Mel: Mel is a dedicated mother of two, passionate birth keeper, and postpartum doula. She has facilitated numerous home births, guiding women through their birthing journeys. Mel's personal experiences with home birth have made her a significant advocate for undisturbed birthing practices. She is devoted to supporting women through their postpartum period and building strong community ties. Mel resides with her family and continues to inspire others with her holistic approach to motherhood and birth.

In this engaging episode of "Your Holistic Midwife," host Bibi welcomes Mel, an experienced birth keeper and postpartum doula. Mel shares her transformative journey through two home births, offering valuable insights into the world of unmedicated, natural births. Her candid recounting of each experience highlights the stark contrasts between her first and second pregnancies, emphasizing the lessons learned and the deeply personal decisions that shaped her birthing stories. This episode serves as an empowering narrative for expecting mothers and those intrigued by home birthing.

Mel's story begins with her first pregnancy, which she navigated with the support of a private midwife. Despite facing the typical anxieties of a first-time mother, including a lengthy labor that extended to 43 weeks, Mel's steadfast commitment to a home birth set the foundation for her approach to motherhood. She describes her second pregnancy as a stark contrast—embracing a free birth with no scans and relying on her innate wisdom and connection with her body. This episode delves into the practical aspects of preparing for birth, the importance of a supportive environment, and the deep trust in one's body and instincts.

For anyone passionate about home births or looking for inspiration on natural birthing, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to gather insightful advice and personal anecdotes from Mel, which could redefine your perspective on childbirth and postpartum care. Stay connected with "Your Holistic Midwife" for more empowering stories and expert advice!

Welcome back to the podcast, I have had a break from the podcast but I have amazing news

About The Guest(s):

Summary:
Maria Pia and Bibi discuss the possibility of having a natural and positive birth experience in a tertiary hospital. Maria Pia believes that it is possible, despite the challenges and medicalisation of birth in hospitals. She emphasises the importance of having a supportive birth team and being educated about the birthing process. Maria Pia also highlights the need for healthcare professionals to trust women's intuition and provide woman-centered care.

Key Takeaways:

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In this episode, meet Kristine, a midwife who specializes in twin homebirths. She shares her passion for supporting mothers and babies through the unique journey of twin pregnancy and birth.
Join us as Kristine shares her insights and advice for expecting parents of multiples. Plus, get a glimpse into the beauty and joy of twin homebirths through Kristine's experiences. If you're considering a homebirth with twins, this video is a must-watch!
Kristine Lauria is a seasoned Certified Professional Midwife with 35 years of experience in her field. Originating from the US, she has a rich background of practicing midwifery in varying settings, including working in Amish country and undertaking an apprenticeship that honed her palpation skills and intuitive approach to birth. After years of practicing without formal registration, Kristine became certified and familiarized herself with the state-specific regulations of midwifery in the US. Her passion extends beyond traditional practices as she currently contributes to global health through her work with Doctors Without Borders.

Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of "Your Holistic Midwife," our host Bibi warmly welcomes Kristine Lauria, a Certified Professional Midwife with rich experience ranging from community-based practice to global humanitarian efforts. The conversation opens up a world of insights into the complexities and liberation associated with twin home births, challenging the conventional medical system's approach that often labels such births as high-risk without due merit.
Kristine advocates for the innate capability of women's bodies to birth twins naturally, given a robust prenatal care regimen centered on diet, exercise, and a proactive health outlook. She also dives into the categorizations of twin pregnancies—dichorionic-diamniotic (DCDA) and monochorionic-diamniotic (MCDA)—and dismantles myths surrounding their management.

Resources:
Breech Without Borders

Kristine's Instagram

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DISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice, is just information for education and entertainment purposes. Please refer to your care provider for any specific matter 

A successful lotus birth with twins and the natural separation of each twin from the shared placenta, marking a gentle transition for the newborns.

Neala is a mother of seven with a rich experience in the realms of motherhood, homeschooling, and natural birthing. Having transitioned from hospital births to free birthing at home, Neala champions an empowering approach to pregnancy and childbirth that encourages mothers to trust their instincts. Actively involved in the homeschooling community, she is an advocate for education that aligns with familial and natural rhythms.

Episode Summary:

In this heartening episode of "Your Holistic Midwife," we are welcomed into the world of Neala, a seasoned mother and free birther, as she shares her transformative journey from hospital births to free birthing at home. Her story resonates with themes of self-reliance, the unearthing of natural birthing knowledge, and the creation of intimate and family-centered birth experiences.

Our guest Neala recounts her early experiences with conventional hospital births, her subsequent discovery of the free birth movement, and the turning point that led her to birth her fourth child at home—a decision greatly influenced by the Free Birth Society. This episode also delves into the remarkable tale of her twin home birth, a sheer testament to the power of trust and the natural birthing process.

With insightful details on her preparation, approach to prenatal self-care, and the serendipitous birth of her twins without any medical intervention, Neala narrative is nothing short of an inspiring lesson in self-belief and the innate wisdom of the human body.

Key Takeaways:

Unplanned home birth of fourth child led Neala toward free birthing and showed her the possibilities of self-reliance in childbirth.

The pivotal role of the Free Birth Society in providing information and confidence to pursue natural birthing practices at home.

Experiencing twin birth at home, with one breech birth followed by a vertex birth, challenging common misconceptions surrounding the safety of non-hospital twins deliveries.

Resources:

Neala references the Free Birth Society as a key influence in her journey towards free birthing.

The Australian freebirth community where Bibi and Neala shared their experiences.

Neala Instagram

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In this episode I interview Emilee Saldaya who is a profound figure in the freebirth community. Her transformative experiences as a doula and birth worker have shaped a career dedicated to the sovereignty of childbirth. As the founder of Free Birth Society (FBS), she provides a platform that amplifies the education of women interested in birthing outside the traditional medical system.

Emilee has also co-founded the Radical Birthkeeper School with Yolanda Norris Clark, aiming to redefine authentic midwifery. Her journey from working within the system to attending and advocating for sovereign births outside of it demonstrates her unwavering commitment to empowering women in their birthing choices.

Episode Summary:

In this heartening episode of "Your Holistic Midwife," Bibi, the host, welcomes guest Emilee Saldaya, founder of Free Birth Society, to share her profound birth stories and insights into birthing outside the medical system. The narrative takes us from the urban sprawls of Los Angeles to the tranquil settings of Western North Carolina, where Emily's transformative experiences as a birth worker and mother unfold.Emily's journey begins with deep contemplation and deliberate life shifts in preparation for motherhood, leading her to a moment of epiphany: a sovereign birth was her path.

Diving deep into the realm of free birth, Emily shares her fiercely independent first pregnancy and the conscious decision to avoid any medical intervention. This episode emphasize the powerful and transformative nature of giving birth free from systemic constraints.

Key Takeaways:

The journey to sovereign birth requires deep introspection and a willingness to confront and recalibrate one's life in alignment with natural and autonomous birthing practices.A wild pregnancy, as described by Emilee, is an integrated life phase without medical surveillance, where deep connection with the body and baby is paramount.Facing the uncertainties of birth, especially in free birth scenarios, invites a transformative process that reshapes one's conception of control and surrender.

The postpartum period can be a profound and euphoric experience when approached with the right support and intention, allowing for an elevated bond with the newborn.Being educated, prepared, and aware of the birth experiences unique to each individual can empower more women to consider their birthing options and potentially venture into free childbirth as a viable option.Notable

Resources:

Free Birth Society Website

Free Birth Society Podcast: Featuring hundreds of women's free birth stories.

The Radical Birthkeeper School: Founded by Emily Saldea and Yolanda Norris Clark.

All her links

About the Guest(s):Dr. Stu, an obstetrician from the United States, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the discussion on birth practices. Having trained at the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed his residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, he has spent a significant part of his career transitioning from a more medicalized obstetrics approach to one that closely collaborates with midwives. Dr. Stu is an advocate for home birthing, teaching breach and twin delivery skills around the world, and hosts the "Birthing Instincts" podcast.Episode Summary:In this insightful episode titled "The Twin Birth Conversation with Dr. Stu," host Bibi discusses the intricacies of twin deliveries and the option of home birthing in medical practice. With a focus on choice, trust, and the natural process of childbirth, Dr. Stu provides valuable perspectives to debunk myths and empower expectant mothers carrying twins.Starting with an overview of types of twins and their implications during pregnancy, Dr. Stu details the distinctions between diamniotic-dichorionic (die-die), monoamniotic-dichorionic (mono-di), and monoamniotic-monochorionic (mono-mono) twin pregnancies. He further elaborates on the protocols for each kind, emphasizing the potential for normal vaginal deliveries under specific circumstances. Highly experienced in home birthing, Dr. Stu passionately argues for the demedicalization of childbirth and the importance of informed consent, shedding light on the risks and misconceptions propagated by a system overly reliant on interventions.Key Takeaways:Understanding the differences between di-die mono-di, and mono-mono twins is crucial for managing twin pregnancies.Vaginal births for di-di and mono-di twins can be a safe and viable option when managed by a skilled practitioner.The medical system often operates from a place of fear, potentially leading to unnecessary interventions for twin pregnancies.Home birth with twins, attended by a knowledgeable practitioner, has been shown to have high success rates and can provide a fulfilling experience for the mother.Dr. Stu advocates for the normalization of vaginal breech births, which are often portrayed negatively by mainstream obstetrics despite evidence of their safety when properly handled.Notable Quotes:"The decision of how to give birth does not belong to the medical institution or the physician. It belongs to the informed woman." - Dr. Stu"Nature is formidable but it's not intentionally dangerous." - Dr. Stu"Most twin moms don't have a problem. The problem is the way they're managed in the hospital." - Dr. Stu"Midwives, because they are experts in normal, are so quick to recognize abnormal." - Dr. StuResources:Dr. Stu's website: Birthing InstinctsPodcast: Birthing Instincts podcastDive into the full episode to explore Dr. Stu's patient-centric philosophy of birth, especially regarding twins, and learn how empowerment through knowledge can lead to better birth experiences. Stay tuned for more enlightening content that can transform your understanding of childbirth and the choices surrounding it.

Follow him on instagram @birthinginstinct

His website HERE

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Episode Summary:

In this engaging and inspirational episode of "Your Holistic Midwife," we are graced by Dr. Melanie Jackson's presence, sharing her personal birth stories that are as enlightening as they are heartwarming. The episode delves into Melanie's holistic approach to childbirth and the deeply intuitive connection with her own birthing experiences.

Melanie talks candidly about her expectations, preparations, and the unfolding of her labors, one an unexpectedly prolonged event and the other a blissfully rapid birth. Her first story, about her son Charlie, reveals the emotional roller coaster of initial pregnancy complications, preterm labor fears, and the strength it took to trust in her body's capabilities. Melanie's narrative is filled with the raw realities of a homebirth midwife experiencing labor firsthand, offering a unique insider perspective.

Her second birth, however, flips the script entirely. With her daughter Frida, Melanie indulges in the wonderfully tumultuous journey of a faster, full-term labor that culminates in pure elation, highlighting the complexity and unpredictable nature of childbirth. Through these stories, listeners gain a profound understanding of the power of letting go of fear to embrace the birth process fully.

Key takeaways:

Follow Melanie on Instagram: @melaniethemidwife

Her website: https://www.melaniethemidwife.com

AND HER PODCAST: The great birth rebellion

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Elsie is a home birth advocate, mental health nurse, and host of the podcast "Birthing at Home." She is a mother of two boys and has had empowering home birth experiences. Elsie is passionate about sharing successful home birth stories and providing a platform for women to share their experiences and knowledge. She is also involved in advocacy work and has started the Home Birth Victoria group to promote and support home birth in the state.

In this episode, Elsie, the host of "Birthing at Home" podcast, is joined by Bibi, a holistic midwife. They discuss the inspiration behind Elsie's podcast and the importance of sharing successful home birth stories. Elsie shares her own birth experiences and how she was motivated to start her podcast after being unable to share her first birth story on another podcast. They also discuss the power of storytelling in empowering women and providing them with information and confidence for their own birth journeys. Elsie talks about her involvement in home birth advocacy and the challenges faced in establishing publicly funded home birth programs in Victoria. They emphasize the need for women to be aware of their birth options and understand how different programs and midwives operate. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of breaking stereotypes around birth and spreading awareness about home birth.

Follow ⁠ELSIE⁠ AND HER PODCAST: ⁠BIRTHING AT HOME: A PODCAST⁠

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BOOK 1 DAY IN PERSON ANTENATAL CLASS: ⁠⁠⁠Book now and have 300$ discounted⁠⁠⁠

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Bibi is a holistic midwife and the host of the Holistic Midwife podcast. With a background in midwifery and a passion for natural birth, Bibi shares her knowledge and experiences to empower women and promote holistic approaches to pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. She has a strong belief in the body's ability to birth and advocates for women's choices in their birthing journeys.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Bibi shares her personal birth story with twins. She discusses the shock of finding out she was pregnant with twins and the initial concerns and doubts she had about having a home birth. Despite the lack of information and support for home births with twins, Bibi did her own research and decided to pursue a free birth at home. She talks about the challenges she faced during her pregnancy, including sickness and negative comments from others. Bibi then details the events leading up to the birth, including her water breaking and the quick and intense labor she experienced. She shares the joy of birthing her first twin and the unexpected surprise of a single placenta. Bibi concludes by emphasising the transformative and empowering nature of her birth experience with twins.

Key Takeaways:

FREE GUIDEBOOK ON NATURAL BIRTH: ⁠⁠Download now⁠⁠

PURCHASE YOUR MINICLASS ON BIRTH PLANNING AND DOWNLOAD YOUR BIRTH PLAN TEMPLATE: ⁠⁠Download now⁠⁠

MY ALL IN ONE COURSE POSITIVE BIRTH, CONSCIOUS MOTHER: TBA

BOOK 1 DAY IN PERSON ANTENATAL CLASS: ⁠⁠Book now and have 300$ discounted⁠⁠

MY WEBSITE:⁠⁠http://yourholisyticmidwife.com.au⁠⁠

⁠⁠ALL MY LINKS