EBB 407 - Migraines and Insulin and Umbilical Vein Varix, Oh My! An Empowering Pregnancy and Hospital Birth Story with Heidi Gustad, Librarian and EBB Childbirth Class Graduate

After years of hearing traumatic birth stories and questioning whether parenthood was right for her, Heidi Gustad entered pregnancy determined to make informed decisions every step of the way. When she was diagnosed with insulin-managed gestational diabetes, debilitating migraines, and a rare umbilical cord abnormality called an umbilical vein varix, the birth center birth she had envisioned was suddenly no longer an option.

 

In this episode, Heidi shares how evidence-based education, a supportive care team, and careful preparation helped her navigate unexpected changes with confidence. She and Dr. Dekker discuss what it was like to advocate for herself through multiple diagnoses, switch care providers late in pregnancy, and prepare for a hospital birth while still hoping for an unmedicated labor. Heidi also shares the surprising series of events that led to spontaneous labor before her scheduled induction, and how she welcomed her baby after a fast, nine-hour labor.

 

(01:36) Overcoming a lifelong fear of pregnancy and choosing parenthood
(05:13) Navigating migraines, gestational diabetes, and changing providers
(08:52) Risking out of birth center care and finding the right hospital
(11:11) Understanding a rare umbilical vein varix diagnosis
(17:47) Building confidence through education, advocacy, and a supportive birth team
(21:59) Preparing for birth with physical therapy, acupuncture, and evidence-based resources
(25:50) Spontaneous labor begins weeks before a scheduled induction
(32:02) Coping strategies for a fast, unmedicated labor
(37:19) Postpartum recovery and breastfeeding
(40:42) Heidi's advice on informed decision-making and birth preferences
(43:06) Using anxiety and pain-coping techniques during labor

 

Resources

Listen to EBB's Natural Induction Series on Acupuncture, Raspberry Red Leaf Tea, and Nipple Stimulation: evidencebasedbirth.com/category/series/natural-labor-induction-series/

EBB 304 – Q & A on PPD/Pitocin, Delayed Cord Clamping, Nubain, and Placental encapsulation: evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-304-q-and-a-on-ppd-pitocin-delayed-cord-clamping-nubain-and-placental-encapsulation/

Read the research on Umbilical Chord Varix

• Fetal intra-abdominal umbilical vein varix: retrospective cohort study and systematic review and meta-analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28876490/
• Isolated fetal umbilical vein varix and the association with intrauterine fetal death and fetal growth restriction: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and nested retrospective cohort study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38502055/
• The Development of the Umbilical Vein and Its Anatomical and Clinical Significance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11954436/

Learn more about Spinning Babies®: spinningbabies.com

 

For more information about Evidence Based Birth and a crash course on evidence based care, visit www.ebbirth.com. Follow us on Instagram and YouTube! Ready to learn more? Grab an EBB Podcast Listening Guide or read Dr. Dekker's book, "Babies Are Not Pizzas: They're Born, Not Delivered!" If you want to get involved at EBB, join our Professional membership (scholarship options available) and get on the wait list for our EBB Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the EBB Childbirth Class.