Happy Homebirth

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Hatched at Home-Midwife Carrie LaChapelle: www.hatchedathome.com

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About Our Guest:

Suzzie Vehrs is a birth advocate and lover. After her first birth  left her broken and in need of deep healing, she knew she had to do things differently the next time around. Her HBAC birth was the BEST experience of her life. Suzzie is determined to inspire mothers to use pregnancy and birth as a time to explore their creative powers, sink deep into feeling wonderful and creating an experience that truly serves both mother and baby. If you want to find your birthing and mama power you must read her book Divine Birth and check out her article on the surprising ways prenatal yoga helps you birth like a goddess, even if you're terrified of labor. 

Show Notes

-Suzzie’s first birth was an emergency c section, where she felt she had no control

-She spent the next few years in therapy, doing her best to process what had happened to her and overcome her birth trauma.

-For her second birth, which was several years later, she decided to research local midwives

-After finding a midwife that she considered a perfect fit, she was finally able to feel excited about the prospect of her second birth.

-Suzzie feels that her second birth was incredibly healing and was able to deeply curb the pain and sense of loss she felt in relation to her first birth.

-She gave birth in the water, and her midwife directed her baby’s body towards her.  Suzzie picked up her baby and patted her back.  Hazel cried for a few moments, the nestled comfortably into Suzzie’s arms, safe and sound.

-“We just had this moment of total peace, serenity, calmness and happiness… and she was here.  In my arms.”

-As mentioned previously, Suzzie’s first birth was not quite as peaceful.  She mentions that when she told them her plan to give birth naturally, they were not very supportive of the idea.  Looking back, she realizes this was a sign of the care to come.

- Her water broke before contractions began, and she was essentially put on a “clock” by her doctor.

-She labored through the night, and then in the morning when she was beginning to feel rather uncomfortable, she went to the hospital.

-The admitting nurse asked the typical intake questions, and when she found out that Suzzie’s water had broken the night before, she responded by saying, “Your water broke 12 hours ago?  You could have killed your baby.”

-These harsh words, unsurprisingly, put Suzzie into a place of shock and fear, and her labor stalled.  “My labor just stopped.”

-They put Suzzie on Pitocin, and she did not feel that she was able to cope with the pain of the contractions.  Looking back, she says that she did was not as aware of as many coping mechanisms as she was with her second birth.

-“They whisked her away, and my husband away with her.  Which, I’m glad he got to go, but that left me alone.”

-Suzzie was so dehydrated that she felt she might die from it, and in the meantime, nobody in the operating room would give her a straight answer about whether or not her baby was okay.

-Once they finished surgery, Suzzie was taken to another room, where she waited for several hours alone and in the dark without knowing what had happened to her baby.

-Suzzie mentions that her decision to have a homebirth after cesarean was made once she saw that the research pointed to uterine rupture not necessarily being caused by having a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), but by the use of Pitocin.

-She knew that she would have to have a homebirth, as birth centers in her area are not regulated to perform VBACs.

-She mentions how comforting it was to be under the care of someone who cared about her in a holistic way: Not just, are you breathing?  Do you have a pulse?  Does the baby have a pulse?”

-Out of her trauma came healing.  Suzzie has since authored the book “Divine Birth: A Collection of Wisdom + Coloring Pages to Inspire and Empower the Pregnant Mother”

-“Pregnancy and birth is really a chance for us as women to explore our creative powers and to step into our womanhood.”

-“I am worthy to have experiences that not only serve me, but are the best for me and my baby.”

-Suzzie mentions that her bravery was shown more powerfully in her traumatic hospital birth where she had to cope with all of the difficulties that followed.  In comparison, the homebirth was easy.

-“At some point in your journey, someone will ask you, ‘How did you know you could do it?’ and you will answer, ‘Because I looked within.’”

-“When you make decisions that are lined up with the answers inside of you, you will have a great birth experience.”

Episode Roundup:

1. Take note of your care provider’s attitude when you share your birth plans with them. If you notice that you are not being treated with respect, it’s time to search for a new provider.  Remember, you are hiring these people!  You can fire them, too.
2. Educate yourself on what is normal during childbirth. I recommend birthing classes, as well as a number of books that you can find on the happy homebirth website under “resources”.  By being informed, you’ll be able to notice anything fishy going on with your care.
3. Hire a doula!!!
4. If you have experienced birth trauma, seek help. Suzzie sought therapy after her traumatic experience, and if you’ve had something like this happen to you, I urge you to do the same.  These experiences and emotions cannot help but to seep into every other aspect of our lives.  There is no sense in struggling alone. 
5. “When you make decisions that are lined up with the answers inside of you, you will have a great birth experience.”

HUGE thank you to our sponsors!

Hatched at Home-Midwife Carrie LaChapelle: www.hatchedathome.com

https://www.facebook.com/MidwifeCarrieLachapelleLMCPM/

864-907-6363

Stephanie Sibbio's Glowing Mama To Be Course: https://glowing-mama-courses.thinkific.com/  (15% off with the code: happyhomebirth15 )

Instagram: stephsibbiofitness

Mama Moon Birth Photography: www.mamamoonbirthstories.com

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What motivates you to share your story?  In Rebecca's case, she knew that she couldn't be the only one who struggled to conceive.  She and her husband tried to become pregnant for several years before putting away the idea and beginning to consider adoption.  To say that they were surprised several months later when Rebecca became pregnant would be an understatement.  In this episode, Rebecca reveals her struggle, her faith, and her eventual success.  She shares her story to provide comfort to those who, like her, have experienced deep hurt over infertility.   

Show Notes

-Rebecca and her husband were married in 2013

-Because they were 34 and 35, they both thought it would be possible that they could struggle with becoming pregnant, so they began trying soon after their marriage.

-Rebecca discusses the incredible discomfort after getting off her birth control- she likens it to going through withdrawals.  Her body was acting as though it was pregnant when she knew she was not.

-She discusses the grief and pain she felt as all of the newlywed couples around her so easily go pregnant, while she and her husband struggled and received the news that IVF was going to be their best option.

-Rebecca says she learned that she had to trust the Lord, and he took her to a place where in December of 2015, she remembers realize her self-worth was not tied up in motherhood, her career, or even womanhood.  Rather, her self-worth was completely tied up in God.

-She remembers making a facebook post on December 12, 2015 stating that she had peace and had come to terms with her journey…. And exactly one year from that date, December 12, 2016 Rebecca gave birth to her first son.

-At that point (Dec 2015), they had decided that they were going to stop trying and pursue adoption.

-In April of 2016 Rebecca returned from a conference feeling rather “crummy.”  She assumed she had picked some type of bug up on the trip.  Her nursing coworkers begged her to take a pregnancy test.  She finally did, and it was positive!

-“I choose to speak about the infertility, because so many women feel like they’re alone, and feel like they’re the only one walking this path…. And they’re not.”

-Rebecca was seeing an OB at the time, but decided to switch to a homebirth midwife.  She connected very deeply with her midwife and had an amazing prenatal experience

-Labor, however did not go according to plan: She went into labor around 10:00 on a Friday night.  By 3:00 am, everything had stopped.  Contractions were completely gone.  This lasted all day Saturday and into Sunday afternoon.  She did everything she could to get labor to progress: Walking, birthing ball, position changes… nothing would get contractions to come back consistently.

-On Sunday afternoon, Rebecca decided she needed to get out of the house and walk (in the freezing cold!!).

-By 11:30pm on Sunday night, Rebecca was at 8 cm.  After hitting 8 cm, she once again would not progress. 

-By 9:00 am, Rebecca’s midwife mentioned to her that it might be time to head to the hospital to receive some rest with an epidural, and Rebecca agreed.

-She went to the hospital, received the epidural, was able to sleep for several hours, and then was able to push her baby out by 6:00 that evening.

-With her second child, she found out that she was pregnant in a very interesting way!  After having a fall through a step in her house, she began taking Motrin for the pain. A few days in, she had the random thought, “Maybe I shouldn’t be taking this Motrin… Maybe I should take a pregnancy test.” No other symptoms, yet the test came back positive!

- For their second birth, Rebecca’s mother came over in the morning to pick up her 2-year-old, as she keeps him while Rebecca works. 

-At 7:30 am Rebecca was having small contractions that were irregular and not very timeable.  This continued until about 2:00 pm.

-At 2:00 contractions quickly began to become consistent, longer, stronger and closer together.

-With things suddenly moving so quickly, Rebecca was worried her midwife might not make it!  When she heard her midwife’s voice in the house, she was completely relieved and ready.

-Within 10 minutes, Rebecca had the baby!

-She had no tearing, no complications, and Donovan was wide awake and crying when he was born.

-“I was on such a high after it was all over—that I had done it—completely at home, completely unmedicated.”

-Her second birth was 11 hours, start to finish.

-When describing the emotions after she gave birth, Rebecca says, “it was both powerful and euphoric all at the same time.”

-Rebecca and her midwife laugh about the fact that they’ve had the birth pool set up twice and never used it… this time she gave birth on the couch!

-When commenting on her story, particularly with infertility, Rebecca says, “There is power in knowing that you’re not alone.”

Episode Round-up:

1. Have faith in the hard times
2. Sharing your story, even the struggle, removes the crippling grip of isolation and builds stronger communal bonds
3. Open communication and trust in your care provider are key to a successful birth

HUGE thank you to our sponsors!

Stephanie Sibbio's Glowing Mama To Be Course: https://glowing-mama-courses.thinkific.com/  (15% off with the code: happyhomebirth15 )

Instagram: stephsibbiofitness

Mama Moon Birth Photography: www.mamamoonbirthstories.com

Instagram: mamamoon.birthphotography

Warning: This episode contains topics that may be uncomfortable or difficult to hear as a pregnant mother.  Please be sure that you are emotionally prepared to discuss: maternal depletion, postpartum depression, nursing difficulties (inverted nipples) and cervical prolapse.

-Kelley has had 5 homebirths within a very short amount of time.

-Her first 3 births were in Connecticut, and she moved south weeks before her 4th child's birth.

-Her midwife left for France, and she was attended by another midwife that she did not know well, though the birth went well.

-For her 5th birth, Kelley found a midwife that felt like her best friend.  She loved the experience, though she did not expect to be pregnant so soon.

-Kelley struggled with difficulty accepting her 5th pregnancy and not being able to feel bonded to her baby throughout the pregnancy.  She had hoped that her final baby would be a girl, but she learned early on that she would be having her 4th boy.

-Luckily, Kelley's mother was able to be in town for her birth (she and her mom are incredibly close, and Kelley feels like her mom can read her mind during labor).

-With her 5th birth, she had a birth entourage: Lots of friends, her husband, her mom, a doula, her midwife and apprentices.  She felt very loved and supported, and she was finally able to have the water birth she had always hoped for.

-Once the baby was born, she put him on her chest.  When she looked him over, she realized... HE was a GIRL!  

-Kelley was so thrilled and shocked that her final baby was the girl she had hoped for.  She sent her mom shopping for girl clothes the next morning!

-Postpartum, Kelley struggled with inverted nipples.  She encourages women not to give up if they experience similar struggles.  She says that if you can make it through the first 6 weeks, you'll be able to make it through anything else!

-12 hours after giving birth, Kelley realized she had a cervical prolapse.  She has been incredibly involved in pelvic floor physical therapy since that time.

-It took 12 weeks of bedrest to recover from her cervical prolapse, 6 of which she spent in Connecticut with her parents' help.  

-Kelley recommends that anyone who has postpartum health issues to seek help and guidance.

-19 months later, Kelley is still nursing her little girl and continuing on her journey to recovery.  She is enjoying this new stage of life... not being pregnant!  

HUGE thank you to our sponsors!

Stephanie Sibbio's Glowing Mama To Be Course: https://glowing-mama-courses.thinkific.com/  (15% off with the code: happyhomebirth15 )

Instagram: stephsibbiofitness

Mama Moon Birth Photography: www.mamamoonbirthstories.com

Instagram: mamamoon.birthphotography

Molly stepped into the doula world 3 years ago, after caring for her mother at her end of life.  Molly realized that caretaking was something she was drawn to, and realized becoming a doula would be a way to continue this role.

-She quit her tech job and opened up her own business, Doulamee LLC.

-Molly teaches childbirth education, both in person and virtually online. 

-She has also founded a client portal, giving a safe community for those giving birth to come and bounce ideas off of each other, as well as molly

-She brings up the “Marathon analogy” (Katelyn is a huge fan of this!): Not preparing for childbirth is like not preparing for a marathon.  You could do the marathon either way, but if you don’t prepare, it’s going to take longer, feel more uncomfortable, you might have to walk some or even hitch a ride, etc.  If you prepare, your muscles know what they’re doing, you aren’t surprised, and you can get the job done faster and with greater ease.

-She focuses on bringing the birthing partner into the fold of birth by having their job be to stimulate birth hormones and get the birthing mother in the correct frame of mind.

-Molly discusses the difference between a doula and a midwife, and why having a doula, even when giving birth at home, is very useful for the family.

-She goes in depth about what constitutes a good birth plan, especially at home.  Molly mentions how important it is to have a good, positive space prepared at home. 

-She discusses preparing for any potential changes in the plan: the unpredictability of birth, and how to bring the home to the hospital if that were necessary.

-Molly discusses the use of the rebozo in a number of ways

- She details her postpartum doula work:  How they debrief from the birth and help process, supporting parents in the initial transition, going over newborn care, having a meal prepared when they get home, etc.

- She discusses the importance of a postpartum plan: who is coming by when, how long they’re staying, what food you’ll be eating, etc.

-Molly’s recommendations:  Take a childbirth education course (it doesn’t have to be at a hospital), read Penny Simpkin’s The Birth Partner, look into Rachel Yellin for any type of hypnosis-based childbirth, work on visualization, and prepare for your “marathon” with nutrition, appropriate attire, and body work.

-Contact Molly and keep up with her!

www.doulamee.com

Instagram: doulamee

Facebook: Doulamee LLC facebook group

Listen in to this bonus episode to hear how my (Katelyn's) pregnancy is progressing.  Somehow I'm already halfway to the finish line, and I don't know where the weeks went!  

Samantha's Surprise Breech Homebirth

• Samantha has had two hospital births (one medicated induction, one natural), one homebirth, and one birth center birth.
• At the beginning of her third pregnancy, she researched midwives and decided giving birth in her own space was right up her alley.  Her husband was completely supportive.
• She interviewed with one midwife and knew in her gut that this was the right fit.  She felt complete trust.
• Experienced “White Coat Syndrome” previously, but her blood pressure was always perfect with her midwife.  She feels that that shows just how comfortable she was with her care provider.
• When Sam went into labor, things progressed very quickly.  When her midwife heard her have a contraction over the phone, she got in the car and headed her way immediately.The midwife stayed on the phone with Sam for the entire car ride, as Sam was nervous that she’d have the baby without her.
• The midwife got into the room, and after Sam had one contraction, the midwife thought something was strange, so she checked Sam.
• “I don’t want you to freak out, but the baby is breech.”
• In South Carolina, breech births are not within the guidelines of having a homebirth, so the midwife did call EMS.
• The baby was safely born at home.  Samantha’s husband told EMS they were not going to transfer to the hospital, as the baby was fine.
• The fact that her midwife stayed for hours after the birth meant the world to Samantha
• Samantha shares how a sheriff showed up saying, “I don’t really need to be here, but I heard a baby was being born and I wanted to come!”
• Katelyn recalls how two men were trying to put a stretcher in Sam’s room, and she remembered wondering to herself, “What are they even trying to do that?”
• With her last child, Sam gave birth at a hospital birth center.
• The prenatal experience was more similar to her experience with the OB, though she still liked the experience.
• She was worried that she would not make it to the birth center during labor, as it takes about an hour to get to the birth center from her home.
• Sam ended up using the birth center because of the complications of insurance. 
• When she reached the birth center, her blood pressure was high, and the midwife wanted to transfer her to the hospital.  However, she was progressing so quickly, she did not know whether or not they’d actually make it, so she was able to stay at the birth center.
• Katelyn mentions how the opening of the hospital-based birth center has been really great for the community, as it’s a great in-between zone for those who are not quite comfortable giving birth at home, but do not necessarily want a hospital birth, either.
• Sam recommends finding a midwife that takes the time to get to know you and is willing to build a relationship.

Thank you to our sponsor, Mama Moon Birth Photography!  www.mamamoonbirthstories.com

Here is a sample of Ashlie's beautiful work: https://vimeo.com/302639176

I could have titled this birth story 1,000 different ways, but Harry Potter Homebirth?  I know that had to catch your attention!

Show Notes

• For their first child, Ryan wanted to be in/near a hospital.  They were living in Louisville, Kentucky.
• Christina went past her due date, but was not induced.  She had a 45 hour labor with baby #1, Eowyn.  
• Ryan fell asleep in the triage bed!
• Christina became a doula after having an incredibly supportive team and lovely birth.
• They had their second child, William, in a free-standing birth center.
• Liam was born at 41 weeks, 3 days
• Her out-of-hospital midwife advised an herbal induction.
• She later realized her first baby was posterior, causing the long labor.
• Christina went under the care of a chiropractor for baby #2, and she used spinning babies techniques to help position her baby better.
• Labor #2 was 6 hours, compared to 45hours with the first, and the baby was 10 lbs, 6 oz!
• Remembers thinking, "This was even better than the hospital!"
• Ryan and Christina took Hypnobabies with baby #3.
• Ryan says, "I was literally eating barbeque and drinking beer while Christina was laboring in the tub"... much more comfortable than the triage bed!
• Their 3rd baby, Patrick, was 41 weeks, 3 days.
• Prodromal labor started 6 weeks before, so Christina was very tired when she went into labor
• Pursued an herbal induction again, which was gentle and effective
• She used acupuncture to help with the prodromal labor
• Christina got the urge to push after 2-3 hours of labor, but was confused because she didn't feel like she'd been through transition/transformation.
• Something felt off, so she asked her midwife to check her.
• The midwife said that she still had a bit of a cervical lip, and recommended that Christina try to avoid pushing for a bit.  What she tactfully did not mention, was that Christina was actually only 4 cm dilated.
• Christina flipped to her back, and for 30 minutes she had to breathe through her pushing contractions.  She says it was the most difficult part of her labor.
• Music and singing helped her cope during the no-pushing phase.
• They had theological discussions during labor about whether or not Mary had a midwife!
• Christina remembers thinking, "I can't do this anymore."
• She started singing "Jesus Loves Me," with her husband and midwife, and feels that that intimate moment truly depicts the beauty of homebirth.
• She then needed to change positions.  She got out of the pool, stood up, and suddenly had to pee.  She didn't want her daughter to see her peeing on the floor!
• She got on the bed, and her pushing contractions doubled.  She HAD to push.
• Her water broke forcefully, and baby's head was immediately crowning.
• Patrick was the largest baby her midwife had caught, at 10 lbs, 9 ounces and 23 inches long.
• It was only 45 minutes total between Christina being 4 cm and holding her baby.
• They had opened the window in the bathroom earlier, and it turns out the neighbors heard the baby being born.
• Christina had a 5 lb placenta
• After her shower, the midwives came in her room wearing Hogwarts robes and witch hats.
• She did not tear with her 10+ lb babies, which she attributes to self-directed pushing.
• Ryan guarded the 6-week postpartum experience, and it changed her postpartum so much for the better.

Hailey Mugica Show Notes:

Website: myhappyhomebirth.com

Contact Katelyn: katelyn@myhappyhomebirth.com

Follow: instagram.com/happyhomebirthpodcast 

Donate: https://www.patreon.com/happyhomebirth

•  Hailey's first two births were traditional hospital medicated births
• Her sister planned to have a homebirth for her first baby, which Hailey thought was crazy, but then she watched The Business of Being Born, read some of Ina May's Books and decided she wanted a homebirth, too!
•  She says that the prenatal experience between her OB and Midwife were not even comparable.
• Her midwife came to her for home visits, discussed nutrition and exercise, and diagnosed anemia, which Hailey feels confident she had during her first two pregnancies and was missed.
• She feels she received far more detail and attention from her midwife.
• She remembered Ina May's words of "you're going to get huge" during her labor, and it was very helpful.
• Hailey was 41+ weeks and worried she would not be able to have her homebirth because she wasn't seeming like she would be going into labor soon.
• She decided to pump, and after 20 minutes, she was having contractions that were 45 seconds long and less than 2 minutes apart. 
•  Hailey saw a chiropractor the day before labor began, and she attributes her fast birth to that.  Before the adjustment, she could feel that her baby was ill-positioned in her right hip, and then labor began the next day. 
• Her birth went so smoothly, and she felt incredible about her decision to have a homebirth.
• Hailey felt incredibly supported by her midwife postpartum: On day 5 her midwife came back and set up an herbal bath for Hailey and her baby and even took photos for them.
• With her medicated births, she felt like something that had happened to her.  With her homebirth, she felt like she was covering from something that she did.
• Hailey's mom took her other two sons out for dinner, and when they returned, the baby was already born.   
• Katelyn and Hailey discuss the benefits of not finding out the gender before the birth:  You get double the presents, and people buy you good gifts from your registry because "nobody wants to buy a gray onesie." 
• Hailey's recommendation for a mom considering homebirth:  It's not a flippant decision.  Do your research, and as long as you have a solid 'why' behind your decision, you can do anything.
• She and her husband opted not to tell anyone who they thought might not support a homebirth.

• Instagram:  @theintentionalessentials or @haileymugica

Anne Margolis, CNM, LM, MSN, BSN, RN (Biography)

Anne Margolis is a Licensed Certified Nurse Midwife, Licensed Femme! Teacher, Certified Clarity Breathwork Practitioner, Yoga Teacher and practitioner. She is a 3rd generation guide to mommas birthing babies in her family. Anne has helped thousands of families in her 20+ year midwifery practice and has personally ushered the births of over 1000 healthy babies into the world. She has also guided countless human beings to heal from emotional pain, inner stress and trauma, tap into their strength and power, live fully and vibrantly, and reclaim their radiance, joyfulness, calm and overall sense of well-being.

Through her online childbirth course 'Love Your Birth', her online and in-person midwifery for pregnancy and postpartum support consultations, her birth professional mentoring, her holistic gynecology, Clairty Breathwork and Femme! experience offerings she infuses wisdom, compassion, inspiration, and joy into the entire process of women’s health care from teen aged years to menopause, as well as into facilitating incredible healing and wellness for both men and women of all ages. She also provides consulting to help you publish and launch your book!

Anne is a two times number one national and international best selling author of 'Natural Birth Secrets: An Insiders Guide How To Give Birth Holistically, Healthfully and Safely, and Love the Experience', and also 'Trauma Release Formula: The Revolutionary Step by Step Program for Eliminating Effects of Childhood Abuse, Trauma, Emotional Pain and Crippling Inner Stress, to Living in Joy without Drugs or Therapy.' Anne’s work, insights and advice have been seen on TV shows and movies including 4 episodes of 'A Baby Story' on TLC Discovery Channel, and the award winning feature documentary, 'Orgasmic Birth' and 'The Human Longevity Project.' She has been interviewed for multiple local, national and international radio programs, shows and podcasts. Anne has also been a featured speaker and expert panelist at distinguished events for Weil-Cornell School of Medicine, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, RCC State University of New York School of Nursing, and Birthnet Association of Childbirth Professionals and Hudson Valley Birth Network to name a few. Anne's Clarity Breathwork and Femme! healing movement workshops have been hosted at several yoga studios and wellness centers, including the conscious, high vibration and transformational community at The Assemblage in NYC. Anne is a proud founding member of The Health and Wellness Business Association, which was created to promote initiatives that support better collaboration, interaction and ethical business practices within the health and wellness business community.

She has midwifed mommas and babies for over two decades, and guides individuals to birth themselves as healthy and whole human beings capable of immense joy and inner peace. Her clients describe her as “passionate, sensitive, big hearted, and a playful ball of light.” When she’s not helping mommas around the world you can find her doing yoga (anywhere and everywhere), dancing, taking or facilitating powerful growth and healing workshops, traveling, enjoying family time and watching comedy.

Show Notes:

-Developed fear of birth while working as a labor and delivery nurse

-Birth was treated as a potential lawsuit- she witnessed many cesarean births

-Had a traumatic birth of her own

-Later learned about midwifery, and began schooling to become a midwife.

-Had another baby at home, which was incredibly healing

-In midwifery, relationships are built with the mother throughout the prenatal care, with longer appointments to gain trust and understanding

-Many times when a partner is uncomfortable with homebirth or midwifery, it is often because of misconceptions.  Midwives are trained medical professionals who can administer life-saving drugs, and know life saving techniques like neonatal resuscitation and CPR.

-The postpartum period is incredibly important, and Anne explains her recommendations for creating a community of help and support during pregnancy.

-Anne’s Website: www.homesweethomebirth.com

Instagram:  @homesweethomebirth

Facebook: facebook.com/homesweethomebirth

Contact Katelyn!

Interview: katelyn@myhappyhomebirth.com

Instagram: @happyhomebirthpodcast

Support the show: patreon.com/happyhomebirth

-Neely and her husband Garrett have 2 sons, Howie and Cole

-Decided to have homebirths after watching the film “The Business of Being Born” 

-She selected her midwife after a friend had a wonderful experience with her

-Neely did not use a doula for her first birth, but decided to take Hypnobabies for her childbirth education, then used a Hypnobabies certified doula during her second homebirth.

- For her first birth, she took a Bradley-based childbirth education class.

-She attributes her successful labors to the fact that she practiced yoga throughout her pregnancies, saw the chiropractor, ate dates at the end, and generally did all she could to prepare.

-With her first birth, she had early-labor type contractions from 36 weeks on, but felt she would likely give birth a week or two after her due date.

-She went into labor several days before her due date, with contractions that seemed similar to what she’d been experiencing before.  She got in the shower to relax, but suddenly felt she needed to poop.

-After about 30 minutes of being awake, she wakes up her husband, still feeling sure she has a long way to go, but just wants him to let the midwife know what’s going on.

-The midwife asks how far apart the contractions are:  1-2 minutes apart, lasting a minute each time!

-Once the midwife hears her have a contraction, she lets Garrett know that she might not make it based on how far along Neely seems to be.  She tells him what to do if she doesn’t make it.

-She became overwhelmed with the urge to take her clothes off, but at the same time was saying to herself, “This can’t be right.  Why do I want to take my clothes off so early in the process?  I thought that happened towards transition!”

-Immediately after having her baby, she stood to her feet and said, “Hey Baby,” which her husband says was incredible to watch.

-Because the labor was so quick, Neely did experience symptoms of shock. 

-She felt that she had failed what her vision for her birth was—It was so different from what she was expecting, she felt she never had time to get on top of the contractions.

-With her second labor, Neely felt confident that she would go past her due date.  She had no prodromal labor with this baby like she did with her first.

-In the middle of the night (39 weeks, 5 days), she begins having contractions.  She calls her husband, who is in the other room, on his phone.  He responds back via a text message with a ‘?’ …..He then comes into the room!

-He calls the midwife, she asks how far apart contractions are.  They were a minute apart and a minute long… practically no break!

-She felt far more in control with her contractions during this birth.  She was riding the waves instead of being pulled under.

-She did not feel pushing as being nearly intense with this birth; rather, she felt she was breathing her baby down.

-With the head partially out, she began to feel the fear that she would tear.  Suddenly, her contractions paused.  It was the longest break she’d had since labor had begun.

-Her body gave her a break, allowing her baby’s head to stretch the perineum naturally.

-Neely’s water broke, followed by the baby’s full head, and then the whoosh of the rest of his body.

  -She was able to feel that she was a part of her labor and in more control, not as helpless feeling as her first labor.

-Garrett was able to catch the baby, and immediately exclaimed that it was a boy.

-Neely’s biggest recommendation for labor is to prepare.  Take a childbirth class and truly learn to relax and release.

Want to interview?  Katelyn@myhappyhomebirth.com

Instagram: @happyhomebirthpodcast

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