039: HOME BIRTH STORY - Being A Birth Nerd and Trusting The Process with Katie & Chris McGrath

In today’s episode, we’re talking with Kayleigh Johnson, mama to 14-month-old Amelia and wife to DJ. Kayleigh and her family live in Massachusetts, where they are planning for the birth of baby number two. Amelia was born in a hospital with an epidural and pitocin experience. To Kayleigh, the pitocin contractions felt very unnatural. They way she puts it, “it felt like it was happening to me.” So after some soul searching, they decided on a home birth for this pregnancy. A big influence? Podcasts and social media! Kayleigh got to see and connect with real people, real stories that seemed attainable and allowed her to see the experience for herself. Kayleigh’s faith is integral in her life, and so it’s been a part of her birth planning as well. She was able to find a Christian midwife who aligned with her belief system (she even found her midwife on social media! Thank you, technology!). This synergy has been important for the connection she’s seeking with her birth team. Kayleigh also has visions she is praying for in her birth. She’s believing for a pain-free, no tear, en caul birth. We’re happy and honored to hold that intention for her. And we’re very excited to share her story with you! Links: Supernatural Childbirth - https://www.amazon.com/Supernatural-Childbirth-Jackie-Mize/dp/0892747560 Our website: https://www.diahpodcast.com/ Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3jKtIYv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diahpodcast/ Donate to DIAH: https://bit.ly/3qgm4r9 DIAH Shop: ttps://bit.ly/3qhwgAe Needed:  https://bit.ly/2DuMBxP - use code DIAH to get 20% off your order Birthfit Prenatal Training: https://birthfit.com/b-prenatal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 Aug 201730min

We have a fun and little different kind of episode for you today. Katy emailed us after her great friend and fellow DIAH mama Katie McCormick (from episode 73) shared the podcast with her. Katy thanked us for what we’re up to with the show. As a “non-mom” (though she plans to be in the future), she’s always been fascinated by pregnancy and birth. She’s been exploring the option of home birth for herself when that time comes.  So we figured...let’s get on the phone, hit record and see what happens!  We believe that what Katy’s doing is an awesome example. If women who are not yet mothers are interested in exploring their future options, educating themselves, having conversations with other women at different stages of motherhood, then that means we have a lot more women empowered, confident and supported in their decisions. We are all for that! This doesn’t mean all women need to be doing this. It’s whatever works for you. We would just like to see more positive energy around conversations of pregnancy and birth, regardless of what phase of it someone is in.  So Katy shares with us some of her thoughts on why home birth would be a good fit for her. For one, she likes to take the most natural route possible with things. She’s also a more private person, and looks at birth as a very sacred time.  We also talk about how resources like the Doing It At Home podcast have helped, supported and informed on home birth related topics.  So if you are not pregnant yet, but considering home birth as an option, this is a perfect episode for you! Links: Ann Margolis episode - https://www.diahpodcast.com/single-post/2017/01/27/Normal-Natural-and-Joyful-Childbirth-with-Anne-Margolis Ann Margolis website - http://homesweethomebirth.com/ 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

13 Aug 201735min

In today’s episode, we’re talking with Becky Diaz. Becky is a personal trainer, nutritionist, and placenta encapsulator who used fitness and nutrition to help prepare for her most recent home birth.  Becky and her husband Hugo live in Los Angeles, California and have 3 children: Riley, Juilan and River. Her first was born in a hospital, where she experienced an epidural and pitocin. For babies 2 and 3, they decided to go with home birth. Becky was really interested in how she could use the experiences of pregnancy and birth to really push herself and learn about herself more. In our conversation, we talk a lot about the preparation she did for her third birth for baby River. This pregnancy involved a lot more mental work - being more mindful and not just muscling through the birth. This was more about trust and surrender to the process. Becky utilized techniques like meditation to support her. She used a visualization practice of seeing the sensations as waves crashing and washing away, rather than a painful contraction. Birth for her was incredibly spiritual, and she says it was the most meditative she’s ever felt.  Becky is a beautiful examples of knowing yourself, tapping into that and using it to help you prepare for such an incredible experience like birth is. Another key piece of advice from her that we totally agree with: “Don’t listen to someone else’s horror story.” In other words, be mindful of the material you take in during pregnancy and birth preparation. It can really make an impact.  Links:  Becky's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckydiazfit/ Becky's website: http://beckydiazfitness.blogspot.com/ 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

8 Aug 201737min

In today’s episode, you get a little bit of a glimpse of our wacky world and Matthew’s and my silly banter.  Heads up on the audio for this episode: we know it’s not the most awesome thing ever. We’re kinda snobs about our audio quality (well, Matthew definitely is!), so it was quite irritating when we realized there was an issue after we recorded. Oh well, the show must go on! So if you didn’t notice anything, then forget we said anything!  Anyway, in this episode we’re just having fun. We’re keeping it pretty light and breezy, unscripted and our goofy, uncensored selves. We go over some updates and future things for Doing It At Home, also touch on some of the recent news in the birthing world. Like have you heard of this couple named Beyonce and Jay-Z? Well they’re kinda a big deal, and they just happened to welcome twins into the world - and technically in a home birth if the articles are correct.  And then things get really crazy - Matthew and I play a fun little word association game: home birth edition! Listen to find out what comes to Matthew’s mind when I throw out birth related words to him in rapid-fire fashion! Let’s just say we had a few laughs! Enjoy! Links: Beyonce article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4592136/Beyonce-prepares-home-birth-Hollywood-mansion.html 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

5 Aug 201728min

In today's episode we're talking with Katie McCormick, an American ex-pat living in Ireland who is choosing home birth to welcome her baby into the world. Katie and her husband Ryan decided to leave their life in Portland, Oregon - quit their jobs and travel across Europe. About a year ago, they decided to settle in Ireland, eloped and got pregnant shortly after.  Katie knew immediately that she wanted to have a home birth. But being an expat in a new country, she had no idea where to begin as far as planning and resources. To use her words from her email to us: “When we got pregnant we were still living in a very temporary living space (think garage remodeled into a loft) on a sheep farm where we were 2 hours from the hospital, and no midwifes were willing to travel to us, so my initial search for beginning the birth plan kept coming up dry until one day through some magical universal energy I found a woman that recommended our midwife to us! However we would have to move 2 hours south to be close enough to be in her “region,” so thank  the stars we just recently have found a home on the southern coast of Ireland and got the “go ahead” from our midwife that we can birth in this house as we are close enough to her….. We are away from all our family, we are still foreigners in a new environment, yet we just know this is divine timing and this is where our child is meant to be born. The house we are living in now is a 150 year old stone cottage, and our landlady said many many babies have been born here; it feels quite kismet. Most people back in the states think we are little crazy/can’t believe we are doing this without family around etc, but truly we have never felt more supported than the community of people in our village, and little did I know we moved to an area where most women prefer home birth and have multiple stories to share. It is a small community, but because it is on the ocean, rugged, and so natural in this area, it is like a vortex of very creative and earthy people-it is an energy that makes you feel invincible.” We speak with Katie in the last few weeks of her pregnancy and get to hear how she’s feeling as the time in her pregnancy winds down and they prepare for baby’s arrival. She also shares the experience of what’s it like to have all of their family back in the States as they plan for home birth in their new home and country. Tune in and get ready for another inspiring pre-home birth story! Links: Dublin Doulas - http://www.dublinfamilydoulas.com/ Hypnobirth course - https://us.hypnobirthing.com/ Ina may  spiritual midwifery - https://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156  www.wakingupinireland.com 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

1 Aug 201735min

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 Juli 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 Juli 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 Juli 201748min