You're listening to episode 100 of the Happy Homebirth Podcast!
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Show Notes:
Christine and Andrew started their pregnancy journey traditionally with OB care. However, as the pregnancy progressed, they began feeling more and more frustrated about the fact that appointments were fast and shallow. There was not in-depth preparation for childbirth, and they felt there must be something missing.
The couple decided to begin their own research, which led them to switch to midwifery care and homebirth.
Their commitment to giving birth at home grew as they became closer with their midwife, and as she answered their questions and prepared them deeply on what to expect during the entire process. Both Christine and Andrew recognized the added layers of safety in their homebirth experience because they did know their midwife so well.
Whenever there were questions about what happens if something goes wrong, their midwife always had a quality answer on what to expect and the protocol.
Christine expected to go beyond 40 weeks, for at 38 weeks she and Andrew decided to go camping. On the trip, her water began leaking. They went home the next morning and prepared for the onset of labor.
Throughout the process of labor, Christine and Andrew worked together. He kept up with what she needed and encouraged her through contractions— reminding her to breathe and relax. This was incredibly helpful during Christine’s long and arduous pushing phase.
Andrew recalled how amazing it was that the midwife was able to recognize when to step in and provide feedback and when to stay back and remain an observer.
He truly understood that it was his duty to be Christine’s support person.
After baby was born, he needed resuscitative breaths. Christine and Andrew were calm and confident during this experience.
Once he was breathing and stable, the midwives began tended to Christine, as she was bleeding a good bit.
After a while, the midwives had to perform an internal examination of the uterus to see what was causing the bleeding.
Though uncomfortable, Christine and Andrew both felt completely calm during what could have otherwise been a traumatic experience, as the felt heard, understood, and like the most important people on the birth team.
Episode Roundup:
I am so appreciative of this episode and the perspective it brings. It’s so important to focus on mothers and their experience of birth, yes, but what a disservice we are doing if we’re not showing up for dads and helping them see how they fit into the equation. Christine and Andrew worked together so beautifully before, during and after their birthing experience, and Andrew’s understanding of his responsibilities as the birth partner certainly added massive value to their homebirth. I hope this episode acts as inspiration and as a roadmap for other fathers who are looking for ways to be involved in the birthing experience. You’re part of this team, and you’re incredibly important.
Ep 264:The Opposite Of A Traumatic Birth with Regina Lowenfield
Ep 263: VBA3C?! You’re Not High Risk Until You’re High Risk with Jan DeAngelo
Ep 262: The Body-Mind-Birth Connection with Errika Horner
Ep 261: A Beautiful Shoulder Dystocia? With Coco Brown
Ep 260: A Failed Epidural and a Victorious Homebirth with Brianna Peters
Ep 259: Responsive Sleep for You and Your Baby with Taylor Kulik
Ep 258: How To Turn Your Passion For Birth Into A Full-time Career As A Doula with Kyleigh Banks
Ep 257: From Questioning Yourself to Questioning the Birth System with McKenzie Ulmer
Ep 256: From Changing Care Providers to Midwife Continuity with Shayna Piva
Ep 255: Deep Familial Connection Through Homebirth with Anna Rivera
Ep 254: From Interventions to Undisturbed with Bree Darby
Ep 253: Finding Joy While Experiencing Secondary Infertility with Shyla Brown
Ep 252: Minerals, Lymph, Fascia, Oh My! With Margaret Barry
Ep 251: A Deeper Understanding of the Transformative Power of Birth with Karey Hoffmann
Ep 250: Coming Into Your Own and Advocating for Your Dream Birth with Cortney Steffensmeier
Ep 249: Surrendering to Physiological Birth and Motherhood with Jessica Livengood
Ep 248: Game-Time Birth Decisions with Katelyn and Thomas Fusco
Ep 247: Making Birth Choices From a Place of Empowerment with Leigh Anne McGiff
Ep 246: Birth in Captivity to the Freedom of Homebirth with Esmeralda Carrillo
Encore: Birthing Instincts With Dr. Stu
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