In today's episode Sarah is back on the podcast to share her second birth story. Having had a difficult experience first time around, she knew what mattered most to her this time; to feel strong, to advocate for her wishes and to feel like she had more agency. She hired a doula, planned a VBAC, changed hospitals and got lots of independent support to help her prepare for the birth. Unfortunately she faced endless obstacles along the way, which resulted in her birthing her daughter via planned caesarean. Sarah talks us through the grieving process of letting go of the VBAC she had hoped for and how despite numerous challenges she still had a beautiful, calm birth. This is a super special episode because Sarah was the first ever guest on Birth Tales! So it is a joy to have her back on again and it is so lovely that we were joined by little Sadie who you can hear chatting away throughout. FREE hypnobirthing taster session: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-introduction-to-hypnobirthing-online-event-tickets-1970359050962?aff=oddtdtcreator My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/ Sarah's IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmalcs/ Sarah's website: https://sarahmalcolm.co.uk
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072 - Anna | freebirth, doula, waterbirth, physiological birth
In today's episode we're hearing from Anna who freebirthed her son with the support of her partner and doula. Having always felt trusting of the birthing process, Anna knew she wanted to have her baby at home. She shares how amazing it was to have the reassuring presence of a doula through her pregnancy and labour, about the pressure she felt to comply with maternity care that didn't feel right for her and why she ultimately chose to give birth without any midwives present. 9th December FREE hypnobirthing session: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-introduction-to-hypnobirthing-online-event-tickets-1970359050962?aff=oddtdtcreator Anna's IG: https://www.instagram.com/annawilliamson09/ My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/
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071 - Maria | ectopic pregnancy, positive induction, hypnobirthing, 3rd degree tear, closing the bones
In today's episode I'm chatting to Maria about her two pregnancies. Her first was very sadly an ectopic pregnancy and she shares her journey of expectant management, which left her feeling very lonely and anxious. When she conceived again and got through the first trimester, Maria loved her second pregnancy. She planned to birth her baby at home but ended up accepting an induction at 42+2. She talks about her experience of a 3rd degree tear, the amazing postnatal care she received and how healing her birth felt following her loss. I'm so grateful to Maria for sharing so honestly about her ectopic pregnancy and just want to flag to you listening that thats what we speak about for the first few minutes of our conversation in case you'd prefer to save this episode for another day. My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/ Maria's IG: https://www.instagram.com/maria.iggy/ Maria's story: https://ectopic.org.uk/stories/an-expectant-management-experience
In this week's episode I chat to Tassy about her planned c-section. She conceived quickly after coming off the pill and Tassy really enjoyed being pregnant and learning about birth. At 32 weeks her midwife flagged concerns around her baby's small size and after accepting some additional growth scans she quickly realised the birth centre birth she had hoped for was becoming increasingly unlikely. Tassy shares how empowering it felt to choose a caesarean over the induction she was being recommended and how ultimately it felt like a really special and positive way to birth her baby. This is such a lovely example of the value of education in making informed choices and I know you're going to love hearing Tassy's story. Tassy's IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_littlegrape/ Little Grape: https://thelittlegrape.co.uk My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/
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069 - Serena | 2nd baby, homebirth, doula, waterbirth, continuity of care, hypnobirthing, physiological birth
In today's episode I'm sharing my own story of birthing my second son, Sidney. I talk about how I experienced pregnancy with a toddler in tow, the choices I made differently this time and how much I loved birthing my baby at home. After a long and physically exhausting previous birth, this labour challenged me mentally so I share all the coping techniques and comfort measures that helped me through when self-doubt arose. Throughout pregnancy and labour I was cared for by the most awesome midwife Annie, so a strong theme of my birth story is how incredible it was to receive continuity of care from both a midwife and amazing doula Michele who made me feel so safe, listened to and nurtured. The Birth Prep Bundle: https://sincere-union-68693.myflodesk.com/zkj6c4q686 My previous birth story: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/016-serena-pregnancy-after-loss-doula-gbs-positive/id1703057905?i=1000638522383 My website: www.serenalouth.com My IG: https://www.instagram.com/serenalouth/ Milestoneable sculptures: https://milestonable.com
Welcome to Birth Tales. Conception, pregnancy, birth and those first hazy postpartum days are a physical and emotional whirlwind. My hope is that by sharing these unique experiences we can support, educate and inspire others on their journeys to becoming parents.
UK