Ep 107 Dealing With the Unexpected in Birth (And How NOT to Give Birth in a Car!)
“We don't get to choose our labor; we get to choose how we respond.” —Tamara Walker
While birth plans aim to prepare us for what's to come, the reality is that labor does not always go according to plan. Tamara Walker's story is a powerful example of just how quickly things can change. With her first birth, she felt in control as labor progressed gradually over many hours. However, her second showed her how unpredictable it can be.
Tamara is a childbirth educator and doula. With over 30 years of experience in nursing and birth work, she is passionate about empowering birthing people through education. Tamara teaches childbirth classes through Birth Boot Camp and offers doula services to help clients achieve their desired birth experiences.
Listen in as Tamara talks about the stark differences she observed between a hospital birth and one at a birthing center as well as insights from her own labors— one a long but gradual process, and the other taking an unexpected turn requiring intervention on the side of a highway.
Debra and Tamara also discuss how the unexpected can occur in labor and the importance of listening to your body's cues, the importance of open communication and emotional support, the role of education and trust in creating positive birth experiences, the need to choose the right birth support team, and the importance of processing emotions after birth even when the outcome was positive.
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Episode Highlights:
03:30 The Importance of Preparation
09:09 Powerful Birth Stories
14:52 Navigating Unexpected Birth Experiences
About Tamara:
Tamara Walker is a childbirth educator and doula based in Oklahoma. She has over 30 years of experience in the birthing field. Tamara started her career as a registered nurse, where she gained exposure to different birthing settings. This inspired her to research midwifery and eventually give birth at a birthing center for both of her children.
Through her own births, Tamara experienced the benefits of childbirth education and midwifery care firsthand. She also faced the unexpected when her second birth required intervention on the side of a highway. Now as a doula and educator, Tamara is passionate about empowering birthing people and their families through education. She teaches various childbirth classes through Birth Boot Camp.
Website: https://momrnbirthservices.com/
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Orgasmic Birth Podcast: Pleasure in pregnancy, birth, and parenting. I believe pleasure is our birthright - from our sexuality, birth, parenting, and beyond, we can find pleasure when we create space for joy and intimacy in our lives. Join me to have deep conversations about breaking the taboos of Sexuality + Motherhood/Parenthood.
Listen to leading experts in sexuality, healing, and childbirth, as well as stories from new parents, doulas, doctors, midwives, and nurses. We will discuss how to positively prepare for childbirth and parenting by expanding love and intimacy in your life.
20:40 Birthing in a Car!
25:13 Preparation for a Positive Birth Experience
Resources:
If you would like to Positively Prepare for Birth - check out our Pleasurable Birth Essentials online classes or if you are a doula take our free challenge of 5 Essential Tools to Enhance Pleasure-Centered Birth:
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