Canadian Birth Journeys - Birth Stories From Across Canada

Sara Mason
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  • Parenting
  • Updated Biweekly

A space for mothers to share their journeys to motherhood from pregnancy through birth to the postpartum experience.

Episodes

  1. Jul 22

    5 | Lauren - Two babies, C-section, hospital birth, midwifery care, breech birth

    In this episode, I talk with Lauren from Victoria, BC to hear the stories of welcoming her two children, Harper and Rory. Lauren's first pregnancy began just as the world shut down during COVID-19, which meant much of her prenatal care with her midwives happened over the phone. After going past her Christmas Day due date, she went into labour on December 29th and laboured for nearly two days before meeting Harper by C-section. Her story includes a surprising twist that neither of us saw coming. A little over two years later, Lauren was pregnant again and hoped for a VBAC (vaginal birth after Caesarean). As her due date came and went, and after weighing several factors—including concerns about baby's size—she ultimately chose to have a planned repeat C-section to welcome her son, Rory. We also talk about Lauren's postpartum journey with both of her children, including having to triple feed for a time with her first and navigating challenging sleep with her second. Follow along and connect: 📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠ If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

  2. Jul 8

    4 | Sara Mason - 2nd baby, water birth, home birth, 2 under 2, big baby

    In today’s episode, I share the birth story of my second son, Jake. After Sam’s birth, there were a few things I hoped would be different this time. I was hoping to give birth in the water, experience the urge to push, all while surrendering to the unique birth that this journey would surely be. I also talk about the pressure I felt as I went past my due date, as well as the unexpected guilt and grief that came with the transition from one child to two. I was fortunate to have another positive birth experience, and I’m excited to share it with you. Follow along and connect: 📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠ If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

  3. Jun 23

    3 | Kayla - physiological birth, midwifery care, doula support, hospital birth, big baby, 3rd degree tear, varicose veins

    In today's episode, I interview Kayla, who shares the story of her physiological hospital birth. She talks about choosing midwifery care and hiring a doula to support her throughout pregnancy and birth. During pregnancy, Kayla experienced symptoms including reflux, sciatica pain, and varicose veins. Labor began one morning at 39 weeks, and after spending most of her labor at home, Kayla arrived at the hospital and welcomed her son just an hour and a half later — much faster than she had expected. Kayla also shares about experiencing a third-degree tear and what her healing and recovery looked like postpartum. This episode is especially helpful for expectant first-time moms, as Kayla provides thoughtful and detailed descriptions of her pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum experience. Follow along and connect: 📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠⁠ If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

  4. Jun 23

    2 | Samantha - two homebirths, waterbirth, breech baby, ECV, postpartum rage, Covid

    In this episode, Samantha shares how she came to the decision to have children and move back to her hometown in Southwestern Ontario to be closer to family. She always knew she wanted midwifery care, and after attending an information session at her local clinic, decided to plan for a home birth as well. Her pregnancy took an unexpected turn when she discovered her baby was breech at 36 weeks. She chose to try an ECV, which was successful. After a stretch and sweep, she went into labor at 41 weeks, and her daughter Josephina was born in the birth pool the following morning. Samantha also opens up about her experience with postpartum rage and how she sought help after being encouraged by a friend’s vulnerability in sharing similar struggles. She later welcomed her second daughter at the beginning of COVID—another successful home birth. Follow along and connect: 📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcast ⁠https://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/⁠ If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

  5. Jun 23

    1 | Sara Mason - positive homebirth story, midwifery care, unexplained infertility, big baby, advanced maternal age

    *Note: This episode was recorded when I was 39 weeks pregnant with my second son, Jake, and Sam was 20 months old. By the time this episode was published, Jake had already been born. In this episode, I’m sharing the birth story of my first baby, Sam. After about a year and a half of trying to conceive, I reflect on that journey and the challenges of infertility. My pregnancy was relatively smooth, with a few bumps along the way—including a scare during the Enhanced First Trimester Screening and failing my first gestational diabetes test. I did a lot of birth prep through a local clinic in Woodstock and was under midwifery care, planning a home water birth. At 39 weeks and 4 days, I went into labor and 25 hours later, Sam was born on our couch. Follow along and connect: 📷 @canadianbirthjourneyspodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/canadianbirthjourneyspodcast/ If you enjoy the show, please consider following, sharing with a friend, or leaving a rating and review. I'm also always looking for guests from across Canada who would like to share their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

  • 5 Episodes

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A space for mothers to share their journeys to motherhood from pregnancy through birth to the postpartum experience.

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