In this episode of “Military Birth Talk,” Anni welcomes back Zatha, a former Marine now living near Naples, Italy, to share her third birth story two months postpartum. She recaps her first two fast births—one at a birth center after a late referral and one unassisted soon after moving to Italy—then explains her approach to a largely non-medicalized third pregnancy focused on self-care, tracking health metrics, exercise, chiropractic care, and intensive study of birth physiology. Labor began late at night around a predicted full supermoon, progressed rapidly with her mantra “feel it, don’t fear it,” and culminated in an unassisted bathroom birth where she caught her baby herself, with her husband and mother arriving moments before. She describes an unhurried postpartum, improved recovery, starting elimination communication from birth, and encourages families to “be students of birth” to replace fear with knowledge and better advocate for themselves.

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In this episode of 'Military Birth Talk,' Anni interviews Major Ashley Owen Cunningham, an active-duty Air Force JAG, about her experiences with pregnancy and childbirth while serving in the military. Ashley shares her journey from struggling with infertility to eventually becoming a mother of two boys. She details how she managed her pregnancies and complex births, supported by the military healthcare system, amidst frequent relocations and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ashley emphasizes the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and advocating for oneself in a demanding career. The conversation also explores broader themes of gender dynamics in the military and the significance of supporting women through policies like caregiver leave.

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

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In this episode of 'Military Birth Talk,' Anni reconnects with Klarissa, an active duty Air Force member, who shares her journey of motherhood since her last appearance on the podcast. Klarissa talks about her traumatic birth experience in England and the subsequent support she received from her leadership and community. She reflects on her role as a First Sergeant and how becoming a mother has made her more empathetic and effective in her job. Klarissa discusses the importance of community support, especially overseas, and how experienced parents helped guide her through early motherhood challenges. She also addresses the misconceptions about women in the military being a mission risk and emphasizes the importance of open communication and mutual support within military families. Klarissa encourages new mothers to educate themselves, take care of their well-being, and find personal joy outside of parenting.

Follow along with Military Birth Talk:
Instagram: @militarybirthtalk
Facebook: Military Birth Resource Network & Postpartum Coalition

Submit your birth story!
forms.gle/3TT7FyV1QQV3RZGc8