89. Navigating a Twin Pregnancy and NICU stay, Crystal shares her Maine Medical Center Birth Story

MyMaine Birth

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Join me as we uncover the emotional rollercoaster of twin pregnancies and an unexpected, and coerced C-section. Crystal opens up about her scheduled C-section, exposing the fears and confusion that led to her decision and expressing her regret over not being fully informed. Her honest account highlights the critical need for thorough childbirth education and unwavering support during these pivotal moments.
Crystal Chapman brings us into her life-changing journey of an unexpected twin pregnancy when she was 20 years old, recounting the myriad of emotions from the first ultrasound to the preterm birth of her twins at 34 weeks. Her story sheds light on the often-overlooked, and in some cases pharmaceutically induced, mental health challenges that arise during such times and the profound impact of preterm labor. Listen as she navigates the trials of NICU stays, postpartum health battles, and the relentless task of managing neonatal care for her preemies.
This episode doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities: the emotional toll of NICU stays, the physical recovery from C-sections performed at a teaching hospital, and the mental exhaustion that accompanies such trials. Crystal's experiences underscore the importance of informed decision-making, robust support systems, and the incredible strength required to face unexpected medical hurdles in motherhood. Tune in to hear her powerful narrative and the valuable lessons she's learned on her path to recovery and resilience.
Crystal is also a photographer based out of Newry, Maine. Her business is Evergreen Imagery Me, she loves photographing maternity, lifestyle newborn and family photography in the beautiful mountains in western Maine. You can connect with her by clicking here https://www.instagram.com/evergreen.imagery.me/
MyMaine Birth is a space where we share the real life stories of families and their unique birth experiences in the beautiful state of Maine. From our state’s biggest hospitals to Birth Center Births, and home births, every birth story deserves to be heard and celebrated. Whether you are a soon to be mom, a seasoned mother, or simply interested in the world of birth, these episodes are for you.
If you're interested in Doula support or Birth Photography for your upcoming birth, head over to my website head over to my website to inquire about your due date.
https://www.mymainebirth.com
You can also message me over on instagram by clicking here: https://www.instagram.com/mymainebirth/
I want to share about a free workshop I’m hosting called Birth Plan Essentials In this workshop we're going to be diving into the intricacies of creating your own personalized birth plan, and how to navigate the decision making process with confidence and clarity.
We will cover ALL of your options including - general labor options, variations of normal, induction and augmentation options, comfort measures and medical pain relief, the second stage and pushing options, the third stage and immediate postpartum options, the breakdown on all of the newborn tests and procedures, the cesarean options, uncommon labor complications and so, so much more… we literally cover every single thing that could come up for you, so don’t miss out…
I’m going to be hosting these for free each month until the end of the year at the Old Town Public Library. The next one is on Saturday September 21, from 11am to noon.
As a special gift, you’ll receive a complimentary template to help you craft your ideal birth plan - whether you’re planning to birth in the hospital , at a birth center, or even at home - ensuring that your wishes are clearly communicated to your birth tea

Hoofdstukken

1. Birth Plan Essentials Workshop (00:00:00)

2. Twin Pregnancy and Birth Story (00:03:52)

3. Unexpected C-Section Journey (00:16:52)

4. NICU Experience and Health Challenges (00:26:03)

5. Postpartum Health Challenges and Recovery (00:39:19)

6. Navigating NICU Challenges and Recovery (00:47:32)