The MamasteFit Podcast

Today we chat with Chelsea, who will be sharing her unmedicated hospital birth where she felt empowered and supported by all involved; to include her provider, the hospital staff, as well as her birth team of her mom, sister, and partner. Roxanne breaks down the stages of labor and she and Chelsea discuss what made Chelsea’s relatively quick first birth experience so positive! 

0:00 Introductions

01:09 The Labor Timeline

06:47 How Chelsea Prepared for Birth

17:35 What Made the Experience Positive?

20:26 What Chelsea Wish She Knew in Advance

22:16 What is Precipitous Labor?

24:12 Chelsea’s Advice to Others

30:00 Gina and Roxanne discuss choosing your birth team

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Want to share your birth story on our podcast? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your birth story on our website! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prepare for your birth with us:

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we chat with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr. Addie Holzmann all about how you can train with your menstrual cycle. When it comes to training with your cycle, we're not necessarily going to be completely omitting exercises or completely modifying our workout routine. Rather, we want to recognize the different phases within our cycles, which hormones are at play and how they effect our training abilities, and know that our recovery needs may change. We can still do the same type of workouts throughout your entire cycle, but we may need to adjust the intensity to accommodate for our recovery needs.

Want to learn more with Addie?

Addie's website: https://neumephysio.com/

Addie's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/addie.seaman

Addie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addieholzmann/?hl=en

Addie's Podcast: https://dontbeataroundthebush.podbean.com/

If you'd like to read Gina's blogs about training for her cycle and her conception journey, check it out here: https://mamastefit.com/ttc-prep-understanding-your-cycle/

In this Episode:

0:00 Introductions

03:45 Training on your natural cycle or on non-hormonal birth control

07:45 The importance of nutrition for recovery and your cycle

08:37 The difference between male and female hormone cycles 

09:33 Learning how to track your cycle & ovulation

17:24 Examples of programming for your cycle 

21:46 How progesterone effects your training

23:42 How hormonal birth control effects your training

25:31 How your cycle hormones can effect your pelvic floor

30:04 Research VS Observation

33:56 Addie’s advice and recommendations 

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In today's episode, Jordin shares her pregnancy and birth story. During her pregnancy, she was dealing with some prenatal anxiety, concerned that something might be wrong with her son. Jordin shares tips on what helped her overcome her anxiety and put her mind at ease. Jordin goes on to experience a very fast labor (6 hours, total!) and with Gina by her side as doula, changes her birth plan at the hospital to opt for the epidural, which she describes as a major game changer! At the end of this episode, Gina and Roxanne share about their own journeys with prenatal anxiety and what they recommend you can do if you find yourself struggling with this relatively common issue.

0:00 Introductions

02:41 Dealing with Prenatal Anxiety

08:09 Jordin Asks for an Epidural

09:37 Getting the Shakes

10:03 Pushing & Baby’s Heart Rate Scare

13:31 The Positive Takeaways

15:11 What would Jordin do differently?

17:19 Jordin’s advice for others

18:48 Jordin’s favorite part of motherhood

21:04 Gina and Roxanne’s thoughts on prenatal anxiety 

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Want to share your birth story on our podcast? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your birth story on our website! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prepare for your birth with us:

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this episode, we're going to be breaking down what you need to know about choosing between VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean), and repeat C-sections. VBAC is an option for 30% of people who have previously given birth via C-section. Currently, in the United States, the C-section rate is around 30%, and of that 30%, a large majority are great candidates for a vaginal birth after C-section, if that is their choice. As always, we are supportive of whatever you decide is best for YOU and your family. If you want to have a VBAC or a repeat C-section that is for you to decide, and we support you in that choice! Our goal is to inform you of your options so you can feel empowered to make an educated choice for yourself. 

Check out the blog Gina refers to in the episode here: https://mamastefit.com/the-best-prenatal-exercise-to-prepare-for-birth-internal-rotation/

0:00 Introductions

1:38 What are VBAC and TOLAC?

02:47 The VBAC Calculator

06:24 Processing Prior Births

14:10 VBAC Prep: Scar Mobilization

16:28 VBAC Prep: Internal Rotation

20:21 VBAC Obstacles

28:56 Choosing a Repeat C-Section 

31:31 B.R.A.I.N.

33:06 Quick Recap of Main Points

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In today's episode, birth doula Tammy Ireland shares her two birth stories from the early 2000's. Her first baby was a hospital birth with an epidural, Pitocin, and a provider who was completely detached and disrespectful, leaving her filled with doubt and regret. Her second birth was a much more positive hospital birth experience, and both have really shaped how Tammy approaches her birth work as a doula. Tammy discusses how the hospital birth experience has really changed since had her own children, and the importance of listening to that mom gut intuition in birth and in motherhood.

0:00 Introductions

06:23 Tammy’s first birth story 

08:58 Tammy agrees to the epidural and Pitocin

24:35 Tammy’s second birth story, placenta previa, low fluids and a breech baby

26:24 Tammy goes past her due date and agrees to induction

28:46 How Tammy’s births influenced her birth work

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Want to share your birth story on our podcast? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your birth story on our website! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prepare for your birth with us:

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

In this special episode of the MamasteFit podcast, Roxanne shares her third birth story, the birth of Baby Joan! Roxanne gave birth in the hospital for her third baby. She had an unmedicated birth, but this birth was different than her previous ones and she shares how this mentally affected her during her labor. Roxanne did have a postpartum hemorrhage, and explains how this has affected her recovery after birth.

In This Episode:

0:00 Introduction

1:57 Psychic Premonitions!

2:54 Early Labor Starts

8:29 Time to Head to the Hospital

19:56 Comfort Measures for Active Labor

24:33 Pushing

32:40 Crowning

32:59 Welcome Baby Joan!

36:55 Postpartum hemorrhage

44:34 Roxanne Answers Listeners' Questions

Check out the Instagram Reels Roxanne made while in labor with Joan!

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**TRIGGER WARNING** Part of Holly's story involves her discussing struggling with thoughts of suicide and thoughts of harming her baby.

In this episode, Holly shares her unmedicated hospital birth after labor induction. Holly is also going to be sharing her postpartum story, during which she developed postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis that did results in an inpatient psychiatric treatment. Holly did opt to receive inpatient psychiatric treatment, and she is now thriving in motherhood!

We felt it was really important to share her story on our podcast because her story is going to save someone's life.

If you're experiencing new, severe or persistent symptoms, call a health care provider.

In this episode:

0:00 Introduction

3:49 Holly Pregnancy and Switching Providers 

7:16 Induction at 40 Weeks for IUGR

24:36 Holly’s early postpartum journey

31:31 Intrusive thoughts start to take over 

34:44 Realizing it’s time to get help

39:42 Checking into inpatient care

46:48 Transitioning back to life at home

51:03 Holly’s advice to others

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Want to share your birth story on our podcast? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your birth story on our website! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prepare for your birth with us:

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

We are honored to chat with Lakeesha Murphy-Spencer and Renee Harvey, two certified nurse midwives whom Roxanne worked with previously as Labor and Delivery nurses. We discuss all things labor stalls! What causes a labor stall? What are the different things that we can do to help resolve those labor stalls? These two ladies are a wealth of information and experience, and we think you will enjoy getting to know them and learning from them as much as we did! 

In this episode:

0:00 Introductions

6:10 What is a Labor Stall?

6:40 Criteria for a Labor Stall

10:11 What is Friedman’s Curve?

12:46 What will most hospitals do for a labor stall?

15:35 Common Causes for Labor Stall/Pause (3P’s)

26:09 Why CrossFitters and runners run into trouble with labor

26:55 How to prepare for potential Passage stalls

31:41 Understanding Passenger stalls 

41:16 Power stalls - body and mind connection

59:42 How would Renee and Keesha handle a change in plan/C-section

1:15:24 Ways to mitigate labor stalls during pregnancy

Find Keesha and Renee's YouTube channel here!: https://www.youtube.com/@SafeSpaceTalk-wd4de

Keesha's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehoodmidwife_keesh/

Renee's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_inclusive_midwife/

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In today's birth story, Angela shares about her first birth, a Cesarean birth, and how she then went on to have a VBAC (or a vaginal birth after C-section) for her second birth. Angela was really passionate about wanting to share her story because she had a really positive C-section experience, and she wanted others to know that it is possible to have a good experience, even with something that can feel scary, like a Cesarean birth!

In this episode:

0:00 Introduction

02:02 How to demystify C-Sections

05:55 Angela’s C-section birth 

13:24 Angela’s second pregnancy & prep for VBAC

16:48 Angela’s VBAC birth 

20:51 Similarities between the two births

22:20 Advice from Angela 

23:12 Final words of advice from Gina 

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Want to share your birth story on our podcast? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit your birth story on our website! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Prepare for your birth with us:

Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

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In this episode, we discuss how to approach recovery immediately after a Cesarean birth, and beyond, with Casey Backus, physical therapist.

Gina and Casey developed the MamasteFit C-Section Recovery Program that includes fitness programming and C-section scar mobilization to enhance your recovery after a Cesarean birth. So much of postpartum recovery treats C-section the same as vaginal birth but we know a Cesarean birth is VALID, and the recovery involves a lot more!

Explore our C-section recovery programs here:

In this episode: