Steph Sellen's Birth Evolution: Lessons in Advocacy and Strength

The Birth Journeys Podcast®️

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When Steph Sellen, a mother of six with her seventh bundle of joy on the way, sat down with me, she didn't hold back. Her first childbirth, marred by a traumatic induction, was a stark contrast to the empowered births that followed. As a real estate dynamo and podcast host, Steph's life is as multifaceted as it gets. Our conversation ventured through the landscape of her birthing experiences, from the cold sterility of her initial hospital labor to the warmth and personalized care provided by midwives in later deliveries. She candidly details how each birth, with its own unique challenges and triumphs, became a lesson in self-advocacy, highlighting the profound difference knowledge and support can make.
Amid the laughter and poignant moments of our chat, Steph peeled back the curtain on managing a bustling household while navigating a demanding career. The balancing act of family life, professional obligations, and personal growth was a frequent touchpoint, with Steph sharing both the humorous realities of parenting a large clan and the emotional weight of pregnancy after loss. Her tales ranged from scheduling mishaps to moments of deep introspection about the legacy of her own mother and grandmother, painting a vivid picture of modern motherhood.
Listeners are sure to find resonance in Steph's reflections on preparing for childbirth, dealing with pregnancy anxiety, and embracing unexpected blessings. Her insights on striving for normalcy in the whirlwind of life with six kids and a seventh on the way—while closing deals and preparing freezer meals—offer a dose of reality laced with an infectious can-do spirit. Join us as we navigate the beautiful chaos of Steph's world, where every day is a juggle, every birth story is a source of strength, and every moment is a chance to laugh, learn, and love a little more.
Connect with Steph on instagram @stephsellenhomes
Listen to her podcast: Real Life - Real Estate - Real Deal
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-life-real-estate-real-deal/id1723780538

Want to have Kelly Hof as your birth coach? You got it!
I will help you:

☑️identify the source of anxiety you have surrounding birth.

☑️fill in knowledge gaps to make sure that you are fully informed and confident.

☑️learn key phrases so you can better communicate with your medical team.

☑️emotionally process your fears so that they don’t hold power over you

Go to kellyhof.com to book a free 30 minute birth vision call.

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Medical Disclaimer:
This podcast is intended as a safe space for women to share their birth experiences. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Each woman’s medical course of action is individual and may not appropriately transfer to another similar situation. Please speak to your medical provider before making any medical decisions. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that evidence based practice evolves as our knowledge of science improves. To the best of my ability I will attempt to present the most current ACOG and AWHONN recommendations at the time the podcast is recorded, but that may not necessarily reflect the best practices at the time the podcast is heard. Additionally, guests sharing their stories have the right to autonomy in their medical decisions, and may share their choice to go against current practice recommendations. I intend to hold space for people to share their decisions. I will attempt to share the current recommendations so that my audience is informed, but it is up to each individual to choose what is best for them.

Chapters

1. "Traumatic First Induced Birth Experience" (00:00:00)

2. Childbirth Experiences and Midwives (00:06:16)

3. Childbirth Experiences and Medical Interventions (00:10:37)

4. Preparing and Sharing Birth Stories (00:19:43)

5. Pregnancy Anxiety and Unexpected Blessings (00:31:19)

6. Life With Six Kids, Real Estate (00:42:44)