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21. "You're Perfect, You're Healthy and You Have Down Syndrome" with Filmmaker Amber McGinnis - Unmedicated Birth Story, Becoming a Mom to a Differently Abled Child.

1h 18m · BIRTH · 02 Feb 09:52

What is it like to receive a positive Trisomy 21 diagnosis during early pregnancy and then prepare to give birth to and become a mother to a child with Down syndrome? Today's guest, the talented film director and writer, Amber McGinnis, opens up and gifts us with a very detailed and vulnerable account of her experience with this reality. She shares everything that she wishes she had known before and during her journey, how she got through a completely unmedicated hospital birth, and she also talks about the unique challenges of breastfeeding a baby with DS. In this episode we also explore how to offer better support to our own loved ones if they receive a surprising genetic test result and how all of us would benefit from approaching the differently abled community with love and curiosity instead of fear and ignorance.


This Episode is the Season 2 Finale!

Check out all the links below to learn more about guest Amber McGinnis and find more resources discussed in today's show.


LINKS:

Amber's WEBSITE

Watch the film Amber directed while she was pregnant: International Falls

"The Adventure" - A Short Film about Amber's daughter

Bottles that worked well for Isla: Advent Bottles

The band that Amber listened to during her unmedicated labor: The Gloaming


Additional Resources:

National Down Syndrome Society

Find Support in Your Area with This List of Organizations by State

Down Syndrome Misconceptions vs. Reality


Find Out If Your Hospital Has A Good Rating and low C-Section and Episiotomy Rate at LeapfrogGroup.org


Visit www.birthshow.com for some great free resources that will help you on your own journey into motherhood.

Follow the Birth Podcast on Instagram:

@birthshow

Follow Christy on Instagram:

@christywill


If you find yourself struggling emotionally and mentally after having a baby, you are not alone. Please visit www.postpartum.net for help. There is someone waiting to talk you through this tough moment. Don't wait, help is only a few clicks away.


This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.


Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/birth.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The episode 21. "You're Perfect, You're Healthy and You Have Down Syndrome" with Filmmaker Amber McGinnis - Unmedicated Birth Story, Becoming a Mom to a Differently Abled Child. from the podcast BIRTH has a duration of 1:18:14. It was first published 02 Feb 09:52. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

More episodes from BIRTH

21. "You're Perfect, You're Healthy and You Have Down Syndrome" with Filmmaker Amber McGinnis - Unmedicated Birth Story, Becoming a Mom to a Differently Abled Child.

What is it like to receive a positive Trisomy 21 diagnosis during early pregnancy and then prepare to give birth to and become a mother to a child with Down syndrome? Today's guest, the talented film director and writer, Amber McGinnis, opens up and gifts us with a very detailed and vulnerable account of her experience with this reality. She shares everything that she wishes she had known before and during her journey, how she got through a completely unmedicated hospital birth, and she also talks about the unique challenges of breastfeeding a baby with DS. In this episode we also explore how to offer better support to our own loved ones if they receive a surprising genetic test result and how all of us would benefit from approaching the differently abled community with love and curiosity instead of fear and ignorance.


This Episode is the Season 2 Finale!

Check out all the links below to learn more about guest Amber McGinnis and find more resources discussed in today's show.


LINKS:

Amber's WEBSITE

Watch the film Amber directed while she was pregnant: International Falls

"The Adventure" - A Short Film about Amber's daughter

Bottles that worked well for Isla: Advent Bottles

The band that Amber listened to during her unmedicated labor: The Gloaming


Additional Resources:

National Down Syndrome Society

Find Support in Your Area with This List of Organizations by State

Down Syndrome Misconceptions vs. Reality


Find Out If Your Hospital Has A Good Rating and low C-Section and Episiotomy Rate at LeapfrogGroup.org


Visit www.birthshow.com for some great free resources that will help you on your own journey into motherhood.

Follow the Birth Podcast on Instagram:

@birthshow

Follow Christy on Instagram:

@christywill


If you find yourself struggling emotionally and mentally after having a baby, you are not alone. Please visit www.postpartum.net for help. There is someone waiting to talk you through this tough moment. Don't wait, help is only a few clicks away.


This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.


Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/birth.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20. Let's Talk About: NEWBORN BABIES! Fun Facts & What's Normal - MINISODE

Taking care of a brand new tiny little human brings up a lot of questions and surprises. In this special mini-episode Christy shares surprising and fun facts about newborn babies that no one tells you before you give birth!

PLUS Christy also reveals her most favorite newborn life hacks you should know about.


LINKS:

Newborn Educational Resources


GAS DROPS!


Newborn Nail Care Supplies:

Emory Boards to File Their Tiny Nails

and

Awesome Baby Nail Scissors!


Cradle Cap Cure Supplies:

A Gentle Oil

and

A Soft Scalp Brush or a Soft Toothbrush


The BEST White Noise Machine


Find Out If Your Hospital Has A Good Rating and low C-Section and Episiotomy Rate at LeapfrogGroup.org


Visit www.birthshow.com for some great free resources that will help you on your own journey into motherhood.

Follow the Birth Podcast on Instagram:

@birthshow

Follow Christy on Instagram:

@christywill


If you find yourself struggling emotionally and mentally after having a baby, you are not alone. Please visit www.postpartum.net for help. There is someone waiting to talk you through this tough moment. Don't wait, help is only a few clicks away.


This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/birth.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19. "You're Not Broken" (PART 2) w/ Trauma Therapist & Doula Alexis Edwards. The Final BIRTH STORY, Creating a Safe Birthing Space, Postpartum Doulas, Padsicles & More!

Guest Alexis Edwards, LCSW & CD, shares her third and final birth story. We talk about what she learned during her first two birth experiences and how she worked to create a safer birthing environment for herself the third time around. What is it like to prepare for a home birth after having two babies in a hospital? How did she navigate the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic brought to the mix during her prenatal care, birth and postpartum experience? What is it like to have an overnight postpartum doula and what do they do for you? She is answering all of those question, dishing out the full details of her final birth story and uplifting us all with some sage words of advice as well.

PLUS: Have you heard of Padsicles? In Today's Quick Tip with Christy, find out what they are and how to make them before your due date so you're guaranteed some soothing relief for your super sore lady parts in those early days postpartum. This is a great life hack you don't want to miss out on knowing about!


About Today's Guest: Alexis is working to create safer spaces for birthing parents everywhere by helping survivors of sexual trauma become more aware of the special emotional and mental challenges they may encounter by birthing a baby and she’s educating those survivors on how to advocate for a safe environment to birth in. She is also working to train perinatal professionals themselves in understanding how they can better serve trauma survivor clients throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum. 


This is PART TWO of a TWO-PART Episode Series with Alexis.


Thank you for rating, reviewing and subscribing to the show!


GUEST LINKS:

Alexis Edwards' WEBSITE: Birth360.net


Follow Alexis on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK


Trauma-Informed Care for Perinatal Professionals Training


OTHER LINKS:

Birthing From Within Class Information

What is PCOS?


Items you need to make "Padsicles:"

Pads, make sure they are large extra long overnight ones. I love these organic ones but these are great too!

Witch Hazel (make sure it's alcohol free)

Pure Aloe Vera Gel

Lavender Oil (optional, but very nice to add)

Aluminum Foil

Large Freezer Bags


DON'T FORGET to add a Frida Peri Bottle and Dermoplast to your postpartum care kit. These are life savers to have on hand for anyone recovering from a vaginal birth.


Visit BirthShow.com for a video on how to make padsicles and tons of other great tips and resources.


Follow Birth on Instagram:

@birthshow

Follow Christy on Instagram:

@christywill


If you find yourself struggling emotionally and mentally after having a baby, you are not alone. Please visit www.postpartum.net for help. There is someone waiting to talk you through this tough moment. Don't wait, help is only a few clicks away.



This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/birth.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18. "You're Not Broken" (PART 1) w/ Trauma Therapist & Doula Alexis Edwards. TWO BIRTH STORIES, Giving Birth As Survivor of Sexual Trauma, Advocating for a Safe Birthing Space & Embracing Your Truth.

Get ready for TWO very vulnerable birth stories today! Guest Alexis Edwards is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Doula who is an expert in helping birthing parents with a history of trauma have happy and empowered birth experiences. Alexis is working to create safer spaces for birthing parents everywhere by helping survivors of sexual trauma become more aware of the special emotional and mental challenges they may encounter by birthing a baby and she’s educating those survivors on how to advocate for a safe environment to birth in. She is also working to train perinatal professionals themselves in understanding how they can better serve trauma survivor clients throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum. 


This is PART ONE of a TWO-PART Episode Series with Alexis. Subscribe and tune in again next week for PART TWO of our discussion.


Alexis Edwards' WEBSITE: Birth360.net


Follow Alexis on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK


Trauma-Informed Care for Perinatal Professionals Training


TRAUMA TALK


Other Links:


The Business of Being Born Movie


Pregnancy Tests Throughout History


Visit www.birthshow.com for some great free resources that will help you on your own journey into motherhood.


Follow the Birth Podcast on Instagram:

@birthshow


Follow Christy on Instagram:

@christywill


If you find yourself struggling emotionally and mentally after having a baby, you are not alone. Please visit www.postpartum.net for help. There is someone waiting to talk you through this tough moment. Don't wait, help is only a few clicks away.




This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/birth.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17. "Blessing in Disguise" w/ Actress & Comedian Marie Lively - BIRTH STORY, Baby Sleep Tips, Building a Support Pod in a Pandemic, Newborn Poop, Breastfeeding Hacks & More!

Today's birth story comes from the very funny actress and improv performer Marie Lively! She not only shares about her pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience, she also shares what it was like to perform on stage while pregnant, how she navigated building a support pod in the early days of caring for a newborn during a pandemic and her favorite books that helped her baby learn to sleep (her baby is 5 months old and sleeping from 6pm to 6am, can you believe it?). We also laugh about newborn poop colors and talk about what's normal, share tips on how to relieve engorgement in your breasts, get real about postpartum sex, birth control methods and much more!


LINKS:


The Happy Sleeper Book


Natural Cycles App


Buy Nothing Groups


Haakaa Pump


Bringing Up Bébé Book


Visit www.birthshow.com to see a video about how to use the Haakaa Pump (under the breastfeeding resources section) and for some other great free resources that will help you on your own journey into motherhood.


Follow the Birth Podcast on Instagram:

@birthshow


Follow Christy on Instagram:

@christywill


If you find yourself struggling emotionally and mentally after having a baby, you are not alone. Please visit www.postpartum.net for help. There is someone waiting to talk you through this tough moment. Don't wait, help is only a few clicks away.




This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/birth.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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