Wombs Made Worthy

Meghan is a Catholic mom of 3 and doula. She's had 3 different pregnancy and birth experiences and 1 miscarriage. 1st- HG, fell at 35 weeks and went in for contractions followed by prodromal labor, had a 39 week induction, planned unmedicated- got an epidural. Given choice of c-section or episiotomy ( which the doctor botched). Hemorrhage with surgery to repair. Sought counseling following *miscarriage at 9 mo postpartum next pregnancy- very sick, chose midwife care at a birth center, 2020 lockdowns happening half way into pregnancy. She was sent to hospital for fever and baby's high heart rate but was sent home. For the birth she ended up transferring care in labor to the hospital. last pregnancy- was dealing with lyme disease symptoms (unknown at the time what it was), covid+pneumonia, cholestasis ( was dropped from birth center care), induction secondary to cholestasis diagnosis (though her level were controlled with medication). For this last pregnancy she had a doula (Maggie of Visitation Birth Doula, who has been on in a previous episode) To purchase THE CATHOLIC FAITH PREGNANCY AND BIRTH GUIDE for the special offer of $5 send "birth guide" to wombsmadeworthy@gmail.com ⁠Guadalupe Birth Co Website⁠⁠ Follow along on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠ Please consider leaving us a rating and review on ⁠Apple⁠ podcasts - it really helps to get our message out! Share with your friends and tag us if you're sharing on Instagram (⁠@guadalupe_birth_co⁠). Maggie's site>> ⁠Birth Doula | Visitationbirthdoula.com --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wombsmadeworthy/support

I had the pleasure of talking with Mary Grace of True Leather Girl. She and I worked together last year and has lovely lightweight Catholic inspired leather earrings and other items. Mary has 2 young children and resides in Texas with her husband. To prepare for her first birth she got educated in the Bradley Method and her husband took a dad specific birth class from a male doula. During labor with her first she experienced an asymmetrical cervix/cervical lip and after her son was born they discovered he had a cleft palate (she shares some of that journey). For her second they decided to again use the hospital. During her pregnancy she experienced a bladder prolapse and received physical therapy. She decided to be induced due to small baby size and was successful with having an unmedicated birth. at about a week old her daughter got RSV and was transferred to the hospital by ambulance after they had started driving to the ER. To purchase THE CATHOLIC FAITH PREGNANCY AND BIRTH GUIDE for the special offer of $5 send "birth guide" to wombsmadeworthy@gmail.com Guadalupe Birth Co Website⁠ Follow along on ⁠Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wombsmadeworthy/support

Cheryl is from New Mexico, is a former school counselor, and is now a stay at home mom to two young boys. Cheryl had an uncomplicated pregnancy and was active and danced all through pregnancy. She was planning for an unmedicated birth at the hospital after checking out a birth center and getting the feeling it was not the right place for this birth. Cheryl's last week of her first pregnancy was during Holy Week with her water breaking on Good Friday after praying with her husband. Nitrous Oxide and Pitocin were used during labor. At the time of her son's birth thick meconium was present and her son was one of the few unfortunate ones that ended up with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and spent time in the NICU. Following the birth of her first son Cheryl suffered from PPD, and sought out support from her midwife. This midwife sent her to the psychiatric ER (threatening to send her involuntarily if she didn't check herself in). Cheryl reports the birth of her second son to have been a positive and healing experience. Please leave a rate and a review to help others like you find the podcast and to show your support! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wombsmadeworthy/support

Sammy tells the story of her first born daughter in the hospital without medication. Sammy is a nurse turned Catholic birth coach, she has a passion for helping women achieve unmedicated births while using a faith centered approach. You can visit her ⁠site⁠ for more info. Her instagram is @unshaken_rnbirthcoach. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wombsmadeworthy/support

Briana shares the birth of her son at a birth center with a midwife, she had good postpartum support and a positive experience. Recommended resources: Ina may and lily nichols Shop The Catholic Pregnancy and Birth Faith Guide here Guadalupe Birth Co Website Follow along on Instagram

Caroline shares with us 3 hospital vaginal births attended by midwife and 1 miscarriage. She is from New Zealand and has 2 boys and 1 girl. Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Share with your friends and tag us on Instagram @wombsmadeworthy My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth Resources Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin Made for This: The Catholic Mom's Guide to Birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

On today's episode we will continue my conversation with Crystal and hear her hospital VBAC story, if you missed her first story you can go back and listen to episode 2.11 crystal pt 1. Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts - it really helps to get our message out! Share with your friends and tag us if you're sharing on Instagram (@wombsmadeworthy). Care provider options and Birth Affirmation FREEBIES on my website!>> WombMadeWorthy Links: Made for This: The Catholic Mom's Guide to Birth Litany of Trust - Sisters of Life Order for the Blessing of Parents Before Childbirth | USCCB --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Crystal tells us the stories of her first birth which was a c-section and then in part 2 she will go on to tell us about her next birth which was a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts - it really helps to get our message out! Share with your friends and tag us if you're sharing on Instagram (@wombsmadeworthy). Care provider options and Birth Affirmation FREEBIES on my website!>> WombMadeWorthy --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Carolyn tells the stories of her 3 births, her first was a stillbirth which was followed by 2 home births. She has a beautiful story to tell and if you are in the right place to listen wonderful! and if not now I hope you come back to it at a later time. Just a note, Carolyn is from South Africa, they have a public and private healthcare system, with over 70% of the population attending public hospitals which are underfunded and understaffed. The South African CS rates are around 26.2% in the public sector, 76.8% in the private sector. So Carolyn's home births were definitely out of the norm. Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts - it really helps to get our message out! Share with your friends and tag us if you're sharing on Instagram (@wombsmadeworthy). Care provider options and Birth Affirmation FREEBIES on my website!>> WombMadeWorthy Links: How to Recite the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy Origins Birth Center Videos Made for This: The Catholic Mom's Guide to Birth Spinning Babies - Comfort in Pregnancy and Easier Birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Emily shares 2 birth stories with us. Both were vaginal births in the hospital. Her second son had a short NICU stay. We discuss the NICU, using a family practice doctor for obstetric care, and lack of option in a rural area. Emily mentions bed-sharing during the episode, for information on safe bed-sharing and co-sleeping visit KellyMom.com Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts - it really helps to get our message out! Share with your friends and tag us if you're sharing on Instagram (@wombsmadeworthy). Care provider options and Birth Affirmation FREEBIES on my website!>> WombMadeWorthy Links: Made for This: The Catholic Mom's Guide to Birth Spinning Babies - Comfort in Pregnancy and Easier Birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Sydney tells 2 positive birth stories of her 2 babies, both born at home. Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Share with your friends and tag us on Instagram @wombsmadeworthy My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Theresa was on previously in episode 3 of season 2 to tell the story of her son's birth, go give that a listen if you haven't already.  Theresa had another positive unmedicated birth experience at a birth center and this time in the water!  contact Theresa on instagram: @holyfamilyhomestead resources mentioned: - Husband-Coached Childbirth : The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley - Hallow – The #1 Catholic Meditation, Prayer & Sleep App - Christian Hypnobirthing | A Christian Birthing App Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Share with your friends and tag us on Instagram @wombsmadeworthy My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Gabbie gave birth to her son in the summer of 2020 and tells us about her unexpected early labor turned c-section due to medical concern with the baby as well as dealing with a surprise diagnosis of down's syndrome, a nicu stay, and surgery.  You can contact Gabbie @ her_worth_from_within Resources: Husband-Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon  Birth Happy: The Savvy Woman's Approach to a Satisfying Birth  Made for This: The Catholic Mom's Guide to Birth  Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Share with your friends and tag us on Instagram @wombsmadeworthy My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Mindset is everything! Deanna shares two empowering birth stories one birth center with midwife care and another emergency c-section. It was a joy talking with her and I'm glad she had such a great 'dudela' (her husband, take notes men). Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Share with your friends and tag us on Instagram @wombsmadeworthy My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth You can reach out to Deanna on instagram: Deanna Hodgson (@deannanichole3) • Instagram photos and videos Resources mentioned: Expecting and Empowered Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Paige tells us of her 2 hospital births with planned epidurals and OB care. When Paige emailed me about being a guest she wanted to share her story because she's talked with many women about how they felt they weren't holy enough because they got an epidural or because they want one. I wanted to note that using pain medications or interventions in labor doesn't dictate whether you or your birth is “holy” or not, and whether you've had an c-section does not impact you or your birth's holiness either. Our faith doesn't disallow medical interventions or use of pain meds. I would personally invite you to explore your reasoning behind the “why” of wanting or not wanting medication, and I suggest no matter what you are planning you have some labor coping strategies up your sleeve as you will see later.(Sorry there are some audio connection issues here and there, the downside of recording via the internet.) Links listed below Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Share with your friends and tag us on Instagram @wombsmadeworthy My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth Resources/products mentioned: Paige's instagram: @rockpaigescissors AfterEase: Arnica Tablet: Renew Postpartum Herbal Bath --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join us as Theresa shares about the birth of her first baby at a Catholic birth center with midwives! She mentions how normal it felt and that she was just hanging out with some moms that knew what they were doing and were there to support her. (Sorry there are some audio connection issues here and there, the downside of recording via the internet.) You can read her birth story here The Birth of Kadian Palmer contact Theresa on instagram: @holyfamilyhomestead resources mentioned: - Husband-Coached Childbirth : The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth by Robert A. Bradley - Hallow – The #1 Catholic Meditation, Prayer & Sleep App - Christian Hypnobirthing | A Christian Birthing App Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Share with your friends and tag us on Instagram @wombsmadeworthy My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In today's episode we hear from first time mom, Elizabeth. She had a fast vaginal hospital birth in the summer of 2020, She speaks to the important role her faith played in her pregnancy and birth and how she felt unseen as a human by the healthcare she received due to the climate of the virus at the time. If you've gotten a gestational diabetes diagnosis check out the book “real for for gestational diabetes” by Lily Nichols, RDN,CDE Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts - it really helps to get our message out! Share with your friends and tag us if you're sharing on Instagram (@wombsmadeworthy) My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Time to dust off the cobwebs! In this week's episode Maggie shares about the births of her 3 children- 2 hospital and 1 birth center birth which despite covid test protocol complications she calls redemptive. After her first 2 births Maggie became a birth doula and has recently began offering postpartum doula support! Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts - it really helps to get our message out! Share with your friends and tag us if you're sharing on Instagram (@wombsmadeworthy). links-- Maggie's instagram Maggie's site>> Birth Doula | Visitationbirthdoula.com Made for This: The Catholic Mom's Guide to Birth Spinning Babies - Comfort in Pregnancy and Easier Birth My website is currently in progress but you're free to check it out! https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The “Fiat Podcast” is now “Wombs Made Worthy”. I wanted to give you all a little update about things going forward and to ask you for your help! I'm working on a new website as well, which can currently be found at https://wombsmadeworthy.wixsite.com/birth . Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Please leave a rating and review and don't hesitate to follow us on Instagram @wombsmadeworthy

In this season finale, we hear from Deirdre, who is a doula, a homeschool mom, and has had four home water births. She used sterile water injections in her labors and she discusses the importance of preparing for motherhood during your pregnancy. Deirdre shares some beautiful words about the calling of motherhood, and she describes it as sacrificial, "anointed work". Deirdre, thank you for taking the time to sit down with us and to our listeners, we hope you enjoy this beautiful end to a great first season of the Fiat Podcast. You have our sincerest thanks for following us and supporting us during the start of this wonderful journey! Please leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts, follow us on Instagram, and we will be back soon for season 2.

This week on the pod, we hear from Crissy, who did the Bradley method in preparation for the birth her daughter, Josephine! When asked for a piece of advice, she provides some that you may not be expecting, but is ultimately extremely beneficial to know regarding biologically normal infant behavior and sleep. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Apple podcasts! Before the interview, Laura and Nicki answer 3 questions submitted on our Instagram page: Tearing vs. episiotomy, newborn procedures, and the Church's teaching on circumcision. Please keep in mind that none of the information shared here is medical advice. Freya Kellet - Radical Birth Keeper Just the Inserts Dr. Sara Wickham - Vitamin K & the Newborn Hey Empowered Mama Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN)

Today on the pod, Leonora shares the story of her first birth with her son, Israel. Hospital restrictions were being rearranged and Leonora was unexpectedly granted an additional support person during her birth! While she is a Protestant sister in Christ, she acknowledges the truths that the Church holds on a number of topics. Leonora is currently pregnant with identical twin girls, so we will be excited to have her on again to share the story of their birth as well. Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts - it really helps to get our message out! Share with your friends and tag us if you're sharing on Instagram (@fiat.podcast).

This week, we are so pleased to share Rachel's episode with you! Rachel is the creator and host of the Homebirth After Cesarean Podcast, where she shares phenomenal birth stories of women who are having their VBAC babies at home. She came to the fullness of faith shortly before her son was born and it has been such a transformative experience. Her perspective brings a new light to Catholic motherhood and struggling against feelings of anger when our desires do not align with God's will, as well as working through a disappointing, possibly even avoidable, birth outcome. Rachel was also the winner of our giveaway that we hosted in April! We had the best time talking with her and we are honored to have her on our platform. Be sure to follow Rachel on Instagram (@rachel___garrett) and consider listening to her podcast, available on Apple and PodBean. Regardless of whether you've had a C-section or a VBAC, you will not be disappointed!

This week on the Fiat Podcast, we hear from Becca, who lives in Canada and touches on how the system differs from American healthcare. We are also, once again, so pleased to hear another story filled with divine revelation and prayerful labor. We hope you enjoy!

This week, Laura flies solo to bring you Elizabeth's two birth stories! Elizabeth shares some beautiful insights regarding St. Gerard's intercession and Our Lord's mercy in showing us how to be open to His will.  Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts if you feel inclined! 

This week, we hear Anna's story! She had her first baby in the summer of 2020 amid Covid restrictions, and shares how a gestational diabetes diagnosis played a part in her birth. Please forgive us for the decreased sound quality toward the end of this episode - we are all moms with small children and have an amateur production set-up, so there are bound to be hiccups. 

What a treat it was to sit down with Kyleigh and get to pick her brain! She has so much to offer and we are so thankful to be able to share her wisdom with you. One of the key elements of this episode was regarding questions or conversations to bring to your provider when preparing for your birth, as well as highlighting the mental work that makes the intensity of birth manageable. But before we are able to gather questions that might be applicable to our situation, this is really the most important question - what do you want from your birth experience? And is this provider and location able to facilitate that kind of birth? Follow Kyleigh on Instagram and go to her website www.theautonomymommy.com. Click here for the Birth Prep Strategy Quiz. Click here for the Third Trimester Checklist. Click here for the Freebies mentioned in the episode. Here are a few helpful postpartum supplies and resources - Postpartum Soothe™ WishGarden Herbs La Leche League International FridaBaby Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit Dunstan Baby Language Instagram - Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

We were asked, "How do you deal with family members who are against homebirths, treating you like a child?" Nicki expands on that in the beginning of this episode. For more information and support, feel free to DM Nicki on Instagram, or email her at nickifrench0623@gmail.com. What does it mean to have an intentional birth? This week, Lorryn touches on her 5 births, including hospital, birth center, and homebirth. She shares some wonderful insights into Catholic motherhood and making choices that align with your values. Lorryn is a fountain of wisdom and humor and we enjoyed talking with her a great deal. Please consider sharing with your friends and if you feel inclined, leave us a review on Apple podcasts.

This week, our co-host Laura shares her daughter Dorothy's birth story! She also briefly touches on her experience with loss, but understandably, does not capture the vastness of miscarriage. Be sure to listen to part 1 to hear what led up to this. Here are the two books Laura mentioned which helped her make choices that aligned with her desires: Made For This by Mary Haseltine Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin For additional resources, visit our website. Visit Rachel's Vineyard to learn how you can support women healing from the pain of abortion. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider heading over to Apple podcasts and leaving us a rating and review. We appreciate your support!

On this special bonus episode, we hear the rest of Kiersten's story. Please be sure to listen to part 1 to get all of the information prior to what is shared here. (!!! CONTENT WARNING !!!) Listener discretion is advised. For resources to make informed, autonomous decisions, visit www.fiatpodcast.com/resources. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

(!!! CONTENT WARNING !!!!) Listener discretion is advised. On this week's episode, we hear part 1 of Kiersten's story (part 2 will be published next week). Kiersten discusses how a history of trauma and abuse impacted her first pregnancy and birth experience, as well as various traumatic complications that resulted due to an induction. Kiersten's struggles are expressed courageously and processing them aloud has been very beneficial to her. We are once again tremendously thankful to provide a platform for Kiersten and others like her to share their experiences, to provide an opportunity for healing, and to remind moms everywhere of the importance of education and autonomy in birth. You don't have to have a bad birth in order to have a good birth. For resources regarding education, autonomous birth, and healing birth trauma, visit www.fiatpodcast.com/resources.

This week, Brianna shares her story as a first time mom having a honeymoon baby in the summer of 2020. Brianna underwent an induction at 37 weeks. Her daughter had a tough first 6 months, due to frequent spit-up, slow weight gain, and "failure to thrive", but baby Clara is doing very well at just over 9 months old. You can request to follow Brianna on Instagram @bb6894. Visit www.rachelsvineyard.org and consider making a donation to support them in their mission toward facilitating a safe place for emotional, mental, and spiritual healing after abortion. Our podcast is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by this organization. Be sure to follow our Instagram page, @fiat.podcast, and tag us if you decide to share your listening experience! Please consider leaving us a rating and review on Apple podcasts. See you next week!  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Welcome to our first guest interview! On this week's episode, we hear from Alexandra (Alex), whose first pregnancy overlapped her mother's last! Alex has an anxiey disorder and she shares how that, as well as general life challenges, impacted her pregnancy and birth experiences. She shares some beautiful insights regarding motherhood and what a gift it is to be the means of new life in the world. You can follow Alex on Instagram at alexandrasputnam.

On today's episode, our co-host Nicki shares her home birth and hospital birth stories, including her encounter with obstetric abuse (!!! CONTENT WARNING !!!). She is a very vocal advocate for informed consent and works to educate women to prevent additional abuse from taking place under the guise of obstetric care. You can follow Nicki on Instagram at nicki.french.  Here are some helpful Instagram pages to follow to help you to make informed, autonomous decisions regarding childbirth and parenting: @justtheinserts @the.holistic.mother @ebbirth (Evidence Based Birth) @theautonomymommy @instinctualbirthing @birthuprising @itsjustbirth @livewildbirthfree @mama_wilder @painfreebirth @hbacpodcast To book a debrief to begin the healing process for your birth trauma, message @freyakellet on Instagram. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today, we get to hear the first segment of Laura's pregnancy and birth story with her daughter, Lucy. We decided to split her interview into two parts, and still have more to cover. You can find Laura on Instagram at coffeeandsmallthings, and while her account is private, you are welcome to submit a follow request along with a message. You can find us on Instagram at fiat.podcast and if you'd like to sign up to be a guest on the show, please email us at fiat.podcast20@gmail.com.

Welcome, sisters in Christ! In this episode, you will meet your hosts and get to know what our show is all about. Thank you for joining us on this journey! You can find us on Instagram at fiat.podcast and if you'd like to sign up to be a guest on the show, please email us at fiat.podcast20@gmail.com. Please rate and leave a review to help raise awareness about our show and the work we are doing here. Feel free to share the links to our show on social media and be sure to tag us if you're sharing your listening experience!