In episode twelve, we meet Olga and hear all about her first pregnancy, birth and beyond journey. Olga planned to birth in a birth centre and then late in her pregnancy changed her mind and had a home birth. She then transferred to hospital to have some retained placenta removed and a small tear stitched in theatre. Olga also talks about her experiences of establishing breastfeeding and learning to be content while parenting a new baby. 

Topics covered in this episode include: early pregnancy tiredness, low level morning sickness, pregnancy travel, doula support through pregnancy, planning water birth, changing from birth centre plan to homebirth plan late in pregnancy, being labelled high risk due to smoking before being pregnant, preparing mentally and looking after yourself physically  in pregnancy for birth, slow start to contractions, meet-up and massage in early labour, labour gradually increasing through the day and evening, calling out doula and midwives and then sending them home, calling everyone back and getting in the pool immediately ready to push, pool birth, physiological third stage, post partum hemorage and retained placenta, transfer to hospital, retained placenta removed and second degree tear stitched in theatre, three day stay in hospital, self advocacy with routine medical interventions, declining routine anticoagulant injections, resisting pressure to formula feed in hospital, mixed support levels in hospital, placenta encapsulation, postnatal recovery, breastfeeding with inverted nipple, sleep and small babies, sleep and small babies, protecting your peace when planning your birth, keeping going with a plan for if you have slow downs during labour. 

If you’re wondering whether a doula might be right for you or even what one actually is or does this might be a good place to start reading.

https://hampshiredoulas.uk/what-is-a-doula/

https://hampshiredoulas.uk/frequently-asked-questions/

If you are looking for a community of new families to be part of please do come and join ours in person if you’re in South East Hampshire or Online if you’re further away. Join our Facebook group here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pregnancybirthandbeyondcommunitygroup

Find the details for our meet-ups here

https://www.informedpregnancybirthandbeyond.org/meet-ups

For information about the possibility of some or all of your placenta not coming out as expected and what can be offered to help this is a good place to start reading

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-complications/retained-placenta

If you’re wondering if your baby is sleeping a normal amount you might find this a helpful website

https://www.basisonline.org.uk/hcp-how-babies-sleep/

Or this book

https://lyndseyhookway.com/product/lets-talk-about-your-new-familys-sleep/

In episode eleven of series three, we’re back with Kimberley to hear the story of her second baby’s birth. After the events surrounding her experience in the hospital after her first birth, Kimberley opted for a planned cesarean for her second baby. She had a very positive second birth experience 

Second pregnancy worse PGP, pregnancy in covid affecting medical appointments, making a choice for planned cesarean due to previous trauma, TBR Three-Step-Rewind trauma recovery, planning a family centred cesarean, student midwives - impact of respectful care, skin to skin and cesarean birth, sensory processing issues and the business of theatre, fast birth, skin to skin in theatre, declining weighing offers, establishing breastfeeding with a second baby, placenta smoothies, postnatal recovery, postnatal planning, postnatal self care, thoughts on the experience of cesarean birth after a previous home birth. 

If you’re having any pain around your pelvic joints and would like support or information the Pelvic Partnership is the place to go.

https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

You may also find the Let’s Talk about Pelvic Girdle Pain Podcast helpful.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lets-talk-about-pelvic-girdle-pain/id1582059096

If you’re planning to have a cesarean birth for any reason this would be a good place to start thinking about how to make that a comfortable and safe experience for you and your baby.

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n14342.pdf&ver=37125

If sensory processing challenges are something that you think might affect you during your pregnancy, birth or beyond or you’re interested in how that or other things that could affect people differently during this time you might want to check out this podcast

https://www.ndbirth.com/podcast

If you’re interested in how your placenta could benefit you post birth then check out Kimberley’s own website https://www.southcoastplacenta.co.uk/benefits

If you would like to know more about the TBR Three-Step-Rewind process check it out here

https://traumaticbirthrecovery.com/what-is-the-3-step-treatment/

If you are interested in Sarah’s support for yourself find her here

https://joyfulfamilies.uk/emotional-support-birth-trauma/

In episode ten of the third series, we meet Kimberley and hear about the birth of her first baby.

Kimberly had a turnaround in pregnancy and went from having thought she would choose a cesarean to choosing a home birth. Kimberley also talks about her experience of transferring to hospital for stitches after birthing at home. 

Topics covered in this episode include support from an NCT teacher, the birthplace study, planning a homebirth after being afraid of birth before pregnancy, PGP - chiropractic and NHS physio support, stretch and sweep, watching comedy, immediate start to strong regular contractions, following your body’s lead for position, labour in birth pool, gas and air, privacy on the toilet - feeling of progress, mooing, birthing on sofa, birthing lying on side, having a cat doula, coached pushing, fourth-degree tear, shower at home then transfer to hospital, mention of tramatic experience in hospital, fourth-degree tear stitched in theatre, overly fully bladder given catheter to rest bladder for a week, home with a catheter, supportive partner, establishing breastfeeding, frequent feeding, long term perspective of feeding and sleep. 

For information on the birthplace study check out

https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/birthplace/

More information on the research about homebirth can be found here

https://www.sarawickham.com/research-updates/is_home_birth_safe/

Some information about what to expect if you have a third or fourth degree tear

https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/care-of-a-third-or-fourth-degree-tear-that-occurred-during-childbirth-also-known-as-obstetric-anal-sphincter-injury-oasi/