Preparing for Childbirth

Show notes: In this episode we are reminded from Psalm 139 that it is God who is forming your baby and has designed mama's body to grow and birth a baby. He is the God who sees – both you and your baby and He is present with you no matter what direction your pregnancy or birth takes.  Connect with me: Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode, I talk about pregnancy and infant loss and share my own story. As I mention in the podcast, I'm taking the time to address this difficult topic to help us anchor our trust in our Sovereign, wise and good God and to honor the memories of the many little ones lost. I pray it will also help us to be better friends and support to those in our lives who have experienced this type of loss. Connect with me: Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: FREE mini-course | Preparing For Childbirth In this episode, I share a summary & overview of a number of different "natural" induction methods. See the links below for more in-depth information. EBB 144 - Evidence on Pineapple and Sex for Natural Labor Induction - Evidence Based Birth® EBB 139 - Evidence on Red Raspberry Leaf Tea for Natural Labor Induction - Evidence Based Birth® EBB 125 - Evidence on Acupressure, Acupuncture and Breast Stimulation - Evidence Based Birth® EBB 128 - Inducing Labor with Castor Oil and Dates - Evidence Based Birth® Connect with me: Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: This episode is all about how Dads and others can best support mama during birth.  Connect with me:  Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this interview with Molly's mom, Caitlan, she shares the story of Molly's birth following an induction which was needed because of Caitlan's high blood pressure. She also talks about why she wanted to avoid an epidural and how that almost didn't happen. Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

We're taking a break and adding no new content this month. I hope you'll go back and listen to any episodes you haven't heard yet. If you want to connect with me feel free to reach out. We'll be back with new episodes in August. Connect with me: Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: Using Your BRAIN series. In this episode we discuss the Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives to epidural use to help you make an informed decision about whether this intervention is right for you. Resources Mentioned: Episode 31 – Informed Decision Making & God's Word Episode 34 – Synthetic Oxytocin/Pitocin Episode 4 – Thinking About Labor Induction   Connect with me: Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: Part 3: Naomi and I chat about a difficult season of anxiety and anger during her third pregnancy and how God's word helped to ground her and help her prepare for the birth of their baby.  Find a transcript of today's episode at https://preparingforchildbirth.com/37-naomis-birth-stories-part3 Resources Mentioned: P.E.A.C.E. acronym from Postpartum Depression: stopping the spiral with His sufficient Word by Shelbi Cullen Pivot the bad thoughts Embrace the Truth Acknowledge God's character Call out to God Emphasize the Gospel   Connect with me: Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: Part 2: I chat with Naomi's husband to hear about his experiences during the birth of their children. Connect with me: Preparing for Childbirth Community information Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: Part 1: In this Birth Story interview with Naomi, she shares about her experiences with a hospital birth when her first child was born, followed by 2 home births. She is honest about the fears and struggles as well as the joys. She also shares about the difficulties of breastfeeding with her firstborn and how she struggled to find good support to get through that time. Then with her second-born, with some experience under her belt, as well as the good support from her mid-wife she had a much better experience. Resources Mentioned: Preparing for Motherhood booklet by Barbara Miller Juliani Connect with me: Preparing for Childbirth Community information Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode we talk about the use of synthetic Oxytocin, also known as Pitocin, including benefits, risks and alternatives. You can find the transcript at preparingforchildbirth.com/pitocin. Connect with me: Preparing for Childbirth Community information Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode we talk about Stripping the Membranes including benefits, risks and alternatives. You can find the transcript at preparingforchildbirth.com/stripping-the-membranes. Connect with me: Preparing for Childbirth Community information Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: Esther Kimani and I talk about the proven benefits of having continuous support during labor – particularly the support of a trained doula. We also talk about ways husbands and other support people can prepare to be better support for mama during the vulnerable and transformational time of childbirth. Connect with Esther: Search for "Esther the doula" on any social media platform Connect with me: Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE. References: Dekker, R. (2024, December 4). Evidence on: Doulas. Evidence Based Birth®. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/ Bohren, M. A., Hofmeyr, G. J., Sakala, C., Fukuzawa, R. K., & Cuthbert, A. (2017). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Library, 2017(8). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd003766.pub6 Bohren, M. A., Berger, B. O., Munthe-Kaas, H., & Tunçalp, Ö. (2019). Perceptions and experiences of labour companionship: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Library, 2019(7). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd012449.pub2

Show notes: In this episode we talk about the importance of informed decision making, how to do it, and what God's word has to say about it. Resources: Triune Decision-Making: How God Guides Tough Choices | Desiring God The Will of God as a Way of Life by Jerry Sittser Connect with me: Growing in Confidence & Peace Childbirth Course If you're local to Nairobi, Kenya, this is the link for you! Instagram         Facebook         Website         Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode, we'll take a look at Philippians 4:4-9 and talk about overcoming fear of labor. Resources: Printable guide to walk through Philippians 4:4-9 Connect with me: Instagram         Facebook         Website         Virtual Coaching Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode we'll talk about Lamaze international's healthy Birth Practice # 5: Avoid giving birth on your back and follow your body's urges to push. We'll discuss the difference in spontaneous and directed pushing, talk about what position is best, and touch on the link between the body and soul when it comes to fears and pushing during labor. Resources: Pushing positions Lamaze Article on Healthy Birth Practice 5 short video put out by Lamaze on HBP5: Healthy Birth Practice 5: Avoid giving birth on your back and follow your body's urges to push.   Connect with me: Instagram         Facebook         Website         Virtual Coaching Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode we'll talk about six healthy birth practices that promote the safest, healthiest birth possible for both mama and baby. These healthy birth practices come from Lamaze international and sum up years of research. Resources: Links to Lamaze articles in multiple languages for each of the Healthy Birth Practices Click below for short videos put out by Lamaze on each HBP: Healthy Birth Practice 1: Let labor begin on its own. Healthy Birth Practice 2: Walk, move around and change positions throughout labor. Healthy Birth Practice 3: Bring a loved one, friend or doula for continuous support. Healthy Birth Practice 4: Avoid interventions that are not medically necessary. Healthy Birth Practice 5: Avoid giving birth on your back and follow your body's urges to push. Healthy Birth Practice 6: Keep mother and baby together — it's best for mother, baby and breastfeeding.  Previous podcasts mentioned: ·       Episode 3 – The Story of Childbirth ·       Episode 4 – Thinking about Labor Induction (for more info re: HBP1 & 4) ·       Episode 8 - Benefits of Movement During Labor and Tips on How to Do it                  (for more info re: HBP2) ·       Episode 22- Preparing for Breastfeeding w/ Christine Macharia (for more info re: HBP6) Connect with me: Instagram         Facebook         Website         Virtual Coaching Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode I chat with Tara Dew about her new book, Overflowing Joy, and how the truths she presents from John 15 can apply specifically to expecting and new mamas. Tara is a mom of 4, wife of Jamie Dew, President of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, adjunct professor in the ministry to women program, speaker at women's events and retreats throughout the US and an author. We talk about how God's Pruning, God's Presence and Persevering in love can lead to overflowing joy in a season of life that is "supposed" to be joyful but is often also full of lots of other emotions as well.   Connect with Tara: Facebook Overflowingjoybook.com   Connect with me: Instagram         Facebook         Website         Virtual Coaching Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode I chat with Emily Guyer about preparing for time with the Lord in the often difficult days postpartum. She is a mom of 4, Kids Ministry Director at Treasuring Christ Church and a freelance graphic designer. We talk about some of the reasons time with the Lord might be difficult with a new baby and why it's important to prioritize anyway. She also talks about how that can look different in this season of new motherhood and gives some practical advice to help young mamas. Resources mentioned: Glimpses of Grace by Gloria Furman Treasuring Christ When Your Hands are Full by Gloria Furman Risen Motherhood podcast Bible Recap Reading Plan Connect with me: Instagram         Facebook         Website         Virtual Coaching Submit a Comment, Question, or Topic suggestion HERE.

Show notes: In this episode I continue my conversation with Lauren Jones as we talk about preparing your heart for the inevitable stressors on your marriage that come with having a new baby. She continues to point us towards God and His Word to prepare and guide your heart and to help you get on the same page with your husband as you both enter this exciting and sometimes scary journey of parenting. Resources mentioned: Parenting by Paul David Tripp Preparing for Fatherhood by Deepak Reju Preparing for Motherhood by Barbara Miller Juliani Connect with me: Instagram         Facebook         Website         Video Coaching