Episode 54: Kayleigh’s Birth Story

In this conversation, Kayleigh recounts her two contrasting birth experiences: the first, during the Covid pandemic, was marked by medical pressure to induce labor due to a prolonged pregnancy, leading to interventions she felt were unnecessary and disempowering; the second, after extensive research and support, allowed her to trust her body, decline interventions, and have a positive, empowering home birth. She discusses the impact of coercive language from healthcare professionals, the role of her supportive partner, the significance of being informed, and the importance of listening to one’s body. The discussion also touches on the societal lack of postpartum support, the challenges of parenting multiple children, and the value of open communication and emotional intelligence in family life.

In this episode of the podcast we talk about:

• Kayleigh’s first pregnancy during Covid involved significant medical pressure to induce labor at 42 weeks, leading to interventions (episiotomy, forceps) that left her feeling disempowered and traumatized.
• Her second pregnancy, despite similar pressure and a minor complication (ectopic heartbeat), was managed with daily monitoring and refusal of unnecessary interventions, resulting in a fast, unassisted home birth that felt instinctive and empowering.
• She emphasizes the importance of informed choice, research, and understanding one’s rights, as well as the need to trust bodily intuition and minimize external voices during labor.
• The conversation highlights the role of a supportive partner in advocating for evidence-based care and challenging coercive medical practices.
• Both speakers discuss the lack of adequate postpartum and societal support for parents, the complexities of parenting multiple children, and the value of open emotional communication and self-compassion in family life.
• Kayleigh encourages expectant parents to educate themselves, trust their instincts, and embrace the unique, powerful experience of birth.

Sound bites from this episode:

“The pregnancy was a very healthy pregnancy. There were no complications. I sailed through it. Top marks at every midwife appointment. And then I get to 40 weeks and I start getting the comments from medical staff. you’re not showing any signs of labour, feeling the pressure to get the baby out.”

“I think also it’s so important to trust your body and listen to your body and that became apparent to me in my second birth story.”

“Is there a real risk? What are the risks? Give me statistics. Give me studies. And they couldn’t provide any of that information. I was lucky enough that I’d been in touch with a hypnobirthing teacher who happened to be a midwife at the hospital that I was at. And I consulted with her and she said, “Look, you don’t have to, like, these are the risks and this is the pathway that we would take for ectopic heartbeats at this stage of pregnancy because you are at 40 weeks already.”

“You can make an informed and empowered choice and whatever that is, whether that is for medical intervention or whether it’s to decline a medical intervention, like whatever that choice, it has to be yours because ultimately it’s your body.”