Episodes
Monday Aug 21, 2023
Monday Aug 21, 2023
The wait is almost over, are you ready for the Fall2023 season of Happy Homebirth?
Join me from your favorite podcast platform on September4 for our first brand new episode and mark your calendars for September 18, when my husband and I will be sitting down to tell all about our most recent birth experience.
It is completely unlike our previous experiences, and you don't want to miss it.
- I promise I didn’t pay Rachael to talk about this— But the topic just keeps coming up, and I know it’s vitally important. The concept that we can choose not to feel like victims of our birthing experiences. We can ready ourselves for the balancing act of both birth preparation and feminine wildness, and we can positively claim our birth stories, no matter the specifics of how they unfold.
- I love the concept of honoring these rites of passage in order to more deeply appreciate the beauty in our day to day being. The element of presence in each moment— wow, it just adds such depth to every experience, both big and small.
- Finally… unpack your baggage. I love the emphasis Rachael puts on finding a way that works for you to heal yourself in pregnancy. You know, gestation is such a time of transformation already, adding this highly important work of healing only makes sense in such a time, and it seems to reason that our minds are already in a place of willingness to take on such a task. As she mentioned, there are so many ways we can approach healing, so find what works for you. Counseling, Rachael’s course, self-directed. During my second pregnancy I found such great healing and fear release through reading the Psalms. But whatever you choose, set the intention to heal those wounds and I know the results will overwhelm you.
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Encore: Homebirth and Chiropractic Wisdom With Dr. Courtney Kahla
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
- I loved the way that Dr. Courtney approached the selection of her care provider. Yes, there were a number of providers in her area that she liked and trusted, but she knew that she needed someone who was going to be comfortable with the informed decisions she was planning to make during her pregnancy and labor. She knew the right questions to ask. “What would cause me to risk out of care with you? What procedures would you be uncomfortable with me declining?” Knowing what you want in a care provider before you walk in for the interview makes this so much easier. Make sure you check out episodes 157 and 159 if you’re looking for more specific help in this area. I’ll link those below.
- I really appreciate the discussion of how vulnerable we are to ideas in labor. Dr. Kahla knew she wanted to fully listen to her body, but when her midwife gave her the very loving tip of giving a few pushes if she wanted— Dr. Courtney did, even though outside of labor she had adamantly wanted to experience Fetal Ejection Reflex on her own. Listen, midwives are human and like Dr. Courtney said, this was totally well-intentioned. But it does go to show us that nobody outside of your body can feel what’s going on inside of your body as well as you can— This is a great lesson for all of us to learn from. If your midwife gives you advice, it can be really easy to just go along with it— of course—we trust them— but remember to trust yourself, too. Listen to the advice, but then try to take a moment before you accept it just because you think that’s what you’re supposed to do.
- And finally, wow. Labor can be so, so mental. Dr. Courtney, the mother that her midwife said she had ZERO worries about desiring to transfer because of her endurance and grit, got to a vulnerable place where she needed her team’s support and reminder that she could, in fact, do this thing. And do it, she did.
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Encore: Simplifying Birth, Simplifying Childhood with Ginny Yurtich
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
- The people who surround us can play such a huge role in our decisions. When we look back at Ginny’s first birth, she was considering an elective c section, as her friend very much enjoyed hers. But then, her brother’s roommate introduced her to the work of Ina May Gaskin, and her whole story was changed. Though the first two births did not work out nearly how she had desired, the seed was planted, and Ginny’s perception on birth was forever changed.
- Small changes can add up to massive results. Ginny discussed how after simply “getting through” her third pregnancy/first homebirth, she was ready to start making changes during her next pregnancy. She was able to head off her pre-eclampsia symptoms with liver support and appropriate nutrition, and her labor was dramatically shortened.
- And then… Ginny learned that birth was her responsibility. She took complete control in her final homebirth, and that 95 minute experience taught her so many lessons. We are always responsible for our birth, but when we recognize that and actually capitalize on it— what an incredible difference it can make in the lives of our entire family.
- And finally, simplicity is so beautiful. Ginny simplified her birth through unmedicalizing it, and she simplified her life by putting the focus on spending time in nature. The real nectar comes from the basics, and Ginny’s life is a glorious testimony to it.
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Encore: Elizabeth’s Peaceful Surprise Twin Homebirth
Monday Jul 31, 2023
Monday Jul 31, 2023
- I love that Elizabeth brought up the ridiculousness of due dates. Number one, they’re not even a good average of first time labors. Number two, why? Why must we assign this additional stress to our bodies and our babies when they’re simply just trying to grow and work together?
- Elizabeth brought up some great points regarding the immediate postpartum, and just how… not conducive the hospital can be to bonding, and not even conducive to healing or establishing our milk supply— nutrition is so important, and jello just doesn’t really cut it…. You know, unless it’s grass-fed gelatin made at home, which is actually my favorite.
- One of my favorite aspects of Elizabeth’s final labor was when her midwife so tenderly read her affirmation and scripture cards to her. I’m sure it was such an encouraging moment in her labor.
- And finally, my friends…birth is a mystery. Sometimes it unfolds similarly to what we expect, and other times we birth a surprise second breech baby. No matter how it presents itself (pun intended), birth is so beautiful, and so transformative. And mamas, we can do amazing things.
- Okay my friends, that’s all I’ve got for you for today. Before you hop off, would you take a screenshot of this episode and share it on your instagram stories? Tag happyhomebirthpodcast and purqelyparsons and tell me your favorite takeaway from this episode!
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Encore: Birth as a Rite of Passage with Dr. Rachel Reed
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Encore: Homebirth is a Team Sport
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Encore: Emily Catches Her Own Baby
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 10, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Encore: Real Food for Pregnancy (and Postpartum!) With Lily Nichols
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jul 03, 2023
Monday Jun 26, 2023
Encore: How Did We Get Here?! The History of U.S. Maternity Care
Monday Jun 26, 2023
Monday Jun 26, 2023
- The first thing I want to emphasize is the idea of encouraging the little ladies in our lives to embrace their healing and intuitive natures. What a spiritual gift—And truly, the best way to encourage this is to embrace it ourselves.
- Isn’t it amazing how in a matter of just a few generations our country lost so much birth wisdom? I’m grateful for the resurgence of midwifery, but how heartbreaking to think of where we could be now if circumstances had played out differently. Perhaps our outcomes wouldn’t be so abysmal.
- And finally, looking towards the future, we have a chance to make things better. We have the ability to speak out about the inexcusable rates of maternal and infant mortality. We have the ability to inform other moms of their options, so that they’re willing to speak out, too. On a local level, this can be as small as sharing your birth choices and experiences with others. This is a perfect moment for me to give a huge thank you to all of the mothers who have so willingly shared their stories on this podcast. Thank you for inspiring other mothers and showing how beautiful birth can be.
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Encore: Leah and Her Midwife Handle a Complication
Monday Jun 19, 2023
Monday Jun 19, 2023
- Leah is a registered nurse engaged to a UFC fighter, Brandon Davis. They have just grown their family with a new baby!
- She had a homebirth with her first baby. When asked how she decided to have a homebirth, she said she’s always been fascinated with it, but she doesn’t have any friends or family members who had had homebirths previously. That being the case, it took a large amount of research on her part to come to the decision and know for certain she wanted to give birth at home.
- As a registered nurse, she did have some negative reactions from coworkers and friends about her decision.
- “I think that labor is best left untouched.”
- Leah’s fiancé was very uncomfortable with the idea of a homebirth. Early on, she asked him to visit several care providers, and he quickly disagreed, saying she needed to give birth in the hospital like every other “normal” mom!
- Not wanting to argue, Leah began seeing an OB. She continued with this care provider up until week 26, when she began feeling very uncomfortable with the idea that she was now going to be having a hospital birth.
- She decided to set up a quiet little meeting with a local midwife without involving her fiancé until afterwards. She immediately felt connected with this midwife and said, “This is it. I know that whatever my birth story is going to be, you are going to be a part of it.”
- Leah continued to see both her OB and her midwife up until week 36, where she completely transferred care over to her midwife. Though she liked her OB, Leah began feeling pushed to do things she didn’t want to do, including a 3rd trimester ultrasound and weekly cervical checks after 35 weeks.
- She felt that her prenatals were far more in depth with her midwife; they discussed issues like nutrition, which never happened with her OB- not because she didn’t care, but simply because there was just not enough time.
- In fact, her OB was so busy, that she had a patient due every single day of the month that Leah was due. She had warned Leah that she would likely not be the person delivering her baby anyway.
- Leah’s midwife was able to discern that her baby was posterior, and explained how that had the potential to complicate, or at least prolong, labor. She recommended chiropractic care and yoga to help get baby in a more optimal position.
- She appreciated how much more hands-on her care was with her midwife. The OB pushed for a 3rd trimester ultrasound to see baby’s position, but her midwife already knew baby’s position by consistent belly palpation. “I felt like she was almost a sister or a mom to me, as well as a care provider.”
- Leah decided to work up until the day that she gave birth. She was healthy and her baby was healthy, so she decided to continue.
- During her 39th week, she got up on a Friday to go to work and noticed some bloody show. She let her midwife know, and asked her what that meant in relation to when labor would start. Her midwife responded that it could be any time between the next 24 hours and week!
- Leah went to work and worked the full 12 hour shift. She was on her feet all day, and by the time she got home, she was feeling crampy and “not good,” but she hadn’t realized at that point that she was on the cusp of labor.
- Leah tried to go to sleep early, but couldn’t sleep. Although she was feeling crampy, she thought that maybe she was just experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions. At about 3:30 in the morning, the discomfort was feeling less tolerable. She thought that maybe she should start timing them to see if they were actually contractions. At this point, she was having contractions every five minutes.
- At 4:30, she called her best friend who lives hours away and let her know that she thought today was going to be the day, so get in the car and head her way whenever she was up and ready.
- At 5, Leah called her midwife and let her know what she was feeling.
- An hour later, she called her midwife back and let her know that she was still consistently contracting.
- At 8:30, Leah’s midwife arrived. Leah says, “I remember walking to the door and saying, ‘Hey…I feel like crap.’”
- Her midwife checked her and said, “Strong work, girl! You’re a 6!” Leah was very happy to know that her contractions were doing something!
- Leah’s midwife had an assistant with her, who also acted similar to a doula during the experience.
- In the late afternoon/evening, she was checked again and was at 9cm with her bag of waters still intact. Her midwife gave her the option of continuing with labor uninterrupted or breaking her water. Leah decided to wait and see and did not want her water broken at that time.
- She labored on for another hour and began feeling exhausted. At that point, she decided to have her water broken. She as laboring on the bed at this time, but her midwife told her she should try to decide where she wanted to be when they had the baby since they were getting close. She labored for about 26 hours total, but only spent about 45 minutes in the pool. She decided she wanted to go back to the labor pool.
- Leah’s midwife told her that would be fine… but she was worried that they wouldn’t actually have time to get the birth pool set back up before baby arrived.
- Leah decided to go for the next best thing- her shower! At this time, she was already feeling pushy. With her next contraction, she made a clear pushing sound, so her midwife came back into the room…. Only to realize that Leah had already birthed the baby’s head!
- Her midwife came behind her and provided perineal support to help prevent tearing. After a few pushes, Leah’s midwife that the baby wasn’t coming out. She asked Leah to give her everything she had during the next push. At this point, Leah was doing all that she could, and wondered what was happening. Her midwife told her that she would need to get out of the shower if baby didn’t come with the next push.
- Baby still did not come, so Leah stepped out of the shower/tub and her midwife had her get onto her hands and knees on the bathroom floor. Her midwife had her alternate lifting one knee into a runner’s lunge, and then the other knee. Back and forth, back and forth. Baby still was not coming, though Leah’s midwife did free a nuchal cord that was wrapped twice around his neck.
- At this point, about 5 minutes had passed. Leah’s midwife had her lie down on her back and lift her knees up as high as possible (this is called the McRoberts maneuver). Baby came at this point!!
- Leah’s baby was not crying or vigorous when he was born- he was absolutely exhausted. It took a bit of stimulating him to finally get a solid response. Of course, he was attached to the cord this entire time, so he was still receiving oxygen via the placenta.
- Even after this entire situation, Leah did not tear at all during her birth.
- She and her midwives spoke after everyone had calmed down. Leah was curious to hear how this situation would have played out in the hospital. She learned that she certainly would have received an episiotomy, which she mentions is not a very helpful intervention because a shoulder dystocia is not a skin-on-skin issue, but rather a bone-on-bone issue.
- Leah says that she felt so good postpartum that she probably didn’t take it quite as easy as she should have. Postpartum bleeding ended up being somewhat of an issue. She had a hard time just lying in, so she admits that she ended up doing too much and being on her feet too much!
- She felt such a sense of empowerment after the experience, and so did her fiance. He was very upfront that he didn’t want her to give birth at home, but after the experience, he couldn’t stop bragging about her. He was so happy with their birthing experience.
- This is an amazing example of a rather large complication being handled at home. Notice how calmly and skillfully Leah’s midwife managed the shoulder dystocia. She had her get up, then hands and knees, then alternating lunges, and finally had her move onto her back with her legs pulled up. She also knew the importance of course of keeping the cord attached so that Leah’s baby still had a direct flow to oxygenated blood, even if he wasn’t quite breathing yet.
- Just because you’re feeling empowered and strong doesn’t mean you should go make dinner! Once again, make sure you are taking care of your body and recovering appropriately after birth.
- If your gut is telling you to go with a certain care provider, please be in tune with that.