Episode 09: What (Unplanned) Unassisted Home Birth is Like: Interview with Karissa McCallum

This week I was honored to interview my friend, Karissa McCallum! She shared with us about her birth stories of her three children, all of which were born at home and unassisted at that!

My goal for this week’s episode is to round out our conversation on different ways that you can give birth and to shed light on the option of having a home birth. 

I think getting this information out there is more important than ever! I have seen a lot of articles this past week about how a lot of expectant mothers are considering having a home birth during the COVID outbreak. There is a lot of fear right now, about the Coronavirus and about home birth in general. I am so fortunate that Karissa agreed to talk to me and share her experience.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Considerations when choosing where to give birth
• Homebirth providers and prenatal appointments 
• Precipitous (fast!) labor 
• The 4-1-1 rule during labor
• Unassisted birth: what it is like to give birth without a medical provider
• An “unbirth” story!
• The Fetal Ejection Reflex
• What happens after a home birth delivery
• Great advice for pregnant moms about staying calm and managing fear

In addition to being a wife and mom of three, Karissa works as an acupuncturist and herbalist outside of Chicago. If you are interested in getting in touch with Karissa, you can email her at [email protected]. 

A big thank you to Karissa! Thank you so much for sharing your story. My hope is that another mom hears this and that your story calms her fears of having a home birth or an unassisted birth.

Thank you all very much for listening today. Have a great week and stay home and stay healthy!

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