Episode 002: Leah Cress

Hopeful Birth Podcast

After three pregnancy losses, Leah and her husband were told by doctors that they would not be able to have children. God miraculously healed her body without medical interventions, and she became pregnant with Zeke. Thirty weeks into pregnancy, Zeke was found to have SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), and Leah’s care was transferred to a specialist who wanted her to induce. After 36 hours in labor, Zeke was born, and his heart was healed upon birth. Praise God!

Three years later, they were surprised to find out Ian was on the way. This time Leah knew what she was willing to do in labor to keep her children safe (almost anything!), but also what she didn’t want. She chose a birthing center, and having experienced weeks of prodromal labor, Ian was born 45 minutes after arriving for her 40-week check-up!

During her pregnancy with Hope, Leah began soaking in all the information she could about fast labors, including several mothers of 8 or more children who she met in that time. Just past 40 weeks and suspecting she was in labor, Leah and her husband headed to the birth center around midnight, but contractions stopped along the way. They took a nap at the birthing center but woke about 2 hours later with her waters breaking. After quickly moving to transition, Leah caught Hope, which was the fulfillment of a dream for her.

Leah goes on to share some beautiful encouragement from her relationship with God, as well as helpful suggestions for new and expectant moms.

In our Meet the Birth Worker segment, we’re talking with Dana Patterson of The Doula Group. Her group provides birth and postpartum doula services, as well as childbirth education (Evidence Based Birth and Spinning Babies). She serves the Upstate of South Carolina. Reach out to her at thedoulagroup.com or [phone]. Let her know that we sent you her way!
Links Mentioned:
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Birthing from Within
Dana Patterson, Birth & Post-Partum Doula & Childbirth Education