Doing It At Home - The Home Birth Podcast

• An Expat Planning a Home Birth in Ireland with Katie McCormick

  In today's episode we're talking with Katie McCormick, an American ex-pat living in Ireland who is choosing home birth to welcome her baby into the world. Katie and her husband Ryan decided to leave their life in Portland, Oregon - quit their jobs and travel across Europe. About a year ago, they decided to settle in Ireland, eloped and got pregnant shortly after.  Katie knew immediately that she wanted to have a home birth. But being an expat in a new country, she had no idea where to begin as far as planning and resources. To use her words from her email to us: “When we got pregnant we were still living in a very temporary living space (think garage remodeled into a loft) on a sheep farm where we were 2 hours from the hospital, and no midwifes were willing to travel to us, so my initial search for beginning the birth plan kept coming up dry until one day through some magical universal energy I found a woman that recommended our midwife to us! However we would have to move 2 hours south to be close enough to be in her “region,” so thank  the stars we just recently have found a home on the southern coast of Ireland and got the “go ahead” from our midwife that we can birth in this house as we are close enough to her….. We are away from all our family, we are still foreigners in a new environment, yet we just know this is divine timing and this is where our child is meant to be born. The house we are living in now is a 150 year old stone cottage, and our landlady said many many babies have been born here; it feels quite kismet. Most people back in the states think we are little crazy/can’t believe we are doing this without family around etc, but truly we have never felt more supported than the community of people in our village, and little did I know we moved to an area where most women prefer home birth and have multiple stories to share. It is a small community, but because it is on the ocean, rugged, and so natural in this area, it is like a vortex of very creative and earthy people-it is an energy that makes you feel invincible.” We speak with Katie in the last few weeks of her pregnancy and get to hear how she’s feeling as the time in her pregnancy winds down and they prepare for baby’s arrival. She also shares the experience of what’s it like to have all of their family back in the States as they plan for home birth in their new home and country. Tune in and get ready for another inspiring pre-home birth story! Links From This Episode: Dublin Doulas - ⁠http://www.dublinfamilydoulas.com/⁠ Hypnobirth course - ⁠https://us.hypnobirthing.com/⁠ Ina may  spiritual midwifery - ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156⁠ www.wakingupinireland.com Connect With Us Website: https://diahpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@diahpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doingitathome Merch: https://doingitathome.dashery.com/ Our Book: https://amzn.to/45Sxyr1 Support DIAH: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KA3QQRRU58VPL Check Out Our Partners: Needed: https://needed.sjv.io/XY3903 - use code DIAH to get 20% off your first, one-time order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• 5 Home Births Over the Course of 20 Years with Melissa Rae Irish-Miller

  What does it look like to give birth at home five times over the span of 20 years? In today’s episode, we talk with Melissa — mama of five and seasoned home birth veteran — about her powerful, unique journey through two decades of birthing at home. From her first home birth at age 19 to her fifth birth at 39, Melissa shares the rich tapestry of her experiences: the growth, the healing, the joy, the challenges, and all the moments in between. This is a celebration of home birth in all its forms — fast births, long labors, water births, VBAC fears, healing after miscarriage, and welcoming a baby with both joy and strength. Melissa’s message is clear: You are powerful. Your body is wise. Birth can be sweet, sacred, and sovereign. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Why Melissa chose home birth from her very first pregnancy, and never looked back What has (and hasn’t) changed in the world of home birth since the 90s How she navigated birth across two marriages and five children The differences in labor and recovery from her 20s to her late 30s Planning home births with supportive partners and what that looked like for her Her experience with miscarriage, healing, and conception after loss The emotional and physical aspects of preparing for birth at age 39 Involving older siblings in the birth space and their beautiful role in the process Why she describes home birth as “addicting” in the best way The power of midwifery care and creating sacred, intimate birth environments Connect With Us Website: https://diahpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@diahpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doingitathome Merch: https://doingitathome.dashery.com/ Our Book: https://amzn.to/45Sxyr1 Support DIAH: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KA3QQRRU58VPL Check Out Our Partners: Needed: https://needed.sjv.io/XY3903 - use code DIAH to get 20% off your first, one-time order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• A Fairytale Pregnancy and Home Birth After 2 Years of Infertility with Sam Peters

  In today's episode we're talking with new mama Sam Peters about her truly amazing and inspiring home birth story of her son Brooks. Sam reached out to us via email a few months ago, thanking us for doing the show and spreading the empowering conversation around home birth. She opened up and shared part of her story with us. We had to have her on the show. Sam represents empowered, magical, healing birth after the trials and heartache of trying to conceive (TTC). She and her husband Brady were faced with numerous obstacles over the course of 2 years. From reproductive endocrinologists to urologists, tests, inseminations, procedures….it was a lot to handle. Once they became pregnant, they were interested in less intervention for the pregnancy and birth because of all of what they experienced to conceive. Sam describes her fairytale pregnancy - how vibrant she felt. Beautiful. Like a goddess. You know that’s speaking our language! Sam also shares the experience of finding a midwife in a small town in Indiana. And guess what?! They’re pregnant with baby number 2 - due in a few months. And they’re planning for another home birth. We’re so happy and excited for this sweet family to keep growing! Links From The Episode ⁠The Birth Partner⁠ ⁠Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way⁠ ⁠Ina May Gaskin’s⁠ Connect With Us Website: https://diahpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@diahpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doingitathome Merch: https://doingitathome.dashery.com/ Our Book: https://amzn.to/45Sxyr1 Support DIAH: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KA3QQRRU58VPL Check Out Our Partners: Needed: https://needed.sjv.io/XY3903 - use code DIAH to get 20% off your first, one-time order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• What Every Family Should Know About Holistic Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum with Dr. Matt Angove

  How do you have a holistic preconception, pregnancy and postpartum experience? In this conversation with naturopathic physician and father of eight, Dr. Matt Angove of Dr. Wholeness, we explore a holistic approach to pregnancy from preconception to postpartum. Dr. Matt is known for his expertise on iron and ferritin levels in pregnancy, and in this episode, we expand beyond that topic to discuss the full journey of preparing for, experiencing, and recovering from birth with health and wholeness in mind. We talk about: The emotional and physical components of preconception and fertility How mindset and stress influence conception and pregnancy Nutrients and habits that make the biggest impact before and during pregnancy What Dr. Matt wishes more moms knew about pregnancy and birth Common postpartum blind spots (and how to support healing and recovery) The role of partners in a truly holistic approach to birth and parenthood Dr. Matt shares his wisdom as both a doctor and a dad of eight (including six home births and twins born at home!) — giving practical, grounded insights for families who want to feel empowered through the entire journey. Links From The Episode: Dr. Wholeness - https://drwholeness.com Holistic Pregnancy resources - drwholeness.com/preconception Optimal Pregnancy - https://optimalpregnancy.com/ Blood Vitality - https://drwholeness.myshopify.com/products/blood-vitality-1?variant=31396528062517 - use the code DIAH15 for 15% off Connect With Us Website: https://diahpodcast.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doingitathome Merch: https://doingitathome.dashery.com/ Our Book: https://amzn.to/45Sxyr1 Support DIAH: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KA3QQRRU58VPL Check Out Our Partners: Needed: https://needed.sjv.io/XY3903 - use code DIAH to get 20% off your first, one-time order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How to Create Something Different After an Unpleasant Birth Experience with Angela Johnson

  Today’s episode takes its root in episode 36: So What Happens After Your Home Birth? - where we chatted about an article from Romper.com by the lovely Angela Johnson, who now joins us for this conversation! The article, titled 7 Things That Happen After You Give Birth At Home breaks down some of the “what to expect” as you might guess, after a home birth! Angela is speaking from experience, having birthed her second child, son Aden, at home in New York City. Angela really dove into her craft of writing while pregnant with her first child, daughter Hannah, and she was on 5 months of bed rest! Due to being labeled with an “incompetent cervix,” Angela had an unpleasant first birthing experience. So she determined that she would have something different the next time around. She and her husband Dean planned for home birth and had a much different journey. For one, she was induced with her first birth at 36 weeks. Second time around, she went until 42 weeks! And they opted for more natural induction like using caster oil and orange juice. Angela describes the process as climbing up a mountain, something we can definitely relate to. The story of Aden’s birth, along with Angela’s perspective and way of sharing, is really a treat. We love getting to know moms like her. So be sure to go check out all of her articles on Romper.com after you listen to the episode! Here’s what we cover in this episode: Angela’s shift from a challenging hospital birth to a powerful home birth experience Why the label “incompetent cervix” almost stole her joy, and how her care team helped her reclaim it Navigating fear, finances, and family opinions while planning a home birth The castor oil and orange juice cocktail that finally kicked labor into gear at 42 weeks How Angela turned her one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment into a cozy birth oasis How Angela’s experience inspired her writing, her work at Romper, and her mission to uplift moms with real, shame-free stories Connect With Us Website: https://diahpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@diahpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doingitathome/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diahpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@doingitathome Merch: https://doingitathome.dashery.com/ Our Book: https://amzn.to/45Sxyr1 Support DIAH: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=KA3QQRRU58VPL Check Out Our Partners: Needed: https://needed.sjv.io/XY3903 - use code DIAH to get 20% off your first, one-time order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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