The Delivery Diaries

I have several announcements on this weeks episode!First, I have signed up a Patreon account where you can pledge your support for The Delivery Diaries. Anything you can pledge would be greatly appreciated... you can consider it like buying my a cup of coffee :) Your support will help keep the podcast up and going and help with production cost. Check out the fun benefits you get when you pledge your support at www.patreon.com/thedeliverydiaries Second, I have completed my advanced doula training for VBACs with the amazing VBAC link! Last but not least... I'm excited to announce I have joined a Doula group here in Dallas called DFW Birth Resource. You can check out the website and my bio at  www.dfwbirthresource.com If you or anyone you know is looking for a Doula you can contact me through my bio on the website.Now for our amazing birth story today:Sharina shares her vaginal birth after 2 cesareans and her journey to get there. She searched high and low for her perfect provider and didn't start care with her midwife until later in her pregnancy. Sharina was better informed and knew her options which lead to a victorious and redemptive VBA2C. Sharina and I had so much fun on this episode with great tips that you don't want to miss.You can connect with Sharina on Instagram @iamsharinasmith and Facebook @sharinasmithYou can connect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @thedeliverydiaries

This week,  Lauren shares the birth of her son. At 36 weeks, she found out he was breech. She tried all the things to turn him but had no luck so she planned for a vaginal breech delivery. After 60 hours of labor, her plans almost changed but in the end she did it! She had an unmedicated vaginal breech birth.You can connect with Lauren on Instagram @livingwellwithLConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiaries

This week Brandi and Aaron share their unexpected, unassisted home birth. Brandi had been in triage twice with no change so she went home because she was not in active labor. Once she was home things moved fast!You can connect with Brandi by emailing her brannnd@gmail.comFollow the Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesIf you or anyone you know would like to share your birth and/or adoption stories please submit your stories at http://bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission  

This week Kyndal and Kris share their birth story. Kyndal and Kris decided to switch care from an OBGYN to midwives late in her pregnancy. They found their perfect birth team and had their dream birth. Kyndal had a lot of back labor due to the position the baby was in but with their doulas knowledge and support Kris was able to comfort Kyndal.Connect with Kyndal on Instagram @kyndal.birthservicesConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @TheDeliveryDiaries

This week Heather and Richard share the births of their sons. Heather had a smooth first pregnancy and was induced at 40 weeks. During her second pregnancy her water broke at 33 weeks. She was put on bed rest and had an induction at 34 weeks. Their son spent 2 weeks in the NICU and as Richard said, "everything after he was born was best case scenario".You can connect with Heather by direct messaging her on Instagram @heathercarter518Connect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesIf you or anyone you know would like to share your birth and/or adoption stories please submit your stories at http://bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission  

I have a couple things I wanted to let you guys know before we get into this weeks episode. First the big news I've been waiting to fill you in on... I am now a certified labor doula and will be getting certified as a postpartum and infant care doula in the next week. This is something that has been on my heart for a while now and I'm super excited to start supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. So if you're in the Dallas area and looking for a doula let me know. You can email me at vanessaknagg3@gmail.com. The second thing I wanted to let you guys know is that I will be releasing episodes every other week instead of every week. If you or anyone you know would like to share your birth and or adoption stories please submit your stories at http://bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission  This week Kelsey shares her adoption stories. When Kelsey was a senior in high school she found out she wouldn't be able to get pregnant. With her strength and positivity she knew that one day she would adopt. You can connect with Kelsey on Facebook. Kelsey ManleyConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiaries

This week Penny shares her birth story and suffering two miscarriages due to subchorionic hematomas. Penny had to switch providers twice before getting pregnant with her rainbow baby. She was induced at 41 weeks and had a cesarean. Penny had postpartum anxiety and learned how to get through that.Connect with Penny on Twitter @mrspetrosian and on Instagram @omgitspennypConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiaries

In this weeks episode, Rachel shares her perspective as a birth mother and her open adoption relationship she has with her daughter and her adopted family. She had pre eclampsia with her first born and had to be induced. She then went on to get married and got pregnant with her second daughter. She was induced again and her birth didn't go according to plan and Rachel had to have an emergency cesarean. She had to cope with the emotions of not getting the birth that she had been hoping for. Her postpartum recovery was hard but because she had an over supply of breastmilk, Rachel was able to donate to families in need.If you'd like to connect with Rachel, you can find her on Facebook: Rachel (Miller) BeckwithConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

This week Jemila and Austin share the birth of their son. Jemila had a great relationship with her OBGYN so they initially chose to have their baby in the hospital. Half way through her pregnancy she started having second thoughts and then COVID-19 hit America. It was the push they needed to transfer care to a birth center. She had a beautiful water birth with an incredible, loving, and supportive birth team. You can connect with Jemila on Instagram @jemilamedleyFollow The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

Katie and Bobby share the birth of their daughter. Katie was diagnosed with gestational diabetes and took that news pretty hard. Unrelated, she was then put on bed rest at 33 weeks and gave birth at 41 weeks. She had a beautiful experience with her midwives at the birth center but she tore in three different places and it was too painful for the midwives to suture her without pain meds. So off to the hospital Katie went. She had a very traumatic experience there and was eventually sedated for her sutures. Katie was discharged from the hospital about 12 hours after arriving. Katie had such a great experience with her midwives that she completely changed her career path and is now a year into becoming a licensed midwife.To connect with Katie please visit: www.ccbirthcenter.comFollow The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @thedeliverydiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

In this weeks episode Krystyl shares her calm, peaceful, determined, unmedicated hospital birth. With her super supportive husband she was able to labor at home for 15 hours before going to the hospital. When she arrived she was surprised to find out how many centimeters she was dilated. If you'd like to connect with Krystyl you can email her krystylvsnodgrass@gmail.comConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

This week Jessica and Blake share their birth stories and adoption story. Jessica had a cesarean with her first born and once he turned two they decided to grow their family. Jessica got pregnant but suffered a miscarriage. After her miscarriage, Jessica's friend reached out about adoption. Once they decided they were going to adopt, they sent in all the paper work and had their home study. Four days later they were chosen by a birth mom. And four days after bringing their adopted son home, Jessica found out she was pregnant.Connect with Jessica & Blake - blakesimp@icloud.comConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

This weeks episode is going to be a bit different. With everything going on in our country I thought it would be best to skip a story this week and give some information on women of color. I'll also list resources where you can get more information from women of color in the birthing community. Before diving deep into the birthing world a couple years ago, I had no idea that:Black women are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women. Black women experience more maternal health complications than white women.Black women receive a lower quality of care than white women.Black women are more likely to experience preventable maternal death compared with white women.Now I encourage you to check out these organizations to listen to and further educate yourself:Birth Stories in Color Podcast- www.birthstoriesincolor.com or @birthstoriesincolor on InstagramBirthing Justice- www.blackwomenbirthingjustice.org or @birthingjustice on InstagramMidwife Nikki Knowles- www.dallasbirth.com or @nikknowlesmidwife on InstagramHealth in Her Hue- www.healthinherhue.com or @healthinherhue on InstagramMommiNation- www.mommination.com or @mommination on InstagramSouthern Birth Justice- www.southerbirthjustice.org or @southerbirthjustice on InstagramBlack Mamas Matter Alliance- www.blackmamasmatter.org or @blackmamsmatter on InstagramThose are just a handful of great resources from black women in the birthing community. 

This week my sister and brother in law, Natalie and Rusty, share the births of their four children. We start out this episode laughing and joking but they lost their twins and suffered a still birth so if you're not in the right head space to listen to this episode please skip it and come back when you're ready. They share their journey through pregnancy, birth, and their grieving process. Natalie and Rusty also tell us about the pregnancies and births of their two daughters following their difficult loss.You can connect with Natalie on Instagram @nataliesimp16Connect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

In todays episode Lyndsey shares her surprise twin birth. She had no idea she was pregnant with twins even after having ultrasounds and only hearing one heartbeat. She always measured on track for one baby at her appointments so when she started feeling the ring of fire for the second time she was in utter shock. Her midwife thought it was her placenta and then saw the water bag and even made a comment saying she had never seen that before. Before the entire room knew it, the second baby was born encaul. Connect with Lyndsey on Instagram & Facebook @who.i.am.is.whoConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

This week Shaina and Seth share the birth of their daughter. After a vasectomy reversal and surgery for Shaina, IVF was their only option. Their first transfer ended in miscarriage but their second was successful. Shaina had planned for a birth center birth but due to premature rupture of her membranes she had to be transferred. Shaina was an absolute superwoman and labored for 60 hours before deciding a cesarean was the best option.To connect with Shaina & Seth you can find them on Instagram @mrsshainacormier and @fitwogetherConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @thedeliverydiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

In this weeks episode, Megan & Luke share the births of their two children. Megan had two home births. She had 3 weeks of prodromal labor with her son and when labor started it went so fast that her midwife didn't make it in time. Her midwife lived about an hour away so she got to their house about 10 minutes after Megan gave birth. You can see Megan's unassisted birth on her Youtube channel : https://youtu.be/Bb2hPL_21UkFind Megan on Instagram and Facebook @wilsonfamilyhomesteadConnect with the Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @thedeliverydiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

In this weeks episode, Chelsey and Carlin share the births of their three children and Carlin adopting Chelsey's oldest daughter. Chelsey had her first daughter at 26 weeks due to pre-eclampsia. She had to be life flighted to a bigger hospital and was rushed into surgery when they determined she was in renal failure and had HELLP syndrome. Her daughter was in the NICU for two months and in that two months she met her husband and they got married. Later, she got pregnant with their first child together and had a miscarriage at 14 weeks. She went on to have two more children and had cesareans. While having her other two children, Chelsey and Carlin were going through a custody battle with their oldest daughter's biological father. They found out he was being neglectful when Mia, their oldest daughter, would stay with him. Being able to adopt Mia wasn't as easy as you would suspect and they had to fight for her. In the end Mia got her wish and her daddy's last name.You can connect with Chelsey on Instagram @chelsnye95 and on Facebook Chelsey NyeYou can connect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @TheDeliveryDiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

In this weeks episode, my old roommate and good friend, Jackie and her husband, Cory tell us about the birth of their son. Jackie suffered two miscarriages and two ectopic pregnancies leaving her without any fallopian tubes. After Jackie's infertility, they decided to try IVF and ended up having their rainbow baby.You can connect with Jackie on Instagram @jackieewoodConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @thedeliverydiaries  Do you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

In this weeks episode, Kim and Brendon share the births of their three children. Kim went into labor with their first at 33 weeks and he spent 10 days in the NICU. With their second, Kim labored at home a little longer then anticipated and didn't have time to get an epidural. So with her third, she made sure to get the epidural as soon as she could. The day after leaving the hospital, their city was hit by Hurricane Irma. Not only did they get hit by a hurricane but her husband, Brendon, had hip replacement surgery the day after the birth. Kim shares the postpartum struggles of being hit by a hurricane and not having running water or electricity.Connect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @thedeliverydiaries  Do you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

In this weeks episode, Audrey and John share the birth story of their son. Audrey has a bicornuate uterus and found out at her 20 week sonogram that her baby was breech. Due to her bicornuate uterus, her doctor told her she would need to schedule a cesarean. Audrey had hoped for an unmedicated birth so she looked into her options and switched providers. Audrey eventually found an amazing provider that was confident she would be able to have an unmedicated vaginal breech birth.You can connect with the Delivery Diaries on Facebook and Instagram @thedeliverydiariesDo you have a story you would like to share? Or do you know someone that would be interested in sharing their story? Submit your story : bit.ly/thedeliverydiariessubmission

In this weeks episode, Andie and Jose share the births of their two daughters. Andie had two days of prodromal labor with her first daughter and opted for an induction with her second daughter. When Andie went in for her induction she found out she was positive for Group B Strep. During each labor and birth, they had a "party" in the labor and delivery room with music to keep things fun.You can connect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @thedeliverydiaries

In this weeks episode Meghan & Taylor share the birth stories of their two daughters. Meghan was in chiropractic school during her first pregnancy and joked that her daughter basically became a chiropractor in utero. Meghan went on to have two empowering birth center births and shares her difficult breastfeeding journey with her first daughter. Her first daughter had to go to the hospital at only two days old due to a fever. After many test and antibiotics they came to the conclusion that she had been dehydrated. She learned she has insufficient glandular tissue and was able to find donor breastmilk for both daughters. You can connect with Meghan on Instagram @lovinglifechiropracticYou can connect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @TheDeliveryDiaries

In this episode of The Delivery Diaries, Anna and Charles share the births of their two children. Anna had an uneventful pregnancy with her daughter but she was breech so Anna had a cesarean. Her pregnancy with her son was nothing like her first pregnancy and Anna ended up in the hospital several times due to an excessive amount of bleeding. Anna went into labor at 32 weeks due to a detached placenta. She had a VBAC with her son and he was born en caul (in the sack). Her son spent about two weeks in the NICU.You can find Anna on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook @heyheyannagayConnect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram & Facebook @TheDeliveryDiaries

In this episode Brandi and Matthew share the story of adopting their daughter. What they thought would be a long process ended up happening very quick. A little less than 2 weeks after being matched with a birth mom, they met their daughter. Their daughter was born prematurely and spent some time in the NICU.  Brandi and Matthew also share in detail what the process of adoption is like and why they chose to have an open adoption.If you'd like to connect with Brandi you can email her Brandicaitlinagnew@gmail.comYou can follow The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook @thedeliverydiaries

In this episode of the Delivery Diaries Cherie and Cory share the births of their four children. Cherie was induced with her first baby due to higher then normal blood pressure that made her doctor uncomfortable. She then went on to have 3 more inductions. In her second pregnancy Cherie was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Cherie also talks about overcoming postpartum depression and anxiety after her third pregnancy. Due to the postpartum depression and anxiety, Cherie and Cory were hesitant to have another child but they both knew they wanted a big family and went on to have a great pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery with their fourth child.You can connect with Cherie on Twitter and Instagram @cheriec11Follow The Delivery Diaries on Facebook and Instagram @thedeliverydiaries

In this episode of The Delivery Diaries Dr. Denisa Weber and Tristan Weber share the births of their two children. Denisa had two water births at home and they didn't find out the gender with both children until birth. Denisa battled non stop morning sickness the first half of her pregnancy and had to learn how to navigate that while finishing chiropractic school. Denisa also shares how she had postpartum depression after her first was born and goes on to talk about how different her postpartum was with her second baby. To connect with Dr. Denisa Weber:https://www.drdenisaweber.com/https://www.servinglifedallas.com/https://www.instagram.com/servinglifechiropractic/https://www.instagram.com/southern_chiro/Find The Delivery Diaries on Instagram and Facebook:https://www.instagram.com/thedeliverydiaries/https://www.facebook.com/thedeliverydiaries/

In this episode Lisa and Reid share their adoption story. Lisa had to have a lifesaving liver transplant in her 20's leading to a hysterectomy. After grieving the loss of having biological children, God laid it upon their hearts to adopt. Lisa and Reid explain their adoption process and adopting from Burundi, Africa. They tell us about meeting their two little boys and the transition for all after bring them home to the United States. "A child born to another woman calls me mom. The depth of the tragedy and the magnitude of the privilege are not lost on me" -Jody Landers You can connect with Lisa and Reid at: http://www.teambarkerdelivered.com/To become an organ donor:https://www.donatelife.net/https://www.instagram.com/thedeliverydiaries/https://www.facebook.com/thedeliverydiaries/

In this episode Noelle and Daniel share the birth story of their son. They had planned and taken classes for a unmedicated birth but things changed. The on call doctor failed to break her water and cut herself while inside of Noelle. Noelle's progress was slow so she was given high doses of pitocin and still not feeling painful contractions. Once Noelle's doctor came on shift he checked her to find out that her water had never been broken. When he broke her water her contractions became unbearable due to the high doses of pitocin so Noelle happily accepted an epidural. Noelle and Daniel have very different perspectives in some occasions which makes for a fun listen.You can find Noelle on Instagram @uptownmom_dallashttps://www.facebook.com/thedeliverydiaries/https://www.instagram.com/thedeliverydiaries/

Join Michelle and Sam as they share the birth of their daughter. Michelle developed PUPPP rash at the end of her pregnancy which led to a natural induction that lasted two days. Michelle and Sam talk about how they naturally induced and what Michelle went through for those two days leading up to their daughters emotional birth at a birth center. https://www.instagram.com/thedeliverydiaries/https://www.facebook.com/thedeliverydiaries/

Welcome to the very first episode of The Delivery Diaries! In this episode I talk about why I started this podcast. You will also hear my first birth that lasted 27 hours and ended in a C-section, going through 3 miscarriages, and having a redemptive VBAC at a beautiful birth center.  Alex talks about the difference in both births and how each one made him feel. 4:00- Cesarean birth23:13- Miscarriages 34:13- Birth Center VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) 1:09:18- Alex's perspectivehttps://www.instagram.com/thedeliverydiaries/https://www.facebook.com/thedeliverydiaries/

In this teaser trailer you'll hear why I created this podcast and also hear clips from future stories.You can connect with The Delivery Diaries on Instagram @thedeliverydiaries