Birthing Beyond 35

Welcome to another episode of Birthing Beyond 35! We are back after a short summer break with a stellar episode featuring Ch-a Mosely. Ch-a conceived naturally at 46 and had her first baby at 47. Like most, this wasn't the path Ch-a anticipated, but after choosing to focus on her own career aspirations and making the choice to never settle, she found herself with her baby girl when the timing was right for her.You can follow Ch-a on instagram and check out her website at https://pregnancyoverforty.com/Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

This week, Wanda Pedzinski joins me from Toronto. She has two beautiful girls, and what makes her story so unique is she had her first baby at 40 and her second at 46.Wanda, however, endured seven miscarriages to get to that point of having her second girl. She was so brave she never really gave in advice from her doctors or what people at the fertility clinic said; she instead said, "I trust my body, and I'm gonna keep trying". I hope whoever has had challenges gains some insight and perhaps some inspiration from this week's conversation.Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

On today's episode, I'm joined by Henrietta, who is based in Australia. She shares her open and honest journey into becoming a single parent by choice. After finding out she was pregnant with a man she wasn't in a relationship with, she decided that at 39 years old, this was her time. After discovering the “happy accident,” she decided then and there to have the baby and raise him alone. Henrietta is brutally honest about her decision to do what is right for her and is very open about her encounters as a single mother. This is a great listen for anyone out there, be it advanced maternal age or not, and perhaps wondering if going on the solo pregnancy journey is for them.Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

This week, Nik Toth joins me from her home in Bali, where she lives with her boyfriend, Dylan, and baby boy, Blaze.Nik is an NLP Mindset Coach, Somatic Educator, & Healer who gave birth to her first baby at 39.From working in Las Vegas in her twenties to running a fitness coaching business in Sydney, Nik covers all the bases when it comes to transformations. Nik also shares her vulnerable transformation from a weight-loss-obsessed young woman secretly struggling with an eating disorder to discovering her worth is from within.After being told by a doctor at 38 that she was more than likely infertile and that her boyfriend also had a low sperm count to the point the doctor claimed IVF wasn't even an option,  Nik went away and focused on getting her hormones aligned with her manifestations. A few months later, she fell pregnant naturally.Nik also shares her story of wanting a home water birth and the pivot she had to endure from wanting a natural birth.You can follow Nik here and listen to her podcast here More about Aware Parenting here  Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

In this week's episode, Senior NFL Insider for The Athletic, Dianna Russini shares her path to meeting her husband in her mid-to-late thirties and her quick natural conceptions for her two baby boys. After many years of focusing on her career, Dianna was starting to wonder if she'd ever have the opportunity to be a mother. Then, in a moment, life dramatically shifted.Dianna discusses becoming a mother for the first time at 38 and again at 39. Also, she describes how she kept her first pregnancy a secret from the public despite being on television weekly.Dianna's story reminds us never to give up hope or buy into the narrative that just because you're a certain age, what you want in life won't happen. You can follow Dianna here or follow her work at The Athletic.Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Joining me today is actress and mom influencer Selah Victor. She is the mom of three boys who she had in her late thirties and forties, both naturally and via IVF.After her first attempts at trying to conceive naturally, Selah learned she had endometriosis and was made to believe IVF may be her only option.Little did she know it wasn't! After having her first baby via IVF at 37, she went on to conceive naturally with her two other boys at 39 and 41 years via C-section and VBAC!You can follow Selah here https://www.instagram.com/selahvictor/Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

This week ESPN Analyst Mina Kimes candidly discusses her road to becoming a mother at 38 years old.  After climbing the competitive ladder as a woman in sports media, Mina started considering her options for starting a family when she turned 35.  Originally believing IVF was potentially going to be her only option, Mina went ahead and froze embryos. Little did she know she would not be needing them! Fast forward to a couple of years later and Mina conceived naturally with no issues. Mina's story is also a great reminder we don't have to be rail-roaded into thinking a pregnancy timeline is one-size-fits-all, and to trust your own body and beliefs.Listen to Mina's podcast here or see her killing it with NFL coverage over on ESPN https://www.instagram.com/mina_kimes/Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Perhaps you've tried everything to get pregnant and still don't feel like you're making progress. Or maybe you're just starting to think about your health and hopeful about having a baby in the future.Joining me this week is Michelle Oravitz, who recently authored a new book, The Way of Fertility, which dives into fertility through the lens of ancient wisdom. Michelle is also the host of a fantastic podcast called ‘The Wholesome Fertility Podcast'. You no doubt have also been hearing a lot about egg quality, especially if you're trying to figure out how to improve your fertility health. Michelle walks us through simple things you can implement into your daily life to help you on your pregnancy journey.Links:https://www.thewholesomelotusfertility.com/about-ushttps://www.instagram.com/thewholesomelotusfertility/]https://www.thewholesomelotusfertility.com/thewholesomefertilitypodcastFollow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Single and living in Salt Lake City with a demanding TV career tested Kristen Kenney's resilience.After a failed engagement in her mid-thirties, Kristen threw herself into her work as an NBA sideline reporter which led to her to believing IVF or adoption was her only option. After an emotionally draining, yet positive experience attempting to secure healthy embryos, Kristen randomly met a man in Las Vegas and fell pregnant naturally, giving birth to her first baby at 40-years-old.Join us for an open, no holds barred conversation about being single, being down and out, and life doing a 180 when you least expect it.You can follow Kristen at @kristenkenneyFollow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Each and every week my aim is to share stories directly from moms who have had healthy pregnancies and babies over 35.And in today's episode we get to really focus on not getting caught up in societies expectations of when and what we should be doing by a certain age as a woman. Laura Behnke was 35 years old and had never been in a relationship. The former TV presenter was living in New York, concentrating on her career, all the while having this little secret that she'd never had a proper boyfriend.But as life and priorities shifted, Laura allowed herself to be open and a few months later, she met her husband, getting married at 38.Deciding they wanted children, the IVF journey began - from dealing with a rare genetic condition to educating themselves on infertility treatments, Laura really opens up on her whirlwind of a journey.We even managed to discuss home births and hospitals! This episode has it all and it's also a great reminder that not everyone's path to having a baby has to be planned, or easy.IG: @laurabbehnke@thelifeactuallypodcastWebsite: laurabehnke.comFollow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Joining me today is Rachel Van Thyn, better known by her initials as RVT .RVT is a Rabbi based in Brooklyn, New York and she provides emotional and spiritual support to people on their fertility journeys.After not being sure if she ever wanted children, RVT got to a point in her late thirties where she was ready to do something about it. After some time trying to conceive naturally with her husband, she decided to go down the route of IVF, resulting in having her first baby at 41, but not without discovering PCOS along the way.Rachel shares her IVF journey which she endured during the worst surges of the pandemic in New York City while serving as a front-line hospital worker, a time that was extremely taxing on her emotional state.I have also linked RVT's info in the description below - I hope you enjoy our conversation.https://rvtivf.comFollow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

After losing her fiancee tragically only 150 days out from their wedding, a then 34-year-old Brisita spiraled into a world of thinking her hopes to one day have a family were over.Joining me from Melbourne Australia, Brisita shares how she coped with not only the loss of her fiancé but the loss of what she thought her life would be. Fast forward a few years, and we discuss the joy of Brisita having her first baby when she was 38 after meeting and marrying her husband, Lachlan.Brisita now 40, is set to give birth to her second baby, due when she'll be 41 years old. This is truly a story filled with both pain and appreciation, reminding us all you never really know where life will lead you and to always have hope.I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did recording it. You can follow Brisita here https://www.instagram.com/brisitarojas/ Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

I spoke with Poonam Gole, a fertility mindset coach based in Ontario, Canada.What's a fertility mindset coach you say? Well, just as the name suggests it's coaching - Poonam aims to help you get in a better frame of mind to support you throughout your fertility journey to overcome fear and gain confidence to achieve your motherhood dream.After struggling with her fertility when she endured a miscarriage, Poonam turned to IVF and leaned into believing in her ability to become a mother. Now at 36, she's pregnant again with her second.This episode is a great reminder about how much our mind can impact our everyday lives and the power of manifestation.You can follow her @ fertilitymindsetcoach and I've linked her information here https://coachpoonam.com/Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

In today's episode, I was fortunate enough to speak to Huti Bourke, a relationships dynamics coach. This is a unique story - in the space of 26 years, Huti has given birth to 5 children, giving birth to her first baby at 15 years in New Zealand.At the time of recording Huti was 41 years old and was 39 weeks pregnant - she's now since given birth safely to a beautiful daughter, Raya.You can follow Huti @the_embodiment_mentorAnd you can listen to her via "Frequency Podcast" https://open.spotify.com/show/1f7N4p5uEBvWMItfNUwt9T?si=moXoING2QfOtDMlQ32pzNgThere's lots to learn here about trusting your body, Huti speaks beautifully. I hope you enjoy today's episode.Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Today I speak to Rosalind about her journey which led her to have her first baby at 35 years old and the trauma she endured having to deliver a last-minute breached baby via C-section and the postpartum anxiety that followed.Rosalind also speaks openly about when she was 33 and thinking to herself that kids weren't going to happen for her.We also speak about how she thought she was one and done with only one baby, only to fall pregnant as soon as she started trying again and had her second baby at 37.Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Today's guest is Julie from Miami, Julie shares how her positive thoughts and conscious manifesting led her to look for love at 40, and then have her first baby at 41.It's a really great episode about being clear about what you want in life, and how to turn those thoughts into reality.You can follow Julie at @eatingwithbabiesI hope you enjoy today's episode.Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Kyle joins me on the show to discuss her extremely traumatic first birth at 32 years old and delves into the challenging years that followed in her quest to conceive baby number two, which she did, giving birth three days before her 40th birthday.When I say Kyle faced challenges, I'm not talking about morning sickness or an achy back, the episode title is just a short synopsis of some of the topics we discussed.You're going to learn a lot today, and I've put each term and its medical description in the show notes below. Kyle was so open about these truly testing years.I hope you enjoy today's episode.Symphysis pubis dysfunction  https://www.physio-pedia.com/Pubic_Symphysis_DysfunctionVacuum Extraction Delivery, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22305-vacuum-extraction-deliveryD and C https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/dilation-and-curettage-d-and-c#:~:text=A%20dilation%20and%20curettage%20procedure,instrument)%20to%20remove%20abnormal%20tissues.Postpartum hemorrage https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/postpartum/postpartum-hemorrhageRetained placenta https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/retained-placenta#:~:text=a%20retained%20placenta%3F-,What%20is%20retained%20placenta%3F,or%20weeks%20after%20the%20birth.Ashermans Syndrome https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/ashermans-syndromePlacenta Accreta https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/placenta-accreta#:~:text=What%20Is%20Placenta%20Accreta%3F,symptoms%2C%20and%20cannot%20be%20prevented.Hysterectomy https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/hysterectomy#:~:text=Hysterectomy%20is%20surgery%20to%20remove,affect%20a%20woman%27s%20reproductive%20organs.#advancedmaternalageFollow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

In this week's episode, we speak with Emily who had three healthy pregnancies after initially experiencing a miscarriage.After having her first natural birth at 34, Emily shares how she never once felt concerned about being over 35 and trying for more babies, always believing that everything would be okay.Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

Today's episode certainly has it all.  I spoke with Janey, who only 3 months ago gave birth to her first baby at 41 years old.After a broken engagement left her bummed out at 37, Janey had resided to the fact a baby may not be in her future. Her mom convinced her to try egg freezing,  all the while unbeknownst to Janey, she was about to enter a relationship with a man who didn't want any more kids (and is now the father of her son!)Have you lost track yet? Did I mention she also encountered an incompetent cervix? As I said, this episode has a lot going on and is a great listen for those single or in relationships who are advanced maternal age.Short cervix references: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/short-cervix-in-pregnancyFollow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com

After becoming pregnant with her first child at 40, and single until she was 38, Hayley Byrnes felt compelled to start a podcast to help and inspire women who are over 35 who are ready or thinking about having a baby. In today's debut episode, Lindsey, a mother to two, discusses her first pregnancy when she was 37, and her recent birth at 40 years old.We discuss her harrowing first pregnancy which involved a week's isolation in the ICU, and how she never once bowed down to believing she wouldn't have a problem conceiving in her late thirties despite being an "older mother".Show notes: https://parentdata.org/Follow @birthingbeyond35www.birthingbeyond35.com Follow @birthingbeyond35 on Instagramwww.birthingbeyond35.com