Birthing on the Prairies

In the latest episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the concept of nesting parties, exploring how they offer a unique and heartwarming way to celebrate the impending arrival of a new baby. Rather than the traditional baby shower, nesting parties focus on practical tasks that help the parents-to-be prepare their home for the baby's arrival. From folding baby clothes to preparing freezer mea...

Welcome to another episode of Little Doula on the Prairie! In this episode, we embark on a wonderful journey discussing the transformative experience of birth. Whether you are a birth partner or simply interested in learning more about creating a positive birthing experience, I have some valuable insights and guidelines to share with you. Join us as I dive into the importance of fostering a respec...

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Jenna, who shares her personal journey and experiences through three different birth stories. Jenna starts by reflecting on her first pregnancy and the excitement she felt while planning and preparing for the arrival of her first child. However, she also candidly discusses the challenges she faced during her postpartum period. Jenna shares...

In today's episode, we're honoured to have Naomi, a doula and birth keeper, share her powerful and emotional birth story with us. As someone who struggled with fertility and suffered an early loss, Naomi finally became pregnant with a healthy baby and planned for a natural and unassisted home birth. However, at just 29+2 weeks, she unexpectedly went into labour and was rushed to the hospit...

In part 2 of Beth's birth story on the Birthing on the Prairies podcast, listeners are invited to hear about Beth's healing homebirth experience with Edmonton midwife Heidi. This episode provides a firsthand account of what it's like to give birth at home with support from a midwife. Listeners will hear about the support she received from her midwife, her partner, and her birthing team...

You sentIn this episode of the Birthing on the Prairies podcast, listeners are invited to join Heidi as she shares her second birth experience in Viking, Alberta. Heidi, who is a midwife, achieved her unmedicated birth with the support of a doula. Heidi takes listeners through her journey from early labor to delivery, describing the physical and emotional sensations she experienced along the way....

In this episode, we hear from Laura, a mother who shares her journey through two birth experiences in Edmonton, one during COVID and one that was a healing water birth with a midwife. She discusses the challenges she faced during the pregnancies, including hyperemesis, postpartum depression, and a suicide attempt, as well as the joy and healing that came with her second birth experience. The podca...

In this episode, we hear from MYSELF! I overcame the challenges of miscarriage and secondary infertility to welcome my first daughter into the world in Camrose. I share my journey through pregnancy, the emotional toll of miscarriage, and the joy of finally holding a healthy baby in my arms. The podcast explores the emotions and thoughts that came with my experience with miscarriage and secondary i...

In this episode, we hear from Justine, a mother and surrogate who shares her journey of becoming a surrogate and birthing a baby for another family. Justine discusses the process of becoming a surrogate, the emotional and physical demands of the experience, and the joy of seeing the baby claimed by the intended family. Listeners will hear about the motivations behind Justine's decision to beco...

In this episode, we hear from Amanda, a mother who had a beautiful home water birth with a midwife and doula after experiencing premature rupture of membranes and drinking the midwife brew. She shares her journey through pregnancy, the challenges she faced, and the joy of her birth experience. Amanda discusses the moment she experienced her water breaking before contractions started. The episode c...

In this episode, we hear from Kelsey, a mother who experienced a precipitous birth at a hospital in rural Alberta. She shares her unexpected journey through pregnancy, childbirth and the challenges she faced with giving birth so quickly. Kelsey discusses her early labor and her journey to the hospital with her partner. Listeners will hear about the rapid progression of her labor and the intensity...

In this episode, we hear from Ashlyn, a mother who planned for a homebirth with a midwife that turned into a cesarean birth at a hospital. She shares her journey through pregnancy and childbirth, the challenges she faced during the birth, and her experience with birth trauma. Ashlyn discusses the preparations she made for the homebirth, including finding a midwife who understood and respected her...

In this episode, we hear from Megan, a mother who had two previous cesarean births and then had a healing vaginal birth. She shares her journey through pregnancy and childbirth and the decision to have a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Megan discusses the medical reasons for her previous cesarean births and the support she received from her healthcare team for a VBAC. Listeners will hear abou...

In this episode, we hear from Stacy, a mother who experienced an emergency cesarean birth due to a prolapsed cord. She shares her journey through pregnancy and childbirth, including the challenges and trauma she faced during the birth and the delayed bonding with her baby. Stacy discusses the early stages of labor, the sudden onset of complications, and the panic and stress that ensued. Listeners...

Yasmina's Two Beautiful Cesarean Births in Calgary In this episode, we hear from Yasmina, a mother who had two beautiful cesarean births. She shares her journey through pregnancy and childbirth and the decision to have a cesarean birth for both of her children. Yasmina discusses the medical reasons for her cesarean births and the support she received from her healthcare team. Listeners will he...

In this episode, we hear from Teresa, a mother who planned a vaginal breech delivery for her baby. She shares her journey through pregnancy, the discovery of her baby's breech position, and the pushback she received from the medical community for wanting to have a vaginal birth. Teresa discusses the research she conducted regarding vaginal breech delivery and the support she received from her...

In this episode, we hear from Sophiane, a mother who gave birth to her rainbow baby at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. She shares her journey through previous loss, and finally, the joy of carrying and giving birth to her healthy baby at home. Sophiane discusses her decision to have a home birth, the support she received from her partner, and the importance of having a midwife and doula by her...

In this episode, we hear from Lindsey, a mother who was induced early due to a pre-existing heart condition that made her pregnancy high-risk. She shares her journey to motherhood, from her initial excitement and preparations for pregnancy to the discovery of her heart condition and the subsequent risks it posed to her and her baby. As Lindsey approached her due date, she faced the difficult decis...

In this episode, we hear from Lauren, a mother who chose to have an unassisted home water birth with a midwife present for her second child. She shares her journey to this decision, from her first hospital birth to her exploration of home birth options and her ultimate decision to have a midwife present but still do most of the work herself. Listeners will hear about the preparations Lauren made f...

In this episode, we hear from a same-sex couple who underwent IVF to conceive triplet boys. They share their journey from considering parenthood to choosing IVF, and the emotional and physical challenges they faced throughout the process. As they approached their due date, the couple faced another challenge: deciding on a birthing plan. They ultimately opted for a cesarean birth due to the health...

This episode is from my very first live recording of Birthing on the Prairies. Ashley, from the Hardisty/Amisk area, was so kind to share her planned C-section birth story of her son Winston. Her care was transferred from Wainwright to RAH around 20 weeks. She shares with us her fears & anxieties, some complications during her surgery & her recovery period. You can find her on IG @vividpho...

Welcome back to another episode of Birthing on the Prairies! August 22 was NATIONAL RAINBOW BABY DAY! So I thought it would be a perfect fit to share Carmen’s birth story! Carmen is a long-time “online” buddy of mine & I originally recorded this episode with her last year so I am so excited for you all to listen again. I feel so lucky to have her coming on to share with us her pregnancy journe...

“ Breathe ” Welcome Bailly Mac Millan to Birthing on the Prairies !!!! We will talk about Pregnancy depression and anxiety. Her pregnancy and birth after a loss that was very close to her & how finding the support and care you need in pregnancy, birth and postpartum is so so important.“ Depression and anxiety. My beautiful niece was stillborn when I was 20 weeks pregnant. My son was measuring...

“ Surprise breech baby” Welcome Arielle Rechner to Birthing on the Prairies! Arielle birthed her Breech baby in the heat of COVID at the Grey Nuns hospital in Edmonton Alberta with a midwife and OB. “ I delivered breech vaginally when most of the time you only hear breech babies being delivered by cesarean. It is possible to deliver a breech baby vaginally! My birth with my daughter was one for th...

Beth's Homebirth During COVID In this episode, we hear from Beth, who bravely chose to give birth at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. With hospital restrictions and concerns about the safety of giving birth in a medical setting, Beth and her partner decided to plan a homebirth with the help of a midwife. Throughout the episode, Beth shares her experiences with prenatal care, the decision-mak...