Paige Rangel of The Love Designed Life shares the birth of her son Diego born at a birth center.

In today's episode, Kristel shares the story of her son's birth which took place at a birth center within a hospital and then her daughter's birth which was a homebirth. Her daughter was born in a birthing tub and to everyone's surprise came out bum first. Kristel's midwife had felt that her daughter was head down the entire pregnancy but she did a last minute flip and Kristel had a vaginal breech birth.

Elizabeth Quinn shares the VBA2C birth story of her third daughter. 

Elizabeth Quinn tells the stories of her first two births, which were unplanned c-sections.

Christa Terry tells the story of her daughter's unexpected early arrival. Christa went into labor at 34 weeks and quickly realized that her daughter was coming that same day. Listen to her describe her experience with a preterm labor and the subsequent NICU stay in her own words.

Allie Floyd, who had a hospital birth with her 11 year old daughter and just recently had a homebirth, discusses the difference in her birth experiences and how empowered and amazing she felt after her recent homebirth.

Anne Margolis is a practicing Midwife in New York. She received her B.S.N. in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, her degree in Nurse-Midwifery from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing, and her Master's in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University. She is a licensed midwife in New York and New Jersey, a licensed OB/GYN nurse practitioner in New York, and is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.  

Melissa Emler is a mom to three kids, Cooper, Addilyn and Conner and lives in Wisconsin where she works in education. She connects schools with the best and most useful tools available to them in the 21st century! Melissa also has a podcast called On the Vender Floor where she connects educators and entrepreneurs in conversations that positively impact learning.

Melissa's children were born in Iowa under the care of midwives but in a hospital setting. In Iowa all midwives who are legally practicing are Certified Nurse Midwives and many of them are providing care within a hospital setting. The hospital that Melissa gave birth at was set up more like a birth center than the typical hospital image that you may have in your head. It had a large tub as well as other comfort measures that aided her with finding more natural methods of coping with labor than typical hospital pain medications.

Melissa also practiced Hypnobirthing which really made a big difference with her births and kept her from even considering asking for an epidural.

Lauren Hartmann tells the birth stories of her two children, one at a birth center, the other a homebirth. Lauren provides a unique perspective, having started her first pregnancy planning a hospital birth before moving to a birth center, then having her second birth at home. Her stories have a lot to offer for women weighing their options to decide what will work best for their them.

Kimberly Sherman shares the birth story of her twin boys. It's crazy to me that this was the first time that I actually heard a vaginal twin birth story. I know there are plenty of women who give birth to their twins vaginally but I just hadn't met one yet, so this was a really special conversation to me.

Kimberly preparation so well for her boys' birth and went into the experience knowing the type of birth that she wanted, and was a great advocate for herself. I'm so excited for you all to hear her story!

Kimberly also shares some amazing resources in her episode and even emailed me with a few more after we talked so please take the time to check out the ones that are applicable to you.

Paige tells the story of the birth of her son. Paige was induced by choice 4 days after her due date, and after starting a Pitocin drip, things progressed rather quickly. So quickly in fact that by the time Paige was offered an epidural it was not really worth it to her. She trusted her body and decided not to interfere with the track that she was already on.

Shalome Doran shares the stories of her three births. The first was a highly medicalized hospital birth, and the second two were homebirths, one of which was actually an orgasmic birth!

Shalome wants to live in a world where women approach their births with excitement and awe. A highly-medicalised hospital birth and 2 sensational home births taught her that a little preparation can make ALL the difference, and that you can feel like a total Rockstar when you birth, regardless of how you birth. Shalome encourages pregnant mamas to replace their fears of pain with the insights and self-belief to roar their babies out – by creating their own informed, empowered and amazing birth experiences. 

Welcome to the Birth Hour! In this episode, Danielle Burkleo shares the birth story of her fifth child, Lula. She talks a little bit about her first 3 births and then tells the story of her most recent pregnancy and birth. Her pregnancy this time around was a little uncertain and as she discusses in this episode; but, ultimately she ended up giving birth to a healthy 11 pound baby girl! Listen to Danielle share her story in her own words.

Welcome to The Birth Hour! In this episode, Joyce tells all three of her birth stories. Joyce had three natural births that share some similarities, but which were also surprisingly different. As a doula, Joyce offers a helpful, informative perspective on birth and doesn't hold anything back!

Welcome to The Birth Hour! Sarah went into her first childbirth experience expecting a vaginal birth and ended up with a cesarean. Find out about the series of events that led to Sarah's emergency c-section in this week's episode of The Birth Hour.

Welcome to The Birth Hour! In this episode, Leah shares the story of her fifth birth, which took place at a birth center surrounded by supportive women. The Red Tent was a hideaway that women in ancient Christian culture retreated to during their periods or to give birth. In these tents, it is said that women shared secrets and traditions of womanhood and motherhood, and cared for each other during times of need. Leah's midwife named Leah's recent birth a "Red Tent Birth" and you will soon find out why.

Welcome to The Birth Hour! In this episode, Indiana Adams, blogger, conference planning guru and budding podcaster shares her well known birth stories. She has had three homebirths, and none of them have been void of excitement. I'll break it down for you in short form by hitting on the highlights. 

First Birth -  Precipitous labor, homebirth, washcloth of modesty.

Second Birth - Even MORE precipitous, unassisted, the toilet is a major player.

Third Birth - Unaware of baby's presence until 17 weeks gestation, natural induction at home, STILL precipitous. 

You'll have to listen to Indiana tell it in her own words on this episode of The Birth Hour.

Welcome to The Birth Hour! In this episode, Elspeth shares her VBAC success story. Elspeth had an unexpected C section with her first birth and was planning her VBAC on her way into the operating room. She did lots of research and found support from a local ICAN group and a doctor who supported VBACs. Her story is a beautiful and empowering birth story that I know all listeners will benefit from hearing but especially those who may be planning for a VBAC.

Welcome! The Birth Hour is a podcastcreated for mothers to come together to share their childbirth stories. Whether you are pregnant, trying to conceive, a first time mom or a veteran mother of multiple children, you can learn, laugh and maybe even cry a little at these moving birth stories from women willing to share one of the most intimate moments of their lives.

In this first episode, Bryn celebrates her son's second birthday by sharing his homebirth story. On the website you can find shownotes and download a free homebirth birth plan.