Mae's (Almost!) Pain-Free Home Birth

Mae's (Almost!) Pain-Free Home Birth

Author: Liesel Teen January 15, 2024 Duration: 1:03:43

On this episode of The Mommy Labor Nurse Podcast, Mae Yoshikawa joined me all the way from Japan to share her 2 epidural-free birth stories.

Her first was born in a birth center in South Japan, and was rather traumatic. Mae dealt with a long, intense labor with a significant amount of pain throughout. Eight years later, she used the wisdom that she's learned from years of intense practice as a yoga and meditation teacher and applied it to her birth. She was able to have an all natural and almost pain free water birth at her home with her husband and midwife by her side.

Mae's story is a powerful reminder of the impact that your mindset can have on your birth experience. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did recording it!

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About Mae Yoshikawa

Mae is an author, yoga & meditation practitioner, teacher, and mother. In 2006, she became the first Japanese woman to be authorized by the founding school of Ashtanga Yoga in India. Since then, Mae has been a trailblazing force in the wellness field throughout the Asia-Pacific region as Japanese Yogini magazine featured her on 42 consecutive covers.

As the face of Adidas yoga, Mae was awarded the "Yoga People's Award" in 2016 for her remarkable social impact in the wellness field. Her upcoming book, Kizuki: Life's Tidal Waves + Epiphanies = Love Beyond Time and Death is a heart-wrenching and heart-arousing memoir that chronicles her experience of finding herself again through grief after the sudden loss of her husband in 2018. 

Learn more about Mae and her upcoming book Kizuki at her Flagship Website or on Instagram


Liesel Teen, a labor and delivery nurse, hosts Mommy Labor Nurse as a space for honest conversations about pregnancy and birth. Each episode is built on the idea that knowledge can transform fear into confidence for expecting parents. You’ll find a mix of practical, evidence-based discussions on common pregnancy topics, along with interviews featuring a range of birth professionals who share their insights. Perhaps most powerfully, the podcast includes personal birth stories that capture the vast spectrum of real-life experiences, from straightforward deliveries to more complex situations. It’s a resource designed to inform and empower, offering perspectives that help listeners prepare for their own journeys. Remember, the content here is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice from your own care provider. Join Liesel for these weekly conversations that aim to support you through one of life’s most significant transitions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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