Birth Story Podcast

Hi! I'm Heidi, experienced Birth Doula and host of the Birth Story podcast brought to you by Birth Story Media™. I support moms through their fertility and pregnancy journeys and help have trauma free birth stories and labor stories. When moms embrace their pregnant bellies and their pregnancy and await the arrival of their baby or babies they are going to feel many emotions and have many visions about what will happen during child birth. "Is this normal?" "What does a contraction feel like?" "What does the day of labor look like?" "What is a Doula?" I want every mom's birth story to be peaceful, happy and a memory that they will love to share. Birth Story podcast is my way to provide childbirth education through story telling in the comfort of your home and to prepare a mom for motherhood with any birth story that unfolds for their pregnancy, labor and delivery. If a pregnant mom uses an OBGYN, a midwife, a doula, a birth doula, or has a home birth, water birth, natural birth, C-section, cesarean birth, hospital birth, medicated birth, epidural birth, pitocin birth, an induction or induced labor, are having multiple babies or a single baby, a birth plan or no birth plan; I started this podcast to help moms learn and prepare for their labor and delivery and birth though birth story telling. BIRTH STORY PODCAST INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/birthstorypodcast BIRTH STORY PODCAST FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/birthstorypodcast LOOKING FOR A DOULA IN CHARLOTTE, NC? HIRE MyDoulaHeidi: https://www.mydoulaheidi.com BIRTH STORY PODCAST SHOWNOTES: https://www.birthstory.com

201 Sabia Wade on Roles of Dominance and Submission and How They Are Woven into Birthwork and Parenting 11/23/2024

201 Sabia Wade on Roles of Dominance and Submission and How They Are Woven into Birthwork and Parenting Sabia Wade (she/they), is a Black, queer, CEO, author, educator, full-spectrum doula, investor, and expander of Black luxury. Sabia is the founder of , an accessible and inclusive training program for community care workers, and , a non-profit providing doulas at no or low-cost to low-income and marginalized communities in San Diego. As a coach, board member, investor, educator, and programming development consultant for organizations throughout the Birth and Reproductive Health Industry, every part of Sabia’s work centers on liberation of all people through Reproductive Justice. Her book, Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Can Set Us Free, is . Additionally, Sabia is a certified reiki practitioner, death doula, somatic practitioner, human design reader, wedding officiant, and is currently working toward becoming a Spiritual Director! 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: How being a dominatrix is not just about sexuality Doms and doula work The role of doms and subs in birth and parenting 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: advocacy doula support dominatrix Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: Website: Book: Instagram: TikTok: Facebook Group: X: YouTube Channel: Substack: Found Free Mentorship: ______________________________________________________________________________ We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy person on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in parenting, pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/34120996

200 Bicornuate Uterus and Cardiac Conditions (Baby and Mom) Induction Birth Story with L&D nurse Amy Lloyd 11/21/2024

200 Bicornuate Uterus and Cardiac Conditions (Baby and Mom) Induction Birth Story with L&D nurse Amy Lloyd Today Heidi interviewed Amy Lloyd. Here is a little more about Amy and this episode. In Amy's words: "I graduated nursing school in 2011 and started working in the NICU. I travel nursed and ended up in Denver, CO for 7 years. I mainly worked in the NICU but worked for Nurse Family Partnership for 4 years (an amazing nationwide program for 1st time moms that qualify based on income!) I got married and moved to Asheville, NC in 2021. We got pregnant on the first try! I did the NIPT and found out we were having a boy! At my first appointment they mentioned I had a bicornuate uterus. Since hearing I had a higher rate of a breech baby I was pretty convinced he would be breech and I would have a scheduled c-section. “Normal” pregnancy. I felt really good. Worked night shift in the NICU until 39 weeks. I got COVID at 26 weeks pregnant. The recommendation then was to have a growth ultrasound. I had one at 34 weeks where they discovered the left side of his heart and aorta were small. I was referred to MFM in Asheville and then onto MFM and cardiology in Charlotte. I was induced at 39.2 at Atrium. I had a good induction…foley bulb, pitocin, epidural, AROM, pushed for 45 minutes. My baby immediately went to the NICU. His echo showed he had coarctation of the aorta and he had surgery at 3 days old! We were in the hospital for 2 weeks before coming home to Asheville. We experienced lots of feeding difficulties. He came home with a NG tube, had reflux, and a weak suck. I was basically exclusively pumping from the start. I weaned off the pump at 9.5 months postpartum. At 3 weeks postpartum I had severe abdominal pain leading me to be readmitted for IV antibiotics. They believe I had endometritis. My baby just turned 1 8/29/22. He is doing great and will continue to be followed by cardiology for life but hopefully should not need any further interventions!" 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Flexibility Advocating for your family 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Congenital heart defect Epidural induction Exclusive pumping Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? Boppy for baby. I usually buy my friends a nice pair of pajamas as everyone is usually focused on stuff for the baby! Summary of guest experience – Currently live in Asheville, NC. Graduated nursing school in 2011 and have worked in the NICU as a RN ever since. Also have my CLC. Please link your contact information for me to share in the episode. Instagram: We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/33704067

199 Why the buzz around Magnesium? Understanding magnesium with Magnesium Lotion Shop Owners Mike and Tiffany 08/29/2024

199 Why the buzz around Magnesium? Understanding magnesium with Magnesium Lotion Shop Owners Mike and Tiffany Today's episode is all about understanding magnesium, where it comes from, why we need it, what the dosing is, and how critical this mineral is for pregnancy. Magnesium Lotion Shop started with Tiffany having restless legs during pregnancy and postpartum, not knowing until much later it was because of a magnesium deficiency. Tiffany created a DIY version of lotion that worked, and shared it on her blog. Readers kept asking her to make them some. So she worked to develop a smooth, creamy, non-greasy formula. Today Magnesium Lotion Shop has two formulas - ORIGINAL (unscented) and SLEEP (lavender w/melatonin) - and both are plant-based, and non-toxic. 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Magnesium is used by over 400 processes in the body, including healthy sleep cycles, blood circulation, muscle cramps, anxiety, regulating moods Over ⅔ of population is deficient in magnesium. Even more important in pregnancy and post-partum when baby gets first dibs on nutrients Topical magnesium avoids digestive distress/discomfort. Achieving healthy levels of magnesium requires consistent daily use 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Dosage (how much magnesium should we be aiming for?) Deficient (how do I know if I’m deficient?) Safe (is magnesium lotion safe during pregnancy and for kids?) Magnesium Lotion Shop Founders are Michael and Tiffany Terczak, who live outside Greenville, SC Tiffany is a grocery budgeting expert, sharing affordable family-favorite recipes, meal plans and shopping strategies at her blog since 2012. Michael is the CEO of Magnesium Lotion Shop with over 36,000 lotions sold and now available online and in seven different states across the country. Website: Instagram: Facebook Group: XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand parents in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! - looking for a doula in Charlotte, NC? /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/32798957

198 How Dad's Can Help You and Be The Best Father and Partner / Dad coaching/ Welcome to Fatherhood with David Arrell (New 2024) 08/15/2024

197 Welcome to Fatherhood with David Arrell (Replay 2021) 08/15/2024

196 Let's Write Your Birth Story with writing coach Ashley Schein 06/06/2024

196 Let's Write Your Birth Story with writing coach Ashley Schein Ashley Schein is a mother, a writer, and a writing workshop facilitator. She leads workshops, both in person and over zoom. In this episode she talks about the benefits of writing and sharing your birth story in a safe space, and gives some guidance on how to get started so that your story can unfold naturally and beautifully on the page. Ashley also shares about how writing helped her process her own birth experiences and gave her a new perspective. Listen until the end to hear her read the story of her daughter’s birth. 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Writing is healing. It can help us process what we’ve been through. It’s possible to write about the same experience more than once in different ways, which can lead to new understanding. Writing your birth story is a beautiful way to honor yourself and your experience. It’s never too late to write your story. There’s no one more qualified to write your birth story than you. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “writer.” 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Writing your birth story Birth Story Workshop Writing to heal Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: One of those insanely long pieces of fabric that you wrap around your body so that you can wear your baby. It takes a bit of time on YouTube to figure it out, but once you have it down it’s miraculous for those early, early days when baby just wants to be on mama all. Of. The. Time. Writing and storytelling have always been a part of Ashley’s life, both personally and professionally. Before becoming a mother, Ashley spent more than 15 years helping brands and organizations find their voices and tell their stories. Now, she helps people do the same by leading writing workshops. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two young kids. Website: Instagram: XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/31637527

195 Jenna Slot is back! Baby #4 with a L&D nurse from the busiest L&D unit in the USA 05/08/2024

195 Jenna Slot is back! Baby #4 with a L&D nurse from the busiest L&D unit in the USA This is a follow up birth story with baby #4 with Jenna Slot of the oh so popular episode That episode was republished just before this one in Episode 194. In Jenna's words: "We'll talk about my 4th birth story, which started with my water breaking in the elevator at work (work for me is as a labor and delivery nurse!). I also talk about becoming an exclusive pumper when he refused to nurse (or couldn't nurse) because that was a hard pill to swallow after having successfully nursed 3 babies. Also, my mom was at this birth and then shortly after was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, so I was also dealing with immense grief during my postpartum period. I think both grief and exclusive pumping are topics worth discussing when they are present in pregnancy and postpartum!!" 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Point 1 - sometimes a baby will not nurse even if you try absolutely everything. And it's ok to feel sad about that! Point 2 - late epidurals and....why not!?! Point 3 - All birth stories are different. How unique my 4th one was compared to the first 3. 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Point 1 - regarding water breaking and confirmation - manicure, ferning Point 2 - exclusive pumping, lactation consulting, issues transferring milk Point 3 - late epidurals Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: I LOVED the solly wrap and the ergo carrier. Summary of guest experience – Who are you? I'm an L&D nurse in West Michigan. I'm also a recently graduated and credentialed Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. I live near Grand Rapids, MI. Instagram: Pinterest: XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/31177777

194 Jenna Slot's PFO mid pregnancy and ocular stroke birth story REPLAY 05/08/2024

193 How to LITERALLY Have a safer childbirth with attorney Gina Mundy 05/03/2024

193 How to LITERALLY Have a safer childbirth with attorney Gina Mundy Today I chat with Gina Mundy about having a safe childbirth in a hospital. Pitocin should have their feelings hurt right now. Trigger warning as we discuss the stuff no one wants to think about, but that we all need to think about. Maternal and Fetal demise mentioned. Birth injuries mentioned. In her own words: I am an attorney specializing in childbirth cases, bestselling author, mother of three and wife. For over two decades, I have analyzed the mistakes that are made during labor and delivery. Drawing on this knowledge, I have authored the book "A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth" to help parents prevent these mistakes and have a healthy baby. Rather than merely getting involved after an unfortunate mistake was made, I have taken a proactive approach by getting involved before childbirth. 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Point 1 Lessons learned from childbirth cases Point 2 Most common facts in a childbirth case Point 3 How to have a safe chilbirth in a hospital Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: My book “A Parent’s Guide to a Safer Childbirth” Website: Amazon Book Link: Instagram: @GinaMundy Facebook: Gina Mundy, Author Linked In: Gina Mundy Twitter: @ginamundy_ XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/31116113

192 Stem cells, placenta cells, cord tissue cells OH MY! How and why to privately bank with ANJA HEALTH CEO, Kathryn Cross 04/20/2024

192 Stem cells, placenta cells, cord tissue cells OH MY! How and why to privately bank with ANJA HEALTH CEO, Kathryn Cross We will cover Kathryn’s “Founder’s Story” about why she founded Anja Health - after a near-drowning accident, her brother was left with cerebral palsy and umbilical cord blood stem cells could’ve helped save his life. Since they’re mixed race, they were unable to find a match in public banks, which inspired Kathryn to create an affordable private stem cell safe. We will talk about what cord blood banking is, why is it important and we’ll mention a few case studies, that will showcase a few of the 85+ diseases for which cord blood stem cells are approved as a treatment for. 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: If you’re pregnant you should definitely consider cord blood cord tissue and placenta banking. Placenta banking is an under utilized part of the birth plan Why Anja Health is different How cord blood, cord tissue, and placenta banking works and how much it costs. 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Cord blood banking Stem cells Birth plan Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: the Complete plan for Lifetime of storage by Anja Health Kathryn Cross is the CEO and Founder of Anja Health. Currently she is based in LA. Website: anjahealth.com Instagram: @anja.health TikTok: @kathrynanja & @anjahealth Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/anjahealth YouTube Channel: XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/30908613

191 The birth story of what happened when Sarah Latane had an umbilical cord prolapse in labor 01/30/2024

191 The birth story of what happened when Sarah Latane had an umbilical cord prolapse in labor My name is Sarah Latane. I live in the Shenandoah Valley of VA. I am a board certified behavior analyst and a stay at home parent. Brief overview of pregnancy; surprise pregnancy, early symptoms, initial MD care (on accident), early scare, practice transfer to midwife care, later symptoms (including GBS + and hypothyroid). Day/night of birth; prodromal labor and early labor at home, then hospital, never met before midwife, trauma response to cervical exam, decels, epidural, continued decels, cord prolapse diagnosed and emergency c-section. Some birth trauma, definitely the baby blues, then slowly progressing PPD turned postpartum rage, but mostly better now. 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Point 1: birth is extremely unpredictable; definitely have strong visions for your birth plan, but research other alternatives just in case (I NEVER considered that I would end up having a cesarean and had not researched or planned for this at all and I think it made coming to terms with it harder). Point 2 : maybe prepare for cervical exam if you have experienced sexual assault before and have a first exam pre-labor? I think this really would have helped me. Point 3 : if possible, try to envision and plan for what after your birth will look like, e.g., what are your boundaries? And who can you enlist to advocate for you? I think (now that I have hindsight) realized boundaries and a strong advocate could have helped me avoid PPD/rage 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Point 1: cord prolapse Point 2 : birth trauma? Point 3 : postpartum depression/rage Instagram: @sblatane XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/29717428

190 Rainbow Babies Part 2 with Kelli the Labor Nurse on Changing the narrative for redemptive birthing 01/18/2024

190 Rainbow Babies Part 2 with Kelli the Labor Nurse on Changing the narrative for redemptive birthing This is Part 2 of my discussion with Kelli! During the podcast interviews we are going through 3 different birth stories as well as two losses. Each story is very unique in its own way and just goes to show how every birth can be different. We talk about Kelli's first birth being an induction with various interventions, her experience with two pregnancy losses, as well as the anxiety/mental health struggles she had during pregnancy, to having rainbow babies and a more hands off informed and empowering birthing experiences. 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Each birth is different Informed choices Finding a supportive OB or midwife is very important not just for birth but for pregnancy loss 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Natural Birth Hospital Birth Pregnancy after loss Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: Favorite motherhood product: a pumping bra! It took me three kids to discover the magic of being hands free by using a pumping bra! I literally always held my breast pumps to me and when my last baby was in NICU it was such a game changer to be able to use my hands! In Kelli's words: "I am a registered nurse in the Kansas area who has a passion for all things birth. As a die hard patient advocate, I want people to know that their birth doesn’t have to be at the hands of a 9-5 doctor and that people have every right to have a say in their care as well as be able to make informed decisions about their birth without being talked down to or coerced." Please link your contact information for me to share in the episode. Instagram: @kellithelabornurse Facebook Page: Kellithelabornurse: XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/29472418

189 Kelli the Labor Nurse on her first birth as a young mom who did it the hospital's way and then 2 miscarriages PART 1 OF 2 01/18/2024

189 Kelli the Labor Nurse on her first birth as a young mom who did it the hospital's way and then 2 miscarriages PART 1 OF 2 TRIGGER WARNING Miscarriages and miscarriage information. Walking through what it is like to miscarry at home and to have a DNC. Part 2 are her rainbow baby birth stories if you prefer to skip ahead. During the podcast interviews we are going through 3 different birth stories as well as two losses. Each story is very unique in its own way and just goes to show how every birth can be different. We talk about Kelli's first birth being an induction with various interventions, her experience with two pregnancy losses, as well as the anxiety/mental health struggles she had during pregnancy, to having rainbow babies and a more hands off informed and empowering birthing experiences. 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Each birth is different Informed choices Finding a supportive OB or midwife is very important not just for birth but for pregnancy loss 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Natural Birth Hospital Birth Pregnancy after loss Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: Favorite motherhood product: a pumping bra! It took me three kids to discover the magic of being hands free by using a pumping bra! I literally always held my breast pumps to me and when my last baby was in NICU it was such a game changer to be able to use my hands! In Kelli's words: "I am a registered nurse in the Kansas area who has a passion for all things birth. As a die hard patient advocate, I want people to know that their birth doesn’t have to be at the hands of a 9-5 doctor and that people have every right to have a say in their care as well as be able to make informed decisions about their birth without being talked down to or coerced." Please link your contact information for me to share in the episode. Instagram: @kellithelabornurse Facebook Page: Kellithelabornurse: XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/29472403

188 Birth Happens Author Sarah Beauchamp 3 Birth Stories Hospital to Home 01/12/2024

188 Birth Happens Author Sarah Beauchamp 3 Birth Stories Hospital to Home In Sarah Beauchamp's own words: "My name is Sarah Beauchamp and I have a Bachelor’s degree with a focus on education. I am a mom of three kids (Almost 6, 4, and 1), a birth doula, a birth photographer, and the creator of the book, Birth Happens. I live in Northern Vermont. I am a doula and birth photographer who will give an overview of my own birth stories and then talk about the book I created, Birth Happens: A Collection of Birth Stories. This book has 128 different birth stories from 8 different countries. There is a focus on positive birth stories, but there are also some that are not as happy. There are home births, birth center births, hospital births, and unassisted births. There are breech births and twin births. The stories are meant to provide inspiration and education to anyone who is pregnant or interested in learning more about birth. I also talk about birth photography and how my goals with the book are my same goals with photography - sharing inspiration and education and helping people realize that birth is really beautiful." 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Birth Happens is available around the globe and is an affordable and accessible way to learn more about birth on your own time Birth is different for every person and every baby. It is mysterious and magical and reading lots of stories and listening to different birth story podcasts is a great way to prepare for birth. Birth doesn’t have to be scary and traumatic. It can be sometimes because it is always unpredictable, but it is also possible to have an empowering and beautiful birth. 3 keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Birth Photography Birth Stories Childbirth Education Website: birthsmiles.com Instagram: @birthsmiles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083965312591 XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/29465963

186 Japan's First Yoga Model on Ecstatic and Peaceful Birthing with Mae Yoshikawa 11/22/2023

186 Japan's First Yoga Model on Ecstatic and Peaceful Birthing with Mae Yoshikawa Mae Yoshikawa is a mom, widow, author, model, yogi, and mindfullness guru in Tokyo, Japan. We spent 90 minutes together healing, chatting, and teaching YOU her recipe for peaceful birthing in Japan. In this healing episode, you’ll hear about… What keeps a woman from making not just informed but empowered decisions during pregnancy and at the time of birth. Despite her youth, health, and extremely fit body, Mae learned that she had gotten in her own way. As she looks back at her first birthing experience, she reflects on how she didn’t know that safe, pain-free, natural birth was possible for her, and that she had unknowingly let the subliminal messages of her mother’s birthing advice paint the landscape of her mind negatively. As a long-time yoga and meditation practitioner, Mae is adept at describing some of the energetic aspects of our minds and bodies; the yin and yang, masculine and feminine, as she discovered within herself. Eight years after her first, Mae ultimately had a redemptive birthing experience with her second child. Even then, she almost missed her chance when she thought that being a “nice girl” was about listening to the nurse and going with the ways of culture. At this delicate moment, it was her husband who reminded her of her strengths, joy, and self-empowered choice. Mae’s story of shifting from defeat to ecstasy in the experience of childbirth, as well as all of the learning lessons she has taken away from them, are sure to reach your heart too. You’ll also hear about how she lost her beloved husband suddenly, only five months after this divine homebirth experience. Mae’s third book (her first in English) is a heart-wrenching and heart-arousing memoir titled Kizuki, which chronicles her experience of finding herself again through grief by metaphorically weaving through her experiences of childbirth and childrearing (coming soon). Learn more about Mae and her upcoming book Kizuki at her Flagship Website: Find Mae on Instagram: We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/28702833

185 FREE Egg Freezing with Cofertility founder Lauren Makler 11/17/2023

185 FREE Egg Freezing with Cofertility founder Lauren Makler While Lauren was pitching Uber Health to their executive team, she felt a sharp, irregular pain in her stomach. With testing and a diagnostic surgery, she was diagnosed with an incredibly rare disease and was told she may not be able to have a biological child. As you can imagine, her first questions were: how do I navigate this disease? But also, how will I build a family some day? Because so little is known about this disease, it was unclear if she could pursue egg-freezing, so she started looking into donation and what stuck out to her was how antiquated and, for a lack of a better word, “icky” the traditional system felt. While, ultimately, she was very fortunate to have her sister freeze her eggs and donate them to her to potentially use later, and was able to conceive her baby girl unassisted, she never stopped thinking about egg donation. I spent months thinking about the costly, and emotionally and physically taxing feats people go through to build a family, and couldn’t believe no one has been talking about this and yet, egg donation is at the crux of so many other pieces of the industry. It’s an essential part of LGBTQ+ family planning, it goes hand in hand with egg-freezing, and it’s part of the process for many couples who go through infertility. That’s why in 2022, she founded Cofertility, to reshape fertility preservation and third-party reproduction so it’s more accessible, human and community-driven. The company offers a destigmatized, scalable approach to egg donation, which reshapes the cost structure of egg-freezing by matching women who want to freeze their eggs with families who could not otherwise conceive and by donating half, women can freeze their eggs for free. Since their launch last fall, tens of thousands of people have applied to be a part of their egg-freezing programs, and they have activated hundreds of donors. They’ve also taken a firm stance against the historical, predatory practices that involve cash compensation and failing to provide fertility education for the donor’s own reproductive future. In the egg-sharing model, which is what their Split program offers, there is a focus on shared outcomes rather than financial gain. All members get access to their online community, where people talk openly about their egg-freezing experience and support one another through it in real time and they welcome all intended parents — single or coupled, regardless of what brought them here — and support them with compassion and respect for whatever path is best for them. Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: The way we build families is more dynamic than ever and looks different for everyone. Cofertility exists to honor that and offers a destigmatized, scalable approach for bringing egg donation and egg-freezing together. It’s our goal to fix the broken egg donation system. Matching with an Egg Donor should be a positive experience. If you're looking for an egg donor — either due to infertility, cancer, a genetic condition, or not having eggs — you may already feel like the odds are stacked against you. The last thing you need is to feel like you’re “shopping” for a human who plays a critical role in your family-building journey. And we’ll never make it feel that way. We agree with that egg donor compensation can open the door for exploitation. Plus, a 2021 found that 62% of donor-conceived adults felt the exchange of money for donor gametes was wrong, and 41% were troubled by the fact that money was exchanged around their conception. By allowing our donors to freeze their eggs as part of the process, our unique model honors everyone involved. Lauren speaks to intended parents struggling with second infertility all the time at Cofertility, and it’s something her and her husband are going through right now on their journey to baby #2. It can be especially frustrating as it’s surprising and stressful, but it's estimated that nearly one-third of the women who experience infertility are impacted by it. Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: The Snoo and taking Cara Babies’ Sleep Schedule Who is Lauren? Lauren Makler is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cofertility, a human-first fertility ecosystem rewriting the egg freezing and egg donation experience. Previously Lauren was an early Uber employee and founded Uber Health, a product that enables healthcare organizations to leverage Uber’s massive driver network in improving healthcare outcomes through patient transportation and healthcare delivery. After a rare disease diagnosis, Lauren’s fertility journey led her to believe that everyone should have the opportunity to freeze their eggs–and that there should be better access to egg donors. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their miracle baby girl. Website: Instagram: + + + Facebook Group: Other: + XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/28696178

184 Pregnant at 13 in Foster Care. Behind the Smile with Lisa Carter. 10/19/2023

183 Cerclage, Miscarriage, and Hypnobabies: Designing a redemptive birth with Hypnobabies grad Theresa Kinter 10/15/2023

183 Cerclage, Miscarriage, and Hypnobabies: Designing a redemptive birth with Hypnobabies grad Theresa Kinter The birth of my first son was a deviation from my meticulously crafted plans, shrouding me in an unexpected sense of shame. The aftermath gave rise to a tempest of postpartum depression and anxiety, a labyrinthine struggle that eventually became a catalyst for self-discovery. As the years streamed by, the landscape shifted once more - our eagerly anticipated pregnancy dissolved into sorrow through a late miscarriage at 15 weeks, orchestrated by an incompetent cervix. Yet, from the ashes of despair emerged a phoenix of resilience. The subsequent pregnancy came adorned with its own challenges, demanding a cerclage stitch to fortify my cervix. Armed with newfound strength and the harmonious guidance of hypnobabies, I navigated the path to an empowering and joy-filled birthing experience. A journey from despair to triumphant repair and the reclamation of my empowered spirit. XOXO-Theresa Kinter 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Pregnancy with a cerclage Birthing unmedicated with Hypnobabies Misscarriage and support building 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Cerclage Hypnobabies Miscarriage Favorite baby product or new motherhood product? What would you buy for someone who was currently pregnant or a new parent?: A pregnancy seat belt buckle (this is a game changer for car comfort) A pair of pregnancy leggings Postpartum underwear Blackout curtains Cosleeper Summary of guest experience: I’m Theresa Kinter, a Digital Art Director at a sports marketing agency in Charlotte, NC. I have a BA in web design but I appreciate art in all forms. When I’m not cosplaying as a business woman, I’m navigating life as a mildly crunchy mom of 2 fun-loving and wild boys. I currently moonlight as an Etsy Shop owner where I create helpful comprehensive guides and cozy comforts like herbal eye pillows. ebsite: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tkstitchyouneed Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/TKStitchYouNeed Etsy: https://tkstitchyouneed.etsy.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tkstitchyouneed XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/28270949

182 How to Count the Kicks and WHY it could save your baby's life 10/09/2023

182 How to Count the Kicks and WHY it could save your baby's life Counting your baby’s movement starting at the 26th week for high-risk pregnancy and (twins, triplets) and at 28 weeks for all other pregnancies is important because it helps parents to bond with their baby and learn their baby’s specific movement patterns. Baby’s movement communicates their wellbeing. If their movement becomes less or weaker than normal, this can be your baby communicating that they may not be getting the nutrients or oxygen that they need and it is a sign to notify your provider for further evaluation. Monitoring your baby’s movement at the same time every day can help to determine what their normal is so that you can learn more about your baby and be able to be empowered to speak up to your provider if you notice a change in their normal movement patterns. 3 Key takeaways from the podcast that listeners will learn today: Count the Kicks is an organization that provides technology for parents to track their baby’s movements and the strength of their movements - you can track twins, it is in 16 languages, there is an app, web-based and printable tracker as well. A study Count the Kicks was a part of showed a decrease in stillbirth by 32% through the use of this app in Iowa alone and a survey of 809 moms who used Count the Kicks reported 77% of moms stated that counting their baby’s movements using the app decreased their anxiety about counting kicks and 84% felt more bonded to their baby. Common Myths about Kick Counting: “My baby is always active, so I don’t need to count kicks.” A baby’s movement is the way they communicate their wellbeing with their parents, so it is important to know the normal movement patterns of the baby so that if there is a change, the parents can quickly notice it. Plus, counting kicks is a way to learn about your baby and bond with them as you learn when they are most active during the day. “Only those experiencing a high-risk pregnancy should pay attention to their baby’s movement.” During pregnancy, we cannot physically see a baby to know they are doing well, so we must pay attention to their movement. Every baby is different from pregnancy to pregnancy. Babies communicate their wellbeing by their movement, so even if a person doesn’t have a high-risk pregnancy, it is still important to learn their baby’s movement so they can notify a provider if that movement pattern changes. “My baby should get 10 kicks in two hours.” Research has shown that knowing a baby’s normal movement pattern will be a better gage to notify the provider if there has been a change. If a baby normally takes two hours to make 10 movements, then that is the baby’s normal. However, if a baby usually takes less time than two hours to make ten movements and it is taking them much longer to make ten movements, this is a sign to notify the provider since we know baby’s move less and may have weaker movements when they are not feeling their best and need evaluation. “I can just use a doppler device to monitor my baby’s wellbeing.” Every doppler device is different, and a change in heart rate can be one of the last signs that a baby’s wellbeing needs evaluation. A change in movement is one of the earliest signs, so that is why it is important to count a baby’s movements and know what the baby’s normal movement pattern is. “If my baby isn’t moving, I should drink something cold or eat something sugary to get my baby moving.” A change in a baby’s movement is one of the first signs that the baby’s wellbeing needs evaluation. A baby’s movement pattern should be the same with or without something cold to drink or something sugary to eat. Therefore, it is best to have the baby evaluated if the parent needs to do something to get the baby moving. “Baby’s kick less near the end of pregnancy.” Baby’s move throughout the pregnancy, even throughout labor. The way the baby’s movement feels may change near the end of pregnancy as the baby has grown, but the time it takes for a baby to make 10 movements should be the same throughout the pregnancy, even towards the end. 3 Keywords that people would want to search when looking for content that you would provide in this episode: Kick Counts Reduce stillbirth Pregnancy App Summary of guest experience Roxane McAllister. I have been a labor and delivery nurse for five years and currently I am a traveling nurse in California. I am an ambassador for Count the Kicks because I am passionate about maternal and infant health such as reducing stillbirth and promoting parental bonding with their babies before their babies are even born. Website: www.countthekicks.org Instagram: @countthekicksus TikTok: @countthekicks Facebook Group: @countthekicks YouTube Channel: @countthekicks Twitter: @countthekicksUS Other: my email: RESEARCH BJOG (Research published showing 32% reduction in stillbirth in Iowa by using Cout the Kicks app) AJOG (Research published showing how tracking fetal movement by mothers helps improve outcomes medically and emotionally) Fetal Movement (Research about importance about fetal movement) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470566/ XOXO -Heids We have seats available in Birth Story Academy. Join today for $20 off with code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND at ! Resources: I’m Heidi, a Certified Birth Doula, and I’ve supported the deliveries of over one thousand babies in my career. On the Birth Story Podcast, I’ll take you on a journey through your pregnancy by providing you education through storytelling. I provide high-level childbirth education broken down to make it super digestible for you because I know you are a busy parent on the go. Plus, because I am so passionate about birth outcomes, you will hear from many of the top experts in labor and delivery. Connect with Me! /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/28270499

181 Heart Conditions in Pregnancy & Twin Birth Story with Laura Kamps 09/21/2023

180 4 pregnancies/3 Live Births/1 Miscarriage with L&D Nurse Practitioner Alexis Sullivan 09/14/2023

179 Twins, Singletons, Medicated & Unmedicated births, Exercise and Mental Health with author Jenny Stinnett 09/07/2023

178 Miscarriage, Fertility, Gestational Hypertension, and Induction with Morgan Salus 08/31/2023

177 SPINNING BABIES, FUNCTIONAL MIDWIFERY, PRENATAL NUTRITION, & BIRTH STORIES WITH RHEA WILLIAMS 08/27/2023

176 The Doula School with Stefanie Atunes 08/10/2023

176 The Doula School with Stefanie Atunes Stefanie Atunes is the Founder of Doula School in Canada. Stefanie has been a Lamaze® Educator and doula since 2002. After the birth of her second son, Stefanie saw just how valuable it is to be prepared for birth and to have good support around you. Stefanie is a visionary in the childbirth field. She leads the Discover Birth organization providing a variety of services to expectant parents and training for those wishing to pursue work in the childbirth field. Stefanie is a former board member with the Association of Ontario Doulas and sits on many local boards and coalitions to improve our communities. She is a Doula Canada approved Birth Doula Trainer, and runs a Lamaze Lamaze-Accredited Childbirth Educator Program. She recently become the Director of Doula Canada, you can read more about their Stefanie is a contributing author in the best selling Power of Women United and the book Bearing Witness: Childbirth Stories Told by Doulas. She is a regular contributing writer and blogger, and has done many interviews online and for TV/radio. Her belief is that the world can be a better place if parents can have more positive childbirth experiences that allow them to bond properly with their babies. She works tirelessly to change the world in this aspect…one family at a time. Stefanie was awarded ‘Business Woman of the Year for 2022’ by CanadianSME Business Magazine recognizing her contributions to the families of Canada in improving perinatal health outcomes through Discover Birth’s childbirth education, birth and postpartum doula offerings. XOXO- Heidi PS. We just hit 500 attendees to Birth Story Academy! I would love to have you join my online childbirth education course. It's a fun 20 modules of me teaching and entertaining you step by step. Birth plan templates, postpartum plans, hospital packing lists and so much more are all included for FREE including the Birth Story book. Use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF at /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/27716568

175 Movement, Wellness, & Transformative Birth with Hannah Etlin-Stein (Part 2) 08/02/2023

175 Movement, Wellness, & Transformative Birth with Hannah Etlin-Stein (Part 2) This is a 2 part episode. Make sure to listen to Part 1 first! Still looking for a childbirth education course that you will LOVE? Join Birth Story Academy today and learn more from Heidi, a 20 year seasoned doula with a less than 7% cesarean section rate. 20 modules, 6 hours total, self paced and TONS of free downloads. Use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF at About Hannah (and I’m so glad you’re here) As a Registered Massage Therapist governed by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) I’ve had the privilege of working in various environments including the High Risk Obstetrics Unit at Sunnybrook Hospital where my passion for working with pregnant folks fully emerged. After working at multiple different multidisciplinary clinics in Toronto, I’ve settled into a practice at my home clinic in the West End of Toronto. In 2022, I began my training as a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator with Doula Training Canada. Over the past decade, I have worked with a wide variety of clients but have been continually drawn towards working with folks during pregnancy and postpartum. In 2020 I was given the privilege of welcoming my son into the world and went through the truly transformative journey of becoming a mother. This ignited a passion within me to fully enter the birth space and offer support for parents during the perinatal period. My work inevitably weaves together my experiences as a mover, movement educator and body worker. I lead with my values. I believe that Black Lives Matter, Indigenous Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, and that the body is deeply political. I acknowledge my privileges as a white, cis-hetero, able bodied woman and remain committed to listening, reflecting and embodying the work of antiracism. I believe your body does not need to change in shape or size to become valuable. I believe that movement has the capacity to heal and can be vital to wellness. Above all else, I believe that each person knows their body best. Now I’m on a mission to bring continuous care to the prenatal and postnatal wellness space for pregnant and birthing people (along with their partners and families) and to help you feel good and liberated in your body. Enjoy her stories! Enjoy her stories! You can contact Hannah at or XOXO Heidi /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/27642399

174 Movement, Wellness, and Transformative Birth with Hannah Etlin-Stein (Part 1) 08/02/2023

174 Movement, Wellness, and Transformative Birth with Hannah Etlin-Stein (Part 1) This is a 2 part episode. Still looking for a childbirth education course that you will LOVE? Join Birth Story Academy today and learn more from Heidi, a 20 year seasoned doula with a less than 7% cesarean section rate. 20 modules, 6 hours total, self paced and TONS of free downloads. Use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF at About Hannah (and I’m so glad you’re here) As a Registered Massage Therapist governed by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) I’ve had the privilege of working in various environments including the High Risk Obstetrics Unit at Sunnybrook Hospital where my passion for working with pregnant folks fully emerged. After working at multiple different multidisciplinary clinics in Toronto, I’ve settled into a practice at my home clinic in the West End of Toronto. In 2022, I began my training as a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator with Doula Training Canada. Over the past decade, I have worked with a wide variety of clients but have been continually drawn towards working with folks during pregnancy and postpartum. In 2020 I was given the privilege of welcoming my son into the world and went through the truly transformative journey of becoming a mother. This ignited a passion within me to fully enter the birth space and offer support for parents during the perinatal period. My work inevitably weaves together my experiences as a mover, movement educator and body worker. I lead with my values. I believe that Black Lives Matter, Indigenous Lives Matter, Trans Lives Matter, and that the body is deeply political. I acknowledge my privileges as a white, cis-hetero, able bodied woman and remain committed to listening, reflecting and embodying the work of antiracism. I believe your body does not need to change in shape or size to become valuable. I believe that movement has the capacity to heal and can be vital to wellness. Above all else, I believe that each person knows their body best. Now I’m on a mission to bring continuous care to the prenatal and postnatal wellness space for pregnant and birthing people (along with their partners and families) and to help you feel good and liberated in your body. Enjoy her stories! You can contact Hannah at or XOXO Heidi /episode/index/show/birthstory/id/27642348

173 Underground VBAC with Free Range Brewery owner Sarah Alexander 07/25/2023

172 How to Vegan Pregnancy and Unmedicated Birth with COVID Tallulah Duffin (Part 2) 06/28/2023

171: Vegan Pregnancy and Unmedicated Birth with COVID with Oh My Soul owner Tallulah Duffin (Part 1) 06/28/2023

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