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Anne's Birth Story: Experiencing All the Firsts

I can't wait for you to listen to this inspiring birth story with Anne, a My Essential Birth Course mama, who takes us through her journey from conception, pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. It is a perfect story about what it's really like to walk through everything pregnancy, birth, and postpartum for the very first time. Her and her husband did an excellent job preparing and supporting each other. I hope you will find something special and learn tons, for both you and your partner as you listen. Enjoy!!

Show Notes

3:24 Anne tells us a little bit about herself and her husband, a bit of their history and what conception was like for them. 

5:10 Anne gives us some inside on what pregnancy was like for her. She talks about the different feelings she experienced every trimester and the changes she felt along the way. I also ask Anne about her provider experience, how she found her provider and what solidified her choice. We continue of conversation about her provider and...

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Unmedicated Birth Stories: One Induction with Preeclampsia & One Textbook with Eryn Stucki

Birth stories are a window into the powerful work we do as women to get our babies earthside and Eryn's story is no exception. She was a student of mine when she was preparing for her very first birth. Her and her husband worked hard together to prepare for this task of birth ahead of them and when they came back to share their story, after they had their sweet baby, I was amazed at the details of the birth as well as how her and her husband handled it. There is so much strength that comes from listening to other strong women walk through one of the most trying and rewarding things we are blessed to be able to do in this life.

Stick with this episode until the end because not only does she tell a story of her first birth, which while challenging, ultimately led her to the career path she has today, but she also tells of the drastic and beautiful difference between her first and second birth. I hope you will listen, learn, and love this episode.

Show Notes

5:00 - Eryn tells us where...

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Unmedicated Pregnancy: Using Nutrition & Natural Remedies for Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum

With winter here to stay for a bit, we wanted to give you some tips and basic guidelines for how to stay healthy and low-risk as well as what you can do if you end up getting sick while you're pregnant! Pregnancy is a common time for mothers to find more natural and holistic means of preventing and treating ailments. 

Nutrition During Pregnancy

 Why should you care about nutrition during pregnancy? Because pregnant women who are healthy and low risk have more birthing options available to them. Things like: birthing in water, the ability to let your body & baby determine when to go into labor, and freedom of movement.

So how do you have a healthy pregnancy? A lot of that is determined by what you eat! And, just a quick note, being underweight or overweight doesn’t mean you can’t have a great pregnancy and birth. You may gain more weight if you started your pregnancy underweight, or you may lose weight or gain less if you started pregnancy a bit...

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Out of Hospital Birth is Better

 

This is a two-part series that serves two purposes. 1. If you are on the fence about where to have your baby, hopefully, these episodes will help you envision where you see yourself birthing & help you make that decision. 2. If you already know where you are giving birth, these episodes will reaffirm that choice. 

If you’ve been with us for a while, you know that between the 2 of us, we have given birth almost every way. In hospital unmedicated, cesarean, in hospital with an epidural, at a birth center, and a homebirth. So we’ll be drawing on that and our experience supporting women in all these settings & scenarios.

BIG REASONS WE THINK OUT OF HOSPITAL BIRTH IS BETTER

  1. Anyone you want can be there! Yes, even during COVID.
  2. It's easier to physically relax during birth. When you're in your own home or a place that feels home-like, your body will naturally relax more easily. Given that relaxation is the key to dilation, expect labor to progress...
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Is a Birth Class Really Necessary?

 
We often get asked...
  • At what point in my pregnancy should I take a birth class?
  • What kind of birth course is best for me? 
  • What should a birth course cover?
  • Do I really need one if I plan on getting an epidural?

But before we answer those great questions, will you indulge us for a minute? We've gotta get this off our chest first...

The truth of the matter is that when it comes to birth, you don't know what you don't know. And if you're reading this post or listening to the podcast, you're likely the kind of person who wants to be in-the-know! That's awesome because our entire goal is to empower you & give you the skills, confidence, and knowledge necessary before your birth.

Speaking from very personal experience, failing to prepare can often lead to a poor experience, regrets, and then (hopefully!) a fierce determination to make things better the next time! We want to find you and help you before that next time!

Birth is a natural event, but when we moved birth...

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It Takes Two: Interview with a Birth Partner

 
Cortney interviews her husband, Nate, to find out what it takes to support a birthing woman and how to handle different birthing scenarios. It's so good and we promise this is one you won't want to miss. Hint: make sure your birth partner listens along!
 
[3:38] Your partner should NOT be the only one preparing for this birth!
[5:06] Advice from a dad: "You cannot be that stereotypical guy in these situations. You just can't." -Nate
[9:47] Cortney tests Nate's birthing knowledge
[12:05] More quizzing for Nate! Play along...does your birth partner know how to answer these correctly?
[12:47] Scenario 1
[16:07] Scenario 2
[18:44] Scenario 3
[26:34] What birth was like for Nate
 
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
 
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some neat bonus episodes coming and if you're not subscribed you may miss them. Click ...
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What Are You Afraid Of?

 
You had fears before COVID-19 and you will have them after, but spoiler alert, you're going to work through them! How do we know? You're here, aren't you?! That means that you've walked through every single other fear or challenge to be standing here today. We believe in you, so let's tackle this together.
 
[4:24] What is fear? What does it look like during birth?
[5:57] What is empowerment? What does it look like during birth?
[7:46] Example - What if you fear is labor being too long?
[12:21] 1 to Stay 2 to Grow Challenge!
[22:04] You have to apply the knowledge.
 
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
 
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some neat bonus episodes coming and if you're not subscribed you may miss them. Click >>here<< to subscribe in iTunes!
 
AND if you love all the great birth discussions, tips, and...
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Water: Nature's Epidural

 
Water is Mother Nature's epidural and has the ability to bring sweet relief and relaxation throughout the birth process. In this episode, we break down the safety of using water for birth, including giving birth in the water, understanding the policies and practices for your birthplace, when to jump in, how to use it effectively, and we even share our personal experiences from our own water births!
 
[4:58] Is a baby being born into water safe?
[7:02] Who can and cannot get into the water
[8:23] Know the policies and practices of your birthplace - Hospital
[10:49] Know the policies and practices of your birthplace - Birth Center/Home
[13:25] When to jump into the water!
[18:32] Two times to get into the water before hitting the "sweet spot"
[21:57] How to use the shower during active labor
[26:58] Using the tub during labor
[28:42] What should I wear in the tub?
[29:52] Stephanie's experience with laboring in a birth tub (at home)
[33:35] Cortney's experience with...
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Medicated vs Unmedicated: The Controversial Topic We Plan to Dispel Once & For All

 
Do you ever feel like you have to pick a side?!
 
We know all too well that this controversial topic can lead to many one-ups, horror stories, and hurt feelings, but it doesn't need to be that way. If you have a birth that you love and brought you joy, that was a good birth for you, no matter how you got there!
 
You'll get to hear why women choose an epidural or an unmedicated birth and pros and cons for each. One of the most important things we always emphasize is preparation. So, no matter which way you're leaning, (or if you're somewhere in the middle), understanding your options and preparing for the outcome you desire will always give you more power in your birth experience.
 
[2:17] Prepare yourself for whole heck of a lot of unsolicited advice ;)
[4:15] Trust your intuition
[5:21] At the end of the birth, all that really matters is if you can look back at the experience and you feel good about it
[6:54] Birth isn't something you get to do every day,...
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