MyMaine Birth

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Are you a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth?  You’re in the right place! 

In this episode, we discuss:

• medically managed breech pregnancy care and a C-section experience
• processing disconnection after birth and rebuilding bonding through breastfeeding
• planning a hospital VBAC with a doula and staying hoe longer in labor
• how hospital coaching and limited options shape pushing autonomy ( or lack thereof..)
• hospital water labor without water birth and the exhaustion of advocating mid-contraction
• informed consent concerns around Pitocin for placenta delivery
• postpartum recovery realities including rest, meal support and co-sleeping
• choosing a Maine home birth midwife and feeling equal in care
• peaceful family centered home birth where Dad caught the baby just after they made the first call to their midwife to let her know labor was happening
• delayed cord clamping, cord cutting as a family and nursing
• how respectful care and feeling seen can prevent birth trauma
• ….and a whole lot more!

You can find Kelly on Instagarm @Cardinal.birth.movement

Stick around for the end - there are some little changes you'll notice coming to the podcast and one of those is the closing - this is the first episode featuring a beautiful new closing song "Walk of the Wild Ones" by Kate Sutherland. 

You can find Kate's community songs and deep nature connection work online at katesutherland.ca

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider. 

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Are you a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth?  You’re in the right place! 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Home birth in Maine
• Hannah's Three Birth Stories  - from a COVID-era hospital birth with the midwives at Maine General in Augusta, to two powerful home water births with care from her loving midwives from MotherSeed Midwifery - we talk through fear, logistics, postpartum anxiety, and what it looks like to "lean in and let go" when life with babies gets loud and messy.
• We get into how birth shapes your confidence, your marriage, and your mental health
• ….and a whole lot more!

Hannah's Midwives - MotherSeed Midwifery 

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider.

Send us Fan Mail

Are you a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth?  You’re in the right place! 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Choosing the midwifery team at the hospital in Ellsworth amid MDI OB unit closure and high costs of home birth midwifery services
• supplementing, acupuncture, and anemia infusions
• securing the FreshTest and challenging default policies
• home blood pressure data to counter white coat anxiety
• declining non-evidence-based interventions
• managing SPD, prodromal labor, and position work
• hospital admission on her terms and consent-first care
• hands and knees VBAC, minimal intervention, quick pushing time
• placenta choices, cord timing limits, cutting the cord herself
• postpartum tissue passage, prolapse scare, pelvic floor therapy
• tongue and lip ties, pumping rhythm, and donor milk
• holding grief and joy, practicing intuition, and trusting herself 
• doula support 
• ….and a whole lot more!

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com 

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider.

Send us Fan Mail

Are you a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth?  You’re in the right place! 

In this episode, we discuss:

• home birth in Maine
• finding a midwife after moving up the coast
• pregnancy while finishing a home build in winter
• early labor signs that felt like prodromal labor
• practical setup at home for birth
• water breaking on the toilet and rapid progress
• surprise freebirth - fetal ejection reflex leading to a surprise catch by Dad guided by a calm midwife's assistant, just before their midwife arrived
• placenta delivery without the planned Pitocin
• calmer postpartum through intentional planning 
• ….and a whole lot more!

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider. 

Send us Fan Mail

Are you a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth?  You’re in the right place! 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Home birth in Maine
• Midwifery care in Maine
• The benefits of working with home birth midwives and a supportive OB
• late-pregnancy bleed, monitoring, and reassurance
• labor beginning at work and rallying the team
• rapid active labor, meconium, and watchful midwifery care
• birth by the Christmas tree, delayed cord clamping, minimal tears
• postpartum at home, follow-up visits, and sibling bonding
• birth photography as a way to help piece back your memory of your birth story and gain clarity over your experience 
• ….and a whole lot more!

Show Resources

Olivia's Midwifery Team - MotherSeed Midwifery 

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider.

Send us Fan Mail

Are you a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth?  You’re in the right place! 

In Episode 145 Hannah is here to share her three births that move from a long induction and cesarean to an empowered VBAC and then to a breath-led hospital birth with a midwife where Hannah catches her own baby.  Along the way, we unpack postpartum mental health, provider choice, and practical tools that support healing.

In this episode, we discuss:

• first birth at 40+5 induction leading to cesarean and a hard postpartum
• postpartum rage, SSRI choice and learning limits
• discovering VBAC resources and switching to supportive care
• second pregnancy with doula, pitocin use in labor and then the use of an epidural as a tool to relax, leading to a successful VBAC
• golden hour, smoother recovery, clearer roles at home
• surprise third pregnancy and choosing nurse midwifery care
• late-term estimates challenged by hands on assessment
• spontaneous labor, movement, and breath-led pushing
• catching baby, immediate latch, 24-hour discharge
• postpartum setup with meals, and rest
• takeaways on mindset, provider fit, and asking for help

Show Notes

Some things Hannah thought of after recording this podcast that she also wanted to share was that during her third pregnancy she fell in love with breathwork.  Two of her friends recently became Breathwork instructors.  Their retreat gave her the time to focus on her birth intentions and mindset.  Her friend Amanda Delorme of  Pearl Holistic Health and she shared her birth stories in episode 79.  

Pearl Holistic Health - Connect with Amanda

Hear Amanda's Episode from Pearl Holistic Health with MyMaine Birth  Here 

Hannah's Doula for her second birth and first VBAC was Ariel Bernstein, you can connect with her on instagram @themidwifeariel  

Hear Ariel's First Episode with MyMaine Birth Here

Hear Ariel's Second Episode with MyMaine Birth Here

Hannah's Doula for her third birth and second VBAC was Corrine Morse 

Morse Doula Birth Coaching 

If you want to chat with Hannah more about her birth experiences, you can email her [email protected]   or you can connect with her over on Instagram @h_g_harding

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider. 

Send us Fan Mail

Ivy, a labor and delivery nurse shares four births that shaped her faith in her body and her care team, from a cleft diagnosis and cesarean to a healing VBAC and a swift boy-girl twin birth with a footling breech catch from her supportive doctor. We unpack preparation, provider choice, and how calm leadership keeps complex births safe and human.

In this episode, we discuss:

• cleft lip and palate found at 20 weeks, early planning and support
• first labor to cesarean after long pushing
• switching providers to pursue VBAC for her second birth 
• the value of laboring down and movement, for a healing VBAC
• discovering di-di twins 
• OR based twin delivery with Baby A born head down and Baby B born footling breech with the calm support of Dr. Claire Faggons 
• Immediate skin to skin, both babies born happy and healthy were able to remain on Ivy's chest after birth.   
• Postpartum village: meals, childcare and rest for recovery
• tandem breastfeeding logistics, nutrition, clogged duct awareness
• ….and a whole lot more!

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider.

Send us Fan Mail

In this Episode I'm joined by Alannah and her husband Cam as he shares how a traumatic hospital birth shaped their early parenthood. They then trace the long road to a calm, unassisted twin home birth where Cam caught both babies, including their daughter who was  breech.   The conversation turns to consent, repair, and what real partner support looks like before, during, and after birth.

In this episode we discuss:

• first birth expectations shaped by TV and hospital classes
• separation after birth and lack of consent or clarity
• retained placenta discovery and D&C under anesthesia
• processing avoidance versus vocal processing in partnership
• the weight of unsupported postpartum and surface help
• how birth work reframed hospital versus home risk
• deciding on a freebirth with twins under Maine law
• practical prep: roles, kids, tub, temperature, photography
• catching Baby A, double nuchal cord resolved by Cam
• Baby B breech with cord entanglement calmly untangled also by Cam
• Receiving the Light -  Holding the Charge - and the journey of transformation

Show Resources - 

Connect with Alannah  on Instagram or Facebook @BirthBodyPhotography

Or visit her website  BirthBodyPhotography.com

Connect with Alannah's husband Cam if you're looking for any exterior home services in the August, Maine area through his website  Finn Property Services

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider.

Send us Fan Mail

Are you a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth?  You’re in the right place! 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Twin Home birth in Maine - *after the new 2020 Midwifery Licensure Laws and Restrictions
• Twin reveal at ten weeks and immediate loss of her dream home birth being supported by her loving midwife 
• finding voice through birth photography and witnessing a free birth
• exploring options across state lines and with traveling support
• fast labor timeline with Baby A’s water birth at 36 plus 4
• Baby B footling breech, arms up, sunny side up, calm problem solving
• placentas in a bowl, delayed cord separation, family first moments
• managing blood loss, nutrition, and rest at home
• breastfeeding twins reality, tandem starts, nine months in
• advice on autonomy, intuition, and questioning norms
• Midwifery laws  and restrictions in Maine
• ….and a whole lot more!

Show Resources - 

You can connect with Alannah on Facebook or Instagram @BirthBodyPhotography or you can visit her website   BirthBodyPhotography.com 

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode Alannah shares her first three birth stories—one traumatic hospital birth marked by separation and silence, a fast unmedicated second that rebuilt trust, and a pandemic‑era third where advocacy met policy. The theme is voice: consent, clear communication, and support change outcomes and memories.

• membrane sweep at 40 weeks and unintended cascade
• birth plan ignored and epidural regret
• hemorrhage managed with poor consent and separation of baby
• rebuilding trust with a new team and doula
• fast second labor, physiologic pushing, golden hour protected
• pandemic policies, water labor, and the emergency button
• postpartum anxiety, under‑support, sleep, and nourishment

Show Resources

Find Alannah Finn and the services she offers at  BirthBodyPhotography.com

Find Alannah's Husband and the services he offers in the greater Augusta Maine area over at  FinnPropertyServices.com

Additional Resources you’ll LOVE…

MyMaineBirth.com 

If you are ready to prepare for an autonomous birth experience, where you’re respected as the authority over your body and your baby…  regardless of where you plan on birthing -
CLICK HERE for 10% off  the MyAutonomous Birth self-paced, online course! 

Not sure where to start?  I’ve got you covered!  Check out my FREE resource, 37 Questions to Ask Your Care Provider.   Whether you’re interviewing new providers or have already established care, this FREE resource offers guidance on important topics to discuss with your provider.