127. MyMaine Birth: Gloria's Two Maine Home Birth's with Loving Care from Sacopee Midwives

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Episode Transcript

Gloria (00:00):
I just growing up, I think, with how I felt with care
and the medical system andstuff like that.
I wanted to do something,whether it was like a birth
center or like a home birth,just something that I could have
control over myself, but alsolike my baby and stuff like that
.
And I always felt when I wentinto hospitals or doctor's

(00:22):
offices it was like you're ontheir turf now.
So I kind of and I know likebirth is something super
intimate and really important,how you give birth matters.
So I wanted something that Icould have control over.
So this friend of ours I hadkind of floated the idea of a
home birth but not being fromMaine, I wasn't really sure
where to start.
And this friend of ours who wasover our house was like, oh my

(00:45):
goodness, me and my wife did ahome birth for both of our
daughters and we went withSakopi midwives and Brenda
Sarabian.
She delivered both our childrenand it was like the best
experience and I never hear likemen talking like that excited
about birth and stuff.
And so I was just likeinstantly hooked and was asking
him all these questions and hewas like I believe she still

(01:06):
practices like you should gowith them.
And so my husband, who was likewe're not doing a home birth,
was more like, oh, like peopledo this because a friend that
you know, we're good friends ofours and he respects, was saying
it was just amazing.
So he's like, well, maybe wecan meet them and like see how
it goes.
So I called Sakopi Midwives.
They had availability.
We went in for a consult and Imet with Brenda and Acadia and

(01:34):
we instantly just fell in love.
It was before their officespace, so it was at Brenda's
home and it's this beautifulfarmhouse and overlooking the
Sako River, and she has littlebaby goats in the window.
You know it's so homey and shehad like muffins ready for us.
It was like so sweet and liketotally not what my husband was
used to with, you know, prenatalcare or myself.

(01:54):
So we just instantly fell inlove and we were like, yep,
we're going with them.

Angela (02:01):
I'm Angela and I'm a certified birth photographer,
experienced doula, childbirtheducator and your host here on
the my Maine 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.

(02:22):
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 127of my Main Birth.
As a reminder, I share alldifferent types of stories that

(02:44):
are submitted to me Hospitalbirths, birth center births, all
different types of home births,positive experiences, negative
experiences and everything inbetween.
The only requirement forsharing a birth story on the
podcast is that at least one ofyour birth stories is a main
birth story.
As an added bonus, all of mypodcast guests receive a gift

(03:04):
certificate for a familyadventure photo session on the
session day of your choice.
I host session days for mypodcast guests at iconic
locations across Mainethroughout the spring, summer
and fall.
So if you're interested injoining the community of Maine
moms sharing birth stories onthe podcast, fill out the form
over on the podcast page on mywebsite, mymainbirthcom, or you

(03:26):
can always send me a messageover on Instagram at mymainbirth
.
Today's birth story guest isGloria, and she's here to share
her two main home birth stories,both with loving care from
Sokopee midwives.
I had the incredible honor ofbeing Gloria's birth
photographer and doula for hersecond birth, which was only a

(03:46):
few weeks ago.
We recorded this episode whenshe was just 12 days postpartum
with her second baby and I'm soexcited to share it with you All
.
Right, hi, gloria, welcome tomy Main Birth.
Good afternoon, happy to behere.
So, to get started, will youshare a little bit about you and
your family?

Gloria (04:07):
So it's me and my husband, luke, and our two
children, azariah, who is goingto be two this month, and our
newest addition, luke Ellis, whowill be two weeks on in two
days.
So he's only 12 days old.
Yeah, and that's all four of us.
We live in Naples, maine, andwe have a dog as well Jonah.

(04:29):
He's currently still at doggydaycare, but, yeah, that's us.

Angela (04:35):
Amazing.
Now, jumping into your birthstories, will you share about
how you found out you werepregnant for the first time and
like what your thoughts were inchoosing your care?

Gloria (04:47):
Yep.
So we got pregnant in 2021.
And, unfortunately, we didmiscarry.
At 13 weeks I didn't have anysigns of like I was bloated, but
I didn't have any morningsickness.
We did the blood test and wefound out we were having a boy.
So we were really excited aboutthat.
But unfortunately, you know,one day I just woke up and there

(05:10):
was blood and then it got worseand we went to the ER and they
weren't super.
They didn't really know what todo.
They were just like, yeah,you're miscarrying, and sent me
on my way, but that was in 2021,so that was difficult.
But in November of 2022, wefound out we were pregnant again
and we were really, reallyhappy but, of course, like a

(05:33):
little bit reserved because ofthe previous loss.
But I got sick right away.
So I kind of had a feeling thatit was, you know, a stronger
pregnancy.
So I kind of had a feeling thatit was, you know, a stronger
pregnancy.
And we have a good friend ofours that was over our home
during this time and I justgrowing up, I think, with how I

(05:58):
felt, with care and the medicalsystem and stuff like that.
I wanted to do something,whether it was like a birth
center or like a home birth,just something that I could have
control over myself, but alsolike my baby and stuff like that
.
And I always felt when I wentinto hospitals or doctor's
offices it was like you're ontheir turf now.
So I kind of and I know likebirth is something super

(06:19):
intimate and really important.
How you give birth matters, soI wanted something that I could
have control over.
So this friend of ours I hadkind of floated the idea of a
home birth but not being fromMaine, I wasn't really sure
where to start.
And this friend of ours who wasover our house was like, oh, my
goodness, me and my wife did ahome birth for both of our
daughters and we went withSakopee midwives and Brenda

(06:43):
Sarabian.
She delivered both our childrenand it was like the best
experience and I never hear likemen talking like that excited
about birth and stuff.
And so I was just likeinstantly hooked.
I was asking him all thesequestions and he was like I
believe she still practices Likeyou should go with them.
And so my husband, who was likewe're not doing a home birth,
was more like oh, like people dothis because a friend that you

(07:05):
know we're good friends of oursand he respects was saying it
was just amazing.
So he's like, well, maybe wecan meet them and like see how
it goes.
So I called Sakopi midwives.
They had availability.
We went in for a consult and Imet with Brenda and Acadia and
we instantly just fell in love.
It was before their officespace, so it was at Brenda's

(07:26):
home and it's this beautifulfarmhouse overlooking the Saco
River and she has little babygoats in the window.
It's so homey and she hadmuffins ready for us.
It was so sweet and totally notwhat my husband was used to
with prenatal care or myself.
So we just instantly fell inlove and we were like, yep,

(07:48):
we're, we're going with them.
So that's, that's how wedecided to go that route.

Angela (07:54):
I love that.
So how was your pregnancylooking Like?
How were you feeling throughoutthat pregnancy?

Gloria (08:01):
So once we had the initial ultrasound and
everything looked good and mymorning sickness was morning
sickness was strong, was strong,I started getting really
excited and we both were.
We ended up I did another bloodtest to find out the gender and
I blindfolded myself and I hada bunch of blue ducks and pink
ducks and I FaceTimed a friendof mine and I showed her the

(08:22):
paper so she knew the gender andI told her, whichever color was
the right color, put it in thisbox, like tell me and the
camera, and I'll put it in a box, because we were going on a
cruise at 16 weeks and I wantedto find out on the cruise.
So I like held up each duck.
She told me which ones to putin.
And when we went on our cruisefor my husband's birthday we had

(08:45):
like a nice dinner and I openedup the gift and it was pink
ducks.
So we were like, oh my goodness.
And so for people who know,with cruises, little rubber
duckies, you find them over oncruise ships, it's like a cruise
thing.
So it was like fun that weopened up and there was little
pink ducks and we were like, ohmy goodness, we're having a girl
.
I was kind of like wanted a boybecause to kind of to replace

(09:07):
the miscares that I had had.
But I was still really excited,and my husband too.
He was super excited as well.
And yeah, the pregnancy tookforever.
I felt like, even though I wasworking remotely full time, I
just I'm a planner.
So I had the room all ready, Ihad everything for the home
birth all set and ready and Ifelt like I overplanned, which

(09:31):
was great because I didn't feellike I was taken off guard with
anything.
But the prenatal appointmentswere amazing and they were
really helpful.
We had quite a bit ofappointments with them, just the
standard ones.
We did blood tests to make suremy levels were good.
We had three ultrasounds in thebeginning and then we had a few

(09:53):
more later on when I went over42 weeks.
But it was a typical like mymorning sickness cleared up at
around 14 weeks and it wasreally good it was.
I enjoyed it.
It was great.

Angela (10:06):
That's awesome.
So what were the final weeksand then days leading up to when
your labor started looking like?

Gloria (10:15):
So I had at 41 weeks.
We have neighbors that areawesome, fun, loving, and they
were like, oh, we should gotubing.
And I'm like, oh, yeah, let'sgo tubing, it'll help, like,
stir labor up, which was a badidea because it was a little
more rough than I thought itwould be.
And so at 41 weeks, I was likesitting in my bed I'm like I
think we need to go get anultrasound because that tubing

(10:36):
experience was a little roughand I'm afraid that I did
something wrong.
So.
So we went for an ultrasound at41 weeks and everything was
fine.
But main med was like you needto stay and get induced.
You're 41 weeks, like let's getthis baby out.
And I'm like, no, I'm not doingthat, I have a home birth,
everything's all ready.
And then at 42 weeks, it wasthe day before I was 40 or two

(11:03):
days before I was 42 weeks andwe had an ultrasound scheduled,
just because my husband was alittle nervous about the whole
home birth.
So he was like any week after40, let's get an ultrasound and
make sure everything's good.
So on that Wednesday before theultrasound, the day before, I
was experiencing early labor.
So I had my mother-in-law comedown.

(11:24):
We were planning to have mymother-in-law there at the birth
and a doula there as well.
So they had come on thatWednesday and had like early
labor.
I didn't really know what birthwas about or labor, so I just
kind of like went with it.
And then that Thursday morningat 9 am it was time for my
ultrasound andI was still likefeeling feelings, but it wasn't

(11:45):
like labor, labor, it was justearly labor.
So we drove an hour to MaineMed and we had our appointment
there and they were like oh,your amniotic fluid is at a
three, so you have low fluid.
We're going to transfer you toL&D and get you induced to have
this baby.
And I'm like wait.
I was like shocked because Ifelt great, I was just expecting

(12:07):
everything to be good.
And so I'm like wait, wait, canI talk to the doctor?
And they're like no, well, theywent out and talked to the
doctor and the doctor was likeno, like just go get induced.
Like you have low fluid.
You know you can't do a homebirth.
So I was very upset and Icalled my midwives and they were
like well, let's see if I cantalk to the doctor.

(12:28):
And they couldn't get ahold ofthe doctor.
So this was at nine o'clock inthe morning and we're sitting in
the parking garage there andI'm like I really want to do a
home birth and I feel likeeverything's fine and I feel
like I'm in early labor.
And so the midwives asked theultrasound tech like oh, she's
in early labor, does it matter?
And they're like nope, like youneed to go get induced.
So I talked to the midwives andwell, first of all my husband

(12:52):
was like staying, get induced,like we want to make sure this
baby is like safe.
And my mother-in-law was likestaying, get induced.
And I was the only one and mymidwives, like I was the only
one that was just like fighting,like I really want to do a home
birth, I feel like I shouldjust go home and like I'll go
into labor.
So I talked to Grace and herand Acadia were on call and
she's like if you're not inactive labor by one o'clock

(13:13):
cause they were planning to comeand do a visit and check my
vitals and everything at oneo'clock they're like if you're
not in active labor by oneo'clock, we'll recommend you go
in and get induced, but go home,relax, have lunch.
I was very upset on the phonewith them.
So calm down, it's fine.
Go home and we'll talk at oneo'clock and I was like okay.

Angela (13:34):
So how is your mindset leading up to this point with
going over your due date?

Gloria (13:37):
I was to be honest, I was fine.
I didn't feel like we live onthe water.
So I was on my pizza floatsdoing emails and I was enjoying
it.
It was quiet.
I was just staying close tohome.
I wasn't like we need to getthis baby out.
I didn't feel that way at all.
I had mentally prepared to goto 42 weeks because I'm a first

(13:58):
time mom, so I wasn't worriedabout it or scared.
I really was mentally good.
It was just when they told methat, like I had low fluid, I
was like oh, I have to have thisbaby like, or else I'm going to
have it like and have to go tothe hospital.
I have to get this baby out.
But up until that point I wasfine.

Angela (14:17):
Yeah, oh my gosh, so that's still a lot of pressure.
Like says you're leaving thehospital, you're like, okay, I
have to like go into labor rightnow, or like this afternoon by
one o'clock Back to the hospital, by one o'clock Exactly.
So, yeah, how was the rest ofthat day for you?

Gloria (14:30):
So I was very upset when I got home and I'm like so my
neighbor had taken my dog.
My dog is very needy, likeneeds his walks and stuff.
So my neighbor had gotten them,taken him down the road when I
went into labor.
So I told my husband I'm goingto go for a walk it's a mile to
the end of the road, a mile back, and I'm going to go pick up my
dog, take him for a walk andcome home and then I'll rest.

(14:54):
And because I just didn't wantto talk to anyone, I was just
like trying to mentally prepareif I had to go into the hospital
, like what that was going tolook like, because I didn't know
anyone there and I had alreadyformed such great relationships
with Sakopi midwives.
So I went to my neighbor,picked up the dog and my
neighbor was like what are youdoing?
And I'm like I just need to gofor a walk.
And he's like if you need toget induced, it's fine, like
just relax, don't try to controleverything.

(15:17):
And I'm like I know.
But I was really upset and itwas raining.
So I walked two miles down theroad, brought my dog back and by
the time I got home it was likearound noon.
I was like feeling labor painsand I'm like, oh, this is a good
sign.
So I was really excited at thatpoint.
So then Grace came by at oneo'clock and she said you are at

(15:37):
a four, you're at active labor.
And I was like, okay, this isgreat, this is awesome.
So at that point I was relievedand my doula had come.
She was getting everything setup.
We have like a table that hasall of the midwife stuff on it.
So they were getting that setup.
My husband was getting thebirthing pool kind of prepped
and the midwives came and hungdownstairs and I just labored in

(16:00):
my room and in the living roomfor a long time, a long time.
I think it started gettingpretty painful around six
o'clock in that that evening andI remember texting my friend
who were the same age and shejust had her second child about
like okay, how bad does it get?
Like I can handle it right now,like how bad does it get?

(16:22):
And she like explained itreally well.
She was like it's like aleveling up process, like as
soon as you tolerate it, it getsworse.
And then your body tolerates it, then it gets worse, then it
gets to a point where you can'ttake it anymore.
And then the baby comes and Iwas like okay.
So I felt my body like levelingup every time, like it was
crazy.
It was crazy.

(16:45):
So I labored in the tub a bunch.
We got that set up.
I labored in the tub for likefive hours and then I remember
looking at Acadia and being likeI can't do this anymore.
This is really painful.
So they checked my dilation.
I was at a 10 and they're likeyou know, when you feel the need
to push, like push.
So I was in the tub because Iwas like I'll push to the tub.
And so Acadia was like you'regoing to have to push harder

(17:06):
than you ever pushed in yourentire life to get this baby out
when you're ready.
And I was like, okay.
So I remember pushing and almostpassing out and I was looking
at her.
I'm like I think I almostpassed out.
What happens if I pass out andI have this baby?
And she's like why don't we getout of the tub and try the
birth stool?
And I'm like, okay, that soundslike a plan.
So we got on the birth stool andas soon as I got in that

(17:30):
position of the birth stool, myhusband behind me, and I felt
the feeling of the need to push.
I was like okay, like this isway better than labor.
So I like pushed as hard as Icould and I felt like wow, like
the baby coming down.
And then it was maybe likethree or four pushes, I think it
was 22 minutes of pushing and Iremember telling Grace like if

(17:54):
you see the head, tell me andI'll just push this baby out.
And she's like okay.
And then I gave a push and thebaby like fell out and I have a
video.
And when I watched the video,grace like barely caught her.
She like flew out and I waslike, oh my goodness, and I have
a video.
And when I watched the video,grace barely caught her.
She flew out and I was like, ohmy goodness.
And so they put the baby on mychest and I kept trying to calm

(18:15):
down the baby.
I was like, oh, shh, don't cry.
But they're trying to get herto cry because her breathing was
a little shallow, she hadswallowed some fluid and there
was meconium in the water.
So they were trying to get thatout of her and like suck it out
of her.
So they were trying to get herto cry.
So she finally got that good,and she got that good cry out
and the stuff out of her lungsand she was good.
And then Acadia looks at me andshe goes.

(18:36):
Another one of our clients arealso just had a baby right now.
So I have to go over there, soI need to leave.
But Heidi, I look up andthere's this person I've never
met before.
Heidi's going to help clean upeverything and we're going to
touch base tomorrow, okay, and Iwas like all right.
So she like left.
Acadia, and I look up and Heidi,that's her name.
She's from a different practice, she's a backup midwife and

(19:01):
this was at like one o'clock inthe morning.
She's like it's Pitocin,because I guess I was bleeding a
lot and my placenta hadn't comeout yet.
And she's like we're going togive you Pitocin and I'm like I
don't want it.
I'm like, no, I don't likeneedles.
And I'm like, well, can I doanything else?
And Grace was like, well, youcan try coughing.

(19:21):
The placenta finally came out atlike one o'clock and they put
that in a bowl and I theytransferred me to my bed and I
was able to hold her with the,with the placenta still attached
and I fell like instantlyasleep.
I was so exhausted and tiredbecause I was in active labor
for probably so from like oneo'clock to 1230 that night, and

(19:43):
so I was.
I fell right asleep and while Iwas sleeping they cut the cord
and they like weighed the babyand did everything.
I was sleeping and then I wokeup and I was able to nurse and
she latched kind of.
She was.
It was very shallow.
I nursed her through the nightand it like really ruined my
nipples, but I was able to do alot of skin to skin and she was

(20:08):
able to get milk right away andLuke was able to cut the cord.
I said that and they did allthe way.
She was perfectly healthy, noissues Besides me bleeding a
little bit.
I didn't have any other issueseither.
They did go.
I was sleeping, but they didlike show Luke the placenta and
everything and the placentalooked good.

(20:29):
The midwives cleaned upeverything and then they left
and they did a few vital checkswhile they were there, but then
they left and came back in 24hours and, yeah, that was her
birth.

Angela (20:38):
So how was your like initial postpartum?

Gloria (20:42):
It was great.
I, I was.
It's funny because you kind oftrade off the hospital
experience like being able to dolike I don't say pain-free, but
having medical help to helpease some of that pain.
You kind of trade it off forlike being monitored by them and
maybe not getting the best restright afterwards and like kind
of being monitored a lot whereasyou go through a ton of pain

(21:04):
with the home birth butafterwards it's like you're in
your bed, you don't have to getup.
My mother-in-law was therecleaning the house, did all the
laundry, my husband was theregetting me water, getting me
food.
I didn't have to move at all.
Nursing was difficult at firstwith a shallow latch, but I had
a pediatrician who was alactation consultant and she
worked through that with me, sothat was good.

(21:26):
I had to pump for a few daysafterwards because my nipples
were so beat up, but I I pumpedand I bottle fed her and Luke
was able to feed her and then weslowly worked back into getting
a good latch.
I started I.
It was funny.
At my baby shower, a woman, afriend of mine, she gave me this
book about raising a newbornand managing feeding schedules

(21:49):
and sleep schedules and stufflike that, and I never read
books.
I really don't.
I listen to books, but I don'treally read books.
By day three with the newborn,I didn't really know what I was
doing.
I thought it was going to comenaturally and I was like where's
that book?
So I read the book and ithelped me, like put her on a
schedule and so she startedfeeding way better and sleeping
way better and that sort ofthing.
But it was great.

(22:10):
Like initial postpartum wasamazing.
I didn't have to do anything.
I felt like I could just stayat home and bond with my baby
and my husband and all that.
So it was great.

Angela (22:20):
Awesome.
How about like your postpartumcare with your midwives and like
the experience of just havingthem postpartum there to support
you?
It was great.

Gloria (22:28):
They came at 24 hours and just like, talked me through
everything and did all theweighing and stuff like that and
taking my vitals, and then theycame at 72 hours and then a
week they came, but also theywere available like 24 seven via
text.
So if I had any little questionor concern they're right there

(22:50):
and they have a two week checkupwhere they have at the office
or Brenda's house and I rememberI made it there on time and
she's like we usually block upan extra half hour because
usually moms run late for thisone, but you're on time.
So things must be going prettywell and I was like, yeah, so I
made that one on time andthey're just, they're amazing,
they, they're, they really docare, they really love babies

(23:16):
and they really care for themother too.
So I couldn't say enough abouthow, how they were postpartum
for me.

Angela (23:20):
Yeah, it's so special to have that support that goes a
little bit beyond the just likesix-week checkup, as if you were
like in the hospital care.
It's like you don't really seeanyone for six weeks.
It's like wait, no, like youneed more.

Gloria (23:32):
It's above and beyond, because you form this
relationship with the same threewomen Brenda, katie and Grace
and you see them monthly andthen biweekly and then weekly,
and they become like people thatyou really do trust.
You trust them.
So when they do tell yousomething like hey, if you're
not in active labor by oneo'clock, I'm going to recommend

(23:52):
you go in and get induced,you're not mad at them, you're
not angry, you're just like.
You know how I feel about allthis and you're still making
this recommendation.
Okay, I'm going to trust you.
When this doctor that I'd nevereven seen or met was like you
need to stay and get deuced, Iwas like that's the last thing
I'm doing right now.
I don't care, you know.
So they're able to really earnyour trust and and and direct

(24:14):
you in the right and responsiblethings to do, you know.

Angela (24:16):
Yeah, so so important, yeah.
So how did you find out youwere pregnant for the second
time now?

Gloria (24:25):
So we I definitely wanted more kids after Azariah.
She was such a good girl and wewanted to have a little boy too
.
And so we didn't really.
We weren't really preventinganything, we were just we
weren't really trying either.
It was like if it's going tohappen, it's going to happen.
And once she started sleepingthrough the night I you know
start.
I started ov night, I startedgetting my period again.

(24:47):
So I was like, oh well, if ithappens, it happens.
So we got pregnant in Februaryof 2024.
And unfortunately, we got apositive test.
And then a few weeks went byand I ended up miscarrying.
And then that happened again inApril of 2024.

(25:07):
So I was kind of like, okay,this is weird, I'm also RH
negative as well.
So I didn't know if that hadsomething to do with it.
I didn't receive any Rogamduring my first pregnancy, so I
didn't know if I had somethingto do with it or not.
But I did end up gettinganother positive test in October
of 2024.
And I was like, okay, let's seeif this sticks, you know.
And sure enough, I got themorning sickness, like right

(25:30):
away.
And I was like, okay, and I weheld off on the initial
ultrasound because, again, I wasjust like you know, we didn't.
If it was, if it was good, itwas going to be good.
If not, if not.
So I just held off till, Ithink, 16 weeks and we didn't
want to know what the gender was.
We wanted to be surprised,because my husband really wanted

(25:52):
a boy and I could care less,but I wanted, I wanted that to
be an extra special, likesomething that we were looking
forward to, especially becauseI'm such a planner.
I was like this is somethingthat is like a little surprise
for me and for him and so well.
So I resigned from my previousposition.
Like I worked up until the dayI had her and then I sent a
message saying hi, baby, I'm nolonger coming back.

(26:14):
So I wasn't working up untilthis time as well.
So I was able to stay home withAzariah and time seemed to go
pretty fast.
But we knew initially when wegot pregnant that we were going
to go with Salgopi midwivesagain because they're local to
us and that sort of thing.
But that's how we found out.

(26:36):
We had a 16-week ultrasound andwe had a 24-week ultrasound and
then we had a 37-weekultrasound and then we had a
37-week ultrasound.
So those are the only ones wehad with this baby here that we
just had.
The pregnancy was good.
I was extremely tired, and Ithink it's just because you have

(26:59):
a toddler running around andwith Azariah I could just nap
whenever I wanted to.
But this time around it waslike you nap when she naps and
that's that, and then you'relike go, go, go.
She's very, she has a lot ofenergy.
So during this pregnancy, onething we wanted to do different
from last time is we want to doa birth photographer, which
that's where you come in.
So we had I don't know if youremember how we connected, but I

(27:23):
was looking for stuff on themain Facebook, the moms of main
Facebook I was looking for arecommendation in case we had a
boy, and so you had connected mewith someone that could help
with that.
So that's how we connected.
And when you had said that, oh,like I'm a birth photographer
and a doula and our previousdoula she was expecting her

(27:45):
fourth child, so and her kidswere all very young, so she was
kind of not at a place in herlife where she could be taken
away for a few days if the needarose.
So I talked to my husband and Iwas like, oh, like we really
wanted a birth photographer andI looked at all of your
Instagram and your website andstuff and I was like, oh, like
she looks really good and Ithink we should go with her.

(28:05):
So we did the initial consultwith you and we decided to go
ahead with you.
And, yeah, during the pregnancyI think cause it was my second I
didn't need as much supportduring my pregnancy just because
a lot of the stuff was routineand it was going so fast.
But I know, like for anyone outthere that it's their first
baby and maybe they're not beingseen by midwives, maybe they

(28:29):
don't feel like they're gettingas much support like personally,
definitely like the servicesthat you provide during the
pregnancy would be reallyhelpful.
Like you go into a lot ofdetail about each stages of
pregnancy and like what toexpect and you know, depending
on how you deliver, where youdeliver and all that like a lot
of really good information andstuff like that.

(28:50):
I didn't feel like I needed itas much with my second one just
because it was so busy, but youdefinitely earned your keep
towards the end, for sure duringthe birth.
But, yeah, the pregnancy wasgood.
I didn't have any morningsickness after like 14 weeks
again, but I was tired and yeah,that was the second pregnancy.

Angela (29:16):
Yeah.
So what were the final weeksand then days leading up to when
your labor started looking likefor you?

Gloria (29:22):
So the second pregnancy I was like ready.
I was like I cannot go to 42weeks this time.
I hope I don't go to 42 weeksLike, oh man, I was ready.
I felt like I was ready at 36weeks this time around.
But again, time was flying.
I had every week something goingon, and the summers there's
always something.
I had definitely dove into themom community around here with

(29:47):
the story time, play groups andnature play groups.
So there was always something Icould do every day of the week
if I wanted to, or just stayhome and chill by the water if I
wanted to.
So I kept really busy, whichtook my mind off of it.
But I definitely was like, assoon as I hit 40 weeks, I'm
going to do all the things totry to induce labor.

(30:08):
Yeah, so on my due date I had anappointment and they tried to
do a membrane sweep, but theywere like no, the baby's, your
cervix is way far back and thebaby's head's right there, so
we're not going to do that.
And I was like okay.
And so they gave me thetincture and they were like you
can take this tincture andbasically you take it.

(30:29):
You take like a dropper ordropper and a half no, a dropper
full every half hour for fivedoses and you pump in between.
It's supposed to help with likeuterine cramping if your body's
ready to go into labor.
If you're not, it doesn'treally do anything.
But if you're on that verge,that cusp, it does like help.
It's supposed to.
I did take a tincture withAzariah and I went into labor

(30:49):
the next day, so I thought itwas like magic potion.
But I did that on a Monday.
Nothing happened and I was likeall right, I'll do it on Friday
if I don't go into labor again.

Angela (31:00):
So the Monday that you first took it, that was at 40
weeks.

Gloria (31:12):
Yes, yep, I took it at 40 weeks and then I took it at
41 weeks.
I did that again and then whenI went so I was due on the 24th
and the baby was born on the 2nd, okay, so the 28th of July,
that Monday I had taken thetincture again, and then on the
30th, which is a Wednesday, Ihad went to bed as normal and I
woke up wet and I felt my waterbreak.

(31:34):
So my water did not break withAzariah until she came out, and
I guess only 10% of women'swater break anyways before labor
.
So I was like, oh, this isinteresting so initially I was
super excited and I reached outto you.
I was like because I read, I'mlike, oh, in 24 hours.
Most women give birth in 24hours.
I'm like this is exciting.

(31:55):
So I reached out to you and Iwas like, hey, just let you know
If you can come, that would begreat.
This baby should be here soon.
My water broke, this is great.
And you were like yep, as soonas I'm ready, I'll be on my way.
And so that was great and Icalled my midwife.

(32:17):
My midwife was like all right,well, just relax, try to get
some rest if you're not feelingany contractions which I wasn't
feeling any contractions I letmy husband sleep because I knew
he would really be needed duringthat day.
So I just I didn't tell him.
I sent him a text so that whenhe woke up he would see it.
But I I let my midwife, mydoula, know that that had
happened.
And so I woke up the nextmorning and my husband was like
super excited.
He was like we're having a babytoday, Like I got your text,

(32:38):
this is great.
So he called his mother-in-lawmy, his mom mother-in-law came
that same day and so, likeeveryone was here and I'm like,
okay, like this is great.
But I wasn't really feelinganything, but I was still really
excited because I knew it hadto be within 24 hours.
That's what Google says.

Angela (32:55):
It's like you're going on vacation.
It's so hard to resist thatexcitement, like for real.

Gloria (33:00):
So I took the tincture because I was like, just in case
, I'm going to take thistincture and I'm going to pump
and everything.
So I did that and I was likeI'm going to walk because that's
what happened last time.
So I walked five miles and Istarted feeling like
contractions, but they weren'tpainful.
So I knew like I was in earlylabor.

Angela (33:19):
Hold on, let's pause right there.
Like you just said that socasually, like, and I walked
five miles, okay, so like yourwater broke and you literally
did walk five miles that day,walking down your street,
walking back, walking down, likeit was you know you weren't
just like sitting around waitingfor labor to start.

Gloria (33:36):
No, I wasn't.
Yeah, there was.
Well, you have to.
So it's funny in my home it waslike you were there and you
were taking photos and alsohelping with my daughter, who
absolutely loved you and stillsays your name when we point to
two pictures.
So, and then my mother-in-lawwas there helping with my
daughter and my husband was likehelping me getting to get into

(33:57):
labor and me I was like okay,like let's have a baby, I'm
going to do all the things.
So it was definitely go timefor me in my head.
So that's kind of what I wasdoing, because my thought was,
well, I'm just going to go untilI really feel contractions and
then that will mean active labor, and then I'll just go into my
room and I'll progress like lasttime.
So Danielle was there, one ofthe midwives.

(34:18):
She was a new addition to thepractice since the last time I
had been with them.
So she was there and I was likeI'm feeling contractions.
You know, I walked, I did thetincture.
Can you like check my dilation?
So for anyone who doesn't know,when your water breaks, the
licensure with midwives are, youknow they have to give birth
within 72 hours because the riskof infection goes up and so

(34:41):
they'll have you transferred toa hospital if you don't give
birth within 72 hours.
With cervical checks theyreally want to limit doing them
because of infection.
So I asked Danielle to pleasecheck my cervix please, because
I just want to know mentallywhere I'm at.
So she checked me and she'slike oh, you're at a four.
So I was super excited.
I'm like, oh, maybe I'm justtolerating labor like way better

(35:04):
at this time, like this isgreat.
So went for another walk.
This is how I got five miles inthat day.
Like I went for another longwalk and I was like this is
great, but it wasn't getting anyworse.
So it was like every 10 to 15minutes I was getting a
contraction and it was like,obviously it was a contraction,
but it wasn't bad.
So night fell and Danielle'stime on call was coming to an

(35:28):
end, grace time was coming in.
So Grace came at eight o'clockthat night and I was like can
you please check me again?
And she's like ah, you seemlike you're kind of fine and I'm
like, I know, but it's beenlike eight hours since Danielle
did and like I was at a four.
So I've got to be more like Iwas trying to mentally like make
myself go into labor.

(35:48):
I feel like, or trick myself.
I really was thinking I'm likemaybe I'm at a six and I'm just
tolerating it.
So well, I'm like that much ofa brave person.
So Grace checks me after Ibegged her to and she's like, um
, so you're at a two.
And so Danielle was there andshe's like that's not her cervix
, like her cervix is way farback.
And I'm like, oh shoot, whenshe said that, I'm like great,

(36:08):
she was like it's okay, what you, what you were feeling, wasn't
her cervix or whatever.
So I was like at that point Ifelt like not defeated, but like
, okay, I'm done walking anddoing the pumping and everything
.
I'm just going to go to bedcause I'm tired.
So, and I had been eating anddrinking throughout the day and
resting and stuff too, but likeI was just done at that point.

(36:28):
So I was like, okay, we're notdoing any more cervical checks
until I'm ready to push thisbaby out, because we've already
done two and I know we only havelike three that you're going to
do before.
You're like no.
So I was like she's like listen, it's only been 12 hours, you
need to just relax, get somerest.
We'll reconvene tomorrow, don'tworry about it.

(36:50):
I was like, okay, I had a greatnight's rest.
Starting first thing on Fridaymorning I took the tincture
again, I pumped and I walked abunch, I did the mile circuit, I
did all the things I ate, Irested, I napped, I.
I did the mile circuit and Idid all the things I ate, I
rested, I napped and I just didthe things.
And mentally I was definitelyat a place where I was like I

(37:11):
really hope I go into labor,like I can't have to fight for
my home birth again, likeeverything's all paid for,
everything's all situated, likeeveryone's here I, this needs to
happen.
So I was definitely gettinginto my head a bit.
Nighttime fell again and Graceshows up and I'm like you don't
need to check me, I'm the sameas yesterday.
She's like I can tell.

(37:32):
So she was just like all right,so if you don't go into labor
in another, because right now wewere almost at 48 hours, like
that night would have been 48.
So she's like I would suggestwe make a plan because you don't
want to go be transferred rightat 72 hours, because that's
like at 11 o'clock at night andI'm like I know I have a toddler

(37:54):
like we're going to bereasonable.
So we were like we decided, ifI wasn't in active labor by 2 pm
the next day, that I wouldtransfer to Maine Med to get
induced.
And so it was really hardbecause I had to mentally
prepare for that as well.
But again, I love my home birth, I love my planning, but I'm

(38:14):
not reckless.
I'm going to do what's rightand I trust my midwives and if
that's what they say is the bestthing to do, I'm going to do
that.
So after Grace left, you hadcome in and you had talked to me
about getting into the rightheadspace.
So after Grace left, you hadcome in and you had talked to me
about getting into the rightheadspace.
And it's so funny because mymind's always going and it's
hard to like stop thinking aboutcertain things.

Angela (38:32):
I feel like it was so hard because it was just going
going and you're just like no,and I'm just like waiting for
that time when you're ready tolisten, almost Because, like you
know you can't, you know it's,you're doing, you, you know like
it's, so you can't controlbirth.
Yeah, exactly, and so easy toget in your head and just like
to just get to that point whereyou're like, okay, like regroup,

(38:52):
almost right.

Gloria (38:55):
Right.
So I kind of accepted.
I accepted like, okay, if Ihave to go to Maine Med, I'll go
to Maine Med, which is a bigthing to accept.
If I don't go into labor, Idon't go into labor.
What I'm going to do if I haveto go to Maine Med is I'm going
to get a good night's sleepbecause I'm going to have to
hardcore advocate for myselfwhen I go there.
So I'm going to get a goodnight's rest.

(39:17):
I'm going to have a nice bigbreakfast.
Oh, one other thing I toldGrace.
I said, well, I'm taking castoroil in the morning and she's
like we can't recommend that.
I'm like I know, but I'm takingit, and she's like okay.
So my plan was to have a nicebig breakfast and then take

(39:40):
castor oil, and I'm like that'lldo it, That'll have to do it.
I didn't want to do that, but Iwas like I will do that before
going into Maine Med first thingin the morning.
So I went to sleep that night.
So I had my talk with Angela,you and I was like, okay, try to
relax.
It's so funny telling someoneto relax because it's like
that's the last thing they wantto do.

(40:01):
But try to relax, have a gameplan.
I went to bed and then I wokeup with really strong
contractions at 1130 that night.
So I was like, oh my goodness,this is it, this is great.
And I knew you know, know thefeeling it's like it takes you
right back.
You're like okay, this isactive labor.
So I let my husband sleep againbecause I knew he would need
his rest and I just started justlike laboring in my in my bed.

(40:25):
I didn't fall back to sleep, Icouldn't sleep.
And then first thing in themorning a new midwife was on
call again, Brenda, and she's anelder midwife and she doesn't
really practice that muchanymore.
She doesn't do the late nightsanymore.
This was early in the morning,so she was on call and she came
in and I was like I have beenlaboring from 1130 to seven
o'clock in the morning and so Iwas really feeling like I was

(40:48):
feeling them and so I was likecan you please check me?
And she's like look, look at,like they don't really want to
check you but me.
It's like I need to know formental, like mentally, I'm like,
even if it's a four, I'll beokay if it's a four.
So she checked me and I waslike this will be the last time,
I promise.
So she checked me and I was ata five and I'm like, yes, I was
so happy.
I was like now it's go time.

(41:10):
So I turned my music on, I likeshut myself in my room, I used
the birth sling, I used the balland I just like labored in
there for all it was.
It literally was only like acouple hours.
And then they started settingup the pool and I was like wait,
it's not pool time yet.
Like I'm doing, I'm managingthese pretty well.
They're painful but I'mmanaging them well enough.

(41:32):
Like I don't want to get in thepool too early because I know
how bad it can get, you know.
So they set up, you guys allset up the pool and I labored in
the pool for another couplehours and then so it was very
weird.
My labor was weird this timebecause the contractions were
painful, but I was having likeeight to 10 minutes between each
contraction, which is reallyrare if you're like close to

(41:55):
giving birth.
Like it's usually like reallybad, like it's it's close
together.
So I knew something didn't feellike a hundred percent normal
from last time or the same asAzariah that's my older
daughter's name.
And so I, I was like I, betweencontractions I was able to
drink and eat, which was reallygood because I needed that

(42:15):
energy.
But I was laboring and after awhile I was like can you please
check me again?
Grace is like nope, regardlessof what you are, you're going to
have this baby.
You're fine.
I'm like okay.
So I was laboring and laboring,and laboring, and at like 10
o'clock it was like okay, let'spull out the birth stool.

(42:38):
And again this is a littlefoggy for me because I was in a
lot of pain and it was a crazytime.
But they pulled out the birthstool.
They were coming in and settingup stuff and I was like okay,
is it time to push?
Because you can kind of readthe room, like the midwives kind
of know, and I'm like like Idon't feel, like I'm ready to
push.
And with Ezra I knew I wasready to push.
So when I saw them setting upand getting the birth stool

(43:00):
ready, so I'm like is it time topush?
And they're like if you feellike you want to push, push.
If not, don't worry about it.
And I'm like but like I thinkyou guys want me to push because
you're setting everything upand like I see people in but I'm
not feeling it.
So, anyways, I sat on the birthstool and I tried to push for
like an hour and it was like anormal person not put put, not

(43:21):
pregnant, like if you were tosit down and someone was like
push.
You could like try to push, butthat's the feeling.
It's like, okay, what am Ipushing out?
I don't like, what am I doinghere?
So that's how I was feeling andI was getting really nervous
because I was in so much pain.
But I had a breaks in betweenthe intense pain.
So it was very odd.
So I was like well, Brenda waslike, why don't you just try to

(43:42):
lay down and labor for a littlebit?

Angela (43:44):
Yeah, we were like let's give you some space, you know,
at that point.
So you had a little bit ofalone time there, like after
that first.
Like time on the birth stoolRight at first, like time on the
birthstool Right.

Gloria (43:53):
Right.
So I labored in my bed for Idon't know how long, but I did
like three contractions on oneside, three contractions on the
other side.
Then I would stand up and dothree contractions and when I
was standing up the contractionsweren't were more bearable, but
when I was laying down on bothmy sides they were like
excruciatingly painful.
It was so painful, it was sobad, it was so painful.

Angela (44:15):
But anyways, I was like I was definitely the end because
you were only it was only like20 minutes before like you had
your door like kind of open, butyou're mostly like in there
alone and we were all kind ofoutside and everybody was just
like totally relaxed and likeeating lunch.
Your husband had just made afull plate of food and he
started eating it.
And then you open the door.
I was like it's time.

Gloria (44:36):
It's time.
Well, I had I.
I opened the door and I'm like,oh, you just sat down to eat.

Angela (44:38):
All right.

Gloria (44:39):
Nevermind.
And they're like no, what?
Like you're the center of theshow here, like this can wait.
I'm like I was like well, Ithink I'm just well, my mental
thing it's not like I felt likeI needed to push no-transcript

(45:03):
Like I just was like pushing outnothing, but like giving deep,
like as hard as I could push,and I felt like I was I don't
know how long, but it felt likeI was doing that forever and I
just kept doing it and breakingand doing and it was just like
so painful.
And then I did one reallyreally hard push and I felt the

(45:23):
baby's head go around my pubicbone and I didn't think I was
doing anything.
I thought I was just likepushing it in the air.
But when that happened I waslike, oh my goodness, that's it,
that's what I needed to to andI did one push and then the baby
came out.
After that I was like one pushand then the baby came out and
it was funny because we havethat you videotaped it and when
I watched the video, like themidwives were doing hand signals

(45:46):
to each other about like how Iwas progressing and stuff that I
was like this is so crazy.
They have their own signlanguage going on.
But the baby came out and myhusband was like it's a boy and
they put him on my chest and hewas like screaming and crying
immediately and upon the newbornexam, they saw that his head
was turned to the side and hewas stuck on my pubic bone.
So that's why my water probablybroke.

(46:08):
That's probably why I wasn'tprogressing unless I was laying
down and switching sides orwhatever.
And that's why I wasn't feeling.
The pushing feeling is becausethe head was like stuck and if I
it's funny because if I was atMaine Med I would have been like
wheel me in for a C-section.
I'm done Like that's how.
It was so much more painfulthan Azariah's ever was.
So when the baby finally cameout, it was like oh, my goodness

(46:30):
, such a relief.
I was shocked.
I was like I can't believe Ipushed this baby out because I
didn't think I could do it and Iwas in shock and I was like
really cold and I wanted to laydown because I was pushing up
against my husband but my backwas killing me and everything.
So the cord was short.
So when I was being transferredand I was laying on my bed from

(46:54):
the birth stool.
Brenda was like well, thecord's white.
If you want to cut the cord, wecan do that.
And I was being transferred andI was laying I was laying on my
bed from birth stool.
Brenda was like, well, thecord's white.
If you want to cut the cord, wecan do that.
And I was like, okay, cut thecord.
And they're like well, youwanted to cut the cord.
So in the prenatal visits I waslike I want to cut the cord this
time, because last time I wassleeping and my husband did it.
So they quickly clamped it andI got to cut the cord, which was
great, and they put the baby onmy chest and I was laying on my

(47:15):
back.
But I was just so weak I waslike can someone take the baby?
So my husband took the baby andthen the baby pooped all over
my husband, which was hilariousbecause he doesn't like stuff
like that.
So he handed them.
I think did he hand the baby toyou, or was it Danielle?
I think it was Danielle, yeah,so he handed the baby to
Danielle.
The midwife cleaned off her baby, like wiped him down, the baby

(47:38):
down, and my husband went andrinsed off and then he came back
and took the baby back.
But within like a few minutesthe placenta came out when I was
laying on the bed and Grace waslike congratulations, you're no
longer pregnant.
I was like there we go.
But I was really really coldand shivering and telling
everyone how much pain I was inbecause it was the worst pain in
my entire life and my husbandwho just wanted two kids.

(47:59):
I was like I'll never have anymore children, that's it, it's
done.
This is the only two.
And so they did the newborn exam.
Everything was great.
He was 9 pounds 2 ounces, whichAzariah was 7 pounds 14 ounces,
so he was 9 pounds 14 ounces,so he was nine pounds two ounces
.
And he just got weighed twodays ago and he's already 10

(48:19):
pounds in 11 days.
Like that's ridiculous, that'scrazy, I can't.
But so the midwives cleaned upeverything.
Then they went and they gave ussome.
They checked my vitals, checkedthe baby out, got myself warm
Cause I was like shivering andfreezing.
And then I got to hold the babyand got, got myself warm
because I was like shivering andfreezing.
And then I got to hold the babyand got to snuggle him and he
latched right away.

(48:40):
Really well, it was verysurprising for me, my
mother-in-law.
So it was really sweet becausemy mother-in-law was there at
the birth for Azariah and shewanted to be at the birth but
also knew that Ezzie was her toppriority.
So she was with Ezzi, mydaughter, for three days and my

(49:00):
daughter is high energy and kepther going and running around
and everything like that.
But during this moment it wasmy daughter's nap time.
So Ezi went down at 1230 andthe baby was born at 144, I
believe.
And, incidentally, for all whocare, 64 hours, all who care 64
hours, so I only I I had till 74hours and I gave birth at 62,

(49:21):
64.
So it was great, it was just inthe nick of time, but, um, so
yeah, my mother-in-law was ableto come into the room and be
able to be at the birth of LukeEllis, my son.
So that was really special forher.
And, and despite all of thescreaming and yelling on my end,
my baby didn't wake.
My daughter, azariah, did notwake up and, yeah, so that was

(49:44):
the birth.
Oh, so after I nursed her alittle bit and got my body
temperature right, I did end uptaking a nice shower, getting
cleaned up, and then you tooksome great photos of Azariah
when she woke up from her napmeeting her brother and that was
really sweet and she definitelyconfused she's not too, she'll
be too soon, so she's stillyoung, but she's been so sweet

(50:07):
and loving and loves to hold himand kiss him and stuff, so it's
been great in that regard.
But yeah, that was, that wasthe birth.

Angela (50:15):
Oh, that's so fun.
So how has your last, I guessjust 11 days gone?

Gloria (50:22):
Well, so a couple of things that are were different
is the contractions after birthwere so painful still and super
painful.
And nursing the contractionswas were so painful Like I
couldn't.
So, brenda me.
I couldn't.
So, brenda me.
I don't take Advil, I don'ttake any pain relievers.
I just lean into the painbecause I'm like, oh, it's your

(50:45):
body telling you how far you cango and it'll help you to rest.
However, brenda, she justlooked at me.
She's like take Tylenol.
It gets worse with every kid.
Don't suffer through thosecontractions.
If it's really bad, just takeTylenol.
It gets worse with every kid.
Don't suffer through thosecontractions.
Like, if it's really bad, justtake Tylenol.
So I suffered through it forone day and by day two it was so
bad I couldn't sleep.
So they were so bad I couldn'teven like it was shocking how

(51:07):
painful they were.
So I took Tylenol and, sureenough, like the pain went away.
I was like this is amazing.
I like the pain went away.
I was like this is amazing.
So then I was like um, so I wasable to walk around a little
bit and when I was walkingaround, I guess I just loosened
up like tissue that was still inmy what do they call it?
My pelvic vault or uterinevaults is what Brenda called it

(51:31):
and I.
I passed this giant piece oftissue and after that my back
and my tractions felt way betterafter that.
So that was like three dayspast postpartum that that that
was passed and so I startedfeeling better.
I nursing he still is nursingreally good.
He is sleeping so well.

(51:52):
He's.
I'm only up.
I've been sleep training myselfas well.
So I go to bed at nine.
Everyone goes to bed, the kidsgo to bed at seven.
But I wake him up and I feedhim and I force myself to go to
bed at nine, turn my phone on,do not disturb, and he only
wakes up at 1230 and 430.
And then he's up for the day atseven.
So I was up like five or sixtimes with Azariah, this one

(52:14):
here.
He's already in his cribsleeping really good and he's
sleeping right now really goodand he's eating really good and
his awake time he's reallyinteractive with me and his dad
and Azariah.
So it's great.
He's such a good boy.
I have a list of of people whoare like if there's anything I

(52:36):
can do, let me know.
I've had them.
Come over and play with Azariahbecause she still is like a
bundle of energy.
So I've had people over playingwith her my mother-in-law and
friends and so she's gottenextra attention, which she loves
.
So I've been able to just restand, you know, lay down, take
naps and really bond with thebaby and stuff, and during his
nap time I'm able to play withAzariah too.

(52:57):
So postpartum this time has beenreally really good.
I felt really supported, reallytaken care of, and the midwives
as well.
The same thing.
Well Grace, it was funny.
After the baby was born she'slike most people couldn't have
pushed out that one.
Like that was a toughie.
With the way his head was.
She said I knew you could do it, but I know it was hard and I

(53:18):
was like I did not think I coulddo it.
I'm surprised I didn't.
But afterwards we just talkedthrough it, talked through
everything and I'm already likeI'll have one more.
It wasn't that bad.
Even though I know it wasreally bad, I'm still like it
wasn't that bad.
He's such a good baby and itwas all worth it and everything.
So I think we'll probably haveone more.
But yeah, postpartum even thereally painful birth I'm like it

(53:42):
wasn't that bad.
The postpartum is going so well.
I'm like this is nice.
I'm just being able to hanghome and no one expects anything
of me, and it's been reallygreat.

Angela (53:56):
It's been a really sweet time.
Yeah, that's interesting howfast it shifts from I'm never
going to do that again to okay,like that wasn't so bad.
Actually, that was awesome.

Gloria (54:04):
Right, right.
And it's like you think backand it it's like I wish even the
first pregnancy too.
It's like if you, if I, wouldhave known that I would have
delivered him at 64 hours intolabor, I could have had three
days of just enjoying the timein my house and just laboring
and early labor and likewhatever.
But you kind of almost ruin itwhen you put all the pressure on
yourself.

(54:25):
Not ruin it, but it makes itharder.
So it's like I wish I wouldhave just relaxed a little bit
more and so I'm just relaxingnow.
Having two kids it's a lotharder, but it's the hard.
I was just telling a friendit's.
It's a hard like not.
I can't face the day.
I don't want to get out of bedand deal with my life.

(54:45):
It's not that type of hard.
It's okay Time to step up yourgame.
You're going to have to have alittle.
You're gonna have to wake up alittle earlier.
You're going to have to wake upa little earlier.
You're going to have to have alittle more energy.
You're going to have to be alittle bit more patient and
loving.
It's that type of hard.
It's more work, but it'sdefinitely worth it.
With the two of them they'rejust such sweet little kids.

Angela (55:06):
Yeah, that's amazing.
So now, as a final question, ifyou were to give advice to
someone who's expecting, or evennew parents, at this point in
your journey, what is thebiggest?

Gloria (55:19):
thing you'd want to share, I guess, if you're
pregnant, definitely listen tothe Mind Made Birth podcast.
If you're in Maine, get intouch with Angela, she's great.
But also like learn as much asyou can.
Like educate yourself.
Don't be, don't be afraid topick up a book from a good
author and learn about all thethings that's going on with your
body in pregnancy and listen toall the birth stories.

(55:42):
They're all different, but youmay experience one of those.
So, knowing everything's goodand whether you're delivering at
home or at a hospital, like getto know what you're going in
for and have someone around you,if you can't advocate for
yourself, someone that knowswhat you want and you know,

(56:03):
understand the risks ofeverything, but also the pros of
everything.
And form good relationships withyour doctors that you're seeing
, or midwives or whatever.
And I would say, if you'repregnant, just knowledge is
power.
Really.
For me, anyways, it was Likelearn as much as you can.
And also, when you have littlekids too, it's been great for me
to just find communities ofpeople that have kids your age,

(56:25):
because people who are a fewmonths ahead of you can give you
advice and you can help peoplethat are a few months behind you
, you know, or years with theirlittle ones.
So it's always great to havepeople that will give you some
good advice or just be inlistening ear and you can vent
your frustrations too as well.
But also just patience too.
You have to have patience whenyou're pregnant, especially

(56:46):
those last few weeks, andpatience during your labor if
it's not, if it doesn't go asyou think it's supposed to go,
and then like patience with yourtoddler, if you have one, and
yourself with nursing and allthat stuff Just, and your spouse
, patience with your spouse.

Angela (57:01):
So yeah, yeah, this is so important and finding that
local community which a lot oftimes is at your local libraries
, like definitely, if you're anew mom, like check out your
local library and like find thatcommunity of new moms because,
yeah, they're out there, you'renot alone.
So, and one more question so Ithink, as your sneak peek, like

(57:22):
I delivered the most photos inlike a sneak peek that I've ever
done and I'm still finishingyour final gallery right now but
like, when you saw like thatfirst initial photos from your
birth, what were your thoughts?
My initial thought was I wishyou were at Azariah's birth
because I would have loved toLike.

Gloria (57:36):
When you saw, like that first initial photos from your
birth, what were your thoughts?
My initial thought was I wishyou were at Azariah's birth
because I would have loved tohave those photos from my first
birthing experience.
But also I'm so glad that youwere there and the photos for
anyone, for people that whenthey think of birth photographer
, they think of someone likeholding a camera recording it or
like a few pictures on aniPhone, like no, they're really

(58:01):
good, they're they.
She captures the moment.
You capture the moment and Iwas so happy with them.
I but also just like relivingthe moment was crazy and I've
gotten like so many people causeI posted a few ones that were
social media appropriate, a fewof them on on Facebook, and I've
had so many people reach outbeing like I identified with
those photos.
It takes me back to when I hadchildren.
You know what I'm saying.
People really resonated withthem as well and they reached

(58:24):
out to me and was like oh mygoodness, because most people
don't have a photographer,capture that and pictures are
really worth a thousand wordsLike.
Sometimes a photo can tell,tell you a lot about an
experience.
So I was super happy with themand I'm excited to get the rest
of them.

Angela (58:44):
Yeah, oh my gosh, there's so many good ones.
Yeah, I'm so excited to deliverthem to you.
And yeah, you had an absolutelybeautiful birth and it's such
an honor to be there and supportyou.
Beautiful birth, and it's suchan honor to be there and support
you.
And thank you so much fortaking the time to chat with me
today, so early postpartum, andto share your birth stories with
me.
It's been so nice hearing yourstories.

(59:04):
Yes, thank you so much.
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

(59:28):
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

(59:49):
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.