Transformed by Birth: How Becoming a Parent Changes Everything with Britta Bushnell, PhD | 74

I was so excited to speak with our guest today, Britta Bushnell, PhD. Britta is the author of Transformed by Birth, host of the Transformed by Birth podcast, a mother and grandmother, a mythologist, and a childbirth educator who has spent the last 25 years walking families through one of life’s biggest thresholds: birth and new parenthood. We talked about why birth is truly a rite of passage, and why that transformation doesn’t stop when your baby is born. Your identity shifts, your marriage shifts, even what you mean by “my family” shifts. And it happens again with every single baby. Britta also shares her “turning of the family wheel,” which is so helpful for anyone working through new dynamics with in-laws (or, like her, learning how to step into the grandparent chair!).

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We also got real about control. As a type-A mom of four, I felt this one. Britta tells an unforgettable story about trekking the Himalayas that shows the difference between what we can prepare for and what we simply have to respond to in the moment. We talked about how to learn about birth without overstuffing ourselves with an overload of information, what to do if a doula isn’t in the budget, and how to take the next step even when you don’t feel confident. We ended on one of my favorite parts: how to speak to yourself with kindness through these transformations instead of judging the version of you who didn’t know then what you know now. You’re going to walk away with stories that stick, I promise.

More from Dr. Britta Bushnell:

BrittaBushnell.com

Grab her book: Transformed by Birth

Listen to her podcast: Transformed by Birth Podcast

Follow her on Instagram & FaceBook @brittabushnellphd

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Listen to episode 24: Boundaries, Babies, You & Your Mother-in-Law with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish

Helpful Timestamps:

• 00:00 Welcome Dr. Britta Bushnell
• 08:15 Redefining Family After Baby
• 17:05 Parenting Keeps Evolving
• 24:04 Each Baby Rocks the System
• 31:15 Do You Need a Doula?
• 43:21 Self Compassion After Birth

About your host:

Lo Mansfield, MSN, RNC-OB, CLC is a registered nurse, mama of 4, and a birth, baby, and motherhood enthusiast. She is both the host of the Lo & Behold podcast and the founder of The Labor Mama.

For more education, support and “me too” from Lo, please visit her website and check out her online courses and digital guides for birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum/newborns. You can also follow @thelabormama and @loandbehold_thepodcast on Instagram and join her email list here.

For more pregnancy, birth, postpartum and motherhood conversation each week, be sure to subscribe to The Lo & Behold podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you prefer to listen!

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Disclaimer

Opinions shared by guests of this show are their own, and do not always reflect those of The Labor Mama platform. Additionally, the information you hear on this podcast or that you receive via any linked resources should not be considered medical advice. Please see our full disclaimer here.

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