Owning Your Birth Choices: Joleen’s “Keeping Her Peace” Birth Story

I am so excited to have Joleen in today’s episode to share her birth story! Joleen took Hypnobirthing practice seriously and did the mental preparation for anything that could happen with her birth. Many times parents feel like the physical prep is the most important – it is NOT! Well rounded education and birth preparation begins with the mind. If your mind is not ready for the twists and turns of birth, your body won’t be either.

I was so impressed by her level of advocacy and owning her choices around her birth. She and her partner both! When we think of Hollywood births – we think of water breaking first. Well – that’s not as common as you think but it happened to be the case with Joleen. That set off not a cascade of interventions, but a cascade of care providers doing their best to push their agenda for her birth. 

Joleen had done a lot of planning and research for her birth. She knew the risk numbers and science behind the choices she was making. Once admitted, she faced pressure, repeated questioning about refusing antibiotics during pregnancy, and a midwife using fear tactics with a graphic story while crying in front of her. A woman never forgets how she was made to feel at her birth. This story is a reminder that even though you are a care provider doing your best, the tactics and feelings involved will never leave the patient and family. A no is a no and sending in the chain of command to badger someone is never ok.

Joleen emphasizes that feeling informed and in control made the experience empowering, not traumatic, and advises others to get educated, trust their gut, and stay flexible when birth doesn’t go as planned.

Let’s connect: Have questions or comments for this episode?

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