Scrunchy Mamas

Hey, Sister!

Courtney and Carley swap birth stories in an episode devoted to honoring motherhood and various delivery preferences. The term “scrunchy” is explained as it relates to motherhood (silky + crunchy = scrunchy). Perspectives on medicated vs. unmedicated births are shared. Carley offers a pep talk on letting curiosity fuel you and Courtney proposes one critical question to ask yourself before deciding on an unmedicated birth. This is the first episode in the 5-part motherhood series, airing May 2022. Call to action, referenced links/accounts, and show timeline are below.

Episode Sponsor:

3 Stitches Clothing

https://www.facebook.com/3stitchesclothing

https://www.instagram.com/3stitchesclothing/

Call to Action:

Participate in the giveaway for scrunchies (hand-made by 3 Stitches Clothing) on Hey, Sister! Instagram. See the daily stories Monday-Friday for details.

Referenced Information:

“We have a secret in our culture and it's not that birth is painful; It's that women are strong.”

• Laura Stavoe Harm

“After birth, certain biochemical compounds are at work in both mother and child to sustain and accentuate the bond between the two. Hormones, such as oxytocin, surge in mothers after labor and during breast-feeding, promoting social and emotional bonding with the infant.”

• Birth of a Bond, Scientific American

Referenced Links:

www.heysisterpodcast.org

Hey, Sister! Instagram

Hey, Sister! Facebook

Referenced Episodes:

29 Birth Mothers and Adoption // Steve Sunday (coming soon!)

Show Timeline:

0:00 Introduction of topic: disclaimer—episode contains references to female body parts and bodily functions and fluids

2:00 Defining terms: scrunchy, silky and crunchy, all birth is “natural”

3:20 Courtney’s motherhood journey and delivery preference (medicated): infertility story, favorite elements of deliveries, lessons learned from an unmedicated birth

14:00 Carley’s motherhood journey and delivery preference (unmedicated): becoming a birth nerd, decisions rooted in confidence, preparations with husband, 3 labor experiences

20:00 Open discussion: who is in the delivery room, trying new things, spousal support, women are strong

23:00 Advocating for yourself: making a birth plan, studying, asking questions, surrounding yourself with a supportive birth team

24:45 Courtney’s crucial question to consider: “Would you feel comfortable pooping in front of your birth team?” as a litmus test for unmedicated labor and who to have in the labor and delivery room

26:00 No right or wrong way to deliver: trust in healthcare, personal preferences, “to each their own”, no badge of honor or reward for unmedicated birth

28:50 Concluding thoughts: supportive team, photography, packing, women are amazing, listening sincerely when others share their stories

37:00 Giveaway information, call to action, outtakes