From Unicorn Birth to Long, Tough Labor: Lessons in Expectation and Preparation | Birth, Baby! Ep.205

In this episode, Carly Pearson shares her deeply personal second birth story, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges she faced, from battling severe hyperemesis to navigating labor that was much longer than she anticipated. Her journey offers insight into the realities of pregnancy and birth, especially as an experienced doula and mother.

In this episode:

• Carly discusses her pregnancy with PCOS and the unexpected severe nausea that lasted all pregnancy

• The impact of political climate and insurance changes on her birth choices

• Her decision to proceed with unmedicated, low-intervention birth at a hospital instead of a birth center

• The emotional roller coaster of labor, including early prep, false alarms, and rapid progress

• Unique challenges faced during her labor, from high blood pressure to breaking her waters

• The surprise breech presentation and rotating back to head down

• Postpartum recovery, mood changes, and postpartum health issues

• The importance of adjusting birth expectations based on previous experiences

Carley Pearson is a DONA-certified birth doula, lifestyle photographer, and newborn care educator based in Austin, Texas. She holds a BFA in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Austin and a Graduate Certificate in Maternal and Child Health from The University of Texas' School of Public Health. Carley is passionate about educating and empowering families from preconception through postpartum while documenting the beauty, connection, and beautifully chaotic moments of early parenthood through photography. She believes every family deserves compassionate support and meaningful images that preserve this fleeting season of life.

When she's not attending births, teaching newborn care, or behind the camera, you'll likely find her chasing her two kids, laughing with her sweet husband, swimming at Deep Eddy, fueling up at Juiceland, or slowly convincing herself that renovating their North Shoal Creek fixer-upper is a reasonable pastime.

• Website: www.carleyephotography.com
  Social Links: 

  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carleyephotography/

  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carleyephotography/

• Offer for listeners: 10% off a single photography package for listening to this episode; mention promo code BirthBaby!

Get access to discount codes for our favorite products and check out our Amazon Storefront lists for "Must Haves" during the Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Newborn phases HERE.

Are you a parent interested in learning more from Ciarra? You can check out her class offerings HERE.
For the pre-recorded, self-paced Birth Basics Class, click HERE.
For the pre-recorded, self-paced Newborn Sleep Class, click HERE.

Are you interested in training to become a birth doula? Check out Ciarra’s Birth, Baby! Academy Birth Doula Training and Certification HERE. 
Online, self-paced Birth Doula Training and Certification Program with Birth, Baby! Academy

This podcast episode is also on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with close captions, you can find the channel HERE.

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The information provided on this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast. Reliance on any information provided here is solely at your own risk.

Birth, Baby! Podcast was originally produced by Ciarra Morgan and Samantha Kelly.

Ciarra Morgan:
www.EmpoweredBeginningsATX.com
www.BirthBabyAcademy.com

Samantha Kelly:
www.beautifullymadedc.com