Alena LeShack went from not knowing anything about birth and considering a scheduled cesarean to preparing for -and having- an unmedicated birth. She had a flowing and empowering hospital birth, fueled by her confidence, the support of her team, and even a little dose of Virtual Reality. Check it out.
Listen directly through our website player, or however you usually listen to podcasts.
What we talked about:
- Wanting an unmedicated birth amid a sea of cesareans
- Switching care providers at 37 weeks
- Interviewing six doulas!
- Taking CBE classes, and her husband coming around to the idea
- Celebrating her husband’s birthday with dinner and her water breaking
- Laughing and joking the night away
- Early morning drive to the hospital to get checked
- Her doula comes and brings the calm
- Getting all the support
- “I was in a different planet”
- Active labor with a Virtual Reality headset
- Creating her own chant: “open, open, open”
- Feeling the need to go to the bathroom as things ramp up
- “You didn’t say the code word.” (Proof that he was listening!)
- Starting to push without the doctor
- Touching baby’s head when crowning
- Husband’s last minute desire to catch the baby!
- “We’ll wait,” he says, remembering that “his main job” is to cut the cord. 🙂
- Fascinated by what a body can do!
Baby is in…
Helpful resources, books, and podcasts*:
- Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin
- Taking prenatal yoga
- Having an involved partner! (listen to this Birthful episode on “A Dad’s Perspective” – part one and part two)
- Having a doula!
- Taking Childbirth Education Classes
- Research Review: Does Virtual Reality Reduce Pain in Labor? Research Indicates Yes!, by Sharon Muza for the Lamaze International blog
- Breathe, focus, headset: The women turning to VR in labor, from CNN Business
- How Virtual Reality Can Help with Childbirth, From Cedars-Sinai
… and then baby is out!
Related Birthful episodes:
- The Problem with Due Dates, with Gail Hart
- Choosing Your Care Provider, with Robin Elise Weiss
- “A Dad’s Perspective” – part one and part two
- Prenatal Yoga, with Deena Blumenfeld
- Birth Doulas, with Sharon Muza
- Choosing a Childbirth Class, with Sharon Muza
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About Alena and Adam LeSchack
Courtesy of Alena LeSchack
Alena was born in Moscow, Russia. She moved to the USA 6 years ago to get her MBA at UCLA Anderson. Alena currently works in the entertainment industry. While she was at school she met Adam. His sense of humor and love for film brought them together. The birth of their son elevated their relationship to a new level. The couple likes to travel, cook and enjoy the sunny beaches of Los Angeles with their almost 1 year old son Orion.
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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