Our Village Circle

Meet Tracy Donegan, a hospital trained midwife, lactation educator and birth doula, who enjoys working closely with parents to help them have the safest, healthiest positive experience possible no matter what kind of birth they’re planning. She has two boys and resides in Round Rock, TX, but she hails originally from Ireland, where she started the nation’s first professional doula service.

She is the Founder of GentleBirth, the pregnancy brain training App and program for birth, that will build your confidence and reduce your fear as the big day approaches.  I used this app and its accompanying contraction timer with my second pregnancy, and it was a godsend.

She’s also the creator of the FertileMind app, the world's first app to support you emotionally on your path to parenthood.

She’s also the author of Mindful Breastfeeding: A Mind-Body Approach to Less Pain, Less Overwhelm and More Milk, and the accompanying Mindful Breastfeeding Program, to simplify the breastfeeding process and bring it back to its purest form.

In today’s discussion, part 1 of our 2 part series, we launch into Tracy’s journey to birth work, mindfulness in pregnancy and birth as Trauma Prevention, and resilience training for all stages of life.

Today's episode is sponsored by the Ava Bracelet.

Shop Ava Fertility HERE.

RESOURCES:

Gentle Birth App

Fertile Mind App

Tracy's Book : Mindful Breastfeeding: A Mind-Body Approach to Less Pain, Less Overwhelm and More Milk

CONNECT WITH TRACY:

Instagram: @gentlebirthofficial

Visit Tracy's Website

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Subscribe and review our podcast, and share with anyone you feel may benefit.

We are on Instagram:  @ourvillagecircle

Visit our website: www.ourvillagecircle.com

We made it!  Welcome to the final episode of Season 2 of the Our Village Circle Podcast.  If you joined us last time, you heard the story of my second pregnancy and early labor, leading up to our arrival at the freestanding birth center we chose to receive our care from.  Today, we continue with the birth story of my youngest son Allen (who will be turning one very soon), and our postpartum experience under the care of Midwives.

Today's episode is sponsored by Willow Pump and Kindred Bravely.

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RESOURCES:

Jaely’s First Birth Story Episodes:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Books:

The Missing Peace in Childbirth, by Deborah Binun

The First Forty Days, by Heng Ou

Other Resources:

Premier Birth Center - Chantilly, VA

Serola Belt for SI Pain in Pregnancy

Positive Birth Company Hypnobirthing Pack

Gentle Birth App

Easy Contraction Timer

Motherboard for Birth Planning

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit.

We’re on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle .

Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

It’s finally here! Coming up on my youngest son’s first birthday, I’m so excited to finally share with you all the story of my second pregnancy and birth.  As most of you know, I was pregnant with him as I recorded the first season of the podcast, and had him shortly after the final episode aired.  Now, a year later, you get to hear about my second experience, which was worlds different in many ways.  If you’d like some context for this story, you can go back to Season 1 and listen to Episodes 9 through 11 to hear the story of my first pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.  Today I’ll begin by talking you through my pregnancy, and the experience of going through my entire pregnancy under the care of midwives, my battle with Symphisis Pubis Dysfunction, some scary blood pressure moments at the end of my pregnancy, and my experience with prodromal labor, setting the stage for our next episode, where I’ll share the story of his birth and my postpartum.

Today's episode is sponsored by Ergobaby - CLICK HERE to take a brief survey to shop for the right baby carrier for you.

RESOURCES:

Jaely’s First Birth Story Episodes:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Books: 

The Missing Peace in Childbirth, by Deborah Binun

The First Forty Days, by Heng Ou

Other Resources:

Premier Birth Center - Chantilly, VA

Serola Belt for SI Pain in Pregnancy

Positive Birth Company Hypnobirthing Pack

Gentle Birth App

Easy Contraction Timer

Motherboard for Birth Planning

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit.

We’re on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle .

Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

In today’s episode, we continue our discussion with Jennifer Silliman, mother and co-producer of the award winning documentary film, Dark Side of the Full Moon,  which continues to change and save lives. She also hosts a podcast based off the same concept and continuing the conversation about maternal mental heath that’s certainly far from over, giving those who want to share their story a platform to do so, so others know they’re not alone.  In this second half of our 2-part collaboration between our podcasts, Jenn and I continue our discussion about the state of Maternal Health Care in the United States as it relates to mental health, and we’ll hear about the process of making the Dark Side of the Full Moon Documentary.  We’ll also share some important resources for folks who may be struggling with a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder, and how friends and family can help new parents.

Today's episode is sponsored by Kindred Bravely - SHOP HERE for 20% off your first purchase (certain exclusions apply, discount applied at checkout)

RESOURCES:

Postpartum Support International

Warm Line: 800.944.4773

Crisis Text Line

CONTACT JENNIFER:

Stream The Dark Side Of The Full Moon Documentary

Instagram: @ppdfilm

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit.

We’re on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle .

Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Jennifer Silliman, mother and co-producer of the award winning documentary film, Dark Side of the Full Moon,  which continues to change and save lives. She also hosts a podcast based off the same concept and continuing the conversation about maternal mental heath that’s certainly far from over, giving those who want to share their story a platform to do so, so others know they’re not alone.  On today’s episode, Part 1 of a 2-part collaboration between our two podcasts, Jenn and I discuss the state of Maternal Health Care in the United States as it relates to mental health, and I launch into my journey through my first postpartum - parts I have not shared in previous podcast episodes.

Today's episode is sponsored by Willow Pump and Kindred Bravely.

Shop Willow Pump HERE.

Get 20% off your first purchase from Kindred Bravely HERE.

RESOURCES:

Postpartum Support International

Warm Line: 800.944.4773

Crisis Text Line

CONTACT JENNIFER:

Stream The Dark Side Of The Full Moon Documentary

Instagram: @ppdfilm

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit.

We’re on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle .

Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Emily Geller, an Opera Singer based in Westchester NY and Mom of two.  You may recognize her story from Inside Edition, the Today Show, People Magazine, and a whole host of birth podcasts this past summer, when the news became viral of her daughter’s birth in their car on the highway after a 2.5 hour precipitous yet calm and empowering labor.

Today, she sits down and chats with us about how the birth of her first baby - a planned cesarean due to lack of access to a provider comfortable with vaginal breech - drove her to pursue and prepare for her VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). She talks us through her birth story, and what the aftermath of the experience was like for her with it becoming so public.

Today's episode is sponsored by Willow Pump and Kindred Bravely.

Shop Willow Pump HERE.

Get 20% off your first purchase from Kindred Bravely HERE.

RESOURCES:

Breech Without Borders

Coalition for Breech Birth

International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)

Connecticut Childbirth and Women’s Center

Spinning Babies Three Sisters of Balance

Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth

Lily Nichols: Real Food for Pregnancy

Gentle Birth App

Your Whole Baby

CONTACT EMILY:

Instagram:@ emilygeller

Website: https://www.emilygeller.com/

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit.

We’re on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle .

Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Loghan Bazan Wright, a classical singer, cycling instructor, and Mom from Pittsburgh, PA.  In today’s episode, part 2 of a 2-part series, Loghan shares with us her experience of seeking help for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, and her climb back up from rock bottom.  She reflects on what was most helpful for her, and together, we discuss cultural and societal expectations about postpartum, motherhood, and mental health.

Today's episode is sponsored by Ergobaby - Click HERE to take a short quiz and shop for the right carrier for you!

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

Megan with Empowering Moms (@empowering_mom) • Instagram photos and videos

Contact Loghan:

Instagram: @loghz

http://www.loghanbazan.com/

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LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit.

We’re on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle .

Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Loghan Wright, a classical singer, cycling instructor, and Mom from Pittsburgh, PA.  In today’s episode, part 1 of a 2-part series, Loghan shares with us her experience of going through her first pregnancy and birth during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  She shares with us her expectations, how her plans had to change as COVID ripped through the world, and the challenges she faced as a new parent in quarantine.

Today's epsiode is sponsored by Kindred Bravely - shop HERE for 20% off your first purchase (discount applied at checkout, certain exclusions apply)

Resources:

Crisis Text Line

Megan with Empowering Moms (@empowering_mom)

Contact Loghan:

Instagram: @loghz

http://www.loghanbazan.com/

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit.

We’re on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle.

Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com

Meet Roni Zelivinski, Certified Nurse Midwife and co-owner of Sage Midwifery PLLC, a practice dedicated to holistic and integrative home birth and health care for folks with uteruses and vaginas.  In this conversation, Roni shares her background and journey towards becoming a Midwife, how her experiences as a yoga instructor influence her practice, her philosophy and values about integrative well-person care, and how her and her business partner, Samantha Sewell, practice Midwifery.

This episode is sponsored by Kindred Bravely - Shop Here for 20% off your first purchase (applied at checkout, certain exclusions apply)

Resources:

The Fifth Vital Sign, by Alyssa Vitti

Taking Charge of Your Fertility, by Toni Weschler

Hormone Intelligence, by Avviva Romm

Contact Roni:

Instagram: @mystic.midwife

Sage Midwifery

Instagram: @sage_midwifery

LIKE WHAT YOU HEAR?

Feel free to follow, like, and share this podcast with anyone you feel may benefit.

We’re on Instagram and Facebook @ourvillagecircle.

Our website is www.ourvillagecircle.com