Motherbirth

Today’s guest, Vanessa Evigan, was uncertain about her ability to conceive, given she was a bit older than most women who are interested in getting pregnant. As it turned out, she and her partner got pregnant on their very first try during their honeymoon.

After her first gestational diabetes test resulted in a negative, she started becoming ill to the point that she feared losing her baby.  After another test confirming she did indeed have gestational diabetes, Vanessa embarked on a journey of reconciling her very health-conscious lifestyle with the unexpected outcome of facing a serious health condition.   Finding support through the community of her blog, Her Morning Coffee, she was able to manage her diabetes well and maintain a positive attitude.

She and her partner decided to work with a doula to help birth go smoothly. She never anticipated that even though her healthy son was ultimately born via C-section, that the support she received from her doula both during and after birth were invaluable.

We get into how facing gestational diabetes, an unexpected and unwanted c-section and postpartum depression have helped her to learn that the motherhood experience is more than our ability to control our health or our relationships.  Seeking support and being gracious and present with ourselves is the key to finding joy and fulfillment even when things don’t go like we expect them too.

*In This Episode:

Becoming pregnant and having a child later in life

*Show Notes:

Her Morning Coffee

Onsite Workshops

“Birthing Abroad” Motherbirth Podcast

It’s a girl! On Valentine’s Day last year Mellisa welcomed a beautiful baby daughter into the world and into her family where she was meant to be. During this episode, Mellisa recounts her pregnancies, births, and losses. She shares how years of deep personal work and the support of community helped her build the confidence to trust her body again after a devastating full term stillbirth and multiple miscarriage.

Throughout 5 pregnancies, 3 births and 2 babies, Mellisa has been emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually shaken and forced to evaluate what she really believes about birth and motherhood. So, how did she move from a space of utter brokenness to the decision to continue trying even though though there are no guarantees? Her courage came from cultivating an inner knowing that she was meant to be a mother and that her body was not broken.

We are so excited to share this final chapter in Mellisa’s story with you today - so many of you have been part of it and part of encouraging her throughout her journey.

If you have experienced loss and want to learn how to trust your body again, Mellisa is launching a new program based on her experiences that includes group & one-on-one coaching, grief exploration, confidence-building exercises and community support. Email her at [email protected] if you are interested in more info!

In This Episode:

Show Notes:

Stitch Fix — Find a maternity stylist who will help you build your pregnancy and postpartum wardrobe delivered right to your door.

Motherbirth Podcast — Mellisa’s Story: Part 1 - Episode 31 & Part 2- Episode 32

Email [email protected] for information about Mellisa’s new program: Trusting Your Body Again After Loss

Today’s guest, Hannah Eloge, has always wanted to be a mother. So much so, that she obtained her degree in Education with the idea that her work schedule could easily accommodate having children. Her heart moved towards adoption and creating a family that was a little different than the social norm after seeing many children without a family during her first trip to Africa. After many discussions, she and her partner decided to create a profile book to share with expectant mothers preparing for adoption as they transitioned into a ‘Waiting Family.’

As Hannah searched for help to create her profile book, she recognized the gaps of information available and the lack of community for people who yearned to know more about the adoption process and the experiences of other adoptive families. Hannah founded Kindred & Co., a community designed to help women connect and share their stories about the adoption process, as well as provide assistance in putting together effective profile books for expectant adoptive families.

After an adoption experience filled with miracles and coincidences, Hannah and her partner are now parents of twin girls and they have a life-long open adoption agreement with the birth mother.

Hannah shares her emotional journey with all of its unexpected turns and the joy of experiencing a strong bond with her daughters birth mother, something she never expected.  Her story is truly full of magic and wonderful reminders that family can look so many different ways.

In This Episode:

● How Hannah overcame the fear of adoption

● The importance of choosing an ethical adoption agency

● The experience of raising babies in a medical school family

● The differences of adopting internationally and domestically

● How an open adoption allows a birth mother to be part of the family

● How being in the delivery room during the birth can impact the adoptive parents

● The cultural aspects of adopting transracial children

● How a mother’s instinct emerges no matter how she built her family

Show Notes:

Stitch Fix - Find a maternity stylist who will help you build your pregnancy and postpartum wardrobe delivered right to your door.

Kindred & Co.

No matter how your baby comes into this world, it’s an amazing opportunity to share your life, your joy, and your love. Today’s guest, Austie Eckley loves having babies and being a mother. Her birthing experiences are as varied as the children she brought into the world. She and her partner have experienced completing a birth plan with barely a glitch, learning they were pregnant with twins 20-weeks in, delivering those twins prematurely at only 28-weeks, and a sunny side up gender surprise.

Looking back at it all, Austie says trusting her instincts and listening to her body lent confidence to her motherhood experience. The community outpouring of kindness and support she received during the twins’ extended stay in NICU gave her a new appreciation for helping other mothers during trying times. Her non-profit organization Twenty Eight and Six is a testament to her desire to provide support to other families with children in the NICU through comfort, connection & financial assistance.

Austie shares her story with a gentleness and grace that reflects her mothering style - her perspective on the joy of motherhood despite the challenges and surprises will inspire you!

In This Episode:

● The fear a mother feels during a premature birth

● How community support can make a difference to a new mom

● The importance of ‘kangaroo care’ for premature infants

● Sharing joy and love with any baby that comes into your life

● How a simple scarf can provide new mothers with privacy while pumping

● How trusting your natural instincts can enhance your motherhood experience

● Her experience with the scare of food apnea

Show Notes:

Birthing Stone — Baby Sleep Program

Twenty Eight and Six

Twenty Eight and Six on Facebook

@TwentyEightandSix on Instagram

When you are on the right path you don’t always recognize it at first. Roadblocks often seem like the perfect place to give up. Laura, the co-host of the Motherbirth podcast, didn’t give up. She has been pursuing her life’s calling of becoming a nurse-midwife for years. During this episode, Laura shares the intimate details of her personal journey, her ups and downs, how her determination has paid off, and the reason she energetically advocates for women’s healthcare issues.

Laura believes passionately in the midwifery model of care.  She would like to see all women receive the support of a midwife or doula offers in terms of holistic care.  Throughout her challenging journey to be able to provide this kind of care to women herself, Laura has worked as a doula, labor and delivery nurse, and is now finishing her doctorate in Midwifery.   Advocacy on behalf of immigrants, minorities and people without access to health care is a big part of her her work and the passion that she cultivates daily in her education and practice as a birthworker.

Hearing behind the scenes of how Laura got to where she is today and how she is able to bring so much wisdom and experience to Motherbirth was a true joy; and we know you will love learning more about her journey too!

In This Episode:

● How the role of a midwife differs from an OB/GYN

● How laws for midwives differ by state

● The importance of engaging in women’s healthcare rights

● The close personal relationship between a doula and a mother-to-be

● How women should trust their intuition and their bodies

● How a culture shift is needed in the U.S. surrounding women’s healthcare rights

● How insurance companies treat women differently than men

Show Notes:

Birthing Stone — Baby Sleep Program

Birthingway College

American College of Nurse-Midwives

Today’s guest, Heng Ou, has had the unique experience of exploring postpartum customs in many different cultures. During her travels to Asia, India, and even in her mother’s home she observed levels of support and community given to new mothers that are not commonly practiced in Western households. In other cultures, family members live with the new mother during the fourth trimester, preparing nourishing meals and offering emotional support for both mother and child.

Heng wanted to give other women the same type of care and support so she started a food delivery service for new mothers. The nourishing meals she prepares are designed to heal new mothers from the inside out. Her project has grown into a lifestyle community and she co-authored the inspiring book, The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother.

Heng shares the stories of her own births and how much of a difference it made when she was taken care of in the weeks after her birth - resulting in an incredibly quick physical recovery and no postpartum depression in comparison with her other births.  Heng speaks from the heart and her personal experience will resonate with every mother.

In This Episode:

● Understanding the mental, physical and emotional needs of a new mother

● How support from friends and family is invaluable during postpartum

● Which foods nourish new mothers and aid them in lactation and blood circulation

● How new mothers can be kinder and gentler to themselves

● How new mothers can ask for what they need

● Getting enough human connection during the first forty days after birth

● Finding support and a community

Show Notes:

MotherBees

The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother, by  Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, and Marisa Belger

Birthing Stone — Baby Sleep Program

In this episode, we explore healing our bodies and our minds through the uncharted territory that is a woman’s vagina. Guest, Kimberly Johnson, shares how she empowers herself and others to become physically, spiritually, emotionally, and sexually aware of their wants and needs during postpartum and offers empowerment tips for women who want to gain intimacy in their sexual relationships.

After giving birth, Kimberly was told she would need full surgical pelvic reconstruction to heal her pelvic floor. In addition, she had vaginal soreness, hemorrhoids, and lower back pain. Her attempts to gather information about healing herself by way of search engines and forums led her to unfriendly places. A turning point in her healing process came when she met a woman who practiced sexological bodywork.

After three sessions of an integrated practice of hands-on work and nervous system tracking Kimberly started to heal in both body and mind. The positive experience led her to investigate and study a mother’s physiological and emotional needs after birth and Somatic Experience Trauma Resolution Therapy.

In This Episode:

● Having conversations to create trust

● How to say what you want

● Removing blame and shame from intimacy

● What can trigger trauma

● How to reclaim your sex life after birth

● Being responsible for your own orgasm

● Finding a safe and supportive place to share anxieties

● The universal postpartum needs of every mother

● Bringing power back to your body

Show Notes:

MAGAMAMA

The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions and Restoring your Vitality, by Kimberly Ann Johnson

Scar Tissue Remediation

Wild Feminine

Trauma Healing

Pam England Birth Story Course

In this episode, we take a look back at the previous year and highlight three women who share about how building their families and giving birth gave them an invaluable gift; careers they are passionate about. For each of us, having a child is a unique experience. We want to learn as much as we possibly can to make the best choices for our family. When we don’t find what we’re looking for, some take it upon themselves to create the experience they find missing for others. That is what Jen McLellan, Steph Crowder, and Lauren Falconer did.

In Episode #5 with Jen McLellan, Jen shares how becoming a mom at a plus size left her at a loss when she searched for information online about pregnancy and birth.  Discovering that there was a complete lack of empowering and informative resources for plus size pregnant women, she set out to create the space she knew women needed.  Jen is now the best resource for plus-sized women online!

In Episode #4 with Steph Crowder, Steph describes how she experienced a transformation around her career perspective when she became a mom and found an amazing way to pursue meaningful work while being present as a mother.  You’ll be inspired by how Steph describes shifting her goals and habits to experience motherhood on her terms.

In Episode 17 with  Lauren Falconer, Lauren shares how she found the space in her pregnancy and birth to tap into her intuition and energy as a woman.  Realizing how empowering of an experience pregnancy and birth can be, she pursued becoming a yoga practitioner and childbirth educator to help other women discover their potential.  Lauren designed the incredible online childbirth education course “Spirit Birth”, a program that helps mamas consciously and lovingly prepare for any birth.

In This Episode:

● Achieving a deeper understanding of purpose and calling

● Becoming an entrepreneur

● Creating resources for others

● Finding a career you are passionate about

● Balancing a career and a family

● Embracing the season of creation

● Shifting into motherhood

Show Notes:

Plus Size Birth — Jen McLellan's site

Courage and Clarity Podcast with Steph Crowder

Lauren Falconer’s website

In this special episode, we chat with several guests who share insights about how they create family traditions that are in alignment with their beliefs and personal values and how they navigate through the trappings of cultural norms at this time of year.  We wanted to get their perspectives on how they focus on simplicity and intention instead of materialism  A common thread of all three of our conversations is that making the holidays your own is not just a one-time conversation with your kids or your partner. It is about sowing seeds and knowing every year is going to look a little different and every year is going to grow and change and develop, much like a family does.  That's a beautiful thing!

Rachel Jonat is an expert of minimal living and slowing down to take time for herself, her husband, and three children. She sets small goals for herself during the holidays and carefully considers the intention behind each gift given. Rachel is the author of three books. Her current book, The Joy of Doing Nothing, includes tips for people with busy lives on how to reset and restart their brains to find peace.

Megan Wilson is the mother of four. She and her husband create an intentional model for their children based on their core values. On her blog, Megan shares resources to draw upon to create a nature-based, Waldorf education in the home. Her seasonal guides include recipes, activities, and inspirations for parents and caregivers.

Phaedra Taylor and her husband purposefully add historical references to their holiday practices to give their two children a sense of belonging at a cultural and global level. Phaedra shares adventures and stories in her creative art series based on being human.

We adored these conversations and know that they will give you inspiration and confidence to branch out and create your own traditions, regardless of what you’ve done in the past!

In This Episode:

● Tips for keeping gift giving simple

● How to approach the subject of simple gift giving with friends and family members

● How to talk with your children about making gifts intentional

● How to make the holidays more about connection than gifts

● How to add spiritual practices to the season

● How to cultivate curiosity in kids

● Adding historical references to current cultural practices

● Incorporating the natural world by making handmade gifts

● Celebrating the joy of simply being together

Show Notes:

The Minimalist Mom

The Joy of Doing Nothing: A Real-Life Guide to Stepping Back, Slowing Down, and Creating a Simpler, Joy-Filled Life, by Rachel Jonat

Whole Family Rhythms

Whole Family Rhythms Seasonal Guides

Phaedra Jean Art Machine

Two years ago, Breena Bard’s first son was born, an experience she calls comedic inspiration. Her birth plan didn’t include any of the challenges she faced. She had intended to have an unmedicated delivery but after days of painstaking labor due to the position of her son’s head in her pelvis, Breena and her OB decided it would be best to have a Cesarean. Breena’s difficult postpartum recovery, both physically and emotionally, was a catalyst for opening up about the challenges of embracing becoming a mom.

Breena has often considered the parallels between a birthing experience and the creative experience. Before her son’s birth, she would gestate a creative idea and when it came to fruition she would compare the experience to giving birth. There is no trial run in either experience. Breena and her husband joke that their story was a flow-chart for all the different things that can happen during labor and delivery.

During the first six months of being a mother, Breena was able to integrate her creative passion with new motherhood by writing and illustrating, Hey Baby: A Comic Memoir About Becoming a Mom, a graphic novel many readers are finding therapeutic.  We loved Breena’s candid and humorous take on motherhood, and the way she has found deep joy and meaning in her life as a mama.

In This Episode:

● Not identifying with the birth goddess persona

● Before her son’s birth, thinking she would put aside her creative ambitions and focus solely on being a mom

● Being in labor for days and pushing for three hours before she decided to have a Cesarean

● How trouble initiating breastfeeding contributed to a difficult postpartum transition

● Realizing her creative energy was always there hinting she should write about her journey

● Discovering through releasing Hey Baby that her readers identify with her journey and find comfort in reading the book

● Feeling so much better prepared for birthing her second child after her painful first birthing experience

Show Notes:

Earth Mama Organics — This Week’s Sponsor offers a free personalized “Lying-in” Postpartum Recovery Plan

Breena Bard

Buy Hey Baby: A Comic Memoir About Becoming a Mother