Rachel Campbell is a mom, doula, and leader in her local community. In this episode, she shares her two medicated hospital birth stories with her daughter and son.

In this episode, we cover:

• Rachel's first birth, which was marked by a failed epidural, an extended pushing period, and a forceps-assisted delivery
• Her complicated postpartum period, which included an infection and difficult healing journey with a severe tear
• Rachel's second birth, which was remarkably similar to her first, but with a very different redemptive outcome
• Advocating for yourself with providers postpartum and taking care of your own medical needs, even when it seems like other people are not taking your concerns seriously
• A brief chat about the use of an SSRI medication to manage postpartum depression
• A doula chat with Heidi and Rachel about tips for staying hydrated during pregnancy, especially during hot weather

XOXO -Heidi

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

  • Use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 off

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• My Doula Heidi Website

• Birth Story Media™ Website

Dr. Jess Michaels is an osteopath, doula, and founder of The Birth Sling, a powerful tool for movement and support during labor. In this episode, she shares her own birth story of transferring from a home birth plan to a hospital birth, including laboring on the beach, listening to her body, and creating the Birth Sling for other birthing persons after DIY-ing her own for her daughter’s birth.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jess’ experience in osteopathic medicine and as a birth doula

• Jess’ favorite birth tools for home births

• Her birth story of transferring from a home birth plan to a hospital birth

• Listening to your body and asking for more support

• How various movements help us progress labor and manage pain

• Sterile water injections for back pain relief

• Giving birth in a birthing pool in a hospital with your own midwife

• Processing and coping with changes in your birth plan

• What a birth sling is and how to use it during labor and birth

Get 20% off your purchase with code “BIRTHSTORY” at https://www.thebirthsling.com/

XOXO -Heidi

Connect with Jess!

• The Birth Sling Instagram

• Dr. Jess Michaels’ Instagram

• Dr. Jess Michaels Website

• The Birth Sling Website

Resources:

• Birth Story Academy Online Course

  • Use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 off

• Shop My Birthing Workbooks and Guides

Connect with Me!

• Instagram

• YouTube

• My Doula Heidi Website

• Birth Story Media™ Website

Heidi and Jen sit down and chat about all things birthy with love and affirmation for those of us in bigger bodies. This is an episode not to miss especially if things like scales in hallways, small blood pressure cuffs, and monitoring have you stressesd TF out! Let us pour some positivity into your day today!

Follow Jen at plussizebirth.com and on IG at instagram.com/plussizebirth

XOXO-Heids (IG @Birth.Story.Academy)

PS. I would love for you to let me teach you all things pregnancy and birth in Birth Story Academy. Use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF at BirthStory.com

show notes coming...

show notes coming. Mama is tired. 

XOXO-Heids

The second I saw Meg Thompson's Reel on IG about unmedicated birth, I was hooked. I devoured all of her content. She is funny, and open, and raw! She is an Urban Homesteader, and crunchy mom advocate! I shared one of my favorite reels on her page and it got over 1 million views! So, naturally, I had to have her on the show. Enjoy!

You can follow meg here: https://www.instagram.com/flourishingmotherhood/

We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at BirthStory.com 

XOXO-Heidi

Thanks to Kristen and Adam at Novice Studios CLT for producing this episode. As always, Thanks Tiffany for getting these episodes onto the website! It takes a village. 

O.M.G. This is my absolute favorite episode that I have published to date on the Birth Story Podcast. Britta Bushnell and her book, Transformed by Birth, are a gift to the birth world and I am beyond excited to share her and this book with each of you. 

Grab a latte and get ready to learn all about Apollo and Artemis as she takes you on an incredible metaphor journey. Get ready for Greek mythology, transformation, surrendering and duality. 

Need a copy of Britta's book, you can snag one HERE on AMAZON

Want to connect with Britta? Follow her on INSTAGRAM HERE

or at her website: Brittabushnell.com

This episode is gold! Please share it with a friend who is pregnant!

XOXO- Heids 

If you would like a spot in Birth Story Academy, you can enroll today at BirthStory.com and use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF.

show notes tomorrow! This mama is tired! XOXO Heids

This episode is packed full of 2 birth stories. First, Julie walks us through being a party girl after a massive trauma in her life. She was pregnant after only a few dates with her now husband. We chatted and laughed about dating while pregnant. The conversation turns into the murder of her dad and needing a trauma informed birth team. She shares about changing plans from unmedicated birthing to an epidural and then what postpartum depression and anxiety looked like for her. Julie came on the Birth Story Podcast to help other mothers understand the delicate symptoms of PPD and PPA and when medications like Zoloft can help. 6 years later she becomes pregnant again with her second after marrying her husband. She was taking an antidepressant and wanted an unmedicated birth at a birth center. So how did it go....you will have to listen!

XOXO Heids

If you are looking for an awesome online childbirth course on a budget to prepare you for birth from a doula's perspective, then please join me in Birth Story Academy at BirthStory.com. Use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF and to let me know you found my childbirth education class from the pod!

Heidi chats wtih Rachael from Hey Sleepy Baby! about her thriving IG business supporting parents wtih healthy sleep habits....and her incredible birth stories! So how did her third delivery go? Hopefully Rachael will return to tell all!

You are invite into Birth Story Academy with a friends and family code of BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF for listening to this podcast episode to plan and prepare for your hospital birth! BirthStory