As a first time mom, sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know. And Emilie didn’t know she was being induced, or why. But that wasn’t all. She also got the one doctor she definitely didn’t want, and what he said during her labor will shock you (or maybe not, if you’re familiar with how some surgically minded OB’s can be). Then, as she was planning her peaceful second birth at home, everything changed last minute, and not only did she end up moving multiple states away, but tragedy struck, and she had to be without her husband during delivery. What amazes me about Emilie was her ability to see the positive in the situation, to see God’s grace and His blessings He gave her throughout the journey.

00:00 Introduction

04:38 Meet Emily: Family and Work Life

05:32 Challenges of Homeschooling and Working from Home

06:52 Emily's First Pregnancy Journey

07:53 Morning Sickness and Dietary Adjustments

18:23 Navigating Prenatal Care and Hospital Policies

42:35 Navigating Postpartum Challenges

43:30 A Disappointing Doctor's Visit

44:01 Struggles with Weight and Nursing

47:45 Deciding on Future Birth Plans

51:29 Pregnancy During the Pandemic

58:58 A New Job Opportunity in Georgia

01:00:38 Moving to Georgia Amidst COVID

01:05:14 Preparing for a Home Birth

01:11:01 Unexpected Hospital Birth

01:17:30 Managing Labor with SPD

01:18:58 Supportive Midwife and Nurse Ellen

01:19:27 Spiritual Conversations During Labor

01:21:35 Deciding on an Epidural

01:25:30 Birth of Gabriel

01:33:44 Challenges with Breastfeeding and Tongue Ties

01:53:05 Moving Back to North Carolina

01:58:31 Future Plans and Reflections

02:00:25 Conclusion

Interested in sharing your story on the podcast? Click here!
Want to connect with us? Have a question?
Shoot us a DM at @surrenderedbirthservices on Instagram, and give us a follow while you're there!

For more information about Surrendered Birth Services:
• Website: www.surrenderedbirthservices.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/surrenderedbirthservices

When you hire a midwife you expect to get more holistic care than when you hire an OB/GYN, but when your midwife is part of a hospital medical system, that’s not always the case. So next time you hire a midwife at a birth center, but even then, you’re still handing your care and responsibility over to another system that may or may not have your best interest at heart. So what do you do after two traumatic birth experiences at the hands of others? You have a wild pregnancy and a free birth, but you do it in connection with and guidance from God, a pivotal piece of the puzzle, if not THE biggest piece of it all. This is only a glimmer of Cursty’s story, tune in as she shares all four of her birth experiences among other life events that dramatically affected them all. Grab the tissues, this episode is a tear-jerking treasure.

00:00 Introduction

04:36 Meet Cursty

07:27 Cursty's First Pregnancy and Birth Experience

16:20 Navigating Postpartum Challenges

20:05 Second Pregnancy and Miscarriage

24:22 Third Pregnancy and Birth Center Experience

38:23 A Traumatic Birth Experience

40:54 A Healing Free Birth

41:13 Explaining Wild Pregnancy and Free Birth

43:04 The Stages of Labor

53:59 A Fourth Pregnancy Amidst Grief

59:10 A Beautiful Home Birth

01:07:04 Reflecting on Birth and Faith

01:08:57 Advice for Expecting Parents

01:16:46 The Importance of Trusting God's Design

01:25:58 Conclusion and Contact Information

Interested in sharing your story on the podcast? Click here!
Want to connect with us? Have a question?
Shoot us a DM at @surrenderedbirthservices on Instagram, and give us a follow while you're there!

For more information about Surrendered Birth Services:
• Website: www.surrenderedbirthservices.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/surrenderedbirthservices

Join us as we celebrate our one-year anniversary of this podcast! Today, we walk through the first year of parenthood. The ups and downs, the tips and tricks, and the emotions of it all. Come and hear my husband and I as we remember the first year, now that we’ve been through it five times. We hope you gain some type of nugget of wisdom from this episode, and that you’ll join us for another great birth story again next week!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF OUR GIVEAWAY!
(Hint-listen to episode to find out!)

As mentioned in this episode:
• Nose Frida (mucus sucker/nasal aspirator)
• EverJump Inflatables (My husband's inflatable bounce house rental business in the Triad of NC!)

Want to rent an inflatable bounce house or slide in the Triad of NC for your baby's first birthday? Click Here!

00:00 Introduction

03:29 Announcing the Giveaway Winner

04:47 Upcoming Episodes Sneak Peek

05:42 Reflecting on the First Year of Parenthood

11:36 Breaking Down the First Year in Increments

11:43 The Fog of the First Three Months

13:23 Adjusting to Life with a Newborn

19:12 Milestones and Parental Concerns

23:43 The Importance of Sleep for Babies

30:26 First Time Baby Sickness

31:39 First Time Sickness and Parenting Challenges

33:01 Handling Baby Sickness: Tips and Tricks

35:18 Dealing with Ear Infections and Remedies

38:00 Managing Baby Fussiness and Teething

43:14 Breastfeeding and Menstrual Cycle Insights

46:00 Celebrating Your Baby's First Birthday

55:23 Balancing Marriage and Parenting

01:00:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Interested in sharing your story on the podcast? Click here!
Want to connect with us? Have a question?
Shoot us a DM at @surrenderedbirthservices on Instagram, and give us a follow while you're there!

For more information about Surrendered Birth Services:
• Website: www.surrenderedbirthservices.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/surrenderedbirthservices