The Homebirth Midwife Podcast

The Homebirth Midwife Podcast

The Homebirth Midwife podcast is hosted by Sarah McClure, CPM, LDM, LM and Charli Zarosinski, CPM, LDM, LM, founders and primary midwives of Hearth and Home Midwifery, a homebirth practice in Oregon and Washington. They are experts on all things related to natural pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Each week the podcast delves into the topics you want to know about regarding your pregnancy and birth.

Episodes

October 7, 2025 48 mins

In this heartfelt episode of The Homebirth Midwife Podcast, Sarah McClure sits down with Ally, a two-time Hearth and Home client, to share her two very different birth stories. From an unexpected breech birth that led to a calm, supported hospital transfer to a peaceful, empowered home birth years later, Ally’s story beautifully illustrates the range of expe...

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In this episode of The Homebirth Midwife Podcast, Sarah and Charli explore the topic of preterm labor, answering common questions about what it is, how to recognize it, and what the risk factors may be. They discuss the unique role midwifery care plays in prevention, offering personalized attention and holistic support that helps many clients avoid complications. The conversation also highlights the special considerations for late ...

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In this heartfelt episode of The Homebirth Midwife Podcast, midwife Sarah sits down with Colby, a Hearth and Home Midwifery graduate, to share the story of her second home birth. Colby reflects on the challenges of her first birth, including placenta retention and delayed breastfeeding support, and how those experiences shaped what she wanted for her next pregnancy. She describes the deeply pe...

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In this episode of The Homebirth Midwife Podcast, Sarah and Charli unpack the challenging but vital topic of obstetric violence. They explore how mistreatment during pregnancy and birth can take many forms—from subtle dismissiveness and coercive language to invasive procedures performed without consent—and why these experiences are so often minimized or normalized. Drawing on their years of midwifery experience, they discuss the cu...

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August 12, 2025 52 mins

The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is back! Sarah McClure and Charli Zarosinski share the story of Charli’s third birth — a joyful and empowering home water birth of her daughter, Daphne. Charli reflects on her more relaxed mindset during pregnancy, the humorous and sweet moments of early labor, and the calm, celebratory environment created by her birth team. She describes moving through labor with strong support, natural progression, a...

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In today's episode of The Homebirth Midwife Podcast, Sarah and Charli answer listener questions about pushing during labor and practicing birth work while pregnant. The conversation begins with a deep exploration of various techniques for pushing during labor, focusing on whether to hold one's breath ("purple pushing") or to breathe through contractions. They go on to unpack their personal experiences as midwives and mothers, shari...

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This podcast episode contains potentially triggering content related to sexual trauma, including discussions of abuse, assault, and recovery. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of The Homebirth Midwife Podcast, Sarah and Charli answer listener questions about home birth after cesarean (HBAC) and trauma-informed care in birth. They unpack the risks, safety considerations, and holistic midwifery support for those planni...

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March 4, 2025 39 mins

Welcome to Part 2 of our 'Postpartum Realness' series! In this episode, we dive into the raw and transformative postpartum experience, sharing real stories from our listeners about what surprised them most after birth. From sleep deprivation and breastfeeding struggles to postpartum mental health and the emotional duality of new parenthood, we explore the highs and lows with honesty and compassion. As midwives, we also discuss how ...

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February 18, 2025 40 mins

In today's episode, midwives Sarah and Charli dive into the raw, real, and often surprising realities of the postpartum experience. From physical challenges like constipation and breastfeeding difficulties to emotional hurdles like isolation, sleep deprivation, and relationship stress, this candid conversation normalizes the highs and lows of life after birth. With insights from our Instagram community and practical advice rooted i...

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In today’s episode, midwife Sarah interviews Tabitha and KD, a couple who had their baby with Hearth & Home Midwifery. Tabitha became pregnant with their baby after an arduous fertility journey and was in her 40’s when she gave birth at home with our practice. The episode highlights the emotional and physical aspects of home birth, challenges faced during labor, and the deep impact of the experience on their family. We hope you enj...

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January 21, 2025 31 mins

On Today's episode, Sarah and Charli answer a listener's question about shoulder dystocia and her baby's NICU admission during a previous birth. Now pregnant again, she wonders if she should expect another shoulder dystocia and what steps she can take to prepare. This episode explores factors contributing to shoulder dystocia, the likelihood of recurrence, and how personalized care, maternal positioning, and midwifery support can e...

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In today's episode, Sarah & Charli answer an audio question from a listener and student midwife who wonders how to create balance and sustainability as a student midwife and practicing midwife. 

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of midwifery, medicine, or other professional health care services. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked...

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December 17, 2024 31 mins
In today’s episode Sarah & Charli talk all about episiotomies, or artificially cutting the perineal tissue during a birth. They answer a listener question about why it’s done, the prevalence, how it can be avoided, and what recovery looks like. 

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of midwifery, medicine, or other pro...

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Sarah & Charli talk about management of the placenta, called the third stage, and cutting the cord in a home birth. They get a little more into the nuance of what’s happening naturally with the placenta after the birth of the baby and how clients and midwives can work together to help birth the placenta and, when the time is right, cut the umbilical cord. 

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only...

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November 19, 2024 16 mins

There are a lot of misconceptions about meconium, or baby’s first poop, when it comes to safety in birth. Does meconium always mean there has to be a Cesarean? What is the problem with meconium, anyway? Why do babies pass meconium in the womb? The midwives answer all these questions and more in today’s episode. 

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of midw...

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November 5, 2024 46 mins

Charli sits down with beloved Hearth and Home clients, Mariana and Kevin.  Hear from them about how they decided that homebirth midwifery care was right for them with their second pregnancy, the impact that the midwifery care model had on their birth experience, and the exciting story of their homebirth under our care!

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice ...

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October 22, 2024 14 mins

On today's episode, Sarah and Charli talk about the role of oxytocin in a physiologic birth, how to increase oxytocin, and how homebirth encourages oxytocin to be as high as possible.

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of midwifery, medicine, or other professional health care services. The use of information on th...

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October 8, 2024 48 mins

In today’s episode, Sarah and Charli talk about something that seems to be darn near impossible: getting the heck out of the hospital after you’ve had a baby, especially after a transfer from midwifery care. We go over why it’s difficult, what we think informs that, and how to figure out what’s right for you and advocate for it in terms of going home.

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and ...

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September 24, 2024 26 mins

We’re back with another episode of answering your questions! Today we get listener questions regarding pain management in birth, well-baby care in the midwifery model, and how we approach working with other medical professionals when we may not see eye to eye. 

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of midwifery, medicine, or other professional health care s...

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September 10, 2024 45 mins

In Briana's case, the third time's a charm!  Hear from Briana about her pregnancy experiences in midwifery care and how she worked with Hearth and Home on blood pressure management with her third pregnancy.  She talks about her prenatal care and how she finally had her triumphant homebirth!

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The Homebirth Midwife Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of midwifery, medicine, or ot...

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