Australian Birth Stories

415 | Jessie, one baby, anxiety and depression, private obstetrician, vaginismus, pelvic floor physiotherapist, pregnancy insomnia, TENS, epidural, breastfeeding challenges, postpartum joy

Aug 28, 2023

Jessie, a woman with a history of anxiety and depression, shares her surprise first birth story. She discusses her preparations for labor and birth with a pelvic floor physiotherapist and the choice to have an epidural. Jessie also opens up about her mental health and breastfeeding challenges, emphasizing the joy of being a mother and the deep love she has for her baby.

01:09:23

Creator website

Episode guests

Jessie

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Jessie worked closely with her healthcare providers to manage her anxiety and depression during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of seeking professional support.

Jessie emphasizes the joy and love she feels as a mother during the postpartum period, countering the narrative around postnatal depression.

Jessie shares her challenges with breastfeeding, including low birth weight concerns and the pressure to produce enough milk, but eventually finds success by following her instincts.

Deep dives

Pregnancy and Birth Experience

In this podcast episode, Jessie shares her unexpected first pregnancy and birth experience. Despite the surprise pregnancy, Jessie worked closely with her healthcare providers to navigate her anxiety and depression throughout the process. She sought support from her psychiatrist, psychologist, and pelvic floor physiotherapist to manage her mental health and physical well-being. Despite initial concerns and changing birth plans, Jessie describes her labor and delivery as a calm and empowering experience, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Introduction

2min

Unexpected Pregnancy

14min

Facing Fear and Seeking Knowledge

6min

Struggles and Exhaustion in the Third Trimester

18min

The Experience of Using Epidural During Labor

14min

Challenges and Concerns with Baby's Weight and Breastfeeding

8min

Surprising Joy and Love in the Postpartum Period

2min

Coordinating Time with Grandparents and the Importance of Trusted Support

2min

Excitement and Joy of Having Children, Maximizing Attention, and Empowering Information

3min

In today’s episode, Jessie shares her first birth story. Her pregnancy was a surprise and she admits the shock of it definitely informed her experience. With a history of anxiety and depression she worked closely with her psychiatrist and psychologist to navigate changes to her medication and her fears around birth. She also had regular appointments with a pelvic floor physiotherapist who helped relieve her vaginismus and prepare for labour and birth. She made the choice to have an epidural as soon as she felt like the labour pain was becoming too much for her but it was light - she could still feel her legs and was aware of the urge to push - which helped with a quick second stage. Jessie speaks honestly about her mental health and breastfeeding challenges but also emphasises the pure joy of being a mother and the deep love she has for baby Luna.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

Australian Birth Stories

415 | Jessie, one baby, anxiety and depression, private obstetrician, vaginismus, pelvic floor physiotherapist, pregnancy insomnia, TENS, epidural, breastfeeding challenges, postpartum joy

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Pregnancy and Birth Experience

Dealing with Mental Health and Medication During Pregnancy

Challenges in the Postpartum Period

Enjoying the Postpartum Period

The Challenges of Breastfeeding

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts