Military Birth Talk

In this episode of “Military Birth Talk,” Anni welcomes back Zatha, a former Marine now living near Naples, Italy, to share her third birth story two months postpartum. She recaps her first two fast births—one at a birth center after a late referral and one unassisted soon after moving to Italy—then explains her approach to a largely non-medicalized third pregnancy focused on self-care, tracking health metrics, exercise, chiropractic care, and intensive study of birth physiology. Labor began late at night around a predicted full supermoon, progressed rapidly with her mantra “feel it, don’t fear it,” and culminated in an unassisted bathroom birth where she caught her baby herself, with her husband and mother arriving moments before. She describes an unhurried postpartum, improved recovery, starting elimination communication from birth, and encourages families to “be students of birth” to replace fear with knowledge and better advocate for themselves. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of 'Military Birth Talk,' Anni interviews Major Ashley Owen Cunningham, an active-duty Air Force JAG, about her experiences with pregnancy and childbirth while serving in the military. Ashley shares her journey from struggling with infertility to eventually becoming a mother of two boys. She details how she managed her pregnancies and complex births, supported by the military healthcare system, amidst frequent relocations and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ashley emphasizes the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and advocating for oneself in a demanding career. The conversation also explores broader themes of gender dynamics in the military and the significance of supporting women through policies like caregiver leave. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of 'Military Birth Talk,' Anni reconnects with Klarissa, an active duty Air Force member, who shares her journey of motherhood since her last appearance on the podcast. Klarissa talks about her traumatic birth experience in England and the subsequent support she received from her leadership and community. She reflects on her role as a First Sergeant and how becoming a mother has made her more empathetic and effective in her job. Klarissa discusses the importance of community support, especially overseas, and how experienced parents helped guide her through early motherhood challenges. She also addresses the misconceptions about women in the military being a mission risk and emphasizes the importance of open communication and mutual support within military families. Klarissa encourages new mothers to educate themselves, take care of their well-being, and find personal joy outside of parenting. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of 'Military Birth Talk,' Anni interviews Jenna, a military spouse, who shares her diverse birthing experiences within the context of military life. Jenna details her journey from hospital births to home births across various states, and through multiple PCS cycles. She discusses challenges including miscarriage, anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and advocating for desired birthing experiences despite potential opposition from family. The episode highlights the evolving support from military leadership, particularly regarding paternity leave and doula reimbursements, and emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and community support in navigating birth and postpartum within the military. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of 'Military Birth Talk,' Anni interviews Allegra, a dietician, lactation consultant, and military spouse . Allegra shares her experiences of navigating pregnancies and births within the military healthcare system, highlighting the differences between military and civilian care, and emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy. She describes her journey with her second child's birth in a military hospital, and then her subsequent twin birth directly in the military healthcare facility, highlighting both positive and challenging experiences. She also touches on her work as a lactation consultant and how the virtual shift during COVID-19 allowed her to continue supporting mothers globally.  Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of Military Birth Talk, Anni welcomes back Ali, who previously appeared in Season 1. Ali, a Navy spouse currently living in Japan, shares her latest birth story. Her surprising third pregnancy began amidst a planned trip to the U.S., where she received most of her prenatal care at Walter Reed. Ali experienced significant sickness during this pregnancy, and had another induced labor due to a history of high blood pressure. Her delivery was marked by slow progress, which was emotionally stressful, but ultimately resulted in a quick pushing phase after receiving an epidural. Postpartum, the baby needed extended care due to a positive Coombs test, which kept them all in the hospital for over a week. This prolonged stay impacted Ali's mental health, highlighting the difficulties of handling postpartum without a strong support system, especially overseas. Despite the challenges, Ali reflects on the positives and the strong support from her community and husband's command, which allowed her to navigate this complex experience through a grateful lens. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of the podcast, Adriana shares her experiences as a mother and active-duty service member. She details her eight years of active service and transition to the reserves, while also parenting three young children and coping with her husband’s deployments. Adriana discusses the challenges she faced during each of her pregnancies, including dealing with unexpected complications and the support she received from her community. She also talks about her transition from active duty to being a stay-at-home mom, the emotional impact of leaving the military, and pursuing a master’s degree amidst the chaos. Adriana emphasizes the importance of having a support system, especially for women in the military who are balancing career and family life. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of 'Military Birth Talk,' Anni interviews Becca, a Midwest native now living in Japan, who shares her challenging pregnancy journey marked by cholestasis. Becca discusses her husband's military background, her impeccable early pregnancy stages, and the onset of severe itching in her third trimester, leading to a diagnosis of cholestasis. She recounts the rigorous process of advocating for herself in the healthcare system to secure the right diagnosis and treatment. Her labor ultimately ended in an unplanned C-section, and after an initially blissful first month postpartum she experienced some significant challenges in the extended postpartum period including her husband's TDY and ongoing medical issues. Becca emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in military medicine and shares key takeaways for others who may encounter similar challenges. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of Military Birth Talk, Anni interviews Ally, a certified nurse midwife, women's health nurse practitioner, military veteran, and spouse, currently stationed in the Netherlands with her Air Force husband. Ally shares her traumatic experience of giving birth to twin girls in November 2024, detailing her challenges, including being in a remote foreign country with no nearby U.S. base support. She discusses her pregnancy journey, the unexpected discovery of twins, and the unique aspects of Dutch prenatal care. Ally recounts her fast-paced labor, unexpected complications leading to induction, postpartum hemorrhage, and subsequent medical interventions. Despite facing numerous obstacles, including retained placenta and sepsis, Ally emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed and respectful prenatal and perinatal care. She reflects on how her professional knowledge influenced her experience and calls for trauma-informed care to be the standard practice in birth work. The episode also highlights Ally's struggle with the isolation of being abroad and her efforts to heal and cope with her traumatic birth while raising her twins.You can connect with Ally here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-crain-dnp-cnm-whnp-bc-4a088418a/ Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of 'Military Birth Talk,' Anni interviews Anna, a Scottish musician connected and Air Force spouse. Anna shares her journey from meeting her husband on a cruise ship to navigating the challenges of giving birth within the military system. She recounts her diverse birth experiences in Ohio and Japan, emphasizing the significance of hypnobirthing and self-advocacy. Despite some hurdles, including transitioning from on-base to off-base care and dealing with restrictions in Japan, Anna successfully achieves her goal of unmedicated births while highlighting the importance of positive mindset and education. The episode also explores her postpartum period and how military life influenced her birthing experiences and personal growth. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Season five of Military Birth Talk is here! We kick things off with Kimberly as she shares her two birth stories overseas in Japan. Kimberly gave birth both in Okinawa and Yokota, and highlights the differences in medical care, challenges with postpartum preeclampsia, and a gallbladder surgery. Adding another layer to her experience, she was also a GS employee during the time of her first birth and was required to return to work even before her Active Duty husband. Hear about all this and more in today's episode.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode we’re hearing from Reyna, who is a Navy Spouse. Reyna shares the birth story of her second child, who was born at the very end of 2019. Reyna and her family PCS’ed overseas when she was 6 months pregnant, only to find out almost immediately that she’d be sent back to the states to give birth. Reyna had a planned c-section and then a few days later, she ended up at the ER with severe stomach pain which ended up being what the doctors called retained products of coneption. After an emergency D&C she had a few weeks to recover in the airbnb before needing to fly back to Japan, and then her husband deployed shortly thereafter. Needless to say Reyna really went through a lot during this birth and postpartum and despite it all she still devotes much of her time and energy to making the military life easier for other families through her own work on her blog and podcast called The Desk of a Navy Wife.Check out these resources from Reyna:Website: https://www.deskofanavywife.com/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zvZenaRy479Oi34ATN8RP?si=e5fc13d20d8542c7 Newsletter for Additional Tips & Resources: https://www.deskofanavywife.com/about IG: https://www.instagram.com/thedeskofanavywife/ FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/the.desk.of.a.navy.wife.community/ Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m speaking Hannah who is Active Duty in the Navy as an ER nurse. Her first birth took place at the MTF where she worked, and it was a very long experience which ended with a forceps delivery resulting in a birth injury that took nearly a year to be resolved. Her second experience was totally different, and ended up being an accidental unassisted homebirth, which she describes as an amazing and empowering experience. We talk about the importance of self advocacy and doing everything you can to be informed about your choices when preparing for birth. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode I’m speaking with LT Samantha Mclaughlin, who’s Active Duty. LT Mclaughlin shares the birth story of her daughter who was born just shy of 33 weeks, after her water broke at 31 weeks. At the time, Samantha was working as a Labor & Delivery Nurse in 29 Palms, but because there was no NICU there they had to be transferred to another local hospital about 45 minutes away. Samantha stayed as a patient for 2 weeks until giving birth via C-Section, and then her daughter stayed in the NICU for 21 days before being discharged. Samantha talks about how her medical knowledge impacted her experience, navigating the totally unexpected way that her birth and postpartum period went, and what it was like having to return to work.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode I’m speaking with Melissa, who is Active Duty in the Coast Guard. Melissa mostly focuses on her third birth experience, which was a natural birth through a midwife clinic out in town. She had had epidural births with her prior two and wanted to try something different this time so she dove into hypnobirthing and really prepared for a different experience with her third and final baby. We also chat a lot about the dynamics of parenting in a dual mil family and especially the experience of giving birth and then managing all the competing demands of motherhood and being active duty.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Navy Spouse Ebony. Ebony is a homeschooling mom of five kids, and she and her family are currently stationed in Stuttgart. In this episode Ebony shares the birth story of her third child, who was born at home on base in Yokosuka Japan, while her husband was deployed. Ebony had a wonderful team around her and describes the experience as incredible and amazing. Ebony is also a doula and hypnobirthing instructor so we chat a bit about her professional experience as well, and her take overall on trends and progress in the birth world. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode I’m speaking with Dr. Jen Bertoluzzi who is a Coast Guard Spouse and Physical Therapist with a focus on pelvic floor PT. Jen’s birth experiences begin with a miscarriage that happened right at tbeginning of the COVID 19 lockdowns. They got pregnant again, and Jen gave birth out in town with a team that was not very supportive of her birth plans and it ended up being a very long delivery. They PCSed from Massachusetts to Oregon at 2 months postpartum, and once they were settled Jen began to look into pelvic floor training as part of her PT focus, after working through some of her own pelvic floor issues after birth. Find Dr. Bertoluzzi on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube at @craftmywellness.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Alice is a Navy Spouse who is originally from the UK, where she worked as a licensed midwife. She joins Military Birth Talk today to share the story of her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience with her first daughter. She had originally planned for a low intervention birth center birth, and ended up transferring to the hospital when her labor stalled. Though though things didn't go to plan, she remembers her birth positively, which she attributes to the fact that she was able to stay in control of her decisions during the experience. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Captain Jessica Cooper, who is a medical service officer serving in the Army. During Jessica’s pregnancy she saw midwives through the community hospital on Fort Campbell, and she had a really positive experience there. She ended up being induced when her baby started having heart decelerations during a 40 week check up, and even though it was a very long, 46-hour induction, she was still able to give birth vaginally. Due to some tearing, Jessica had a longer than average recovery, and she also started a Captain’s career course shortly after giving birth, so the postpartum period was a little hectic. We talk about all that and more!Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, Space Force spouse Genesis shares her pregnancy and birth story with her son. During her pregnancy, she opted to do genetic testing, which revealed that her son was at risk of being diagnosed with a chromosome abnormality. It was a bumpy road to understand the results and get more information, and the experience made it really hard for Genesis to enjoy the pregnancy. Thankfully, her baby boy was born healthy. The birth itself was a long induction which ending in a c-section, and took place at a hospital out in town. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Amber who was active duty in the air force for 4 years, before getting out  after the birth of her second child. She had a very challenging first pregnancy with her son, which included a lot of mental health challenges which were really hard to navigate on top of being active duty and living far away from family. The birth didn’t go as planned and ended up in a csection, so it was a challenging period in Amber’s life. Her second birth, also a csection, went much more smoothly, but shortly after retunring from maternity leave Amber was assigned unaccompanied orders overseas, and she ultimately decided to separate as a result. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today's episode, we're joined by Dr. John Richard who served 24 years as an OB in the Navy. During our conversation he shares his perspective on a whole range of issues including military medicine as a whole, staffing issues, how rank impacts pregnancy care for service members, and he also answered some follower questions. Please be aware that our conversation includes a discussion about abortion and what military providers can and cannot do for their patients.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m talking with Air Force Spouse Courtney. Courtney shares her two c-section birth stories, which both took place at the same military treatment facility in Florida. Courtney’s husband deployed shortly after both births, but she had great support from visiting family, and her husband’s squadron who brought over lots of delicious meals. Especially during her second postpartum period she relied heavily on the free resources for parents provided by the Air Force, and overall felt that the transition to parenthood was as a military spouse was pretty smooth.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Myer & Tiana Krah who were both Active Duty in the Navy, and are both now retired. They have four little boys, including a set of twins, so we hear about Tiana’s C-section, then her VBAC, and then the birth of her twins which was also a military hospital VBAC. They talk about navigating deployments, overseas orders, their family care plan, career sacrifices, childcare, and breastfeeding, and then we also talk about fatherhood while on Active Duty and whether or not being a great father is truly celebrated in the Navy.Find Myer at @here4thedads on instragramFollow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, we’re hearing from Navy Spouse Sarah, who tells the story of her third pregnancy and birth. When Sarah was 28 weeks pregnant, she was in the car with her other two kids when she had an eclamptic seizure. Her husband, a submarine officer in the Navy, was underway at the time and rushed back after receiving an American Red Cross message. Sarah gave birth to their daughter via c-section, and then navigated a stay in the NICU for 178 days before their daughter was discharged home to her family. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In the first episode of Season 4 of Military Birth Talk, Lieutenant Jacqueline McCrory shares her journey through pregnancies and births as an active duty Navy pilot. Jackie recounts meeting her husband at the Naval Academy, their careers as pilots, and managing dual military duties while starting a family. She discusses the challenges of multiple miscarriages during an operational tour, the shift to more holistic methods to improve fertility, and her eventual successful pregnancy. Jackie reflects on switching from an OB to a midwife and choosing a home birth, as well as the differences in care between the two models. Her story touches on navigating pregnancy loss, the importance of having supportive commands, and advocating for one's birth choices within the military. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of Military Birth Talk, we're speaking with LCDR Anne Laird, who was active duty in the navy for 12 years and now serves in the reserves as a midwife. Annie shares her extensive experiences both as a military midwife and as a mother of five, who has had pretty much every type of birth you could think of from a hospital birth with an epidural, a home birth to hospital transfer, two more homebirths, and then a hospital induction turned c-section. We also chat about how her military experience has informed her midwifery practice, the unique role that midwifery care plays in the military healthcare system, and the improvements she’d like to see continue over the coming years for birthing families in the military.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of Military Birth Talk, EmilieAn shares her experiences as a military spouse, mother, and doula. Her first child was born the day after 9/11. After that birth, she suffered 11 miscarriages, 9 of which she managed at home and 2 of which required D&Cs while her family was PCSing. She then went on to have two more babies. She’s now been a doula for 15 years, and talks about some of the surprising ways that being an uncertified doula actually made caring for her clients easier. We also talk about what makes military families so special, navigating multiple miscarriages and finding answers in the military healthcare system, and holding joy and grief at the same time. Connect with EmilieAn:@mysisters.doulahttps://www.mysistersdoula.net/Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode of Military Birth Talk, Michelle shares her experiences with gestational trophoblastic disease, a rare form of cancer which was discovered following the miscarriage of her first pregnancy, and required multiple DNCs and chemotherapy. Following her diagnosis, Michelle went on to have two children, and then had a hysterectomy after her second child’s birth. She highlights the support provided by the Coast Guard community, the importance of being one's own health advocate, and the essential role of TRICARE in her healthcare journey. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Today's guest Molly shares her experiences as a new military spouse and mother. Molly discusses the challenges and positives of her husband's Air Force duty station at Scott Air Force Base, her pregnancy and birth journey with an off-base OB in Missouri, and coping with the distance from family. She talks about leveraging a doula for support, the highs and lows of her labor and delivery, and navigating postpartum struggles, including breastfeeding difficulties and postpartum depression. Molly emphasizes the importance of being informed and advocating for one's own birth experience. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Brawnlyn is Active Duty serving in the Air Force. Prior to the birth of her daughter, Brawnlyn and her husband battled infertility, an experience which led her to begin working with the Air Force’s Women's Initiatives Team to improve infertility care and options for service members. When she got pregnant with her daughter, despite having a hospital 6 minutes down the street from her, she was required to be seen at the military hospital which was an hour away. She ultimately ended up having an accidental homebirth, due to a precipitous labor. She also highlights some of things that stood out to her about her overall experience, including the anxieties that were present for her around systemic medical racism, the positive experience she had with support she received from her unit and underscores the importance of self-advocacy and comprehensive maternal care while serving in the military.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Colonel Melissa Dombrock has served in the Air Force for almost 20 years, and is currently stationed overseas in Germany. Melissa shares her two birth stories, the first of which happened in the Army hospital and then the second was an accidental unassisted homebirth. We talk about her experience over time as an aviator rising through the ranks and eventually becoming a squadron commander, layered on top of her perinatal experiences, and also about pregnancy while holding high profile positions and the state of women's healthcare in the military. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today's episode we hear from MBRNPC Board Member Samantha C. Arrington Sliney, Esq, who transitioned off of Active Duty after 10 years of service and now serves in the Air National Guard. Samantha's legislative advocacy work was born through the Air Force's Women's Initiatives Team where she currently serves as Co-Chair. Samantha provides several key updates on where things stand with two legislative advocacy focuses for MBRNPC: first we discuss the breastmilk transport entitlement that's seen some recent changes in the JTR; second we discuss a provision currently under consideration through the 2025 NDAA that would allow pregnancy to become a Qualifying Life Event in TRICARE,  which would dramatically improve birth choice options for both service members and dependents.Tune in to learn more about these important issues for military families and learn how you can help move the needle.JTR Toolkit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13HCqpBhgOSvbnKpFOUvQAezRo-EaY7wXQx_Say-rz3Q/edit?tab=t.0Connect with Samantha: [email protected] Toolkit:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wD6eLxffhHT1gs-DBR7IvUuK7YYlrzNPeBPf2K14NGU/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawGY9z1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcMNe-hkQtkt9sdr3pOVx369PX7PgZY39X7Ln_Qnll47dyJ989-n_DsrSg_aem_PYTCjJeV_g8Pey1MLug5ew&tab=t.0Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In this episode, I’m speaking with Klarissa who’s Active Duty in the Air Force and shares the birth of her son who was born in the UK this past summer. Klarissa’s prenatal care was offered in groups, which she really enjoyed. She ended up having an emergency C-section, and then she also experienced a postpartum hemmorage and had to have a blood transfusion. She also shares a few other perspectives including her experience with exclusive pumping, navigating careers in a dual-mil family, and her how her work with the Womens Initiatives Team has reinforced her dedication to her career in the Air Force. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Kristal Lau who is an Army spouse sharing two birth stories. Kristal’s first birth story took place in Alabama and her second was born OCONUS in Wiesbaden Germany. So two totally different settings and it was really interesting to hear the differences in some of the culture norms between the two, and then we also talked about how her postpartum experiences were really different as well. Kristal is Malaysian and ethnically Chinese so she talked about some of the cultural practices that are common in her family and how that played out for her, and then we also talked a bit about some of the gaps in mental health care for the non birthing parent, whether that’s dad or a same sex partner, and why holistic family care is so important. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode I’m speaking with Jazmon, who serves in the Air Force, as does her husband. She mostly focuses on her first birth story which took place while her family was stationed at Cannon Air Force base, which was located two hours from the closest hopsital with OB care. So Jazmon shares how that incredibly long commute impacted her pregnancy experience and then also talks about being in a dual mil family, navigating postpartum mental health challenges, and how the combination of those two things impacted her career. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode I’m joined by Satin, who is an Army spouse, and she’ll be sharing the birth story of her son who was born at a hospital out in town in Oklahoma. Satin shares about the birth itself but also talks a lot about the lack of family support during her pregnancy, due to being stationed far away from community, and how that impacted her. She also talks about her very negative experience with declining some newborn procedures that she was uncomfortable with, and she shares the immediate fall out from doing so, and how that impacted her postpartum experience.Find Satin’s website at: www.thevillageofsacredmelanin.orgInstagram: @sacredmelaninFollow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Today I’m speaking with Kara who shares her two birth stories as a Navy Spouse. Her first birth was a hospital birth and her second was a home birth. She talks about the way her lived experience as a military spouse impacted her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, including how moving multiple times affected her options and her access to support postpartum, and she shares a little bit about her spouse’s specific career field as a pilot and what that looked like postpartum for their family.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Marianna served  10 years in the air national guard and shares her two birth stories. When describing her first birth, she says that "everything that could have gone wrong did," and despite the birth taking place at the hospital where she was serving as a nurse, it ended up being a pretty traumatic experience for both her and her husband. Her next birth experience was night and day from the first one, and took place at a civilian hospital out in town. In addition to filling in those details, Marianna also reflects on some of the ways that military hospitals can improve their practices to avoid experiences like her first birth for service members and military spouses. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Zatha who was Active Duty in the Marine Corps for her first birth, and then got out before her second birth. Even though she was Active Duty her first birth took place at a birth center due to low staffing at the military hospital where they were stationed, and then her second birth was a free birth at their home in Italy, where her husband is stationed with the Navy. So she’ll share all about that progression from a more traditional birth within the system to what’s known as a wild pregnancy and free birth, with no interventions or medical establishment involvement. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Amber who's had four children while on Active Duty in a dual-military family. She talks about the differences between her first and her most recent births, how unit culture plays a key role in balancing work and family, and how she and her spouse make it all happen! Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Today we're hearing from Captain Emily Foreman, and Active Duty Airman, who shares her pregnancy and postpartum story as an ICBM missile launch officer. Emily shares some unique perspectives about pregnancy in her specific field, managing postpartum while frequently being "deployed in place," and how to ask for help when you need it.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Join us today for a roundtable discussion about Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex, or DMER. We hear from Dr. Krystal Lau (military spouse) and Tiffany Jordan (retired airman), about their personal experiences with DMER, and learn about the science behind the phenomenon. We also talk about how this experience uniquely impacts military connected people.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today's episode, we're hearing from Cassie who gave birth while with the Air National Guard. Cassie is an a dual-mil relationship, and had her first baby while her husband was away on training, and joining the birth via FaceTime. Her postpartum experience included challenges like DMER and PMDD, and she shares how that impacted her mental health and her career. Her husband was able to be present for her second birth, and she felt more in control of her postpartum plan, leaving her feeling more prepared and confident.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Military Birth Talk will be back with Season 3 next week! This season will bring more birth stories from service members and military spouses, plus roundtable discussions, updates on advocacy work, policy conversations, and more. Join us on August 29th and find a new episode in your favorite podcast app every Thursday.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

Episode Sponsor: The Breastfeeding ShopWebsite: www.thebreastfeedingshop.comIG: @thebreastfeedingshopFB: www.facebook.com/thebreastfeedingshopIn today’s episode, I’m speaking with Marilyn who shares two birth and postpartum stories while serving as an Active Duty Marine. Both of Marilyn’s births took place at Military Treatment Facilities, one overseas in Japan and one stateside, and both were inductions due to preeclampsia. Marilyn shares about some of the unique challenges that service members face during the perinatal period, including juggling the mental load of motherhood and mission readiness, the expectations around returning to physical fitness, and the stigmas surrounding pregnancy and postpartum realities while on active duty. Interested in joining our virtual birth circle? Check it out here!: https://forms.gle/h58BvCZAJrFN32uL9Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Audrey who was Active Duty in the Navy before retiring and is now a Marine Corps Spouse. Today she’ll be sharing her second birth story which was a hypnobirthing birth, and she really focuses on the support that her doula provided during the pregnancy while her husband was deployed. Thankfully he returned about a week before she went into labor so he was able to join her for the birth. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode I’m speaking with Tabitha who shares three birth stories while on Active Duty in the Marine Corps, and one after she got out through the VA. Her first birth was at a military hospital and she discusses the stigmatizing experience she had being pregnant as a junior Marine living in the barracks. The subsequent three births took place out in town, after her third birth, at 6 weeks postpartum, she ended up in the emergency room with multiple organ prolapses. This led to her having to get out of the Marine Corps, so she shares all about that and talks about some of the gaps in pregnancy and postpartum care that she observed and experienced during her time in the service. Here’s my conversation with Tabitha.Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Olymphia O’Neale White, who serves as an Army reservist as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in perinatal mental health. Dr. O shares her experience with PCOS, a condition which contributed to fertility challenges, and then a silent miscarriage which was discovered at 16 weeks, and managed with a D&C. She talks about navigating these experiences as a service member, and how that impacted her career, relationships, and ultimately her identity as a member of the armed forces. Through My Lense Consulting LLC@throughmylenseconsultingDr. Olymphia ONeale White LCSWFollow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8

In today’s episode, I’m speaking with Bailee, a Marine Corps spouse. Bailee’s husband was in a training and was unable to attend their first child’s birth, which was an induction that ended in a c-section. For Bailee’s second birth experience she wanted a different experience so she researched more about birth options, got a doula, and prepared for a VBAC. This time her husband was present, and she was able to have the VBAC she wanted, nearly giving birth in the car on the way to the hospital. Follow along with Military Birth Talk:Instagram: @militarybirthtalkFacebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum CoalitionSubmit your birth story!forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8