089: Kaitlin's Birth Story: Navigating Denial and Embracing Trust
Birth Education Center
Today on the podcast, we get to hear Kaitlin's birth story. Kaitlin, a doula and new mom, shares her emotional and practical experience of labor and delivery with us. Katlin and her husband came through my Hypnobirthing series and proved that taking a class earlier than you think you should may be your intuition prompting you! She is also a masterful writer so this episode is a mixture of story and conversation! She opens up about her initial denial as labor began and how that shadowed her experience. Kaitlin's husband, Alex, played a crucial role in advocating for her and their baby,...
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088: Doula Insights: Jessica's Lessons from Hypnobirthing Classes
Birth Education Center
In this last episode of doula education, you get to meet Jessica, a new doula, as she reflects on what she learned from these parents while attending our hypnobirthing class series. Jessica and I discuss each of the five classes. I have loved seeing what each doula has noticed per class because it shows just how much our own lived experiences influence what we are most needing in birth education. The main topics Jessica pulled from the series was the importance of childbirth education, pushing techniques, the role of partners, and all the ways to stay calm and grounded during labor. We...
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087: How to Support Surrogacy as a Doula, - Part 4
Birth Education Center
In this episode, we welcome Jamilah back for Part 4 of our Surrogacy series. This show is specifically for doulas but Jamilah also adds in some information for those of you who are considering becoming a surrogate! Supporting a surrogate and the family they are working with has some nuances for sure. Jamilah wants you to feel very prepared from the first interview through the postpartum time. We cover common surrogacy terms, the emotional and physical challenges surrogates face, the necessity of trauma-informed care, and the often overlooked postpartum support. I was also surprised by so...
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086: Empowering New Doulas: Insights and Reflections with Shannon
Birth Education Center
We are back with another Doula education episode - although parents will also learn a lot with these perspectives! In this show, I get to chat with Shannon, a new doula who's bringing her unique perspective as a childless doula. Shannon and I talk about each of the five classes, discussing everything from reframing fears to the beauty of comfort measures and the importance of following your intuition in birth work. Shannon shares her personal journey, bits and pieces from our classes, and how these experiences have empowered her in her doula journey. We also talk about the power of...
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085: Brandi's Birth Story, Education To Go With The Flow
Birth Education Center
Brandi is here for today's show with her Doula Heather Taylor to share her transformative birth experience. Brandi took Hypnobirthing and all the other birth related classes to feel as prepared as possible. She and her husband asked a ton of questions and were on the same page about their plans for a smooth birth experience. They worked HARD to organize their education information and create backup plans for everything. One of her nly fears was having to give birth on her back and she didn’t want to feel stuck. She chose a great hospital, midwives as providers and checked all of her boxes...
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084: Transforming through Childbirth Education: Insights with Doula Gurleen
Birth Education Center
Hey everyone! We actually have three of these special episodes in our show’s lineup! Education is so key for parents but equally as needed for new doulas. As doulas take childbirth education from different instructors, learning different methods - they’re ability to meet more needs with the families they serve is undeniable. Every family has such different perspectives and there’s not one perfect course for everyone. Understanding what is available in a doula’s own location as well as what is available online, is critical for being able to recommend education matches for parents. This...
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083: Our Story of Home Birth: Becca and Kyle
Birth Education Center
In this episode, Care welcomes back Kyle and introduces Becca as they recount their unique and emotional birth story. Becca called me for classes when she was only two months along and we started her birth prep with that phone call. Her friend Kaitlyn is a doula and prompted her to call early so we could get a handle on her initial anxieties in early pregnancy. Coming from a small town in Nevada this couple had to organize a home birth differently. We talk about the decision to have a home birth at their midwife's home, the intensity of labor, and the unexpected turns that showcase the...
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082: Birth Education: A Father's Experience
Birth Education Center
It’s a dad show! Kyle wanted his own chance to talk about his journey into fatherhood and next week Becca comes in to share their birth story! In this episode, I get to introduce you to Kyle, a new father and military veteran. When Kyle came into Hypnobirthing, he was initially hesitant and skeptical and it was evident from his face lol! But something switched as classes went on and Kyle shares how understanding his role in the birthing process and demystifying the act of childbirth changed his fear into curiosity and anticipation. Kyle credits the birth education for both he and...
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081: Bonus Episode: Angel and Joe’s Birth Story — The Written Substack Edition
Birth Education Center
This bonus episode concludes our three-part series as we share the full written version of Angel and Joe’s home birth story, as originally published on Substack. In Angel’s own words, you’ll experience the emotional, physical, and spiritual journey of pregnancy, birth, and the early days of parenthood. This piece beautifully filled in the bits of their video version in episode 079. I so appreciate honest storytelling, and love that this record will be passed down to their daughter someday. Thank you for joining us for this heartfelt and vulnerable journey. Links Read Angel’s full...
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080: Reflections on Pregnancy, Identity, and Ancestry — A Reading from Angel’s Substack
Birth Education Center
In this special episode, we continue our three-part series on birth and parenthood. Today, I read from Angel’s deeply personal Substack article, which explores the emotional and spiritual journey through pregnancy, identity, and the transition into parenthood. This piece offers a raw and honest look at grief, transformation, and the ancestral threads woven into new life. I am very honored they let me share this with you. If you missed last week’s episode, be sure to listen to Angel and Joe’s home birth story for the full context of their journey. Links Read Angel’s full Substack...
info_outlineWe’re back with Jamilah for the final chapter of her surrogacy journey! In this episode, Jamilah shares the emotional and physical experience of delivering her surrogate baby. From the anticipation and pressure of reaching 40 weeks for herself and the Intended Parents, to advocating for herself in the hospital, to the powerful moment of birth.
And there’s an unexpected plot twist here that wasn’t planned but pulled things in full circle. She also shares about the unique postpartum experience of going home without a baby—Jamilah’s story is full of insight for anyone curious about surrogacy, birth, and the bonds formed along the way.
Thank you for joining us for this moving conclusion to Jamilah’s story. If you missed Parts 1 and 2, be sure to check them out for the full journey!
@jamilahallencreative @familymattersurrogacy
𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀!
Let’s connect: Have questions or comments for this episode?
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