Healthy and Strong Mommas Community

In this conversation, Dr. Riana Taktikos, a pelvic floor physical therapist and mother of three, shares her experiences with childbirth and how they have influenced her practice. She discusses her different birthing experiences, including an emergency C-section, a planned C-section, and her desire for a vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC). She highlights the importance of being informed and advocating for oneself during the birthing process. Dr. Taktikos also mentions the challenges of running her own private practice and balancing motherhood.

The conversation covers Riana's experiences with different types of deliveries, including c-sections, vaginal deliveries, and her plans for a home birth. She discusses the challenges she faced with hospital deliveries, such as being discharged multiple times and not feeling supported. Riana also highlights the differences in care between traditional medical providers and midwives, emphasizing the importance of feeling heard and empowered during the labor and delivery process. She believes that educating women about their options and addressing mindset issues can lead to better postpartum outcomes. During the conversation, Riana discusses the fears and misconceptions that arise during pregnancy and delivery. She highlights the lack of understanding about the medical cascade of interventions and the pressure on moms to deliver at a certain time or in a certain way. Riana emphasizes the importance of educating women about the natural process of labor and delivery and providing them with options and resources. She also discusses the need to ask providers about their views on different positions for labor, performing episiotomies, and inductions. Riana believes that empowering women with information and choices can lead to better birth outcomes and postpartum experiences.

Takeaways

More Resources

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Book: Born in the USA