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Unlock the secrets to a more empowering childbirth experience! Join me as I sit down with Suzzie Vehrs, a dedicated doula and mother of two, who made a remarkable transition from finance to birth advocacy. Suzzie opens up about her personal journey through pregnancy, loss, and the incredible power of support during childbirth. You'll gain insight into the vital role doulas play in helping mothers make informed decisions and letting their voices be heard in the delivery room. Plus, we dive into the recent legislative changes that have made insurance coverage for doula care more accessible than ever.

Navigate the complexities of hospital births as Suzzie shares strategies for ensuring informed decision-making and effective communication with medical staff. We discuss the varied policies of different hospitals, especially concerning interventions such as inductions and the use of drugs like Pitocin and Cytotec. Suzzie emphasizes the importance of having birth preferences that accommodate both an ideal vision and potential complications. Learn how doulas and labor nurses can collaborate to advocate for the mother's choices, fostering a supportive and understanding environment.

In our final chapter, we delve into practical tips for hiring the right doula and the nuances of creating a positive birth experience. Suzzie offers guidance on financial considerations, conducting thorough interviews, and the benefits of prenatal planning with techniques like hypnobirthing. We also explore how to maintain a calming environment in a bustling hospital setting. Wrapping up, we highlight the collaborative relationship between nurses and doulas and the incredible resources available on shebirthsbravely.com to further support expectant mothers. This episode is packed with valuable insights to help you feel confident and empowered as you prepare for childbirth.

Connect with Suzzie Vehrs: https://shebirthsbravely.com/

Join the Bump & Beyond Online Community for moms & moms-to-be!

Coaching offer

Kelly Hof: Labor Nurse + Birth Coach
Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you will tell fear to take a hike!

Support the show

Connect with Kelly Hof at kellyhof.com

Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman’s medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.

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Can pelvic floor therapy be the missing piece in postpartum recovery? Join us in this enlightening episode as we sit down with Katie Bayer, PT, DPT, owner of Transition Physical Therapy and co-founder of Behive Wellness. Katie shares her deeply personal journey through a twin pregnancy, a premature delivery at 33 weeks, and the emotional rollercoaster of a NICU stay. Her experiences, culminating in a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), have shaped her dedication to specializing in pelvic floor therapy for pregnant and postpartum women. Listen as Katie recounts the vital role family support played in her recovery and how her challenges have fueled her mission to aid mothers on their own paths.

Discover the critical yet often ignored importance of pelvic floor physical therapy in postpartum care. Katie shines a light on the gaps in standard PT education and emphasizes the need for integrating pelvic floor awareness into core training. She offers practical, realistic advice for new mothers on how to seamlessly incorporate pelvic floor exercises into daily routines. By tailoring strategies to meet individual needs, Katie underscores the effectiveness of manageable and functional approaches, aiming to make postpartum recovery more attainable for every mother.

Explore how Katie and Megan McCutcheon, a perinatal mental health therapist, have joined forces to create a collaborative perinatal care center. This space offers a comprehensive support network for expectant and new parents, fostering a community that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of postpartum care. From the development of the online Bundle Birth Course to the emphasis on rest and recovery, Katie and Megan's center provides essential resources to make the perinatal period less overwhelming. Tune in for invaluable insights and support strategies that aim to revolutionize postpartum care and ensure mothers feel supported every step of the way.

Work with Katie! https://www.transitionphysicaltherapy.com/

Join the Bump & Beyond Online Community for moms & moms-to-be!

Coaching offer

Kelly Hof: Labor Nurse + Birth Coach
Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you will tell fear to take a hike!

Support the Show.

Connect with Kelly Hof at kellyhof.com

Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman’s medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.

Send us a text

Discover how to transform your childbirth experience with insights from Neri Life Choma, a seasoned childbirth educator, birth doula, and the visionary behind the Birth Coach Method. We delve into the emotional and mental readiness that modern childbirth demands and explore how traditional methods may no longer suffice. Neri shares her vast experience, emphasizing the significance of aligning internal motivations with birthing plans and preparing for potential medical interventions. This episode promises to offer a fresh perspective on childbirth preparation, especially for those facing high-risk pregnancies.

What if societal expectations and medical interventions are shaping your childbirth experience more than you realize? Explore this provocative question with us as we discuss the disconnect between patients' goals and their preparation. Neri and I reflect on personal anecdotes and underline the importance of emotional and mental preparedness. We also touch upon the evolution of menstrual management and how it impacts women's readiness for natural childbirth. Honest and realistic discussions about birth experiences are crucial, and this episode champions just that.

Join us for a deep dive into the dynamics between doulas, nurses, and obstetricians. We highlight the necessity of collaboration and patient-centered care, advocating for the unique roles each professional plays in enhancing the birth experience. Learn practical tips for building patient rapport and strategies for reducing cesarean rates through effective coaching. From fostering self-awareness in expectant parents to the broader impact of transformational coaching on everyday life, this episode is packed with valuable insights aimed at empowering birth support professionals and expectant parents alike. Don't miss this enriching conversation with Neri Life Choma, designed to revolutionize your approach to childbirth.

Connect with Neri here: https://birthcoachmethod.com/

Buy Neri’s book The Art of Coaching for Childbirth here: https://amzn.to/4dDcxTd

Follow The Birth Coach Method on Instagram: https://www.instagram.co

Join the Bump & Beyond Online Community for moms & moms-to-be!

Coaching offer

Kelly Hof: Labor Nurse + Birth Coach
Basically, I'm your birth bestie! With me as your coach, you will tell fear to take a hike!

Support the show

Connect with Kelly Hof at kellyhof.com

Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman’s medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.