Ep 09: Kelley's 5 Back-to-Back Homebirths, and Her Struggle With Postpartum Healing

HUGE thank you to our sponsors! Stephanie Sibbio's Glowing Mama To Be Course: https://glowing-mama-courses.thinkific.com/  (15% off with the code: happyhomebirth15 ) Instagram: stephsibbiofitness   Mama Moon Birth Photography: www.mamamoonbirthstories.com Instagram: mamamoon.birthphotography   Warning: This episode contains topics that may be uncomfortable or difficult to hear as a pregnant mother.  Please be sure that you are emotionally prepared to discuss: maternal depletion, postpartum depression, nursing difficulties (inverted nipples) and cervical prolapse.   -Kelley has had 5 homebirths within a very short amount of time. -Her first 3 births were in Connecticut, and she moved south weeks before her 4th child's birth. -Her midwife left for France, and she was attended by another midwife that she did not know well, though the birth went well. -For her 5th birth, Kelley found a midwife that felt like her best friend.  She loved the experience, though she did not expect to be pregnant so soon. -Kelley struggled with difficulty accepting her 5th pregnancy and not being able to feel bonded to her baby throughout the pregnancy.  She had hoped that her final baby would be a girl, but she learned early on that she would be having her 4th boy. -Luckily, Kelley's mother was able to be in town for her birth (she and her mom are incredibly close, and Kelley feels like her mom can read her mind during labor). -With her 5th birth, she had a birth entourage: Lots of friends, her husband, her mom, a doula, her midwife and apprentices.  She felt very loved and supported, and she was finally able to have the water birth she had always hoped for. -Once the baby was born, she put him on her chest.  When she looked him over, she realized... HE was a GIRL!   -Kelley was so thrilled and shocked that her final baby was the girl she had hoped for.  She sent her mom shopping for girl clothes the next morning! -Postpartum, Kelley struggled with inverted nipples.  She encourages women not to give up if they experience similar struggles.  She says that if you can make it through the first 6 weeks, you'll be able to make it through anything else! -12 hours after giving birth, Kelley realized she had a cervical prolapse.  She has been incredibly involved in pelvic floor physical therapy since that time. -It took 12 weeks of bedrest to recover from her cervical prolapse, 6 of which she spent in Connecticut with her parents' help.   -Kelley recommends that anyone who has postpartum health issues to seek help and guidance. -19 months later, Kelley is still nursing her little girl and continuing on her journey to recovery.  She is enjoying this new stage of life... not being pregnant!