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How NOT to Write a Birth Plan
Jan 15, 2020
There's really never a question of "if" you should create a birth plan. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. We break down the do's and don'ts of writing a birth plan and the "why" behind what you choose. Plus we include an exercise at the end of this episode that will help you envision your ideal birth before you write it all out.
[3:17] Cortney shares a shocking but true story about her personal experience with a provider that did not support having a birth plan.
[8:54] The DON'TS for a Birth Plan
[11:14] The DO's for a Birth Plan
[16:30] Things that were important to us to have on our birth plans. Spoiler alert, they are very different from each other.
[21:28] An exercise on how to envision your ideal birth
[24:24] Have questions about writing your birth plan? Send us a dm on Instagram!
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our...
Assembling Your Dream Birth Team
Dec 27, 2019
If you want your dream birth, you need a dream birth team! They're kinda like the Avengers, but they have latex gloves & tired smiles instead of magical hammers and flying suits. Your dream team should consist of people who enthusiastically support your birth goals 100% and who have a track record of success. Second only to the knowledge & preparation you acquire through taking a super amazing birth course (wink!), your birth team is one of the most influential aspects in the outcome of your experience.
[3:22] 2 Categories of your birth team
[7:25] Why it's important to know what kind of birth you want and to have supporting information/research when you go to talk to those you love about supporting you in this birth.
[9:44] What do you do if you have some family members that may be imposing themselves on your space but you don't necessarily want them there?
[12:41] Your physical birth team - These people should support you 100%!
[15:09] HOW to find a great...
Birth: Enneagram Type 2
Dec 17, 2019
Need some "help" (pun intended for all our Type 2 moms- "The Helpers") embracing your birthing strengths and getting hints on what to watch out for during your pregnancy & birth? We've got you covered, sis! In this episode, we break down all the particulars and help you feel appreciated and loved along the way.
Supporting a Type 2 mom? There's an entire section for you too! Take a listen, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram @myessentialbirth.
Feel free to not include any of the bold or use a few as highlights for that section 
[2:11] iTunes Review Spotlight: MM1227
[4:15] Description of Enneagram 2 - The Helper
[5:30] Enneagram 2 birthing strengths: Nurse gifts, packing for baby, setting the tone for the birth space, preparing for birth.
[11:24] Watch out for: not giving yourself sufficient "me-time" or self-care, nurses, providers or other people's opinions overriding your own, emotions that force you to walk through some gunk to get...
Cesareans: When They're Necessary & Avoiding When They Aren't- PART 2
Dec 12, 2019
With cesarean rates higher than ever in the U.S., we realize there is a major lack of education about why and how to avoid an unnecessary one, until now. This two-part podcast covers all things cesarean birth: from the history behind cesarean birth, where it developed, why the cesarean birth rate has not gone down (even though it should have), why a provider may recommend one - including which reasons are legitimate and which can be avoided, what you can expect if you have one, and most importantly how to PREVENT an unnecessary cesarean birth! This episode (Part 2) covers everything from what to expect during a cesarean birth, emotions that go along with one, and a quick overview for recovery. Spoiler alert: be gentle with yourself!
[1:13] What to expect during a cesarean birth
[7:10] Gentle cesareans
[11:12] Stephanie's cesarean birth experience
[14:20] Emotions that come along with cesarean birth
[16:45] Processing our birth stories
[17:48] What partners can do...
Cesareans: When They're Necessary & Avoiding When They Aren't- PART 1
Dec 03, 2019
With cesarean rates higher than ever in the U.S. we realize there is a major lack of education about why and how to avoid an unnecessary one, until now. This two part episode covers all things cesarean birth, from the history behind cesarean birth, where it developed, why the cesarean birth rate has not gone down (even though it should have), why a provider may recommend one - including which reasons are legitimate and which can be avoided, what you can expect if you have one, and most importantly how to PREVENT an unnecessary cesarean birth! This episode (Part 1) covers everything through why a provider might recommend one. Truthfully we want to talk about VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) but quickly realized our mamas will need this info first! Enjoy!
[2:08] Kids say the darndest things
[4:20] The facts of cesareans
[6:57] The history of cesarean birth
[7:08] Improper nutrition in the 1900's caused Rickets (which in turn causes a malformations of bones - including the...
5 Things Essential Oils Do For Pregnancy & Birth That You Don't Know About
Nov 25, 2019
The entire point of the My Essential Birth Course is to empower women to create their best birth experience...and to do that, we train you with ALL the things that help make that possible. Essential oils are one of those tools! Not only can they address common pregnancy ailments safely & effectively (goodbye low energy!), but they also play an important role in creating muscle memory for birth. Not sure what that is? No worries, mama! We'll cover allll that in this episode.
[1:21] Essential Oils are integrated throughout the birth course
[1:48] Essential Oils are one of the many tools to use for pregnancy & birth
[3:16] There are so many things you can't take during pregnancy
[5:56] We love and use doTERRA oils because of their quality, safety, and efficacy.
[7:28] We see essential oils in hospitals & birth centers
[8:12] The 5 areas that every pregnant mama/new mamas deal with constantly
[8:49] FIRST UP: Immune Support!
[9:57] Stephanie's...
Birth: Enneagram Type 4
Nov 20, 2019
Calling ALL Enneagram Type 4 mamas! If you're a sensitive mama who wants a unique birth experience and knows how to be super in tune with your body then definitely jump into this episode and get ready to be nodding your head and taking notes on exactly what you and your partner need to make your birth a success! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @myessentialbirth.
[2:37] Description of a Type 4
[6:38] Want a unique experience
[11:06] Create a vision for your birth
[13:03] The importance of setting up your birth team for Type 4
[16:14] How to set yourself up for success later in labor when verbal communication may be challenging.
[17:12] Body language during birth
[17:30] Cortney describes experience from her 3rd birth
[20:20] A strength of a type 4 is that you are in tune with your body
[22:22] Type 4 mamas are very creative, want to decorate their birth rooms and make the space pretty
[25:32] Tips for Partners
[31:30] Why Enneagram Type 4s LOVE the My Essential...
Mamas with Infertility, Listen Up: Part 2
Nov 05, 2019
We know how many women are deeply affected by infertility. We (Cortney & Stephanie) have both dealt with infertility at different stages in our lives, we believe it's important to talk about it openly. If this is the road you are walking as well, you need to know you are not alone! Sometimes there are things we can do on our own to support fertility and sometimes we need to reach out for some extra help. No matter where you are in your journey, we support you and hope you will find comfort, hope, and perhaps even some helpful tidbits of information!
[1:13] Other options for infertility
[1:22] IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) or IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization)
[4:07] Cortney's experience with ectopic pregnancy and repeated miscarriages
[7:58] The power of intuition
[12:05] Infertility is hard when it's not the path that YOU want, no matter how many babies you have or which pregnancy this is.
[12:37] The emotional side of infertility
[15:31] Ways to support each other...
Mamas with Infertility, Listen Up: Part 1
Nov 01, 2019
We know how many women are deeply affected by infertility. We (Cortney & Stephanie) have both dealt with infertility at different stages in our lives, we believe it's important to talk about it openly. If this is the road you are walking as well, you need to know you are not alone! Sometimes there are things we can do on our own to support fertility and sometimes we need to reach out for some extra help. No matter where you are in your journey, we support you and hope you will find comfort, hope, and perhaps even some helpful tidbits of information!
[1:53] What is infertility?
[2:09] Stephanie shares about her infertility journey
[4:32] Michelle Obama's interview
[5:05] Infertility by the stats
[7:08] Ovulation and infertility
[7:54] Cortney shares about how progesterone was needed to sustain her pregnancy
[8:16] How to figure out if something is off with your ovulation
[13:24] Ovulation disorders
[13:40] PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
[15:42] Older mamas...
Birth: Enneagram Type 3
Oct 28, 2019
While every woman and every birth are unique, wouldn't it be helpful if you were given a personal roadmap that anticipated your strengths, challenges and needs for birth? Well, you're in luck! This podcast episode is the FIRST in a series that will discuss each Enneagram type and how they birth. If you're new to the Enneagram, we've linked to a free test (to determine your type) in the show notes below.
[2:30] What is the enneagram?
[4:12] Use this as a tool to help you understand yourself & others and be healthier emotionally.
[5:14] Description of Type 3s.
[10:48] We get into to talking about Type 3s and Birth.
[11:53] Type 3s will pursue their birth goals with crazy intensity.
[16:54] What partners need to know about supporting a Type 3 mama
[21:39] Find It & Flip It Exercise helps Type 3 to feel loved and accepted of themselves
[22:03] Cortney shares her experience about how a Type 3 may be hindered during birth.
[25:58] Birth is a mental game. The majority of...
