171. MyMaine Birth: Asha's first birth story, a birth center birth with loving support from her midwives at Holly No. 7 in Bangor

Send us Fan Mail Choosing pregnancy care can feel like picking from a narrow menu, especially in Maine where hospital options are limited and so many OB units have closed in recent years.  This birth story highlights why many families search for out-of-hospital care that still feels safe, evidence-informed, and close to emergency backup.  Asha describes how one early prenatal appointment left her discouraged, with BMI-based assumptions and talk of induction before any real medical indicators showed up.  That experience pushed her toward a freestanding birth center in Bangor, Holly No. 7.  She shares the impact of hour-long midwifery prenatal visits, being treated like a whole family (not a chart), and how support, nutrition, and trust shape a healthy pregnancy.  We also dig into practical realities: paying out of pocket, working with a billing advocate for insurance reimbursement, and why ultrasound pricing can look wildly different outside the hospital system. At Holly No. 7, she describes moving between shower, bed, tub, and finally a birth stool for pushing, with midwives offering guidance that never felt coercive.  She catches her own baby, then heads home the same night, stopping for French fries on the way.  Postpartum, she emphasizes planning: meal support, paid leave, the 5-5-5 rest method, breastfeeding troubleshooting, sitz baths, and seeking care when healing problems persist.  As we close, Asha shares her path into full spectrum doula work and birth advocacy, tying the entire experience back to the importance of informed choice, consent, and compassionate maternity care. Connect with Asha's midwives at HollyNo7.com Connect with Asha for Postpartum Doula Support  If you'd like to join the community of Maine moms sharing birth stories on the podcast you can fill out the form on my website    Or you can also always message me over on instagram @mymainebirth  **Additional Resources:** MyMaineBirth.com Closing song by Kate Sutherland.  You can find Kate's community songs and deep nature connection work online at KateSutherland.ca