In this episode I am joined by Jen McLellan, author, speaker, and founder of the website Plus Size Birth and the Plus Mommy blog. She is also host of the popular podcast Plus Mommy, and is a certified childbirth educator, wife, and mother. With more than four million page views on her blog, Jen is passionate about helping others navigate the bumps along the road of motherhood.
Jen notes that her doula’s recommendation to look into the midwife model of care changed the course of her first pregnancy. As she had first began care under an obstetrician and researched plus size pregnancy online, she had started to believe that she was at high risk due to her size. However, she had an empowering natural birth with no complications.
As Jen developed her blog, she realized the great need for plus size pregnancy support. While she covers a variety of topics, one of her main areas of focus is helping women to connect with a care provider who will not make them feel ashamed. We discuss practical tips for finding a supportive and welcoming provider, as well as some of the biased messages women of size commonly hear during the course of their care and birth.
For more information and news about Evidence Based Birth®, visit www.ebbirth.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Ready to get involved? Check out our Professional membership (including scholarship options) and our Instructor program. Find an EBB Instructor here, and click here to learn more about the Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Class.
Resources:
Follow Jen on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Check out Plus Size Birth, the Plus Mommy blog and the Plus Mommy podcast.
Use coupon code “EBB” to get 30% off Jen’s book, My Plus Size Pregnancy Guide.
For a directory of plus-friendly providers and doulas, visit SizeFriendly.com.
Listening to this podcast is an Australian College of Midwives CPD Recognised Activity.
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Positions during Labor and their Effects on Pain Relief
What are the potential benefits of movement and upright positions during labor for pain relief? We’ll go over the evidence, including what studies have found about the effectiveness of birth balls and dance labor. We’ll also discuss several professional guidelines on movement and positions during labor.
Painless Birth and Pain Perception During Childbirth
Do we have research evidence on how often painless birth occurs? We will discuss what we found and go over the evidence on factors that can shape pain perception during childbirth. We’ll also look at the complex relationship between effective pain relief during labor and maternal satisfaction with the birth experience.
Water Immersion during Labor for Pain Relief
In this video, we discuss hydrotherapy in a tub, birth pool, or shower as a pain relief option during labor and/or birth. Does water immersion during labor provide effective pain relief? Is it commonly used? We go over the research evidence as well as recommendations from several professional organizations.
