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.

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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.

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Instagram: @militarybirthtalk
Facebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum Coalition

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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: @militarybirthtalk
Facebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum Coalition

Submit your birth story!
forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8