Birthing Twins

Allegra is a registered dietitian and IBCLC lactation consultant with over eight years of experience in the birthing world. She specializes in prenatal nutrition and postpartum care, with a strong focus on breastfeeding. Allegra transitioned her dietetic practice to emphasize the postpartum period and the importance of protein and electrolyte balance during pregnancy. Besides her professional expertise, she is a mother of four, including a set of identical twins. Allegra runs her consultation practice via Aloha Nutrition and actively shares insights on healthy pregnancy and postpartum practices on her Instagram.

In this compelling episode of "Birthing Twins," host Bibi, an experienced midwife and mother of twins, welcomes Allegra, a registered dietitian and lactation consultant, to share her journey through twin pregnancy and childbirth. Allegra discusses her transformative experiences with each of her pregnancies, the unexpected discovery of carrying twins, and the strategies that helped her achieve a healthy and full-term twin pregnancy.

Allegra sheds light on the critical role of nutrition, particularly the intake of sufficient protein and electrolytes, in managing a twin pregnancy. She delves into her personal and professional insights on handling the physical and emotional challenges of carrying twins, the importance of advocating for oneself in medical settings, and her meticulous approach to preparing for labor and delivery. This episode is rich in practical tips and empowering messages for expecting mothers, especially those anticipating twins.

Discover the incredible journey of twin pregnancy from a professional dietitian’s perspective, packed with tips on nutrition, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. Listen to the full episode for an inspiring and informative discussion that every expecting mother should hear. Stay tuned for more insightful content from "Birthing Twins"!

Charlotte is a dedicated single mother of three, half French and half American, who now calls Australia her home. After moving to Australia seven and a half years ago, Charlotte decided in 2019 to become a single mother by choice via a fertility clinic, using an unknown donor. She now has a three-year-old son, Theo, and 13-month-old DCDA twins, Arthur and Ella, all from the same batch of embryos. Charlotte shares her unique and empowering birthing experiences, focusing on her commitment to natural childbirth and navigating the complexities of the healthcare system as a high-risk twin pregnancy patient.

In this episode of "Birthing Twins," host Bibi, a midwife and twin mother herself, dives deep into the world of twin births with her guest, Charlotte. Charlotte, who decided to become a single mother via donor embryos, shares her incredible journey of giving birth to her twins, Arthur and Ella. This insightful conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of a twin pregnancy, focusing on Charlotte's determination to have a natural birthing experience despite the typical high-risk categorization of twin pregnancies. The discussion moves from her first unmedicated vaginal birth with her son Theo to her extraordinary twin birth story.

Charlotte's episode is a must-listen for those interested in understanding the nuances of giving birth to twins under the Australian healthcare system. She emphasizes the crucial role of informed decision-making and the need for better postpartum care. Detailing her transition from the high-risk twin clinic to the more supportive MGP (Midwifery Group Practice), Charlotte's account provides invaluable insights into advocating for the kind of birth experience you desire, even within the confines of a medical system that often prioritizes intervention. Her successful natural birth of a breech-first twin stands as a testament to the potential for positive outcomes when mothers are supported and empowered.

Tune into this enlightening episode to grasp the full spectrum of emotions and practical advice Charlotte offers from her unique journey. Stay tuned for more empowering stories and expert discussions on "Birthing Twins."

Ruth is a resilient and passionate mother of twins, a missionary kid, who grew up in Haiti and France, and is currently residing in Missouri. She is an advocate for natural birthing and breastfeeding, having undergone extensive training to become a doula. Her personal experiences with home birthing, miscarriage, and successfully breastfeeding her preterm twins have inspired her to support and educate other expecting mothers. Ruth is dedicated to promoting holistic and natural birthing methods.

In this captivating episode of "Birthing Twins," host Bibi, a midwife from Australia with personal and familial experience with twins, delves into the often challenging but deeply rewarding journey of naturally birthing twins. The episode features Ruth, who shares her compelling story of discovering she was pregnant with monodi twins at 20 weeks and the subsequent trials and triumphs of her pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding journey. Ruth’s narrative illuminates the power of perseverance, community support, and faith in navigating unexpected challenges.

Ruth discusses the complexities of her second pregnancy following a traumatic miscarriage, highlighting her determination to maintain a natural birthing plan despite numerous obstacles. Key to her story is her interaction with Dr. Stu and her supportive midwife, who helped her navigate the medical system's pressures. Ruth's account of laboring at 33 weeks, her hospital transfer experiences, and advocating for a vaginal birth under challenging circumstances provides invaluable insights into the practicalities and emotional strength required for such a journey. Her eventual success in exclusively breastfeeding her premature twins underscores her commitment and the possibility of overcoming difficult odds with determination and support.

• ​Perseverance and Faith: Ruth’s journey demonstrates the importance of perseverance, strong belief, and faith in successfully navigating pregnancy and childbirth challenges.
• ​Community and Support Systems: Surrounding oneself with supportive and knowledgeable individuals, such as midwives and doulas, is crucial in maintaining a natural birthing plan.
• ​Natural Birthing Advocacy: Ruth’s story emphasizes the feasibility and benefits of natural birthing, even in complex cases like premature twin births.
• ​Breastfeeding Challenges and Triumphs: The episode provides insight into the difficulties and rewarding outcomes of committing to exclusive breastfeeding, despite initial struggles.
• ​Holistic and Patient-Centric Birth Planning: The importance of creating a birth plan that aligns with one's values and finding medical professionals who support holistic approaches is highlighted throughout Ruth’s experience.

1. ​“I always wanted to be a mom. I wasn't thinking about birth until my college years when I heard about my aunt’s home births. That's what I want.”
2. ​“When I found out it was twins, our world was turned upside down for the better, but at the same time, there was so much to consider and prepare for.”
3. ​"I made a decision that I wasn't going to go into the hospital if I went into labor at 35 weeks. I asked my midwife to support me, and she agreed."
4. ​“The only words that came out of my mouth during the most painful labor moments were ‘Jesus,’ and I was so grateful for the strength to persevere.”
5. ​“Teaching my daughters to breastfeed was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but the perseverance paid off. They're both exclusively breastfed now.”

• ​Ruth’s Instagram: @ruth_itsamullerfullife
• ​Dr. Stu’s Podcast: Birthing Instincts
• ​Weston A. Price Foundation: Nutrition and Health

Listen to the full episode to explore Ruth's inspiring journey and gain valuable insights into natural twin birthing and breastfeeding. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from "Birthing Twins" as we continue to share stories and tips on twins' pregnancies and beyond.

Hannah is a devoted stay-at-home mother and homeschooler of seven children, including a set of fraternal twin boys born via a home birth. She has extensive personal experience in natural home births, having successfully delivered five babies at home before her twins. Her background and passion for natural childbirth have driven her to support and empower other mothers through their birthing journeys, especially those facing the unique challenges of twin births.

Join us for a compelling episode of "Birthing Twins" with host Bibi, a seasoned midwife from Australia, and her insightful guest Hannah Favela. Hannah, a mother of seven, takes us through her extraordinary journey of delivering die-die fraternal twin boys at home. This episode delves into the intricacies of natural twin births, the challenges posed by medical systems, and the significance of advocating for one's birthing choices.

Hannah shares her firsthand experiences of facing fear-based medical practices and emphasizes the importance of having a supportive birthing team that trusts the natural birthing process. Listen as she recounts her labor story, including the pivotal moment when she had to find a new midwife late into her pregnancy. Hannah's detailed recount of her twins' birth, including the support she received from her final midwife, Sherry, offers valuable insights and inspiration for expecting mothers, particularly those anticipating twin births.

Explore more about the empowering stories from mothers like Hannah and valuable insights into natural twin births by tuning into the full episode. Stay connected for more inspiring discussions on "Birthing Twins" and share this episode with friends who might benefit from these incredible experiences and advice.

Kate is a dedicated health coach specializing in women's health, with a particular focus on fertility treatments, pre and postnatal nutrition, and support for twin mothers. She lives in New Hampshire, USA, with her husband, young daughter, and twin boys. Kate's profound passion and commitment stem from her own personal journey through fertility challenges and experiencing pregnancy and birth, including the birth of twins.

In this compelling episode of "Birthing Twins," Bibi, an experienced midwife and mother of twins, welcomes Kate—a twin mom and health coach from New Hampshire—who shares her dramatic and inspiring story of giving birth to her twin boys. From initial fertility struggles to the surprising revelation of twins, and ultimately to the challenges of birthing twins against medical advice, Kate's story is a tale of resilience, trust in one's own body, and advocating for one's birth choices.

Throughout the conversation, Kate delves into the specifics of her pregnancy journey, marked by significant anemia and low platelets that labeled her as high-risk, necessitating hospital care. She navigates through the complexities of choosing the right birthing strategy, vividly recounting her resistance to a coerced early induction and her determination to deliver vaginally despite pressure from medical professionals. This episode provides rich insights into twin pregnancies, the importance of self-advocacy, and the incredible power of maternal intuition.

Be inspired by Kate's resilience and her empowering journey through twin pregnancy and birth. Tune in to hear more about her story, advocate for yourself, and find support and resources tailored for twin moms. Don't forget to share this episode with someone who might benefit from this incredible account and stay tuned for more enlightening stories from "Birthing Twins."

Simone is a passionate homeschool mom and former preschool special education teacher, originally from Queens, New York, and now residing in Georgia. She has dedicated her life to nurturing her children and providing them with a nature-based homeschool education. Simone's birthing journey is deeply personal and diverse, marked by hospital births, a cesarean section, and an inspiring vaginal birth of twins at home. Her story is a testament to resilience, self-trust, and the unyielding commitment to natural birthing processes.

In this captivating episode of "Birthing Twins," host Bibi, an experienced midwife and mother of twins, delves into Simone’s gripping and educational birthing journey. Simone shares her experiences of natural childbearing, a cesarean section, and achieving a vaginal birth at home with twins. This episode highlights the challenges and triumphs of birthing twins naturally, especially for mothers who have previously undergone a cesarean section.

Throughout the episode, Simone takes us through her journey, beginning with her initial pregnancies and moving through to her most recent experience with home birthing twins. Bibi and Simone discuss the emotional and physical hurdles that come with twin pregnancies, the importance of trusting one’s body, and the valuable support of midwife teams in achieving successful home births. This episode is packed with keywords like "vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)," "home birth," "breastfeeding twins," and "natural birth process," making it an informative listen for expectant twin mothers looking to explore their birthing options.

For a deeply engaging and educational listen on the ups and downs of birthing twins, tune into this episode of "Birthing Twins" and stay tuned for more insightful content from Bibi and her remarkable guests.

Jamie is a seasoned doula based in Wisconsin, USA, with a professional history that began in 2009. She is also a dedicated mother of three— including a recent set of twins. Jamie has been actively involved in birth work since 2018 after earning her official doula certification. Her personal experiences with childbirth, including a brainstem stroke and managing a chronic pain condition, have significantly influenced her holistic and empathetic approach to midwifery and doula care.

Join host Bibi, an Italian-born midwife living in Australia, as she dives into the compelling and heartfelt twin birth story shared by doula Jamie. With rich personal history and professional insight, Jamie's journey from her first uncomplicated home birth to the surprising and challenging birth of her twins is nothing short of inspiring.

Throughout the conversation, Jamie elaborates on her decision-making process for home births, her unique encounters with prenatal care, and the unexpected challenges she faced, such as a snapped cord and a postpartum hemorrhage. Jamie's story is a testament to the power of intuition, the importance of supportive care, and the resilience inherent in the birthing process. Alongside these personal anecdotes, Jamie discusses the critical balance between medical interventions and holistic approaches, emphasizing the need for personalized, fear-free birth plans.

Embark on this insightful episode to appreciate the intricacies of twin birthing, gain wisdom from Jamie's profound experiences, and discover how holistic approaches can empower your birthing journey. Don’t miss out on future episodes filled with expert advice, inspiring stories, and invaluable insights into the world of birthing twins.

Arielle, who goes by Elle, is a birth and postpartum doula based in Texas, USA. She began her journey into wellness as a health coach before transitioning into doula work after recognizing the profound impact of birth and postpartum experiences on women's health. In addition to her doula practice, she has a background in technology sales and tech degrees. Elle is a mother of four children, including a set of twins, all of whom she homeschools. She is also an advocate for holistic health practices and has supported numerous women through their birthing journeys.

Welcome to another enriching episode of "Birthing Twins" with your host Bibi, an experienced midwife from Australia who is dedicated to sharing everything about twin pregnancies and twin life. In this episode, Bibi is joined by Arielle, also known as Elle, a birth and postpartum doula from Texas. Elle shares her fascinating journey through multiple pregnancies, culminating in the home birth of her twins. Their discussion covers everything from her early birth experiences, the importance of choosing supportive healthcare providers, and her unwavering belief in her body’s ability to birth twins naturally at home.

Throughout the episode, Elle discusses her journey from having single births in hospitals to a transformative, hands-on home birth experience. She emphasizes the importance of holistic health practices, the significance of informed choice in prenatal care, and the challenges and triumphs of twin motherhood. Keywords like "twins home birth", "holistic pregnancy care", "doula support", and "postpartum doula" are thoroughly explored. Elle also shares practical advice for expectant twin mothers to navigate the often over-medicalized approach to twin pregnancies and highlights the empowering experience of birthing at home.

For more empowering twin birth stories and invaluable insights into twin pregnancy and motherhood, make sure to listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more episodes from "Birthing Twins." If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, leave a review, and come say hi on Instagram at @BirthingTwins.

Aimee is a devoted mother of three, including seven-month-old mono-di (monochorionic diamniotic) twin girls and a four-year-old son. She has a rich history with twins, being a twin herself and coming from a family deeply experienced in home birthing. Aimee resides in Central Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, and has found a supportive community in home birthing influenced by the surrounding Amish culture. Aimee has a strong passion for natural childbirth and has taken courses in doula practices. Her journey is inspirational, having navigated the complexities of twins' pregnancy and unassisted home birth confidently.

In this compelling episode of "Birthing Twins," Bibi welcomes Aimee, who shares her extraordinary journey of birthing healthy monochorionic diamniotic (mono-di) twins at home. Aimee’s experience is a testament to the power of intuition, faith, and support. Her rich heritage of home birthing, deeply influenced by her family's history and the supportive Amish community in Central Pennsylvania, played a pivotal role in her journey. As a mother who has dealt with PCOS and subsequent fertility challenges, Aimee's story offers hope and encouragement to many.

Throughout the episode, important themes of home birth, twin pregnancy, natural childbirth, managing complications, and breastfeeding are woven seamlessly into Aimee's narrative. Her detailed recount of her pregnancies, her proactive approach to health through nutrition and exercise, and her eventual decision to have an unassisted home birth for her twins provide valuable insights. Aimee outlines her birthing experience, the support from her twin sisters and husband, and her reliance on spiritual faith. She also dispels many myths surrounding home births with twins, emphasizing the importance of a supportive environment and the need to protect one's mental and emotional space during pregnancy.

Tune in to the full episode to delve into Aimee's inspiring and informative journey, shedding light on the possibilities and empowerment that can come with home birthing twins. Stay tuned for more episodes of “Birthing Twins” for further insights and stories that redefine the narrative around twin pregnancies and births.

A successful lotus birth with twins and the natural separation of each twin from the shared placenta, marking a gentle transition for the newborns.

Neala is a mother of seven with a rich experience in the realms of motherhood, homeschooling, and natural birthing. Having transitioned from hospital births to free birthing at home, Neala champions an empowering approach to pregnancy and childbirth that encourages mothers to trust their instincts. Actively involved in the homeschooling community, she is an advocate for education that aligns with familial and natural rhythms.

Episode Summary:

In this heartening episode of "Your Holistic Midwife," we are welcomed into the world of Neala, a seasoned mother and free birther, as she shares her transformative journey from hospital births to free birthing at home. Her story resonates with themes of self-reliance, the unearthing of natural birthing knowledge, and the creation of intimate and family-centered birth experiences.

Our guest Neala recounts her early experiences with conventional hospital births, her subsequent discovery of the free birth movement, and the turning point that led her to birth her fourth child at home—a decision greatly influenced by the Free Birth Society. This episode also delves into the remarkable tale of her twin home birth, a sheer testament to the power of trust and the natural birthing process.

With insightful details on her preparation, approach to prenatal self-care, and the serendipitous birth of her twins without any medical intervention, Neala narrative is nothing short of an inspiring lesson in self-belief and the innate wisdom of the human body.

Key Takeaways:

Unplanned home birth of fourth child led Neala toward free birthing and showed her the possibilities of self-reliance in childbirth.

The pivotal role of the Free Birth Society in providing information and confidence to pursue natural birthing practices at home.

Experiencing twin birth at home, with one breech birth followed by a vertex birth, challenging common misconceptions surrounding the safety of non-hospital twins deliveries.

Resources:

Neala references the Free Birth Society as a key influence in her journey towards free birthing.

The Australian freebirth community where Bibi and Neala shared their experiences.

Neala Instagram: @garden_of_gaia

Follow me on Instagram @birthingtwins