The C-Spot: A Podcast about C-Sections

During this episode, I connected with Courtney - a Mama of three who has had 3 unplanned C-sections. Her first C-section was a result of being diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. Although her doctors attempted to induce labor, the interventions to manage induction along with the side effects from HELLP syndrome resulted in a C-section under general anesthesia. She attempted a VBAC with her second baby - after an induction at 41 weeks pregnant, Courtney's birth experience also resulted in a C-section. With her third baby, we talked about doing "all the things" to prepare for a VBA2C, but she developed preeclampsia at 38 weeks, which led to her third C-section.

Some of the topics discussed include HELLP syndrome, unplanned C-sections, general anesthesia, dealing with the ebbs and flows of not having the birth experience we hoped for, and the importance of doula support during a C-section, whether it is planned or unplanned, and the advantages of a birth plan.

Courtney has now entered the birth world by becoming a doula. Courtney is dedicated to helping mamas find the balance between tapping into natural aspects of childbirth without dismissing the advantages of interventions (when necessary). She offers a package to families who have a planned C-section, as a doula can still be helpful in this instance. If you'd like to connect with Courtney to discuss her birth stories and mission to support other moms, feel free to follow her at @courtneydavella!

Episode 13 features Becca, an amazing Mama of three boys. Becca and I discovered that we had quite a bit in common - on top of both of us having three sons, we have also both had 3 C-sections. Becca's first C-section began as an induction at 42 weeks; her son was experiencing heart rate decels and labor was not progressing. After this C-section, her recovery was complicated due to needing wound care for several weeks. When Becca became pregnant with her second son, she was determined to achieve a VBAC. Halfway through her pregnancy, she discovered that she had complete placenta previa - which self corrected within a couple of months! After going into labor and dilating to 10 centimeters, her baby boy did not descend into the birth canal - she pushed for 6 hours before her medical team decided it was time for another C-section. Her third C-section, a planned surgery, resulted in an emergency Cesarean hysterectomy due to having placenta accreta.

Some of the topics discussed in this episode include placenta previa, placenta accreta, hysterectomy, being informed of risks associated with C-sections, postpartum depression, birth trauma, and healing. Becca credits a lot of her healing to the work she did with a wound healing therapist. She learned that a lot of women tend to hold trauma and pain in their womb space, whether or not you've had a hysterectomy.

Becca is the founder of Holistic Obsession. She is a functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner and a board-certified holistic health practitioner. She uses her knowledge about the body's physiology to educate women on the importance of hormone balance and gut health and how it relates to mood, brain function, inflammation, and chronic pain, just to name a few. If you'd like to chat more with Becca about hormone support + reversing burnout, please follow her on Instagram at @myholisticobsession.

Our guest for Episode 12 is Sara, a Mama of three beautiful babies. Sara experienced a vaginal birth with her first child, but, while she was in labor with her second child, she found out - at 8 centimeters dilated - that her baby was transverse. This resulted in her first unplanned C-section, with an internal vertical incision. Sara had a planned C-section for her third baby at 37 weeks due to the nature of the first C-section. While listening to Sara's story, you will discover that her two C-sections were completely different experiences. Her second C-section resulted in a pulmonary embolism, which is a condition where an artery in the lung is blocked by a blood clot.

Some of the topics discussed in this episode include vaginal birth, NICU, planned vs. unplanned C-sections, the importance of self-advocacy, listening to your body's signs if you may be experiencing a medical emergency, the difference in medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unexpected outcomes in childbirth.

If you'd like to learn more about Sara and her birth experiences, feel free to follow her at @heysaramakk!

This episode features a chat I had with Amy about her C-section experience in April 2021. Amy and I were both Science teachers at the same middle school, and I remember when she and her wife were expecting their daughter a few years ago. Amy talked about having her daughter at 32 weeks after being diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. This podcast episode was recorded a couple of months after the death of Tori Bowie, an Olympic athlete who died from complications due to childbirth. It is suspected that Tori died from eclampsia and possibly even HELLP syndrome.

Some of the topics discussed include the warning signs of HELLP syndrome, navigating pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, mourning the experiences that you may not get due to a preterm delivery + medical complication, an extended NICU stay, focusing on the positive moments in an unexpected situation, and learning that a C-section may not always be traumatizing or a negative event.

One topic that resonated with me as I talked with Amy is the importance of knowing that so many factors of childbirth are not within our control. It is perfectly fine to plan the birth of your dreams, but it is also helpful to know that parts of your birth plan may change, but it does not mean that you are a failure. It is also okay to mourn the birth that you did not get as well. For Moms that would like to learn more about HELLP syndrome and Amy's C-section, feel free to follow Amy on Instagram at @amseybeth!

Our guest for Episode 10 is Elizabeth, a Mama warrior who experienced two vaginal births before needing an emergency C-section at 38 weeks with her third child due to HELLP syndrome. HELLP syndrome, which stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets, is a rare, severe type of preeclampsia that affects the blood and liver. It can be life threatening for Mama and baby. Elizabeth discusses a whirlwind of emotions with this unexpected diagnosis during the COVID pandemic, from being sedated for her C-section to her baby needing a NICU stay.

Some of the topics we talked about include traumatic birth, recovering from HELLP syndrome, juggling motherhood with other children in the midst of tending to a baby in the NICU, medical knowledge about labor and childbirth, changing your mindset after a traumatic experience, and relinquishing control and leaning into supportive loved ones. Elizabeth shared that her mindset shift was so important in her healing journey - she looks at this experience as a moment in time that does not define her as a mother or her relationship with her son. This conversation was truly eye-opening for me as I am healing from my traumatic birth experiences as well.

Elizabeth is a certified manifestation + mindset coach and is the founder of Surreal Dawn. Her mission is to help moms who may have lost themselves to reclaim their power and use the art of manifestation to create a dream life. To find out more about Elizabeth and Surreal Dawn, go ahead and follow her at @thesurrealdawn!

Are you a Mama that had a vaginal birth with your first child but ended up with a C-section for your second child? Episode 9 highlights Katie's birth experiences: Katie was able to experience a vaginal birth with her first son, but had to have a C-section two years later with her second son at 36 weeks due to having a complete placenta previa. Katie is an RN and was a labor and delivery nurse for over 6 years, and she actually gave birth on the labor and delivery unit that she worked in! Due to the early delivery of her son, he needed to stay in the NICU and was eventually transferred to a larger hospital that could provide more neonatal support.

Some of the topics discussed in this episode include mental preparation for a C-section after having a vaginal birth, planned C-sections vs unplanned C-sections, placenta previa, NICU admission, being in "survival mode" after becoming a mom, giving kudos to our bodies and what it goes through to carry and birth babies, birth education, the ability to have some control over your C-section experience, and giving yourself grace as you navigate postpartum life.

Katie now works in a OB/GYN office and has her own childbirth education business. She offers in person and virtual classes that discuss labor preparation, hospital births vs. home births, pain management. She wants to make sure moms are aware of all their options and using information to make informed choices. Additionally, she also teaches "Spinning Babies" parent classes and she is a prenatal nutrition coach. If you're looking for a childbirth education resource and if you would like to hear more about Katie's mission to help mamas, please follow her on Instagram at @katieschildbirthed!

This conversation with Paige about her C-section journey was beyond eye opening for me. Paige reached out to me on the day that my first episode aired to congratulate me on starting this podcast and the strong need for supportive communities for women who have had C-sections. She also mentioned that she could relate to my C-section stories on such a deep level, because she, too, has had 3 C-sections and attempted a VBAC and VBA2C.

Some of the topics that we talk about are choosing and fighting for healing after traumatic experiences, the importance of vulnerability while trying to put the pieces back together, the necessity that women come together to support one another, scar tissue and how it can impact labor and childbirth, and your spirituality with God while mourning the birth experience you did not get. 

Since her C-sections, Paige has been very intentional about self-love and realizing her strength through her birth journey. Paige is a transcriber for The VBAC Link podcast, and she is also an admin for "CBAC Support - The VBAC Link Community", which strives to help moms who did not get the VBAC experience they had hoped for. Paige also is in the process of becoming a doula, as she wants to help other moms assert themselves to fight for the birth that they want and honoring all birth stories, whether that is a VBAC or a C-section. 

For more information on Paige's episode and her journey through her C-sections, healing, and becoming a doula, you can find her at @paigenicolelloyd!

This episode is featuring a wife and a Mama of three that is all about empowerment and embracing your body and all the wonderful + hard things it has done to birth your babies. I linked up with my girl, Eleanor, to talk about her experience with C-sections, as well as the community she created for moms.

Eleanor's first birth experience was an induction due to pre-eclampsia that led to a C-section. After this experience, Eleanor chose to have two more planned C-sections. Some of the topics discussed include the importance of trusting your OB, the necessity for medical providers to listen to their patients, recovery tips after having a C-section, making the decision to have a planned C-section, perinatal depression, and embracing your mom bod.

Eleanor is a body positivity + self-care advocate, nurse, and a women's health + wellness coach. She has a passion for women’s health and specializes in working with moms who struggle with confidence, prioritizing their needs, and taking care of themselves. Through her step-by-step process, moms are transformed from the inside out by implementing positive mindset shifts and healthy lifestyle habits into their busy lives. She also founded Embrace the Mom Bod and National Mom Bod Day, which is on July 31st of every year! Embrace the Mom Bod is a platform created to empower moms to embrace and love their new selves + bodies from the inside out and inspiring moms to love the journey of discovering their new selves instead of only focusing on the destination. For more information on Embrace the Mom Bod, please follow on Instagram @embracethemombod!

I had the pleasure of connecting with Kimberly as she discussed her C-section that took place 25 years ago. Her C-section unexpectedly took place after being induced and being diagnosed with a "bad placenta". After her C-section, Kimberly struggled with C-section recovery and postpartum depression along with being a single mother after ending a tumultuous relationship with her daughter's father. 

Some of the topics discussed include the lack of knowledge of what happens during a C-section, a lack of support from family and friends, the limited information on dealing with postpartum depression in the late 90's, and giving yourself grace as you navigate being a new mother along with dealing with a toxic relationship.

Despite going through these trials and tribulations, Kimberly has thrived as a mother by remaining present in the moment and practicing mindfulness. Kimberly is also a memoir writing expert and a life/wellness coach. If you'd like to follow Kimberly on Instagram and learn more about her story and business, please follow her at @therealkimberly.henry or visit her website at kimberlyhenrycoaching.com!

Petra's VBA3C story is one of the best examples of self-advocacy, transformation, and healing in your pregnancy and birth journey. Petra's first birth experience was an "emergency" C-section as a young teen. After having her daughter, Petra had two more C-sections due to placenta previa (2nd C-section) and lack of education and support on having a vaginal birth after multiple C-sections (3rd C-section). When Petra became pregnant with her 4th child, she was determined to have a VBA3C (Vaginal Birth after 3 Cesareans) - she joined her local ICAN chapter, switched providers, did her research on vaginal birth after multiple C-sections, and stood her ground when her providers were unsupportive of her birth desires.

Four weeks after having a successful and healing VBA3C, Petra decided to become a doula to help support moms through pregnancy and childbirth. It is her calling to help mothers reclaim their birth, especially in situations where a mom may have previously felt defeated from their C-sections and for moms who want to experience a VBAC. Petra is also the host of "The Birth Junkie" podcast, where she discusses all things pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and more!

If you'd like to get more information on Petra's birth stories, podcast, and doula work, you can follow her on Instagram at @thebirthjunkiepodcast and @birthing_come_true!