Nettles And Honey - Our Birth Stories

EP 37 - 3 Unmedicated Births (2 Hospital one Home birth) with Madeleine

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0800

In this episode, I reflect on all three of my births. 2 Unmedicated Hospital Births and one Home birth. I talk about the difference with all of my labours and births, how I prepared for them, and how postpartum went and is going!

@nettlesnhoney
https://nettles-and-honey.mailerpage.io/
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Disclaimer:
The content on this podcast is meant for informational and entertainment purposes only. Views expressed are not medical advice. Please consult your primary care provider if you are in need of medical advice. The creator is not responsible for actions based on content. By listening, you agree to this disclaimer.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life License code: LTJBZJ3AUJLJMI0T

EP 36 - Cesarean Story and How to Advocate for Yourself with Grace

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 14:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Grace shares her birth story of her first baby via Cesarean. We talk about the need to advocate for yourself and to know what you want going into any birth, and how recovery was pretty great for her considering her great advocacy skills!

EP 35 - Two Very Different Birth Stories With Nicole

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

**This episode does mention a loss** In this episode, Nicole shares her first birth where she has a great pregnancy and a relatively quick labour and pushing stage ending in a vaginal delivery. We talk about her difficulties postpartum with her first birth. For her second, she had a long labour with a lot of surprises and differences from what she had expected!

EP 34 - Planned Cesarean with Haley

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Haley tells her first birth story of her daughter. Her plans changed multiple times, where a planned Cesarean due to breech positioning turned back to vaginal birth, turned Cesarean again. She is having a really great postpartum and is so happy in her little family bubble.

EP 33 - Positive Emergency Cesarean with Taelor

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Taelor shares the story of her planned vaginal birth, turned emergency cesarean. She ended up having a positive experience, and a great postpartum even though things did not go as planned!

EP 32 - Two Planned Cesareans with Jaimee

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Jaimee shares her two planned cesareans. Her first with her daughter was a planned cesarean due to a breech baby. Her second was also a planned cesarean, though both times Jaimee toyed with and went in to labour before-hand. Some big surprises here and the big take away is if you are to expect anything in birth, expect the unexpected!

EP 31 - Two Homebirths with Moriah, one Unassisted

Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Moriah shares her two incredibly fast homebirths. Her second birth was so fast she ended up having an unassisted homebirth and Moriah speaks to the pure magic and joy of that moment.

EP 30 - Hospital Birth with Rebecca

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 16:00:00 -0700

**This episode does mention a loss** In this episode, Rebecca shares her birth story with her first son, William. She was very well supported in her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum! We discuss conception, pregnancy, and birth, and reflect on what a whirlwind postpartum can be.

EP 29 - A Fast Hospital Birth with Caitie

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 18:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Caitie shares her precipitous hospital birth story with her first son, Owen. Caitie had a very fast active labour stage and a short pushing stage, which surprised her, being a first time mom. We talk about expecting the unexpected, as you never know what your story might be like. Caitie also talks about her perspective as someone who works in the medical field and how that influenced her birth experience. This one's a good one!

EP 28 - Emergency Cesarian after 36hr Labour with Erica

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Erica and I discuss her challenges with endometriosis, her pregnancy, a challenging labour in which she felt greatly unseen and unsupported, an emergency cesarian, and challenges in the postpartum period. This birth story really showcases that there are silver linings for those that have a very challenging labour, delivery, and postpartum. Things do get better and there are steps you can take to heal after birth.

EP 27 - Blissful Homebirth of Third Baby with Madeleine Whyte

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0800

In this episode, I share my third birth story of my baby girl. I talk about my pregnancy, planning and preparing for a home birth, a blissful home birth story, and postpartum with three kids under 4.

EP 26 - 4 Day Marathon Labour with Caroline

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Caroline talks about being in labour for 4 days, being sent home from the hospital multiple times, and the mental challenges that posed for her labour and birth, which ended in a cesarian section. We talk about a few challenges she encountered pretty immediately postpartum that were difficult, but how she overall had a positive experience.

EP 25 - Planned Cesarian with Lisa Lauren (Part 2)

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Lisa shares her second birth story where she undergoes a planned cesarian. We talk about the differences between unplanned and planned cesarians, recovery, and postpartum with a toddler as well as recommendations for the postpartum period.

EP 24 - Long Labour and Unplanned Cesarian with Lisa Lauren

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Lisa tells the birth story of her first child, her son. She had a 46 hour labour which in the end resulted in an unplanned cesarian section. We talk about her pregnancy, marathon labour, a failed epidural, and recovering from her cesarian. Stay tuned for her second birth story coming out in a few weeks!

EP 23 - Positive and Intuitive Homebirth with Xela

Sat, 09 Nov 2024 10:00:00 -0800

**This episode does talk about loss**
In this episode, Xela shares the story of her positive homebirth experience with her second child, Maijka. We talk about the need for community and food support postpartum, and how we can work hard to advocate for change in these areas that society is underserving women in our communities.

EP 22- Positive Home Birth after a Long Labour with Stephanie Murrin

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:00:00 -0700

**This episode does talk about loss.** In this episode, Stephanie tells the story of planning a home-birth, and her 3-day positive home birth. We discuss how she was able to cope with such a long labour, and talk about the nuances of postpartum and how we can support moms in this critical period.

EP 21 - Unmedicated Hospital Birth with Angela Sullivan Grose (Part 2)

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Angela shares her unmedicated hospital birth with her second son. This episode talks about baby having a bit of difficulty with breathing after birth, so please skip this episode if it does not serve you.

EP 20- Unmedicated Hospital Birth with Angela Sullivan Grose (Part 1)

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Angela shares her unmedicated hospital birth with her first son. She talks about how movement, breathing exercises, heat, and the shower really helped her to progress throughout her labour. We talk briefly about how having lots of support in the postpartum stage can be such a benefit.

EP 19 - Unmedicated Hospital Birth with Courtney Meridew

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Courtney shares her unmedicated hospital birth story. She wants to let everyone know that if an unmedicated birth is what they desire, they can do it. Although it had its challenges, it was possible!

EP 18 - Positive Hospital Birth Story with Jaclyn Shiavone

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Jaclyn shares her positive medicated hospital birth story with us. We talk about how what people tell us about pregnancy, whether positively or negatively, really affects how we think and perceive how pregnancy will go, and that of course is not always the case. We talk about how women often struggle in silence, and try to break down some of that stigma. We also talk about the challenges of postpartum, and the importance of finding those people that you can lean on, tell your stories to, and share your wins and your struggles with. It's a good one, guys!

EP 17 - Positive Medicated Hospital Birth with Jessie Macleod

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Jessie talks about her positive medicated hospital birth where she laughed her baby out. We talk about postpartum and finding a community of people that you can truly lean on.

EP 16 - Hospital Birth With Megan Ravenhill

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Megan shares her planned hospital birth with an epidural. Topics we cover on this episode include: stress and the effects on conception, body image in pregnancy and postpartum, the societally engrained fear of giving birth, and things to look out for and plan for in your postpartum journey.

EP 15- Home Birth Transfer and Dealing with a Traumatic Birth with Jessika Tamas

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 12:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Jessika talks about the difficulties she had when her intricately planned home birth changed to a hospital birth. She discusses the importance of picking the right people for your birth team and doing the work to make sure that your team will be prepared for any kind of birth. Unfortunately, she was let down by her team, but she wants everyone to know that they can switch care providers if they do not seem properly aligned with you throughout your pregnancy and that it is ultimately your birth.

Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program:
https://bcaafc.com/dafgp/families/

Birthing Families Foundation:
https://birthingfamiliesfoundation.org/

EP 14 - Homebirth story with Xela

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Xela shares the birth of her first daughter, at home. She touches upon topics like: the death of loved ones during pregnancy, speaking up and advocating for yourself about practices or procedures you do not want in pregnancy and birth, the importance of communication before labour and birth, placenta encapsulation, and breastfeeding. Overall, she had a positive homebirth experience.

EP 13- Traumatic Birth at 27 Weeks and Positive NICU Stay with Katie Lamb

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Katie shares her traumatic birth story of her daughter, Zoe, born at 27 weeks. This episode touches on hard topics such as: premature birth, placental abruption, hemorrhage, traumatic birth, and a long NICU stay.
She shares her whirlwind of a birth followed by a 72 day NICU stay where the staff at VGH were amazingly supportive and connected her with countless resources for their daughter and their family. In the end, she has many positive things to say about her stay in the NICU and wants parents to know that they are not alone if they are going through a similar journey.

EP 12- Unmedicated Hospital Birth with Amanda Chaval

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Amanda talks about her unmedicated hospital birth story that she prepared so well for. She also touches on topics like trying to conceive, bonding with baby after birth, and the challenges that come with breastfeeding.

Le leche league: https://www.lllc.ca/get-help
Meal Train: https://www.mealtrain.com/

EP 11- 5 Day Failed Induction with Annastasia Goodfellow-Hartley

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Annastasia talks about her 5 day long failed induction which ended in a c-section. She discusses her struggles with Postpartum Depression and Postpartum anxiety, and trauma after birth.

EP 10- Positive Home Birth Story and Dealing with PPA&PPD with Courtney Sedlak

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Courtney talks about her positive homebirth experience. She also talks about her miscarriage before her pregnancy with her son, anxiety during her pregnancy, breastfeeding challenges, PPA & PPD, and how she came to navigate these challenges.

BONUS EPISODE - Hospital Bag Checklist

Fri, 31 May 2024 13:00:00 -0700

In this episode, I go over the essentials that you need for your hospital stay (specifically at VGH in Victoria, B.C.) as well as everything that the hospital provides for mom and babe during your stay.

EP 9- Baking a Cake in Labour! A Beautiful Third Home Birth with Erica Camfferman

Thu, 30 May 2024 10:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Erica talks about her third home birth, a birth that was perfect and that really surpassed all of her expectations. Erica does talk about an early loss before her pregnancy with her third baby. We talk about the fear that is often portrayed in birth and how it can really affect our mindset and thoughts around birth.

EP 8- Hospital Birth to Home Birth Story with Rachael Fitz

Wed, 22 May 2024 10:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Rachael discusses her mindset change from no doubt about it- a hospital birth, to really wanting and planning for a home birth. She tells us about her positive home birth story and her love for evidence-based information as a scientist herself. We talk about placenta encapsulation, the exhaustion that comes with having a long birth and having a newborn, and the importance of having a community of people around you to be able to thrive during the postpartum stage.

EP 7- Second Home Birth and PP Hemorrhage with Tracy Motyer (Part 2)

Tue, 14 May 2024 12:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Tracy tells us her second home birth followed by a postpartum hemorrhage where she had to transfer to the hospital, and her postpartum experiences with both of her births.

EP 6- Two Home Births with Tracy Motyer (PART 1)

Thu, 09 May 2024 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Tracy talks about her planned home birth, a painful fibroid, being in denial in labour, and a birthing pool that was never filled up.

EP 5- A Tough Hospital Birth and a Redemptive Second Birth with Jennifer Ferger

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 12:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Jennifer talks about her two hospital birth stories. Her first was a bit of a rocky hospital birth with a few bumps in the road including a vacuum assist and an episiotomy. The second was a redemptive hospital birth with her midwife, husband, and doula. Jennifer talks about the challenges of breastfeeding and her troubles with postpartum depression, anxiety, and insomnia from using Domperidone.

Pacific postpartum society: https://postpartum.org/

EP 4- Two Beautiful Home Birth Stories with Julie Teng

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Julie shares the two positive home birth stories of her daughters and talks a bit about her tandem nursing journey.

La Leche League Canada: https://www.lllc.ca/information-parents

EP 3- Peaceful Home Birth with Elissa Boyd-McGee

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Elissa shares the beautiful birth story of her baby girl, Ocean, at home, in the birthing pool. What a way to come into this world, Ocean.

Elissa's Art: https://elissaboydartworx.wixsite.com/elissaboydartworx
Cover image by @kirstenfennphotography

EP 2- Precipitous Birth Story of Christmas Baby with Madeleine Whyte

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 15:00:00 -0700

Madeleine talks about her second birth story, a precipitous unmedicated hospital birth story on Christmas. She made it to the hospital parking lot 14 minutes before her baby was born. She talks about many hiccups in pregnancy detected through ultrasounds, which ended up thankfully not being a problem. She also talks about the shock of a precipitous labour and the importance of friends and family delivering food while having two under two.

EP 1- Unmedicated Hospital Birth Story with Madeleine Whyte

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 16:00:00 -0700

In episode 1 of Nettles and Honey- Our Birth Stories, Madeleine shares her unmedicated hospital birth story of her first child. Madeleine takes us along her journey of preconception and pregnancy, labouring as a first time mom at the hospital with midwives, the blissful moment of birth, and a bit of the postpartum period.