S2 EP: 13 Lauren - Two Births, GP Shared Care, Doula, Cervical Recoiling, Epidural, Instrumental Birth, Birth Trauma, Breastfeeding Challenges, MGP, Homebirth, 2nd Degree tear.

In today's episode we talk to Lauren about her two birth experiences. Lauren shares her journey with work from being an instagram influencer and a travel photographer, to pivoting during COVID into the events space and now really leaning into motherhood and being more aligned with her values.
Lauren talks about trying to choose a care provider that worked around her travel/work for her first pregnancy. Lauren chose GP shared care and decided to give birth in the hospital system. Lauren went into labour spontaneously at 39+5 weeks and experienced a long labour where her cervix recoiled and after 30 hours, she opted for an epidural and had an instrumental birth. Throughout our discussion, Lauren addresses the systemic challenges within the maternity system that contributed to her birth trauma.
In her second pregnancy, Lauren sought a new model of care and was welcomed into the MGP program. As she laboured at home, her MGP midwife made a crucial home visit. In that moment, Lauren made the decision to stay home to give birth, supported by her trusted midwife.
Lauren's Links:

• Lauren's Instagram 
• makiathebabyjournal

Links:

• Info on Fentanyl 
• What is an Epidural 
• Effects of maternally administered fentanyl 
• QLD  GOV info on epidurals 
• 2021 Mothers & Babies report - Analgesia 
• Cochrane Review - Epidurals
• Second stage of labour & epidurals 
• Cervical Recoiling - Dr Sara Wickham 
• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
• Divided by Annabel Sowemimo