Healing Birth

In honor of Father's Day today, I am rebroadcasting one of my favorite interviews I've ever done, first aired in 2024, and one of the only times I've had a father on the show to share his experience of what it was like to support his birthing partner.

Couple Marion and Banks together share the sweet, intimate conception and homebirth story of their daughter. Banks was Marion's sole support person during the birth and shares what it was like to witness, hold space, and play a vital role in this transformative experience.

I got to ask Banks some of the questions I've always wanted to hear from a conscious, intentional father about birth. Among other things, he shares:

• How witnessing his partner birth their baby at home, sovereignly, helped heal generational birth trauma from his family of origin

• How this birth experience transformed their relationship

• What he would say to other fathers who carry fear around childbirth

This is a wonderful story to share with the men in your life!

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

Emmy's first birth experience ended in a way no one imagines: an "emergency" cesarean under general anesthesia. Her son was welcomed into life by strangers rather than into the loving arms of his mother and father, a source of pain that stayed with her for a long time.

Determined to have a different experience with future pregnancies, Emmy began exploring her options and learning more about physiological birth. Her journey ultimately led her to have two subsequent home births: one attended by a midwife and another supported by her sister. Through these experiences, she discovered the healing power of informed decision-making, trusting her instincts, and creating the birth environment she desired.

A pivotal part of Emmy's healing journey was finding Birth Story Medicine, a counseling process that helps mothers process their birth experiences.

Find Emmy on Instagram @emmy_kissinger

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

Megan shares the beautiful story of her first child's birth—a "private birth" with only her husband and their happily snoring dog present in their home. Although it was one of the most physically intense experiences of her life, Megan was left in awe of how clear and calm she remained throughout the process, especially as someone with a history of anxiety.

We wrap up the conversation with a vulnerable discussion about the nitty-gritty physical surprises of postpartum recovery, and why it's all part of the process and will heal with time.

Be sure to check out our Instagram page this week for a screenshot of Megan's detailed birth support checklist for her husband, which she partly credits for the ease of her experience. You'll also find a precious childhood photo of Megan, a reminder that she was always meant to be a mother.

Megan wanted to share the Innate Traditions postpartum care practitioner directory, where she found her truly life changing support for the few weeks following the birth of her son. The woman she hired brought her nourishing food, herbs, offered bodywork, and ceremony to honor and hold her in such a sacred time. This amazing woman took care of her, so Megan could take care of her baby. She believes every woman deserves this type of care.

Find practitioners from all over the world in the link below:

https://postpartum-care-directory.innatetraditions.com/

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

At just seventeen years old, Lexi found herself pregnant and facing pressure from her doctor to terminate her pregnancy after her baby was diagnosed with Spina Bifida. She was told her son would never live a normal life, but despite the fear and uncertainty, Lexi chose to continue her pregnancy and gave birth via cesarean section.

Today, her son is fourteen years old, healthy, and thriving.

Two years later, Lexi became pregnant again, but her second pregnancy ended in tragedy. Throughout her prenatal care, she repeatedly voiced concerns that something was wrong, yet her symptoms were dismissed by providers. Her baby was ultimately stillborn due to severe undiagnosed IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction).

After these two birth experiences, Lexi lost trust in the mainstream maternity care system and turned to midwifery care for her future pregnancies. In this episode, she shares her journey through pregnancy after loss, cesarean birth, stillbirth, VBAC after two cesareans (VBA2C), and ultimately achieving a healing home birth with a 10-pound baby!

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

Jes shares the brutal, raw, and ultimately hopeful story of experiencing two premature births and navigating the NICU with both of her babies. Her first baby was born at 27 weeks, and her second at 30 weeks, leading to two deeply emotional NICU journeys that changed her forever.

She opens up about birth trauma, motherhood after premature birth, and what it's really like to parent preemie babies through long NICU stays. Jes shares her story to inspire other mothers, and, most of all, so another NICU mom listening can feel a little less alone. You can find the book Jes wrote about her experience here:

NICU Mamahood: The Musings of a NICU Mama

Find Jes on Facebook

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

When Samantha became pregnant with her first baby, she was already working as a doula and felt more familiar with birth than most first-time mothers. She planned a home birth with a midwife, but after a long labor she transferred to the hospital. There, her experience was deeply impacted by a nurse who yelled at her during the pushing phase. Although her baby was born healthy, Samantha struggled with severe postpartum anxiety after the birth.

For her second pregnancy, Samantha chose a new midwife and planned another home birth. Once again, she transferred to the hospital near the end of labor, but this time the experience was completely different because she was the one making the decisions.

At the hospital, Samantha began having panic attacks during contractions and ultimately decided she wanted a cesarean birth. Even though there was no medical emergency, the staff respected her wishes and supported her choice. In this episode, Samantha shares how an empowered hospital transfer and maternal autonomy turned her second birth, and cesarean experience, into something deeply healing and unexpectedly beautiful.

Find Samantha on Instagram @Samantha_yeaton_

Samantha's Website

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

Liz is a death doula, medium, and spiritual guide. She is also a mother who has walked intimately with grief. On her first appearance on this podcast, she shared the heartbreaking and beautiful story of her daughter's pregnancy and stillbirth, which you can listen to here.

Even while still grieving her loss, Liz felt the presence of another baby who wanted to come through. And as soon as she and her partner said yes, she became pregnant again. The pregnancy was magical and regenerative for her, though not completely without fear. But deep down, Liz felt peace.

Her baby, Luzy, was born at home after a marathon six-day labor that culminated in orgasmic bliss. But Liz's postpartum joy was interrupted by grief once again when, just ten days after the birth, her partner was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed shortly thereafter — an experience she doula'd him through.

Liz's story is one of grief, joy, embodiment, and spiritual integration. And of learning to remain open to life even in the wake of profound loss.

Liz's Website

Find Liz on Substack

Liz on Instagram

Liz on Facebook

Liz on YouTube

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

This is part two of Kirsten's story. If you haven't already heard part one, check it out here.

By the time Kirsten became pregnant with her second baby, her family had followed a dream and moved off grid to a tiny cabin in the Maine wilderness. Living without running water and facing a long, solitary drive up a mountain to reach their home, Kirsten felt fortunate to find a midwife willing to work with her under those circumstances. But each time she had a scheduled prenatal appointment, she found herself not wanting to go. Eventually, she made peace with the fact that she did not really want a midwife this time and began considering a more intuitive, independent birth experience.

She spent her pregnancy immersed in nature and busy chasing her toddler, embracing the rhythms of off-grid living. Then one night, as the season shifted into spring and the whippoorwills sang, Kirsten welcomed her baby in a peaceful, easeful freebirth at home, surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness.

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

When Kirsten became pregnant with her first baby, she and her partner knew they wanted a home birth. She hired a team of midwives to support her care, but her plans hit a bump when an ultrasound suggested her baby was too small. Deep down, Kirsten felt confident her baby was fine, and, after multiple follow-up scans, her baby's growth was shown to be on track.

Kirsten went on to deliver at home as planned, surrounded by her midwives, her best friend, and her husband. But the immediate postpartum period was handled in a way that left her unable to speak about the experience for a long time.

This is only part one of Kirsten's story. Tune in next week for part two!

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto

Jackie entered her pregnancy with an unquestioning faith that the medical system knew best how to manage her care, and ensure the safe delivery of her baby. During prenatal discussions with her doctor, she made it clear from the start, before she had ever felt a single contraction, that she wanted an epidural.

When labor began, she opted for the epidural as soon as she was able, but experienced a debilitating, full-body allergic reaction to the medication. Her baby was born healthy, but the experience left her feeling that she had not been given full informed consent. The effects of the reaction lingered, and her healing extended well into the postpartum period.

If you love the show, I would greatly appreciate a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

Follow me on Instagram @healingbirth

Do you have a birth story you'd like to share on the podcast, or would like to otherwise connect? I love to hear from you! Send me a note at [email protected]

Intro / Outro music: Dreams by Markvard

Podcast cover photo by Karina Jensen @karinajensenphoto