In today’s episode, I interview Paralympian, Diversity and Disability Activist, author and mother of two Jessica Smith. Jessica shares her births with both Ayla and Reza. She takes us through the struggles with suffering severe morning sickness, (hyperemesis gravidarum) low iron and anxiety surrounding labour. Jessica also touches on how she felt about her changing body and body image after suffering from eating disorders for many years.
Jessica was living in Perth when she fell pregnant with Ayla. Expecting to be met with fertility challenges due to battling eating disorders in her past, Jessica was thrilled to conceive easily in her first month of trying. Unfortunately, she immediately began to suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum. Jessica wasn't able to keep anything down including water. Under the careful watch of her obstetrician, Jessica later needed an iron transfusion. by 17 weeks the morning sickness passed.
Jessica felt very fearful about the delivery of Ayla and was quite sure she would like an epidural on the day. During the lead up she was also quite concerned about logistically how she would manage the baby with one hand. For example, she was concerned about day to day managing of tasks where she would be holding the baby and wouldn’t have a free hand to pick up car keys if she dropped them or if she was breastfeeding in public and wanted to cover herself with a wrap, she wouldn't have a free hand to assist herself.
To hear Ayla's birth story, Jessica’s devastating miscarriage after Ayla, and her pregnancy journey and birth with Reza listen now.
Topics included: hyperemesis gravidarum, bulimia, low iron, Epworth Freemason’s Hospital, miscarriage, epidural, anxiety, natural birth.
Little Miss Jessica Goes to School by Jessica Smith
http://www.jessicasmith.com.au/little-miss-jessica-goes-to-school/
Today’s sponsor is Mamamaya. to check out Mamamay’s full range of beautiful organic swaddles head over to https://mamamaya.com.au
77 | Emm Engelman IVF Natural conception, Kidney stones, Pancreatitis
76 | Kirsty Farrugia Two Vaginal Deliveries Private and Public 3rd Degree Tear
75 | Kara Demmrich Two Vaginal Hypnobirths
74 | Anna Thurlow Two Induced Labours, Premature Membrane Rupture, Breastfeeding Journey
73 | Emma Isaacs Five. Homebirths
72 | Anna Abbott Elective Caesarean, VBAC Missed Miscarriage
71 | Nicola Cross Vaginal Delivery Epidural
70 | Caitlin Four Vaginal Deliveries Postpartum Haemorrhage
69 | Danielle Symes Two Vaginal Births, Postnatal Depression and Anxiety, Third Degree Tear
68 | Sarah Bell Burch Three Births, 4Year Old Son Present
67 | Felicity Cook Pelvic Instability, Vaginal Delivery
66 | Gemma Pranita Infertility, IUI, Antenatal Depression positive Induction Experience
65 | Teresa Palmer Two Vaginal Deliveries, Retained Placenta Manual Removal
64 | Bonnie Antenatal Depression, Induced Labour
63 | Kristy Joyce Triplets Born via Caesarean Section
62 | Lacey Barratt Four Birth Stories, Doula and Birth Photographer
61 | Anna McGahan 33 week Premature Emergency Caesarean Delivery
60 | Kristie Simpson, Vaginal Breech Delivery Public Hospial, Hip Dysplasia
59 | Kirsty Chandler Positive Hypnobirth in Water, Private Midwife
58 | Sarah Hocking Legally Blind Two Caesarean Births, Miscarriage, Brain Surgery.
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