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In this episode, we discuss:
- Hospital Birth Story at Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine
- The reasons Mikayla chose an unassisted birth with her second child
- Mikayla's Unassisted Maine Birth Story
- ….and a whole lot more!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Mikayla (00:00):
I got up and I just was just standing at the sink and I
remember looking at myself andI just like had this like upper
lip sweat and I was just like.
I just looked like I wasworking so hard and I had a
pretty big contraction and Istarted to like I was standing
up.
(00:20):
So I started to like trickleblood was and I just remember
staring at the little bloodsdropping onto the little pad and
it was like I was just in thezone and I was, if I was like
comforted by the blood because Iknew that I was just like I was
opening and I was in it wascoming, like she was coming.
(00:42):
So then I waited until my nextcontraction and and it was, it
was strong and I, I, you know, Ifelt like that, that roar and
that like primal, you know, likeurge and that push and her head
ended up coming out and I justI had to stand there and the
(01:05):
contraction was done after her,her head came out.
That's actually something I doremember with Jack when I was
giving birth to him.
I could feel like contractions,I could feel him like
descending and then like almostgoing back a little bit, and
that that was like sodiscouraging I remember with him
because I was like like youknow, you're just like you're,
(01:28):
you're ready to get it done.
But that and that didn't happenwith her, so that she came out,
her head came out with onecontraction, and then I just
stood there with her head outjust waiting and I I told Jake I
was like I have to wait untilthe next one, so I just have to
hang out.
And the next one came and hershoulders came out and she slid
(01:52):
right out.
Angela (01:55):
I'm Angela and I'm a certified birth photographer,
experienced doula, childbirtheducator and your host here on
the my Main Birth podcast.
This is a space where we sharethe real-life stories of
families and their unique birthexperiences in the beautiful
state of Maine, from our state'sbiggest hospitals to birth
center births and home births.
(02:16):
Every birth story deserves tobe heard and celebrated.
Whether you're a soon-to-be mom, a seasoned mother or simply
interested in the world of birth, these episodes are for you.
Welcome back.
You're listening to episode 112of the my Main Birth podcast.
Today's birth story guest isMikayla, and she is here to
(02:40):
share all about her unassistedmain birth story.
Hi, michaela, welcome to myMain Birth.
Thanks for taking the time tochat with me.
Of course, thank you for havingme.
So, to get started, would youshare a little bit about you and
your family?
Mikayla (02:58):
Yeah, so there's four of us.
We are separated right now, butthere's the father of my kids
His name is Jacob, and thenthere's Lillian and Jack and
myself, as Michaela.
We have some pretty, I guess,unorthodox views as a family.
(03:20):
We have some pretty hardcoremorals when it comes to raising
our children.
So we don't do vaccines and wedon't really do like well visits
or you know if there's anythingthat we need to take them to
the doctors for, like mydaughter had something in her
eye recently and we need to takeher to urgent care to have it
flushed out, you know, likeanything like that.
(03:42):
But you know we do a lot oflike organic stuff and I've been
homeschooling and, yeah, I'mstill breastfeeding my daughter.
She's over two now, so, yeah,Cool.
Angela (03:56):
So to jump into your birth stories then, would you
share about how you found outyou were pregnant for the first
time and what your thoughts werein choosing your care?
Mikayla (04:07):
So I found out I was pregnant.
We, we weren't like, we werekind of trying, but not trying
to have a baby.
And I had taken a pregnancytest the week before and it was
negative.
But then the next Saturday, orit was a Sunday, I another one
and it was positive.
So we, um, and we did it waseverything was, it was, it was
(04:31):
just right around like all theCOVID stuff was happening.
So you know, like there was abig shift and you know, like
thinking and so, like I, I thinkthat, as um Jesus, four years
ago now, becoming a new mom, Ijust wanted to like learn
everything that I could.
So, but we still, for my firstpregnancy and my first birth, we
(04:56):
did like we had a hospitalbirth and I, you know, I went to
all my OB appointments and itwas pretty.
Yeah, I did deny vaccinesduring pregnancy and I didn't do
the glucose test.
I did like a pancake breakfasttype deal.
Which hospital were you goingto?
I went to Mercy Hospital inPortland.
(05:19):
So were you with the midwivesthere.
Yeah, I did end up switching toMercy from Maine Med.
I switched at the end of mypregnancy.
There was I can't exactlyremember what it was but there
was something that I had askedabout with my OB at the time and
she said no and I just was likeall right, so I left there and
(05:45):
but Mercy was really, it wasreally awesome there and they're
a faith-based like hospital.
So that was nice as well to tobe like prayed over during my
second pregnancy and birth.
Angela (05:58):
Yeah, so what were your thoughts going into your
pregnancy for the first time,like what were your thoughts
around just birth in general,going into your pregnancy for
the first time.
Mikayla (06:06):
Like what were your thoughts around just birth in
general?
I was really excited to bepregnant, to become a mom.
Really, it's like always beenlike a, like my dream to be a
mom, but it was alsooverwhelming, like I, I, um, I
did the whole like uh, what isthat book?
It's like that very classic,like what to expect when you're
(06:28):
expecting.
Yeah.
So you know, like I, you know Idid that and just you know,
like the pregnancy pillow andwatching all the YouTube videos
and of you know, like momsgetting their hospital bags
together, I was, I don't know, Iwas so excited, I really was.
Angela (06:51):
So how are you feeling throughout that pregnancy and
like what were your likeappointments looking like?
Mikayla (06:54):
as you, as like, progressed throughout.
They were pretty.
I felt like they were prettychill and like you go in and you
get your belly measured, theyweigh you, ask you what was
wrong or ask if there was anyquestions, if you thought was
anything was wrong.
So it's pretty quick.
You know there was nothing.
I had a very um, I guess, verychill pregnancy.
(07:14):
I was sick a lot, you know umnausea throughout the whole
pregnancy from start to finish.
Angela (07:21):
But yeah, overall I felt pretty good for for my first
pregnancy so how were those kindof final weeks and then days
leading up to when your laborstarted, um, looking for you and
yeah, how was your?
Mikayla (07:36):
birth.
I just, I just hung out waitingto go into labor with my first
with Jack.
When it happened, I, I justlike it happened in the middle
of the night and I, I felt mywater break and that's what.
Like I woke up feeling my waterbreak and it was, it was all.
(07:57):
So when I got to the hospital,I was almost six, seven meters
to island, so it was so I feellike everything was pretty.
It was pretty, everything waschill until I got to six, seven
meters and then everythingstarted to pick up.
For sure, I would say, with myfirst labor, it was.
It was really hard on me.
(08:17):
I was like roaring through.
I definitely was very vocal,way more vocal than my second
pregnancy, but you know, I guessthat's how I was able to cope
with it.
Um, it was very intense.
Giving birth to Jack was very,very intense and I don't know,
maybe he had like a big head, soI don't know, and I just, yeah,
(08:43):
I do remember there was.
There was definitely a couplethings like my first birth
experience really paved the wayfor me to want to have a free
birth and things, and, and, likeI, you know, I really enjoyed
(09:06):
giving birth to Jack, eventhough it was really hard and
really intense.
But I did feel, um, I justdidn't feel comfortable in the
environment.
I spent a lot of my pregnancywanting to give birth at home
but we were renting in anapartment.
I didn't feel comfortable, likeyou know, like, like I don't
know, like you know like andlike I don't know, you know, you
don't know what to expect.
So I'm sure my neighbors wouldhave been definitely wondering
(09:28):
what was going on if they heardme giving birth to Jack.
Yeah, but it was, it was goodand we did like the whole delay
cord clamping and immediate skinskin.
I didn't do vaccines in thehospital with Jack.
I didn't do anything with himand I didn't do a circumcision
or whatever.
(09:48):
So, which was kind of like theyhad asked me about a
circumcision with the vaccine.
So that was like in hand inhand a little bit almost.
But yeah, his birth was, it wasoverall smooth and when he, you
(10:10):
know, and he they first umbrought his like him up to my
chest and I kissed his wet headfor the first time, I'll just
never forget that moment.
I didn't expect him to be solike wet either.
Angela (10:22):
Oh, that's so special.
It's the best moment ever.
It really is, yeah.
Mikayla (10:27):
You can't, can't, replace it.
Angela (10:29):
Yeah, oh, amazing.
Do you remember how yourplacenta was born?
Mikayla (10:34):
Um, I, yes, uh, I do remember being pulled out and
like.
So I don't really remember likebirthing it myself.
I do remember being pulled out,which I don't really know if I,
so I don't really remember likebirthing it myself.
I do remember being pulled out,which I don't really know if I.
I don't entirely agree withwith that method, but I do
remember feeling extremelyrelieved, like there was like a
(10:56):
weight lifted out of me, I meanliterally, but so I do remember
that yeah, the official, you'renot pregnant anymore, because
that's really what it felt like.
I was very relieved.
Angela (11:13):
So what were some of the things that happened during
that birth that led you to makedifferent decisions the next
time?
Mikayla (11:21):
So I think, yeah, so it was during like the COVID time.
So there was, like you know,like while I was waiting, you
know, there's like COVID testsand and, um, you know, like
certain protocols because ofthat, which just felt like an
extra layer which I mean I'msure things are different now,
but it was just a little bitstressful.
(11:41):
There was, you know, it's veryquick.
There's, you know, the brightlights, there's people moving
all around you.
They're like I wasn't hooked upto.
I did get a bag of fluids, butit wasn't hooked up to anything.
So I didn't do Pitocin or anepidural.
I do remember one.
(12:05):
So I was, I was going through areally hard contraction through
at about like six or seven maybeI was about eight meters
dilated at this point, but I wasdenying a epidural again, cause
like they were really likeasking me many times if I wanted
to do it, and I had a nurse saythat I don't, she goes, you
don't need to be a hero while Iwas having a contraction which
which just felt terrible.
(12:27):
And then contraction, yeah, I'mmaking traction.
I am a hero right now.
I'm working so hard.
You are the hero, yeah, um, and, and then I think, and, and
(12:47):
then I think, and then there wasanother point where I did ask I
was like, is there anyalternative?
And there is alternatives.
Like I don't know what I waslooking for, I think I just
wanted my options and they saidthat there was no other option
if I didn't want an epidural,such.
You know, like I I know that'snot true, but like at the time
when you're in that space, it'shard to it really is hard to
advocate for yourself.
(13:09):
Um, and I also felt like um, the, the, the nurses kind of like
pushed aside my partner andwhere I wanted him to be very
like, you know, like, close tome, I wanted him to be right
there with me.
It seemed like he was kind oflike getting moved out of the
way and I was like reaching forhim.
(13:32):
So I didn't really like thateither, um, cause he, he was,
you know like throughout mywhole pregnancy.
It was like we are pregnant,you know like we did the baby
shower together.
He was, it was was very likethis is like us together.
So like having him kind of likemoved out of the way so that
other people can infiltrate wasa little bit not not my cup of
(13:55):
tea.
Angela (13:57):
Yeah, so how was your postpartum the first time around
?
Mikayla (14:02):
I feel like the recovery was pretty good.
I don't feel like I like likeum, bled really heavy or
anything like that, like it all,like that was all.
That was all really good to me.
I will say I had mastitis likethree or four times and I really
struggled with breastfeedingwith him.
So that was really hard with my.
(14:23):
With my postpartum.
It took me three monthsactually or us Jack and I, three
months before I could actuallyget him to like latch my breast
and breastfeed.
But we did do it and we went onto breastfeed until he was 18
months old.
So I found out I was pregnantand I didn't want to.
I didn't want to do both.
Angela (14:45):
Yeah, so would you share about how you found out you
were pregnant for the secondtime now and, yeah, like what
your kind of immediate thoughtswere in choosing your care?
Mikayla (14:56):
Yeah, so I, after I, um , I gave birth to Jack, I was I
just became so passionate aboutwomen and pregnancy and birth
and women's, like reproductiveanatomy and their voice, so I
definitely launched deep intoall kinds of information that
you know is just different thanmainstream and I, I do.
(15:20):
I was posting a lot at the timeon social media about, you know
, just like life and everything,and I do.
I was posting a lot at the timeon social media about, you know
, just like life and everything,and I remember saying that I
could feel my next baby, like,like, I felt like she was like
coming to me or like.
And then about a week or twolater, I found out I was
pregnant with her.
I did take a pregnancy test.
(15:42):
I was late on my period, so Iwas like, like, you know, I'm
not gonna, you know, waste theday.
I'm gonna go out and get one.
So, yeah, and I found out I waspregnant with her and I decided
that after my first experiencethat, um, I was just gonna like
kind of take radicalresponsibility of my care and my
(16:04):
baby and my body.
Maybe I wouldn't recommendgoing about it the way I did to
everyone, because, you know,everyone is different and I like
, because I like, really like.
I didn't do any appointments, Ididn't do any urine tests.
I did get a really bad sinusinfection during that pregnancy,
so I did go to the hospital andget a bag of fluids, but other
(16:26):
than that, it's likeself-directed care.
Yeah, yeah, I measured my ownbelly, calculated my own due
date and just did a bunch ofself-care stuff at home yeah, I
think that's the important thingthat you bring up about.
Angela (16:43):
Like you know, of course , we don't like recommend this
to anyone, but women are outhere, like in everywhere, but,
of course, like here in Maine,you know, making all different
choices.
As far as birth goes, you know,like, if someone, if you need
somebody to you know, go to andbe like should I do this or
should I not do this?
Like no, you should probablynot do this, but if it's like in
(17:05):
you know, your inner, knowinglike this is what I want to do
deep down, then, like you should, obviously, you know, do what
feels right to you.
Mikayla (17:15):
Yeah, and the answers are out there.
Yeah, there are lots of womenthat are free birthing and I
mean that's definitely wheresocial media has been such a
good tool, because I, you knowlike it's so important when you
do make a decision like that toyou know, to reach out to, you
know, people who haveexperienced that themselves and
had success with it or didn'thave success with it, because
(17:37):
those stories are important too.
I definitely I've connectedwith a mom on Instagram where
she, I want to say it's twopregnancies where she planned on
home births and free births orshe might've had a midwife but
she ended up transferring bothtimes just because she felt safe
doing that.
So, you know, it's like allthose, all that stuff is
(17:59):
important.
Angela (17:59):
Yeah, and it's always like okay to change your plan.
You know, as things go, younever know what's going to
happen.
It's all just a great mystery.
Yeah, birth is veryunpredictable.
So how are you feelingthroughout your pregnancy?
Mikayla (18:13):
I felt I felt pretty good with Lily.
We did, um, we were having somelike we were renting in an
apartment that had some moldwhen I was pregnant with her, so
that did make me sickthroughout my pregnancy, but
other than that I had a reallygood pregnancy with her.
(18:36):
I did gain a lot of weight,though.
Angela (18:40):
I was very surprised by that.
Were you kind of keeping tracka little bit yourself?
Mikayla (18:46):
I was yeah, I've been probably up until the end, and
then I didn't like care so muchabout how much I was gaining,
yeah Right, but I was measuringmy belly every week, which was
always fun, and I measured likeone or two weeks ahead every
week with her.
Angela (19:06):
Yeah, so what other kind of things did you do, just
yourself to you know?
Check in on your pregnancy Werethere.
Were there other things thatyou did like throughout?
Mikayla (19:33):
situation.
I I'm really big on likeconsuming organs, so I did like
organs throughout my pregnancyand humic and fulvic acid.
Those are my big ones.
And then there was I reallycan't find her online anymore so
I don't know if she's present.
Her name was Nancy and shewrote a.
She wrote a guide.
She wrote a wild pregnancy, wildbirth and then a wild
(19:54):
postpartum like handbook and itwas very detailed so and she
also wrote one for the partnerwho is going to be assisting in
the free birth.
So my partner and I at the timewe we studied that handbook
that she had written and it wasreally really good.
It was a really good tool,especially for him when he came,
(20:15):
because I kind of gave him thetools that he needed and I was
kind of like this is what you'regoing to have to figure out and
I have my own things to figureout.
So he came, he really read thethings that she wrote and he
brought that knowledge to thebirth and, like you know her,
(20:38):
her word really helped him.
So that was like I wish I couldfind her last name.
I do know her name was Nancy,but yeah, so she had, she had a
really good tool.
Angela (20:54):
Nancy.
But yeah, so she had, she had areally good tool.
Yeah, I feel like justpreparing ahead of time for the
birth is so important to havethat knowledge going in, like
you know as you're pregnant andthen, like towards the end of
the pregnancy, just kind of letit all go and just you know,
yeah, go inward right?
Mikayla (21:06):
yes, and I did read a um free birth and home birth
books written by midwives to tryto prepare myself.
Angela (21:18):
Cool.
So how are you feeling?
Like kind of confidence, wiseas your pregnancy progressed,
like thinking about your freebirth.
Did you have fears come up?
Mikayla (21:28):
did you have fears come up?
Um, I did.
Of course I felt, you know itwas always like that.
Um, you know the I the thoughtof like, just because it is so
unknown, but like you knowanything, you know it could
happen.
But I definitely reallyaccepted death, I guess, cause
you know like to bring it, youknow to bring forth life, you,
(21:50):
you essentially have to acceptdeath.
You know because, like you putyourself and you're, you know
you can lose your baby.
So and like accepting thatreally helped me in some ways.
It's like it is what it is,like you know like the baby's
gonna come out, so like whatever.
So what is going to happen isis meant to be, and I really
(22:14):
found comfort in in that.
I did have a.
I had a lot of confidence goinginto her birth yeah, I think
mindset is very important it is.
It was like non-negotiable thatI felt solid in my decision
making.
Angela (22:29):
Yeah, exactly.
So how were kind of those finalweeks looking leading up to
when your labor started?
Mikayla (22:40):
Oh gosh they were.
I just felt like I had.
I had all the signs coming, youknow, like the, the exhaustion,
the bursts of energy um thenesting and cleaning, and the
moods.
I also had some mood swings aswell with her and and I, um I
(23:01):
had told my partner that I knewshe was because she was going to
come early.
My due date with her was um the16th of March and she came
February 27th.
Um the 16th of March and shecame February 27th.
And I calculate your due date.
It was actually with the freebirth journal or, I guess, guide
that I had.
There was a method, so it's.
(23:23):
It says to either 280 days fromthe first day of your last
period or add 266 days from thedate of conception.
So it was.
That was like the generalcalculation.
So her predicted due date was onthe 16th but she ended up
coming on the 27th so you knewthe date of your last period
(23:44):
then yes, I did, I was, yeah, Ikept, I kept track of all that
stuff and like a little app andyou know, try to, because I, I
don't, I actually I don't dobirth control.
I track my cycle.
Angela (23:57):
So you knew her due date and she came early.
So what were kind of, how areyou feeling those last?
Um?
Yeah, it's like things startedto pick up with your labor.
Mikayla (24:09):
I felt good, I knew she was coming.
The day before she came, mymother-in-law at the time she
took my first son.
So Jake and I were just we justlike had some time to ourselves
.
And I remember, just, you know,we just walked around trying to
like shop around and I reallyjust like felt like I was like
walking around with, like thebaby, just like in my canal.
(24:31):
I felt like I was like waddlingbecause I had space, I was
being occupied.
And then that night I felt mywater pop again, but it was like
it was like really popped, likeit felt like a snap of a rubber
band inside.
And I woke up around.
It was around 1230 and I wentto the bathroom Cause I was like
(24:55):
, oh, maybe she just like kickedme really hard, cause, you know
, or like maybe I just, you know, beat myself a little bit, but
I, you know like I came back tobed and I remember telling Jake
that I think my labor hadstarted and he didn't really say
anything, but he just like Iremember him just picking up his
phone and taking the timearound and he just like, let me
(25:19):
know, to let you know, to tellhim when I was having a
contraction.
They were about eight minutesapart and, uh, my labor with
Lily was, was so easy and if Ithink about and I definitely
feel like just being at home Imean versus not being at home
(25:42):
was so relaxing for me and I,you know, just like not having
the buzz all around was reallynice and Lily and I worked so
well together.
So I started labor around 1230and it was only about four hours
.
I gave birth to her at 430.
I like took a shower and I likedid I got, I had like a tiptoe
(26:06):
contractions and I knew thatthat was.
You know, I was getting closerand and Jake had prepared, he
like prepared like little spotsfor me around the apartment.
I had a spot on the floor andwe used, like we used puppy pads
, which ended up being I mean,that was what was recommended,
but it was so good for cleanupwe put like a sheet down and
(26:26):
then the puppy pads, so like, atthe end of it he just had to
wrap up the sheet and throw itin a garbage bag and it was.
It was very quick.
It was very quick, which wasnice to see for him, cause,
cause my partner had to do allthe cleaning up.
He did it so quick, he cleanedup everything so quick.
So I felt that contraction inthe shower and I got on my
tiptoes and I was like I got togo downstairs and for like the
(26:49):
entire labor I could not sit.
I could not sit, I could notlay down on my side, which was
completely different from myprevious labor.
I laid down a lot and Icouldn't do that with Lily.
I was on all fours likewhatever that pretzel pizza with
my legs, which is reallyhelpful and then I ended up
(27:13):
wanting to go to the bathroom.
I tried to sit on the toiletand that squatting was like
really, really intense.
So I got up and I was juststanding at the sink and I
remember looking at myself and Ijust like had this like upper
lip sweat and I was just like Icould.
I just looked like I wasworking so hard and I had a
(27:38):
pretty big contraction and Istarted to like I was standing
up.
So I started to like trickleblood was and I just remember
staring at the little bloodsdropping onto the little pad and
it was like I was just in thezone.
Yeah, and I was.
I was like comforted by theblood because I knew that I was
(28:00):
just like I was opening and itwas coming, like she was coming.
So then I waited until my nextcontraction and and it was, it
was strong and I, I, you know Ifelt like that, that roar and
that like primal, you know, likeurge, and that push and her
(28:22):
head ended up coming out and I,just I had to stand there and
the contraction was done afterher head came out.
That's actually something I doremember with Jack, when I was
giving birth to him.
I could feel like contractions,I could feel him like
descending and then like almostgoing back a little bit and that
(28:43):
that was like so discouraging Iremember with him because I was
like like you know, you're justlike you're, you're ready to
get it done.
But that and that didn't happenwith her, so that she came out.
Her head came out with onecontraction and then I just
stood there with her head outjust waiting and I, I told Jake
(29:04):
I was like I have to wait untilthe next one, so I just have to
hang out.
And the next one came and hershoulders came out and she slid
right out.
I didn't know her gender eitherfor the whole pregnancy.
Well, I mean, I did.
I told Jake the whole time thatI knew it was a girl and he so
(29:24):
he brought her to me and he'slike, I think it's a girl and
like I looked and it was and and, um, I could hear a little bit
of fluid in her when she cried.
So I ended up sucking thefluids out myself and then I
just kind of sat there for alittle bit and I could, I just
(29:46):
like knew when my placenta wasready.
I didn't really like feel likeI was having a contraction, but
I just like reached down andtugged and it like just came
right out which was nice.
Angela (30:01):
So how long do you think it was after the birth of the
placenta came?
Mikayla (30:05):
probably about 10 or 15 minutes.
It was really quick, it wasready to go.
Yeah, we, um, we took, wewaited a long time before we cut
the cord with her I thinkprobably over an hour and then I
nursed her for like 10 or 15 or20 minutes and like we went
right to bed after we cut thecord and we fell asleep and we
(30:32):
didn't end up naming her forhours after she was born.
We, we knew what we were goingto name, jack pretty much at the
beginning, but it took forever.
Well, actually, yeah, itdefinitely took forever to
figure out what we were going toname Lily.
Angela (30:50):
That's cute, yeah.
So how was your postpartum time?
It was good.
Mikayla (30:58):
I feel like it took a lot longer for me to recover,
like in my pelvic area.
I think that was definitelysomething I missed out on during
my pregnancy with her.
I mean, I was chasing around atoddler so I was exhausted.
I didn't.
I don't think I like supportedmy pelvic floor enough for that
(31:21):
birth, so that recovery was washard and it was long, but it was
good.
It was like it was over, and Ithink I bled longer with her too
.
Angela (31:31):
I think I might have bled closer to two weeks versus
one week with Jack, but it canbe like your body's way of
showing you that you need toslow down a little bit, but so
hard toddler, right, it is yeah,and and being a stay-at-home
mom, so I just yeah.
Mikayla (31:48):
So this is like you know, you get up and go in the
morning so how long did yourpartner support you for, like
after birth, did he?
Angela (31:56):
was he able to take a little bit of time off from work
, or did he have to go back?
Mikayla (32:00):
his um, the company that he, he actually, he was
passed over, so he, he was leadteacher, now he's head master.
He had three weeks, I want tosay, or at least it was two
weeks, and then the third weekwas like he's taking his tutor
clients and so he was in and outof the house, but he was still
(32:21):
there and his mom lived rightbehind us at the time, or she,
yeah, she lives behind him still, but when I was there she lived
right behind.
So so she was, she was able tocome up and and help with Jack
and pretty easily.
So that's really nice.
That was really nice that hewas able to be there.
Angela (32:41):
Yeah.
So now, as a final question ifyou were to give advice to
someone who's expecting, or evennew parents, what's the biggest
thing you'd want to share?
Mikayla (32:51):
I guess, like my first thing to someone who's becoming
a parent is that like to reallyto just like listen to what
people have, you know, like justtake it with a grain of salt.
You know like there's so muchinformation you really like
learn as you go, but yeah, justlike you take the bits of
information that you need andand just like whatever with the
(33:13):
rest.
And I really do feel like womenshould seek all you know, just
it doesn't mean they have to doanything, but just to know the
different sides of what birthcan be.
Because you know, I meanmainstream birth when you think
about what they have portrayedin the movies or you know it's,
(33:34):
it's just not, it doesn't haveto be like that.
I mean, birth is really hardwork, it's like the hardest work
you'll ever do.
But I don't know, I lovedgiving birth so much I I would
do it again and again.
Angela (33:49):
Yeah, it is.
It's really special, like yousaid, you know, when you were
telling the story of your first,like that moment when they put
the baby on your chest, and it'sjust like you do not forget it.
It's so special.
And, yeah, like you said, likeyou know, the care providers
work for you.
So it's important to you know,like, if you think you feel like
(34:10):
you don't have choices, or ifyour doctor's saying no, you
can't do this, you can't do that, and doesn't feel right to you,
it's so important, like youknow, even in your first birth,
to go even just across town to adifferent provider.
It's something different, youknow you don't.
You know, just do what feelsright to you.
And there's there's so manydifferent options and women need
those.
Mikayla (34:30):
You know to know that they have that option and that
they can.
You know that they can do thatif they need to yeah, yeah, just
to trust your gut, reallydefinitely yeah, trust your
intuition and that's that's um,it's.
It's huge for women because,like we, we really are.
You know we are the portal.
(34:50):
You know we have that portalfor life.
Angela (34:52):
So trusting our intuition is really important
yeah, and even as we get movingto parenthood and our kids start
to grow, you know like yeahit's just no one knows your kid
better than you do.
Yeah Well, thank you so much,michaela, for taking the time to
chat with me today.
It's been such a pleasure.
(35:13):
Yeah, this was really nice.
Thank you.
Before you go, I just want toremind you I have a ton of
resources for pregnancy andbirth If you're pregnant,
whether you're a first time momor if this is your fifth baby.
I want you to check out theshow notes, because I have some
free trainings and freedownloads that you can sign up
for, as well as the link toaccess my labor of love, a
(35:37):
comprehensive, self-paced onlinechildbirth education course.
I created this coursespecifically for moms who don't
want to be told what to do,regardless of where you're
birthing or who you're birthingwith, and I'd honestly love to
teach you everything that I knowso that you can prepare for an
autonomous birth experience andprepare to step into your role
(35:58):
as the leader of your birthjourney.
So click to the show notes,check out all of those links and
, if you ever have any questions, feel free to DM me at my main
birth over on Instagram.
I got up and I just was just standing at the sink and I
remember looking at myself andI just like had this like upper
lip sweat and I was just like.
I just looked like I wasworking so hard and I had a
pretty big contraction and Istarted to like I was standing
up.
(00:20):
So I started to like trickleblood was and I just remember
staring at the little bloodsdropping onto the little pad and
it was like I was just in thezone and I was, if I was like
comforted by the blood because Iknew that I was just like I was
opening and I was in it wascoming, like she was coming.
(00:42):
So then I waited until my nextcontraction and and it was, it
was strong and I, I, you know, Ifelt like that, that roar and
that like primal, you know, likeurge and that push and her head
ended up coming out and I justI had to stand there and the
(01:05):
contraction was done after her,her head came out.
That's actually something I doremember with Jack when I was
giving birth to him.
I could feel like contractions,I could feel him like
descending and then like almostgoing back a little bit, and
that that was like sodiscouraging I remember with him
because I was like like youknow, you're just like you're,
(01:28):
you're ready to get it done.
But that and that didn't happenwith her, so that she came out,
her head came out with onecontraction, and then I just
stood there with her head outjust waiting and I I told Jake I
was like I have to wait untilthe next one, so I just have to
hang out.
And the next one came and hershoulders came out and she slid
(01:52):
right out.
Angela (01:55):
I'm Angela and I'm a certified birth photographer,
experienced doula, childbirtheducator and your host here on
the my Main Birth podcast.
This is a space where we sharethe real-life stories of
families and their unique birthexperiences in the beautiful
state of Maine, from our state'sbiggest hospitals to birth
center births and home births.
(02:16):
Every birth story deserves tobe heard and celebrated.
Whether you're a soon-to-be mom, a seasoned mother or simply
interested in the world of birth, these episodes are for you.
Welcome back.
You're listening to episode 112of the my Main Birth podcast.
Today's birth story guest isMikayla, and she is here to
(02:40):
share all about her unassistedmain birth story.
Hi, michaela, welcome to myMain Birth.
Thanks for taking the time tochat with me.
Of course, thank you for havingme.
So, to get started, would youshare a little bit about you and
your family?
Mikayla (02:58):
Yeah, so there's four of us.
We are separated right now, butthere's the father of my kids
His name is Jacob, and thenthere's Lillian and Jack and
myself, as Michaela.
We have some pretty, I guess,unorthodox views as a family.
(03:20):
We have some pretty hardcoremorals when it comes to raising
our children.
So we don't do vaccines and wedon't really do like well visits
or you know if there's anythingthat we need to take them to
the doctors for, like mydaughter had something in her
eye recently and we need to takeher to urgent care to have it
flushed out, you know, likeanything like that.
(03:42):
But you know we do a lot oflike organic stuff and I've been
homeschooling and, yeah, I'mstill breastfeeding my daughter.
She's over two now, so, yeah,Cool.
Angela (03:56):
So to jump into your birth stories then, would you
share about how you found outyou were pregnant for the first
time and what your thoughts werein choosing your care?
Mikayla (04:07):
So I found out I was pregnant.
We, we weren't like, we werekind of trying, but not trying
to have a baby.
And I had taken a pregnancytest the week before and it was
negative.
But then the next Saturday, orit was a Sunday, I another one
and it was positive.
So we, um, and we did it waseverything was, it was, it was
(04:31):
just right around like all theCOVID stuff was happening.
So you know, like there was abig shift and you know, like
thinking and so, like I, I thinkthat, as um Jesus, four years
ago now, becoming a new mom, Ijust wanted to like learn
everything that I could.
So, but we still, for my firstpregnancy and my first birth, we
(04:56):
did like we had a hospitalbirth and I, you know, I went to
all my OB appointments and itwas pretty.
Yeah, I did deny vaccinesduring pregnancy and I didn't do
the glucose test.
I did like a pancake breakfasttype deal.
Which hospital were you goingto?
I went to Mercy Hospital inPortland.
(05:19):
So were you with the midwivesthere.
Yeah, I did end up switching toMercy from Maine Med.
I switched at the end of mypregnancy.
There was I can't exactlyremember what it was but there
was something that I had askedabout with my OB at the time and
she said no and I just was likeall right, so I left there and
(05:45):
but Mercy was really, it wasreally awesome there and they're
a faith-based like hospital.
So that was nice as well to tobe like prayed over during my
second pregnancy and birth.
Angela (05:58):
Yeah, so what were your thoughts going into your
pregnancy for the first time,like what were your thoughts
around just birth in general,going into your pregnancy for
the first time.
Mikayla (06:06):
Like what were your thoughts around just birth in
general?
I was really excited to bepregnant, to become a mom.
Really, it's like always beenlike a, like my dream to be a
mom, but it was alsooverwhelming, like I, I, um, I
did the whole like uh, what isthat book?
It's like that very classic,like what to expect when you're
(06:28):
expecting.
Yeah.
So you know, like I, you know Idid that and just you know,
like the pregnancy pillow andwatching all the YouTube videos
and of you know, like momsgetting their hospital bags
together, I was, I don't know, Iwas so excited, I really was.
Angela (06:51):
So how are you feeling throughout that pregnancy and
like what were your likeappointments looking like?
Mikayla (06:54):
as you, as like, progressed throughout.
They were pretty.
I felt like they were prettychill and like you go in and you
get your belly measured, theyweigh you, ask you what was
wrong or ask if there was anyquestions, if you thought was
anything was wrong.
So it's pretty quick.
You know there was nothing.
I had a very um, I guess, verychill pregnancy.
(07:14):
I was sick a lot, you know umnausea throughout the whole
pregnancy from start to finish.
Angela (07:21):
But yeah, overall I felt pretty good for for my first
pregnancy so how were those kindof final weeks and then days
leading up to when your laborstarted, um, looking for you and
yeah, how was your?
Mikayla (07:36):
birth.
I just, I just hung out waitingto go into labor with my first
with Jack.
When it happened, I, I justlike it happened in the middle
of the night and I, I felt mywater break and that's what.
Like I woke up feeling my waterbreak and it was, it was all.
(07:57):
So when I got to the hospital,I was almost six, seven meters
to island, so it was so I feellike everything was pretty.
It was pretty, everything waschill until I got to six, seven
meters and then everythingstarted to pick up.
For sure, I would say, with myfirst labor, it was.
It was really hard on me.
(08:17):
I was like roaring through.
I definitely was very vocal,way more vocal than my second
pregnancy, but you know, I guessthat's how I was able to cope
with it.
Um, it was very intense.
Giving birth to Jack was very,very intense and I don't know,
maybe he had like a big head, soI don't know, and I just, yeah,
(08:43):
I do remember there was.
There was definitely a couplethings like my first birth
experience really paved the wayfor me to want to have a free
birth and things, and, and, likeI, you know, I really enjoyed
(09:06):
giving birth to Jack, eventhough it was really hard and
really intense.
But I did feel, um, I justdidn't feel comfortable in the
environment.
I spent a lot of my pregnancywanting to give birth at home
but we were renting in anapartment.
I didn't feel comfortable, likeyou know, like, like I don't
know, like you know like andlike I don't know, you know, you
don't know what to expect.
So I'm sure my neighbors wouldhave been definitely wondering
(09:28):
what was going on if they heardme giving birth to Jack.
Yeah, but it was, it was goodand we did like the whole delay
cord clamping and immediate skinskin.
I didn't do vaccines in thehospital with Jack.
I didn't do anything with himand I didn't do a circumcision
or whatever.
(09:48):
So, which was kind of like theyhad asked me about a
circumcision with the vaccine.
So that was like in hand inhand a little bit almost.
But yeah, his birth was, it wasoverall smooth and when he, you
(10:10):
know, and he they first umbrought his like him up to my
chest and I kissed his wet headfor the first time, I'll just
never forget that moment.
I didn't expect him to be solike wet either.
Angela (10:22):
Oh, that's so special.
It's the best moment ever.
It really is, yeah.
Mikayla (10:27):
You can't, can't, replace it.
Angela (10:29):
Yeah, oh, amazing.
Do you remember how yourplacenta was born?
Mikayla (10:34):
Um, I, yes, uh, I do remember being pulled out and
like.
So I don't really remember likebirthing it myself.
I do remember being pulled out,which I don't really know if I,
so I don't really remember likebirthing it myself.
I do remember being pulled out,which I don't really know if I.
I don't entirely agree withwith that method, but I do
remember feeling extremelyrelieved, like there was like a
(10:56):
weight lifted out of me, I meanliterally, but so I do remember
that yeah, the official, you'renot pregnant anymore, because
that's really what it felt like.
I was very relieved.
Angela (11:13):
So what were some of the things that happened during
that birth that led you to makedifferent decisions the next
time?
Mikayla (11:21):
So I think, yeah, so it was during like the COVID time.
So there was, like you know,like while I was waiting, you
know, there's like COVID testsand and, um, you know, like
certain protocols because ofthat, which just felt like an
extra layer which I mean I'msure things are different now,
but it was just a little bitstressful.
(11:41):
There was, you know, it's veryquick.
There's, you know, the brightlights, there's people moving
all around you.
They're like I wasn't hooked upto.
I did get a bag of fluids, butit wasn't hooked up to anything.
So I didn't do Pitocin or anepidural.
I do remember one.
(12:05):
So I was, I was going through areally hard contraction through
at about like six or seven maybeI was about eight meters
dilated at this point, but I wasdenying a epidural again, cause
like they were really likeasking me many times if I wanted
to do it, and I had a nurse saythat I don't, she goes, you
don't need to be a hero while Iwas having a contraction which
which just felt terrible.
(12:27):
And then contraction, yeah, I'mmaking traction.
I am a hero right now.
I'm working so hard.
You are the hero, yeah, um, and, and then I think, and, and
(12:47):
then I think, and then there wasanother point where I did ask I
was like, is there anyalternative?
And there is alternatives.
Like I don't know what I waslooking for, I think I just
wanted my options and they saidthat there was no other option
if I didn't want an epidural,such.
You know, like I I know that'snot true, but like at the time
when you're in that space, it'shard to it really is hard to
advocate for yourself.
(13:09):
Um, and I also felt like um, the, the, the nurses kind of like
pushed aside my partner andwhere I wanted him to be very
like, you know, like, close tome, I wanted him to be right
there with me.
It seemed like he was kind oflike getting moved out of the
way and I was like reaching forhim.
(13:32):
So I didn't really like thateither, um, cause he, he was,
you know like throughout mywhole pregnancy.
It was like we are pregnant,you know like we did the baby
shower together.
He was, it was was very likethis is like us together.
So like having him kind of likemoved out of the way so that
other people can infiltrate wasa little bit not not my cup of
(13:55):
tea.
Angela (13:57):
Yeah, so how was your postpartum the first time around
?
Mikayla (14:02):
I feel like the recovery was pretty good.
I don't feel like I like likeum, bled really heavy or
anything like that, like it all,like that was all.
That was all really good to me.
I will say I had mastitis likethree or four times and I really
struggled with breastfeedingwith him.
So that was really hard with my.
(14:23):
With my postpartum.
It took me three monthsactually or us Jack and I, three
months before I could actuallyget him to like latch my breast
and breastfeed.
But we did do it and we went onto breastfeed until he was 18
months old.
So I found out I was pregnantand I didn't want to.
I didn't want to do both.
Angela (14:45):
Yeah, so would you share about how you found out you
were pregnant for the secondtime now and, yeah, like what
your kind of immediate thoughtswere in choosing your care?
Mikayla (14:56):
Yeah, so I, after I, um , I gave birth to Jack, I was I
just became so passionate aboutwomen and pregnancy and birth
and women's, like reproductiveanatomy and their voice, so I
definitely launched deep intoall kinds of information that
you know is just different thanmainstream and I, I do.
(15:20):
I was posting a lot at the timeon social media about, you know
, just like life and everything,and I do.
I was posting a lot at the timeon social media about, you know
, just like life and everything,and I remember saying that I
could feel my next baby, like,like, I felt like she was like
coming to me or like.
And then about a week or twolater, I found out I was
pregnant with her.
I did take a pregnancy test.
(15:42):
I was late on my period, so Iwas like, like, you know, I'm
not gonna, you know, waste theday.
I'm gonna go out and get one.
So, yeah, and I found out I waspregnant with her and I decided
that after my first experiencethat, um, I was just gonna like
kind of take radicalresponsibility of my care and my
(16:04):
baby and my body.
Maybe I wouldn't recommendgoing about it the way I did to
everyone, because, you know,everyone is different and I like
, because I like, really like.
I didn't do any appointments, Ididn't do any urine tests.
I did get a really bad sinusinfection during that pregnancy,
so I did go to the hospital andget a bag of fluids, but other
(16:26):
than that, it's likeself-directed care.
Yeah, yeah, I measured my ownbelly, calculated my own due
date and just did a bunch ofself-care stuff at home yeah, I
think that's the important thingthat you bring up about.
Angela (16:43):
Like you know, of course , we don't like recommend this
to anyone, but women are outhere, like in everywhere, but,
of course, like here in Maine,you know, making all different
choices.
As far as birth goes, you know,like, if someone, if you need
somebody to you know, go to andbe like should I do this or
should I not do this?
Like no, you should probablynot do this, but if it's like in
(17:05):
you know, your inner, knowinglike this is what I want to do
deep down, then, like you should, obviously, you know, do what
feels right to you.
Mikayla (17:15):
Yeah, and the answers are out there.
Yeah, there are lots of womenthat are free birthing and I
mean that's definitely wheresocial media has been such a
good tool, because I, you knowlike it's so important when you
do make a decision like that toyou know, to reach out to, you
know, people who haveexperienced that themselves and
had success with it or didn'thave success with it, because
(17:37):
those stories are important too.
I definitely I've connectedwith a mom on Instagram where
she, I want to say it's twopregnancies where she planned on
home births and free births orshe might've had a midwife but
she ended up transferring bothtimes just because she felt safe
doing that.
So, you know, it's like allthose, all that stuff is
(17:59):
important.
Angela (17:59):
Yeah, and it's always like okay to change your plan.
You know, as things go, younever know what's going to
happen.
It's all just a great mystery.
Yeah, birth is veryunpredictable.
So how are you feelingthroughout your pregnancy?
Mikayla (18:13):
I felt I felt pretty good with Lily.
We did, um, we were having somelike we were renting in an
apartment that had some moldwhen I was pregnant with her, so
that did make me sickthroughout my pregnancy, but
other than that I had a reallygood pregnancy with her.
(18:36):
I did gain a lot of weight,though.
Angela (18:40):
I was very surprised by that.
Were you kind of keeping tracka little bit yourself?
Mikayla (18:46):
I was yeah, I've been probably up until the end, and
then I didn't like care so muchabout how much I was gaining,
yeah Right, but I was measuringmy belly every week, which was
always fun, and I measured likeone or two weeks ahead every
week with her.
Angela (19:06):
Yeah, so what other kind of things did you do, just
yourself to you know?
Check in on your pregnancy Werethere.
Were there other things thatyou did like throughout?
Mikayla (19:33):
situation.
I I'm really big on likeconsuming organs, so I did like
organs throughout my pregnancyand humic and fulvic acid.
Those are my big ones.
And then there was I reallycan't find her online anymore so
I don't know if she's present.
Her name was Nancy and shewrote a.
She wrote a guide.
She wrote a wild pregnancy, wildbirth and then a wild
(19:54):
postpartum like handbook and itwas very detailed so and she
also wrote one for the partnerwho is going to be assisting in
the free birth.
So my partner and I at the timewe we studied that handbook
that she had written and it wasreally really good.
It was a really good tool,especially for him when he came,
(20:15):
because I kind of gave him thetools that he needed and I was
kind of like this is what you'regoing to have to figure out and
I have my own things to figureout.
So he came, he really read thethings that she wrote and he
brought that knowledge to thebirth and, like you know her,
(20:38):
her word really helped him.
So that was like I wish I couldfind her last name.
I do know her name was Nancy,but yeah, so she had, she had a
really good tool.
Angela (20:54):
Nancy.
But yeah, so she had, she had areally good tool.
Yeah, I feel like justpreparing ahead of time for the
birth is so important to havethat knowledge going in, like
you know as you're pregnant andthen, like towards the end of
the pregnancy, just kind of letit all go and just you know,
yeah, go inward right?
Mikayla (21:06):
yes, and I did read a um free birth and home birth
books written by midwives to tryto prepare myself.
Angela (21:18):
Cool.
So how are you feeling?
Like kind of confidence, wiseas your pregnancy progressed,
like thinking about your freebirth.
Did you have fears come up?
Mikayla (21:28):
did you have fears come up?
Um, I did.
Of course I felt, you know itwas always like that.
Um, you know the I the thoughtof like, just because it is so
unknown, but like you knowanything, you know it could
happen.
But I definitely reallyaccepted death, I guess, cause
you know like to bring it, youknow to bring forth life, you,
(21:50):
you essentially have to acceptdeath.
You know because, like you putyourself and you're, you know
you can lose your baby.
So and like accepting thatreally helped me in some ways.
It's like it is what it is,like you know like the baby's
gonna come out, so like whatever.
So what is going to happen isis meant to be, and I really
(22:14):
found comfort in in that.
I did have a.
I had a lot of confidence goinginto her birth yeah, I think
mindset is very important it is.
It was like non-negotiable thatI felt solid in my decision
making.
Angela (22:29):
Yeah, exactly.
So how were kind of those finalweeks looking leading up to
when your labor started?
Mikayla (22:40):
Oh gosh they were.
I just felt like I had.
I had all the signs coming, youknow, like the, the exhaustion,
the bursts of energy um thenesting and cleaning, and the
moods.
I also had some mood swings aswell with her and and I, um I
(23:01):
had told my partner that I knewshe was because she was going to
come early.
My due date with her was um the16th of March and she came
February 27th.
Um the 16th of March and shecame February 27th.
And I calculate your due date.
It was actually with the freebirth journal or, I guess, guide
that I had.
There was a method, so it's.
(23:23):
It says to either 280 days fromthe first day of your last
period or add 266 days from thedate of conception.
So it was.
That was like the generalcalculation.
So her predicted due date was onthe 16th but she ended up
coming on the 27th so you knewthe date of your last period
(23:44):
then yes, I did, I was, yeah, Ikept, I kept track of all that
stuff and like a little app andyou know, try to, because I, I
don't, I actually I don't dobirth control.
I track my cycle.
Angela (23:57):
So you knew her due date and she came early.
So what were kind of, how areyou feeling those last?
Um?
Yeah, it's like things startedto pick up with your labor.
Mikayla (24:09):
I felt good, I knew she was coming.
The day before she came, mymother-in-law at the time she
took my first son.
So Jake and I were just we justlike had some time to ourselves
.
And I remember, just, you know,we just walked around trying to
like shop around and I reallyjust like felt like I was like
walking around with, like thebaby, just like in my canal.
(24:31):
I felt like I was like waddlingbecause I had space, I was
being occupied.
And then that night I felt mywater pop again, but it was like
it was like really popped, likeit felt like a snap of a rubber
band inside.
And I woke up around.
It was around 1230 and I wentto the bathroom Cause I was like
(24:55):
, oh, maybe she just like kickedme really hard, cause, you know
, or like maybe I just, you know, beat myself a little bit, but
I, you know like I came back tobed and I remember telling Jake
that I think my labor hadstarted and he didn't really say
anything, but he just like Iremember him just picking up his
phone and taking the timearound and he just like, let me
(25:19):
know, to let you know, to tellhim when I was having a
contraction.
They were about eight minutesapart and, uh, my labor with
Lily was, was so easy and if Ithink about and I definitely
feel like just being at home Imean versus not being at home
(25:42):
was so relaxing for me and I,you know, just like not having
the buzz all around was reallynice and Lily and I worked so
well together.
So I started labor around 1230and it was only about four hours
.
I gave birth to her at 430.
I like took a shower and I likedid I got, I had like a tiptoe
(26:06):
contractions and I knew thatthat was.
You know, I was getting closerand and Jake had prepared, he
like prepared like little spotsfor me around the apartment.
I had a spot on the floor andwe used, like we used puppy pads
, which ended up being I mean,that was what was recommended,
but it was so good for cleanupwe put like a sheet down and
(26:26):
then the puppy pads, so like, atthe end of it he just had to
wrap up the sheet and throw itin a garbage bag and it was.
It was very quick.
It was very quick, which wasnice to see for him, cause,
cause my partner had to do allthe cleaning up.
He did it so quick, he cleanedup everything so quick.
So I felt that contraction inthe shower and I got on my
tiptoes and I was like I got togo downstairs and for like the
(26:49):
entire labor I could not sit.
I could not sit, I could notlay down on my side, which was
completely different from myprevious labor.
I laid down a lot and Icouldn't do that with Lily.
I was on all fours likewhatever that pretzel pizza with
my legs, which is reallyhelpful and then I ended up
(27:13):
wanting to go to the bathroom.
I tried to sit on the toiletand that squatting was like
really, really intense.
So I got up and I was juststanding at the sink and I
remember looking at myself and Ijust like had this like upper
lip sweat and I was just like Icould.
I just looked like I wasworking so hard and I had a
(27:38):
pretty big contraction and Istarted to like I was standing
up.
So I started to like trickleblood was and I just remember
staring at the little bloodsdropping onto the little pad and
it was like I was just in thezone.
Yeah, and I was.
I was like comforted by theblood because I knew that I was
(28:00):
just like I was opening and itwas coming, like she was coming.
So then I waited until my nextcontraction and and it was, it
was strong and I, I, you know Ifelt like that, that roar and
that like primal, you know, likeurge, and that push and her
(28:22):
head ended up coming out and I,just I had to stand there and
the contraction was done afterher head came out.
That's actually something I doremember with Jack, when I was
giving birth to him.
I could feel like contractions,I could feel him like
descending and then like almostgoing back a little bit and that
(28:43):
that was like so discouraging Iremember with him because I was
like like you know, you're justlike you're, you're ready to
get it done.
But that and that didn't happenwith her, so that she came out.
Her head came out with onecontraction and then I just
stood there with her head outjust waiting and I, I told Jake
(29:04):
I was like I have to wait untilthe next one, so I just have to
hang out.
And the next one came and hershoulders came out and she slid
right out.
I didn't know her gender eitherfor the whole pregnancy.
Well, I mean, I did.
I told Jake the whole time thatI knew it was a girl and he so
(29:24):
he brought her to me and he'slike, I think it's a girl and
like I looked and it was and and, um, I could hear a little bit
of fluid in her when she cried.
So I ended up sucking thefluids out myself and then I
just kind of sat there for alittle bit and I could, I just
(29:46):
like knew when my placenta wasready.
I didn't really like feel likeI was having a contraction, but
I just like reached down andtugged and it like just came
right out which was nice.
Angela (30:01):
So how long do you think it was after the birth of the
placenta came?
Mikayla (30:05):
probably about 10 or 15 minutes.
It was really quick, it wasready to go.
Yeah, we, um, we took, wewaited a long time before we cut
the cord with her I thinkprobably over an hour and then I
nursed her for like 10 or 15 or20 minutes and like we went
right to bed after we cut thecord and we fell asleep and we
(30:32):
didn't end up naming her forhours after she was born.
We, we knew what we were goingto name, jack pretty much at the
beginning, but it took forever.
Well, actually, yeah, itdefinitely took forever to
figure out what we were going toname Lily.
Angela (30:50):
That's cute, yeah.
So how was your postpartum time?
It was good.
Mikayla (30:58):
I feel like it took a lot longer for me to recover,
like in my pelvic area.
I think that was definitelysomething I missed out on during
my pregnancy with her.
I mean, I was chasing around atoddler so I was exhausted.
I didn't.
I don't think I like supportedmy pelvic floor enough for that
(31:21):
birth, so that recovery was washard and it was long, but it was
good.
It was like it was over, and Ithink I bled longer with her too
.
Angela (31:31):
I think I might have bled closer to two weeks versus
one week with Jack, but it canbe like your body's way of
showing you that you need toslow down a little bit, but so
hard toddler, right, it is yeah,and and being a stay-at-home
mom, so I just yeah.
Mikayla (31:48):
So this is like you know, you get up and go in the
morning so how long did yourpartner support you for, like
after birth, did he?
Angela (31:56):
was he able to take a little bit of time off from work
, or did he have to go back?
Mikayla (32:00):
his um, the company that he, he actually, he was
passed over, so he, he was leadteacher, now he's head master.
He had three weeks, I want tosay, or at least it was two
weeks, and then the third weekwas like he's taking his tutor
clients and so he was in and outof the house, but he was still
(32:21):
there and his mom lived rightbehind us at the time, or she,
yeah, she lives behind him still, but when I was there she lived
right behind.
So so she was, she was able tocome up and and help with Jack
and pretty easily.
So that's really nice.
That was really nice that hewas able to be there.
Angela (32:41):
Yeah.
So now, as a final question ifyou were to give advice to
someone who's expecting, or evennew parents, what's the biggest
thing you'd want to share?
Mikayla (32:51):
I guess, like my first thing to someone who's becoming
a parent is that like to reallyto just like listen to what
people have, you know, like justtake it with a grain of salt.
You know like there's so muchinformation you really like
learn as you go, but yeah, justlike you take the bits of
information that you need andand just like whatever with the
(33:13):
rest.
And I really do feel like womenshould seek all you know, just
it doesn't mean they have to doanything, but just to know the
different sides of what birthcan be.
Because you know, I meanmainstream birth when you think
about what they have portrayedin the movies or you know it's,
(33:34):
it's just not, it doesn't haveto be like that.
I mean, birth is really hardwork, it's like the hardest work
you'll ever do.
But I don't know, I lovedgiving birth so much I I would
do it again and again.
Angela (33:49):
Yeah, it is.
It's really special, like yousaid, you know, when you were
telling the story of your first,like that moment when they put
the baby on your chest, and it'sjust like you do not forget it.
It's so special.
And, yeah, like you said, likeyou know, the care providers
work for you.
So it's important to you know,like, if you think you feel like
(34:10):
you don't have choices, or ifyour doctor's saying no, you
can't do this, you can't do that, and doesn't feel right to you,
it's so important, like youknow, even in your first birth,
to go even just across town to adifferent provider.
It's something different, youknow you don't.
You know, just do what feelsright to you.
And there's there's so manydifferent options and women need
those.
Mikayla (34:30):
You know to know that they have that option and that
they can.
You know that they can do thatif they need to yeah, yeah, just
to trust your gut, reallydefinitely yeah, trust your
intuition and that's that's um,it's.
It's huge for women because,like we, we really are.
You know we are the portal.
(34:50):
You know we have that portalfor life.
Angela (34:52):
So trusting our intuition is really important
yeah, and even as we get movingto parenthood and our kids start
to grow, you know like yeahit's just no one knows your kid
better than you do.
Yeah Well, thank you so much,michaela, for taking the time to
chat with me today.
It's been such a pleasure.
(35:13):
Yeah, this was really nice.
Thank you.
Before you go, I just want toremind you I have a ton of
resources for pregnancy andbirth If you're pregnant,
whether you're a first time momor if this is your fifth baby.
I want you to check out theshow notes, because I have some
free trainings and freedownloads that you can sign up
for, as well as the link toaccess my labor of love, a
(35:37):
comprehensive, self-paced onlinechildbirth education course.
I created this coursespecifically for moms who don't
want to be told what to do,regardless of where you're
birthing or who you're birthingwith, and I'd honestly love to
teach you everything that I knowso that you can prepare for an
autonomous birth experience andprepare to step into your role
(35:58):
as the leader of your birthjourney.
So click to the show notes,check out all of those links and
, if you ever have any questions, feel free to DM me at my main
birth over on Instagram.
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