Ep 257: From Questioning Yourself to Questioning the Birth System with McKenzie Ulmer

Ep 257: From Questioning Yourself to Questioning the Birth System with McKenzie Ulmer

Author: Katelyn Fusco November 20, 2023 Duration: 1:40:29
What does it look like to take charge of your birth experience after a previously disempowering one?   This week, we'll be speaking with McKenzie, a mother to two children and student from The Homebirth Collective--with two very different pregnancy and birth stories. We'll learn how McKenzie's first pregnancy and birth laid a groundwork for questioning herself, yet how that's absolutely not the end of her story-- and what she did to change her experience of pregnancy, birth and motherhood.   Episode Roundup   The way that we feel about ourselves and our experience in pregnancy is extremely related to our birth experience, our postpartum and our motherhood journey. McKenzie's pregnancy with her daughter Cora involved care providers who left her feeling uncertain about herself, her decisions, her ability to give birth and mother her baby.... all of this dynamic was already in play before she even headed to the hospital to have her baby. When the nurse asked, "do you want to try to push?" Her mind immediately began to question, "Well, should I? Surely someone should tell me..." This type of care is so common, and I truly believe that it leads so many mothers to question themselves on all kinds of matters when the truth is that YOU KNOW. You know your body and baby more than anyone else ever could. You are not a small piece of this puzzle... you ARE the puzzle. When McKenzie switched to homebirth and midwife-attended care with her second child, she began to truly embody this reality, which led to starkly different choices, feelings, and experiences. She shared how because of where she is mentally and in her heart, she's able to navigate through the challenges of motherhood with more grace, ease and fluidity than ever before. It's amazing to hear such an undeniable change.     This Week's Sponsors:Araza Beauty: Code HOMEBIRTH for 15% off Informed Pregnancy+   Join The Homebirth Collective Join Happy Homebirth Academy Code PODCAST for 10% off

Hosted by Katelyn Fusco, Happy Homebirth creates a genuine space for conversations that go far beyond the simple how-to of having a baby at home. This podcast centers on the real, unfiltered narratives of people who have experienced natural childbirth, primarily in their own homes. You’ll hear directly from mothers as they recount the intensity, joy, and transformative power of their journeys, alongside the perspectives of midwives and other care providers who support them. While the tone is often uplifting and engaging, these discussions don’t shy away from the raw and challenging moments, offering a fully rounded picture of what homebirth can entail. It’s about building a supportive community through shared stories, where education and encouragement are woven into every episode. Tuning in means connecting with a resource that honors the entire spectrum of motherhood, from pregnancy and birth to parenting and personal health, all while exploring the intersections of family life and personal well-being. For anyone curious, planning, or simply seeking honest dialogue about this profound life experience, this podcast serves as a valuable and comforting companion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Happy Homebirth
Podcast Episodes
Ep 282: Experience Pelvic Floor Freedom! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:57
The pelvic floor- can you truly heal it and restore function? Or is there a point where you’re beyond help? This week we are speaking with Paris Latka. Paris has been involved in the practice of Bowspring since 2016, and…
Ep 281: Long Labor Turned Surprise Breech Homebirth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:26
Breech birth is supposed to be rare, right? How would you feel if you had more breech babies than head down babies?! This week we’re speaking to Stephanie Kase, who has had twice as many breech babies as she’s had cephal…
Ep 280: Embracing Your Intuition in Birth and Motherhood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:43
If you had a pretty good experience in the hospital with your first baby, what’s the point of changing things up with subsequent births? Today we’re speaking with Kylie, who is living the dream as a stay at home mom of 3…
Ep 279: Holding Fast with an Open Hand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:58
What is the balance when it comes to preparing for our birth, but also holding it all with an open hand, knowing that outside factors can contribute to our experience? Sara West and her husband Andrew live on Florida's s…
Ep 278: Intuition: When You Know Deeper Than Mere Logic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:49
You’re either for something or you’re against it, right? Like, you either love ultrasounds or you don’t. Or you want testing done or you don’t….. Or… gasp, could there be more to it than right or wrong? This week we’re s…
Ep 277: An Unexpected Medical Diagnosis Mid-Pregnancy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:07
A shocking medical diagnosis is never easy to grapple with– but what happens when it comes in the middle of your pregnancy? This week we’re speaking to Chloe, a wife and mother to two precious little boys. Chloe’s story…
Ep 276: A New Perspective on Birth: Labor Through Dad's Eyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:10
Dads- how does the idea of your wife giving birth make you feel? Does the idea immediately excite you, or does it put a level of fear on you– do you wonder how you can protect her and your baby? Do you feel out of contro…
Ep 275: From Midwife to Motherhood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:06
When a midwife gives birth to her first baby, she’ll know exactly what to expect, right? This week we’re speaking with Leigha Fairchild, a midwife who serves mamas and families in the Kansas City area. She became a midwi…
Ep 274:  Birth Can Bring You Full Circle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:40
Is it really safe to have hopes and desires for your birth? What if you plan but things don’t unfold the way you’d wanted? This week we’re speaking to Lindsey Fuller, a homemaker and former registered nurse living in Tam…