Doing It At Home - The Home Birth Podcast

In today’s episode we chat with Melissa Rae Irish-Miller about the home birth of her 5 children. I’m not even really sure with where to begin with this episode or what to tell you as far as the highlights...because there are too many! Melissa is a mother of 5. And all 5 of her children were born at home. And over the course of 20 years. Her oldest is 21 years old, and her youngest is 7 months old. Links: Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/ DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe  Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 Jul 20171h 5min

In this episode we are rebroadcasting a portion of our Mother's Day special -- Matthew's birth story. Today, July 22nd, is Matthew's birthday! And we thought what better way to celebrate on the podcast than to play the story of Matthew's birth 31 years ago. Back on Mother's Day of this year, both Matthew and I had conversations with our moms where they shared our birth stories. Neither of us were born at home, but it's our podcast and we can publish what we want! So we took the portion of that episode where Matthew's hearing his birth story from his mom, and republished it today. Happy Birthday Matthew! <3 : ) Links: Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/ DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe  Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Jul 201740min

Today’s episode has a nice twist to it! It’s an interview, but not typically like the ones we do on the show. We’re kinda the ones being interviewed! Here’s some context and background: we received an awesome listener email from Kim. Kim is engaged to Tim. Yes, Kim and Tim. Kim and Tim are a great couple, creating this beautiful partnership. As they prepare to enter marriage and plan for this amazing life they intend to have together, they are naturally having conversations of eventually wanting to have children. What’s really cool is that they know they want to experience a home birth when the time comes. First off, we acknowledge them for being so in tuned with one another, and exploring this conversation beforehand. While they understand there isn’t direct planning that needs to be put in place right now for a home birth, they are recognizing the value in having these discussions and being on the same page. We can greatly appreciate this. Children - how to make them, birth them and raise them - can be a big topic of division between partners. To work on aligning with one another early in the game is something that we support. So for any of you listeners out there who have not had any children yet - this is a great episode for you. Because you don’t have to be pregnant to be interested in birth, or interested in exploring what your future options could be. It’s never too early for information, inspiration and empowerment. Kim and Tim ask Matthew and me (Sarah) some of the questions they have like physical and mental preparation for pregnancy and birth and how the partner can be involved and an active support role. We had such a blast chatting with these two. We’re going to keep in touch and keep tabs on their journey for when they eventually want to “do it at home!”   Link: The Business Of Being Born Doing It At Home book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/ DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe  Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Jul 201748min

In this episode, we have the joy of chatting with Olivia and Will, parents to sweet 7-week-old baby Audrey. Olivia and Will share the story of their journey to choosing home birth, planning for it, and then discovering at 37 weeks pregnant that it was no longer a viable option for them. Olivia is a neonatal nurse in the NICU - so she sees all the things that can go wrong. This was part of the reason why she and Will didn’t want to be a hospital for Audrey’s birth. She’s also very transparent about not being 100% confident in the decision and having reservations about sharing their plans with others for fear of judgement and less than powerful conversation. It’s also wild to hear the difference in healthcare costs and options in different countries (see show notes on our website for an email from Olivia all about it). Olivia and Will live in Australia and while planning their home birth they only spent about $60 for a general practitioner visit and the cost of a birthing pool. Whether they chose to birth at home or in the hospital, it would be free! After they learned they could no longer have a home birth, they worked on finding peace with the situation and preparing themselves for having an amazing birth experience despite the change in plans. Olivia still labored most of the time at home, before traveling to the birthing center where they had their daughter Audrey. Olivia and Will are such a beautiful couple and we’re so happy to have connected with them to share their inspiring story on the podcast!    Links: Why Not Home Unhindered Childbirth Our new "Doing It At Home" book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/ DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe  Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 A special post interview email from Olivia: After we finished the call I realized we never even spoke about the differences in our healthcare system - i.e. everything being free! Also about how we weren't able (didn't feel like) we could share our home birth choice with people, especially at work, for fear of judgment. Although I'm sure that's quite a common issue surrounding home birth. I would have liked to share a few things, but completely forgot/got side tracked! During pregnancy I had lots of severe SIJ pain, which really impacted negatively on exercise - I wasn't able run or do much cardio. So I walked everyday for about an hour at the beach with the dogs & listened to amazing empowering podcasts like yours! And I also went swimming, 3 times a week while I was working & then when I went on maternity leave at 34 weeks, I swam 5 times a week. I just loved the freedom! And I wanted to make sure baby was in a good position, I wanted to avoid a breech or posterior baby & swimming is great for that! I saw a chiropractor regularly for my hip pain which also really helped. I floated every single week up til 37 weeks in a float tank! I think it was the best thing I could have done. The relaxation was an absolute blessing & it helped with aching legs towards the end too. It was also really lovely because baby moved a lot in the tank, so I felt really connected (maybe I just noticed it more - my placenta was at the front, so I struggled to feel lots of movement). I think the most important message to pass on to women preparing for home birth - or just birth in general - is just to surround yourself with positive birth stories. Don't let the negative vibes in! Things didn't go to plan, but I'm so glad I didn't go into birth & delivery being scared of it - i was excited! I love our birth story & I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to plan & prepare for a home birth, even if it didn't work out that way. We have a beautiful baby girl, & that's really all that matters! Lots of love Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 Jun 201751min

We have a special bonus episode for you! We had the chance to speak with Mark Krassner, creator of the guided meditation app for moms called Expectful. Sarah has been using this app recently and really loves it. So she was thrilled when we had the chance to talk with Mark about the app, the how and why of it's creation, and his mission to make meditation as common as prenatal vitamins. Enjoy this bonus episode with Mark! Links: Expectful Expectful on Instagram Our new "Doing It At Home" book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/ DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe  Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Jun 201727min

In today's episode we're talking with Deanne Ziadie, an amazing mama with a beautiful birth story. Dee planned for a home birth and ended up being transferred to a hospital. Despite the change in plans, Dee made the conscious choice to surrender her need to control the situation and let her baby lead the way. The result was the peaceful and healthy birth of her daughter, Seren. Links: Dee's Instagram Page Expectful Hypnobabies Our new "Doing It At Home" book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/ DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe  Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Jun 201733min

Today we have a really incredible episode, for many reasons. For one, it’s a home birth story with an extensive journey, full of highs and lows. And it’s really about trusting your heart and your intuition. Ginny is the essence of a mother. The way she describes her connection with her children and her experience of her pregnancies...it gave me goosebumps multiple times during our conversation. She has dreams about her children - before she conceives them. Her trust and faith is so beautiful and something we can all learn from. She and her husband James have two children together: Grace who is 3 years old and Deborah who is 9 months old. Ginny opens up and shares part of the loss they’ve also experienced, having endured 3 miscarriages before Deborah’s birth. She’s open and honest about the loneliness she felt in the grief walk, the devastation and the healing. She shares how all of it has just brought her and James closer together, strengthening their partnership and bonding them in a more intimate way. Living in Alabama, where home birth was illegal at the time (happy to report this status has changed since our interview!), Ginny and James decided to have an unassisted home birth, otherwise known as free birth (The only way to have a home birth in Alabama at the time, as it was illegal to have any certified nurse midwife or medical professional in attendance for a planned home birth. This, as you can imagine, deterred many families from choosing home birth, with the fear factor of not being allowed to have any care providers present. Yes, we’re shaking our heads just thinking about it, too.). Even with the label of “high risk” after blood clotting and a stillbirth, Ginny and James proceeded to plan for their home birth. They were under the care of an OB for prenatal visits and educated themselves. For Ginny, she just knew the hospital wasn’t the right choice for her. And so, the two of them welcomed their baby daughter Deborah into the world from the comfort of their home, just the two of them. Listen to the episode to hear more! Notes: Ginny's birth story blog post "Dear Deborah: On The Day Your Were Born" Our new "Doing It At Home" book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/ DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe  Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7 Jun 201743min

Today’s episode is the Doing It At Home celebrity list of home births. We’re chatting about 8 celebrities who chose home birth. This of course is not the list of the only celebrities who had their babies at home. There’s a bunch out there, and probably even more that haven’t publicly shared this part of their lives (which we can understand, given all the attention they already get!). These are just the people we were most excited to talk about when we found out we shared this common experience with them.  Ricki Lake - One of the mamas behind the famous documentary The Business of Being Born. We had to acknowledge her in this list and thank for the awesome documentary that has inspired and influenced so many of us. Majority of the home birth moms we interview mentioned BOBB as a big part of their home birth decision and preparation. Think about how many home births have happened as a result of her and what she decided to boldly do! Erykah Badu - Matthew and I are huge fans. All hail her and her awesomeness. She had all 3 of her children at home. She even does doula work! Pamela Anderson - Celebrating the upcoming Baywatch movie, she had to be on the list when we found out she had both of her sons at home. Demi Moore - She made a big splash with her famous Vanity Fair cover, naked and pregnant, in 1991. And then had her babies at home. What a powerful woman! Gisele Bundchen - BOBB did a followup four-part series, one of which featured celebrity moms talking about their various birth experiences. Gisele totally rocked it, talking about her home birth so peacefully and matter of factly. Her chill vibe resonated and prompted us to add her to the list. Mayim Bialik - Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler! We are also big fans of Big Bang Theory. Mayim, aside from being a great actress and neuroscientist, is big on natural parenting, extended breastfeeding, and home birth. There was really no question of putting her on this list.  Justin and Emily Baldoni - This spot goes to both mom and dad. Justin shares so much of his experience of fatherhood and family life on his social media that he needed to be included along with his beautiful wife Emily. They’re on the list for a few reasons. For one, Sarah loves Jane the Virgin - it’s a total guilty pleasure and reminds her of home in South Florida. Another reason, they welcomed their first baby in a home birth - a daughter named...Maiya! We obviously love this name. They’re currently pregnant with baby number 2, and we’re very excited to watch this part of their journey. Queen Elizabeth II - So not your average home birth. But if you live in a palace, and you give birth there...well, call it home birth! The Queen gave birth to Prince Charles, with a royal midwife in attendance. This just seemed like such a cool fact that we had to talk about it and incorporate it into the list. Honorary number 9 spot goes out to Alanis Morissette, who also made an appearance in the BOBB followup series to talk about her home birth. Alanis songs are Matthew’s go-to for karaoke, so to acknowledge that and of course honor the splendor that is Alanis, she gets a special spot. Notes: Celebrity Home Births: 10 Celebrities Who Gave Birth At Home 11 Celebrity Home Birth Mamas UK Daily Mail article about Justin and Emily Baldoni home birth Business of Being Born and the additional series Wayfarer.com Our new "Doing It At Home" book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098GVJ9KL?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ DIAH YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGoKeBfEZ143sWU7V9I5Gdg DIAH Store: https://yoursuccessfulhomebirth.com/ DIAH Merch: https://bit.ly/3qhwgAe  Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Jun 201721min