The Golden Hour Birth Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Golden Hour Birth Podcast
Join Liz and Natalie, two average Midwest moms having authentic conversations surrounding birth stories. We're here to laugh with you, cry with you, and hold space for you while normalizing all of the unknowns that have caused us to pivot through this empowering journey through parenthood!
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In this heart-wrenching episode of Golden Hour of Earth, Jayme shares her emotional journey of twin pregnancy and loss. From the initial excitement of discovering she was pregnant with twins to facing a devastating diagnosis, Jayme recounts the difficult decisions she and her husband had to make. Follow their story as they navigate the complexities of carrying both life and loss, and learn how they found strength during an impossibly challenging time. This raw and honest account offers insight into the often-unseen struggles of pregnancy complications and the profound impact of loss on expectant parents.
Connect with Jayme in Instagram @jaymesharesthings
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In this powerful episode, we sit down with Katie, a mother of six, who shares her harrowing experience of birth trauma and medical negligence. Katie's story of a uterine rupture during an induced labor led to severe disabilities for her daughter and life-altering consequences for her own health.
Despite having no prior c-sections, Katie suffered a uterine rupture after the use of Pitocin - a complication that went unrecognized for far too long. She takes us through her journey, from the ignored warning signs to the aftermath of the birth, including her daughter's ongoing health challenges and her own loss of reproductive capacity.
But Katie's story doesn't end there. Learn how she transformed her traumatic experience into a mission of education and advocacy, working tirelessly to spread awareness about birth choices and the potential risks of certain medical interventions.
This episode offers crucial insights into patient rights, the importance of informed consent, and the need for attentive medical care during childbirth. Katie's narrative is a testament to the strength of maternal instinct and the power of turning personal tragedy into a force for positive change.
Whether you're an expectant parent, a birth worker, or simply interested in maternal health issues, this episode provides invaluable perspectives that could change the way you think about childbirth practices.
Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of birth trauma and discusses infant health complications. Listener discretion is advised.
Connect with Katie on Instagram HERE and TikTok HERE.
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In this mini-episode, Liz and Natalie explore the often-overlooked power of self-compassion and positive affirmations in the postpartum journey. Discover why being kind to yourself is just as important as caring for your baby, and learn practical strategies to reframe negative thoughts. We share personal experiences and insights on how self-compassion can dramatically shift your perspective on motherhood.
We also introduce our new "Reclaim Your Birth Story" course and offer a sneak peek at our free introductory module on understanding birth trauma. Plus, don't miss out on our limited-time discount code for the full course!
Whether you're a new mom struggling with self-doubt or a seasoned parent looking to cultivate more self-kindness, this episode offers valuable tools to enhance your motherhood experience. Tune in for a dose of encouragement and practical wisdom on your parenting journey.
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And check out our new course HERE! You can get a free sneak peek at the introduction module, What is Birth Trauma?
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In this powerful episode, Maria shares her incredible birth story that defied medical expectations. Faced with a low-weight baby and pressure for a C-section, Maria advocated fiercely for her desired natural birth. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when her newborn receives a rare genetic diagnosis - Wolff Hirschhorn syndrome. Listen as Maria recounts her experience of navigating medical challenges, trusting her instincts, and ultimately finding joy and purpose in her unique motherhood journey.
Inspired by her experience, Maria created the app "Natural Birth by Ecco," offering quick, easy tips for labor and delivery. This episode is a testament to the power of self-advocacy in birth, resilience in the face of unexpected diagnoses, and the transformative nature of unconditional love.
Don't miss our exciting announcement! Our new course, "Reclaim Your Birth Story," is now available. For local listeners, join our live workshop and use code WORKSHOP for a 30% discount this week. Get a sneak peek of the course through the link in our show notes.
Whether you're pregnant, planning to be, or simply interested in inspiring birth stories, Maria's account offers valuable insights and hope. Tune in to be inspired, learn how to advocate for your own birth experience, and discover helpful resources like Maria's app.
Connect with Maria on Instagram HERE and check out her amazing app!
Check out our new course and get a free sneak peek HERE and get live workshop info HERE!
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Join Liz and Natalie as they sit down with Marine, a French actress, writer, and producer living in Brooklyn, New York, to discuss her unique experiences with pregnancy, birth, and postpartum as an expat in the United States. Marine shares her journey of working as a server until her last day of pregnancy, navigating the challenges of giving birth in a foreign healthcare system, and documenting her motherhood experiences through a series of witty and relatable videos.
From dealing with unexpected early labor to embracing the differences between her first and second births, Marine offers a refreshingly honest and humorous take on the joys and struggles of motherhood abroad. She also shares valuable insights on the importance of preparation, self-care, and building a support system during the postpartum period.
Whether you're a new mom, an expat, or simply looking for a good laugh and some relatable stories, this episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast has something for everyone. Tune in to learn about Marine's adventures in motherhood, from the streets of Paris to the bustling boroughs of New York City.
Connect with Marine on Instagram here and watch her videos on Youtube here.
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In this special mini-episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, hosts Liz and Natalie give listeners an exclusive sneak peek into Module 6 of their upcoming course, "Reclaim Your Birth Story." Titled "Cultivating Empowerment and Moving Forward," this module focuses on helping women reclaim their power and identity after a challenging birth experience.
Liz and Natalie discuss the importance of recognizing that your birth story doesn't define you and share insights on embracing your strength and resilience. They also delve into the power of goal-setting for personal growth, teaching listeners how to create SMART goals to cultivate empowerment and create positive future experiences.
The hosts also emphasize the necessity of creating a long-term self-care plan, offering guidance on identifying self-care activities and integrating them into daily routines. They provide a glimpse into the module's empowering reflection activities, goal-setting exercises, and personalized self-care planning tools.
By the end of this episode, listeners will have a better understanding of how Module 6 of "Reclaim Your Birth Story" can help them reclaim their power, set meaningful goals, and prioritize self-care on their journey to healing. Stay tuned for the full course launch and join Liz and Natalie on this transformative journey to process your birth story and find peace.
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In this deeply moving episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, we sit down with Alyson, a resilient mother from St. Louis who shares her incredible four-year journey through infertility and into motherhood. Alyson opens up about the challenges she and her husband faced, including PCOS and sperm motility issues, and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to conceive.
Through her raw and honest storytelling, Alyson takes us on a journey of heartbreak, determination, and unwavering hope. She shares the highs and lows of her experiences with lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and the power of self-advocacy in navigating the complex world of fertility treatments.
As Alyson reveals the moment she finally discovered she was pregnant and the joy of welcoming her little miracle into the world, you'll find yourself tearing up and celebrating alongside her. She also delves into the realities of postpartum life, the challenges of exclusive pumping, and the beauty of finding a new perspective on motherhood after infertility.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, support, or a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope can be found. Alyson's story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of unconditional love.
Join us for this unforgettable conversation and discover how to find your own glimmer of light on your path to parenthood. Alyson's journey will leave you feeling empowered, supported, and inspired to keep holding onto hope, no matter what challenges you may face.
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In this inspiring episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, we sit down with Joyce, a remarkable woman whose journey from surrogate to surrogacy case manager is filled with love, challenges, and life-changing connections. As a mother of three, Joyce's story begins with her own birth experiences, from the quick arrival of her first child to an unmedicated, peaceful birth with her daughter.
Driven by the desire to help others experience the joy of parenthood, Joyce becomes a surrogate, first carrying twins for her husband's aunt and then embarking on a second journey with intended parents who were once strangers but quickly became close. Through her heartfelt storytelling, Joyce shares the emotional ups and downs of surrogacy, the unbreakable bonds formed, and the incredible moment of introducing intended parents to their long-awaited baby.
But Joyce's journey doesn't end there. Discover how her passion for surrogacy led her to a fulfilling career as a case manager at Fairfax Surrogacy, where she now guides others through their own surrogacy journeys with compassion and understanding.
Whether you're considering surrogacy, curious about the process, or simply looking for an uplifting story of love and connection, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we dive into Joyce's world and discover the power of giving the ultimate gift.
Connect with Joyce at info@fairfaxsurrogacy.com and www.fairfaxsurrogacy.com
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In this powerful episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, hosts Liz and Natalie delve into the crucial topic of emotional healing techniques, drawing from the transformative content of Module 5 in their upcoming course, "Reclaiming Your Birth Story: Finding Peace and Healing." They share valuable insights and strategies for navigating the complex emotions and triggers that often arise in the aftermath of a challenging or traumatic birth experience.
Throughout the episode, Liz and Natalie explore effective coping strategies, such as recognizing triggers, practicing self-care, creating a supportive network, and setting healthy boundaries. They discuss the significance of developing self-awareness and prioritizing emotional well-being in the face of difficult experiences.
Listeners will also discover the power of healing exercises and mindfulness practices, including journaling, meditation, visualization, and breathwork. Liz and Natalie share how these techniques can promote self-reflection, emotional release, and inner peace, providing practical tips for incorporating them into daily life.
The hosts emphasize the importance of seeking professional help and resources when needed, breaking down the stigma surrounding therapy and support groups. They share their personal experiences and insights on the transformative potential of working with therapists, counselors, or birth trauma specialists.
Whether you're currently processing your own birth story or supporting a loved one through their healing journey, this episode offers a compassionate and empowering perspective on prioritizing emotional well-being and resilience. Liz and Natalie's expertise and guidance will leave you feeling equipped with valuable tools and techniques for reclaiming your birth story and finding peace in the face of challenging experiences.
Join the Golden Hour Birth Podcast community and embrace the power of emotional healing as you navigate the path towards growth, self-discovery, and transformation.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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In this informative episode of The Golden Hour Birth Podcast, hosts Liz and Natalie interview Dr. Brooke Kalisiak, a seasoned pelvic floor physical therapist and owner of Legacy Physical Therapy in St. Louis, Missouri. Brooke dives deep into the world of pelvic health, explaining how pelvic floor therapy can be a game-changer for pregnant and postpartum women.
From pregnancy-related pain and discomfort to preventing tearing during childbirth, Brooke shares her expertise on how pelvic floor therapy can help optimize the body for a smoother, safer delivery. She also addresses common postpartum concerns such as diastasis recti (abdominal separation), painful sex, and incontinence, offering valuable insights on how pelvic floor therapy can aid in recovery and healing.
Brooke emphasizes the importance of seeking help early and breaks down the typical pelvic floor therapy assessment and treatment process. She also shares practical tips and exercises listeners can incorporate into their daily lives to improve their pelvic health and overall well-being.
Whether you're pregnant, postpartum, or simply curious about pelvic health, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of your body and discover how pelvic floor therapy can support you during this transformative journey.
Connect with Brooke on Instagram here and her website here.
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Every struggle carries the potential to birth a triumph, a mantra that resonates deeply with Danielle, the founder of Making a Miracle. Her story is not just one of personal victory over infertility's relentless challenges, but a testament to the transformative power of empathy and support. As we navigate Danielle's journey from her diagnosis of endometriosis through the tumultuous waves of IVF, miscarriages, and the complex emotions that pave the road to motherhood, we're reminded of the resilience required to hold onto hope amidst life's harshest storms.
Amidst the scientific precision of fertility treatments and the rollercoaster of emotions that accompany each cycle, there lies an intimate narrative that often goes unheard. For Danielle, these experiences were steeped in both pain and determination, leading to the joyous yet nerve-wracking arrival of her daughter and the subsequent battles with postpartum depression and recovery from a life-saving emergency C-section. This episode peels back the layers of motherhood and infertility, revealing the raw, unspoken trials that shape the sacred bond between a mother and her child.
Yet, it's not solely the struggle that defines Danielle's story—it's the incredible surge of kindness and community that buoys the spirit during the hardest times. From the cherished support of partners to the solidarity found in shared experiences, this narrative is a poignant reminder of the profound impact that compassion can have. As Danielle discusses the evolution of Making a Miracle, from publishing a coloring book to organizing community events, we celebrate the strength and connectivity that can emerge from life's most challenging chapters.
To connect with Danielle and Making a Miracle, check our her Instagram here.
For upcoming events including the Resource Fair on April 28th, click here.
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In this powerful episode of The Golden Hour Birth Podcast, we welcome Shayla, a brave mother who shares her transformative journey of facing preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) during her pregnancy. Shayla's story takes us through the unexpected challenges of delivering her daughter at 30 weeks, navigating a 48-day NICU stay, and advocating for her premature baby.
Throughout the episode, Shayla openly discusses the importance of self-care, finding support, and trusting your instincts when faced with the overwhelming experience of having a preemie in the NICU. She shares valuable insights on dealing with the emotional ups and downs, the joy of seeing her daughter grow stronger each day, and the power of sharing her story to help other NICU parents.
Shayla's journey is a testament to the resilience and strength of mothers who encounter unexpected complications during pregnancy and birth. Her story offers hope, guidance, and a reminder that even in the most challenging situations, it is possible to have a healthy, thriving child.
Join us as we dive into Shayla's inspiring story and learn how to navigate the NICU journey with courage and grace. This episode is a must-listen for any parent who has experienced preterm labor, PPROM, or has a baby in the NICU, as well as anyone seeking to support a loved one through a similar experience.
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Have you ever felt the profound release that comes from sharing a story that's been weighing on your heart? In this special episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, Liz and Natalie delve into the transformative power of communicating and sharing your birth story. Drawing from their upcoming course, "Reclaim Your Birth Story: Finding Peace and Healing," they focus on the crucial role of Module 4 in the healing process.
Liz and Natalie explore the benefits of opening up about your birth experience, providing strategies for effective communication with loved ones and emphasizing the importance of finding validation and support within a community of individuals who have gone through similar experiences. They discuss the significance of releasing pent-up emotions, gaining new perspectives, and finding a safe space where you can be heard and understood.
Throughout the episode, Liz and Natalie offer practical advice on how to approach conversations with loved ones, express your feelings and needs assertively, and actively listen to others. They also highlight the value of connecting with support groups, online communities, and counseling services that align with your specific needs and values.
To illustrate the power of sharing and processing your birth story, Liz and Natalie share an interview with an anonymous guest who bravely recounts her challenging birth and postpartum experience. The guest's story serves as a testament to the healing that can come from talking through your experiences, letting go of guilt, and finding empowerment in your journey.
Join Liz and Natalie as they guide you through the process of reclaiming your birth story and discovering the strength within you to heal and thrive. Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment.
Thank you for being a part of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast community. Your support means the world to us. Stay golden!
And for those eager to continue the path of personal growth, we reveal how to access our anxiety breakthrough journal, 'Reclaim your Calm,' at no cost. Download your copy here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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In this honest and raw episode, Krista shares her challenging journey through pregnancy and birth, navigating a large fibroid, a rare incarcerated uterus, and an emergency C-section after a prolonged labor. She opens up about the lack of answers and support she received from providers, the toll of severe postpartum complications, and the importance of advocating for yourself when things don't feel right. Krista also discusses the difficult emotions that come with a birth experience that deviates far from your plans and the power of sharing your story to help others feel less alone. Through it all, she offers valuable advice on seeking specific support and finding healing after a traumatic birth.
Join us for a candid conversation about facing unexpected complications with courage and grace, trusting your instincts, and finding strength in community. Krista's story is a poignant reminder that birth is unpredictable, and that self-advocacy and leaning on others is crucial during trying times.
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Have you ever felt like your birth story was more of a trauma than a triumph? That's where "Reclaiming Your Birth Story," our upcoming course, comes in, and on this episode of Golden Hour Birth Podcast, we offer you a glimpse of Module 3. We tackle how reframing your birth narrative can reveal not just the ordeals but the extraordinary strength and growth that are part of your journey. Together with Natalie, we'll guide you through an empowering exercise, using my own story as the canvas to pinpoint those transformative moments of fortitude and learning. It's an intimate session of narrative reconstruction and gratitude practices, designed to shift your perspective and turn your story into one of empowerment.
And for those eager to continue the path of personal growth, we reveal how to access our anxiety breakthrough journal, 'Reclaim your Calm,' at no cost. Download your copy here!
Introducing the "Reclaiming Your Birth Story: Your Path to Healing and Empowerment" course, led by us, Liz and Natalie – passionate birth advocates and postpartum doulas. As professionals in the field, we bring not only our expertise but also the invaluable gift of firsthand understanding. Join us on a path to healing, recovery, and empowerment as you reclaim your birth story and emerge stronger than ever.
Thank you for being a part of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast community. Your support means the world to us. Stay golden!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Follow Liz on Instagram here and Natalie here
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As a mother, Samantha has traversed the peaks and valleys of childbirth with a resilience that inspires. Her vivid birth stories take us from the brink of mortality to moments of pure, miraculous joy. Samantha's voice carries the weight of her experiences, from battling a postpartum hemorrhage and a life-threatening blood clot to an ectopic pregnancy and the premature arrival of her baby at just 26 weeks. Her story is a testament to the strength inherent in motherhood, and in our latest episode, she generously opens her heart, sharing the crucial lessons learned about self-advocacy, the indispensability of support systems, and the arduous yet rewarding path toward healing after traumatic birth experiences.
Navigating the labyrinth of medical challenges that can accompany childbirth is no small feat, as Samantha's journey reminds us. She recounts the emergency procedures, the fear of misdiagnosis, and how family dynamics can stretch to their limits under the pressure of a crisis. Her experiences peel back the curtain on the emotional and physical aftermath mothers may endure and the fortitude required to face the realities of mental health struggles, which are too often shrouded in silence. Samantha's journey doesn't just illuminate the unexpected in childbirth; it underscores the importance of responsive medical care and unwavering emotional support.
Wrapping up this powerful episode, we celebrate the triumphs and acknowledge the trials of the moms out there like Samantha, who have faced down extraordinary circumstances. We're reminded that every voice matters and every story shared is a beacon for someone else walking a similar path. We invite you to join the conversation, to find solace and strength within our Golden Hour Birth Circle, and to share your own stories. Together, we're not just listeners and storytellers; we're a community united by the shared experience of motherhood's raw and beautiful journey.
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As birth advocates and doulas in training, we've encountered the profound impact self-compassion can have on healing post-birth. In the emotional landscape that follows childbirth, many find themselves grappling with guilt and self-judgment, a narrative all too familiar to ourselves. It's a journey that we're excited to guide you through in the latest module of our course, sharing not just stories but actionable steps toward self-kindness and emotional resilience. We delve into the importance of self-compassion's role in recovery and the transformative power it holds in reclaiming your birth story.
This episode unravels the complex threads of self-blame and guilt that often entangle new parents, and we offer a beacon of hope for anyone feeling lost in the aftermath of birth. Our personal struggles with postpartum challenges imbues our conversation with authenticity and understanding, as we provide insights into overcoming intense self-judgment. We share how our course will guide you through mindfulness techniques and exercises designed to foster a nurturing inner dialogue. Our shared mission is not only to create a safe space for processing and growth but also to arm you with the tools for a journey of empowerment and healing.
And for those eager to continue the path of personal growth, we reveal how to access our anxiety breakthrough journal, 'Reclaim your Calm,' at no cost. Download your copy here!
Introducing the "Reclaiming Your Birth Story: Your Path to Healing and Empowerment" course, led by us, Liz and Natalie – passionate birth advocates and postpartum doulas. As professionals in the field, we bring not only our expertise but also the invaluable gift of firsthand understanding. Join us on a path to healing, recovery, and empowerment as you reclaim your birth story and emerge stronger than ever.
Thank you for being a part of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast community. Your support means the world to us. Stay golden!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Follow Liz on Instagram here and Natalie here
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xoxo-Liz & Natalie
Have you ever felt like a passenger in your own life's journey, especially during something as monumental as childbirth? Beth, a seasoned nurse turned doula, opens up about her transformation from feeling disempowered in her first birth experience to taking the reins in her second. Her story isn't just about the arrival of a new life but a mother's reclaiming of her voice and strength within the healthcare system.
Wrapping things up, we celebrate the incredible transformation from labor nurse to midwife to doula, an intimate look at the evolution of self-advocacy and empowerment in childbirth. Birth stories come alive with tales of empowerment and the pivotal support that shapes them.
Connect with Beth on Instagram here!
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Discover the transformative journey of childbirth as we unveil the first module of our deeply resonant course, 'Processing Your Birth Story.' With Natalie sun-kissed in San Diego, I, Liz, am here to gently guide you through the complex emotional landscape that accompanies the arrival of new life. As new doulas and mothers, we understand the intricate weave of emotions that birth stories hold. This episode is an invitation to embrace and process every shade of those emotions, empowering you to step into your story with courage and clarity.
Embark on an exploration with us into the emotional impact of childbirth and its enduring resonance in our lives. We'll navigate through the joy, the challenges, and the myriad feelings in between, holding space for your personal narrative. Whether you're deep in postpartum or preparing for future births, this episode is a heartfelt offering to connect, support, and celebrate your unique experience. We're not just sharing stories; we're fostering a community of healing and empowerment. Join us as we lay the groundwork for peace, understanding, and a reclaiming of the birth story that is wholly yours.
Introducing the "Reclaiming Your Birth Story: Your Path to Healing and Empowerment" course, led by us, Liz and Natalie – passionate birth advocates and postpartum doulas. As professionals in the field, we bring not only our expertise but also the invaluable gift of firsthand understanding. Join us on a path to healing, recovery, and empowerment as you reclaim your birth story and emerge stronger than ever.
Thank you for being a part of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast community. Your support means the world to us.Stay golden!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Follow Liz on Instagram here and Natalie here
Follow us on Facebook here.
xoxo-Liz & Natalie
Have you ever felt a deep, unexplainable connection guiding you through life's most pivotal moments? Imagine if that very instinct could be the beacon during your journey to motherhood. Today, we sit with Kelli Moore, a mother whose experiences with IVF, birth, and postpartum challenges, illuminate the incredible intuition that comes with motherhood and the indomitable spirit required to advocate for one's health. Through Kelli's eyes, we witness the intensity of labor, the complications from past medical procedures, and her undying trust in her own body's messages—lessons that resonate with every listener.
The path to bringing new life into this world is often shrouded in silence, especially when it comes to the struggles of infertility and extended labor. Kelli sheds light on these seldom-discussed topics, sharing the raw emotional toll it took on her personal relationships and the support that pulled her through. As she speaks on the importance of therapies, holistic health practices, and the power of honest dialogue, her insights underscore the need for empathy and comprehensive care.
Postpartum isn't just about recovery; it's about transformation. Kelli's story doesn't shy away from the emotional and physical aftermath of a taxing birth, the questioning of increasing C-section rates, and the necessary advocacy for informed childbirth choices. In our heart-to-heart, we also recognize the significance of showing up for one another, especially in those vulnerable moments after bringing life into the world. From the vital need for maternity leave to strategies for maintaining mental health, we celebrate the resilience and personal growth that motherhood fosters, while underscoring the beauty of community and shared experiences. Join us for a powerful reminder of the strength we possess and the unwavering support we owe to each other.
Connect with Kelli on Instagram here!
We want to give a big shoutout to our sponsor Baby Tula for making this episode possible. Baby Tula crafts beautiful and incredibly comfy baby carriers, blankets, and accessories using quality materials. Their ergonomic and stylish baby carriers keep your little one snuggled close while giving you hands-free mobility. We're truly grateful for the support of sponsors like Baby Tula that allow us to create this podcast. Be sure to visit their site for all your babywearing needs! Babytula.com
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When Ali held her newborn son Leo for the first time, she never imagined the rollercoaster of emotions that would unfold from his rare diagnosis. Our latest podcast episode takes you through Allie's poignant tale, where her maternal instincts kick into overdrive and her mental health is put to the test. Her story of navigating the challenging waters of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a powerful testament to the resilience inherent in motherhood and the silent battles parents often face behind closed doors.
Labor and delivery can be a daunting dance of anticipation and swift, unexpected turns, as Ali's experiences with each of her three children demonstrate. From the calm, spiritual ambiance she created during Leo's birth to the innovative 'towel trick' that aided her through the strenuous final moments of labor, Ali shares her journey with unflinching honesty. Her reflections include the trials of childbirth, the profound joy of the golden hour, and how even amidst the trials of the COVID-19 pandemic, the arrival of her youngest, Kennedy, shines as a beacon of light.
As we wrap this episode, we're reminded of the connections that bind us all in the shared experience of parenthood. Ali's vulnerability in sharing her journey is a step toward breaking the silence that often surrounds parental challenges and rare diagnoses. We thank her for the courage to speak out and invite you, our listeners, to continue this conversation in our Golden Hour Birth Circle on Facebook. Whether you're trekking through the early days of motherhood or reminiscing on the memories of births past, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Connect with Ali on Instagram here!
We extend our deepest gratitude to this episode's sponsor, Ergobaby. Their dedication to enhancing the parenting experience through ergonomic, thoughtful designs makes them the ultimate companion. Thank you, Ergobaby, for supporting us and making this empowering episode possible. Visit their website to explore their innovative baby carriers, strollers, swaddlers and more that blend style, comfort and functionality. Ergobaby's sponsorship allows us to continue creating meaningful content for parents. Discover the perfect products to bring joy to your parenting journey today on their website here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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In this empowering episode, Rachel shares her journey to a redemptive VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) after two previous C-sections. Despite discouragement from providers, Rachel persevered to find a doctor and hospital supportive of her goal. She details the research she did to advocate for herself, including evaluating VBAC success rates and interviewing doctors.
After achieving her desired birth, Rachel went on to doula training, inspired to help other women in their birth journeys. Rachel provides insight into navigating unsupportive providers, honoring your birthing decisions amidst judgment, and the euphoria of achieving the birth you desire. Her story will inspire you to stand up for your autonomy and follow your intuition when it comes to birth plans. Tune in for an uplifting perspective on overcoming obstacles to the birthing experience you envision.
Connect with Rachel on Instagram here!
We extend our deepest gratitude to this episode's sponsor, Ergobaby. Their dedication to enhancing the parenting experience through ergonomic, thoughtful designs makes them the ultimate companion. Thank you, Ergobaby, for supporting us and making this empowering episode possible. Visit their website to explore their innovative baby carriers, strollers, swaddlers and more that blend style, comfort and functionality. Ergobaby's sponsorship allows us to continue creating meaningful content for parents. Discover the perfect products to bring joy to your parenting journey today on their website here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Follow Liz on Instagram here and Natalie here
Follow us on Facebook here.
When faced with a rare and life-threatening pregnancy condition, the strength and resilience of a mother are put to the ultimate test. Andrea, a mother of four from Michigan, bravely shares the emotional odyssey of her bout with placenta accreta in our latest episode. Her narrative unravels the layers of maternal advocacy, specialized care, and the seldom-discussed nuances of postpartum healing, providing a beacon of hope and support for mothers walking a similar path.
Join us as Andrea recounts the tumultuous journey, from the initial diagnosis to the complexities of managing a high-risk pregnancy with three children in tow. Her candid reflection on the emotional and logistical battles she faced underscores the necessity of a strong support system and the importance of empowering women to be proactive in their healthcare decisions.
In bearing her soul about the aftermath of her traumatic childbirth, Andrea's experience takes center stage. The discussion traverses the physical aftermath, including her recovery from a fistula and multiple surgeries, and the mental fortitude required to navigate the psychological impacts of such an ordeal. Her candidness about the struggle to bond with her newborn, the importance of therapy, and the gradual reclamation of joy and gratitude in her life as a mother offers solace and guidance to anyone grappling with the emotional fallout of a traumatic birth. This episode is more than a story; it's an intimate gathering around the shared experiences that unite us in the face of adversity.
Connect with Andrea on Instagram here.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Ergobaby, the sponsor of this episode. Their commitment to enhancing the parenting experience through thoughtful and ergonomic designs is truly commendable. Explore Ergobaby's range of products, designed to bring comfort and joy to every moment of your parenting journey. Thank you, Ergobaby, for supporting us and making this episode possible. Visit Ergobaby's website to discover the perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality for you and your little one.
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Bearing the weight of postpartum anxiety and rage isn't a chapter in the parenting books many of us read, yet it's a story we know all too well. This episode peels back the curtain on the transformative journey of healing from difficult births, pregnancies and postpartum experiences, a path that many mothers silently tread. We open up about personal battles with these emotional challenges and stress the salve that therapy and community support can offer. It's a raw look at how the weight of birth remains with us, often manifesting in anxiety and a need for control, and the profound importance of confronting these feelings to reclaim our experiences. We're also excited to unveil our new course, a beacon for those seeking to navigate their own birth stories with self-forgiveness and compassion.
If you resonate with today's episode and are seeking healing and empowerment after a challenging birth experience., this course is for you.
Introducing the "Reclaiming Your Birth Story: Your Path to Healing and Empowerment" course, led by us, Liz and Natalie – passionate birth advocates and postpartum doulas. As professionals in the field, we bring not only our expertise but also the invaluable gift of firsthand understanding. Join us on a path to healing, recovery, and empowerment as you reclaim your birth story and emerge stronger than ever.
Now, here's where your valuable input comes in.
We're excited to offer you an exclusive chance to enroll at a 50% discount – only $13.50! Your input is invaluable to us. By joining this presale, you'll not only secure the lowest rate ever for this course but also play a direct role in shaping its content. We're here to guide you through healing, recovery, and empowerment as you reclaim your birth story.Here's a quick overview of what you'll get:
- Exclusive presale price of $13.50 (50% off the regular rate)
- Lifetime access to the course, including any future updates
- A chance to influence the course content by sharing your insights
How it works: In exchange for just 5 mins weekly over the next 6 weeks, you’ll help shape the course content. Set to go live on March 18th, I’ll craft it with insights from participants like YOU.
Each Wednesday, I’ll send a short email with 2-3 questions. Your task? Vote for your favorite idea. By joining, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the course. On March 18th, you’ll receive the finalized course and any launch bonuses.
We genuinely believe in the positive impact this course can have on your life, and we'd love to have you on board. Your support as a member of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast community means everything to us, and we can't wait to see the incredible journey we'll shape together.
The exclusive code is PRESELL!Click here to enroll and be part of this unique experience.
Thank you for being a part of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast community. Your support means the world to us.Stay golden!xoxo-Liz & Natalie
Click here to grab one of the 6 remaining spots now. Early enrollment ends on Monday, January 15th.
As a mother, the journey to meet your child is etched in your memory with all its twists and harrowing turns. Kami, a pediatric speech language pathologist, bravely steps into our space, inviting us into the most vulnerable moments of her life as she recounts the birth of her two children. Her story, a tapestry woven with the threads of anxiety, resilience, and profound growth, underscores the unpredictable nature of childbirth and the indomitable spirit of motherhood.
Our conversation with Kami dives into the heart of her experiences, from the strenuous 48-hour induction of her firstborn to the complex emotions surrounding her second child's planned C-section. She opens up about the postpartum period, a time of healing and introspection, where journaling and therapy, specifically EMDR, played critical roles in her recovery. Kami's narrative, punctuated with candid discussions about mental health and the power of support systems, offers a compelling and deeply personal look at the realities of parenting newborns.
As we conclude this episode, we extend our deepest gratitude to you, our listeners, for joining us on this intimate journey. As we part ways, remember, each story of birth is a testament to the diversity and resilience that lies within all birthing parents. Until next time, hold onto the strength of these stories, and may they guide you through your own chapters of parenthood.
Connect with Kami on Instagram here and Threads here.
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Imagine standing at the precipice of life's greatest joy and its most fearful uncertainty, all within the span of a single, heart-stopping hour. This episode is a profound voyage into the soul-stirring story of Nicolette, a seasoned labor and delivery nurse, who faces the ultimate test of her professional knowledge and personal resilience during the birth of her son. As she weaves through the complexities of an unexpected pregnancy and an emotional maelstrom of health scares, her narrative is a striking testament to the power of advocacy, intuition, and the unwavering support of loved ones.
As a listener, you'll journey with Nicolette from the whimsical surprise of pregnancy amid the chaos of a Puerto Rican vacation to the tense moments of managing pregnancy anxieties while bearing the mantle of a nurse. You'll be enfolded in the intimacy of her story, from the laughter-filled revelation to her daughter about the new baby to the nerve-wracking days leading up to delivery. Her experience serves as a beacon for anyone navigating the unpredictable waters of pregnancy, labor, and the unforeseen challenges that can arise—even for those who know the birth room best.
This episode isn't just about the recounting of a birth; it's an exploration of the raw edges of human experience and the indomitable spirit that emerges when life hangs in the balance. We hold space for Nicolette's voice and the voices of many others who have shared their journeys, creating a community rich with wisdom and courage. As you listen, prepare for an emotional tapestry that celebrates life, acknowledges the shadows, and honors the connections that bind us through the most profound moments of our lives.
Part 2 & 3 of Nicolette's story can be found in earlier episodes.
Connect with Nicolette on Instagram here.
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Today's episode is a rebroadcast of one of our favorite episodes from 2022. Jenny's tale is one of hope and resilience, a story that reminds us of the strength found in shared experiences. As a nurse and clinical educator at a fertility clinic, she's familiar with the technicalities of conception, but it's her own struggle with PCOS and the surprise of a twin pregnancy that brings an authentic depth to this episode. Her candidness in recounting the unpredictability of fertility treatments, the dawning realization of her condition, and the subsequent rollercoaster of emotions draws us into a world where personal meets professional, offering a unique perspective that's both educational and deeply human.
Our conversation extends beyond the initial joy of discovering twins—it explores the complexities of carrying them. The suspense of genetic testing, the humor in pregnancy announcement reactions, and the solidarity found amongst family and co-workers during trying times paint a vivid landscape of Jenny's journey. Yet, it's the turn of events, the early delivery, and the NICU stay, that test her resolve and highlight the courage often required in the face of unexpected challenges. Her story doesn't shy away from the reality of anxiety and fear but also celebrates the moments of humor and the unyielding support that see her through.
Connect with Jennilyn here.
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What does it really mean to navigate the winding road of motherhood? What if you had to encounter detours like infertility, unexpected pregnancies, and decisions that test your emotional strength? That's the reality for many mothers, including our guest for today's Golden Hour Birth podcast. Katherine Hunter, a brave soul who shares her journey through motherhood's peaks and valleys, will discuss her experience with infertility treatments, a natural subsequent pregnancy, and the process of making tough decisions about her remaining embryos.
Motherhood doesn't stop at giving birth; it's a journey that continues to evolve. We'll take you through the contrasting experiences of our first and second births, the use of induction and epidurals, and the sheer importance of trusting your instincts when making decisions about childbirth. The impact of COVID-19 on giving birth is a topic we touch upon, revealing how the pandemic has reshaped our experiences in ways we never imagined.
As we journey through the realm of motherhood, we share our birth stories and experiences of raising children amidst the new normal. Katherine discusses her initiative to create an anthology about infertility and pregnancy loss, emphasizing the power of shared stories and their ability to resonate with others. Tune in for an honest and relatable perspective on motherhood's complexities, and let's navigate this journey, one episode at a time.
Connect with Katherine on Instagram here.
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Part 1 of 2. Join us as we share an intimate exploration of the intricate journey to motherhood with our esteemed guest, Katherine Hunter. A mother, a lawyer, and an author, Katherine candidly shares her personal battles with infertility and her transition into motherhood. Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster, from the anticipation of an uneventful pregnancy to the joys and trials that follow the birth of a child.
Katherine's book, "Paths to Motherhood," provides a thought-provoking backdrop to our discussion. We highlight the myriad ways women become mothers, from IVF and adoption to natural conception, and we hold space for those who have experienced miscarriages or stillbirths. We shine a light on the unexpected twists and turns of pregnancy, from IHOP trips before hospital check-ins to the decision-making process of using pitocin during childbirth.
The conversation doesn't stop at birth. We journey into the rarely discussed postpartum period, from the initial euphoria of bringing a life into the world to the challenges that accompany a newborn's admission into the NICU. With honesty and raw emotion, we delve into the realities of postpartum anxiety and the pressures of being a new parent in turbulent times. Let our shared experiences on the Golden Hour Birth Podcast bring a sense of community and connection. Laugh, cry, and find solace in the shared, universal truths of motherhood. Part 2 coming next week.
Connect with Katherine on Instagram here.
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Have you ever felt the indomitable spirit of motherhood? Together, we venture into an emotionally charged story of childbirth, intense labor complexities, and how a brave new mother, Caitlin, weathered the storm. Her journey unfolds, marked by a challenging delivery and an unexpected NICU stay. Caitlin’s story is a testament to the strength of love, resilience, and the enduring spirit of motherhood.
We navigate the labyrinth of Caitlin's childbirth experience as she shares her decision to get an epidural, the challenges she encountered, and the emotional toll of a NICU stay. Coupled with her husband's unyielding support and a unique coping mechanism, Caitlin's narration is both incredibly raw and inspiring. The journey doesn’t end in the delivery room, prepare to be moved as we explore her postpartum recovery, the early hurdles of motherhood, and how she turned her experience into a beacon of support for other parents, through a podcast.
Wrapping up this compelling conversation, we express deep gratitude to our extraordinary guests for their generosity in sharing personal stories and insights. We've touched on a gamut of topics from intense birth experiences to self-care. Want to join the conversation? Come, find us on our Facebook group. Here's to more enriching dialogues in the future. Remember, take care of yourself and stay golden until we meet next time.
Connect with Caitlin on Instagram here and check out her podcast here!
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*Content Warning: This podcast episode delves into sensitive topics such as miscarriage, birth trauma, and death, exploring the emotional complexities of these experiences, including the loss of a child, high-risk pregnancies, and the role of a bereavement doula.
Have you ever wondered what it's like walking a tightrope between birth and loss? Join us, your hosts Liz and Natalie, as we welcome Sarah, a seasoned doula and mother, who has extraordinarily experienced both the joy of childbirth and the pain of loss. Sarah's rich narrative of her journey, losing her first child and navigating her way to become a bereavement doula, tugs at the heartstrings. We take a deep dive into her world, discussing the emotional support vacuum in infertility treatments and her initiative to bridge this gap, especially for military spouses.
As the conversation unfolds, we tackle the pressing issues faced by high-risk mothers during childbirth and the absolute necessity of providing them adequate resources. Sarah, herself a high-risk mother, poignantly sheds light on her unique struggles and triumphs with her four living children and 13 miscarriages. A sobering revelation - nearly 45% of mothers experience birth trauma - is discussed at length, leading us to the introduction of a doula program tailored to help high-risk mothers who have experienced birth trauma heal through a positive birth experience.
Moving to a more sensitive subject, we discuss death and the role of a death doula. Sarah bravely discusses her own journey of grief, losing both of her parents, and how her work with hospice led her to the discovery of death doulas. This segment underlines the emotional toll of being a death doula and the absolute necessity for self-care in this role. Sarah's story is a touching testament to the importance of human connection and the honor of accompanying someone on their end-of-life journey. Tune in to be moved, inspired, and educated by this powerful episode.
Connect with Sarah through her website: https://heritageconsultingstl.com/
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What if I told you that the journey of childbirth, as unpredictable as it might be, can be transformed into a learning experience that empowers and enlightens? Join us this week as we journey through the rollercoaster of pregnancy and childbirth with Maria. Through her unique insights and candid storytelling, Maria narrates her transformation from an anxious first-time mother into a resilient woman, determined to learn and educate others about the realities of childbirth.
Brace yourself as we delve into a riveting narrative about a three-day labor experience that challenged the boundaries of endurance and resilience. Our brave guest sheds light on her aspirations for a natural birth, the unexpected hurdles she faced, and the cascade of interventions that marked her birthing journey. Maria underscores the importance of scar tissue release for subsequent pregnancies and how past trauma can cast a shadow over these pivotal moments in life.
As we conclude this episode, we explore how fitness and preparation can impact the journey of pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Join us as we delve into the Restore Your Core and Body-Ready Method programs, highlighting their role in supporting the ever-changing body of a pregnant woman. We wrap up by inviting you to our Golden Hour Birth Circle on Facebook, a community where we continue these essential conversations, offer support, and celebrate the golden journey of motherhood. Join us next week for more enlightening discussions and remember, you're golden!
Connect with Maria on Instagram here!
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Get ready to be captivated. This week, we had the privilege of sitting down with the incredibly resilient Emily, a mother of five and soon -to-be six, who shared her riveting journey through pregnancy and birth. Emily's raw and honest recount of her first birth experience, a sudden placental abruption at 36 weeks leading to an emergency C-section, will leave you on the edge of your seat. But it's not just about the drama; Emily's story is a testament to her strength, a whirlwind of emotions, and the overwhelming relief of finally holding her newborn daughter.
But Emily's story doesn't stop there. She also walked us through the struggles and anxieties that came postpartum. The emotional roller coaster of a NICU stay, the fear of not being able to bring her daughter home immediately, and the subsequent pregnancies and births that each came with their unique challenges. Emily talks about her desire to have a VBAC and the tranquil joy of welcoming each new life into her ever-growing family.
As our candid conversation with Emily unfolds, you'll gain profound insights into her journey with multiple pregnancies, the mental and physical changes that come with each one, and the importance of seeking help. Emily openly shares her struggles with postpartum anxiety, the strength she found, and her trajectory towards a positive mindset. Listen closely to Emily's advice for new moms and anyone grappling with their mental health. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom from a brave woman who has walked through the fire and come out stronger on the other side. This is a conversation you don't want to miss.
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Get ready to join an honest conversation about the intersection of social media and motherhood with your hosts, Liz and Natalie. We're peeling away the layers of toxic positivity and comparison pressures flooding your feeds, and inviting you to trust in your own parenting prowess instead. Whether you're a first-time mom or a seasoned veteran, we hope to ease your journey by sharing resources and encouraging you to build your supportive village.
Then, prepare to be moved by the heart-tugging birth story of our guest, Michelle Mueller. A wife, teacher, and mother from St Louis, Michelle fearlessly recounts her unexpected pregnancy at just 19, while pursuing her degree. She opens up about her unique journey, from navigating college with a growing bump to her encounters with C-sections and the challenges of exclusive pumping. Join us as we aim to redefine societal expectations of childbirth and motherhood, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion, gratitude, and positivity throughout these life-changing experiences.
Connect with Michelle on Instagram @Play_STL here!
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Join us for an emotional journey through the trials and tribulations of pregnancy and motherhood, as we walk alongside our guest, Elaine, a mental health therapist and mother. Experience the joys and challenges of pregnancy through her lens as she openly shares her unique perspective of an easy pregnancy. Dive past the surface and explore the envy she felt towards those facing difficult pregnancies. Ever wondered why? Well, she felt they had something she missed - a chance for their partners to care for them.
Elaine's narrative takes an interesting turn when she candidly shares her labor and delivery experience. Imagine laboring at home, making the decision to rush to the hospital, and then choosing an epidural amidst the chaotic whirlwind of emotions. But her story doesn’t end at birth. We dive into the raw and often unspoken realities of postpartum life - the physical recovery, the anxiety, and the emotional rollercoaster including the shift in her feelings towards her husband in the early days of their daughter's life.
Finally, we'll get a glimpse into an often unspoken aspect of postpartum life - postpartum rage. Elaine opens up about navigating this challenging side of motherhood, and how therapy played a pivotal role in her journey. We'll delve into discussions about brain changes, postpartum anxiety, and the importance of a support system. Brace yourself to hear the truth about parenthood, the good, the bad, and the ugly, unpacked by a mother who's experienced it firsthand. Get ready to learn, empathize, and maybe even shed a tear or two - let's navigate this journey together.
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Ever questioned the quality of care provided to women during childbirth? Part 2 of Leigh's story unfolds the raw realities of childbirth, spotlighting severe tears and their impact on women's lives.
Leigh opens up about her experience with an unsupportive healthcare system and wrestling with the aftermath of a third degree tear. We shed light on the dire need for quality repair for women grappling with severe trauma and the significant statistics associated with childbirth-related injuries. We discuss the existing lack of standard care, scrutinize the role of a surgeon's skill or technique, and explore the influence of birth circumstances on the injury outcome and quality of life.
Leigh tells her personal story of journeying through sphincter surgery, the risks linked to vaginal delivery, and the higher rates of anal sphincter tears compared to cesarean sections. We touch on the vital importance of giving women the space to navigate their fears, the necessity for better knowledge and support in challenging situations, and the power of advocacy. This episode wraps up by offering valuable resources and providing a safe platform for candid discussions on childbirth complications.
This is Part 2 of 2. See below for Leigh's recommended resources.
Resources After a Severe Tear or Pelvic Floor Injury:
- New US Nonprofit forming for support and awareness for severe lacerations: SOLACE - solaceforwomen.org
- 4th degree tear support group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995/
- Severe birth tear support group (3rd & 4th degree tears) on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/birthtearsupport
- Restore Your Core – postpartum core and pelvic floor recovery program - https://restoreyourcore.com/
- Dr. Dionysios Veronikis & Dr. Sara Wood, my repair surgeon team based in St. Louis at Mercy Hospital – https://gynecologicsurgery.com/meet-dr-veronikis/
- Dr. Roger Goldberg, Urogynecologist, website - https://womenspelvicsurgeryspecialists.com/doctors/dr-roger-goldberg/m
- Source for prevalence of FI after anal sphincter injuries: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937820308796
Different types of trauma therapy (body-based):
- EMDR & EMDR-IA - https://www.emdr.com/
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy - https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/
- Somatic Experiencing - https://traumahealing.org/
- Lifespan Integration - https://lifespanintegration.com/
- IFS (Internal Family Systems Therapy) – https://ifs-institute.com/
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Do you ever wonder about the trials and triumphs faced by those daring to start a family amidst the profound challenges of a pandemic? Imagine battling the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy, braving the labyrinthine health system, seeking informed consent, and preparing to bring new life into this world - all while grappling with the ramifications of a childhood marred by abuse. Our guest, a courageous mental health therapist confronts these realities head-on, sharing her personal journey marked by fear, resilience, and ultimately, empowerment.
Her story unfolds with a candid exploration of her complex lineage, marked by narcissistic and abusive parents. Despite her painful past, she embraced the opportunity to redefine the narrative for her own child, bravely confronting her fears and evolving into a strong, loving parent. As she navigated her pregnancy, she confronted not just intense physical discomfort, but also the added pressures of a global pandemic and an unsupportive health system. Yet, even against these odds, she demonstrated remarkable resilience, successfully completing her licensure exam amidst these daunting challenges.
Our conversation takes a deeper turn as we scrutinize the raw realities of childbirth, particularly the significant role of informed consent and its often overlooked importance. Her experience of feeling unsupported during labor sheds light on the disconnect between healthcare professionals and expectant mothers. We also delve into the complexities of pelvic floor therapy, offering valuable insights on various delivery options. This is part 1 of 2. Join us in this enlightening episode - whether you're embarking on the journey to parenthood or seeking to understand the intricate realities involved in bringing life into this world.
See below for a few resources provided by Leigh:
Resources While Pregnant:
- Book to read while pregnant: Ever Since I Had My Baby – Roger Goldberg
- Book to read for survivors of trauma/abuse: When Survivors Give Birth – Phyllis Klaus & Penny Simkin
- A comprehensive handout on the risks of each mode of delivery: https://pqcnc-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/sivbdoc/sivbeb/8ChildbirthConnectionVaginalBirthandCesareanBirthRiskComparison.pdf
- Body Ready Method – prenatal prep for birth – https://bodyreadymethod.com/
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Ever wondered how life changes when you transition from being a parent of one to being a parent of two? Well, buckle up as we, Liz and Natalie, share our personal journey on this rollercoaster transition. Liz discusses the challenges of managing two kids, as her son quickly adjusted to having a little sister. Meanwhile, Natalie shares how her son showers his baby sister with affection, making the transition smoother than anticipated. We dive into the everyday scenarios, like figuring out the order of getting out of the car and tackling the nighttime wake-ups.
But it’s not just about the logistics – we also touch on the broader parenting challenges, including the influence of gender norms on our kids. Always remember to stay golden and take good care of yourselves. Tune in to this episode for some honest, relatable tales about the journey that is parenthood!
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
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Have you ever had the exquisite joy of welcoming a newborn into your life tarnished by the terror of a sudden premature birth? Join us as we candidly discuss the rollercoaster ride of pregnancy and motherhood with our guest, Carman. As a nutrition coach and new mom, Carman takes us on her intense journey, recounting her struggles with body dysmorphia during pregnancy, the sudden emergency birth at 30 weeks, and the subsequent challenges in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Carman's tale doesn't just end with the birth of her son. This episode sees us diving into the anxious waters of parenting a preemie, with all its accompanying worries about health and development milestones. Is your baby not gaining weight? Have you worried endlessly about your baby's digestive issues? Carman has been there and done that. She opens up about her fears, her decisions to switch formulas, seek chiropractic care for her son, and the constant strain of balancing personal wellness, work, and family life.
Lastly, we explore the often unspoken emotional toll of parenting. From dealing with self-doubt to the constant fear about her son's milestones and health, Carman's journey is a testament to the resilience and strength that motherhood demands. Yet, in the midst of all these challenges, Carman finds solace and strength in the stories of others who have walked the same path. Her powerful narrative, packed with relatable struggles, hard decisions, and tender moments, offers a deeply honest look into the realities of parenthood.
Connect with Carman @carm_knuff
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Join us on our new Instagram account @goldenhourbirthpodcast
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In this episode, cohosts Liz and Natalie are joined by special guest Heather from "2 in the Lou." Heather, a mom based in St. Louis, shares her journey through motherhood and her experience with raising her two children. Heather reflects on her decision to move from Dallas to St. Louis to be with her husband's family and the joy of discovering the vibrant family-friendly resources the city has to offer. Heather talks about her pregnancies, as well as her experiences with childbirth, nursing, and the challenges of postpartum emotions. She highlights the importance of finding a strong support system, both online and in-person, and emphasizes the significance of connecting with other moms to navigate the journey of motherhood together.
Heather shares her inspiration in starting the "2 in the Lou" Instagram account, where she shares family-friendly activities and helps fellow parents discover engaging opportunities for their children. The episode offers a heartwarming and relatable conversation about the ups and downs of parenting, the value of community, and the joy of exploring the city with young children.
Connect with Heather on Instagram here: @2inthelou
***Important Note from Liz and Natalie:
As much as we love connecting with each and every one of you through our episodes, we also believe it's crucial to prioritize our well-being and mental health.
After careful consideration and reflection, we have decided to take a temporary break from producing new episodes of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast. This decision was not made lightly, but we believe it's the right step for us at this time. Our mental and emotional health is just as important as the content we create, and we want to ensure that we continue to provide you with the best possible listening experience.
During this break, we'll be focusing on recharging, regrouping, and taking the time to care for ourselves. We believe that by doing so, we'll come back with even more energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to deliver meaningful and insightful content that you've come to love.
In the meantime, we encourage you to explore our past episodes and continue to engage with our community on Instagram and Facebook. Thank you for being a part of the Golden Hour family. Your support means the world to us, and we're looking forward to returning to the microphone and sharing new episodes with you in the near future. Until then, take care of yourselves, prioritize your own well-being, and remember that it's okay to take breaks when needed.
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In this episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, co-hosts Liz and Natalie welcome special guest Alexis, a reporter from the news channel 4 and host of Meet St. Louis podcast, to share her heartfelt journey of motherhood. From getting pregnant to the birth of her first child, she recounts her experiences with pregnancy, anxiety during COVID-19, and the unexpected turns during labor. Despite the challenges, Alexis cherishes the milestones and the overall smooth pregnancy she experienced.
As her due date approached, Alexis found herself eagerly trying to predict when her baby would arrive. However, she soon realized that she couldn't control the timing and had to surrender to the unknown. She describes the suspenseful day leading up to her scheduled induction, where she and her husband tried various natural methods to encourage labor. The induction process eventually led to an unexpected turn of events when her doctor recommended a C-section. Alexis opens up about the initial panic and the surreal experience of the C-section, which ultimately led to the precious moment of meeting her son, Nolan, for the first time.
Alexis delves deeper into her postpartum journey and the challenges she faced during her hospital stay. She candidly discusses issues with breastfeeding, getting support from the hospital staff, and her experience of developing mastitis. Throughout it all, Alexis emphasizes the importance of having a supportive partner during those tough moments and offers valuable advice for new moms. From the significance of relaxing and not putting too much pressure on themselves to the power of a strong support system and accepting help from others, Alexis's insights are both heartwarming and practical. As the conversation draws to a close, she shares her plans for a second baby and the possibility of a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), leaving listeners inspired by her resilience and the unwavering love she has for her growing family.
Alexis can be found as a reporter at channel four, where she appears on the news most nights at 10:00 PM. She also hosts the Meet St. Louis podcast, where she interviews chefs, brewers, and small business owners, with new episodes dropping every Monday. Additionally, she shares her life and mom experiences on Instagram @alexiszotos.
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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In this episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, co-hosts Liz and Natalie are joined by special guest Laura Green, a comedian, content creator, avid runner, and mother of two. Laura shares her candid and humorous experiences of motherhood, shedding light on the ups and downs of postpartum life and the challenges of being a new mom.
Laura opens up about her first postpartum journey, moving back east with her husband while being pregnant, and feeling isolated without her community in San Francisco. She reflects on her struggles during postpartum, hormonal changes, and the challenges of being a new mom without a strong support system.
Laura talks about the challenges she faced, the journey to seek help, and how she found relief through medication and therapy. Lara's story reminds us that parenthood is a rollercoaster ride with both its highs and lows, and that seeking support and finding outlets for self-expression are essential aspects of this incredible journey.
Beyond her motherhood adventures, Laura is a master at creating comedic sketches on Instagram that resonate with anyone who's ever laced up running shoes. Her humor is both relatable and side-splitting, and she'll be sharing how she got started as a content creator and the joys of bringing joy to her audience.
Tune in to this delightful episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast to laugh, empathize, and gain valuable insights from Lara's parenting experiences and her path to finding joy amidst the chaos of motherhood.
Connect with Laura on Instagram here.
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Join Natalie and Liz in this heartwarming podcast episode as they are joined by Jessica from O’Fallon, Missouri, who bravely shares her incredible birth story involving her 16-month-old daughter, Ellie.
Jessica's pregnancy journey took an unexpected turn when she discovered she was pregnant while living with her in-laws. . At 38 weeks, her doctor noticed that the baby was in a breech presentation and there was a limited amount of fluid around the baby. Undeterred, Jessica took proactive steps to try to flip the baby into the proper position, hoping for a smooth delivery.
As the scheduled c-section date approached, Jessica unexpectedly went into labor early in the morning around 1 am. Believing that the baby had finally turned, she decided to labor at home, perhaps waiting a bit too long before heading to the hospital. However, the baby was still in a breech position upon arrival at the hospital. Despite being in active labor, the doctors urged Jessica to proceed with the c-section.
Fortunately, the c-section went smoothly, and Jessica experienced an amazing breastfeeding journey for 14 months. However, like many new mothers, she faced challenges with postpartum anxiety, particularly surrounding scheduling and sleep. But, with the support of a therapist, Jessica navigated these difficulties with strength and determination.
Now, Jessica is actively helping other mamas on their prenatal and postnatal fitness journeys through her inspiring Instagram account, @jesslivingwell. Join us as we hear her remarkable story and discover the resilience and joy that come with motherhood.
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Join Natalie Hackett as she is interviewed by Courtney, owner of the Birth Order Shop on an Instagram Live. Natalie and her sister-in-law, Liz, run the podcast based in St. Louis but speak to people nationally. They share birth stories and the journey of motherhood, creating a supportive community for expecting and new moms.
In this engaging conversation, Courtney and Natalie discuss how the podcast began and their passion for birth stories and postpartum experiences. Natalie opens up about her own motherhood journey, raising a two-year-old son and a five-month-old daughter, while Liz has a boy and a girl as well. The strong bond between these sisters-in-law is evident, and they share how their pregnancies and postpartum experiences aligned, inspiring them to create the podcast.
Throughout the episode, Natalie shares insights into the power of storytelling and how it can bring comfort and understanding to women going through similar experiences. They discuss the importance of including partners in the birth conversation, as often their perspectives are overlooked. Natalie also reveals exciting plans for the podcast's future, hinting at new projects and collaborations in the works.
Tune in to this heartwarming and informative episode as Natalie and Courtney explore the joys and challenges of motherhood and the magic of birth stories, reminding us all that we are not alone in our experiences.
Episode Highlights:
- The birth of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast and its mission to create a supportive birth and postpartum community.
- Natalie's personal motherhood journey and how her bond with Liz deepened through shared experiences.
- The power of birth stories and how they provide comfort and a sense of connection.
- The importance of including partners in the birth narrative and understanding their perspectives.
- Exciting plans and collaborations for the Golden Hour Birth Podcast's future.
If you're an expecting or new mom looking for inspiration, empathy, and empowerment, this episode is a must-listen. Join Courtney and Natalie as they dive into the world of birth stories and beyond! 🎙️👶🌟
Connect with Courtney on Instagram here.
Visit her website and shop here.
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Follow Liz on Instagram here and Natalie here
Follow us on Facebook here.
This is part 2 of 2 of Shawna's birth story. In part 1 of Shawna's story, she shared her birth experience and the sudden onset of postpartum psychosis. Initially unsure about having children, Shawna decided on a home birth after being inspired by "The Business of Being Born." She hired a midwife and doula and had an empowering birth. However, around 7 weeks postpartum, Shawna started experiencing heightened energy and the need to write down every thought. This escalated into mania and ultimately led to an involuntary hold in a mental institute, where she was diagnosed with postpartum psychosis. Shawna emphasizes the importance of sharing her story to help others who may be going through similar struggles and to raise awareness about postpartum mental health.
In part 2, Shawna continues to share her postpartum journey through postpartum psychosis, highlighting the challenges she faced and the need for greater support. She discovered a severe hormonal imbalance as the root cause and emphasizes the importance of early intervention. She discusses the lack of awareness surrounding postpartum mental health, the value of connecting with others through support groups, and the complexities of co-parenting while managing mental health. She explores supplements and lifestyle changes that aided her recovery.
Shawna hopes to raise awareness and encourage conversations surrounding postpartum mental health, ensuring that mothers receive the support they need during this vulnerable period.
Note: The podcast episode features a personal story and should not be considered medical or professional advice. It serves as a platform for sharing experiences and promoting discussion around postpartum mental health.
If you are struggling or know someone who is struggling, please reach out for support. Postpartum Support International has many resources. Check their website out at https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/postpartum-psychosis-help/
Connect with Shawna on Instagram @Shawna_mox or @_bombooty
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Join Natalie and Liz as they host Elle from the Ellenor Baby Boutique, located in Webster Groves, MO. Elle shares her opening of a specialty baby boutique bringing niche and quality products to moms & babies in Saint Louis and online across the U.S. The Ellenor's carefully curated collection reflects values of motherhood, community, wellness, and love for the little ones. From custom registries, to a fun environment, and wellness events for moms, they truly aren't just a typical boutique. Elle is building a community fueled by compassion and support for all moms to thrive.
The Ellenor is located at 20 Allen Ave #105, Webster Groves, MO 63119
Check out the website here
Connect with Elle on IG or Facebook at https://www.instagram.com/the_ellenor/
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Follow Liz on Instagram here and Natalie here
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Shawna from California joins Liz & Natalie to share the birth story of her son. Shawna was unsure if she would ever have kids but had a change of heart and got pregnant very quickly. She quickly decided on a home birth after watching “The Business of Being Born”. She hired a midwife and doula. She enjoyed her pregnancy and experienced an empowering home birth.
Around 7 weeks postpartum, she started to experience heightened energy and the need to write every single thought down. Her mania continued over the next few days and culminated in an involuntary hold at a mental institute. Shawna was suffering from postpartum psychosis which is a severe mental health emergency that includes mania, detachment from reality and hallucinations.
This is part 1 of 2 of Shawna’s story. We want to thank Shawna for sharing her deeply personal story with us. It was difficult for her to find resources and connect with others who have experienced similar struggles so she is very passionate about sharing her own journey to recovery in hopes that others can find support.
If you are struggling or know someone who is struggling, please reach out for support. Postpartum Support International has many resources. Check their website out at https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/postpartum-psychosis-help/
Connect with Shawna on Instagram @Shawna_mox or @_bombooty
Our third sister-in-law, Maryann, joins Liz & Natalie to tell her two birth stories. After trying for about a year to get pregnant, she was amazed to see a positive test in early 2015. She had an amazing pregnancy with her first and a pretty positive induction, which resulted in pushing for three hours. When they got home, she was met with anxiety but was not too sure what it was. She would watch her baby sleep and therefore, wasn’t getting much sleep herself. She recalls feeling “off” for about a year until she experienced a panic attack in the middle of Home Depot. She was diagnosed with anxiety and started on medication.
She finally felt ready to have another child in 2018, especially when Liz was pregnant with Arthur! She had a positive pregnancy and induction again, and much faster labor and pushing for the second time around. She still struggles with severe anxiety but is working with a psychiatrist and mental health therapist.
Her story highlights the often overlooked reality that postpartum anxiety can persist long after childbirth, affecting a mother's well-being and daily functioning. Maryann's courage in seeking help and her ongoing commitment to managing her anxiety demonstrate the importance of raising awareness and destigmatizing mental health challenges faced by new mothers.
We want to acknowledge the significance of Maryann's story and the importance of destigmatizing postpartum mental health issues. One huge reason we started this podcast is to come together as a community, supporting and empowering one another, and advocating for improved resources and accessible care. We aim for a future where postpartum anxiety is openly discussed and every mother receives the support she deserves.
We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood.
Join our Facebook group community here!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Connect with Maryann on IG @hackett_maryann
This week, Ashley joins Liz & Natalie to share the birth story of her daughter. Ashley and her husband are high school sweethearts. Ashley imagined herself with a big family (She even dressed up as Ashley+8 for Halloween one year!) She found out she was pregnant on Valentine’s Day after a year of trying.
Ashley requested bedrest at 38 weeks due to the stressful work she does as a social worker. She was induced at 39 weeks, and was in labor for 72 hours. Her epidural failed twice, so she felt it all. She credits her amazing playlist to get her through!
Ashley's postpartum experience in the hospital was very negative, and 4 years later, she now knows she is one and done. It took her a lot of work to come to terms with her traumatic birth, firstly even recognizing and acknowledging the extent of the trauma.
Join our Facebook group community here!
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Courtney from St. Louis joins us to tell her birth story. Courtney and her partner tried for about a year to get pregnant while living in New York City. She had a wonderful and positive pregnancy. When she went in for her 40 week appointment, she showed low amniotic fluid and was sent to the hospital for an induction. The induction went well and her son was born 27 hours later.
Very early on postpartum, her son ripped her nipple open while breastfeeding and that started a painful journey due to not having a pump on hand and her pain not being taken seriously. Courtney ended up with a severe case of mastitis and an abscess on her breast. It was a long road to recovery.
She moved back to STL right before the pandemic started and began putting together her business plan. She opened the Birth Order Shop - an online marketplace that is carefully curated and guides customers to high quality products for every stage of pregnancy and postpartum.
Connect with Courtney on Instagram here.
Visit her website and shop here.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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This is part 2 of 2 of Sam's perspective of his and our host, Natalie's children's births. In this emotionally raw and deeply personal episode, we delve into the untold stories of fatherhood and the hidden traumas that often accompany it. Sam shares his journey of becoming a father and the unexpected challenges that unfolded in the aftermath of his child's birth.
With vulnerability and honesty, Sam reflects on the shame he experienced and the unspoken struggles he faced during the early stages of parenthood. From crippling migraines to a neck injury, his physical pain mirrored the emotional turmoil he was grappling with. Through therapy and self-reflection, he came to realize the impact of his upbringing along with his father's death just two months after becoming a father himself.
We dive into the societal stigma surrounding men's mental health, the lack of recognition for postpartum struggles in partners, and the importance of seeking therapy and support. Sam's journey highlights the need for open conversations and understanding around the emotional challenges that partners face as they navigate parenthood.
Join us as we explore the complexities of parenthood, the power of vulnerability, and the transformative journey towards healing and self-discovery. This episode aims to shed light on a rarely discussed aspect of parenting, providing support and solidarity for partners who may be silently carrying their own burdens. This is part 2 of 2.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Follow Liz on Instagram here and Natalie here
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Part 1 of 2. Join hosts Liz and Natalie in this heartfelt episode of the Golden Hour birth podcast as they invite Natalie's husband, Sam, to share his perspective on their children's births. From the excitement and magic of their first child to the unexpected news of their second pregnancy, Sam candidly reflects on the rollercoaster of emotions he experienced during both pregnancies and births.
The episode dives into the contrast between the two pregnancies, where the first was filled with anticipation and wonder, while the second brought unexpected challenges and a different set of emotions. Sam and Natalie discuss their efforts to replicate the beauty of their first birth with Wesley, highlighting the conflicts and feelings of disappointment that arose. They share their journey towards finding balance and acceptance while navigating the unique dynamics of each pregnancy and birth.
The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as the hosts reminisce about the day Natalie went into labor with Wesley, recounting the surprise and excitement that filled the air. Sam shares his initial reaction to the contractions and the significant role he played in supporting Natalie throughout her labor experience. They touch upon the emotions surrounding the potential need for induction and the last-minute changes to their plans.
This intimate episode also touches on the challenges faced during the second pregnancy and the impact it had on their family dynamics. Sam honestly expresses his feelings of shock, disappointment, and the struggle to show up as he thought Natalie expected him to. They explore the evolving dynamics between Wesley and Sam and how their relationship blossomed during the early postpartum period.
Tune in to this heartfelt episode to gain insight into the unique perspective of a father's journey through pregnancy and birth. Discover the highs and lows, the unexpected moments, and the love that fills the hearts of a growing family as they navigate the beautiful chaos of parenthood. This is part 1 of 2.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Heather from St. Louis shares the stories of her three births. Her first and third pregnancies included managing gestational diabetes. Her second postpartum experience was met with postpartum anxiety as she discovered her daughter had a dairy intolerance and Heather became fixated on what she was consuming. Her third baby also ended up having a dairy intolerance and Heather and her husband decided to go straight to soy formula and avoid going through the same experience as before.
Connect with Heather on Instagram @the_romantic_booknerd
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Maya from the Bay Area joins us on this episode to share the birth of her 2 daughters. Maya knew she always wanted to be a mother. She didn’t expect it to be so difficult to get pregnant but once she got there, the pregnancy went well. At 33 weeks, she experienced contractions and bleeding. She went into the hospital and they gave her medicine to stop labor and sent her home. Two weeks later, she started to have contractions again, and while she hoped and planned for an unmedicated birth, she ended up in an emergency c-section due to sepsis. Her daughter had a 10 day NICU stay which brought a hard postpartum period.
Maya found out she was pregnant again and then Covid hit. She dealt with a lot of anxiety surrounding the pandemic and the unknown. She expected to go into labor early again but did not until 41 weeks. Her water broke the day before her scheduled c-section and she was happy she was able to have a successful VBAC!
Connect with Maya on Instagram at @ohmayagee or on her podcast at Fearlessly Divine!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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New to The Golden Hour Birth Podcast? Start here to enjoy a few clips from Season 1 and to hear from us about what this podcast is all about.
We are two average Midwest moms having authentic conversations surrounding birth stories. We’re here to laugh with you, cry with you, and hold space for you while normalizing all of the unknowns that have caused us to pivot through this empowering journey through parenthood!
Tune in for conversations that go deeper than what you learned in your birthing class or see on Instagram. Our goal is to help parents be better prepared and bring the village to you!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
Follow Liz on Instagram here and Natalie here
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Today’s episode features Kaitlin, a mom of three, a doula, and the founder of BeHerVillage. Two days postpartum, Kaitlin found herself in her son’s nursery struggling to get herself and her son ready for the first pediatrician appointment. It was then that she realized postpartum moms needed SUPPORT over expensive baby gifts. From there she founded BeHerVillage.
BeHerVillage is a completely different take on a baby registry. Expecting families can make a gift registry and BeHerVillage helps parents-to-be get the funds they need to pay for the support they deserve, including doulas, childbirth education, pelvic floor health, lactation consultants, mental health support, and more!
Connect with Kaitlin on behervillage.com, or on Instagram here.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Trigger Warning : This story contains a maternal and fetal near-miss. This is part 3 of 3.
In this episode, we continue Nicolette's story of her experience with a splenic artery aneurysm during her second labor. Nicolette shares the challenges she faced during the delivery and the aftermath of the emergency surgery she underwent.
Nicolette also opens up about the emotional impact the experience had on her and her family. She talks about the anxiety and fear she felt during her recovery and how she coped with the trauma.
Throughout the episode, Nicolette emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and the role of communication with healthcare providers in times of crisis. She encourages listeners to be proactive in their healthcare and to seek out resources and support when facing difficult medical situations.
Nicolette's journey was not an easy one, but her strength and resilience in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to all who hear her story.
Connect with Nicolette on Instagram here.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
In honor of Disability Book Week, today's mini episode features Karley, a previous guest on the podcast and newly published author! Disability Book Week, held on April 23-29 each year, invites individuals all over the world to become more inclusive with what they read by reading a book that features a main character with a disability.
Karley's second daughter, Nora, was born with not one, but two rare genetic conditions: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and Osteopathia Striata with Cranial Sclerosis (OSCS). These genetics have caused hydrocephalus, club foot, hip dysplasia, sleep apnea, seizures and much more. She has 14 specialists and multiple appointments every week. During these appointments Karley started to doodle in her car. Her doodles evolved into a delightful children's book celebrating our differences!
Follow Darcy into her classroom where her teacher and friends show her that everyone is different, no one is the same. They showcase their own differences so Darcy will understand that different is good, just sometimes misunderstood!
This book touches on different disabilities and physical features while showing children that everyone is different. It teaches young readers to love themselves and celebrate who they are.
Get your copy on Amazon here!
Connect with Karley over on Instagram here!
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Trigger Warning : This story contains a maternal and fetal near-miss. This is part 2 of 3.
Welcome back to the Golden Hour Birth Podcast! In this episode, we continue our conversation with Nicolette as she shares the second part of her powerful birth story. In this candid and deeply personal interview, Nicolette opens up about her experience with a splenic aortic aneurysm during her second labor, a rare and life-threatening condition that posed immense challenges for both her and her baby.
Listen as Nicolette bravely shares the details of her near-death experience and how she navigated the complexities of the situation with her birth team. She delves into the emotional and mental toll of the experience.
This episode offers a raw and powerful perspective on the unpredictable nature of birth, the resilience of the human spirit, and the critical role of supportive care during challenging situations. Whether you're a birth professional, an expectant parent, or simply interested in hearing a compelling birth story, this episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast provides valuable insights into navigating unexpected birth complications with courage and determination.
Tune in to hear Nicolette’s story. We'll be back next week with part 3.
Connect with Nicolette on Instagram here.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Trigger Warning : This story contains a maternal and fetal near-miss. This is part 1 of 3.
Nicolette, a Labor & Delivery Nurse, from Virginia shares her first and second birth stories. Ten years ago, she had her first child. When she was 6 months old, she decided to become a L&D nurse.
Ten years later, she and her husband decided to have another child and quickly got pregnant. During her second trimester, she had a strange feeling that she was going to die during childbirth. She started following birth trauma Instagram accounts and shared this with her OB. She planned her induction to have her son on her dad’s birthday. She went in for her induction and was pampered by her L&D nurse co-workers all night.
The next morning things took a drastic turn as she collapsed and couldn’t talk. Her life was flashing before her eyes and she knew she had to fight to save her and her son’s lives. The medical team scrambled to find out what was happening to Nicolette as they prepped her for an emergency c-section. She had suffered a splenic artery aneurysm. Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) is a rare but potentially fatal condition. Rupture results in 25% mortality up to 75% in pregnant women with 95% fetal mortality. Tune in to hear Nicolette’s story. We'll be back next week with part 2.
Connect with Nicolette on Instagram here.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Mindy Duff from Iowa joins us on this week's episode to share her three births. She is the host of the podcast, Up-level Your Life with Mindy, as well as a speaker, certified holistic health and nutrition coach and a published author. Her mission is to help individuals uncover their best selves through the power of self-care and self-love.
Mindy's first child was born at 37 weeks, and she was monitored for preeclampsia towards the end. She was induced with her second child at 38 weeks due to preeclampsia. During her third pregnancy, she had an OB appointment two days before her due date and was 3cm and fully effaced. Her doctor told her she was very close to being sent to the hospital but he couldn’t make that decision yet. That night, she went to bed and woke up at 12:25am, went to the bathroom, and intense contractions immediately started. Her son was born 25 minutes later in her home with her husband there to catch him. She had a normal stay in the hospital from there.
Mindy is co-author of a book coming soon and hosts her own podcast ,“Up-Level Your Life with Mindy." She is also a holistic health & nutrition coach.
Connect with Mindy on Instagram here and listen to her podcast here.
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Join our co-host Natalie as she shares her second birth story with her daughter! Her pregnancy brought first trimester nausea, some depression, and a breech presentation at 34 weeks. Her last few weeks including trying everything to get the baby to flip, and her whole household sick the entire month of her due date! She opted for augmentation after a premature rupture of membranes at 39 weeks. Wait until the end to hear a funny change she and Sam decided on recently!
To sign up for our newsletter visit our website and blog: www.goldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Kaitlyn from St. Louis joins us on the podcast to share part 2 of her birth story! Kaitlyn and her husband Matt met in Kindergarten and started dating in college. Matt proposed to Kaitlyn 10 days before she was set to start her Nurse Anesthetists Program. They started trying in 2020 to conceive and found out they were pregnant fairly quickly. Pregnancy was fairly easy for the most part and decided to move forward with an OB she worked with because she saw him in action and really enjoyed his care.
Around 39 weeks, her water broke around 3am and decided to go to the hospital around 6am. She labored on her yoga ball and in the shower until contractions were feeling uncomfortable, and that is when she made the decision for an epidural. She progressed smoothly with some pitocin and started pushing. She pushed for hours before an OB said the baby’s head was tilted and pushing into her pelvic bone with every push. The OB had another scheduled c - section and Kaitlyn felt as if she was on a time crunch. By the time the OB returned from his other surgery, she still had not given birth, she knew it was her turn.
They prepped her for a section and her daughter was transverse at this time and was born 36 hours after her water broke. Her daughter was not crying and scored an Apgar score of 3, before the nurses could pink her up and she was thriving! Kaitlyn had some complications when her uterus would not contract, but she made a quick recovery!
Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Kaitlyn from St. Louis joins us on the podcast to share her birth story! Kailtyn and her husband Matt met in Kindergarten and started dating in college. Matt proposed to Kaitlyn 10 days before she was set to start her Nurse Anesthetists Program. They started trying in 2020 to conceive and found out they were pregnant fairly quickly. Pregnancy was fairly easy for the most part and decided to move forward with an OB she worked with because she saw him in action and really enjoyed his care.
Around 39 weeks, her water broke around 3am and decided to go to the hospital around 6am. She labored on her yoga ball and in the shower until contractions were feeling uncomfortable, and that is when she made the decision for an epidural. She progressed smoothly with some pitocin and started pushing. She pushed for hours before an OB said the baby’s head was tilted and pushing into her pelvic bone with every push. The OB had another scheduled c - section and Kaitlyn felt as if she was on a time crunch. By the time the OB returned from his other surgery, she still had not given birth, she knew it was her turn. This is part 1 of 2. Tune in next week for the conclusion of Kaitlyn's birth story.
Connect with Kaitlyn on Instagram here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Lindsey from St. Louis joins us in sharing her triumphs and tribulations to starting a family. Her and husband knew they always wanted a family when they both grew up with multiple siblings. They started trying and quickly got pregnant. These two pregnancies both were miscarriages followed by D&C’s. After these two miscarriages they asked for additional testing and everything came back “normal”. They started a medicated cycle and received news at their first ultrasound they were expecting triplets! It was a shock but they were excited. Quickly thereafter, at about ten weeks they found out that two of the three did not make it, and the singleton resulted in her two year old son born in July of 2020.
Her son had to go to the NICU due to respiratory issues as Lindsey was hemorrhaging after delivery. She struggled with Postpartum Anxiety and shared this with her OB at her early 6 week checkup and was able to start medication which helped a ton.
Lindsey and her husband decided to start trying again when their son was 6 months old and went through another miscarriage which prompted IUI and then IVF, which they are going through currently. Sending them all the love and support, and sticky baby dust!
Connect with Lindsey on Instagram here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
In this episode, we hear the inspiring story of Melisha, a mother who has given birth three times and also gone through an adoption journey. Melisha shares her experience of navigating motherhood and wellness, and how it has led her to become an advocate for others.
Melisha always knew that she wanted to have natural births. She felt strongly about the importance of trusting her body and allowing the birthing process to unfold naturally. She had an epidural with her first birth but it didn't work on half of her body so she got to experience what it would be like to birth medication-free. Her first two births went smoothly and without complications, and she felt empowered and proud of herself.
However, Melisha's third birth was more challenging. She had back labor, and the experience was longer and more painful than she had anticipated. Despite the challenges, Melisha persevered and gave birth to a healthy baby.
In addition to her birthing experiences, Melisha also shares her journey of adopting her son. She talks about the challenges and joys of the adoption process, and how it has deepened her understanding of the importance of health and wellness for all.
Throughout her story, Melisha emphasizes the importance of being an advocate for yourself and others. She encourages listeners to prioritize their health and wellness for their whole family, and to be vocal about their needs and preferences. And she reminds us that even in the face of challenges, we can still find strength and resilience within ourselves.
Overall, Melisha's story is a testament to the power of natural birthing, the joy of adoption, and the importance of advocating for ourselves and our loved ones.
Connect with Melisha and check out her website here, her Instagram, the Daily Wellness Community, here, and check out her new podcast, The Daily Wellness Podcast here!
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Rianna from Texas joined us on the podcast this week sharing her four birth stories. Her four kids range in ages from 18 to 4. She had her first son in a hospital and ate an apple while she filled out paperwork while in labor, and met her delivery doctor in the elevator. When her son was around 2 he was diagnosed with lead poisoning which led Rianna down a more natural path.
For her second and third children she decided to birth at home with midwives. Her second labor progressed very quickly and the midwife almost didn’t make it to the birth. Her third labor was even quicker and the midwife did end up missing the birth.
Her fourth birth with her son was a dream come true and she labored in her backyard beach all night under the stars. Her instincts ran deep and at one point, her daughter said “who is making those animal noises”!? It was her midwife's first and probably only outdoor birth.
Rianna is a homeschool mom, artist, and small business owner. She recently just started her own podcast called “The Creative Living Podcast”!!
Connect with Rianna at her website https://warmhoneytoast.com/ on Instagram @warmhoneytoast. Listen to her podcast here!
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
This is part 2 of Kelly Stary's birth story. In part 1 Kelly told us about her prolonged pushing leading to an emergency c-section. She developed an infection during all of this and continued to be in immense pain. When she was released form the hospital on pain meds, she was in and out of consciousness if she was late on her meds by even 10 minutes. The pain got so bad she called an ambulance to take her back to the hospital.
Kelly continues her postpartum story in this episode. She spent 5 days in the hospital fighting off the infection after her care was transferred to the Infectious Disease doctors. Her postpartum anxiety grew as she attempted to breastfeed which led to 3 months of exclusive pumping.
She knew she wanted to have another child close in age and found out they were pregnant with their son when Stella was 8 months old. He was a planned cesarean and things were smooth from the beginning. Stella and Sam are now the best of friends and Kelley is rocking it as a mom of two, who also runs a successful Instagram - @traveling.with.babies - giving parents all the tips and tricks it comes to….you guessed it! Traveling with Babies!
Check out Kelly's travel blog, Traveling With Babies at https://www.travelingwithbabies.net/ and her Instagram account where she gives amazing travel advice @traveling.with.babies.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
This is Part 1 of 2. Kelly was living in the Czech Republic for four years, where she met her now husband with a plan to return to the states and start traveling out west and around South America. Right before they headed back to the US, Kelly found out she was pregnant! They decided to move back to Kelly’s hometown of St. Louis and reassess their travel plans when the time felt right. A week before Kelly was scheduled for her induction, her mom got into a severe car accident. Kelly’s stress levels were very high during this time while taking care of her mother.
She planned for her induction the day before her due date. Everything was going okay but she felt every contraction, even with the epidural. When she felt ready to push, they wanted to confirm it was go time, but Kelly knew what her body needed to do. So she pushed! And pushed for a few more hours. She developed a fever during this time, and the doctors decided she needed a c-section after there was no progression. Her daughter, Stella, was finally here and they shared the most beautiful moment of calmness in a crazy room. After being in immense pain from her c-section, she was released and headed home with pain meds.
When her husband, her, and her daughter got home, she couldn’t do much and relied on her husband when she would randomly pass out. Her pain was 8, 9, and 10’s and after some time, decided to call herself an ambulance. The saddest image of her life will be her husband and her newborn daughter watching her being wheeled out to an ambulance. Tune in next week for the conclusion of Kelly’s birth story and finding out about baby #2!
Check out Kelly's travel blog, Traveling With Babies at https://www.travelingwithbabies.net/ and her Instagram account where she gives amazing travel advice @traveling.with.babies.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Katie Wood, a pharmacist and fertility coach, shares her birth story on this episode! After coming off of birth control for 13 years Katie and her husband struggled to get pregnant and received no nutritional or supportive advice from her OB or midwife. She decided to start acupuncture and 3-4 months later she conceived her daughter. Her pregnancy was healthy, although she did have a couple of scares. Katie had a subchorionic hematoma that luckily self-resolved (She used Chinese herbs and healing foods). After being told her genetic testing came back clear she was contacted afterwards saying they made a mistake and she was a carrier for SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). Her husband had to get tested and it was the hardest few weeks of waiting during her pregnancy. Katie was very proactive with nutrition and lifestyle to support a healthy and vibrant pregnancy for herself and baby. They hired a doula for their desired natural childbirth in a conventional hospital setting, and about half way through her pregnancy they decided to have a homebirth instead. Listening to her intuition on that was the best decision they have ever made. It was a beautiful experience. Katie had a 20hr labor with a lot of back pain and pushed for 2.5 hours. Her postpartum was filled with lots of support from her husband, family, midwife and doula.
Connect with Katie on Instagram @the_wellness_phamacist here and check out her website here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
This is part 2 of Bonnie's birth story. Bonnie didn't feel well for a few days and thought she was just experiencing heartburn. She started to think something was not normal and couldn't sleep due to the pain in her chest. She went to the hospital and found out she had HELLP (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets) Syndrome, which is a life-threatening pregnancy complication usually considered to be a variant of preeclampsia. Bonnie found out that the "heartburn" she was feeling was her liver failing. The only treatment for HELLP syndrome is the delivery of the baby. Bonnie was put under general anesthesia in order for the doctor to perform a cesarean section at 27 + 4.
Bonnie goes into the details of her postpartum journey in this episode. If you have any follow up questions for Bonnie, please let us know via Instagram and we will do a follow up interview with her. She recently gave birth to her second baby at just 29 weeks.
Follow along on her second journey with a premature birth and NICU stay on Instagram here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
To learn more about HELLP Syndrome check out https://www.preeclampsia.org/hellp-syndrome
This is part 1 of 2. Bonnie joins us today to share the story of her daughter, Sabrina! Bonnie and her husband met in college and married in 2018. They decided to start trying to start a family around 2020. When they went in for their “confirmation” appointment, they were met with the news of a miscarriage and decided to move forward with a D&C.
They tried again and got news in December 2020 that they were expecting again, with the baby due in August. Around 27 weeks, Bonnie went to bed one night and felt so terrible. She called the hotline and was told she could come in the morning or go to the hospital. She felt as things were getting more serious and left for the hospital at 2am. She was quickly sent to L&D and after a few tests was told that she could have a stroke or seizure at any moment. The L&D team kept her comfortable, prepared her that she would be having a baby that weekend. She had to transfer to a hospital due to the NICU team and had to go under anesthesia for the delivery. Her daughter, Sabrina, was born at 27 + 4. Bonnie had a fairly easy recovery but Sabrina was in the NICU for the next four months. They made it through a long road of recovery ahead of them but at 18 months, Sabrina is thriving and excited to become a big sister!
Part 2 will be out next week where Bonnie gets more into detail about her postpartum experience and we bombard her with questions!
Bonnie was pregnant during the recording of this episode and hoped to make it further along in her pregnancy this time. She recently gave birth to her second daughter in December 2022 at 29 weeks. Follow along on her second journey with a premature birth and NICU stay on Instagram here.
Connect with Bonnie's personal Instagram account here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Join us this week as we chat about the stigma behind "Breast is Best." Liz and Natalie share their own experience with the trials, tribulations, and beloved PIVOTS to ensure their children were meeting their goals and growth through nutrition. There can be so much stigma on mothers and parents regarding the way they choose to feed their children and the best way we can support them is to know that they are doing what is best for their family.
Many women suffer from postpartum anxiety or depression and often times starts from the pressure to breastfeed/chest-feed. The Golden Hour ladies support every family out there choosing to feed their baby the way that works best for them. For more information, please check out fedisbest.org.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Tia from North Carolina joins us on this week's episode as she shares the birth stories of her two children, now 19 and 13 years old! She always wanted to be a mother and after finding out she was pregnant, she remembers thinking her life has officially changed forever. Tia had wanted to be a midwife at that time in her life so she was very prepared for her first birth. She had her baby on her exact due date in an unmedicated and uncomplicated delivery.
Tia was married to her second husband when her daughter was around 4 and was pregnant soon after. She found out she had an issue with her thyroid at her six week appointment. They discovered that her pregnancy had triggered Grave's Disease, an autoimmune disorder. Tia started feeling contractions at 9 weeks pregnant which continued throughout her entire pregnancy. Tia was unaware she was even in labor during a party at her house when she was 39 weeks. She was even playing Rock Band! By the time she realized what was happening after her friends had gone home, she was ready to push. Her husband called the ambulance as Tia pushed twice in her bathroom and her second baby was born. Although it was quick, it was very peaceful and everything happened the way it was supposed to.
She now resides in North Carolina with her son and husband, while her daughter is serving in the Army in California. She enjoys photography for women, and Money Coaching for Women. She has struggled with some health concerns over the past few years but has worked and fought hard for her health.
Connect with Tia and check out all of her amazing work on Instagram at @tiascrazylife & @timemarkerphotograhy & @legacylivingwithtia
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Many parents experience mild mood changes during pregnancy and after giving birth. 15-20% of those experience more significant symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. It's estimated that up to 50% of those experiencing postpartum depression or anxiety never get a formal diagnoses or seek treatment. One reason for this may be not having knowledge of the signs and symptoms of PPD and PPA, but a big reason for not seeking treatment is the stigma surrounding mental health. Many parents feel alone and like they aren't supposed to talk about their mental health issues, it's seen as a sign of weakness. Our generation is leading the charge to break these stigmas in mental health.
In this episode Liz and Natalie share their experiences with mental health before, during and after pregnancy. Tune in and share your thoughts with us! We always appreciate you sharing our episodes with anyone who might listen! If you are experiencing any symptoms of anxiety or depression, please reach out to a mental health professional.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Carly from Philly joins us on the podcast today! Carly found out she was pregnant around 8 weeks with her first while she was finishing up Grad School & her student teaching. When she went to the hospital to have her first baby she waited in a wheelchair in the hall until being told what to do next in triage and finally was sent up to delivery. She pushed for 3 hours and was told that her baby was posterior with no exit in sight. She consented to a c-section but struggled with the trauma and anxiety that came postpartum.
She found out she was pregnant again 2 weeks into the pandemic in 2020. She started on her research for a VBAC early, but was told by her OB to schedule a c-section around 39 weeks. At the anatomy scan, the baby seemed to have a lemon shaped head, which was a sign of spina-bifida, and her husband was not allowed in the appointment with her. Around 24 weeks, she made the decision to switch her care to a midwife, and a hospital 45 minutes away. The night before her due date, she started having contractions and didn’t have time to make it to that hospital, and had to head to the one where she had her first daughter, which triggered her anxiety. The baby was posterior again (which she had a feeling would happen) but Carly was completely dilated when she arrived to the hospital. Among a lot of remarks from her nurse, she was able to have the VBAC she planned and worked hard for! She recently started her own podcast called Labor Lessons!
Connect with Carly on Instagram here and listen to her podcast, Labor Lessons here!
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
We put together a few of our favorite resources to share with our listeners today! Check a few of them out below! Listen to the show for the rest!
Business of Being Born- documentary on Amazon at the time of writing this. Read the description here.
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth- book found at most bookstores. Amazon link here.
Safe Sleep Group on Facebook found here.
Moms on Call found here.
And our favorite resource: Big Little Feelings! Website is here and Instagram is here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Georgia & her husband, VJ, met in college and married in November 2019. They had plans to travel for a bit but after the world shut down 4 months after their wedding, they decided to start a family. She took a test one morning, threw it away, and came home later to find the slightest positive. She sent VJ out for more tests to confirm - they were having a baby!
Pregnancy was positive overall and she stayed active throughout the entire pregnancy. She did learn that the baby was breached and while a c-section was not her plan, she came to terms with the fact.
Georgia and her husband settled into a family of 3 at home, but Georgia could tell her mood was not improving after little sleep, silent reflux, and a hospital visit with her 6 week old for RSV. She continued to check in with her doctor between birth and the initial “6 week checkup” and could tell her depression was more severe. She switched medication and returned to work around 12 weeks, and noticed her mood improved from there!
Connect with Georgia on Instagram here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Amy from Montana shares her pregnancy and birth stories from her three sons. She was a Med Surg nurse to Labor & Delivery nurse, and now a Massage Therapist, primarily focusing on Prenatal and Cranial-Sacral work on babies, and a childbirth educator.
Amy became pregnant with her first baby at the age of 23 (10 years ago). She had no idea what pregnancy and childbirth were like, but knew she didn’t want to be induced at 39 weeks when her doctor told her to “show up if she wanted.” After a Prenatal Massage at 40+5 she woke up to contractions and headed to the hospital. She had a negative and scary experience overall when her OB broke her water without informed consent and then the anesthesiologist went too far for the epidural and essentially gave her a spinal tap.
She knew immediately she wanted to do things differently for her second son and stay at home as long as she could. She ended up having a positive birth experience with a different provider and gave birth soon after arriving at the hospital.
Her third baby was due in February 2020 and she really focused on connecting to this child through daily yoga & medication. She was worried about an induction as weeks 40 and 41 came and went and no signs of labor. At 41+5 (2 days before a scheduled induction) she began feeling contractions immediately after getting out of bed. She was 1cm when she arrived at the hospital and got in the tub. Her bag of water broke and only a few minutes later her third son was born!
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Body image is a hard topic for nearly everyone. 20-40% of women struggle with body image, and 10-30% of men. These statistics rise with pregnancy. More than 40% of women say there is some sort of dissatisfaction with their appearance during or after pregnancy. Liz and Natalie share their own experience with body image before, during, and after pregnancy in their mini episode this week, and a lot with their negative experiences with the society we live in. If you are having negative thoughts with your body, please reach out to a mental health therapist.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Part two of Katie's Birth Stories. On this episode, Katie tells us about her third “grand finale” pregnancy and baby. She had just gone through a termination for medical reasons, a second trimester loss, a pandemic, on top of her best friend’s diagnosis with terminal cancer. She again battled with high blood pressure readings and had to stay a week in the hospital and then have bi-weekly OB visits, all while managing two other children at home. At 34 weeks, the decision to schedule her third c-section was difficult to hear so Katie prepared for a long NICU stay. She also wanted to get her tubes tied during the section. Her recovery went well and baby Stephen only had a week-long NICU stay as opposed to the month long planned stay. Navigating the postpartum period was tough after so many losses but Katie felt a healing presence from her newborn baby.
You can follow Katie on Instagram @justamomandhercoffee
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Katie from Long Island shares her journey to motherhood this week! Katie and her husband decided to start a family and quickly got pregnant after she believed it would be a longer road as it was for her mother. Her daughter Harper was born via emergency c-section after being diagnosed with preeclampsia. For her second birth, she hoped for a VBAC and hired a doula, and had her second c section. This is part 1 of 2.
You can follow Katie on Instagram @justamomandhercoffee
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Join Natalie and Liz as they discuss their experiences with postpartum anxiety in this mini episode!
Postpartum anxiety is not as talked about as postpartum depression but is very common. It is estimated that 1 in 5 women has postpartum anxiety. Symptoms of postpartum anxiety are constant or near-constant worry, feelings of dread about things you fear will happen, sleep disruption, racing thoughts, shakiness, panic attacks, obsessive, recurring thoughts, intrusive thoughts, and others.
There are many types of treatment for postpartum anxiety. The first step is recognizing it and getting diagnosed. If you don't feel like yourself, seek professional help and talk about your feelings to someone you trust.
Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for resources.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
If you are feeling anxiety or depression, please seek professional help.
CONTENT WARNING : This episode includes discussions of Perinatal Anxiety and Mood Disorders, including scary intrusive thoughts and thoughts of suicide.
Jenn and her husband were married in 2018, and knew they wanted to start a family soon after. In 2020, they became pregnant and were very excited to embark on this journey of parenthood together! While going through a pretty easy pregnancy, they found out the baby was breech at their 20 week anatomy scan, but they weren't too worried as they still had 20 weeks to go. As time went on, baby never flipped and they believed it was due to baby’s large head. Although Jenn was really hoping for that “ah-hah!” moment and scheduled a c-section, she did get her “ah-hah” moment when she believed what to be her water broke at 38+5 weeks.
Her and her husband drove 45 minutes to the hospital to learn it was not her water, or urine, and still do not know what it was to this day! They drove 45 minutes home and as she got out of her husbands truck, her water truly broke. They drove 45 minutes back and were ready to meet their baby boy! Jenn and her husband welcomed their son, Noah, and everything was going well. As she was praying over her son later that day, she started experiencing very scary and unwanted intrusive thoughts. Jenn had never heard of intrusive thoughts before and had no idea how to cope with them.
After being home with her son and experiencing more intrusive thoughts, Jenn thought she was experiencing postpartum psychosis and started to thinking of ways to end her life to protect her son. She finally decided to share her visions with her husband. She went to her doctor and was put on medication that helped drastically. Once she researched intrusive thoughts and was diagnosed with Postpartum OCD, things made sense and she was able to bond with her son.
These days Jenn is doing much better and managing her Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders through therapy and medication. She is very passionate about helping other parents through the postpartum period and is the State Lead Coordinator with Postpartum Support International.
You can connect with Jenn Holmes by email at psijenn@yahoo.com or follow her on Instagram @Jennholmes
Check out Postpartum Support International at www.postpartum.net for resources.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
If you are feeling anxiety or depression, please seek professional help.
Alissa joins us for Part 2 of her birth story, with her second son. At five months postpartum, her friend suspected she was pregnant. After much hesitation due to her periods being off track since having her first child, she took a pregnancy test and it was positive! She was shocked due to her infertility issues with her first but couldn’t imagine her life without her second pregnancy and son. As she and her partner finally decided to head to the hospital around 39 weeks pregnant, her son who was 16 months at the time, woke up screaming with a high fever and ear infection. She had to let her mother and mother in law take over at 3am as they headed to the hospital. She had a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) delivery with her second son on her 29th birthday! It was a hard adjustment with 2 under 2 but they are now the best of friends! This is part 2 of 2.
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Alissa shares her first birth story of her son, born in November 2019. Her partner and her decided to stop taking any precautions after their May 2018 wedding. She believed she would come home with a honeymoon baby, but that did not happen. Being the planner she is, she quickly turned to tracking her cycle with 7 months of negative pregnancy tests. She took her concerns to her OBGYN and her OB agreed to run a blood screening and sperm mobility test. She was diagnosed with PCOS and her partner had few head sperm, which gave them a 2% chance of conceiving naturally. They decided to move right onto IVF with a successful first transfer. Around 35 weeks pregnant, Alissa woke up with her left leg swollen to the size of a “Frankenstein Leg” and had Deep Vein Thrombosis. Between the DVT and a breech baby, she was given a c-section date at 39 weeks. She had to deliver in a normal Operating Room over an OB Operating Room and the team did not allow her husband in the room. She struggled with postpartum anxiety and credits that mostly to issues with breastfeed that led to pumping and decreased sleep. This is Part 1 of 2.
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Join us for a bonus episode where we chat with Eleni after the show about some of the struggles of motherhood, bodily functions, the love of parenthood, not comparing babies or self, and more! Our mission is to provide a safe space for mamas to share their stories, struggles, and triumphs, and that looks differently for everyone!
Connect with Eleni here and connect with her dog walking business here (and see a ton of cute pups)!
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Eleni shares her birth story of her beautiful boy Walter “Wally”! Eleni shares her process of having a gut feeling that she was pregnant and taking a test while she was running her dog walking business. It was a very welcomed surprise by herself, her boyfriend, and their families! Pregnancy was positive overall besides one intense day of very sensitive nipples that made her cry, but otherwise a very positive experience. She decided for an induction at 40+2 that was a slow start. She had cervadil orally to get things going but nothing happened until they broke her water. Her contractions started soon after, and Wally was born 2 days later. Her postpartum experience has been good but worked through being touched out, taking a week off from breastfeeding, to pumping and resetting within herself. She would feel anxiety here and there and felt some vaginal pressure as she recovered. Her son Wally has been a wonderful surprise and addition to her family!
Connect with Eleni here and connect with her dog walking business here (and see a ton of cute pups)!
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
We continue our chat with Emma Ginder in this episode about her journey to becoming a midwife. She shares how her passion for supporting birthing people and their partners transpires through her doula and midwifery care. While she is more active in the actual birth, she knows her years of doula work runs deep and helps her continue to stay passionate, empathetic, and supportive during a birthing person's most authentic time. While it has been a long journey to get to where she is, she is so thankful for her supporters and the people she has supported along the way to make her dream a reality! This is part 2 of 2.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
This week we chat with Emma Ginder, a local doula in the area and Natalie's own doula for her first son! Emma is one of the most compassionate and knowledgeable doulas we have met. Emma opens up to us about her journey to becoming a doula, and how her motherhood journey has been impacted and influenced by being a doula. We dive deep into the state of the U.S. health system and how doulas can support birthing people and their partners not only physically and emotionally, but they provide informational support as well. This is part 1 of 2.
Find more information about Emma on her website here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Alissa Alter aka “The Amy Poehler of vaginas” shares the second half of her story.
Alissa suffered from a 4th degree tear (an extensive tear that goes from the vagina to the rectum). She had an extremely tough postpartum not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. She was very disappointed in the lack of support and education on how to handle her recovery. Due to her previous education in pelvic health, her tear healed well and she had a successful recovery.
As a result of her experiences, she started two podcasts and a website that focuses on education, empowerment and advocating for women's health. She is changing the narrative surrounding postpartum!
Find more information about Alissa at her website here.
Her two podcasts, Alter Your Life and Myth of Motherhood can be found here and here.
Her website pstprtm all about postpartum can be found here.
Follow Alissa on Instagram here.
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Alissa Alter aka “The Amy Poehler of vaginas” joins us this episode to tell us all about her birth and journey to working as a women's health expert and motherhood advocate, with a side of humor. This is part 1 of 2.
Alissa found herself stuck in a bad marriage and an unfulfilling career when she decided she was done suffering in silence. She began learning more and more about women's health and encouraging other women to be open and unapologetic about their own bodies and what they go through during pregnancy and postpartum. She started Pilates for Privates to help women move and get to know their bodies, inside and out. When she started her own motherhood journey, she was certain it would be a breeze due to her extensive education.
Alissa's baby had other plans and presented sunny-side up during labor. Stuck in the birth canal, midwives had to apply fundal pressure on Alissa. She ended up with heavy bleeding and a 4th degree tear (an extensive tear that goes from the vagina to the rectum). She had an extremely tough postpartum not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. She was very disappointed in the lack of support and education on how to handle her recovery. Due to her previous education in pelvic health, her tear healed well and she had a successful recovery.
As a result of her experiences, she started two podcasts and a website that focuses on education, empowerment and advocating for women's health. She is changing the narrative surrounding postpartum!
Find more information about Alissa at her website here.
Her two podcasts, Alter Your Life and Myth of Motherhood can be found here and here.
Her website pstprtm all about postpartum can be found here.
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Karley joins Liz and Natalie today to share her stories of her two births and navigating life with a medically-complex child.
Karley and her husband knew they wanted to have children while they were young. Karleys first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage while she was living away from family and friends finding it difficult to navigate. Her second pregnancy was filled with anxiety but progressed well. She ended up being induced due to excessive swelling and high blood pressure. After issues with the epidural were resolved she had a smooth birth. Postpartum was difficult due to complications with her daughter at around 6 weeks. A simple visit for treating a fever turned into a hospital stay for an e-coli UTI. That was Karley’s first of many experiences with hospital stays and the jump start to her postpartum anxiety.
Karley and her husband decided to try for a second baby when their daughter was potty-trained. They got pregnant after a year of trying. She had a great pregnancy up until the 20 week anatomy scan when the doctor found complications in the ventricles and brain. She had to do extra monitoring and met with specialists throughout the rest of her pregnancy but so much was left unknown. The plan was to be induced at 36 weeks at a specialty hospital so baby could be transferred directly to the NICU to receive treatment right away. After the induction had already begun, the doctor decided that a c-section would be a better direction. After her daughter was born, they all spent the night together in the recovery room instead of her being admitted to the NICU. The next morning the pediatrician sent the baby to the NICU and Karley had tough choices to make- stay in recovery to heal and rest from surgery and spinal block complications or go with her daughter. Nora stayed in the NICU for six days but had continued complications after being home due to the increased fluid in her brain and ventricles. At six weeks the doctors decided it was time to place the shunt. That was the first time Nora opened her eyes and smiled at Karley and her big sister. Since that first shunt, Nora has had multiple surgeries and countless hospital visits. Karley has had to advocate for Nora while navigating her own mental health issues including PTSD from the birth and medical trauma she and her daughter have endured.
Nora was born with not one, but two rare genetic conditions: Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and Osteopathia Striata with Cranial Sclerosis (OSCS). These genetics have caused hydrocephalus, club foot, hip dysplasia, sleep apnea, seizures and much more. She has 14 specialists and multiple appointments every week. She is celebrating her “shuntiversary” this week and she is 3 years surgery free!
Follow Karley on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/karley_l_h/
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Kelli joins us this week to share her story of her two cesarean births. She had an unexpected and difficult first pregnancy that culminated with an unplanned cesarean birth. Kelli was induced but did not progress. After being told about her narrow pelvic inlet and how difficult a vaginal birth would be, a c-section was offered. Kelli felt helpless during her surgery and was left alone after her baby was born. She had difficulty connecting with her baby along with a painful recovery. After a few days, she bonded with her baby but still had difficulty breastfeeding and felt a loss of identity throughout her postpartum journey. Kelli had hopes of a VBAC for her second pregnancy but baby #2 was breech and she had a repeat c-section. She knew what to expect for this experience and had a more gentle birth and postpartum.
Kelli's experience with her births and postpartum inspired her to create her Instagram to bring more knowledge and power to other pregnant people and new parents. She shares stories from other parents about their pregnancies, births, postpartum experiences as well as parenting topics. She has created an amazing virtual village so no parent feels alone throughout their journey.
Check out Kelli's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/ohbabyihadnoidea/
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
On today's episode our guest Brie shares her birth story of her 10 month old son, Dax! Brie believed she was always going to be fun Aunt B and never believed children were in the cards for her. In early 2021, after experiencing some menopause signs, Brie made an appointment with her OBGYN for what she kept hearing as her “confirmation appointment”. By the end of her appointment, she realized this was a pregnancy confirmation appointment and was in shock. Her pregnancy went on without really announcing it and did not bond with her “womb mate”. When labor began and the epidural was placed, she felt as if she was not listened to as her right leg started to feel a very sharp pain. After a long labor and delivery, she met her beautiful son and was in absolute love from that moment on! Brie went through many emotions throughout the entire pregnancy, birth and postpartum and she shares it all in this week's episode.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
On this episode of the Golden Hour Birth Podcast, we welcome an Atlanta mom of 2, Christina! Christina and her husband got married 9 years ago and essentially created a trip list before trying for a baby. After a fairly easy pregnancy, Christina was met with a difficult postpartum. She struggled with setting boundaries and hosted family immediately after coming home from the hospital. She wondered how she could better prepare for the postpartum period and welcomed her second child in 2021. Shortly after, she started Resurgens Postpartum where she works exclusively with soon to be mothers and partners on their journey to parenthood and what we often miss/don’t prepare enough for the 4th trimester. She coaches parents through prenatal and postpartum support, feeding, sleeping, and everything in between!
Check out Christina's website here: https://www.resurgenspostpartum.com/
And follow her on Instagram here
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Erin shares her story of her three pregnancies and births. Erin had pretty easy pregnancies after suffering a miscarriage first. She loved being pregnant with all three boys! Her first pregnancy was a hospital induction that went smoothly although pushing proved difficult. Her second birth was quicker with knowing how to push this time around. Her third pregnancy was in the midst of the pandemic and navigating childcare for her other two children for appointments and the birth was a challenge.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Hannah joins us to share the story of her second birth which was wildly different from her first. Hannah had a fairly easy pregnancy again except that she was GBS positive with a suspected penicillin allergy. After advocating for herself, she finally found an allergist to help her. She was all set for another birth at the Birth Center when she went into labor early. She thought it was prodromal labor which she had with her first. She progressed very quickly, too quickly and wasn't able to leave the house in time. Surrounded by her in-laws, dogs, firefighters and paramedics, Hannah delivered her own baby in her hallway. She had a difficult postpartum term due to feeding issues. Tune in to listen to the entire roller coaster birth story.
You can listen to Hannah's first Birth story here.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Katie shares her journey to motherhood while navigating anxiety and depression during her pregnancy and postpartum. Physically, she had a positive pregnancy with some round ligament pain and swelling. Katie struggled mentally with anxiety during pregnancy. She was nervous to speak up about it but her husband supported her throughout the pregnancy. Her induction went smoothly and shortly after birth, her baby was diagnosed with a heart murmur. She continued to struggle with postpartum anxiety and depression and didn't feel the connection with her baby that she thought she would. After switching cardiologists, Katie and Ryan feel they are on the right path with treatment and have an upcoming procedure scheduled.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Hannah had a smooth pregnancy besides nausea during the first trimester and restless leg syndrome in the third. She switched providers midway after learning that her OB wouldn't accept birth plans. She switched care to a midwifery team at a birthing center. She experienced prodromal labor for a few weeks before her real labor started. She labored at home for a bit then headed to the birth center to labor in the shower and tub. Hannah used hypnobirthing techniques to help her through contractions but was internalizing and blocking out her pain which in turn made her not able to vocalize when she thought something might be wrong. She progressed quickly but ended up pushing for four hours due to baby having a nuchal hand (hand by face). She had a supportive postpartum experience with her husband as they learned to work as a team.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Join Liz and Natalie for this special episode where we rage about Roe v. Wade. On this Independence Day 2022, we aren't feeling very independent at all. We can't celebrate when women's liberty has been lost. The Supreme Court overturned a 49-year-old precedent that secured the right to an abortion. We are angry, we are sad, we are pissed off. We are now second class citizens. Reproductive rights are basic human rights. Abortion is Healthcare. Bodily autonomy is not a constitutional right, it is a birth right. We are here for you, we will hold space for you and we will fight for you.
Here's where you can donate to support abortion rights:
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fundabortionnow
https://action.aclu.org/give/now
https://wrrap.org/
Here's where you can find information on rallies, protests or marches:
https://www.womensmarch.com/
https://map.wewontgoback.com/
Jessie shares her story of her beautiful daughter. Soon after she found out she was pregnant she was hit with morning sickness. As she geared up for her first prenatal visit, she was met with news that she was not as far along as she thought and the dread came through as she continued to battle morning sickness, severe nausea, and vomiting. As weeks progressed and she was hopeful for the second trimester, she continued to suffer from severe morning sickness. She noticed she was suffering from prenatal depression and sought help from a mental health counselor. She was anxious to meet her baby girl and scheduled an induction at 39 weeks but did everything she could to induce labor naturally. She went in for the induction, and was slow to progress as they started the process. In the morning, things turned around and she progressed to a 10 in a short time frame. After pushing for 29 minutes she finally met her beautiful baby girl. Baby girl did have some respiratory issues but was all cleared after some antibiotics. Her postpartum experience has been positive overall after struggling so much during pregnancy.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Jennilyn shares her journey starting with infertility due to PCOS. She got pregnant with twins, struggled with PUPPs and soon after was admitted into the hospital for a shortened cervix twice. Jennilyn spent more than 5 weeks on the high risk perinatal unit on bedrest. She started experiencing contractions and was found to have bulging waters at 33 weeks and one day. After having a C-section that day, the twins were admitted into the NICU. After Jennilyn's 5 day hospital stay, she was released and her postpartum days were filled with pumping, driving to and from the hospital every day, and a short bout of food poisoning during the infamous toilet paper shortage. The day Baby A was released from the NICU was the day the hospital went into lockdown and Jennilyn was told she was not allowed to visit Baby B anymore. 21 long days later, Baby B was released and went home. Jennilyn dealt with a lot of guilt surrounding the circumstances of her premature labor and sought help for her mental health issues.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Lauren shares her experience with her first birth. Lauren and her husband were met with many twists and turns during their journey from infertility and miscarriage to an unplanned cesarean birth after an induction for preeclampsia. They welcomed a perfect baby girl who is the light of their life.
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Lauren's Recommendations:
Taking Cara Babies: Lauren's holy grail for sleep. So helpful and made her anxiety with sleeping and naps so much better.
Karrie Locher: Great resource for a lot of things! Lauren took her classes for breastfeeding and general baby knowledge. STL native!
Milestones.and.motherhood: Amazing resource for general tips for activities that help with developmental things. Has great recommendations for toys!
Be My Breast Friend: Great pumping resource!
Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
The Golden Hour Birth Podcast welcomes it's first guest, Hannah, to tell her birth story about her first baby. Hannah had a fairly easy pregnancy amid Covid-19 and scheduled an induction towards the end, feeling done with being pregnant. She had second thoughts immediately but went into spontaneous labor the morning before her induction. Her labor went well until it was time to push and they discovered her baby had a nuchal cord. She was able to still have a vaginal birth and her baby was born healthy. Her postpartum period was met with anxiety but was able to find relief through connecting with other moms.
Hannah's favorite parenting resources:
Big Little Feelings on Instagram here
A community for working moms on Instagram here
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Co-Host Liz shares her second birth story! Liz had planned to give birth at the same birth center she delivered her first, but this pregnancy journey had a different plan and made many twists and turns to navigate high blood pressure, Covid, and perinatal depression. Liz's birth team attempted to mimic the birthing center's calm ambiance in the hospital bathroom which helped bring her second baby into this world in an empowering and unmedicated birth while experiencing the fetal ejection reflex. Her postpartum journey was an entirely different experience from her first.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Join our co-host, Natalie, as she shares her experience laboring at a birth center then transferring to the hospital after painful back labor. After getting an epidural, Natalie was able to rest and baby came 'sunny side up' shortly after! Her postpartum journey was met with postpartum anxiety and a depleting milk supply after starting birth control and the death or her father-in-law.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Our very own co-host, Liz,shares her experience with an empowering birth center birth followed by a very difficult postpartum experience after blood loss and a hand-delivery of a retained placenta.
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman
Welcome to The Golden Hour Birth Podcast! Our mission is to provide support to expecting parents to help them be informed and empowered on their very personal journey. Our goal is to create a community from our shared experiences. We wanted to tell you a bit about ourselves before our first birth story goes live on May 8, 2022 which is Mother's Day! We can't wait to see you then!
Visit our website and blog: www.thegoldenhourbirthpodcast.com
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Intro Song by Carpathians (Donny Rodgers): https://carpathians.bandcamp.com/track/lavaman