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Induction: When Is It Necessary & How to Make It Successful

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Women are being forced into unnecessary inductions which makes me pose the question, do women’s bodies need to be forced into labor as much as they are being right now, and if there is a medically-necessary reason for this, how can we make it an excellent experience? In this episode I want to discuss what would constitute some medical reasons for inductions AND what you can do when an induction becomes necessary. This is something I get asked quite a bit. Once you do have a medical reason for induction, how does that change the birth plan? What do you need to know? I want you to have all of the best evidence-based information that will help you ask good questions, get all the information, and ultimately be able to make the decision that is best AND feels best for you.

Show Notes

4:48 - I talk about the number one reason women are typically encouraged to get an induction. I discuss how moms should be approached by their provider & when this conversation should occur....

The Most Important Things for Pregnancy & Birth

3 free exercises birth pregnancy pregnancy nutrition preparing for birth provider Aug 04, 2021

I can't believe I get to be here with you for the 100th Episode of this podcast! With my many years of experience, professionally and personally, I thought this would be the perfect time to gather together the very most important things for pregnancy and birth. These are things, time and time again, that help mothers to have the births that they desire. These are things that will make the biggest difference in helping you achieve the birth of your dreams.

Show Notes

3:11 - If you guessed that the #1 thing you're going to need for your best birth is your provider, you guessed right! If you've been following along, you know I repeat this over and over and over. I go a little deeper about why this makes a difference for your pregnancy and birth.

8:18 - The other part of your birth support is your partner. Are they supportive and knowledgeable? What if they're not? Who should you have in your birth space?

10:23 - Partners are encouraged to encourage you within the birth course. It makes...

First Babies vs All the Others

advice birth birth class birth story confident motherhood first time mom ftm hospital learning curve postpartum pregnancy provider Sep 19, 2020

Motherhood feels new and exciting with each baby you welcome into your family. There's always a bit of a learning curve as the family makes room for a new member. As we were reflecting on our own experiences (Steph has 3 kids & Cort has 4) we realized that many of the things we worried about (our bought- haha!) with our first baby were very different from what we did for baby #2, 3, 4, etc. How many of the things below can you relate to?

1. We noticed we had (or wanted) SO many more gadgets with our first baby. Can you relate? Everything from a bottle warmer to a bottle drying rack, wipe warmers, the diaper Gene, and even those special baby towels and washcloths.

We were joking that you may even own variations of the same product! Take the bassinet for example...there's a co-sleeper bassinet, a pack n play, a portable bassinet or Moses basket. So many options! BUT, what you come to realize with subsequent babies is that they...

How To: Provider Scenarios

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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...

OB's vs Midwives Showdown

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Don't let this title fool you- it's not that dramatic! We love both, and dislike both, depending on the provider. But the right provider for you will largely depend on what kind of birth experience you desire. Above all, find someone who respects and supports those birthing goals!

[2:45] The difference in Education/Schooling

[6:12] What kind of care each offers

[8:00] Who takes insurance and what that looks like

[8:57] Hot topic: Obstetricians are trained surgeons

[10:04] Midwives are trained in normal

[11:09] The different medications that can be prescribed during labor for each provider

[13:12] Cesarean birth rates

[14:11] What if a mom is high-risk??

[15:08] Reliance on medical tools

[15:50] The Med-wife

[22:16] OB vs Midwife during birth

[25:27] What we've observed as patients and doulas

[32:11] Questions to find the right provider for YOU

[33:29] Tell us who you chose and why!

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Assembling Your Dream Birth Team

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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

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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

birth preparation cesarean cesarean birth cesarean recovery due date gentle cesarean induction postpartum provider 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...

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