In this heartfelt episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, host HeHe and guest Angel dive into a rich conversation about VBACs (Vaginal Birth After C-Section) and home births. Angel shares her personal birth stories, including the challenges of having multiple C-sections and her journey to successful HBA2Cs at home. They discuss the importance of trusting one's intuition, the value of a supportive birth team, and the ongoing debates around midwifery regulations and doula advocacy. With insights from her extensive experience in family education, HeHe guides listeners through the evidence-based practices and options available for expecting parents, aiming to empower them for a confident and informed birth experience no matter the setting and no matter their goals.

Diving into Birth Stories

Navigating Complicated Pregnancies

The Challenges of C-Sections

Triumphs and Traumas of VBAC

The Importance of Intuition in Birth

Advocating for Your Birth Plan

Navigating Intuition and Anxiety

Finding Peace in Decision Making

Personal Home Birth Story

Labor and Contractions Begin

Active Labor and Delivery

Postpartum Care and Experience

VBAC Preparation and Tips

Advocacy and Regulations in Midwifery

Doula Advocacy and Challenges

Guest Bio:

Angel is a Certified Lactation Counselor, Registered Kangaroula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Microbirth Approved Provider, and Doula, dedicated to providing essential support to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

With seven years of experience as a breastfeeding counselor, 5 years as a doula and childbirth educator and 10 years of mom experience with 6 children, Angel pulls on her personal and professional knowledge to educate women on the long term effects of modern health care practices that affect women during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding.

Angel is the proud owner of Fruit of the Womb Perinatal Services, delivering breastfeeding, prenatal, and birth support to women in the greater Cleveland area.

Listeners can also tune in to The Birth Rebel Podcast, hosted by Angel.

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Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

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In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe engages in a powerful discussion with Frances about navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. They touch on the importance of empowering expecting parents through candid conversations with experts, mental health support, and birth preparation tips. Frances shares insights on the cultural shifts in labor and delivery over the past decade, particularly regarding the importance of asking questions and advocating for oneself in the birth suite. They also delve into the critical issues of racial disparities in maternal healthcare, systemic racism, and the ways healthcare providers can better support Black mothers. The episode concludes with practical advice for healthcare professionals and allies on how to elevate Black voices, hold each other accountable, and create a safer, more respectful birthing environment. Tune in to learn how we can all contribute to a transformative change in maternity care.

A Long-Awaited Conversation

Advocacy in Labor and Delivery

Challenges in the Birth Suite

The Role of Social Media in Birth Conversations

Navigating Hospital Policies and Provider Dynamics

The Importance of Informed Consent

Addressing Racial Disparities in Maternity Care

The Power of Speaking Up

Building Trust Between Patients and Providers

The Importance of Direct Communication

Casual Conversations vs. Critical Moments

The Need for Assurance and Planning

Nurses' Role in Patient Comfort

Addressing Systemic Issues in Healthcare

The Power of White Allies

Training and Protocols for Inclusivity

The Reality of Black Maternal Mortality

Mobilizing for Change

Practical Steps for Improvement

The Importance of Believing Black Women

Guest Bio:

Frances Ivy-Marie is a Mom Content Creator. Her goal is to have Black Mothers have the same chance of surviving childbirth as their white counterparts in the United States, with a dream of that goal making a global impact.

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Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

Join host HeHe on the Birth Lounge podcast as she welcomes Liz, the founder of Swaddelini, to discuss her revolutionary baby swaddle. Liz shares her personal journey from new mom to entrepreneur, and how the necessity to help her own baby sleep better led to the invention of the innovative Swaddelini. They discuss the importance of proper baby sleep, the benefits of sensory compression, and the process of developing a baby product that meets the needs of various medical and developmental requirements. Liz also opens up about her own experiences with postpartum emotional distress and how her first employee's journey helped shape her company's values. Tune in for an inspiring story of perseverance, motherhood, and groundbreaking innovation in baby sleep technology.

Swaddelini is the soft and stretchy swaddle gives a gentle hug soothing your baby while allowing your baby freedom of movement!

The Birth of Swaddelini

Postpartum Emotional Distress

The Science Behind Swaddelini

The Comfort of Swaddelini

Adapting Swaddelini for Special Needs

Custom Orders and Team Effort

How to Use the Swaddelini

Temperature Control and Safety

Washing and Maintenance Tips

When to Stop Using Swaddelini

Future Innovations and Sensory Products

HeHe's Newborn Sleep Solutions Guide: A Guide to longer stretches of sleep by 6 weeks! Learn how to support your baby’s biological development, prioritize their weight gain goals & capitalize on the most nighttime sleep possible! By understanding newborn development, you will be able to avoid harsh, formal sleep training programs in the future! This Newborn Sleep Solution will teach you everything you need to know to properly support your baby’s sleep needs, understand what is happening in their development in each stage and how to adjust your routines to get your newborn sleeping soundly at night in the first few weeks!

GET YOUR NEWBORN SLEEP SOLUTIONS GUIDE HERE!

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Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!

Check out the Swaddelini here!

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