Alina L. Part 2. | A fast, spontaneous, unmedicated vaginal delivery, and PP hemorrhage.

In part two of Alina’s story, she shares the fast hospital delivery of her daughter. Alina is a social worker that delivered at the Regina General Hospital. She went into labour spontaneously and went on to have a quick unmedicated delivery. During this birth she did experience a postpartum hemorrhage. 

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Transcript

 Shopping for prenatal vitamins can be very confusing. There are so many out there and it's hard to know what to look for. That is why I love and recommend Everyday's Mama support prenatal vitamins. They're packed full of 23 nutrients, including optimal levels of folate, choline, B six, and other essential nutrients you need to support a growing baby.

They're a Canadian company formulated by naturopathic doctors, and they offer a monthly subscription service. So when pregnancy brain hits, you can rest assured that you'll have your prenatal vitamins delivered to your door. Check out the link to their website in the show notes and use code doulaali at checkout to save 15% off your order.

That's code D-O-U-L-A-A-L-I for 15% off.

 Hi everyone and welcome back to the podcast. This is part two of Alina's story, so make sure you go back and listen to part one. In this episode, she shares the pregnancy and birth story of her daughter. She had a very fast unmedicated vaginal delivery in the hospital, very similar to her son. However, in this birth, she did experience a postpartum hemorrhage.

Awesome. And then when did you. Decide you're ready for a second. Yeah. So I was always like, I wanna have kids like two and a half, like two, eight years apart, two and a half years. So when we were like nearing that time where, the kids would maybe be about the two year mark, I was like, I am not ready.

Yeah. So I was like, we'll just take it month by month. Now keep in mind like we farm, right? Wait, I like, do not wanna have a baby in seeding or harvest. So that was something like we were like also aware of like timeline along that. Was that yeah, both the, when Brett, my son's name is Brett when he was about 18 months old, I'm like, okay.

I think I would be like open to trying. So we tried took us three times, three rounds this time. So we three cycles and then we got pregnant and Yeah, like when we brought Brett home on my 30th birthday we got, we found out we were pregnant on my husband's birthday that time, so Oh, okay. Yeah.

Kind of special, but the two birthdays we hit for both times, yeah, so we found we were pregnant July 14th. And yeah, that it was very, like first trimester was polar opposite than my pregnancy with Brett. Like I had a little bit of nausea, but like hardly anything. No anxiety, like very minimal.

Yeah. Oh, good. It was just a completely diff yeah, it was a completely different experience for that first trimester. So good. Yeah that's, it's always nice when you have a really tough. First trimester with your first, and you're expecting it to be the same with your second and you're pleasantly surprised when it's not.

Yeah. Yeah. It was like, I couldn't believe, like I said, it's a bit of nausea, but I also just knew like right from the time I got pregnant okay, I'm gonna eat every two hours, and like that helped anytime I did get a little bit nauseous, it helps to like just curb it and yeah, so we went on and same thing, I had my first ultrasound around like that eight week mark.

I was convinced I was having twins. Oh, okay. Because twins around in my family and nobody's had twins yet, and I was just like. This pregnancy is, it's twins. And so when we had to ultrasound, I'm like, is there one? She's and she's there's one my gosh, thank you. Yeah. So I had that first one around eight weeks.

And then for this pregnancy, because my. Family doctor, she had left. She initially had me, like, when I first found out I was pregnant and then she left by the time I was, what, three months? So I did all my doctoring with Dr. Ensen for this pregnancy okay. And then was the same plan unmedicated.

First, yeah. Yeah. Same time I was like on Medicaid, it was basically to repeat the first if I could. Yeah, so I because I was going to Regina for I had to go to Regina for all my appointments. That was just a lot of driving, but it was nice. I like made days of it and stuff like that.

But overall, honestly, it was like a textbook pregnancy, like no issues. At all. Like I had heartburn like I did with my first, but that was it. So yeah, and I just felt like I was expecting a big baby again. So I was doing all the same prep work and stuff like that. But I just felt, I was like, I don't feel like, especially near the end, I was like, I do not feel as uncomfortable.

Like baby was definitely once again, we didn't know what we were having. Baby was like sitting up higher, but I'm like, ah, I just don't feel like I'm carrying a 10 to pound baby, like at the end of the pregnancy. I could walk, no problem. I would just say it was more like the. Typical discomfort of the end of pregnancy.

Yeah. But yeah, this time I had decided I was like, you know what, I'm gonna go off work a little bit earlier. So I went off at about like 35 and a half weeks, which I was like comfortable with. Yeah, just trying to sit in counseling sessions and be fully present for a client. I just was really struggling by the end.

So I was glad that I took off when I did and I just honestly spent that time like my son was gonna daycare full time still and I just cleaned my house and we had also, we were also prepping to list our house for May 1st. Oh, okay. So I was like, yeah, I'm prepping to get that ready and just made meals for our freezer and it was honestly just like a really enjoyable time.

Like I, I really enjoyed those few weeks that I had off before baking games. Yes. The end of pregnancy. There is just something about it that I love too, like just preparing your body and your home for this new baby. It is such a special time. It really was. Yeah. And I was just like, I was definitely, I had a lot of I guess sadness and like grief around like that being like Brett's last time with it just being us.

Yeah. So I was like, okay. Yeah. So I just spent that time with him. Like when he was at home and we had i, 'cause I felt like I was prepared. I had the days to prepare and then the evenings to spend with him. And that was really nice. Like I, yeah, we definitely just, I needed that time. So yeah, that was good.

And then at at my 36 week ultrasound for this pregnancy, baby was measuring like a hundred percent tough. So I was like, okay, cool. For sure gotta be another 10 pounder. Like I just was fully prepared and I should not for my first pick. First pregnancy too. Like I did the dates, I did the red raspberry leaf tea.

Like I like researched all this stuff and went with it. So I was doing all the same things. And at, so it would've been my 37 week appointment, but it was actually closer to the 30, it was almost 38 weeks just the way the appointments had fallen. I was like one centimeter dilated. Not a face at all but she's do you wanna do a sweep?

I'm like, yeah, sure. Why not? Let's just do it and see if we can get things moving, because I, yeah. Like I just did not wanna be induced. That was my biggest fear. Yeah. And so then at my 38 week appointment, same thing. I was like, once every, like not a face. She's your cervix is soft, but it's like not a face.

I'm like, okay, let's do another one. So that would've been like the Wednesday and when I left I was like, yeah, like nothing's gonna come of this. Like I was honestly fully prepared. We were gonna go to 41 weeks this time. Okay. Yeah. I just had that in my head. I like, I hadn't felt like any brax and hicks, like just no signs versus like with my son, I was like for a few weeks before, like I felt like time was there sort of thing.

Yeah. So yeah, that was the Wednesday and then that's. Sunday, so it was March 16th. It was funny too because I had a few friends that had birthdays on the 14th and 15th, and I was like, oh, not no baby today. No baby today. Baby's cozy in there. On the 16th, I like woke up, made muffins with my son that morning, like it was just a really relaxed morning.

Yeah. And then I had been doing the mile circuit every day. I said, my just said to my husband I'm gonna go do the mile circuit, and then when I'm done let's call your parents. I was in there doing the mile circuit and it would've been like in the second position, I was like, oh.

That's a contraction. Like for sure. A contraction. Okay. Yeah. And yeah, and then there was like another one 10 minutes later and like they were pretty strong. I was like, okay, cool. So just continued finish it off. And I didn't say anything to my husband. I'm like, okay, let's call your parents. So we're on video call with them and I'm like, oh yeah, okay.

These are like. These are happening. So we get to the call and we end it. I'm like I am having contractions. He's oh, okay. So that night before, like my son had a terrible night, so he had been up with him all night. So I was like, maybe you should go have a little nap. 'cause like I have a feeling we're gonna be in for a long night.

Yeah. So it was like a beautiful day. So he went for a nap and I took our little guy outside. And we're outside in the snow. I'm like having to lean over the deck. I'm like, okay, yeah. This is definitely happening. But I still wasn't totally convinced either. I was like, oh no. Like they're gonna die off.

Yeah, because I just had it in my head. That baby was not gonna come anytime soon. So I was like, okay, I'm gonna have a bath. So I like run a bath and I put Blippy on for my son and I was like, mommy's just gonna have a bath. And he's like coming in and out and like he offered me his. Bath toys and I'm like full on having contractions.

So then my, yeah. And so when my husband comes in, he's okay, like what are your thoughts? Like it has a little half hour nap. I'm like, yeah, we need to go to the city. So I was messaging my friend that it was the same friend that we were gonna plan to labor at her house. And she's like, why are you not on the road?

I'm like. I know we're getting there yeah. And what was the plan? Who was gonna watch your son? Because we have no family around Wynyard that we were gonna take him to the city and drop him off at my grandparents. Okay. Yeah, so initially, like my sister-in-law had taken like that next week off, so that was the hope was that we would get to that time.

He could go to her place, but she was still working. They became a little bit too early. Yeah. So we were gonna drop him off at my grandparents and then my parents were gonna come up to the city and meet us, meet him there. So yeah, we packed up, had to feed him supper 'cause it was like getting close to that time.

Hit the road and initially like contractions were definitely manageable, like I was doing. Okay. And then by about way more. I'm like, okay, these are progressing and I don't know if we're gonna be able to like labor at my friend's place was like, we're probably have to go to the hospital and then just pass, like cel getting towards the valley.

I'm like, oh yeah, no, this is like a drop and run thing. Okay. So And so how far would that be from the city? That would be like. 25 minutes probably. Okay. Yeah. And so luckily my grandparents live right on the northwest end, so it was like easy to just like to drop him off. So we get there and they meet us.

They're like a condo building. They, my parents weren't there yet, so just my grandparents. So I felt so bad afterwards. My grandpa was like trying to talk to me. I'm like, I can't. I'm in la. Yeah. So we like took my son up and dropped him off. I was so worried that he was gonna be. Like have a meltdown.

But he wasn't, he was fine. It was cute on the way into the city. He's mom, the baby coming now. Aw. And I'm like, yep. So yeah, he like knew he was pretty, a pretty smart cookie. Like he definitely understood what was happening. So yeah, he, we dropped him off. We were honestly there so we got to the city about seven 30 and dropped him off.

And then we're like, we were there all of not even 10 minutes and then we were heading to the hospital. Got to the hospital like just before eight and this time was totally different because we just were able to walk in and had a bed and triage and like immediately. So very different experience than walking in it just being pure chaos.

Yeah. So yeah, we got a bed right away. And again, triage first and the nurse came in and yeah, she was really good. It was funny, like I was laboring. They checked me. I was both like, I think it was about four centimeters dilated. So yeah. Had made progress since when I had that check at my appointment at the.

At one centimeter. Yeah. And but was very much in active labor and the nurse was funny. She's she touching my husband. She's you just need some hip squeezes for her. That will really help. And she's started squeezing my hips and I was like no. Do not touch me. And my husband's yeah, oh yeah, she does not wanna be touching labor.

Do not touch her. Yeah. He knew. He, yeah, he knew. He is oh no, I know my place here. I just got back. Yeah. Yeah, she, and she was funny. She's oh my gosh, I'm sorry. She's most women really like that. I'm like, yeah, no. Like I do not wanna be touched. So yeah, we gotta bed like fairly quick.

Yeah. This time rather than being like wheeled down there while I'm pushing, I like got to walk to the room. It was just like completely different. And that was, I think the biggest difference was like with Brett, that the contractions there was absolutely no break. Yeah. Versus with this baby, it was like contraction.

And then I have a break to regroup and could have a conversation. Like I very much felt present through this birth versus my first one. I was truly in another world. Like I don't remember a good chunk of it. It's nice to get those little breaks in between contractions. Yeah. Yeah, it was lovely. It was so much more manageable.

I was, I would say the only difference was with the contractions with this pregnancy, it was they, it honestly felt like things were like pulling and suctioning down and I felt that way more uncomfortable than with my son. Even though they were back to back, it felt like they were like pushing from the top.

Okay. So it's just even that's the type of they just felt very different, even though I was like in another world and they were back to pat back in the first one, the contractions in the second pregnancy, they felt more intense themselves, I guess is the easiest way to explain it. Yeah so just difficult in their own way.

Yeah, exactly. So yeah, we got a room though, and like I said to the nurse, I walk in, I'm like, oh wow, it's nice to like labor in a room. And I like told her the first word. She's oh yeah, that's not a good time. I'm like, no. And she was great. She was really good. And so I like initially was like I guess backtrack, like on my first labor, I like, things progressed so fast.

Like I didn't even get an IV in it was just like, and I did, I just wanted like a saline lock, but like they, there wasn't even time for that. Yeah. So I had no iv, nothing. And like I, I come from a medical family, so that made me nervous. I'm like, in case something happened, this time I was like.

Please get an IV in right away. And they did. So I had the IV in just the SA lock. And then I was like, can I get in the tub? She's yep, absolutely. So got in the tub and I was in there, I was not in there that long, and I was like doing the same thing, like leg up over the side. I was like, oh, okay.

This just feels like it's moving along fast. And so then went back to the bed and yeah, things were like really picking up and so they checked me again and I was at like an eight. And I could feel it. I just felt like I was getting outta control again. Like Yeah. Feeling just like I couldn't manage anymore.

Yeah. So I was like, okay, sounds good. Like at least I know what's coming in transition, like we're nearing the end. And so then. And then I started to feel like I need to push. And I was like, Hey, this is like only a few minutes later I'm like, I need to push. And then they're like, can we check you again just to make sure like we're there.

And so they did, and I was like a nine and a half, but I had a little bit of like a cervical lip there that just didn't wanna quite open up. So they, there was a resident delivering and she was phenomenal. I can't remember her name, but she was really good. And she's are you okay if I help, get this out the way?

I'm like, yep, absolutely. But by that point, my water also hadn't broke, so she asked if she could break my water and I was like, yes, please. Because all I could feel was just this bulge and I hated that feeling. Okay. Yeah. So she broke my water. Then that lip that got the lip outta the way pretty fast.

That moved out of the way and then she broke my water and she said, okay, there is like some meconium in here. So we'll just have to be aware of that when baby comes. And yeah, I was pushing like just all my hands and knees this time. And my nursery was so sweet. She's because everybody's worried about shoulder to soia, even though my my first, he was big, but had no issues.

Like I said, he flew out. And they, I could hear the residents stayed a few times. She's okay big baby, like risk for shoulder to and I was like, I knew these things. Like I'm aware of that. And so my nurse said it again to me. She's Hey honey, I just wanna give you a heads up.

Like you can push this way. If baby, if baby gets stuck, we'll have to flip you over. And I was like, I know that. I know I'm at risk for a big baby. I just lost it. I was like, okay. And I felt so bad afterwards. I apologized after baby was born. I like, I'm sorry. She's oh no, that's not a big deal.

She's I've been told way worse. Yeah. Yeah, no, I pushed on my hands at knees for babies out after eight minutes of pushing. So same thing yeah, flew out and we had a girl Elsie is her name. Aw. And yeah, so when she was born she wasn't breathing though. Like she, they had to take her pretty quick.

They asked, they're like, can we cut the cord? Like they've stopped breathing. So I was like, yeah. So they cut her cord and basically by the time they got to the warmer, she started to take some breaths and then they had to suction. But she came to pretty fast. But I like, honestly, it was probably only like a minute, but it felt.

Like forever. That was, yeah. That's not a good feeling. No, not at all. No. But she came to pretty quick they ed her and then they had to suction her again like a few minutes later. But yeah, so when I, it's funny when she was born and she, because like they brought her up and she. Like I was on my hands and knees and she was like under me.

I instantly knew. I was like, that is not a 10 pound baby. She was just so much smaller. I know. I'm so curious to know what she did make. Yeah, so she, so they, the nurse, she was like, what's your guesses? I'm like, my guess is like nine pounds. And she was eight pounds, 13 ounces. Okay. So yeah. So still a big baby, but a lot smaller than 10 pounds, six ounce.

Yeah.

 Shopping for prenatal vitamins can be very confusing. There are so many out there and it's hard to know what to look for. That is why I love and recommend Everyday's Mama support prenatal vitamins. They're packed full of 23 nutrients, including optimal levels of folate, choline, B six, and other essential nutrients you need to support a growing baby.

They're a Canadian company formulated by naturopathic doctors, and they offer a monthly subscription service. So when pregnancy brain hits, you can rest assured that you'll have your prenatal vitamins delivered to your door. Check out the link to their website in the show notes and use code doula alley at checkout to save 15% off your order.

That's code D-O-U-L-A-A-L-I for 15% off.

  Yeah, so she came over, she latched right away. It was like just even the feeding journey was like completely different. She latched right away. Like she was mucusy too because she came so fast, but, she latched and yeah, it was just like the feeding journey started then. And I should know she was born at 10, after 10 that night.

Okay. Yeah, like labor basically started at three 30 and was done by. 10 after 10. Yeah. So very both of them. Very fast labor. Yeah, very fast. Yeah. Yeah. And then what about immediately postpartum with her? Yeah. So immediately was good. Yeah, we had like our skin to skin. She was latching. Yeah, I apologized to my nurse for my little moment there yeah.

And we like, it was just really good. It was quite enjoyable. I. And I said to my husband, I looked at him, I was like, I just feel like I was so present that whole time. He's oh yeah. He's you were not in la at all like you were here. And I just like immediately felt like I was there versus with my son, I was just still like in another world.

So I. Yeah, I had a, just a minor first degree tear. I was like, pretty minimal, they did, had to do a few stitches, but we stitched up and then we were there for a little while and then we went up to mother and baby, and so we got settled onto mother and baby. It's just after one o'clock in the morning.

And yeah, I was holding Elsie and was gonna feed her, my husband he was gonna just stepped out to get some water and I just felt a gosh. And I was like, okay, that's not good. So I called for the nurse and yeah. And she came in and she's okay, yeah, let's just check. And then she's okay, I'm gonna need to get a little bit of help.

So all of a sudden there's six nurses in the room and Yeah, because I was, he yeah, so they are, they like. I got the IV started and this was where I was so thankful that I already had that IV in. Yeah. So got the IV started medication, things were not slowing, and so then they gave me oral cyto attack.

Which they said that can cause shakes. And it did like it just. Full body vibrating. So my husband was holding the baby and he just was watching this study out. My whole body was just shaking. That was terrible. I hated that feeling. And then, yeah, like they just couldn't get it to slow.

And so then the resident was like we're gonna have to go in internally. And keep in mind, once again, I didn't have an epidural. I was like, okay, yeah, no problem. And they're like, do you want pain meds? I'm like, that'll be okay. So she went in and honestly, I. I did not think it was that bad.

Like it felt pressure, but I was like I just gave birth. Yeah, not, I didn't find it that bad. Yeah, she went in and did the internal, whatever they call it tried to get things out and, yeah, still wasn't slowing. So then she had to go in a second time, and then that time it was just like the smallest little piece of membrane that had been left in there.

And that had that's what they figured. Caused the hemorrhage. Yeah. So yeah, so after that, then things did start to slow up. And then I still I just was like shaking. I had those full body shakes for three hours. That was horrible. And then the whole time they're like, are you sure you don't need meds?

Like pain? And you started pain meds. They're like, that's a very. Painful procedure, typically what we have to do. And I'm like, no, I honestly, I'm okay. It really was not that bad. I'm pretty good at just trying to relax my body and what I did and just let it happen and I was, it was okay.

Yeah. So then afterwards I like this much might be too, like too much information, but I was like, I just felt like she was kind like, put. Sweeping a few fingers and he is oh, no, dear. Like her whole arm was up there. I'm like, oh, okay. Oh, like it did not feel like that, that you even realize. I didn't even realize.

Yeah, no, I had no idea. He was like, oh no. He was like, it was more than that. So anyways, but got through that and then things started to slow. And then, yeah, so then by, I don't even know what time in the morning, like things had slowed up and. Yeah. Then the room had quieted down and then I was able to have Elsie again.

And so I was hit off like it was like three, three and a half hours where I didn't get to hold her. Because I just, I couldn't, I was shaking so badly, like there was no way I could hold her. Yeah. Yeah, but she slept the whole time. She just slept with my husband and yeah. So then she came back to me and then she fed and.

Because both my babies were big babies. Like they had to do the blood sugar checks. Yeah. And with my son, like his blood sugar was like 0.2 low and they said it's probably just go ahead and eat in like hours. And then he was fine, like afterwards. But, and same with my daughter. She, her blood sugar was like perfect all along.

So yeah, she was latching and yeah, nursing, it felt I didn't meet with a lactation consultant in the ho hospital that time. I just didn't really feel like it was necessary because I'd already met with Sarah from with, from seed sprout privately before pregnancy. And then I had a plan to meet with her fairly soon after birth.

As I had that plan and then we were, so yeah, that was this, she was born the 16th of March and we went home the 18th. Okay. The morning of the 18th? Yeah. Okay. Did your son come and meet your daughter in the hospital? Yeah, my parents came up and and they brought my son. Yeah. And it was honestly like the sweetest moment.

Yeah. That's the best. Yeah. Oh, it was so sweet. He like came in and he was just like in awe. And I have a video of him saying he is I love her. It was so cute. Yeah. Aw. Oh my God. Yeah. I wasn't sure how I go, but it was really good. And he was really good with her, like those first few weeks. He's pretty rough with her now.

I know. He was very good with her. I'm sure she'll start fighting back soon. Oh yeah. She's getting a little feisty already yeah. So no, we, it was good too, like on my, I wanted because yeah, like my parents were in the city with him, so I wanted, like, when we were to go home, like he would come home with us so that we could take her home together and I'm glad we did that.

Like it was good. He was like excited about it and gotta be involved in that part too, awesome. And then anything else notable about postpartum? Honestly, no. Like this one has been pretty different. I guess I should note, like she was breastfeeding and she was slow to gain weight. She also has a minor ide, but it didn't really feel like a need to be revised.

Like she was slow to gain weight. None of the providers were concerned, like she was like. Gaining, it just was slow. So we did supplement with formula, just like minimal amounts just to get her going. And then she hit about like the, she was continuously gaining, took her. Quite a while. I can't remember how old she was.

It was, she was like 10 weeks by the time she actually hit birth weight. Oh, wow. But yeah, it was a slow, it was a slow gain. But we got there and then she just, after that, then she like, just continued to gain quite well. But nobody was concerned. I was more concerned. I was like, oh my gosh. Like she should be at birth weight by two weeks.

And everybody's if she's content, she's she's nursing. Like we did that bit of supplementation, like there was no concerns at all. Everybody was really good to just kinda be like, go with what you're comfortable with. So yeah, so I worked with my lactation consultant and we did a little bit of supplementation.

It was like very minimal. Just before a feed to help give her a little bit energy. 'cause she was just sleepy. She would just fall asleep. Yeah. So yeah, that kind of, once we got through. That first 10 weeks and she was gaining no problem. And yeah, it's just been very different experience overall.

She's a great sleeper. Like good, that's great. She's, yeah. She still sleeps better than my 3-year-old and that was one thing, like my husband and I talked a lot about was just like, how to protect my sleep this time around. Yeah. So that I didn't get to that point I was at last time. I still work with my counselor and I've had to have a few sessions, but it's just, yeah, some other life things that are going on that are impacting postpartum.

But like this time, I very much feel like I can manage, I can control I've had I'd say some typical anxiety, but like it's, it was, we're not going in anywhere near what it was last time. So overall it's been very different. Which is good. It's, it just feels different and good this time.

Yeah. It sounds like a completely different experience from your first Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And that's I, she's only seven, seven and a half months old. But I'm like, I feel like we're just like on upwards from here, hopefully. Good. Yeah. And yeah, like I said, we moved next week, so I'm like, when we get to our new house, I'm like, we're going, she's, we've just co-slept.

I haven't even attempted a crib or Bain at this time. I'm like. That just didn't work for us and that caused a lot of anxiety and honestly some trauma last time. So we've just post up. My husband, he's been sleeping in our spare room, and then her and I, we do follow the safe sleep rules and we've had a lovely sleeping journey and feeding journey.

Good. And then what do you feel like helped you? The most postpartum, like any kind of prep that you did? Yeah, I did a lot of just the typical meal prep again. I think for both pregnancies I was. Very aware that, I need to have some things like, not just like the typical house clean and like meals prep.

Like I knew I needed to be on the ball and have supports prepped. So like I already knew that if, for example, like if I, we need to do body work that, like we had a chiropractor lined up out of Humboldt. Dr. Kailyn, she's phenomenal at Vault. She's great. We worked her for both of, with both babies.

Like the first time around, I didn't have a lactation consultant lined up, but I already knew of one. So it was just making sure that I had, things lined up and now I'm very, I have to know like I'm privileged and can have have access to those things. That was something I just made sure for both pregnancies to have that lined up so I didn't have to try to find people later on.

And that's something even I tell, like clients that I work with, if possible, have your people lined up, your support system lined up. So when you are in the trenches, those first few weeks, you don't have to think about it. Yes. That you just call and honestly there are amazing perinatal resources out there.

Just not everybody knows about them, but Regina Perinatal Health Network has like some great, even I believe I should have double checked this before I came on, but there at one point was like a zoom call for anybody in the province. And yeah, mother mayor outta Saskatoon has some great resources.

There's people out there, you just have to do a little bit digging, but yes. Yeah, and do that digging beforehand and have Absolutely, yeah. Have that list. Yes, absolutely. Do not wait. Yeah, that was one thing I'm glad I did for both of them and the basics of having meals prepped, like I knew with the second baby we were gonna be going into seating like, six weeks later. So I like was prepped. Okay. We have like basically enough meals for six-ish weeks just to get us through. And then we were coming down to my parents to stay with them for seating. So I just had to get through this for six weeks and then we would be here and having help with them.

So yeah, it was that would definitely be the biggest thing. It was just like getting your support circle on board beforehand. Yeah. Awesome. And then what is a piece of advice you would give to someone heading toward their labor? I would say just have some sort of plan ultimately or just and that, that doesn't have to be like a set in stone plan, but just have some things prepped whether it be like written out a birth.

Birth plan or like having your partner in the know. And I would say that's probably the number one, like having your, like communicating with your partner what your wants and expectations are because you're not gonna be able to necessarily communicate that or whether a partner or doula, whoever's present.

Like for me it was just my husband and he was a phenomenal coach, so he was really good. But I know not everybody has that experience, so just whoever's gonna be in the room with you, having those conversations beforehand so they can help communicate because you're not necessarily gonna be able to yeah.

And then yeah, like just having a plan of how you would like things to go, but obviously knowing that there has to be some flexibility within that too. I know for myself, like I was like, I want unmedicated, but I also knew if I possibly they had to go in for an emergency c-section, that maybe would mean I wouldn't be able to be awake for that.

Like I, and I did a lot of that acceptance work beforehand. For fortunately these two pregnancies, that wasn't the case, but I was open and prepared for that if it needed to happen. Yeah. Good. Yeah, I'm a huge fan of a birth plan because it really keeps you, the nurse, the doctors, your doula, your husband, all on the same page, and it, yeah.

Yeah. It's so important for when we're in a vulnerable state that we. Have it listed out of, this is what I wanted, this is what was important to me. Yeah. And just to make sure everyone's on the same page. Yeah. And I filled both my labors that my, all the providers, like nurses, obs, everybody, they were very respectful of that.

And they obviously had read it because they would get, maybe asked a couple questions about it or they said okay, this isn't your plan. What about this my experience was that they were very respectful of it. So that, that made me feel good about it too, because I was like, okay, like I put that preparation in and it was respected, so yeah.

Good. And then what surprised you the most about postpartum? That's a good question. I think the second time around, not so much, but the first time, like I truly thought I was so prepared. And I was like I honestly think I was like I had taken all those steps to prepare, but there's just nothing that actually prepares you for it.

Like even those first three months, like they were good overall, but like just. Wildly different than, yeah. What I thought even would be, even though I love the newborn stage, and yeah, it's just everything is a learning experience, especially that first time, like every single thing is new. So that was like something I think now with the second baby, that it's just okay, there's some.

Familiarity there, which is nice, even though it's very different, but it's just okay, like I don't have this overwhelming sense of second guessing absolutely. Everything I'm doing. It's just okay. I know. And I would also say that like for me, the apps just like the apps of say like when Wonder Weeks and those sorts of things, those just cause me more anxiety.

So I would say yes, they can be nice to have guiding point, but if they're not helpful, just delete them. Yeah. Yeah. With first, I used the Huckleberry app to track absolutely every feed and data change and the Wonder Weeks app. And yeah, with my second, did not download it. Absolutely not.

No. And no, it was way more peaceful. Yeah. Yeah. Like the second time around, I had the only thing I tracked was like wet diapers, just because she was like closed. Gain. So I was like, want to be just aware of that and that was the only thing I tracked. Nothing else. And I, so whenever I talk to new moms too, like whether it be counseling or just like friends, I'm just like, just be very mindful of that.

'cause for some people it does help, right? Yes. But if it's causing more harm than good, then just get rid of them. They are not helpful. So you learn your baby. Yes, exactly. Okay. Alina, thank you so much for coming on the podcast. It, thank you for having me.