Triumphant Birth

Episode 25 - HeHe Stewart: Before the Birth

In this episode of The Triumphant Birth Podcast, host Jamie Raisleger sits down with HeHe Stewart, a leading childbirth educator, doula, and founder of The Birth Lounge to talk about what she's doing to prepare for the birth of her first child. Hehe is passionate about reforming maternity care by centering patient autonomy and ensuring families have the tools they need to make informed choices, and she exemplifies that beautifully with her approach to her own birth. 

Together, Jamie and HeHe explore the importance of building a supportive and collaborative birth team, planning for postpartum, and even creating a “catastrophe plan” to protect your wishes if unexpected complications arise. This conversation highlights the power of education, preparation, and advocacy in transforming the way families experience birth. Hehe’s story and work through The Birth Lounge serve as a reminder that birth can be individualized and that with the right support, families can step into the process feeling empowered, respected, and confident.

About the Guest

HeHe Stewart is a leading childbirth educator, advocate, and maternity care reform expert. With a Master’s in Human Development and over a decade of experience, she empowers families with evidence-based birth prep, informed decision-making, and postpartum readiness. She is a fierce advocate for informed consent, reducing unnecessary interventions, and ensuring patient autonomy in birth.

Beyond working with families, HeHe is actively involved in legislative efforts to improve women’s health policies and expand access to midwifery care. She works to reform maternity care by advocating for patient rights, increased birth options, and improved maternal health outcomes.
As the host of The Birth Lounge Podcast, she interviews leading experts in pregnancy, women’s health, and newborn development, giving parents the knowledge they need to navigate birth and postpartum with confidence. Her work continues to drive meaningful change through education, advocacy, and policy reform.

In This Episode:
00:00 Introduction to HeHe Stewart and Her Mission
02:50 HeHe's Origin Story in Birth Work
05:46 Intentional Preconception Journey
08:17 Building a Support Team for Pregnancy
11:25 Navigating Healthcare Choices
13:57 Empowerment Through Informed Decision-Making
37:13 Empowering Birth Experiences
41:25 Intentional Pregnancy and Due Date Privacy
44:03 Postpartum Planning and Support
48:42 Protecting Sacred Time After Birth
53:44 Creating a Catastrophe Plan
59:02 The Birth Lounge: Empowering Parents
01:05:09 Embracing Autonomy in Birth Choices

Resources:
IG: @tranquilitybyhehe
IG: @thebirthlounge
https://www.thebirthlounge.com/join
IG: @triumphant_birth

Affiliates:

👟 Uni Shoes – Use code JAMIE82061 for $10 off your order

Thank you for being here!

Episode 24 – Girls Who Know with Laurisa Paul: Grassroots Education to Transform Birth Culture

In this episode, Jamie Raisleger sits down with Laurisa Paul, a registered nurse and founder of Girls Who Know®, an organization dedicated to empowering young girls through education about their bodies and the normalcy of birth.

This conversation was sparked by a previous discussion with Dr. Stu, where he and Jamie reflected that changing today’s hospital birth hierarchy begins with restoring trust in birth for the next generation.

Jamie and Laurisa dive into the systemic issues within modern birth culture, the importance of body literacy and respect, and how positive experiences of puberty and birth can transform lives. Larisa shares her personal journey from trauma to advocacy, the inspiration behind founding Girls Who Know, and how her work is shaping confidence in both young women and young men.

At its heart, this episode is about legacy; how educating and empowering girls today protects and heals the generations to come.

About the Guest

Laurisa Paul is a registered nurse, homebirth and midwifery advocate, and founder of Girls Who Know®, an organization dedicated to inspiring girls to love who they are and to respect their bodies. By teaching body literacy and the truth about birth early on, Girls Who Know is helping improve childbirth outcomes for the future.

Medically trained, Laurisa first encountered home birth while searching for better, safer, and more empowering options for women. Since then, she has served as a midwife assistant, doula, and instructor with Evidence-Based Birth. She lives in Texas with her husband and five children, where she embraces motherhood, outdoor adventures, and a mission to help others rediscover their worth and power, especially through the transformative seasons of puberty,  pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. 

In This Episode

• 00:00 – The Hierarchy in Birth: A Systemic Overview
• 02:57 – Laurisa Paul: A Journey of Self-Discovery
• 12:52 – Transformative Birth Experiences: From Trauma to Empowerment
• 20:06 – The Birth of Girls Who Know: Empowering Young Women
• 30:23 – Curriculum Development: Teaching the Next Generation
• 39:59 – The Growth Journey of Girls Who Know
• 43:48 – Building a Community of Mentors
• 45:18 – Engaging Boys in the Conversation
• 49:41 – Transforming Education Around Birth and Puberty
• 54:05 – Testimonials: Impact on Young Girls
• 58:12 – Creating a Sustainable Future for Girls Who Know
• 01:01:35 – Wisdom for Future Generations

Links

• @officialgirlswhoknow
• @triumphant_birth
• girlswhoknow.com
• Girls Who Know Facebook
• Girls Who Know YouTube

Affiliates

👟 Uni Shoes – Use code JAMIE82061 for $10 off your order

Thank you for being here!

In this week’s episode of The Triumphant Birth Podcast, Katie shares her three distinct birth stories, each filled with unexpected challenges and resilience. Her first birth, planned at a birth center during the height of COVID, ended in a hospital transfer and vacuum-assisted delivery. Months later, her son required skull surgery, adding a new layer to her postpartum experience. With the ongoing support of her husband and solid intuition, Katie went on to have two vastly different, subsequent births:

• A precipitous, unplanned freebirth after a last-minute midwifery change and an interstate move
• A precipitous, redemptive third homebirth where everything aligned

Katie’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength within every birthing woman, the importance of trusting your instincts, and the beauty that can come even after unexpected beginnings.

About The Guest
Katie FitzGerald is a mom of three and the wife of her wonderful husband, to whom she has been married for thirteen years. They live in eastern Montana, where Katie loves raising her family and keeping life simple and intentional. She’s proud of how she worked through the disappointment of the hospital transfer in her first birth, which led to two redemptive, precipitous but peaceful home births that changed her life.
When she’s not swapping birth stories or learning everything she can about holistic wellness, you’ll find Katie tending her vegetable garden, caring for her jungle of houseplants, or cooking up nourishing meals – with a lot of help from her busy young family. Katie wants to encourage other moms to trust themselves and find their own triumph in birth and beyond.

In This Episode
02:48 Katie's First Pregnancy Journey
05:32 Navigating Midwifery Choices During COVID
08:35 Labor and Delivery of Brayden
11:21 The Transfer to the Hospital
14:21 Brayden's Birth Experience
17:09 Postpartum Challenges and Triumphs
20:02 Katie's Second Pregnancy with Avery
23:04 Avery's Rapid Birth Experience
26:02 Transitioning to Life with Two Kids
28:58 Katie's Third Pregnancy with Colton
32:12 Colton's Birth and Family Dynamics

Socials:
Triumphant Birth IG (@triumphant_birth)
Katie's IG (@katiejanefitz)

Affiliates:
JAMIE82061 for $10 off any order of Uni shoes

Yellow flags, red flags, fireworks, oh my! 

In this episode of the Triumphant Birth podcast, Meghan shares her transformative journey through pregnancy, labor, her Fourth of July birth story, and the early postpartum period. From the initial surprise of discovering she was pregnant to the challenges of building a supportive birth team, Meghan’s story is rooted in education, advocacy, and intuition.

She opens up about her decision to switch from obstetricians to midwives and to hire a doula—choices that deeply shaped her empowering birth experience. Meghan candidly reflects on both the emotional and physical aspects of labor, including navigating back labor, welcoming her son with joy, and adjusting to the demands of postpartum life, from breastfeeding to finding her footing as a new mom. Her story is a powerful reminder that with the right support and a willingness to follow your instincts, first-time moms can make informed, intentional choices and experience birth on their own terms.

About Our Guest
Meghan Klegin is a naturally-minded wife and Mom of a (soon to be) two-year-old. She is a wellness and birth advocate currently working as an educational coach for the preschool level and is enjoying her summers at home. Meghan is working on her childbirth education certification and is creating something to share with the community soon.

In This Episode
00:00 Introduction to Megan's Journey
01:50 The Conception Journey and Initial Challenges
05:36 Finding the Right Provider
12:14  Advocating for Personal Care
20:41 Building a Supportive Birth Team
23:07 Transformative Experiences During Pregnancy
32:47 Preparing for Birth and Final Decisions
40:48 A Day of Anticipation
43:47 The Start of Labor
45:16 Navigating Hospital Policies
49:20 The Role of Support During Labor
55:55 Finding Comfort in the Tub
01:01:17 The Final Stages of Labor
01:04:17 The Joy of Birth
01:08:23 Postpartum Bliss and Challenges
01:15:42 Empowerment Through Choice

Links
Meghan's IG
Triumphant Birth IG
Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering by Sarah Buckley

Thank you for being here!

In this episode of the Triumphant Birth Podcast, Dr. Tracey Vogel, an obstetric anesthesiologist and national leader in trauma-informed care, shares how her work has evolved from individual patient care to training healthcare teams and shaping hospital policies. She explains how trauma can arise not just from extreme events, but from everyday clinical interactions, and why trauma-informed care must be standard for all birthing individuals, not just those with known trauma histories.

Dr. Vogel advocates for universal precautions in maternity care—approaches that prioritize dignity, compassion, and psychological safety in every step of the birth process. Through compelling stories and practical insights, she illustrates how training providers and shifting institutional culture can disrupt cycles of birth trauma, improve holistic patient outcomes, and foster more empowering, respectful birth experiences, even in the event of a C-section. 

About Our Guest
Dr. Tracey Vogel is an Obstetric Anesthesiologist, trained sexual assault counselor, and the creator and Director of the Perinatal Trauma-informed Care Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

She received her MD degree from the University of Pittsburgh and finished her anesthesia training, including a fellowship in obstetric anesthesiology, from Stanford University in California. She speaks nationally and internationally on the topic of birth trauma and the need for trauma-awareness in obstetrics and actively promotes medical “centers of excellence” in providing trauma-informed care for obstetric patients. ​She offers full-day training sessions on trauma-informed care principles throughout Pennsylvania as an initiative through the PA PQC (Perinatal Quality Collaborative). Her hospital based work also includes involvement with quality assurance processes, education and training, and creation of specific care plans for high risk obstetric patients including those with prior sexual trauma, opioid tolerance and substance use disorders, and mental health concerns. ​Beyond her work in hospital settings, she is part of the governor’s HEAL PA task force making PA a trauma-informed state.

Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tracy Vogel and Her Work
02:29 Journey from Anesthesiology to Trauma-Informed Care
08:30 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact
22:01 Defining Trauma-Informed Care
27:28 Training Physicians in Trauma-Informed Practices
32:06 Empathy in Patient Care
40:11 Building Trust Through Communication
42:47 Transforming the C-Section Experience
50:05 Empowering Patients in Surgical Decisions
59:59 Curiosity and Understanding in Healthcare

Links
https://www.theempowermentequation.com/
C-Section Prep Video: Standard of Care vs. Trauma-Informed Care
Empowerment Equation on IG
Triumphant Birth on IG

Thank you for being here!

In this episode, Jamie Raisleger speaks with Cynthia Dortch, a doula, childbirth educator, and aspiring midwife, whose experiences as a military spouse and mother deeply shaped her path into birth work. Cynthia opens up about the emotional weight of her first two births and the postpartum depression and rage she faced as a young, isolated mom navigating life during her partner’s deployment.

She shares how her third birth became a redemptive experience and what she did differently to protect her mental health and prepare for a more supported postpartum period.

In this heartfelt conversation, we laugh and cry as we explore the power of community, the importance of recognizing and addressing postpartum mood disorders, and how telling our stories can be a tool for healing. Cynthia’s story is both vulnerable and practical, offering encouragement and actionable insight for any mother seeking to move forward with more awareness, support, and strength. Every mother deserves to heal and to be held. Thank you for being here!

Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Birth Stories and Postpartum Experiences
02:27 Cynthia's Journey into Birth Work
04:24 Isabella's Birth Experience
09:38 Desiree's Birth and Back Labor
14:39 Postpartum Challenges and Deployment
20:21 The Struggles of Isolation and Support
22:48 Understanding Postpartum Mood Disorders
27:58 Recognizing Signs of Postpartum Depression
30:10 The Turning Point and Finding Support
35:16 The Impact of a New Pet on Recovery
38:06 Reflection on Vulnerability and Healing
40:15 Transformative Experiences in Pregnancy and Birth
42:37 Navigating Pregnancy with PCOS and Midwifery Care
46:04 The Journey of Labor and Birth
52:46 Empowerment Through Birth Stories
55:20 Postpartum Planning and Support Systems
01:01:24 Recognizing and Addressing Postpartum Challenges

Resources and Links
Postpartum Support International
Cynthia's IG
Triumphant Birth IG

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, be sure to start there (episode 18) for the full context behind this groundbreaking, peer-reviewd paper (published Dec 2024 in PLOS ONE): 

Twin Home Birth: Outcomes of 100 Sets of Twins in the Care of a Single Practitioner

In part two of this conversation, host Jamie Raisleger, Dr. Stu Fischbein, and Dr. Rixa Freeze dive deeper into the nuances of twin births, the misuse of high-risk labels, and the importance of individualized care. This episode explores how hospital culture, practitioner training, and fear-based protocols continue to shape the twin birth experience—and what needs to change to offer better outcomes and real choice to families expecting multiples. Together, the guests unpack how supportive, personalized care models along with their teaching organizations are leading to successful vaginal twin births both at home and at the hospital.

About the Paper
This study follows 100 sets of twins attended at home by an obstetrician (Stuart J Fischbein), the first publication looking exclusively at twin home birth. Overall, 91.3% of women gave birth vaginally, compared a national average of 25.2% for twin pregnancies. Most women with twin pregnancies in a hospital setting have few options but cesarean section, even though the evidence shows no benefit to surgery for the majority of cases. This study demonstrates that a home setting that supports physiological birth can yield excellent outcomes and a high vaginal birth rate.

Meet the Guests
Stuart J. Fischbein, MD is a community-based obstetrician and an Associate of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, published author of the book “Fearless Pregnancy, Wisdom & Reassurance from a Doctor, A Midwife and A Mom” and peer-reviewed papers Homebirth with an Obstetrician, A Series of 135 Out of Hospital Births, Breech birth at home: outcomes of 60 breech and 109 cephalic planned home and birth center births and Twin home birth: Outcomes of 100 sets of twins in the care of a single practitioner. After completing his residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Stu, as he is known, spent 24 years assisting women with hospital birthing and, for the next 12+ years, was a homebirth obstetrician who worked directly with midwives assisting local Southern California families. Since retiring from attending home births in late 2022, Dr. Stu has turned his focus to traveling around the world as a lecturer and advocate for reteaching breech & twin birth skills, respect for the normalcy of birth and honoring informed consent. He hosts the weekly Birthing Instincts Podcast with co-host Blyss Young and together they offer hope, reassurance and safe, honest evidence supported choices for those women who understand pregnancy is a normal bodily function not to be feared.

Dr. Rixa Freeze has a PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa. Her doctoral studies focused on the history of healthcare and medicine with specialization in pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity care. Her dissertation examined why women in North America choose unassisted home births. She worked as a visiting assistant professor for 9 years at Wabash College before founding Breech Without Borders in 2018. BWB is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to breech training, education, and advocacy. She has published about why women choose home birth (JMWH 2009) and attitudes towards home birth in the US (Exp Rev ObGyn 2010). In 2018, she co-authored a study of breech and cephalic home births (BMC Preg Child). The following year, she published an article about outcomes of breech at home, birth centers, and hospitals (Midwifery Today). She co-authored a chapter “Freebirth in the United States” in the 2020 book Birthing Outside the System: The Canary in the Coal Mine. She is the main author of the textbook A Guide to Physiological Breech Birth, now in its 2nd edition. Her analysis of 100 sets of twin home births, co-authored with Stuart Fischbein, was published in December 2024 with PLOS ONE. Current research projects include a video analysis of 207 physiological breech births, a qualitative analysis of the obstacles American physicians face in supporting vaginal breech birth, and a review of the effectiveness of an international vaginal breech training program. She also oversees DNP and bachelor of midwifery research projects relating to breech birth.

🎙️ Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Selection Criteria for Twin Births
01:26 – The Importance of Individualized Care
06:38 – What Defines High Risk in Pregnancy
08:16 – The Hospital Birth Paradigm vs. Home Birth Experience
10:21 – Understanding the Midwifery Model of Care
12:24 – Challenges in Data Collection for Twin and Breech Births
15:33 – Success Stories in Increasing Vaginal Birth Rates
19:55 – Training the Next Generation of Birth Practitioners
21:48 – Changing Hospital Culture for Better Birth Experiences
24:38 – Empowering Parents to Advocate for Their Birth Choices
29:12 – The Importance of Maternal Confidence and Choice

Find Us on IG
@birthinginstincts
@breechwithoutborders
@rixafreeze
@triumphant_birth

Links:
Twin Home Birth Paper
Birthing Instincts Podcast
https://www.birthinginstincts.com/
https://www.breechwithoutborders.org/
Rixa's 2009 Interview with Dr. Stu
The book that started it all for Rixa

Thank you for being here!

Birthing twins at home is dangerous, right? RIGHT?! Not nearly as dangerous as we've been led to believe...

In part one of this conversation, host Jamie Raisleger begins the dive into the newly published (Dec 2024, PLOS ONE), peer-reviewed paper called Twin home birth: outcomes of 100 sets of twins in the care of a single practitioner with the publication's authors, Dr. Stuart Fischbein and Dr. Rixa Freeze.

Together, they explore the challenges and successes of their study which highlights the high rates of vaginal births in home settings compared to hospitals. The conversation delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by practitioners, the peer review process, and the importance of informed consent in maternity care. Both guests share their personal journeys and motivations for advocating for better birth options for women, emphasizing the need for a supportive environment for twin births. 

About the Paper
This study follows 100 sets of twins attended at home by an obstetrician (Stuart J Fischbein), the first publication looking exclusively at twin home birth. Overall, 91.3% of women gave birth vaginally, compared a national average of 25.2% for twin pregnancies. Most women with twin pregnancies in a hospital setting have few options but cesarean section, even though the evidence shows no benefit to surgery for the majority of cases. This study demonstrates that a home setting that supports physiological birth can yield excellent outcomes and a high vaginal birth rate.

Meet the Guests
Stuart J. Fischbein, MD is a community-based obstetrician and an Associate of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, published author of the book “Fearless Pregnancy, Wisdom & Reassurance from a Doctor, A Midwife and A Mom” and peer-reviewed papers Homebirth with an Obstetrician, A Series of 135 Out of Hospital Births, Breech birth at home: outcomes of 60 breech and 109 cephalic planned home and birth center births and Twin home birth: Outcomes of 100 sets of twins in the care of a single practitioner. After completing his residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Stu, as he is known, spent 24 years assisting women with hospital birthing and, for the next 12+ years, was a homebirth obstetrician who worked directly with midwives assisting local Southern California families. Since retiring from attending home births in late 2022, Dr. Stu has turned his focus to traveling around the world as a lecturer and advocate for reteaching breech & twin birth skills, respect for the normalcy of birth and honoring informed consent. He hosts the weekly Birthing Instincts Podcast with co-host Blyss Young and together they offer hope, reassurance and safe, honest evidence supported choices for those women who understand pregnancy is a normal bodily function not to be feared.

Dr. Rixa Freeze has a PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa. Her doctoral studies focused on the history of healthcare and medicine with specialization in pregnancy, childbirth, and maternity care. Her dissertation examined why women in North America choose unassisted home births. She worked as a visiting assistant professor for 9 years at Wabash College before founding Breech Without Borders in 2018. BWB is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to breech training, education, and advocacy. She has published about why women choose home birth (JMWH 2009) and attitudes towards home birth in the US (Exp Rev ObGyn 2010). In 2018, she co-authored a study of breech and cephalic home births (BMC Preg Child). The following year, she published an article about outcomes of breech at home, birth centers, and hospitals (Midwifery Today). She co-authored a chapter “Freebirth in the United States” in the 2020 book Birthing Outside the System: The Canary in the Coal Mine. She is the main author of the textbook A Guide to Physiological Breech Birth, now in its 2nd edition. Her analysis of 100 sets of twin home births, co-authored with Stuart Fischbein, was published in December 2024 with PLOS ONE. Current research projects include a video analysis of 207 physiological breech births, a qualitative analysis of the obstacles American physicians face in supporting vaginal breech birth, and a review of the effectiveness of an international vaginal breech training program. She also oversees DNP and bachelor of midwifery research projects relating to breech birth.

Episode Breakdown: 
00:00 Introduction to the Guests and Their Expertise
05:30 Overview of the Twin Home Birth Paper
08:28 The Journey of Collaboration: Dr. Stu and Dr. Rixa
15:55 The Peer Review Process and Its Challenges 1
6:17 Rixa's Personal Journey into Birth Advocacy
23:12 The Genesis of the Twin Home Birth Study
26:39 Challenging Hospital Protocols on Twin Births
29:05 The Evidence vs. Practice in Twin Births
33:43 The Slippery Slope of Cesarean Rates
36:04 Ethics and Hospital Politics in Maternity Care

Find Us on IG:
@birthinginstincts
@rixafreeze
@breechwithoutborders
@triumphant_birth

Links:
Twin Home Birth Paper
www.birthinginstinctspodcast.com
www.birthinginstincts.com
www.breechwithoutborders.org
Rixa's 2009 Interview with Dr. Stu
The book that started it all for Rixa

Thank you for being here, and tune in next week for part 2!

Welcome to the VERY FIRST interview about the upcoming documentary 'Allowed to Birth: The Journey of a Global Midwife'. In this episode of the Triumphant Birth Podcast, host Jamie sits down with filmmaker Jacinta Lagos and legendary midwife Kristine Lauria to explore the heart and soul of this powerful project.

About the Documentary
Allowed to Birth follows the extraordinary life and work of Kristine Lauria—a legendary international midwife who has attended over 5,000 births in more than 25 countries. With raw honesty and reverence, the film shines a light on the strength, skill, and intuition at the center of physiological birth—and what is needed to protect and restore it.

Meet the Guests
Jacinta Lagos is a birth doula, award-winning birth photographer, and filmmaker based in Wisconsin. Originally from Argentina, Jacinta brings over 20 years of storytelling experience to the screen, blending her deep personal connection to motherhood with a professional dedication to birth advocacy. Kristine Lauria is a world-renowned midwife with 36 years of experience and an awe-inspiring resume that includes hundreds of breech and twin births. A lead midwife for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and educator with Breech Without Borders, Kristine’s presence is as wise as it is compassionate. 

In This Episode
Jacinta, Kristine, and Jamie dive into:

• The origin story of Allowed to Birth
• The magic (and chaos!) of the creative process 
• Cultural differences in birth practices
• Why reclaiming intuition and autonomy is essential 
• How this film hopes to spark global change
• How listeners can support the project

Episode Breakdown
00:00 – Introduction to the Guests and Documentary
02:57 – Jacinta’s Journey: From Videography to Birth Doula
05:57 – Meeting Kristine: The Collaboration Begins
12:01 – Kristine’s Perspective on Being Documented
15:07 – The Vision Behind Allowed to Birth
18:03 – Birth Culture: Argentina vs. U.S.
27:55 – Global Impact & Distribution Plans
33:07 – The Bigger Picture of Birth
36:24 – The Title: “Allowed to Birth”
39:19 – Women’s Empowerment in Birth
44:11 – Behind-the-Scenes Surprises
48:49 – Community Support & Fundraising
53:22 – Looking Ahead: Release Plans & Gratitude
01:00:36 – Closing Wisdom: Transforming Birth Culture

✨ Whether you're a birthworker, parent, filmmaker, or simply birth-curious, this episode is an inspiring and intimate window into the making of a film that could redefine how the world views birth.

Donate to the Film: HERE

🔗 Connect with Us on IG:
@allowedtobirth
@jacintalagosbirthservices
@globalmidwife64
@triumphant_birth
@breechwithoutborders

Thank you for being here!

In this powerful episode of Triumphant Birth, host Jamie Raisleger welcomes Samantha Dunnavant, a mother of two, who shares her deeply personal journey through both hospital and home birth. Samantha opens up about her first pregnancy, where she felt uninformed and unprepared, and how listening to birth stories helped her better navigate labor the second time around.

She recounts the unexpected challenges of giving birth during COVID-19 and the harrowing moment of shoulder dystocia during delivery. Samantha reflects on how choosing midwifery and chiropractic care transformed her experience, offering more personalized and empowering support than she felt with traditional OB care.

Postpartum wasn’t without its struggles—breastfeeding difficulties, delayed bonding, and the silent weight of postpartum depression. Through it all, Samantha emphasizes the importance of education, self-advocacy, and support for women in their childbearing years. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that childbirth is not just a hurdle to overcome, but a destination that can transform and empower. Whether you're preparing for birth or healing from one, Samantha’s story is a testament to the strength and resilience of mothers everywhere.

Chapters00:00 Introduction to Samantha's Journey
01:18 Pregnancy and Early Labor Experience
08:28 The Start of Labor and Hospital Arrival
15:34 Labor Progression and Epidural Decision
20:59 Birth Experience and Shoulder Dystocia
27:11 Postpartum Challenges and Breastfeeding Journey
38:25 Navigating Breastfeeding Challenges
39:22 Postpartum Reflections and Bonding
40:27 Chiropractic Care and Its Impact
43:10 Pregnancy Journey with Luke
45:00 Choosing the Midwifery Route
50:25 Midwife Appointments vs. OB Visits
55:16 Labor Experience with Luke
01:05:16 The Birth Process and Overcoming Challenges
01:15:27 Post-Birth Reflections and Care
01:18:51 Empowerment Through Birth Experiences

@triumphant_birth on IG

Thank you for being here!