Step into the transformative world of birth story processing with Libby Mukhi, PMH-C, who returns as our esteemed guest for the second episode in a row. Libby shares her insights into the profound impact of birth story processing and the art of holding space for folks navigating strong narratives centering around childbirth and the perinatal experience. Libby reflects on her own challenging birth experiences,  taking an inspiring class created by Pam England (author of Birthing from Within), and how she eventually became a postpartum doula and birth story listener.   Libby explains the intricate process of birth story processing, encouraging individuals to explore their stories one digestible piece at a time, akin to savoring a slice of chocolate cake. Libby discusses what it means to process something and how someone might know when they have processed something to completion. Libby emphasizes the courage required to go inward and introspect, especially as someone makes contact with uncomfortable feelings. Libby goes into detail about the structure and length of processing sessions and describes what generally goes into a session. Libby underscores the importance of taking a pause after birth, recommending individuals take a few weeks of space before scheduling a session. Libby’s dedication to holding space is evident throughout the episode and it is clear that she has a strong passion for helping postpartum folks untangle the raw and beautifully messy parts of their stories. Libby emphasizes how individuals often uncover deeply ingrained narratives surrounding their birth experiences, revealing how these narratives are often scripts we internalize long before the actual birthing process takes place. We also chat about the importance of incorporating ritual and relying on community as a way of practicing self-care when pregnant/postpartum. Unlock the power of birth story processing in this episode with Libby Mukhi!To learn more about Libby and her work as a Birth Story Listener, visit: https://www.birthstoryprocessing.com/aboutLibby's Instagram: @Heartswell.postpartumOther Resources Mentioned in Episode:Luna Wellness https://www.lunaspapdx.com/offeringsBaby Blues Connection https://www.babybluesconnection.org/Website: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!

In this compelling and insightful episode, we chat with Libby Mukhi, PMH-C, a postpartum doula, birth story listener, and mother of two. Libby reflects on her challenging experiences with pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.Living abroad in Australia, Libby expressed her desire to absorb as much knowledge as possible to prepare for her first birth. Despite a smooth pregnancy and high hopes for a vaginal birth, high blood pressure ultimately led to an unplanned induction and c-section birth. The subsequent recovery days in the hospital were marked by anxiety and loneliness, leaving Libby feeling abandoned and traumatized.Libby shares on how her firstborn's highly sensitive nature added complexities to her postpartum journey and how she craved a nurturing presence. Libby reflects on her second birth, a planned c-section back in the United States, which provided a stark contrast to her first surgical experience. Libby delves into the emotional toll of never experiencing a vaginal birth and the process of getting tubes tied during her last c-section. Libby finds redemption in her second birth, highlighting the importance of advocating for herself and unapologetically asking for what she needs. Postpartum overstimulation, navigating sibling dynamics and the challenge of introducing a second baby become poignant aspects of Libby's story. Libby reflects on cultural differences surrounding the meaning of community versus support. Libby discusses how her self-worth, shaped by early experiences and living within a hyper-productive and capitalist society, led her to having a strong desire for control. The episode touches on her breastfeeding journey and the decision to release high expectations and perfectionism when making parenting choices. Libby’s transformative birth experiences eventually inspired her to become a postpartum doula and birth story listener. Enjoy!Content warnings: quick fertility journey, perfectionism/control, grief/loss, unplanned induction, high blood pressure, GAD, abandonment, epidural, blood in urine, and c-section.To learn more about Libby and her work as a Birth Story Listener, visit: https://www.birthstoryprocessing.com/aboutLibby's Instagram: @Heartswell.postpartumOther Resources Mentioned in Episode:Luna Wellness https://www.lunaspapdx.com/offeringsBaby Blues Connection https://www.babybluesconnection.oWebsite: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!

This episode is part 2 of a two part series called before/after birth. We invite Cailley Roe back on, friend and neighbor of Sophie’s, who shares the birth story of her daughter in May ‘23. Join us as Cailley, a first-time mother, shares her gripping experience going past 40 weeks, navigating a backup induction plan, and enduring a 48-hour labor with a water-breaking story contrary to cinematic depictions. From unconventional castor oil inductions to doubts about her body, Cailley takes us through the emotional rollercoaster of considering a transfer of care before a surprising turnaround that certainly kept us at the edge of our seat. Discover the symbolism of rainbows, hear about curious dream on the eve of labor, and the meticulous processing of this life-altering event. In the end, our guest reflects on managing post-birth expectations, leaving listeners with a profound exploration of resilience, courage, and the unpredictable beauty of childbirth.Content warnings: Long labor, vaginal tearing, risk of infection, water breaking, possibility for transfer of care, hemorrhoids and bodily fluidsCailley's midwife team: Hearth & Home Midwifery  Website: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!

This episode is part 1 of a two part series called before/after birth. We are excited to welcome Sophie’s neighbor and friend Cailley, who bravely shares her experiences from the difficulty of her first pregnancy loss ending at 11 weeks to the joys of her current pregnancy at 37 weeks. At the time of recording, Cailley finds herself in the nesting stage bursting with energy, while also learning the importance of taking time to rest as physical discomfort increases.We also discuss deciding on and preparing for a home birth, particularly the role of the partner and establishing open communication of values and needs. It's a dance of ensuring both expectant parents feel secure, respected, and motivated on this journey to parenthood. Cailley reveals the unknowns of her pregnancy journey, how she and her husband coped through their miscarriage and how she found a second midwife team after her first choice was not the right fit. "Peanut" App referenced in episode: https://www.peanut-app.io/Website: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!

Sophie and Jordan welcome Dr. Courtney Livaudais, a Portland-based Occupational Therapist and Lactation Consultant as well as owner of Triple Moon Therapy. In this episode, Courtney shares the birth story of her daughter, including her experience with IVF conception, the physical discomforts and unexpected joys of her pregnancy, and surprisingly speedy labor. She shares on the profound connection she felt with her child and discusses what she plans to do differently in preparing for her second birth, as she was pregnant at the time of the episode recording. Our guest takes us through the rollercoaster of postpartum struggles, the sleepless nights, the need for self-advocacy in healthcare, and the critical role a support team plays in this phase. Courtney's candid reflections, coupled with her professional knowledge, offer invaluable advice for those about to embark on the journey of childbirth and parenting. Our guest describes how her own challenges with breastfeeding led to a pivot in her career and a desire to help other parents as a lactation consultant. To learn more about Dr. Courtney Livaudais OTD/OTR/L, CBS and her practice, please visit: https://www.triplemoontherapy.com/aboutContent warnings in this episode include: infertility, IVF, trouble with breastfeeding, feeling unsupported during labor, unexpected changes to a birth plan, distress caused by medical professionals and self-advocacy in healthcare. Resources discussed in episode:Fertility Support Groups via Postpartum Support InternationalDebunking Myths about Fundal Massage via Evidenced Based BirthSafe Co-Sleeping SupportWebsite: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!

Jordan and Sophie welcome their very first guest, Rachel Arias,  who shares the story of the birth of her daughter in February 2022. Rachel made for a wonderful and thoughtful first guest as she is a perinatal mental health therapist and reflected on her own struggle with anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum. This episode contains a birth story which includes the vaginal birth of a single baby in a hospital setting, use of medical induction techniques, as well as sensitive themes including mother-baby separation, brief baby NICU stay, and mother health complications including high blood pressure.To learn more about Rachel Arias’ perinatal therapy services, please visit https://www.rachelariastherapy.com/.Website: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!

Sophie and Jordan welcome Io, who shares the story of their birth in November 2016. In this conversation we explore how Io navigated changes to their birth plan that they were not expecting, challenges of labor monitoring, and what it’s like being a non-binary person giving birth in a hospital setting. We discuss how having the support of people you trust can be a key factor in having a positive birth experience when facing the unexpected. This episode contains a birth story that includes an unexpected cesarean section, labor interventions, and body dysmorphia. The "Homebirth Cesarean" book referenced in this episode can be found at the author's webpage.Website: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!

Welcome to Bearing Birth, a podcast all about birth stories! In this first episode, your hosts Jordan and Sophie introduce themselves and discuss their “why” for starting a storytelling podcast together about birth. They discuss reasons for sharing one’s birth story and how it can be healing, community building, and in many ways, beneficial. They describe how they came up with their podcast name and what folks can expect from future episodes.On our podcast, we intend to honor and intentionally hold space for birth stories of guests that do not self-identify as women or mothers. We respect the gender identity and pronouns of each of our guests and will use both the terms woman/mother as well as gender neutral birthing person/parent. We are here to celebrate all those who “mother” and “nurture” and believe all birth stories are worthy of being heard.Please note, parts of this episode are scripted as Jordan and Sophie wanted to make sure they covered all of their important points to ensure a solid foundation from which to launch their podcast! The format of future episodes will be conversational style. Website: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!

Please enjoy our teaser trailer for our new and upcoming podcast "Bearing Birth"! Our podcast highlights the incredible world of birth stories as told directly by those who experience and witness childbirth. This short episode offers a glimpse into the range of emotions our guests experience as they reflect on their birth stories. Our first three episodes will be released on November 15th! Prepare to hear inspiring and raw conversations on pregnancy, birth and the transition to parenthood. Tune in to witness the power of healing through storytelling. Co-Hosted by Jordan Monir and Sophie Holliday. Website: bearingbirthpodcast.comInstagram: @BearingBirthPodcastEmail: [email protected] Bearing Birth Podcast Resources Birth Planning Guide Postpartum Support Plan Perinatal Resources & Information To learn more about Jordan or her work as a postpartum doula, family photographer, or infant sleep specialist: bunandbundle.com To learn more about Sophie or her work as a perinatal mental health therapist: midmaplestherapy.com Share your birth story!If you are interested in sharing your birth story with our podcast, please get in touch via email or DM us on Instagram! We’d love to hold space for your unique perspective. We can accommodate guests in-person or virtually from any location in the world!