Heather started preparing for birth and life with a newborn, even before she was pregnant. However, once labor started, she found that the hardest thing was to quiet her thinking brain. She was also immensely grateful for having switched care providers twice, until connecting with the right one for her. Check it out.
Listen directly through our website player, or however you usually listen to podcasts.
What we talked about:
- Loss of confidence in medical system after an early miscarriage
- Switching care providers
- Learning about birth options through local Birth Circle group… before being pregnant
- There’s a free-standing birth center?!
- Switching again
- What the heck is a “weighted feeding?”
- The due date that came and went
- “Are you fixating on a number?”
- That time you thought your water broke…
- Acupuncture, chiropractic, floor remodel
- “Go to sleep”
- Setting up the “labor cave”
- Disappointing vaginal check
- Getting internal, getting annoyed
- Do you want to stop it, or make it stronger?
- Come to me, Laborland!
- That danged anterior lip
- Everyone out!
- A nap? Why, yes I will
- Fresh midwife, fresh energy
- Meeting her baby!
- A well-prepared and nourishing postpartum
- Still nursing!
Relaxing skin to skin just minutes after birth
Resources and links to info mentioned on the show:
- Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin
- TheBusinessOfBeingBorn.com
- Find a Lactation Consultant directory, from ILCA
- Walcher’s: Open The Brim, from Spinning Babies
Heather’s local resources:
- The Birth Center of Bloomington-Normal
- Her awesome doula, Marcia Mattern
- Her IBCLC, Total Lactation Care
Lovely deep tub being filled for Heather (photo by Short Little Blessings)
Related Birthful episodes:
- Choosing Your Care Provider, with Robin Elise Weiss
- Birth Doulas, with Sharon Muza
- The Problem with Due Dates, with Gail Hart
- Rethinking the Pushing Stage, with Whapio
- Postpartum Hemorrhages, with Maryn Green
Heather Lauf enjoying her newborn (photo by Short Little Blessings)
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Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, from the Free Music Archive / CC BY (edited for length).
Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, from the Free Music Archive / CC BY (edited for length).
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