169: The Impact of Childbirth on Relationships

"Quality care requires trust and trust equals authenticity, empathy, logic, and follow through."
"Entering the process with more confidence, more knowledge, and someone on your side is really important."
"Birth is really hard on relationships. It transforms the relationships, but because there's so much opportunity for women to experience trauma and so much then falls on a dad who has no training in birth."
"It's so overwhelming and so flustering."
"You're not, no one's, no, no one's prepared to handle those high stakes, you know, mothers."
"She's not mad at you."

Summary
In this episode, Jey and Susie discuss the importance of quality care and advocacy in childbirth. Susie shares her personal journey of experiencing a loss, medical complications, and an emergency C-section. She emphasizes the need for trust, authenticity, empathy, logic, and follow-through in healthcare providers. Susie also highlights the role of doulas and advocates in helping moms develop knowledge and confidence in the birthing process. The conversation emphasizes the importance of informed consent and the involvement of fathers in advocating for their partners. The conversation covers topics such as the overwhelming and intense nature of childbirth, the challenges faced by fathers during labor, the impact of childbirth on relationships, the importance of mental health support during pregnancy and postpartum, and the need for preventative care and support for parents. The conversation also touches on the disparities in access to care and resources for different socioeconomic groups. The guest, Suzzie Vehrs, shares her experiences as a doula and discusses the importance of being present, listening, and cultivating joy in the parenting journey.

Takeaways
Quality care in childbirth requires trust, authenticity, empathy, logic, and follow-through from healthcare providers.
Doulas and advocates play a crucial role in helping moms develop knowledge and confidence in the birthing process.
Informed consent is essential for empowering mothers and ensuring they have a voice in their healthcare decisions.
Fathers should be involved in the birthing process and advocate for their partners' needs and preferences.
There is a need for better communication and understanding between healthcare providers and patients in order to improve outcomes and experiences in childbirth. Childbirth can be overwhelming and intense, and it is important for both parents to be prepared and have coping mechanisms in place.
The challenges faced by fathers during labor include feeling overwhelmed, not knowing how to support their partner, and dealing with high-stakes situations.
Childbirth can have a significant impact on relationships, and it is important for couples to communicate and seek support during this time.
Mental health support during pregnancy and postpartum is crucial for both mothers and fathers, and counseling and therapy can be beneficial in navigating the challenges of parenthood.
There is a need for more preventative care and support for parents, especially in low-income communities where access to resources and care may be limited.
Disparities in access to care and resources can contribute to the challenges faced by parents during pregnancy and postpartum.
Being present, listening, and cultivating joy are important aspects of the parenting journey.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
03:12 Susie's Journey: From Overwhelm to Empowerment
08:43 The Importance of Informed Consent and Trust in Birth
18:20 Supporting Fathers in the Birth Process
23:37 Advocating for Better Care and Support in Pregnancy and Childbirth
32:26 The Emotional and Mental Challenges of Fatherhood
34:12 Navigating the Impact of Birth on Relationships
37:09 The Importance of Preventative Care and Mental Health Support
46:15 Addressing Disparities in Access to Care and Resources