Ever wish you had a home birth mentor? A real-life home birthing Mama who gets it. One who’s been through the decision-making process, overcome the negativity from nay-sayers, and slayed the concerns, doubts, and fears that inevitably surface while planning and preparing for giving birth at home?That’s exactly what you’ll get when you tune into the No Fear Home Birth Podcast with your host, timid nervous-nelly turned Badass HBAC Mama, and Home Birth Confidence Coach, Megan R Cooper.Equipping you with the tools, guidance, and support you need to feel fully informed, unconditionally supported, and completely prepared for your home birth in body, mind, and spirit, this podcast aims to provide the real, raw, honest-to-goodness truth about giving birth at home. No sugar-coating or censoring here.Along with Megan’s best kept secrets, you’ll hear all different types of home birth stories from women around the world.Tune in, get inspired, and get ready to discover why hundreds of Mamas around the globe turn to Megan when it comes to all things home birth.Whether you’re a seasoned home birth pro, are preparing for your first home birth, or are just dipping your toes in to see what home birth is all about, each episode is designed to help you eliminate fear, and cultivate an unshakable confidence in your ability to give birth at home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's episode, you'll hear 2 very different home birth stories from Holistic Self-Love coach for Mums, Michele Askestermarsh.In this episode we talk about: hyperemesis gravidium, the impact that self-care or lack of self-care can have during pregnancy, home birth in the middle of a move, and so much more.Michele is wife to Garry & Mum to 2 incredible boys of 10 & 6 years. Her favourite thing to do is anything with her family, from forest adventures to snuggling up on the sofa watching films.Michele has a powerful vision to create a ripple effect of more love & kindness in the world. She believes this starts when Mum taps into self-care & into what makes her truly happy. Although Mum Life is all-encompassing, there's more to life than only being a Mum… Mum doesn't have to sacrifice everything for her family & she's allowed to follow her dreams too! In fact, when Mum feels that her life is joyful & balanced, she's a calmer & more patient Mum. She's able to support her childrens' emotional & physical well-being in new ways, she role models mindful living to her family, & she helps them to reach for their dreams.Michele has 20 years of experience in Holistic Therapies & teaches Mums how to carve time into their busy days for self-care using a magical toolbox of meditation, mindfulness, and more.Connect with Michele on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michele.akestermarsh/Be sure to subscribe to the No Fear Home Birth Podcast on your favorite podcast app to be notified when new episodes are available.60 Must Ask Questions for Home Birth Midwives: bit.ly/60-must-ask Let's get social! Follow No Fear Home Birth on Insta so you don't miss a thing! Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6 Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3A Connect with Theme Song Singer/Songwriter, Jodi Good:Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodigood44TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jodibadman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode, you'll hear mom of 2, Shauna Parisi, share her wildly different birth experiences.In this episode we talk about: changing providers late in pregnancy (twice!), precipitous labor, spirituality in birth, and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question about losing confidence in your ability to give birth at home late in pregnancy.Going into her first birth, Shauna planned to give birth in the hospital and her birth plan included just one line: “Avoid a c-section.” Anything else was fair game. She wound up being induced and giving birth vaginally with an epidural.As she entered into her second pregnancy, Shauna was fully prepared to give birth again in the hospital, and actually hoped she would be induced again so she could plan when her baby would be born.However; in her third trimester, Shauna took a birth course and discovered that perhaps she didn't want to be induced after all. And, in fact, wanted to pursue an unmedicated natural birth at home. A month before she was due, Shauna changed providers and started planning a home birth.Tune in to hear her incredible story of a precipitous labor (only 2 hours long!) preceding her home birth.Be sure to subscribe to the No Fear Home Birth Podcast on your favorite podcast app to be notified when new episodes are available.Fear-Releasing Journal Prompts: https://bit.ly/fear-releasing-prompts Let's get social! Follow along on Insta so you don't miss a thing! Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6 Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3A Connect with Shauna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shauna_parisi/Pain Free Birth Course, mentioned in episode: https://painfreebirth.com/pain-free-birth/ Connect with Theme Song Singer/Songwriter, Jodi Good:Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodigood44TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jodibadman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode, Ashley Winning joins us share her unassisted freebirth home birth after 2 cesareans. You can listen to her first 2 birth stories in Episode #7.In this episode we talk about: the mental preparation for free birth, postpartum hemorrhage, undisturbed birth, and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question about tips for preparing for a home birth VBAC.After her first 2 unwanted c-section births, Ashley knew she didn't want to give birth in the hospital system again and sought out home birth. Having a high BMI and history of 2 surgical births, she was unable to find a midwife to support her in giving birth at home.After some time and consideration and encouragement from her husband, she decided to pursue an unassisted freebirth home birth. Ashley struggled throughout her pregnancy to get the prenatal care she desired because of her decision to have a freebirth. She decided to hire a doula for extra support during the birth.When her birthing time came, Ashley labored at home with her husband and doula and gave birth to her daughter in the birth pool. When her daughter was halfway out, her contractions completely stopped and Ashley had to purple push her the rest of the way out of her body. She remembers feeling like she was about to black out from the pushing. Ashley suffered from a postpartum hemorrhage, and transferred to the hospital for postnatal care.Be sure to subscribe to the No Fear Home Birth Podcast on your favorite podcast app to be notified when new episodes are available.60 Must Ask Questions for Home Birth Midwives: bit.ly/60-must-ask Let's get social! Follow along on Insta and TikTok so you don't miss a thing! Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirthTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6 Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3A Today's guest, Ashley, believes that women are born with the strength, wisdom and confidence to birth and become the mothers they want to be.She works intimately with pregnant women who plan to homebirth/freebirth by working through fear and challenges, while providing emotional support so that they feel heard, seen & validated while taking the steps to intuitively birth their baby their way.You can find many freebirth & homebirth resources and support on her website www.themotherhoodcircle.com.auOr check out her Podcast: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast.Connect with Ashley L Winning on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleylwinning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode, Ashley Winning joins us to share her two cesarean birth stories - the births that preceded her unassisted free birth (which she shares in next week's episode - #8).In this episode we talk about: fat phobia, hospital obstetrics birth biases, the Australian birth system and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question about the internal struggle between being active and resting at full term.As a first-time mom, Ashley was planning a vaginal birth in the hospital. Early on in her pregnancy, Ashley was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. With that diagnosis came many extra appointments, and the recommendation to be induced at the end of pregnancy. Ashley reluctantly agreed to the induction. After a very painful and unsuccessful attempt to get labor started, the obstetrician's recommended a cesarean birth and Ashley consented.For her second birth, Ashley planned to have a VBAC in the hospital. She describes her pregnancy as stressful and very high anxiety. She had many appointments with many different hospital providers throughout her pregnancy and the conversations always went the same - the OB would ask if Ashley was planning a repeat cesarean, Ashley would say no, and then the OB would proceed to go through the risks of VBAC for high BMI women.In the last month of pregnancy, the OB practice she'd been seeing “fired her,” and told Ashley she'd have to find a new hospital practice for her birth. To her surprise, Ashley found an obstetrician with whom she really connected with and felt listened to. However; at the end of her pregnancy, the new provider booked a vacation over Ashley's due date, and thus began conversations around baby.This time around, Ashley went into spontaneous labor. She was very excited that her body was doing what it was supposed to do. By time she was 8cm, the pain of labor was excruciating, and Ashley asked for an epidural. Every time a provider would come into the room during Ashley's labor, they would recommend a cesarean birth, and every time Ashley pressed them on this and declined. Eventually, after 12 hours of pressure, Ashley succumbed to the coercion and agreed to have a c-section birth.Ashley had suffered from a terrible postpartum hemorrhage resulting in a trip to the ICU.Let's get social!Follow along on Insta so you don't miss a thing!Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3AFear-Releasing Journal Prompts: https://bit.ly/fear-releasing-promptsToday's guest, Ashley, believes that women are born with the strength, wisdom and confidence to birth and become the mothers they want to be.She works intimately with pregnant women who plan to homebirth/freebirth by working through fear and challenges, while providing emotional support so that they feel heard, seen & validated while taking the steps to intuitively birth their baby their way.Check out freebirth & homebirth resources on her website www.themotherhoodcircle.com.au or check out her Podcast: The VBAC Homebirth Stories Podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode your host, Megan R Cooper, shares PART 2 of the story of her second birth – an empowered home birth after cesarean. In this episode she talks about: mental and physical relaxation techniques during birth, the difference a home birth midwifery team can make in your birth experience, tandem breastfeeding, and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question about fear of needing an emergency c-section during a home birth.Megan went into true labor on her due date, and was hopeful that she'd give birth before the clock struck midnight.She called in her doula and birth photographer at 9pm, and her midwives 2 hours later, when she entered into active labor and felt like giving birth was imminent.When the midwives arrived, Megan got into the birth tub and labored for an hour and half. Her water broke, and she was beginning to feel the urge to push, but her midwife suggested that she get out of the birth pool and move to the bed to help prevent tearing.Megan pushed for 40 minutes on hands and knees in her apartment, on her hands and knees, until her daughter, Amelia, was born. Although, she hadn't given birth until after midnight (40+1), Megan felt absolutely elated and completely in awe that she'd just given birth from her vagina, at home, after having had a c-section.Be sure to subscribe to the No Fear Home Birth Podcast on your favorite podcast app to be notified when new episodes are available.Fear-Releasing Journal Prompts: https://bit.ly/fear-releasing-promptsLet's get social! Follow along on Insta and TikTok so you don't miss a thing! Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirthTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6 Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3A Connect with Theme Song Singer/Songwriter, Jodi Good:Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodigood44TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jodibadman This podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or birth advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this episode your host, Megan R Cooper, shares PART 1 of the story of her second birth – an empowered home birth after cesarean.In this episode she talks about: setting boundaries during home birth pregnancy, cultivating a fearless mental and emotional state leading up to birth, things to consider when interviewing home birth midwives, and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question about the mess of having a home birth.Megan knew, without a doubt, that she'd be having a VBAC for her second birth before she was even cut open for her c-section with her 1st child, Penny. During the 18 months between pregnancies, she relentlessly researched first VBAC, and eventually home birth. Once it became overwhelmingly obvious that home birth was the right choice for her, Megan broached the idea with her husband, Brett, who was very supportive in the decision to give birth at home. Megan's parents; however, were not so keen on the idea (to put it mildly), and at 6 weeks pregnant, Megan had, what she now refers to as, the most traumatic conversation of her life. Her parents warned Megan that she was putting both her baby's and her own life at risk by choosing to pursue a home birth. That conversation set the tone for Megan's first trimester, and she had many instances of doubt, anxiety, and fear that caused her to question her decision. Ultimately, she decided to protect and strengthen her mental and emotional state leading up to birth by setting rock-solid boundaries with her parents and working diligently to cultivate a positive and fearless mindset going into birth. Be sure to subscribe to the No Fear Home Birth Podcast on your favorite podcast app to be notified when new episodes are available.60 Must Ask Questions for Home Birth Midwives: bit.ly/60-must-ask Let's get social! Follow along on Insta and TikTok so you don't miss a thing! Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirthTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6 Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3A Connect with Theme Song Singer/Songwriter, Jodi Good:Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodigood44TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jodibadman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Author and Mom of 2, Tori Smith, joins us to share her 2 home birth stories and to discuss her new book, Ready to Unpop - A Modern Mama's Guide to Unpopular Practices in Maternity.In this episode we talk about: why our moms give us bad advice, things they don't tell you in pregnancy, why all birth stories matter, and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question about home birth when mom is overweight or obese.Tori had been intrigued by home birth for quite some time; however, once she became pregnant choose to pursue a birth center birth because 2 of the people in her life whose opinions she valued dearly, her husband's and her mother's, weren't sold on the idea of home birth.As it turned out, Tori never did make it to the birth center because she had a very short labor - one that progressed much faster than Tori had expected. Tori's birth center midwife came to check on her at home, and by time she arrived, Tori was ready to push.The second time around, Tori planned a home birth right from the get go. At this point her mother and husband had seen the magic of home birth firsthand, and everyone was on board. Tori's second birth differed quite a bit than her first, but in the end she described it as absolutely peaceful.These two beautiful birth experiences lead Tori to write and publish her book, Ready to Unpop - A Modern Mama's Guide to Unpopular Practices in Maternity, which we discuss during the 2nd half of this podcast episode.60 Must Ask Questions for Home Birth Midwives: bit.ly/60-must-ask Let's get social!Follow along on Insta and TikTok! Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirth TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6 Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3A Connect with Tori Smith: Instagram: www.instagram.com/ready_to_unpopFacebook: www.Facebook.com/readytounpopBlog/Buy Her Book: www.readytounpop.com Connect with Theme Song Singer/Songwriter, Jodi Good:Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodigood44TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jodibadman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Amber Wilson joins us to share her accidentally on purpose home birth story.In this episode we talk about: natural solutions, home birth in an apartment, gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question about fear of needing to transfer during labor and tips to avoid it.Amber describes her first birth as “OKAY.” It wasn't traumatic, but it also wasn't spectacular. It wasn't as special as she knew birth could be.After being introduced to essential oils at 7 months postpartum, and learning about natural healthcare solutions, she began asking herself a pivotal question: “What are the other options?”When she fell pregnant with her second daughter, she decided on a birth center birth, but quickly realized that her experience during her prenatal appointments felt very similar to those she had with her OBGYN during her first pregnancy.A doula friend recommended that Amber meet with a different birth center midwife. Amber fell in love with the midwife instantly and after her appointment Amber recalls “Honestly, it was a full body yes. It was something that I knew was going to go well from the moment I had my first appointment with my provider. The way she described the physiology of a woman birthing… I loved it so much that I just knew this is where I was supposed to be.”As it turned out, the midwife no longer practiced in a birth center setting. Amber would have to pursue a home birth if she wanted to work with this midwife.Amber went on to receive the exceptional, individualized, beautiful, prenatal care she deserved, and experienced one of the most impactful moments of her life: giving birth at home in her 400 sq ft apartment.Fear-Releasing Journal Prompts: https://bit.ly/fear-releasing-prompts Let's get social! IG: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirth TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6 Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3A Connect with Amber Wilson: Instagram: www.instagram.com/thishappymom Connect with Theme Song Singer/Songwriter, Jodi Good:Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodigood44TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jodibadman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Serenity Hanna joins us to share her 3 dream home birth stories.In this episode we talk about: home birth in small spaces, having older children present during home birth, the beauty of midwifery continuity of care, and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question on how to prepare children for what to expect during home birth.Serenity always had a deep-seated fear of hospitals that stemmed from traumatic early childhood events. As a young woman, Serenity figured she wouldn't be able to have any children because she knew she didn't want to go into the hospital and didn't know any alternatives.That is, until her best friend had two home births of her own, and Serenity's eyes were opened to the possibility an out-of-hospital birth.A running joke during Serenity's 1st pregnancy was that her body didn't know she was pregnant. 9 days after her estimated due date, Serenity's birthing time began. After 30 hours of labor, and 3 hours of pushing, her daughter was born in their small apartment.Serenity describes her 2nd textbook birth as a dream. She recalls, “I felt so in control, and I could tell exactly what was happening with my body. And that confidence was such a thrill.”By time Serenity had her 3rd home birth, home birth felt like a normal part of her family's lives. Her older daughters were now 6 and 3 1/2. It was never a question of whether or not they'd attend this birth. They played such a role throughout her entire pregnancy that Serenity couldn't imagine them not being part of her birth.Ultimately, her fondest memories from her 3rd birth come from the interactions with and feelings that came from being surrounded by her daughters.60 Must Ask Questions for Home Birth Midwives: bit.ly/60-must-ask Let's get social! Follow along on Insta and TikTok so you don't miss a thing! Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirth TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nofearhomebirth Submit your home birth question(s): https://forms.gle/GYRTurUAj15bTY4g6 Share your story on the NFHB podcast: https://forms.gle/i4DERXc4zYuxUMi3A Connect with Theme Song Singer/Songwriter, Jodi Good:Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodigood44TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jodibadman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this inaugural episode of the No Fear Home Birth podcast, your host, Megan R Cooper, shares the story of her first birth.In this episode she talks about: miscarriage, the cascade of interventions, how birth doesn't always go to plan, and so much more.Plus, Megan answers a listener question on what questions to ask home birth midwives during interviews.Megan had been interested in the idea of home birth since she first saw the documentary, The Business of Being Born, in nursing school. 5 years later, when she got pregnant, she didn't have time to plan the type of birth she'd have because she endured a devastating early miscarriage at 5 1/2 weeks pregnant.When she found herself pregnant again 3 months later, the fear of potential miscarriage and a lack of true information and understanding of home birth, lead her to pursue a natural, unmedicated birth in the hospital. She told her husband, Brett, “We'll get one ‘good' birth under our belts, and have the next one at home.”Megan's birthing time started when her water broke the night after her due date. 18 hours later, after staying home as long as she could muster so she didn't get “in trouble” with her OBGYN, she begrudgingly went into the hospital despite not having any regular contractions at that point.Thus, started the cascade of interventions that ultimately lead to an unwanted c-section birth under general anesthesia. This story is the pre-cursor to Megan's empowering redemptive home birth - which she shares in episode 5.60 Must Ask Questions for Home Birth Midwives: bit.ly/60-must-ask Let's get social!Follow along on Insta and TikTok so you don't miss a thing!Instagram: www.instagram.com/nofearhomebirth TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nofearhomebirthSubmit your home birth question(s) to be answered on a future podcast episode: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSekK-aj7GDPti69Ib94ODVAyKLttvjRsNGCqtdw-0UvfpYe9A/viewform Want to share your home birth story on the podcast? Submit this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgYqu9DL6jRg_2PggHtmg8v4PiPzR0TM51cEXoMABol-C0MA/viewformThis podcast is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. This podcast is not a substitute for professional medical or birth advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.