Welcome back to The Mama Village! Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to Bryanna, a remarkable woman who shares her deeply personal journey of two homebirth experiences that couldn’t be more different.

Bryanna's story begins with her husband's initial hesitation about their first homebirth, shaped by the trauma of a previous birth experience. However, together, they worked as a strong team, navigating their fears and dreams for the kind of birth Bryanna envisioned. With a thoughtful approach, they blended care with private midwife and backup private obstetrician, ultimately creating a calm and beautiful first homebirth that Bryanna describes as pain-free, filled with love and connection.

Yet, Bryanna's journey also includes profound heartache. She gets raw and real about the emotional impact of her two miscarriages between her children, sharing how those losses reshaped her understanding of motherhood and her body. Her candid reflections reveal the pain, grief, and vulnerability that often accompany the journey to motherhood, and how it can feel isolating in a society that often rushes past these stories. Bryanna emphasises the importance of individualised care and the support she found in her naturopath, illuminating the path through her fertility struggles.

When it came time to birthing her son, her second birth was a whirlwind of pain and intensity, yet it brought her to a place of deep reflection and embracing the postpartum experience in ways she hadn't before. Bryanna's story is raw, real, and beautifully inspiring, reminding us of the complexities of motherhood.

Before we dive in, I want to take a moment to share some bittersweet news. This episode marks the final chapter of The Mama Village podcast, as I take an indefinite break. Juggling moving house, the needs of my young family, my part-time job and the podcast has left me feeling burnt out, and I need this time to recharge. I am incredibly grateful to all the women and experts who have generously shared their stories and insights on this platform. My passion for women’s rights and autonomy in childbirth remains strong, and I’ll continue to advocate for this cause in new ways. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Now, let’s dive into Bryanna’s inspiring story!

For Music: https://soundcloud.com/emotionetoile/kevin-macleod-easy-day-no-copyright-music-103

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice. Any information discussed in this podcast should not replace the advice of your professional healthcare provider. This podcast is designed for general information only and is not specific to individual needs. Please seek advice from your professional health care provider if you have any concerns regarding your pregnancy, birth or postpartum.

Welcome back to another episode of The Mama Village! I’m your host, Ellen, and today we have a truly inspiring guest, Anna, who is not only a midwife but also a mother with powerful stories to share. Anna takes us on a journey through her two contrasting birth experiences that highlight the incredible strength and resilience of women.

In her first story, Anna navigated a vaginal breech birth in the hospital, a situation that many might find daunting. Yet, she reflects on this experience as positive, emphasising the importance of being informed and feeling in control. With the support of trusted caregivers, Anna was empowered to make choices that honoured her autonomy, even when faced with the need for an episiotomy and forceps.

Fast forward to her second pregnancy, where Anna embraced the transformative journey of a home birth. This time, she found comfort and trust in her body and her baby, discovering that her natural birthing position was lying down.

But Anna's journey hasn't been without its struggles. She candidly shares her experience with hyperemesis, a condition that can be physically and emotionally debilitating. The second pregnancy was particularly tough, and Anna bravely discusses how she confronted the challenges that arose, showing us just how complex and beautiful the path to motherhood can be.

Additionally, Anna opens up about her perineal trauma from her first birth, addressing the stigma and misconceptions surrounding such experiences. She advocates for using appropriate language around perineal trauma, reminding us that every woman's story is valid and that our experiences do not define our worth.

Join us as we dive deep into Anna's stories of strength, empowerment, and the incredible journey of motherhood. Whether you’re a parent, planning to become one, or simply curious about the birthing experience, this episode is sure to resonate. Let’s jump in!

Resources

Hypnobirthing

Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage by Rachel Reed

Don’t forget that if you like the podcast, please subscribe!

For Music: https://soundcloud.com/emotionetoile/kevin-macleod-easy-day-no-copyright-music-103

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice. Any information discussed in this podcast should not replace the advice of your professional healthcare provider. This podcast is designed for general information only and is not specific to individual needs. Please seek advice from your professional healthcare provider if you have any concerns regarding your pregnancy, birth or postpartum.

Welcome back to another episode of The Mama Village!

Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to our first international guest, Brittany, all the way from Southern California.

In today’s episode, Brittany shares her empowering journey through pregnancy and her beautiful hospital birth story.

After feeling pressured by her OBGYN about her rapid weight gain that didn’t reflect her overall health, she made the brave decision to switch care providers and hire a private midwife and a doula. Brittany's experience highlights the importance of finding supportive care that truly understands and respects your body and your journey.

Brittany will also take us through a touching moment in her postpartum journey—an intuitive ceremony in her first shower after giving birth, where she expressed gratitude to her incredible body for carrying her baby, giving birth and healing postpartum.

Brittany also opens up about the challenges she faced in the postpartum period, and how she sought help through a postpartum doula, counselling, and lactation support. This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the strength we all possess, the importance of community, and the journey of motherhood. So, let’s dive into Brittany’s inspiring story!

Resources

Books:

1. The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

2. Hypnobirthing: The Breakthrough to Safer, Easier, More Comfortable Childbirth by Marie Mongan

3. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Penny Simkin

Courses:

1. https://www.hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox

Don’t forget that if you like the podcast, please subscribe!

If you would like to share your pregnancy, birth and postpartum story, or if you have education in the space to share, please send me a direct message on Instagram or email the.mamavillage@outlook.com

For Music: https://soundcloud.com/emotionetoile/kevin-macleod-easy-day-no-copyright-music-103

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice. Any information discussed in this podcast should not replace the advice of your professional healthcare provider. This podcast is designed for general information only and is not specific to individual needs. Please seek advice from your professional health care provider if you have any concerns regarding your pregnancy, birth or postpartum.