An Unexpected Diagnosis Changed Her Entire Birth Plan | Ep 17: Ashley's Birth Story

In this episode of the Built to Birth Podcast, we’re sitting down to talk through Ashley's birth story—from preparing for birth and choosing the right birth team to navigating an unexpected preeclampsia diagnosis and induction.

✅ The Built To Birth Class - https://builttobirth.com/?el=podcast

✅ Free Mini Birth Class - https://www.builttobirth.com/free-mini-birth-class/?el=podcast

✅ Free Week-By-Week Pregnancy Guide - https://www.builttobirth.com/week-by-week-pregnancy/?el=podcast

🌱 The Holistic Womanhood Course - https://holisticwomanhood.com/

🩸 Free 'Heal Your Menstrual Cycle' Workshop - https://holisticwomanhood.com/period-register

We talk about what it looked like to make decisions when birth didn’t go exactly as planned, how important it was to feel informed and supported along the way, and why having a birth team you truly trust can make such a difference.

We also get into some of the really special moments from her birth—the photos and videos she has to look back on, her baby being born in the amniotic sac, and what her recovery and postpartum experience looked like afterward.

More than anything, this conversation is such a good reminder that preparing for birth isn’t about trying to control exactly how your birth unfolds. It’s about understanding your options, learning to trust your body, surrounding yourself with people you trust, and feeling confident making decisions along the way.

If you’re pregnant and preparing for birth—or you just love hearing real, honest birth stories—I hope this episode leaves you feeling encouraged and empowered.

Takeaways

• How family experiences can shape the way we think about pregnancy and birth
• Why preparing for birth matters, even when things don’t go according to plan
• Choosing a birth team you feel safe with and trust
• Navigating high blood pressure, preeclampsia and induction
• Making informed decisions and advocating for yourself during labor
• The importance of autonomy during birth
• Learning to trust and believe in your body
• How education and preparation can help you feel more confident and empowered
• Recovery and the postpartum experience

Chapters

• 00:00 Family and Pregnancy
• 03:03 Preparing for Birth
• 12:03 Choosing the Right Team
• 20:52 Dealing with Pre-Eclampsia
• 22:25 Preeclampsia Diagnosis and Induction
• 26:13 Labor and Delivery Experience
• 29:09 Informed Decision-Making and Advocacy
• 42:43 The Birth Experience
• 43:30 The Impact of Pictures and Videos
• 43:58 The Significance of the Sack of Water
• 45:08 The Importance of Autonomy in Birth
• 53:19 Recovery and Postpartum Experience
• 58:57 Support and Encouragement for Moms