In this week’s podcast, I interview new parents Heather Hyden and Jimmy Earley. They live in Lexington, Kentucky, and were one of the first couples to take the Evidence Based Birth Childbirth Class in 2018. Heather works at a local university, and Jimmy works at a local nonprofit. Their son Kess turned 9 months on the day we recorded this episode. Theirs is a unique story in that this pregnancy was actually their second. Their first baby had a fatal condition and that first pregnancy was not considered to be viable. Finding care appropriate for their family was difficult.
Heather looked forward to a healing home birth, but plans changed. At 34 weeks Heather no longer felt that home was the right environment for them for a variety of reasons. Thanks to the EBB Childbirth Class, the couple felt a shift in their confidence and no longer feared a hospital birth as they did before. What followed was a winding, 30+ hour journey to meeting their baby.
Heather and Jimmy found out about the EBB Childbirth Class through multiple recommendations from their doula, a local friend, AND their OBGYN. They were attracted to the online flexibility, the tactile learning tools, and the role playing aspects of the class.
What I love about Heather’s story is how she and Jimmy had tools to advocate for themselves. They were able to utilize a variety of options in labor, including one of my new favorite techniques – a pre-pushing ‘huddle’ with the staff! We discuss how to keep a supportive birth team and entering parenthood free from the judgement of others. (And certainly not least, the reminder to have a food plan and proper nourishment!)
RESOURCES
Click here for information on the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.
Click here to see the book The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother.
Click here to find an EBB Childbirth Class near you.
Listening to this podcast is an Australian College of Midwives CPD Recognised Activity.
Stay empowered, read more :
EBB 142 – Home Birth Transfer During COVID-19 and the Uprisings in Minneapolis with Jenae Herron and Marcel Malekebu
Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast: iTunes | Stitcher In this episode, I welcome parents Jenae Herron and Marcel Malekebu. Jenae is a housing case manager, and Marcel does podcast production. They live in Minnesota, and welcomed their first child in...
EBB 141 – Birthing and Disparities in Minnesota with Rhonda Fellows and Dr. Jennifer Almanza
Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast: iTunes | Stitcher Today is a special day, as we are starting a 3-day podcast focus on the amazing work being done by the Minnesota Healing Justice Network! In today's episode, I am joined by EBB instructor, Rhonda...
EBB 140 – From Hospital Birth to Home Birth with Kristin and Zach Crosby
Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our podcast: iTunes | Stitcher In this episode, I interview parents Kristin and Zach Crosby, who live in Alabama with their four children. Kristin is a registered nurse, and has been a stay at home mom since the birth of their...




