The Illusion of No Control
Sep 27, 2020
Peace is a choice. We can choose to do those things that invite peace into our lives, even when so much around us seems out of control. And that's the topic that we want to introduce to you guys this week- what you can control in your pregnancy and birth. We fear that there's this illusion out there amongst birthing women, that there is no control.
In fact, what triggered this topic for us was coming across a birth story post on Instagram. This woman shared her rather traumatic birth story and concluded it by telling her followers that there's no point in having a birth plan or preparing for the experience because it's all out of your control.
Maybe having that perspective was a coping strategy for her, a way to process a disappointing experience. Because when you don't believe you can control anything, perhaps you're able to maybe more easily release the experience you've had, especially if it wasn't a great one. BUT! women who head into pregnancy and birth...
How To: Provider Scenarios
Aug 20, 2020
Being knowledgeable about something inside of our heads doesn't always translate to a coherent and comfortable response to a provider. Don't stress though! We're going to walk you through some common pregnancy and birth scenarios with providers and help you find and form the response that's right for you!
[3:38] Labor rehearsals are your time to put what you are learning into practice and this is what good rehearsal looks like.
[8:21] The specific questions that make a difference for avoiding induction during COVID
[10:00] Pregnancy Scenario 1: Let's schedule that induction
[13:00] Pregnancy Scenario 2: Moving a due date in the third trimester
[16:20] Birth Scenario 1: In active labor and your well-meaning nurse says to your birth partner "we need to get her into the bed"
[17:57] Birth Scenario 2: Adding meds to the IV without formal consent, but more of a side note
[21:40] Birth Scenario 3: Your nurse picks up a low fetal heart rate.
[25:06] Want more scenarios? Join...
Is It Real Labor?
Jul 16, 2020
As birth professionals, we get this question ALL the time and with our years of experience, we have some solid advice about when it's the real thing! We know just how exciting this time is, no matter which baby you're getting ready to meet and we promise you're not alone in your detective work to figure out when baby will make their big debut.
[2:21] What your body does when your approach birthing time (Braxton hicks, dropping, mucous plugs, all the fun stuff!)
[10:40] How do you really know when it's go-time?!
[16:18] How journaling can help labor begin.
[17:52] Concrete things to do to determine if this is real labor!
[21:10] Erratic contractions, not erotic...
[23:55] Put your knowledge to the test! What would you do in these situations?
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...
Hollywood Birth: Where They Get It Wrong
Apr 29, 2020
Birth always begins with either a pop-gush of waters breaking or a massive contraction, followed by screaming at your partner, and then squeezing his hand super hard while you push out a baby the size of a 2-month-old. That's Hollywood's version of birth, but how much of it is accurate? Hint: not a lot! We think you'll love listening to us debunk all the ways they get it wrong, why they do this, and what you can do about it.
[3:06] Pregnancy is always miserable & always a burden
[3:42] The father is always clueless
[5:13] Birth always begins with a gush of water or Level 10 contractions!
[6:40] Birth goes from zero to baby being born in a matter of minutes
[6:58] You have to fumble around just trying to get to the hospital
[7:51] The woman in labor screams at everyone and is angry at the father
[9:04] Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
[9:25] Birth only happens in the back of the car or a hospital
[10:24] You give birth on your back with your legs in...
COVID-19: Birthing With Less Support
Apr 08, 2020
If you are pregnant and preparing to give birth during the COVID-19 global pandemic, this episode is for you! With many hospitals pulling back birth support we are getting so many questions about what mothers should do. This episode will help you prepare, as needed, for a birth with less birth support.
[2:08] Can you really "prepare" to have less support for birth?
[3:38] Listening to these podcasts are part of the foundation you are laying for your birth prep.
[5:48] Your partner should be prepared, especially if they are your only birth support + prepare other birth support in case your partner has signs/symptoms of COVID-19 and is unable to attend your birth with you
[7:31] HOW you prepare! - Some of our favorite books and podcast episodes.
[8:32] Birth videos + IG Content
[9:15] FREE Downloads from us to prepare you
[11:04] Know what it is evidence-based or not + stay healthy & low-risk so you have more options
[11:57] Decrease stress, yoga, and...
Birth After 35
Mar 05, 2020
With terms like Advanced Maternal Age and Geriatric Mother being thrown around, it's time we broke down all the facts surrounding being pregnant and giving birth after the age of 35- including the hot topic of stillbirth. Share this episode with your friends who are also having babies in their late 30's & beyond!
[4:03] Why "Geriatric" is not even close to an appropriate term for a pregnant woman.
[5:29] Why you need to have the correct information about giving birth over 35.
[6:31] Why women are choosing to have children later in life?
[7:15] Challenges for women giving birth after 35
[8:10] The Hot Topic: Stillbirth
[9:58] Relative vs. Absolute Risk
[11:43] Gestation and how it's different before and after age 35
[13:03] Why out of hospital midwifery care may be a great choice
[16:27] What stands in the way of a mother over 35 having her best birth?
[19:20] What you can do to have the best outcomes
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
If you...
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...
Student Success Story: Christy's Birth
Sep 26, 2019
In this episode, My Essential Birth mama, Christy, walks us through her birth experiences and what she did to make the third time a charm! We absolutely love listening to birth stories and this one was no exception. We know you'll feel inspired by it too!
[1:27] Christy has 3 girls; 4, 2, and 2-month old baby
[2:13] Chrisy's first birth - She discusses the details of this birth, the challenges, and how preparation would have helped.
[3:01] Christy had her water broken, received an epidural and blood pressure meds because the epidural caused a drop in blood pressure. She was told she may need a cesarean birth for baby in distress and a stalled labor. She was put on Pitocin, pushed for 45 minutes, received an episiotomy, and lost a pint of blood.
[8:22] Found a new doctor for her second birth who was more in line with her vision for birth.
[9:07] Stalled again, right around 7cm...just like with her first birth.
[9:29] Baby #2 was a...
What's Stopping You From Having Your Best Birth?
Sep 09, 2019
Are fears, either subconscious or ones that you're very aware of, holding you back from having the birth that you really want? In this episode, we talk about the 7 fears that might be keeping you from an awesome birth. Listen & see if any of these resonate with you!
And don't worry...we aren't going to leave you hangin'. As always, we'll give you tips and tricks to tackle those fears and so that you can get back to preparing for your best birth.
[1:27] This episode inspired by Rachel Hollis "What's Keeping You From Making a Million Dollars?"
[2:29] We include advice throughout the episode of how to work through these fears if you have them.
[2:45] Fear #1: Are you afraid of outdoing someone you love?
[8:24] Fear #2: The Fear of Failure
[13:08] Fear #3: Fear of Success...yes it's a thing!
[16:26] Fear #4: Fear of the Unknown
[20:32] Fear #5: Legitimate Fears and Anxieties Due to Circumstances Surrounding Your Birth
[22:35] Fear #6: Fear of...
