Birth Story: Not Asking for Permission & Preparing for Her Unmedicated Birth with Jo Gibson

This first aired in March 2023 and became one of my most downloaded birth stories. Once you hear Jo's "ask forgiveness, not permission" approach, you'll understand exactly why. Jo Gibson is an army wife. Her closest family lives nine hours away. Her insurance meant she had to give birth in a hospital, with a rotating team of midwives she'd never met before — and no real option to switch providers.

On paper, that's a tough setup for the unmedicated birth she wanted. But Jo did something I love. Instead of asking permission, she decided to ask forgiveness. 😏

She stopped asking her providers "can I do this?" and started telling them "this is what I'm doing." She flipped the whole dynamic...and it worked. She showed up to the hospital already eight centimeters, laboring in the ER while nurses tried to hand her a wheelchair, and had her baby boy completely unmedicated. Her husband did counter pressure for so many hours his arms were sore the next day (as they should be if you're doing it right...little tip for dads 😉).

Her birth story is so encouraging, especially if you're a military mama, or any mama who feels stuck with a provider or a hospital and wonders if she can still have the birth she wants. And Jo doesn't just share the wins. She talked about the parts she'd do differently too, which makes this one even more valuable. 

Here are some highlights from the episode:

• What it's really like to prepare for birth as a military mom - far from family, with limited provider choices
• The "ask forgiveness, not permission" approach that changed everything for Jo
• How she handled a midwife who told her "most moms don't do that because birth is painful" (and what she did next)
• The genius way she flipped the script with her providers...you'll LOVE this part
• How her knowledge from the course actually earned her provider's buy-in and trust
• Why counter pressure was hands down the most helpful thing she and her husband did
• The birth affirmation cards she made herself — and the difference they made in real-time during her birth (they are seriously SO powerful mamas!!)
• Her fast, intense labor at home, and why she trusted her gut to head in before hitting 3-1-1
• Walking into the ER already eight centimeters with a bulging bag
• The shift change that changed the course of her pushing stage...and what she'd do differently next time
• Her reflection on tearing, hemorrhage, and immediate postpartum
• Her best advice for moms and dads, including a postpartum tip every partner should hear

Just a reminder — this episode is for information and education, not medical advice. Always work with a provider you trust for your pregnancy and birth. 

Links Mentioned: 🔗 My Essential Birth Course: myessentialbirth.com/getstarted 🔗 3 Free Exercises: myessentialbirth.com/3-exercises 📱 Instagram: @myessentialbirth

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