Doing It At Home - The Home Birth Podcast

Latest Episodes:

316: BIRTH STORY - Unsupportive Midwife with Traumatic Experience Leading to a Hospital Transfer and Peaceful Birth with Lillie Cooke Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

Is one way to birth “better” than another?

Sometimes there are misconceptions and unhealthy conversations floating about in the birth community around natural vs. medicated birth or hospital vs. home. That one is better than the other or there’s a sense of superiority or higher moral code to choose one over the other. And competition comes in as a factor, like there is something to prove or defy.

This topic is relevant for the conversation we have today with Lillie Cooke, sharing her birth story with us. Lillie and her husband Josh planned for a home birth with their first child, son Judah. Along the way towards planning for the birth, Lillie noticed little things that indicated she wasn’t really connecting deeply with her midwife. There was also a big fear of going to the hospital, seeking to avoid that at all costs. This fear stemmed from, as Lillie put it “hearing terrible hospital stories and only fairy tale home birth stories from the homebirth community.”

Labor began at 40 weeks and 6 days. After laboring for 4 days, things started to feel chaotic and the midwife’s hands-off approach wasn’t very helpful for what Lillie needed. Lillie made the choice to transfer because of pain and exhaustion. What helped make the transfer a less fearful event was the great experience she had with the staff there. They were respectful and she felt empowered, calm and peaceful.

Some words from Lillie: “I ended up having so much better care and such a peaceful birth. The OB was more of a midwife than my own midwife! We ended up with a peaceful vaginal delivery. She also didn’t check on me until 3 weeks after my birth. After I just felt abandoned and not welcome in the home birth community. I felt the one in our area was not very inclusive to all births and made it feel like you didn’t have a good enough or “superior” birth if it wasn’t at home. My experience woke me up from the tunnel vision I had before from being in that community and showed me that none of that was true. That’s why I love this podcast because it is the only home birth podcast that is inclusive with ALL births and shows the pros AND cons of homebirth. I want to share my story to other first time mamas so they have a better perspective and know there is no superior way or place to birth despite what people promote. And there are good stories and traumatic stories at home just like at the hospital. But no one lets people come on and talk about that with home births and that’s a shame. Everyone’s experience is so powerful. Birth is so powerful. I've learned a lot from my first birth and would just love to share my story and my thoughts surrounding it.”

And - Lillie is currently pregnant with her second child. What birth plan are they creating? Listen in to find out!

Topics we cover in this episode: Business of Being Born, Ina May Gaskin, relationship with your midwife, choosing a care provider that’s best for you, Miles Circuit, hospital transfer, epidural

Links:

Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Shop: ttps://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diahpodcast/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904721379788084/?ref=bookmarks
Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9
Miles Circuit: http://www.milescircuit.com/

315: Our Conception Journey Part 2 (Plus How We Handle Breakdowns) Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

“How are you doing mentally and physically through your open-to-conceive journey?”

This is a really great question we received recently when we did one of those fun Instagram story “what questions do you have for us?” things. And we thought it was appropriate timing to bring this onto the podcast and have a followup to our first conversation that we put out in September 2020, talking about our conception journey and planning for a second baby. Check out that episode (293) if you haven’t already.

In this episode we’re still bringing the vulnerability and transparency, along with some things we’ve learned and grown from since September and even earlier back to when we originally embarked on this process.

We describe our highs and our lows and all that comes up for us as a couple and individually. How we’re feeling as we near a 1 year mark of “open to conceive,” and what interventions we’d consider. Then we address some fresh and even real-time unpacking of some things we don’t fully agree on, and how we move through that in order to stay intimately connected in our partnership. It’s certainly a juicy one! Feel free to contact us at hello[at]diahpodcast[dot]com with any followup questions or feedback!

Links:

Episode 293: A Vulnerable and Transparent Conversation Around Conception: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-vulnerable-and-transparent-conversation-on-conception/id1153134918?i=1000491733548
“Doing It At Home” book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
Home Birth Support Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg
DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/
DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

314: HOME BIRTH STORY - A Bumpy Road to a Calm and Meditative Home Birth with Brenda Amaya Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

How do our births influence our life journeys?

That’s such a big question. It can be, as is likely, multi-faceted. For some, one area where birth impacts is the profession or calling they lean into. For our guest today Brenda Amaya, her births lead her to her doula and birth photography work, and now as she works with other birth workers and in her plans to train as a traditional midwife.

Brenda shares some of her history with us. From her first birth in a hospital, which was traumatic, to her second birth being at home. It was her second birth that pushed her into doula work. Then we get to hear details from her third birth, also at home.

Along with her birth stories, we learn about Brenda’s work with mother blessing -- ceremonies for mothers as they prepare for their birth experiences. Plus her work in the Latinx community to provide services and resources for families who are interested in learning more about their birthing options.

Things we cover in this episode: birth trauma, doula work, importance of community, mother blessings, birth photography work, birth in the Latinx community

Links:

Brenda’s Website:https://www.thedoulatog.com/
Brenda’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_doulatog/
Brenda’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedoulatog/
Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Shop: ttps://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diahpodcast/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904721379788084/?ref=bookmarks

313: HOME BIRTH STORY - Peaceful Home Water Birth After Traumatic Birth Center Birth with Briahnna Roy and Jerry Scott Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

Today’s birth story features Briahnna Roy and Jerry Scott, a couple sharing their journey to home birth.

For their first baby, Briahnna and Jerry chose to deliver in a birth center. The experience wasn’t everything they wanted, and when it came time to decide on the location for baby number two, they opted for home birth.

From Briahnna:

“The second birth was incredible. It was the most unreal, beautiful experience. Everything was so calm. I was very quiet and so in control. I was surprised by myself. I can honestly say that it was not painful. It was everything I ever wanted.”

Links:

Briahnna and Jerry's Youtube Channel “ReadyScottsGo”: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChtvyYJ7xRVehO5UydyHZAw
The Curtis Method of Childbirth Education: https://curtismethod.com/
“Doing It At Home” book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
Home Birth Support Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg
DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/
DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

312: HOME BIRTH STORY - Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Membrane Sweeps and En Caul Birth with Melanie Meador Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

How do we move through the discomforts of pregnancy and birth?

This comes up in today’s interview with Melanie Meador. Melanie shares her journey with both of her home birth experiences.

Melanie had hyperemesis gravidarum with both pregnancies (extreme and persistent nausea during pregnancy, often with frequent vomiting).

With her first birth experience, she was feeling a little rushed going into the process, because her midwifery practice was going to close 3 days after her due date. Plus she was working full-time. The birth lasted 34 hours with her waters broken. This is a stark contrast from her second birth, 6 hours and baby was born en caul (waters still intact).

Melanie is the only person in her group of friends to have had a home birth. And with her mother and almost all of her aunts having cesarean births, this was something unique. Melanie says, “My mom was so excited to be at the birth of my son that she told anyone that would listen for the first 2 years!”

This birth story includes: hyperemesis gravidarum, doula, acupuncture, TENs machine, membrane stripping, en caul, cervical lip, and red raspberry leaf tea.

Links:

“Doing It At Home” book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
Home Birth Support Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/
DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg
DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/
DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9

311: 25 Ways to Know Labor is Starting Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

How do you know when labor is starting?

This is a question we put out there into the community, and received some really great answers and examples. So we’re sharing them with you! Plus our experience of what it was like when we realized it was “game time” -- what it felt like, what was going on, and what we did once it was clearly active labor.

There’s a wide range of possibilities and experiences when it comes to discovering you’re in labor. Our goal in sharing this conversation with you is to help you should you find yourself experiencing anything similar to these situations. And for those who have already been through the birthing experience, something to reflect back on and connect with.

We also share some bonus tips on what you can do when you do discover you’re in labor, to avoid any unnecessary stressors and create a smooth and peaceful environment.

Oh, and just for fun -- please message us or engage on social media and weigh in on the epic saga of “the mixed greens” in the Bivens household!

Links:

Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Shop: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diahpodcast/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904721379788084/?ref=bookmarks

310: HOME BIRTH STORY - 45 Hour Hospital Birth and 4.5 Hour Precipitous Home Birth with Jazmin and Ben Marshall Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

What inspired your journey to birth empowerment?

For today’s guests, Jazmin and Ben, their journey began in 2017 in Seattle following an ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. It prompted them to do research and plan for future pregnancies in a different way. According to Jazmin, “It was my first experience realizing I had to advocate for myself with medical professionals, especially considering I'm a black woman, as many brushed off my concerns and pain as "normal."”

Fast forward to Atlanta in 2018 when they welcomed their first daughter, Elyana. It was a 45-hour vaginal birth in a hospital. Jazmin says, “That experience inspired me to dive much deeper and do additional prep for my second birth (chiropractic care, Spinning Babies, pelvic floor PT, a hypnobirthing class, and the DIAH podcast, to name a few).”

Then in 2020, Jazmin and Ben had a home birth with their second daughter Sareya. “ I experienced the fetal ejection reflex, had a retained placenta, and absolutely no tearing. Both of my births were empowering in completely different ways,” Jazmin says.

Jazmin switched care providers with both births, something we go into further in the interview. Also, COVID-19 influenced some of the plans and decisions with their second birth.

And we mentioned Atlanta, so Jazmin and Ben live close by! We’re very much looking forward to hanging out in person in future DIAH events and gatherings.

This birth story includes mention of: ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, changing providers, hospital birth, home birth, epidural

Links:

Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Shop: ttps://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diahpodcast/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904721379788084/?ref=bookmarks

309: Home Birth and Pregnancy Affirmations for Moms and Dads (Rebroadcast) Dec 30, 2020

Show notes

In this episode we're giving you some powerful affirmations to help you prepare for your pregnancy and home birth. We have 2 affirmations for moms and 2 for dads.

We’ve talked a lot about affirmations on the show at different points in time - a little bit in our story and then in the stories of other moms, so we thought we’d create some of our own for you beautiful listeners!

I thought it would be fun to have some for both pregnancy and the birthing process. And not just for mamas - for the dads too!

This episode is a little shorter, but all the more sweeter. We both share our affirmations and a little bit on why we chose them and how they can contribute to a powerful and peaceful mindset and experience of your home birth.

We hope these affirmations serve you well or even inspire you to come up with your own!

Here are the affirmations for you to copy and use or share with others:

For Pregnancy

Sarah: I am fully connected to my body and my baby’s needs

Matthew: I anticipate our upcoming birth with joy and peace in my heart. It will unfold exactly as it should.

For Birth

Sarah: I am powerful, peaceful and fully supported as I give birth.

Matthew: I am strong. I am capable. I am intuitive. I am compassionate. I am patient. I am a parent.

Show notes:

The blog post Matthew drew inspiration for his affirmations from: Birth Affirmations for Expectant Dads and Partners

308: How to Plan Birth Support During COVID-19 with Heather Delaney Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

Have the circumstances around COVID-19 impacted your pregnancy and/or birth?

Today we’re chatting with Heather Delaney, childbirth educator, certified labor and postpartum doula and CEO of Maryland State Doulas.

Heather walks us through how she and her team of doulas and birth professionals have shifted over the past year to serve their clients with virtual support. When policies (like partners and/or doulas not allowed in birthing rooms of hospitals and centers) and communications have been challenging, they’ve found alternative ways to educate and empower, regardless of the birthing location.

We talk about what some of the biggest changes/challenges have shown up in the birth world, what families can do in the midst of everything as well as how to minimize the fear around birth that already exists and can be magnified when blended with the conversations around COVID-19.

Links:

Heather's website: www.marylandstatedoulas.com
Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Shop: ttps://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diahpodcast/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904721379788084/?ref=bookmarks

307: BIRTH STORY - How the Letdown of a Hospital Transfer Can Shift to Magic and Gratitude with Cadyn S. Dec 15, 2020

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:

Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/
DIAH Shop: ttps://bit.ly/3qhwgAe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diahpodcast/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1904721379788084/?ref=bookmarks

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