Labor Lessons

Alissa Alter is also known as the "Amy Poehler of Vaginas" for her unfiltered and unapologetic approach to exploring the female experience. She is a former Broadway performer, certified pilates instructor, pelvic health expert, comedian, author, host of the podcast Alter Your Life, and co founder of pstprtm.com

While in labor at the hospital, Alissa knew that something didn't feel right. She was feeling an incredible amount of pain in her back while laying in bed. Alissa didn't know it at the time, but she was having back labor.

Instead of being supported with other options, she was encouraged to get an epidural early. The epidural stalled her labor. Her son was sunny-side up and got stuck coming out. She ended up with two midwives pushing on her stomach and a fourth degree tear.

Alissa had severe bleeding and a very difficult postpartum recovery, physically and mentally. She felt incredibly alone in her experience, without a lot of resources or support. She also had severe PTSD and continually had flashbacks to her son's birth.

Despite such a traumatic birth, Alissa gives a humorous account of her experience. She describes how not okay she was,  how she lacked support, and how she began to heal. 

alteryourlife.substack.com
PSTPRTM

Also mentioned:
Ejaculate Responsibly- Gabrielle Blair


Leave a voice recording of your "Ridiculous Thing"

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Monica's first three labors got progressively shorter. The first one was around 7 hours long, the second one a few hours shorter, and her third labor lasted just 3 hours total.  With her third baby, Monica barely had enough time to make it to the hospital before her daughter was born!

Monica expected her fourth labor to be even faster. She told her doctor that she was going to sneeze and birth her baby. But you know what happens when you make plans...

Instead of a super quick labor, Monica's fourth was the longest. It lasted a full 12 hours, and her baby required a vacuum assist to be born.

In this episode, Monica shares how unprepared she was for her third labor, how that affected her expectations for her fourth, and how she and her husband were taught patience.

Monica's Website and Relationship Coaching
Secrets of Happily Ever After Podcast

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In Christie's first birth, she was treated like an assembly line part, not a first-time mom who was scared and had no birthing experience.  She didn't know how to advocate for herself. She trusted that the doctors and nurses would support her.

It was a traumatic experience for her.  The nurses treated her horribly, and she didn't feel like she mattered. She developed postpartum anxiety as a result. Christie worked hard to heal from that experience and wanted to make her second birth better.

For her second birth experience, Christie hired a doula. She wanted someone who knew how to and would advocate for her. She also switched from a hospital to a birthing center.

In this episode, Christie shares the trauma of her first birth experience, what she wished she would have known beforehand, and how she was able to make her second birth the one she always wanted.

Christie's Website- The Partnerhood

The Partnerhood Workbook

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Dr. Stephanie Rimka is a holistic brain optimization specialist. She built Brain and Body Solutions in Atlanta, Georgia, where she focuses on neurotherapies to identify and address the root causes of mental illness, chronic illness, and learning disorders.

In this episode, Dr. Rimka shares how copper toxicity can cause postpartum depression. During pregnancy, our need for copper rises. It helps create new blood vessels for both mom and baby. After giving birth, however, it is important for our bodies to clear out excess copper quickly.  If it hangs around, it can cause serious problems. Postpartum depression is one of those.

This is not a cause of PPD that your OB will know about. However, it is something that could easily be tested for before leaving the hospital. Listen in as Dr. Rimka shares about copper's role in the body, the importance during pregnancy, and how it contributes to PPD when your body can't get rid of it.

Dr. Rimka's website

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Walsh Institute
Nutrient Power- by William Walsh

Mensa Medical

PPD Help Resources:
Postpartum Progress
Postpartum Support International
National Child and Maternal Health Education Program 

*National Maternal Mental Health Hotline- 1-833-943-5746

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October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month.

Danielle had a stillbirth at 25 weeks of pregnancy. She was young, and was completely unaware of what her or her baby's rights were. In addition to being treated horribly, Danielle never received a birth certificate or a death certificate for her son.

Later, when Danielle was in nursing school, she learned that she could have advocated for her son, and that they both had rights. When a health condition arose with another pregnancy, Danielle did what she had to do for herself and her baby.

Danielle is now a nurse who is a fierce advocate for her patients. She stands up for people who are vulnerable or are in need of support. She does what no one did for her in one of her darkest times.

Authentic Points of View with Danielle Booher

Resources:
Navigating Baby Loss- Jennifer Senn
Expecting Rainbow- Justine Wan
Still a Part of Us- Winter and Lee Redd

I'll Hold You in Heaven-Jack Hayford

Weighted Bears
Walter's Bears
Molly Bears

Memory Bears
Tammy Bears
Hold A Memory Bears

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CA Kanooble is a comedian, author, podcast host, and mental health advocate. But before all that, she became a mom.

CA  expected a calm, supportive birthing environment for her first-time experience. But instead, she was neglected, disrespected, and uncared for. She still has long-lasting effects from the epidural that was improperly inserted multiple times.  Instead of wanting to remember every bit of becoming a mom, she wishes she could forget most of her experience.

In this episode, she shares how she wishes she was more prepared for giving birth, and had done more research on what to expect. She also shares the importance of having a strong support system, and how to make your voice heard during labor.
 

You can find CA Kanooble:
Her Website: https://www.cakanooble.com/
Her Mental Health Project: https://www.mentallykillproject.org/
Her Podcast: Hoe on the Go

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Anum struggled with being anxious before she became pregnant for the first time. She was so anxious, she would worry that she didn't have anything to worry about!

When she became pregnant with her first child, Anum worked to change her mindset. She told herself that everything was great, and that she would have an easy labor and delivery. And she did!

She has since implemented that positive mindset into every aspect of her life. She runs her own business, while caring for four kids, and she loves it. She says work doesn't feel like work.

Anum shares how she worked to change her mindset, and the impact it has had not only on her labor and delivery, but in her every day life. She also discusses some struggles she had staying positive with her second child, and the effect that had on her delivery.

You can find Aum on Facebook here, or you can schedule a free strategy session with her. 
 

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If you're pursuing a VBAC, you might have gotten the advice to find a supportive provider. But what does a VBAC supportive provider look like? How you do know if yours is one?

In this week's quick tip, I discuss what conditions might be placed on your labor by a provider that is not supportive. I also include what those conditions look like for a provider who is VBAC supportive. I also share how to find out your hospital and provider's VBAC and c-section rates. 

There is a great article by the VBAC Link on finding VBAC supportive providers.

I also recommend checking out your local ICAN group for information in your area.

Want to check out c-section and VBAC rates in your area? -Cesareanrates.org

And for my PA friends!

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Katie's first birth was an induction that ended in a c-section. Being in the medical field, she knew it was possible to have a vaginal birth after a c-section (VBAC). Katie knew she wanted a VBAC for her next child. 

When she got pregnant with her second baby, Katie told her doctors right away that she wanted to try for a vaginal birth. She scheduled a repeat c-section, but was hoping to be induced if she was able to. She went in on her repeat c-section date, and thanks to her doctor, was able to have a successful VBAC. 

Katie shares how she advocated for herself, how her doctor advocated for her, and offers advice to any women who would like to pursue a VBAC. 

LaborLessons.com

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Amanda had a lot of anxiety while pregnant with her first baby. People's comments about how big her baby might be contributed to her anxiety and her need to control things. Amanda's first birth experience was full of interventions and ended traumatically.

For her second pregnancy, Amanda knew she had to relax and trust her body to birth her baby. This time, she was able to advocate for herself, to be heard by her midwives, and to experience the calm and peaceful birth she desired the first time around. And she got it by letting go of control and trusting her body.

You can find Amanda at:
amandarolph.com

Also mentioned in this episode:
One born every minute
PANDAS Foundation

Follow me on Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/labor_lessons/

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