In Sophia's return to the Ordinary Doula Podcast she shares her poignant journey through an unexpected second pregnancy amidst life changes and her fierce determination to have a VBAC. Her story is a rallying cry for self-advocacy and the undeniable power of mental health support, especially when the challenges of postpartum life clash with the isolation imposed by a pandemic. Sophia takes us through the hurdles she overcame, standing strong for her right to a positive birth experience in a healthcare system that often seems stacked against maternal choice.
Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning
Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning
Show Credits
Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier
Voiceover: Ryan Parker
In Sophia's return to the Ordinary Doula Podcast she shares her poignant journey through an unexpected second pregnancy amidst life changes and her fierce determination to have a VBAC. Her story is a rallying cry for self-advocacy and the undeniable power of mental health support, especially when the challenges of postpartum life clash with the isolation imposed by a pandemic. Sophia takes us through the hurdles she overcame, standing strong for her right to a positive birth experience in a healthcare system that often seems stacked against maternal choice.
Visit our website, here: https://birthlearning.com/
Follow us on Facebook at Birth Learning
Follow us on Instagram at @birthlearning
Show Credits
Host: Angie Rosier
Music: Michael Hicks
Photographer: Toni Walker
Episode Artwork: Nick Greenwood
Producer: Gillian Rosier
Voiceover: Ryan Parker
Welcome to the Ordinary Dula Podcast with Angie Rozier, hosted by Birth Learning, where we help prepare folks for labor and birth with expertise coming from 20 years of experience in a busy Dula practice helping thousands of people prepare for labor, providing essential knowledge and tools for positive and empowering birth experiences.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the Ordinary Dula Podcast. My name is Angie Rozier and I'm your host. We are hosted by Birth Learning and today we have a guest with us who's been with us before. She's an amazing woman. Her name is Sophia and she has shared with us one of her birth stories previously and she has another birth story to share with us a very different birth story, as birth stories are. So we are excited to hear about that story and I know Sophia is at home today as we record with one of her little ones, so we may get to hear little bits and pieces of a cute little child who's in her life every day, and that's okay. So, sophia, thank you for being with us.
Speaker 3:Oh, thank you for having me. I am scooting down the hallway now, so, yes, so Jackson is with me today. Jace is in daycare, so this is a funny mix. We're talking about Jace and he's with me, so yeah, but yeah. So, thank you so much for having me, and, as always, it's a joy. Okay, so it's always a joy to talk to you, and you know how much I love you.
Speaker 2:So I just want to say that, dear friend.
Speaker 3:Yes, okay, I am seated, so he may be joining us as you say.
Speaker 2:That's okay, we're ready for that. Three year olds can do that they want their mom, sometimes All the time yes.
Speaker 3:All the time. Oh wow, so 2021. Just finishing right, Just had Jackson in 2020. Found out I was pregnant with Jason Nicole. I thought I had COVID.
Speaker 2:I thought I had some like post symptoms of COVID, so you weren't expecting this pregnancy, but it was a surprise, oh yeah.
Speaker 3:It's kind of like the surprise not surprise. Yes, yeah, it was definitely that, and I had just turned 40. And I was thinking, okay, they were already calling me a grandma with Jackson. So like I'm like, okay, now I'm ancient at this point Because clearly I'm over the 40 marks Older now.
Speaker 2:Yes, I'm older, yes, and Jackson recall, was a born by C section.
Speaker 3:So he was. Yeah, we're now pregnant again, yep, and I remember thinking one.
Speaker 3:So I was in your doula training when I found out and I talked to you about it and I was just like what in the world? Here we go again, yeah, but um, yeah, life was happening. I will be completely transparent Because I think this may help someone else on their journey. I was going through what was leading to a separation when I found out I actually get thought separated when I was four months. So I am literally four months pregnant at that point and had a little one who was 11 months because Jackson wasn't a year yet.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:And moved out. I got into our new place and so I was. I did that because I was determined to to have peace for my pregnancy and I also did that because I did not want the child, because at that point I didn't know her gender. I did not want my child to feel her mama stressed or sad or anything like depressed, any of those feelings or emotions, because for me it was whatever's happening externally for her, that energy is going to feed into, into her. And that was my goal, that was my sole reason.
Speaker 3:And I did some huge thing, made some big decisions around, oh my gosh, yeah, and I've always said that if I ever had children, I want to make sure that they grow up in an environment that they know love, see, love, feel it and whatever that means for me, to make sure that that's there for them.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that was that, yeah. And then a couple of months after that, so that was April, so a couple of months after that, it was needful for me to like explore therapy because I didn't realize I had postpartum with Jackson because we were in a pandemic, I was at home, so everybody's at home. So I just thought, okay, it's just because I'm home and nobody else is here and people can't come visit, etc. But it was really something serious. So, yeah, so I started therapy with her.
Speaker 3:But all that right lead into going to doctors, offices, appointments and them telling me about, you know, being gestational and in my weight and the fact that they claimed I had a P E. I did have preclampsia after having Jackson, but they were stuck on the fact that I had a P and I'm like I don't have a pulmonary embolism like that is not going on with me. So, yeah, it was. It was a journey, but I was determined to have a V back. I was like I'm going to have her natural and the doctor at that time one of them told me that had a point two chance, wow, to from some German test that she did. And I remember looking at her and saying, well, I'm not German, I'm not German at all honey. So I don't know how that test for is for me or helps me.
Speaker 2:That is hard. That's when they take data and put it on. I mean data can be valuable, but to put all this data on one person.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah. So I was like that doesn't apply to me, okay, no, but I was. I was absolutely determined to have a V back and so it was. It was challenging, for sure, and challenging in the way of this still being very present, advocating for myself for because I told them like I want a midwife to work with me through this, but the center was having some transitions, like the midwives for moving to something.
Speaker 3:I'm just like I don't know what is happening here and then I kept encountering one particular doctor who the first time. I don't know if I ever told you this. The first time I met him they were two hours late. Oh wow, With my appointment so I was sitting there. I sat out in the lobby for an hour with Jackson and my mom. And then they caught me back and I was in the back for an hour.
Speaker 2:In a tiny little room.
Speaker 3:Yeah Wow. And he comes rushing in, no intro, just rushing in, and he's like I'm sorry you had to wait so long, you know blaming the front staff. And I was thinking do you need a chaplain right now, Because I'm not wearing that hat today, I'm a patient.
Speaker 1:I don't wanna wear my chaplain hat. I'm not gonna take care of you.
Speaker 3:You are here to help me, I am here for me. But yeah, I was sitting there thinking, did you need an event? And I don't think you should have been it to me about the nursing staff.
Speaker 2:Maybe an appropriate first year.
Speaker 3:Very so that was my first encounter with that particular doctor, and then my second was much further along. I think maybe I was I definitely was in my last semester, final semester of tribe master, not semester of war, tribe master of pregnancy.
Speaker 3:To academic background Right, it's coming out, yeah. And he, just like before, came swooping in no intro, sat down staring at the computer clicking things and he was like, oh, I see you had a PE. And I was like, no, I didn't. They thought I did. And then he goes oh, your weight, Just like that. And he says oh, it's a wonder that you're still living.
Speaker 2:Oh, my goodness.
Speaker 3:And that particular day I had. It was just one of those moments where I was already very challenged because something externally happened before I even got to the appointment and yeah, and so I sat there and I thought I am so happy that this is not my first pregnancy and I'm also happy that I am able to advocate for myself and I'm never going to see this man again. That is exactly that is exactly what I was thinking. It seems to be a pattern with me. We'll talk about that later.
Speaker 2:We didn't just have a conversation, we did so.
Speaker 3:I, so I said so. I just looked at him and I thought I am terribly bothered by this. Everything that could be wrong. Go wrong is wrong. Could you know all the things Right? He was just telling me and I'm thinking how are you? Why are you?
Speaker 2:doing this.
Speaker 3:This makes no sense to me.
Speaker 2:So you're feeling no support.
Speaker 3:None, what so ever no care right From a healthcare giver.
Speaker 3:No, none whatsoever. And so sorry I'm going to open that. And then boom, yeah, none whatsoever. And it was just like a whirlwind. So I did report him. He told him exactly what he said to me and I was like no woman should ever hear their doctor say that, or any doctor say that there was no concern about what happened prior to coming to the appointment. Cause like that could have just sent me all the way over the edge. And you know, when we're looking at morbidity rates with women that are pregnant, like I don't know if anybody's like looking at that Like how many women are causing harm to themselves because of things just like all down.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and they're like this is my outlet.
Speaker 2:And you had a lot, a lot going on during that pregnancy. Your whole team shifted right and you're in a circle of support totally changed. It completely changed, in a way that I was like well, it kind of disappeared, and then you had to rebuild it, right?
Speaker 3:Like I did. I completely had to rebuild it from scratch. And it was weird for me because I'm thinking all and this and I hate to say this, but people say, hear it? It's like all the people that were like yes, girl, take care of yourself, you don't need to be in that situation, you know you'll be supported, blah, blah, blah. And then I did it, and then it was like where'd you all go?
Speaker 2:Where'd they go.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and so very organically, very naturally, my support system shifted and people that I would have never thought would support me ended up being on my team. Like was very present. Many, I'll say many, I could say many loosely, but I will say those that came around. It got to the point where they were supporting without me having to ask or like would call at the right time, and then you know, and then I had you with my doula, and so that was helpful as well, and the fact that I was absolutely just determined I think the V-Back determination, like drove a lot of the things that I chose to do, like therapy and you know, looking at my circle, who's really here?
Speaker 3:What's that support look like, Even on down to my birth plan? You know I got several questions about in comments made to me about I should have certain people in the room and I thought, well, those certain people have not been around for the past seven months, so should I?
Speaker 2:I don't know. That's your choice.
Speaker 3:Right. And so I and that was the one of the things I'd say, like I would tell a client like no, this is absolutely your choice. If you want nobody in there, that is your choice. If you want, well, the hospitals are only allowing certain people. But you know, if you're top three are top three people that everybody's like. Why are they in the room? Those are your three people, yeah, or two or one. And so I said to myself I can't give that advice if I'm not going to take it myself.
Speaker 3:Very wise and so drumroll. So I got to as I shared about Jackson. So my kids liked to say a long time because they were just chilling. So I made it to 40, I was coming on up to my 40th week and the doctor told me that if I did not have her by her due date, that I was gonna have cesarean. And I said, oh, she'll be here before then. And she yeah, and she said, no, we're just gonna schedule it for, and it was scheduled. Her actual due date was October the 4th. She scheduled it for 6 am on October the 4th.
Speaker 2:Okay, remember that, folks. This is a key time and date.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 2:Sophia may also interject that at this time. I think the pandemic shifted a lot of things with V-Backs. So, many people would be told yeah sure, we'll support you in a V-Back as long as you go into spontaneous labor by your due date. If not, we'll do a C-section. So that's the kind of support at that time and place that people were getting for V-Backs. So not a lot of promise to that.
Speaker 3:Not at all, not at all. And so that week after my appointment I was like, okay, we're about to induce this naturally. Let's go. So I Googled the pregnancy pizza and found out what went on that I probably could not eat that thing now, Like I think it was, oh my gosh, it was buffalo sauce and jalapeno peppers, banana peppers, pepperoni, all the spice.
Speaker 3:And you, oh my gosh, y'all would have thought I was eating a steak or like something fancy, because I just thought that pizza was so good and I ate probably half of it, like I got a large cause.
Speaker 2:I was like oh, we're doing this, Seriously about this.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah, so that, what did I get? That Friday and Saturday morning I was like what's this feeling? Because I didn't get a chance to experience contractions with Jackson.
Speaker 2:Right, I went. You know, this is a new sensation.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so I, yeah, I didn't. So I was like, oh, okay, Well, that feels funny and that, ooh, that doesn't feel good. And it wasn't until probably mid morning that Saturday and I was like oh, that does not feel good.
Speaker 1:It's a good serious.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So I was like oh wait, I'm having contractions.
Speaker 2:You know like oh, that's cool. Just what you wanted.
Speaker 3:Right, Exactly, and so I remember telling my mom. But I was so calm, I was like, yeah, I'm feeling some stuff, and you know, it kind of stopped me in my tracks at one point and she was like I'm on the way, Call Dexter, call, call your doula. And I'm like mom, I'm not going to labor right now. I don't think this is what this is right now. But yeah, she was on it. Like my mom was like okay, girl, call the team, it's time to have a baby yeah.
Speaker 3:But, that was. That was Saturday, Saturday night leading into Sunday morning. It got a little bit more serious to the point where I was like oh yeah, this is contractions for real. And we ended up calling you. Was that like two something in the morning or so? Yep, and my mom was like Dexter had lit, it was around that time because he had literally just left.
Speaker 2:That's right. He went home and came right back.
Speaker 3:He went home to go get a nap.
Speaker 2:He supported all day long into the half the night, and then it really ramped up.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, it did, and everybody, like Jackson, was asleep. My mom had she wasn't going to go to sleep. I knew that and I was like she got me in the bed and I was just like, okay, everybody's, fine, I'm good, I got all my pillows, I'm laying here. But then I felt like this, like ooh, I got to go to the bathroom. And so that's when I got up and I was like, oh, I can't move.
Speaker 3:And I was like, okay, this is serious. And then that's when my mom was like, call Dexter, call you, call everybody, and so we text you. He was like I just left and I'm like. I know I'm sorry and he comes back and they get me down the hallway into his car and we know the stages. So I had a stage before, like right when we got to the hospital he was like I'm glad I grabbed that bowl and I was like I just knew something was going to happen, and so we get up there.
Speaker 2:It looks like you got to the hospital about 3.15 am.
Speaker 3:Yeah, ok, and we get up there. They put me in a triage room and I'm just like, I just want to get in the shower, like that's all I kept thinking Please put me in some water, please, somebody put.
Speaker 2:OK, and I don't know if you remember this part. They checked and the cervix was a fingertip dilated and the baby was very high how that? Do you recall how you felt at this? Were less than one centimeter dilated after all that work. How is that?
Speaker 3:It was kind of like oh well, how's this going to get going forward, because this is already kind of in for me it's already strong.
Speaker 2:I'm like oh man, I was hoping, I mean, we don't have any control of that of course.
Speaker 3:I mean, with all that work, good warm-up, that you'd be a little further along. And I was just like I was doing my breathing and doing all this stuff, yeah, and we went into the other room and that's when I was like I have to use the bathroom, please take me to the bathroom, and so, but I really wanted to get in the shower. Nobody will let me, but I didn't need to get in the shower, it was just a, it was.
Speaker 3:I learned and this is the learning for people Like I learned, water is my safe space which we'll talk about how water showed up, but yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Cool way.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and a very, very, very cool way, and this one my water broke and I was like whoa. So that was interesting, I said, about 5 AM here, waterbrook about 5.
Speaker 2:AM, and there was meconium.
Speaker 3:Yeah, there was.
Speaker 2:So I could take a note of that.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and I think, and then at some point I agreed to, because at that point I was it was like what is happening? My body is like leaking, and these are my thoughts at the time and it was just really cool. I guess I was like, is it gonna happen this fast? And so, angie I don't think I told you this either, but like I wanted her born on her birthday, because I never think about even numbers.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, and her date was October 4th, right 10, 4. 10, 4.
Speaker 3:I was like who thinks of these things? But it's just, you know, I don't know. I think one of our interviews could be like what were your random thoughts during pregnancy?
Speaker 2:Like you know, the best things yeah.
Speaker 3:Like I don't want my kid on the born on an odd day.
Speaker 2:Like you know the important things.
Speaker 3:Yeah, of course, the important things, and so I remember getting to epidural and a code was called down the hallway.
Speaker 1:Yes, and I kept saying oh, she's OK.
Speaker 2:Oh, she's OK. I remember that the whole team had to dash out and you were struggling. I remember thinking like, oh man, what a rough time Because you were poised right to get the epidural and everybody left. Something serious must have happened and your concern was for her.
Speaker 1:It was so whoever it was, we don't know the situation Right exactly.
Speaker 2:And you were here. You were just struggling with labor, hoping to issue, and you prayed for her, like it was so sweet I did.
Speaker 3:And then I think the end of season y'all was still there like please be still.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 3:I'm like I am, but I just need her to be OK, I love that.
Speaker 2:The chaplain was coming out.
Speaker 3:It was coming all the way out, so that should show you where my heart is, but yeah, Absolutely. The epidural finally went in and then a large part of that. I just remember being asleep. I did remember sitting in the throne position.
Speaker 2:Did a lot of position changes between resting the peanuts yeah.
Speaker 3:I remember some medical staff coming in talking to me. I do not remember what they said. I don't even remember if I know. If I remember what they said, then you were tired. Yeah, I do remember one nurse and she had a lot of energy and I was like I like you. I don't know who you are, how long you going to be here.
Speaker 2:I know who you mean. She's amazing. And what was kind of cool, you got the epidural. Let me see what time. Looking for the time?
Speaker 2:Yeah, 6 AM you got the epidural and then by which was? This was cool because by 7, you were 4 and 1 half centimeters dilated, so we're starting to get progress, which we are a couple hours Like. You did a lot of work in those two hours for that longer warm-up of early labor, which was awesome. We were having some progress. So, however it kind of let's see Slow down, it did. We got to 6 and 1 half 7 centimeters by 2 PM Sunday. So you've been at the hospital for almost 12 hours now and then we just hunkered there for a while.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and the one thing so coming in and out of my sleep, because I was just like I am sleeping this way, but it was just great and it felt amazing. And I remember at one point I kind of woke up. I saw you, I saw Dexter and I saw Charlotte.
Speaker 2:Yes, y'all I break rules, so I figured out a way to have multiple people in my room At that time. We could only have two support people beyond the laboring person so yeah. But we got three in. We got three in we did so.
Speaker 3:amen for favor. That's what I'm going for yeah. It was absolute favor, and technically, you guys, all three were only in there for a little while.
Speaker 2:That's true, that's true.
Speaker 3:You had to go. That should tell you how long I was in labor, Because you went and had a whole baby and then came back.
Speaker 2:I had to dash to a lady having a very fast labor at the next hospital over and came back. That's why Charlotte backed up for me, yeah.
Speaker 3:So that was awesome. Oh, that was really, really awesome. So the water I mentioned that, so at one point I don't know if this was around the time they started coming in and talking about OK, we need to do something because you've been stalling for a while, but I do remember.
Speaker 2:And there's no Potosin on board mind you no. Like this is still all spontaneous natural contractures.
Speaker 3:Yeah, because I did not want Potosin, because I was like, no, I don't want that, and all I wanted was to stick my hands in some ice water. And I did, and I don't know that relaxed the rest of my body to say, all right, girl, let's have this baby. But when I put my hands in that water I was like, yes, thank you.
Speaker 2:And what an interesting way to use water, right Like we couldn't being. With an epidural. We can't get in water, but I remember your hands and we refilled the bowl a few times and you're being with the hands just playing in the water and just would sit in the water, yep.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and it was so cold. Oh gosh, it was so cold, but I was like this is what I mean. And then I remember they checked me and they were like she's at 10. And it was just like my little spring water thing. It was like take the water away, oh for Duke to Duke, and then 15 people come in the room and it's like it's showtime, so yeah.
Speaker 2:I'm also looking at the timeline. So you got to. So we're now 9 30 PM on Sunday and you were at 9 plus and then we stay at 9 plus until 4 30 AM. So that was another long wait period, right? Yeah, Several hours, and we know the staff is probably like oh, not so sure about this.
Speaker 2:You can guarantee what they're projecting right, what they're anticipating. So just being so far dilated and not changing for a long time. And then you're right 4 30 AM, the baby had come down. That was one of our that we needed to have happen. Well, the baby is at a zero station, also for gosh a long time, quite a while.
Speaker 1:All those hours the same hours.
Speaker 2:So 4 30 AM, we're finally complete 10 centimeters Baby has come down to a plus one station and let's see, we never got Potosin right.
Speaker 3:No right at the. I think in the end, and maybe like after, I think yeah, I think yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:So then pushing starts at like 430.
Speaker 3:Yeah, well, you know. And then the pushing for me was when that doctor came in and said something to me about using the vacuum to get my baby out, and I was just like I'll, I remember and you reminded me what I said, but I my mind, I was thinking, girl, that is not happening Like that is even make sense.
Speaker 2:That's what you said. You said no, that doesn't sound safe, like you knew right away. But before we even got to the vacuum to be an option, and I think right before, they would declare 10 centimeters, even mm-hmm. I don't know if you recall the doctor kind of similar to the doctor you had talked about earlier just came in very abruptly.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, we were working with this whole awesome shoes like you have a cesarean she came in and just said you're probably having a C-section like very abrupt very didn't read the room very well right at all, yeah at all right. So so now you have this, you know they, you have an opportunity to push you know we're pushing now and, and according to my notes here, we did all kinds of awesome pushing and we have that amazing nurse, christian. Yeah doing some tug-of-war pushing. You're working so hard, so determined at that point.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I remember. So the one thing I remember, there was a resident in there that was holding my knee. She was at my where my knee and calf is, and oh, and I remember looking at her, thinking you are so nervous right now, but it's okay. You're taking care of other people so and of course you know you and dexterineer my, my head and yes, for body part, and and then I'm look down and the doctor is a male doctor and I'm like he's really cute. So, these again the thought, random thoughts.
Speaker 2:Still make their way out during the throws of way, yeah so.
Speaker 3:But then I do remember you all kind of saying okay, like let's, let's do this thing and I remember too, I was so impressed with you when, when the doctor offered a vacuum and you said no.
Speaker 2:That doesn't sound safe. And then you and I had a conversation. I clarified. I said alright, so, fia, if you're saying no to a vacuum, that means a cesarean delivery and you said I understand, but then you dug deep like oh, my gosh idea.
Speaker 3:So I it was a full inner to Describe it. It was like I just went inside my body and was like, alright, girl, let's get out. And like I took her feet and was just pushing them down, but with my energy my breath and and I kept saying I can't feel anything. But I, I know it's happening, I know my body can do this, I know it's happening and, yeah, I went into that space and then she came and I was just like that was amazing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, a victorious moment. So, oh my goodness, yeah, amazing. Yeah and what you had known all along. Like you knew it would happen, you had to swim upstream your entire pregnancy? Yeah, never not getting much support for that from you know certain circles, of course. Yeah, and you did it even during labor, you had things against you. Okay, let's. Let's talk about the time of birth. Remember the C-section on your due date.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it was. It was scheduled from 6 am and Jason's born at 531.
Speaker 2:Beat it by half an hour 29 minutes. I was like, I wanted to be like and take this labor and it did take a couple of days right.
Speaker 3:Sad all day Saturday, all day Sunday into yeah, which is really different because With Jaxie it was in the hospital Wednesday night, all day Thursday, all day Friday really long there yeah. Yeah, and so I wish I mean of course, this is hindsight, looking back but that is definitely one of those moments where I wish I would have said no, it's okay, I'm gonna just stay home until Until it's time yeah.
Speaker 2:It's hard, it's hard to do with, with, uh, what are? The parameters were given right, yeah, but also, he was my first it was a pandemic.
Speaker 3:It was just all the things you know you support that I was looking for. I'm like I know you can't be around me, right now it's virtual support at that point, which is hard. Yeah, very much so well, and so after her I had, when I got home, I started feeling not exactly the same feeling that I had when I came home from Jackson, but I went back to the hospital like I remember you pushed it like you made sure you like some things not right, just like you knew with Jackson.
Speaker 2:Yeah, again, you have to advocate right for yourself.
Speaker 3:I did, and I was only in there for Maybe three days but you took Jason Nicole this time. I did. I asked, I was like I need my baby here with me, and they said okay, and Dexia went, got her and brought her to the room, and so yeah, so that's.
Speaker 2:It's interesting.
Speaker 3:Once you have a baby it's not all done right, Like there's Sometimes some things to navigate with our health, then with yeah, with our situation afterwards for sure and I, and I think this time I wanted to be in power of Making sure. Okay, let me check my body Afterwards, because I didn't have a vaginal birth the first time, so I did this time so, did anything shift, am I okay?
Speaker 3:I asked for all the tests the same doctor that was there the first go around. I was like, oh, I remember you from my first time and he was just like, well, we test things, we don't see anything. And I was like I needed to make sure. Good, so when I go home to be with my child, I want to be home with my child.
Speaker 2:I don't two babies now. You're the parent of two babies now. Mm-hmm, yeah, yeah what a ride, what a journey, what a story.
Speaker 1:I that's when.
Speaker 2:I've done all tons of V-backs in my career and this is one of my favorites. You had so much to overcome and you did it and you had to stick to your internal. You know we we talk intuition, instinct. That's lost a lot in our world, I think people turning inward and seeing how do I feel about this and staying with that right, and you did that beautifully.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I Just encourage all people navigate, stand up for yourself, it's okay and it'll be okay like cuz. I I'll be honest, I had those moments where I was just like maybe I should Try this, do this, or maybe get a lot of pressure to yeah. They did say and I am, and, and I'm thinking, yeah, that's a much you did what you knew.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and that's why I mean medical, medical staff were me that we need them. We're grateful for them, right? Yeah, yeah, absolutely To also participate in your own care. To be a participant in your very own health care is important.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you need to be on that team.
Speaker 2:It's your team.
Speaker 3:Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 2:Wow, wow so if you anything else, any other Nuggets or highlights from Jason Nicole's birth.
Speaker 3:It was. The whole thing was like wow. It was just a really wow experience.
Speaker 2:The whole pregnancy, like from yeah, beginning to end. What a yeah, you did a lot of change for super grateful for her.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you know, because in my mind I'm like you're rockstar too.
Speaker 1:You was like okay, yeah, you did this too.
Speaker 3:Let's wiggle on out of here too yeah. Yeah. So I would say just wisdom nuggets to be okay with if the team that you had to begin and it's not the same one the end's erased with you. Yeah it's, it's okay.
Speaker 2:Let things change.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and allow that, allow that growth to happen while you, while you're growing, while the baby is growing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so true. I think a lot of people with their providers or their support, um, they're not feeling, they might not feel support and they feel stuck with them, right, so they're just gonna ride.
Speaker 3:That's the other thing. Like I was like okay, I'm gonna find another provider, I'm gonna find someone that will listen, that will you know, at least, at least listen you know, All the things that I've said, but I'm looking at my chart like right, if you, yeah, yeah. Or just look at me every night as a person.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, just have the computer yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3:You know, just just look up every now and then and say, oh yeah, you're the person.
Speaker 2:He has good timing he does.
Speaker 3:The show must have just went off.
Speaker 2:Yeah, perfect, you just needed that much time. Yeah, jackson, you're so tall, he's a hello. You're a cute man, cool. Well, sophia, thanks, anything else.
Speaker 3:No, I'd say yeah. I'd say um, although I know well, I don't believe I'm gonna have any more, I am my doula journey that I'm on my doula journey that I'm on right on you. Yeah, I'm excited about being able to share with others. Yeah, you know just the environment and, like you know, and giving them a space. To be honest, I don't. I think that was one of the things that I didn't often have until my journey with To be honest about how I feel and, yeah, the desire that I had.
Speaker 2:Because a lot of pregnancy care is about the body right, but there's a whole lot of like the person, the individual, the soul, the heart of the person.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's also having a pregnant experience? Yes, exactly, and so I Definitely plan to do more work around that and do work with couples or persons that are Desiring to have children, and what does that look like for them To go ahead and build that? So that even before yeah, even before the baby comes or the announcement is made that they have already thought through.
Speaker 2:Yeah yeah, we need to do that, that's important.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, good work. Thank you for being with us to hear Sophia's VBAC story. This is Angie roger. I'm your host at the ordinary do-la podcast hosted by birth learning and, as always, you can go to our website, birthlearningcom, where we have doula services, lactation services, postpartum services for those local to us. We also have Childbirth education classes that are online for sale, as well as lactation class, a breastfeeding class and Consultations. If anyone would like to chat with us about your particular experience, if there's something you need help writing a birth plan or working with lactation or any particular Challenges you have in your pregnancy whether that's health related, emotion related we do consult calls. We'd love to take our 20 years of experience and help you through your journey. Thanks for being with us. We'll see you next time. Be sure to go out and do something amazing today. Look for those who inspire you and spread kindness in our world. Thank you.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to the ordinary doula podcast with Angie roger posted by birth learning episode credits will be in the show notes tune in next time as we continue to explore the many aspects of giving birth.