The pelvic floor: it can be wounded during childbirth– but– could it be healed during the process instead?

Victoria Hedrick is a wife to her wonderful husband Jonathan, and the mother of their almost three year old daughter, Josie. They live on a small piece of land in Virginia that they are slowly turning into a homestead. Victoria enjoys fishing, canoeing, baking sourdough, and all things babies and homebirth. They are expecting their second baby later this year.

Victoria and Jonathan have walked through quite an amazing journey throughout their marriage, particularly in relationship to birth and the physical and emotional healing it provided. You are going to be in awe with this episode!

Episode Roundup:

1. The loving way this couple worked together and their positive outlook. The entrance that Victoria and Jonathan had into marriage was unexpected and highly challenging. These are the types of situations that can so easily cause discord and animosity between couples. How easy would it be for either one to take their hurt and pain and twist it into a weapon instead of allowing it to pull each other closer? Despite the feelings of “why”, despite the darkness, the hurt, the challenge, Victoria and Jonathan continued on as partners working together. And now, they are reaping the benefits of that choice. They now get to experience intimacy on so many levels, and they know that they can trust one another to be steadfast love even in hard times.
2. Confession and repentance. When Victoria told God the truth, it changed everything. “I want to trust you. Help me trust you.” The truth was she didn’t trust Him, and that’s what she was telling him. God can work with that. HE led her to repentance– He changed her mind with HIS truth and was able to finally help her open her hands and surrender. Sometimes we think of confession and repentance as, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” and maybe a few more “I’m sorry’s”. But that’s not really what confession is. When a detective is asking a criminal to confess, is he asking for an apology, or is he asking for the truth? When we confess, we are telling the truth. And repentance, or the Greek word for repentance, is metanoia. It also doesn’t simply mean “I’m sorry.” It’s the way you think differently after having had your mind changed. And who can change your mind best? In my personal experience, confessing to God and sharing the truth of my heart- even the deepest, deepest darkest corners where my real thoughts hide sometimes even from myself– the ones I wouldn’t want anyone to know– when I can search that out and tell Him the truth, he brings about the repentance. He shows me the REAL truth of the situation. He provides me with new perspective, with HIS heart… and boy, when that happens, my mind is truly changed. Truly healed. Now I’m not striving to be better, I’m made new with new revelation and understanding, usually about just how deep the Father’s love for us really is. Now back to Victoria- isn’t it beautiful how we see this play out? She tells God how she’s feeling, and then wow, low and behold, this new ability to release and surrender comes from… where? From nowhere? No, from her good Father who loves her. I’m linking two of my favorite books that dive into these topics in the show notes if you’d like to dive deeper with this.

Links:

Samaritan Ministries

Happy Homebirth Academy

Interview Application

Youtube

Blueshield (use code HOMEBIRTH for 18% off of your order today!)

Restorative Roots (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH for $20 off your first order)

The pelvic floor- can you truly heal it and restore function? Or is there a point where you’re beyond help?

This week we are speaking with Paris Latka. Paris has been involved in the practice of Bowspring since 2016, and this transformative movement system has deeply reshaped both her body and her life. Teaching for the past six years, she shares this work from a place of embodied passion and reverence for its healing power. Bowspring continually amazes Paris with its ability to restore balance, uplift the spirit, and invite joy into our everyday lives. It supports healing from the inside out and opens the door to a more optimistic, radiant way of being in life.

Paris will be sharing more with us about this practice and specifically it’s amazing relationship with the pelvic floor.

Links:

Samaritan Ministries

Happy Homebirth Academy

Interview Application

Youtube

Paris’s Course (use code HAPPYHOMEBIRTH10)

Free Bowspring on Youtube

Click here for my previous interview with Paris

Blueshield (use code HOMEBIRTH for 18% off of your order today!)

Breech birth is supposed to be rare, right? How would you feel if you had more breech babies than head down babies?!

This week we’re speaking to Stephanie Kase, who has had twice as many breech babies as she’s had cephalic presentations! Stephanie is mama to 3 under 3, wife, and online business coach from Greenville, SC. She's married to her husband, Michael, of 7 years with 3 girls - twin toddlers and a baby girl. She's a huge believer in trusting your God-given intuition in birth.

Episode Roundup:

1. I can’t help but start with Stephanie’s mindset. Wow. As soon as she heard that she was pregnant with twins, her reaction was delight. Her first thought wasn’t, “oh my goodness, how are we going to do this?” but instead, “oh my goodness, what a blessing.” This could be seen throughout her story– Even when she shared about her experience with the NICU and the obvious difficulty that had to have come from having her plans change and giving birth in the hospital, and then spending weeks at that hospital….. It’s very clear to me that Stephanie has taken these experiences and learned to look at them with positive eyes– quickly pulling out the goodness in how things unfolded, even while acknowledging the areas that she wouldn’t have chosen for herself by any means.

I feel this is so worth highlighting. Truly, it can be the easier route to see all of the things that didn’t happen the way we expected and then find ourselves hanging in that upset place for days, months, years, even decades. There is something so powerful in being able to take our story, see it for what it truly is: The good parts, the hard parts– acknowledge them all! And then choose the way we are going to interact with that event. Sometimes this requires help and support. But when we are able to genuinely process our births– and many other intense situations– we are able to accept them, see the good parts, perhaps even focus on those, and move on in our lives even more empowered, more confident, and filled with more gratitude. Stephanie really embodies this, and I hope you were as encouraged by that as I was.

2. And next, I love the way Stephanie thoughtfully interacted with her birthing choices. For example, she could have been convinced by the first doctor she spoke with at the hospital who told her she would need a cesarean. Instead, she and her midwife sought another provider. Another example could be seen in her second birthing experience, where she knew that she didn’t want to be checked. She knew that there was no information at that time that she would gain from a vaginal exam that would change anything about her plans of how she would give birth. This resulted in a beautiful breech birth with no need to transport into the hospital. Education combined with intuition– wow, it’s a powerful thing, my friends, and it serves us so well not only during birth, but throughout the whole of motherhood.

Links:

Samaritan Ministries

Happy Homebirth Academy

Interview Application

Youtube

If you had a pretty good experience in the hospital with your first baby, what’s the point of changing things up with subsequent births?

Today we’re speaking with Kylie, who is living the dream as a stay at home mom of 3. She is married to her husband of 10.5 years, Tim and they live in Franklin, TN. They are passionate about embracing the adventure of life wherever it takes them and celebrating both the little things and big things in life! Kylie is a self-proclaimed birth junkie and could talk all things birth with you all day if you'd let her, which we did in this episode, and you are going to love the conversation that came from this.

Episode Roundup:

1. I loved the flexibility Kylie and Tim allowed to have their minds changed. Before becoming pregnant, Kylie believed that she would most certainly give birth in the hospital with an epidural. But as the reality of pregnancy hit, Kylie was open to the experiences of the friends around her that had positive things to say about giving birth unmedicated. Instead of shutting down, Kylie listened and was open to reconsidering her desires. This is half the battle, my friends- allowing our minds to think, “But what if things could be different…”
2. It was so special to hear the beautiful way that prayers were answered throughout Kylie’s births, but the moment that stands out to me the most happened in her second birth. When Kylie and Tim didn’t know what to pray, they just asked the Lord to do what was best in terms of timing. The fact that their oldest daughter was asleep for the birth but woke up directly after was so beyond what could be considered a coincidence, right?! That’s not something she did! And yet here she was, awake and able to immediately meet her new little sister in the height of the experience.
3. And finally, I want to touch on something so beautiful that Kylie shared. She mentioned the importance of intuition– listening to your intuition, hearing the Holy Spirit guiding you and acting in that faith… I just wanted to share how special it is that Kylie journals so much, because she has the evidence of this relationship. She has the evidence of her intuition being correct again and again. I cannot tell you how much I have loved keeping a journal this last year to be able to look back on situations and see exactly what I was processing in the moment, and then to see how those events unfolded or resolved or were transformed. To have all of these special, specific accounts… It’s beautiful. That’s where the Lord meets me- in my journaling. That’s where I hear Him guiding me, and I have these beautiful records to reflect on and even share with others. I feel like this message is for someone specific listening to this episode. Get the journal!

Links:

Samaritan Ministries

Happy Homebirth Academy

Interview Application

Youtube

What is the balance when it comes to preparing for our birth, but also holding it all with an open hand, knowing that outside factors can contribute to our experience?

Sara West and her husband Andrew live on Florida's sunny Space Coast with their four children. Her passions include writing, singing, drawing, and crocheting, though she has a little less time for those things while starting her homeschooling journey and bringing up toddlers! She hopes to one day finish a novel... or at least get a Substack up and running.

Episode Roundup:

1. I love how Sara chose to grow with new information. She didn’t hold onto her past ways of doing things, and she also didn’t punish herself for not knowing what she didn’t know. She simply gained the new information and put it into action for herself and her family. No blaming, no shaming, just growth.
2. I also appreciate Sara’s perspective how she wanted to enter her birthing experience. She didn’t feel like she had to control everything, and in fact, she was very aware that she could not. She simply took control of the areas that she could, and then held the rest with an open hand and mind. She was comfortable with the idea that she couldn’t predict every little detail, and that she would be willing to make the decisions that made sense in the moment.
3. And finally, just– how beautiful is it to hear a mother experience their first unmedicated birth and think at the end, “That was easy!” What a joy to see just how wonderfully we are made, and how beautifully birth was designed. Whether you come to the end of labor thinking, “that was easy” or “that was intense,” my prayer is that you feel a sense of deep strength at what you’ve been designed to do. You were made with intention and love, as is your baby. I want you to feel flooded with that knowing as you bring your baby into your arms.

Links:

Samaritan Ministries

Happy Homebirth Academy

Interview Application

Youtube

You’re either for something or you’re against it, right? Like, you either love ultrasounds or you don’t. Or you want testing done or you don’t….. Or… gasp, could there be more to it than right or wrong?

This week we’re speaking to Taylor Shaffer: a wife, mother of two beautiful girls, holistic doula and online educator. She is passionate about nourishment, holistic living and taking radical responsibility for your health and birth choices. She serves women locally in Upstate SC through her doula agency, Nested & Nourished, as well as online through her Holistic Mama Pregnancy & Birth Course, virtual doula support offerings, podcast titled Holistic Pregnancy, and more.

Episode Roundup:

If there’s one word that demands your attention in this episode, I hope it’s “intuition”. Taylor’s decisions were not informed by sheer logic or dogma. No, the seat of her decisionmaking came from a deeper source. From what I believe to be Holy Spirit guided intuition.

Intuition. That inner knowing that often times goes against your expectations. Taylor isn’t a huge fan of ultrasounds for herself, but she sensed that an ultrasound is what she needed. This ended up providing her with the information she used to support her body and baby through gestational diabetes. And again, we see this intuition work in the complete OPPOSITE direction at the end of pregnancy, where Taylor felt that she shouldn’t have a scan. Looking back, she knows that this prevented her from unnecessary fear regarding her baby’s weight. I love how this example unfolded. We take the same topic: Ultrasounds and apply intuition to them in two different directions. That, my friends, is what it looks like to listen to your intuition.

Next, I want to remind you of just how deeply our emotions are connected to labor and birth. Taylor needed to take her baby into her arms, hold her, and grieve the change that was coming. Yes, of course, adding a new baby is a massive blessing to a family! But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a sense of pain at the leaving behind of the old ways. Honoring this feeling is exactly what led Taylor deeper into labor. Feel those feelings and don’t be afraid of them.

And finally, Taylor’s love for birthwork came from her own experiences. She realized that she had something to offer other mothers, other families after having her first daughter. She decided to seek out a way to be both the mother that she desired to be, and to also build a thriving business at the same time. Sounds impossible, right? But Taylor is doing it, very successfully I might add! Her online business, her doula agency… It's incredible! Taylor sought education from someone who values family, business AND birthwork. She found a coach who wouldn’t tell her to push aside family for money, but who would encourage her to and teach her to make a way for both.

Links:

Samaritan Ministries

Happy Homebirth Academy

Interview Application

Youtube

Kyleigh’s Workshop Sign Up

Lily Nichols Episode

Taylor’s Instagram

Taylor’s Podcast

The Glucose Revolution

The Glucose Goddess IG

Dr. Rachel Reed- Gestational Diabetes Review Article

Dr Sara Wickham- Gestational Diabetes Article

Tags: gestational diabetes, big baby

A shocking medical diagnosis is never easy to grapple with– but what happens when it comes in the middle of your pregnancy?

This week we’re speaking to Chloe, a wife and mother to two precious little boys. Chloe’s story will have you on the edge of your seat, but it will also instill a level of beauty beyond my ability to express in this little intro, so let’s not waste any time and jump right in.

Episode Roundup:

1. If something is going on in your pregnancy that you feel unsure of, even if your care provider thinks it’s a variation of normal, follow your intuition. Chloe’s scenario was so hard because her friend had experienced a very difficult pregnancy and her midwife thought that this was simply a tough pregnancy– so even though Chloe felt that she was dying each day, she didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t until someone else with medical background laid eyes on her and said, “Hey, this doesn’t seem right” that she and Brandon sought more medical attention. I am just so grateful that they were able to receive the care that they needed.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Late in her pregnancy when Chloe felt that homebirth was the right option for her, she could have just given up after the first midwife said “no.” She recalls thinking, “Oh,great I’m going to be known as that crazy girl who had brain surgery” but honestly, who cares? She had the sense that homebirth was the right call, and she went after it. And wow, didn’t that pay off?
3. Finally, let’s end here: This event that Chloe experienced– it wasn’t good. It’s not good that it happened, and there’s no delight in the suffering that she experienced. But what’s amazing is the ability for something so un-good to be used for such extraordinary good. For Chloe to come to the other side and say, “Through this, I learned just how good God is…” You can’t make that up. Chloe’s story is a story of hope, and a blessing to all who hear it.

Links:

Samaritan Ministries

Happy Homebirth Academy

Interview Application

Youtube

Dads- how does the idea of your wife giving birth make you feel? Does the idea immediately excite you, or does it put a level of fear on you– do you wonder how you can protect her and your baby? Do you feel out of control?

This week, all the way to episode 276, we are doing something new. We are hearing a homebirth story completely from the perspective of the father. Today we’re speaking to Dustin Garrett, a husband, father to two, and new to the club- homebirth dad!

Episode roundup:

1. Dustin’s story is so vulnerable, and I feel so certain that with a listenership this large, there are a number of you who can relate to his experience with abortion and the potential pain that has stayed with you for years. Dustin realized at some point that he was not truly accepting all of the Grace and forgiveness available to him– that he felt like he needed to experience continual punishment, and that maybe he and his wife would never be able to have kids– maybe that was his punishment. But at some point it became clear, when Jesus died on the cross, he died for every single one of Dustin’s sins, and every single one of yours. He came to give us freedom, and our job? Our job is to receive it.
2. Next, I love how honestly Dustin shared what I know many fathers to feel- the sense that they want to take care of their wife, their baby. The reason that birth often makes men feel uncomfortable is the glaring reality that, “Wow, actually I don’t have control here.” And boy, that uncomfortable feeling, if you’re honest with yourself, might turn to the realization that, “Oh, wow. I guess I don’t actually have control over a lot of events and situations around me.” To release control, while it can be so difficult, is one of the most beautiful things we can do as humans.
3. And finally, I just love the joy that Dustin expressed as he caught his daughter in his own arms. As he saw her look at him while between worlds, really. Both in, and out. To imagine this happening, all while his son is singing “Jesus loves me” in the next room… it’s just beautiful. And healing for the entire family.

Links:

Samaritan Ministries

Happy Homebirth Academy

Interview Application

Youtube