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Show Notes:

1:32 - Reviewer of the week

2:56 - Megan's background

12:19 - Leading into labor

13:46 - Induced labor and Pitocin

18:31 - Birth #2

23:39 - Megan's providers

24:45 - What changed for Megan's next pregnancy?

33:07 - What inspired Megan to interview an out-of-hospital provider?

35:21 - 42-hour labor

40:21 - Megan's mission

43:00 - Is there a certain time to get a VBAC?

45:29 - How much does uterine rupture increase with multiple VBACs?

48:55 - Do most midwives accept patients who are planning a VBAC?

51:17 - Preparing for your VBAC

53:31 - Where to find Megan

• Instagram
• Website
• Podcast

To Leave a Review 

1. Open Apple Podcasts
2. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
3. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
4. Click the stars!
5. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved!

ALL the best,

Links Mentioned:

• My Essential Birth Course
• My Essential Birth...

Show Notes:

[0:47] Our guest today is Dr. Jessica London, a doctor of physical therapy, pelvic floor therapist, pre and postnatal coach, podcast host of "What about Mom?" and founder and owner of Your Postpartum PT. 

[1:48] Jessica's background 

[4:14] "Pelvic health doesn't even start. It starts before pregnancy. Oftentimes, what we see is problems being exacerbated by pregnancy or the childbirth itself. A lot of times people think, 'Oh, I'm only going to have pelvic floor issues once I have a child and I'm pregnant and I am postpartum.' But we have a lot of women that also struggle with leakage or prolapse or pain with intimacy, even prior to ever bearing a child or becoming pregnant."

[5:24] Heavy feeling in the pelvic area after giving birth 

[7:49] When to start preventative exercises 

[9:34] "I find that you get the best outcomes and the best support if you start in pregnancy, but also just to validate it's never too early and it's never too...

Show Notes:

[0:25] In today's episode, we'll answer: "What if I don't make it to my birthplace?"

[1:27] I want to calm most of your nerves and let you know that the majority of you that are listening is not going to have this issue whatsoever! When you come from a place of knowledge, then you don't have to be in a place of fear should these things happen.

[3:30] "The thing is, babies come when they want to. That part is very normal and natural too. With all of our best guessing, even when we're going to our providers those last couple of weeks or whatever, and they're saying, 'you're this much dilated and you're this much effaced.' Or even when a well meaning provider says, 'I bet I'm going to see you this Saturday.' We don't get to choose that. The babies get to choose. Most of the time, we get an opportunity to kind of work into labor and there's an ebb and flow to it.

[6:46] If you don't think you'll make it to your birth place in time, call an ambulance. Let...

Show Notes:

00:00 - Episode preview 

00:48 - Intro 

01:49 - About Elizabeth 

03:39 - Elizabeth's first birth story 

07:54 - Conceiving 

09:48 - Desires for pregnancy #2 

15:30 - What it felt like to be pregnant a second time 

17:30 - Things that came up during pregnancy 

21:40 - Elizabeth's birth team 

24:25 - Knowing your doula vs not knowing 

25:54 - Pregnancy prep 

31:30 - Birth story 

34:08 - When did Elizabeth know for certain it was time? 

38:17 - Contraction to birth 

"I feel like I can understand a little bit of women who say contractions are not necessarily painful because it is about how you approach it. This contraction cannot be stronger than me because it is me."

42:12 - When did Elizabeth decide to go into the hospital? 

48:46 - Back labor and her doula 

56:16 - How close were her contractions before her epidural? 

58:06 - After her epidural 

66:11 - Previous pregnancy ...

Show Notes:

[1:35] Our Reviewer of the Week is Mcragle, and she said: "I started listening to this podcast around 34 weeks into my 2nd pregnancy. I wish I would've found this podcast my first pregnancy and maybe things would've been a little different. I was worried I wouldn't be able to hear all the important details I needed since I joined later in my pregnancy. But boy was I wrong! I ended up listening to the podcast and finished about 95% of the my essential birth course with my husband. I felt so much more empowered that my body could do this all on its own, with the help of the techniques give by Stephanie and Courtney and with the help of my amazing husband. I was able to have an amazing unmedicated birth I didn't think I was even capable of doing. It truly is an amazing podcast and I would recommend to anyone having a baby to listen! Even if you're like me and not experiencing your first birth. I also loved hearing their unbiased & differing...

Show Notes:

1:04 - Intro

02:05 - Amy's background

07:11 - What does exercise do for us when we're pregnant?

16:04 - How Amy runs her program

18:39 - Strength training

24:12 - What should you do to prepare for labor in addition to exercise?

31:15 - Things to do that prepare your body for birth

35:03 - What to do about hemorrhoids

38:31 - How to tell if you're exercising the right amount or too much

42:06 - Stretching

44:17 - Where to find Amy and how to connect with her

• Website
• Podcast
• Instagram
• Code for 25% OFF of Expecting & Empowered App: MEB

To Leave a Review 

1. Open Apple Podcasts
2. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
3. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
4. Click the stars!
5. Select “Write a Review” and tell us what was the most amazing, comforting, eye-opening thing that you loved!

ALL the best,

Links Mentioned:

• My Essential Birth Course
• My Essential Birth Postpartum Course
• My Essential Birth Instagram

Show Notes:

[1:51] Our Reviewer of the Week, is klc_style, and she said: "If you’re thirsty for knowledge and want to dive deep into pregnancy learning, then this podcast is for you. I have already been through pregnancy twice with pretty good experiences, but the My Essential Birth Podcast has expanded my understanding of not only the birth process, but with tools to help me navigate the ever changing medical landscape of pregnancy and birth. I think the greatest tool of all is the in-depth research that Stephanie provides as well a relatable and caring touch. Stephanie is not only a great host but someone who truly cares about her listeners and wants to help women have positive birth experiences. I know this because she has discussed my questions personally and given me resources to explore on my own. I’m so glad I found this podcast!"

[3:21] Our guest today is Taylor Dilk, mama of 11 month old, Dallas, the Co-Founder and CEO of Athleisure Brand...

Show Notes:

[1:20] "Are ultrasounds safe?" This is actually a question that we get often over on Instagram. Usually, it's when Mom is put in that “high risk” category and is seeking information on if the ultrasounds she is being told she needs every couple of weeks are both necessary and safe. Ultrasounds are probably one of the most recognized form of care during pregnancy and are widely considered to be safe for both mom and baby.

As we all know . . . every procedure, every intervention comes with risks and benefits. Ultrasounds are no exception.

[7:33] What is an ultrasound?

[9:12] Ultrasound Studies

[15:10] What do we mean when we say "ultrasound"?

[16:15] Can you say yes or no?

[21:01] What are the benefits?

[22:48] What are the risks?

To Leave a Review 

1. Open Apple Podcasts
2. Find “Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy” podcast
3. Select “Ratings and Reviews”
4. Click the stars!
5. Select “Write a Review”...

Show Notes:

[1:20] Our guest this week is Candi Frazer, the creator of Primal Bod. She is a Board-Certified in Holistic Nutrition ("BCHN") and has been practicing as a Certified Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner ("FNTP") for over 6 years. Before she started her nutrition practice, Candi traveled the country teaching hundreds of medical doctors, chiropractors, and other healthcare professionals about the power of nutrition and supplementation. She created a tool called the Primal Bod System, which has helped her and hundreds of women just like her finally take control of their bodies for good.

[4:39] Candi introduces herself and talks about her interest in midwifery and being a doula in another life. Even though Candi doesn't work with pregnant women right now, it is still a big passion of hers to help support women through pregnancy and nursing. Candi shares about how her diabetic husband's journey helped her figure out...

Show Notes:

[2:05] Our Reviewer of the Week, KAHerr, said: "First time mom here. I have learned so much during this pregnancy listening to multiple podcasts. I came across this podcast going into my 3rd trimester and it became my favorite to listen to. It was both educational as well as positive and empowering. It just made me feel good. Stephanie knows what she is talking about and her presentation is very down to earth and easy to understand. My favorite episodes are the birth stories. I love the way Stephanie approaches them and the questions she asks. I love hearing the different ways birth looks for every mom. I also loved the mindset they put me, filling me with confidence that I can do this too. We are planning a unmedicated home birth, and I will be listening to this podcast till that day comes and even after. Thank you for helping me prepare for this birth!"

[2:52] Today's birth story is from Hana Naamani, a My Essential Birth student! By the time this podcast airs,...