ireland after leaving life in Portland, Oregon.

Since talking with Katie McCormick, we spoke with another Katy - Katy Drew, a friend of Katie McCormick’s and a “non-mom” who inspired episode 76. And get this - while we were speaking to Katy - Katie was in labor! So lots of cool connections and happenings since we first connected with the expat mama to be.

Now she’s mama to baby River - born 13 days past his guess date! This was of course part of their story - learning to be patient, surrender and understand that babies have their own timelines and ideas of when they’d like to make their appearance.

We learn about some of the natural induction options that Katie went over with her midwife: nipple stimulation, essential oils, castor oil in orange juice...anyone else try out some of these methods?

Mainly the focus was on letting go. When labor finally did begin, Katie was ready. She was grateful. And she had no fear.

Ryan actually gets to join us in the interview as well! And Ryan’s take on the whole experience? He says, “It was outrageous! So amazing!” He says it was one of the most extraordinary events of living.

Katie also opens up a little bit on postpartum life and how she’s integrating this new role, finding support in community and finding gratitude in the little moments. Thank you to Katie, Ryan and River for being a part of the DIAH family :)

Offers From Our Awesome Partners:

Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order
Splash Blanket: https://bit.ly/3JPe1g0 - use code DIAH for 10% off your order
Esembly: https://bit.ly/3eanCSz - use code DIH20 to get 20% off your order

More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch
Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

440: An Expat Planning a Home Birth in Ireland with Katie McCormick (DIAH Classic) Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

What is it like planning a home birth as an expat in a new country?

Well, Katie McCormick has some stories to share about that!

Katie and her husband Ryan decided to leave their life in Portland, Oregon - quit their jobs and travel across Europe. They decided to settle in Ireland, eloped and got pregnant shortly after.

Katie knew immediately that she wanted to have a home birth. But being an expat in a new country, she had no idea where to begin as far as planning and resources.

In this Classic Doing It At Home episode, we speak with Katie in the last few weeks of her pregnancy and get to hear how she’s feeling as the time in her pregnancy winds down and they prepare for baby’s arrival. She also shares the experience of what it's like to have all of their family back in the States as they plan for home birth in their new home and country.

Tune in and get ready for another inspiring pre-home birth story!

Links From The Episode:

Dublin Doulas: http://www.dublinfamilydoulas.com/
Hypnobirth course: https://us.hypnobirthing.com/
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth: https://amzn.to/41gwx8F

Offers From Our Awesome Partners:

Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order
Splash Blanket: https://bit.ly/3JPe1g0 - use code DIAH for 10% off your order
Esembly: https://bit.ly/3eanCSz - use code DIH20 to get 20% off your order

More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch
Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

439: When You Livestream Your Home Birth on YouTube with Lindsey Drury (DIAH Classic) Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we chat with Lindsey Drury: photographer, activist and mama extraordinaire who is very involved in her community in Chattanooga, TN (check the links in our show notes for more details).

When I was connected with Lindsey through a mutual friend, I was so excited to talk to her. Mainly because Lindsey livestreamed her third and most recent home birth of her son Staxon on YouTube. I mean...what?!?! How incredibly awesome.

Lindsey shares with us her journey into birth work and her passion for all things that empower and educate. We also get into her own process of choosing home birth for herself and for her family.

And then of course, we hear all about the decision to livestream her home birth, responses and reactions to it and where she’s going from here with her desire to create a new narrative around birth and how we view it.

Links From The Episode:

Offers From Our Awesome Partners:

Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order

More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch
Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

438: How to Create Something Different After an Unpleasant Birth Experience with Angela Johnson May 24, 2023

Show notes

Today’s episode takes its root in episode 36: So What Happens After Your Home Birth? - where we chatted about an article from Romper.com by the lovely Angela Johnson, who now joins us for this episode number 65!

The article, titled 7 Things That Happen After You Give Birth At Home breaks down some of the “what to expect” as you might guess, after a home birth! Angela is speaking from experience, having birthed her second child, son Aden, at home in New York City.

Angela really dove into her craft of writing while pregnant with her first child, daughter Hannah, and she was on 5 months of bed rest! Due to being labeled with an “incompetent cervix,” Angela had an unpleasant first birthing experience. So she determined that she would have something different the next time around.

She and her husband Dean planned for home birth and had a much different journey. For one, she was induced with her first birth at 36 weeks. Second time around, she went until 42 weeks! And they opted for more natural induction like using caster oil and orange juice.

Angela describes the process as climbing up a mountain, something we can definitely relate to.

The story of Aden’s birth, along with Angela’s perspective and way of sharing, is really a treat. We love getting to know moms like her. So be sure to go check out all of her articles on Romper.com after you listen to the episode!

Links From The Episode:

Offers From Our Awesome Partners:

Needed: https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order
Splash Blanket: https://bit.ly/3JPe1g0 - use code DIAH for 10% off your order
Esembly: https://bit.ly/3eanCSz - use code DIH20 to get 20% off your order

More From Doing It At Home:

Send us your birth story: https://bit.ly/3jOjCKl
Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vJcPmU
DIAH Website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://bit.ly/3pzuzQC
DIAH Merch: www.diahpodcast.com/merch
Give Back to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

437: Mother's Day Special Edition: We Interview Our Own Moms! (DIAH Classic) May 21, 2023

Show notes

In today's super special episode of the Doing It At Home podcast, we are interviewing our own moms about our birth stories!

In this show we interview tons of moms and families on their home birth stories, and so we thought we'd switch things up a bit for Mother's Day and hear about how each of us came into the world from the women who ushered us earth side.

Derry Bivens is mother to Matthew, and Kathryn Russell is mother to Sarah. Both moms have beautiful birth stories filled with courage, strength, determination and joy.

Enjoy this super special Mother's Day episode of the Doing It At Home Podcast!

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