Epidural Birth in California + APS diagnosis Followed by Unmedicated Birth in Sweden with Midwife & Doula

Kathleen shares two positive, but very different birth stories – her first in San Francisco at the height of COVID and California wildfires, and her second in Sweden, on a bitter-cold Christmas eve. Kathleen’s first birth came after two miscarriages and a diagnosis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). The diagnosis made her high risk, and required daily injections and frequent monitoring, so while joyous, it was also a scary and uncertain time. A week before a scheduled induction, she went into spontaneous labor. Kathleen hoped for an unmedicated birth, but without much support and seemingly long labor ahead, she opted for an epidural. The labor went smoothly, but also felt highly medicalized and at times, impersonal. 

Kathleen became pregnant with her second child just four months after moving to Sweden, when her first daughter was 20 months old. The idea of giving birth in a new country was at first unsettling, but with the support of kind and supportive midwife, along with wonderful doula who helped her navigate the Swedish system, she was able to (mostly) enjoy the pregnancy and have the unmedicated and empowering birth she desired. 

Postpartum with her second was hard in a different way. While she was much more at ease with the newborn rhythms, she struggled with feelings of isolation, and the challenges of having a newborn and toddler during the darkness and cold of Swedish winter. Kathleen also reflects on the distinct models of care surrounding pregnancy, birth, and parental leave between the two countries. 

Kathleen Klaus Bio

Kathleen lives in Berkeley, CA with her husband, Jeff, and daughters, Maya (4) and Azalea (20 months). They recently moved from Uppsala, Sweden, where they had been living since 2022. Kathleen is a professor in peace and conflict studies, with a focus on Africa. She and her family spend lots of time traveling and exploring, but for now, are happy to be in one place, discovering new playgrounds, ice cream shops, trails, and beaches across the beautiful Bay Area. You can connect with Kathleen via email (Kathleen.klaus@gmail.com) or Instagram @kat_klaus

Resources

Pregnancy & birth prep:

Sleep & feeding

• Napper (app)
• IG: @itsmorethanmilk
• IG: @HeySleepyBaby 
• Precious Little Sleep (Alexis Dubief)
• Mighty Milk (lactation course and resources)
• Solid Starts 

Postpartum: 

Parenthood

Baby Tula

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