Empowering Postpartum with Jessi Sletten

Navigating Waterbirth: Safety, Options, and Advocacy (Feat. Jennifer Grieco)

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🌊 In this episode of Empowering Postpartum I had the privilege of interviewing Midwife Jen Grieco Desmarais, CPM, RM about waterbirth.🌊

We discussed the safety and benefits of waterbirth, physiological aspects of babies born in water, and the importance of informed decision-making in birth options. This episode offers valuable information for expectant parents considering waterbirth or seeking a more empowering birth experience. 🤰🌊 🤱

About Our Guest:

With over 15 years of midwifery experience, Jennifer Grieco has dedicated her life to supporting families throughout many of life’s significant events, but especially through the sacred journey of childbirth. Her midwifery approach is rooted in the belief that birth is not simply a physical event but soul work, a co-creation of a deeply personal and empowering experience. Jen stands by the principle that every individual's body, baby, and choices deserve utmost respect, advocating for a prenatal, birth and postpartum experience that is safe and protected. Her passion is waterbirth and she loves educating families on the safety and positive benefits/outcomes from a waterbirth experience. When Jen is not attending births, she is busy educating midwifery students to ensure that the next generation of birth stewards continue with the knowledge, safety and respect that she so deeply instills in anyone she works with.

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Show Notes:

Introduction (01:45)

Guest Jennifer Griego, midwife with 15+ years of experience (01:28)

Jennifer's journey into midwifery

  • Started as a nurse, then became a certified professional midwife

  • Personal experience with different birth scenarios, including waterbirth

    • Safety of waterbirth (04:31)

    • Controversial topic, but studies support its safety

    • Requires knowledge and trust in the process

    • Benefits of laboring in water (07:14)

      • Physiological aspects of waterbirth (15:28)

      • How babies transition from placental perfusion to breathing

      • Trigeminal nerve and initiation of first breath

        • Exploring birth options and informed decision-making (22:54)

        • Importance of researching different birth environments

        • Considering personal comfort and safety

          • Importance of partner involvement in birth planning (25:40)

          • Communication and shared decision-making

          • Partner's role in advocacy and support

            • Selecting the right birth team and provider (28:13)

            • Interviewing potential providers

            • Importance of feeling respected and heard

              • Healing potential of waterbirth for trauma survivors (34:31)

              • Creating a safe and empowering birth environment

                • Prenatal care and provider relationship (42:50)

                • Jennifer's approach: hour-long prenatal visits, 12-15 appointments

                • Addressing fears and emotional preparation for birth

                  • Postpartum care (44:01)

                  • Importance of multiple postpartum check-ins

                  • Connection between prenatal care, birth experience, and postpartum outcomes

                    • Connect with Jennifer Griego (45:14)

                    • Instagram

                    • Website

                      • ...more
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                      Empowering Postpartum with Jessi SlettenBy Jessi Sletten