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Hope and Choice in Healing

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence and is currently working towards a Masters in Counselling.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's trainings: https://www.resilientbirth.com/workshops

In this episode of the Resilient Birth Podcast, Justine Leach and Sarah Adelmann discuss trauma, healing, and the power of choice as reflected in Dr. Edith Eager's book, The Choice. They explore how trauma impacts self-worth, the importance of relationships in healing, and the small choices we can make to reclaim our lives. The conversation emphasizes the need for support and connection when we feel our choices in childbirth have been taken away, (for example, when a cesarean becomes necessary for medical reasons) , highlighting that while we cannot change what might be happening, we have some control over how we respond. As an example of this, Sarah shares her story of leaning in to her midwife’s belief in her during her emergency C-section with her first child.

Keywords: trauma, healing, choice, self-worth, childbirth, cesarean, C-section birth, birth story, birth support planning.

 

Takeaways

  • Trauma can distort our self-perception.
  • Healing is a journey that often requires support from others.
  • Small moments of hope can lead to significant changes in our lives.
  • Relationships play a crucial role in our healing process.
  • It's important to recognize the choices we have, even in difficult circumstances.
  • Practicing positive thinking can lead to positive actions and outcomes.
  • Believing in others' potential can empower them on their healing journey.

 

Sound Bites

  • "The truth is we will all have unpleasant experiences."
  • "We have a choice to reclaim our lives."
  • "You're going to be 50 anyhow."
  • "We need each other to escape the prisons of our minds."
  • "I believe my clients have the ability to heal."
  • "I can be there as a champion and a support."
  • "I just recommend this book to anyone."

Chapters

00:0 0Introduction and Book Reflection

02:04 The Impact of Trauma on Self-Worth

06:21 The Power of Choice in Healing

10:21 Understanding Responsibility and Control

12:25 Finding Hope in Small Moments

16:41 The Role of Relationships in Healing

20:53 Exploring Choices in Birth Experiences

24:20 The Journey of Acceptance and Reframing

28:09 The Importance of Support in Healing

32:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts