You're listening to episode 100 of the Happy Homebirth Podcast!
In celebration of this milestone, Happy Homebirth Academy will be available for this week only (until the new year).
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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 103:Emotional Midwifery Support, Homebirth Childbirth Education, and a More Intense Second Labor
Ep 102: A Thoughtful Approach to Conception, Pregnancy and Homebirth
Ep 101:The Importance of Community Birth and Creating More Birth Workers
Ep 99: From Obstetrical Bullying to Compassionate Care
Ep 98: Kyleigh's Out-of-the-Box Homebirth Preparation
Ep 97: A Generational Baby Catch at Home
Ep 96: Twin Sisters Experience Pregnancy and Homebirth Together
Ep 95: From Postpartum Psychosis to Postpartum Bliss
Ep 94: The Social Influencer's Happy Homebirth
Ep 93: The Fertility Awareness Method and Understanding Your Cycle
Ep 92: Learning That There's Something To Learn About Birth
Ep 91: Preparing for a Homebirth in a Time Crunch!
Ep 90: The Story Behind The 3 Pillars of a Happy Homebirth
Ep 89: Homebirth.com and a Homebirth Story!
Ep 88: Lindsey's Thoughtful, Meditative Birth
Ep 87: Gentle Hands Get the Job Done
Ep 86: From Valley to Mountain: Laura's Spiritual, Pain-Free Birth
Ep 85: A Midwife's Homebirth
Ep 84: Shared Decision Making With Dr. Brad Bootstaylor
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