During a recent episode of the Healthful Woman Podcast, called “Jodi’s Story, Part Two: My Third Birth – Time for a Change,” Dr. Nathan Fox discusses with guest Jodi Nussbaum RN, BSN, IBCLC, her experience with her third pregnancy and birth. During her third birth, she decided to have a home birth instead of a birth in the hospital. Jodi’s positive birth story reflects her journey toward empowerment and personal choice.
Jodi’s Birthing Background
The podcast episode begins with Dr. Fox asking Jodi about her previous birth experiences and how they shaped her third pregnancy. In her first two pregnancies, Jodi had switched providers mid-care and felt a lack of control, leading to emotional stress and disappointment. She explains she had felt robbed of the joy of pregnancy and becoming a mother, which deeply impacted her mental health and approach to her third birth.
Jodi’s Third Pregnancy
Her third pregnancy occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant limited access to prenatal care early on. With her hospital delaying appointments until 14 weeks and a trip planned at 16 weeks, Jodi postponed decisions about her care.
Eventually, she spoke with the OB from her first pregnancy and also connected with a midwife, weighing the pros and cons of a hospital versus home birth. When she communicated her preferences, such as declining cervical checks, wanting to touch her baby at birth, skipping antibiotics for GBS, and using alternatives to the glucola test, the hospital nurse explained, “I’m an employee of the hospital. The nurses are employees of the hospital. They’re trained to do things in a specific way. And I really can’t guarantee you that if you come in, that somebody who’s more naturally minded is gonna be on shift. I can’t guarantee you that, you know, they’re just not trained to behave that way.” This exchange made Jodi reflect on whether the hospital was the right place for her birth. As Dr. Fox summarized, “In your first two pregnancies, it’s almost like the default is there’s a problem unless proven otherwise. And with the midwife, it’s everything’s fine unless proven otherwise.”
Soon after, Jodi received a message through her online health portal summarizing her OB visit and decided to cancel her remaining hospital appointments. She committed to a home birth after doing extensive research and ensuring she was a low-risk candidate.
Jodi’s Third Birth
Labor began for Jodi around 4 a.m., and she spent the day laboring at home, watching the sun fall again. After some slow progress, her midwife checked her and found her fully dilated. She used different positions, including asymmetrical lunges, and got back into the birthing pool. Suddenly, she experienced the fetal ejection reflex. This involuntary process repeated with each contraction until she gave birth.
Reflecting on the experience, Jodi emphasized the power of trusting herself and listening to her instincts can benefit all areas of life. Her birth experience also led to a major career shift. Frustrated by the constraints of working within a hospital system and inspired by her love for breastfeeding, she pivoted toward lactation consulting. The emotional power of nursing her babies, motivated her to launch her own in-person and virtual practice called suckleandspritz which is dedicated to improving women’s health through informed support and care.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about Jodi’s story, listen to the full episode of the Healthful Woman podcast. Dr. Fox and his guests often cover topics that relate to general health, overall wellness, and specialized experiences like high risk pregnancy. Each episode provides helpful information that can empower listeners through education and shared stories.
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