Latest / Arrivals: A Birth Story Podcast / Replay: An emergency C-section, a miraculous birth, maternal mental health, and naming babies
Transcript
- Merelise Wilson: I think we're good. Yeah. And mine is showing like an uploading. Yeah. Is it changing? Is it like, did it go back down again? Yeah. Okay. That's just to give you as uploading. Yeah. All good. All good. ⁓ okay. Amazing. Well, Welcome to the Arrivals podcast. I'm your host, Merelise Wilson and so to have on the podcast today, Baskin Champion McFarland. So welcome. baskin champion: Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here and sharing my birth story. Merelise Wilson: Me too. It's so cool because I have been following you for years, but I just feel like when you became a mom, content. It just became so relatable. ⁓ And I just love how real you are And it's just so wonderful to see someone just it all out there, just like ⁓ anyone else would. ⁓ baskin champion: Thank you. Yeah. Yeah, we bear it all. My Instagram definitely changed from model pictures all of a sudden, like mom and the sweats from the past three days pictures. So everything's changed, but I really like to be relatable and being a mom is so wonderful and so hard. And I just never want to make it seem like it's all easy. And I want others to feel like, you know, there are other people who are dealing with the same things. Merelise Wilson: Well, I know that it personally really resonated with me and that's why I wanted to like reach out to you. baskin champion: Thank you. That's so sweet. Well, thank you so much. Merelise Wilson: Of course, thank you for coming on. I'm so excited. let's dive in. So Mr. Fox. baskin champion: Me too, Here we go. Yeah, Mr. Fox. Merelise Wilson: So when you find out you were pregnant, first of all, what was pregnancy And then did you have a birth plan or preference or anything leading up to his birth? baskin champion: Yeah, so my pregnancy, obviously the first 12 weeks are, I feel like horrible for everyone. threw up every day. But then I actually felt amazing during pregnancy. I loved being pregnant. I thought it was great. My anxiety went down. Everything just felt great. ⁓ ⁓ did have a birth plan. ⁓ wanted to do it naturally, no epidural, ⁓ I was open to it if I needed it down the road. But I have a pretty... Merelise Wilson: Mm. baskin champion: strong high pain tolerance. I was like, you know what, I want to do this naturally. And as you know, birth plans just never go according to plan. Merelise Wilson: And was there a reason you wanted to, do it naturally? baskin champion: Honestly, the only reason was because I feel like I could work better with my body and like feel what's going on, which I've never done birth that way. So I actually don't know if that's even true. That's just kind of what I wanted to do, but maybe for the next time we'll see. Merelise Wilson: And I know you've mentioned to me before that your dad is a doctor and you had seen birth before. ⁓ how you feel like that kind of affected or impacted your view as you, as it was your time? baskin champion: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, that was a little traumatizing. Me and my sister worked, well, my family would go to Africa and my dad would work in the hospital. And so, you know, there's no HIPAA there. You can see whatever you want. So me and my sister watched a couple births, a couple vaginal deliveries, a couple C-sections. I saw a C-section of twins, which was really cool, but also traumatizing. But, you know, birth in Africa is very different than birth in the States. And it was... Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Yeah. Mm. baskin champion: It was a little bit traumatizing to me and my sister both. were like, we were way too young to be watching that. And in a third world country, what were we thinking? So I definitely, it was intense. I definitely had a lot of fears around birth, but I kind of chose to just not think about it. Like it's a day, this too shall pass. And that is kind of what I did. That was my mindset. And that's also my mindset going into this. I'm pregnant again, I'm 20 weeks. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Yeah, that's a bit intense. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. baskin champion: So that's also my mindset going into this pregnancy. I'm terrified of birth, but we want more kids. So we're just praying that the Lord will keep everyone safe. Merelise Wilson: And so you still feel like even after you've been through it, and we'll obviously dig into this, but even after you've been through it once, it still feels scary to you. baskin champion: Yeah. You know, I think it feels even more scary this time. just, I think there's a lot of unknowns right now. If I'm going to be able to have a VBAC, if I have to have another C-section and, yeah, I'm, I'm definitely a little more nervous going into it this time than I was last time. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. I know you told me, don't know if you want to touch on this now too, ⁓ that you definitely don't want to share your birth story to scare but it is your truth and it's your experience. ⁓ baskin champion: Yeah. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. You know, my birth story was is a bit traumatic. everything turned out okay. And I think that's the ending. And I never want to share it to scare people. think I just want to share it so people know to trust their instinct. And if they feel like, ⁓ something off, I should go to the hospital. But I don't want to be that person who just shows up and everything's ⁓ good. ⁓ you so much rather go and everything be good or so much rather go and you know, save your baby. And so I'm just an advocate for going to the hospital and trusting your body. And especially when you're pregnant, my dad and my father-in-law are doctors. So we're very, ⁓ never go to the doctor. So I actually didn't tell anyone when I was going to the hospital, because I felt like something was off because I knew they'd tell me not to. So I think you just really have to trust your gut instinct. But no, my story is not to be told out of fear. It's just to be told. Merelise Wilson: Right. Yeah. baskin champion: you know, awareness, listening to your body and also just how great our God is and how he saved my son. Merelise Wilson: Mm-hmm. Well, go ahead and talk about it. baskin champion: All right, So I had my 38 week appointment on a Tuesday ⁓ ⁓ went in, everything looked amazing. And, I was like half a centimeter dilated. So all was good. I could feel my body progressing. ⁓ And night I was sitting on the ball, you know, that medicine ball, I hate it, but it does work. So ⁓ it but I was sitting on the ball and I started having contractions and I'm like, ⁓ my gosh, this is happening. Merelise Wilson: It's a love-hate relationship. baskin champion: they stayed for a while, but I'd been having a lot of Braxton Hicks, nothing progressed. So ⁓ the morning, Andrew woke up, went to the, went to work and I got breakfast with him and then, you know, no kids. I got back in bed, watched TV and took a nap. ⁓ And Fox always so active in my stomach. Like the kid did not stop moving day or night, just always moving. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. baskin champion: So I woke up from my nap and I went to get my nails done and as I'm in the nail salon I just noticed he hasn't moved at all and I'm like, that's strange like he moves a lot But you know, maybe he's just sleeping so I finished getting my nails done I went to the grocery store and I'm you bouncing my belly in the parking lot in the car I'm like, something feels wrong so I got These horrible like Martha Stewart chocolate chip muffins that are so bad for you But I was like, okay, maybe some sugar will be good. So made these awful muffins Merelise Wilson: Mm-hmm. baskin champion: the taste incredible and I ate all six of them. And then I played music to my belly and I'm like, okay, something's not right. It's been maybe like an hour and a half now that I've felt something off. So I have a massage though. It's like a three o'clock massage and I really, really want this massage. So I call the hospital, I call labor and delivery and I say like, hey, my baby's usually active and he's not moving at all. Like what should I do? Merelise Wilson: Yeah. baskin champion: And they said, ⁓ you need to come in. Like, how soon can you be here? And in my head, I'm like, okay, like we're, we're good. Like I don't need to rush. Right. So I go outside and I curb walk, the neighborhood and I'm like, sure. He's going to move. Doesn't move. And I'm like, So ⁓ knew how to get to the hospital. So I Google maps to my massage place and I'm like, I'll just drive to the hospital. When I feel him move, I'll just head straight to my massage place. So. ⁓ And by the time I get to the hospital, I realize like he's not moving. And as I was driving there, and I really didn't want to go, no one wants to go to the hospital. I just heard the Lord say, you need to go, like go to the hospital. And I just was like, really? Like my massage though, come on. So I texted my husband, I said like, hey, something just feels wrong. I'm going to the hospital. ⁓ Merelise Wilson: No. Hahaha baskin champion: went to the hospital, had to pay for the massage, which is a bummer, and got there and they put the, you know, they checked me in and they say, put the heart rate monitor on, they say, okay, your baby's in distress, so we're not gonna let you leave, but we're gonna induce you. And I say, okay, does my husband need to come? And they say, ⁓ no, like pitocin and induction can take days. you know, like maybe haven't had home, do you have a hospital bag packed? Of course I did not have a hospital bag packed or Merelise Wilson: Right. No. baskin champion: or the car seat in the car. ⁓ ⁓ I call him and I'm like, okay, go home ⁓ you know, pack a bag, get the car seat and come on. Merelise Wilson: So at this point, they're still thinking it's going to be vaginal delivery, but like they just wanted to go ahead and like start you on pit, like, you know, get things going. Okay. Okay. baskin champion: Yes. So they hadn't started me on pitocin yet. That's what they told me was the plan. And I've only been there for maybe like 15 minutes. ⁓ yep, the external belly monitor on. then it was such a blessing. My doctor only does actual deliveries one day a week. And it just so happened that she was the one who was the doctor for that day, which was so calming. Cause I was there by myself and I didn't tell anyone else I was going, like I said, I texted one other friend and I said, Hey, can you pray? I'm at the doctor and I just like, feel like something's wrong. Merelise Wilson: and they just have like the external belly monitors on you? Okay. baskin champion: Um, so then they do an ultrasound. like, we're going to do a 30 minute ultrasound just so we can see his movement. So during that 30 minute ultrasound, um, my sister-in-law, who was horrible, texture actually texted me and was like, Hey, like, how are you feeling? And it was again, such a God thing. Cause we never text each other. always call and it was perfect timing because I didn't want to alarm my parents and call them and feel even more anxiety myself. Cause of course that's They're in Alabama, by the way, I'm in Los Angeles. ⁓ So I actually said perfect timing that you're texting me, I'm not good. I'm in the hospital, I'm gonna have this baby. Can you please call my parents and tell them to book a flight? So ⁓ they're doing the ultrasound and my parents call. And like I said, my dad's a doctor and I couldn't really understand all the lingo the nurses and the doctors were saying. So I just asked him to stay on the phone. I'm like, can I put you on the and can you to be my translator? So he's kind of like telling me what's going on because they're kind of rushing in their own world, rightfully so, you trying to figure out what the best plan of action is. So ⁓ ⁓ am noticing that there is no movement about 15 minutes in and I'm like, this ⁓ what my normal ultrasound looks like. So I call my husband, I say, hey, ditch everything, come to the hospital. ⁓ it's probably, let's see my... ⁓ Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Yeah. baskin champion: it's probably like 330, 345 at this time. And he is stuck in insane traffic. So they finished the ultrasound and I tell my parents, okay, thank you. Book flights, get here tomorrow. Because it was my, yeah, my dad did. And then, my mom was there too, but my dad was being my translator. So then, yeah, I was like, I just, needed someone. Merelise Wilson: They say it on the phone with you the whole time. That's good. Yeah. Right, least you weren't like completely, completely alone. baskin champion: you know, to talk with me so that he was kind of giving me advice. so they're like, okay, we've been 30 minutes, we're going to go assess, and we'll come back in and tell you our game plan. And so I'm like, okay, sounds good. So ⁓ everyone leaves except one nurse. And at this time, I've signed my life where I've signed, you can put me under if you need to, you can do whatever you need to like, ⁓ it's your hands, which is really scary. And I wasn't even sure what I was signing, to be honest with you, because Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Mm. Yeah. baskin champion: Everything was moving so fast. I'm trying to tell my family what's happening. I'm trying to tell my husband. I'm trying to also be attentive to what they're doing. I know. So I'm just signing all these papers saying, do whatever. ⁓ I know that. I know I've signed that they can put me under. And I don't like being put under personally. ⁓ ⁓ Merelise Wilson: No, I don't think anyone wants to, especially if it's like, you know, gonna be your birth. Yeah. Yeah. baskin champion: Right? I'm like, absolutely not. So they all leave the room except one nurse and I'm hooked up to IVs. And I say, you know, I need to use the bathroom. Can you like wheel me and my IVs to the bathroom? I'll walk, but you take the whatever. So I go to the bathroom and when I come back out, there's a team of, mean, I don't know, like 10 to 15 people, 10 to 12 people. And they say, okay, we're rushing you into an emergency C-section. take off your socks, I'm already in a gown, put these socks on, I wear a lot of earrings, take out all your earrings, take off your necklace, take off your rings, take all your jewelry off, we are walking to the operating room right now. If you wanna save your baby, like get on your feet and go. And I say, okay, well, can we wait for my husband? And they said, absolutely not. Like if you want to save your baby, we need to go have the C-section immediately. And honestly, I was just so thankful that my doctor was there because she was the only person I knew. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. ⁓ god. ⁓ my god. Right. And do you go to a practice that has a lot of doctors? it how, like, ⁓ my gosh, wow. That's wild. baskin champion: so yes. So she delivers one day a week. So it could have been anyone. So I call my husband. like, you need, you need to get here. Like hurry. He's like, I'm stuck in traffic on sunset. I'm like, park your car and run. Like, I don't care, but you, you, I need you here now. And labor and delivery is also in a different building than we go to for our appointments. And we had never been. So he didn't even know exactly where he was going. And I'm like, there's valet, just leave your car. just ditch it. Like, I don't care. Merelise Wilson: ⁓ my god. bet people leave their cars outside of labor and delivery or the hospital all the time. Like say, ⁓ Yeah. ⁓ baskin champion: Right? I'm like, just leave it. I really don't care. so I walked to the operating room and they gave me a spinal tap and during the spinal tap, they lose the baby's heart rate and or heartbeat and that was really scary. So I start to actually pass out like everything kind of starts going black. And I remember that I've signed that they can put me under and I'm like, if, if I can't stay awake for this, if I start nodding off, Merelise Wilson: Yeah. baskin champion: there's no questions asked, like they, you know, knock me out via my IV. So I just started praying out loud. I'm like, Lord Jesus, like keep me here, keep me with this and keep us safe and keep my baby healthy and let Andrew make it. So we get the spinal tap in, they lay me with my feet above my head. So they raise the bed the opposite way to get the medicine going as quickly as they can. So they're wiping my chest like Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Hmm interesting baskin champion: asking, well, they needed to go quick. They're like, we do not have a minute to wait. So they're, know, rubbing my chest with the wipes saying, can you feel this? Can you feel this? Can you feel this? And as soon as I say, I can't feel it, they say, okay, well, your husband actually is here. He just got here. So they let Andrew in and he's wearing ⁓ a hairnet, ⁓ mask, and he's fully scrubbed up. And as along with everyone else in the room, there's so many people in the room. Merelise Wilson: Yeah, right. Yeah. ⁓ baskin champion: And I'm terrified. So, you know, your arms are out in a T I'm convulsing because the medicine is making me convulse and I'm terrified. So Andrew comes in and I'm like, okay, Andrew, can you start praying? ⁓ he crying and I say, okay, shut up. Like, don't pray. I will pray. I need to take off your hair net I you to take off your mask ⁓ and need you to just like be here with me. But Merelise Wilson: ⁓ my god. I got this. Yeah. baskin champion: Side note, when I have panic attacks, my whole body goes numb. Like that's what I feel. So I felt like I was having a panic attack and I probably was having a panic attack. ⁓ Understandably. So I asked him, the only thing I could feel was my face. So I said, I need you to press your fingernails into my face. And he's like, what? And I'm like, just do it. Just press your fingernails as hard as you can into my face so I know I'm here. Exactly, anchor me. So that's what he was doing. Merelise Wilson: Understandably. Yeah. anchor you. Yeah. baskin champion: I felt the second box is pulled out and again like I've seen sexy section so I ⁓ what was happening there obviously the curtain was up so Praise the Lord, but but I know like I'm picturing what I've seen so I know that they have yanked him out and I said to Andrew he's out and we didn't hear anything and we're both just like praying like we're I mean, it was terrifying and so they Start counting that what they kept called the time Merelise Wilson: Yeah. So you can see anything. Yeah. Yeah. baskin champion: It was 17 17 and they start counting. hear like three or four people counting in unison and they count all the way one, two, all the way up to six. And me and Andrew were like, what, what is going on? Cause you can't see. Um, and then we hear the baby cry. And so the cord was wrapped around his neck six times and it, it, was a miracle. The whole, it was a miracle. And then they called out that he was seven pounds. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. baskin champion: And he was all right and Andrew got to cut the cord and we were perfectly fine. ⁓ I definitely was disassociated when they handed him to me. I couldn't hold him because I was convulsing so badly. And Andrew had to do a lot of skin to skin initially just because I was in absolute shock. But my sister and her now husband and my in-laws made it to the hospital by the time. Merelise Wilson: Bye. Mm-hmm. baskin champion: Fox was born. Yeah, I got to the hospital at three and he was born at 517. So it was like, I know that doesn't sound like that. They did a 30 minute ultrasound, you have to, you know, do the paperwork like it was very fast. So Merelise Wilson: ⁓ my gosh. No, it does. You have to get like the epidural in you fully. Yeah, that's very fast. baskin champion: Yes, it was very fast, but ⁓ the whole time I was pregnant, I was just praying that the Lord would be made known through Fox's birth. And I definitely meant in a different way than what happened. didn't necessarily mean that way, but I will say I had all the doctors and nurses who were in the room were just telling me how much of a miracle that my baby was. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. baskin champion: They said, we don't see this happen. Like we've worked here for 20 plus years and we've never seen a baby live with a cord wrapped six times around its neck. And we had, you know, I was there for, think two nights. People were stopping by our room being like, this is the miracle baby. And I'm like, wow, this is really cool. And I would just go tell him like, yeah, you know, like praise the Lord that he saved our baby, like all glory to him. Merelise Wilson: Never heard that. Yeah. baskin champion: So was really cool to see how the Lord was glorified through our birth, even though it wasn't what I had planned by any means. And then, you know, this is maybe a little woo woo for some people, but if you believe in spiritual warfare, I thought it was interesting that he was born at exactly 1717, and that is the number they call out. They didn't call out 517, they said 1717, and he was exactly seven pounds, which seven is the number of perfection. Merelise Wilson: Mm-hmm. baskin champion: the cord is wrapped six times, which six is the number of the devil. And I thought it was so interesting that it just honestly felt like spiritual warfare. And thinking to when I heard God say, go to the hospital, even though I wanted my massage, like he saved my baby and my baby was such a miracle. And I do think he has a calling on his life because the Lord spared his life. Yeah. ⁓ Merelise Wilson: and they counted till six and he breathed on seven or cried on seven and like, ⁓ yeah. baskin champion: Yeah, you're right. I didn't even think about that one. But yeah, it was just a miracle. you know, birth is so wild, and it's so out of our hands. And even this go around, I'm praying that the Lord will be made known through this delivery as well. But through a beautiful feedback. ⁓ Merelise Wilson: a little less dramatically God. ⁓ baskin champion: I'm being a little more specific this time, if I'm being honest with you. ⁓ So we'll see how that goes. But I just thought it was I mean, it is such a miracle and such a blessing that he's here with us today. Merelise Wilson: I mean, you've told me that story before, but I still, I've got just full on chills hearing it again. It's just so wild and so amazing. And all babies are miracles, but he is extra, extra miraculous. That is wild. ⁓ my gosh. So then what was your recovery like with him physically and mentally? Like after that, like traumatic experience? baskin champion: Yeah, it is. Yes. Yeah, yeah, it was crazy. It was pretty brutal right after when they put us in the temporary, they put you in like a temporary recovery room before your room's ready. And I guess they monitor you more closely in the following two hours. I got a fever and I was just, I was really scared. Thankfully that didn't turn out to be anything, but the recovery was brutal. I gave birth at five 17 and then they kept us Merelise Wilson: Yeah. baskin champion: in the temporary recovery room until about 1 a.m. because there weren't enough rooms. So that was interesting. But when we got into our room, we finally settled in. And then at 4 a.m., they came in and they told me had to take my catheter out and I needed to walk around. And like I gave birth less than 12 hours ago, I was fully cut open. And you want me to walk and pee on my own? So that was shocking how fast that was. Merelise Wilson: Great. Yeah. baskin champion: and the recovery physically was brutal. I didn't have the things I needed for a C-section, like the high-waisted underwear, ⁓ the belly band, the, like, I couldn't lay flat. I don't know if that's a normal thing, but I needed like a wedge for my bed. Cause I also couldn't sit up because your muscles in the cut through. So there was just a bunch of things. And then I had a, I got Merelise Wilson: Belly bands. Mm-mm. baskin champion: I don't know if you know what that is. Merelise Wilson: What is it called again? PUPPS I don't think I know that one. baskin champion: Pups. P-U-P-P-S. It is, you know, I don't know exactly what it is. All I know is that it's a rash all over your body and I think it's caused by, it feels like poison ivy all over your body. And I think it's just caused by the hormones. So I got that. And then I also had an allergic reaction to the tape that they put on my incision. So it was a really rough go of it. Like I... Merelise Wilson: ⁓ great. ⁓ God. ⁓ no. One thing after another. baskin champion: It was one thing after the other. Like you, couldn't shower myself. couldn't sit on the toilet by myself. Like Andrew really had to take care of me and my parents really had to take care of Fox. ⁓ and I'm just so grateful that I had that help. ⁓ and then mentally I was pretty good until my husband went back to work and my parents left. And then I got pretty bad postpartum anxiety and I started Zoloft, which I just Merelise Wilson: Yeah. baskin champion: Could it be more grateful? I started almost immediately. Like, praise the Lord for Zoloft The intrusive thoughts are so gnarly. I'm not even cooking. And I'm like, what if I put thoughts in the oven? Like, what? That's crazy. Merelise Wilson: Same. Yeah. I know. Yeah. I know, I know, I know it's insane. Like, what if I just drop him on the concrete as I'm putting him into the car seat? Like, yeah, just insane. I know. Yeah. baskin champion: Like what? So it was just insane. So I definitely started Zoloft and I'm actually still on Zoloft and can stay on it through this whole pregnancy. And I will stay on it. My doctor recommended to stay on it a year postpartum, that's when your hormones kind of start to balance out. And I got pregnant at like six months. So, we, I'll stay on it for a year after this next baby. And I'm just really grateful for Zoloft and for all the help I received. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. baskin champion: from my husband and my family and our friends, because we just had so many people sending food, sending flowers, offering help. And it's just so important to have such a good community and to help you when you need it, you know? It really does. Yeah. Merelise Wilson: It takes a village. Yeah, I know. I was on Zoloft both my pregnancies and my dad was a psychologist. So I'm like huge mental health advocate. Like it's so important. Whatever you need to do, whether it's talk therapy, medication, whatever it is, like you've got to take care of yourself. And I remember I, for some reason, even though I knew all this was important in my first pregnancy, I was already on Zoloft and I was like, I'm just going to get off of it. I'll be fine. And I told my OB and she was like, baskin champion: Yeah. Yes, cool. Yes. Yeah. ⁓ my gosh. Merelise Wilson: That's crazy, first of all. And second of all, she was like, I promise you, Zoloft is like such a studied drug in pregnancy. It's like so studied that there's absolutely nothing that harm your baby. And she like, the anxiety that you would have, while you're pregnant, would be way worse for your baby than ⁓ anything that Zoloft do. ⁓ So yes, big baskin champion: Yep, that's crazy. Yes. Exactly. That's exactly what my doctor said. Yeah, that's what my doctor said. The anxiety is just so bad for you and every physically, mentally, emotionally. So my doctor said the exact same thing. Like you, you just need to stay on it and praise Lord that we have those options, you know, but it also is, it's hard. You know, I, never understood postpartum anxiety or depression until I had my own kid, because it's just like, well, Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Yes. I know, I know, so true. baskin champion: call someone and ask for help. But when you're in it, you're just in such a cloud that it's so dense that you just don't see any way out. And I'm just so thankful that me and my husband actually had the conversation before I gave birth that if I feel rocky at all, that I want to start medication immediately. And if I'm not doing that for myself, then I need him to obviously not force me but to say, Merelise Wilson: Mm-hmm. Yeah. baskin champion: hey, we had this conversation and this is what is best for you. So this is what you need to do because everything postpartum just is absolutely wild. And you need to have those conversations before in my opinion, so that when, if and when it happens that you've already made a decision in your clear mind so you can help yourself when you actually need it. Merelise Wilson: Right? I know. Yes, I could not agree more because you're right in those postpartum days. It's you feel like you're in a cloud that is so thick and like you said, you cannot see your way out. And it's so important, like you said, yeah, to have those conversations leading up to everything. And then, you know, your partner, your sister, whoever it's like, they become your accountability partner, you know, and I think as moms, like we have a tendency to martyr ourselves and need someone also taking care of you, you know, saying like, I know all you can think about right now is the baby, but like I'm thinking about you and I know you're not yourself. baskin champion: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Absolutely. Merelise Wilson: or whatever it is. Yes, 100%. ⁓ baskin champion: It is, it's crazy. And I also, was kind of shocked by the lack of haven't fully thought this thought through and I'm pregnant so I'm worried like how am going to come off. But I guess like what insurance covers you know, mean, Fox was nursing every hour so every I woke up every hour for months until we sleep trained we did Mom's On Call praise the Lord for them. ⁓ But ⁓ they I love them so much they I just ⁓ I can't speak highly enough of them. ⁓ ⁓ Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Yes. It's an Atlanta company. Yeah. I know. didn't want some call. I know. baskin champion: you know, like this sounds crazy, but I feel like insurance should help cover maybe a night nurse once a week or a massage or I don't know, something. And it doesn't have to be every night or, but I'm like, come on, my body was just cut open. And then I go back at my six week appointment, they don't even ask to look at my incision. And I'm like, so I'm cleared for everything. And you just cut me open. Like it's been six weeks. What? Merelise Wilson: Don't even get me started. I know, it's insane. mean, think about any other major surgery you have. Like, example, I'm about my mom who's had a hip replacement. After her hip replacement, know, insurance covered weeks and weeks and weeks of physical therapy and follow ups and all this stuff. And whether you give birth vaginally or C-section, like either way, it's a major medical event. And then you get one visit, follow up, and they're like, all right, you're good. Go on your merry way. baskin champion: Yes. You're good. And then mentally, physically, emotionally, you're just. Yeah, just the lack of ⁓ help ⁓ I know, insurance, what they're willing to cover. I don't know what the problem is. That's not my hill I'm ⁓ willing die on. ⁓ But I was definitely shocked at how little resources that are affordable were available. Merelise Wilson: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, yes, yes, exactly. baskin champion: If you have a ton of money, like there are other resources that available to you, you're, you know, a normal person, there are so many things that look so nice, but they're just not affordable or realistic, you know? Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah, And it just stinks. I know. baskin champion: yeah, I just looking at there's this like postpartum hotel that you can go to. And I was just looking at that and I'm like, Andrew, so I don't need a push present. I need three nights of massages, home cooked meals. They help take care of your baby. have ⁓ lactation consultants, nurses and like, so that's what I want, but it's incredibly expensive. So, bye. Merelise Wilson: ⁓ huh, that sounds amazing. That's incredible. Okay, you know what you should look at then is having a postpartum doula. Have you looked into this at all? baskin champion: I have not, what is a postpartum doula? Merelise Wilson: Okay, I have a whole episode about it, so you should listen. ⁓ It's amazing. It's the thing that everyone should know about. It is basically what you just described, except for they come to your house and they don't have to spend the night unless you want them to, but they come to your house. They care for you. They care for your baby. They cook you meals. They run errands and you can have them for, you know, five hours, 10 hours, like whatever it is. I had one with both of mine and she's still in my life to this day. I love her. and it was shockingly affordable. baskin champion: Great, okay. No way. Merelise Wilson: Yes. baskin champion: That's incredible. It was affordable? No way. I will be looking at that. Yeah. Merelise Wilson: Mm-hmm. Yes, I know. I mean, I don't know what the prices are like in LA. They may be like the upcharge, but yeah. baskin champion: I'll be looking into that as soon as we finish this. Yeah. Merelise Wilson: Look at postpartum doula. Okay, pivot, but I've always wondered where did Fox's name come from? baskin champion: So of course as a girl I have a list of like 100 names I love and Fox was on there and my husband liked one of them and the one name was Fox. ⁓ reason is because it's his mom's maiden name actually so it's a family name. So it's my mother-in-law's maiden name and then his middle name is Champion which is my maiden name. ⁓ we're using family names again second round so I think we might just have to. Merelise Wilson: Yeah, so cool. Of course. Right. They already have it decided. baskin champion: ⁓ we've had decided. I knew it was a girl before we got the test back and we've had the name decided honestly since like I found that I was pregnant at five weeks, you know. So, yeah. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. That's awesome. We said with both of my kids, we did surprises for both of them. So didn't know if they were boys or girls. Yeah. And it was so fun. It is not for everyone, but it was really fun. It definitely like I always tell people like it, you know, it was we loved it was great time, but it's not for everyone. And I should have known both times that it was going to be a boy because we could not agree on a girl name to save our lives. Like it was so hard. Something about girl names was much harder for me. I don't know. baskin champion: Mm-mm! That's so bold. Honey. I thought boy names are much harder, that's funny. Well, girl names, can give them a boy name, you know, and it like works, but giving a boy a girl name doesn't work as well, in my opinion. Merelise Wilson: Interesting. Well, Fox is perfect. I love that name. That's true. Yeah. Wait, so where did your name come from? Because we both have unusual names. And that was also part of the pressure I was putting on myself as a mom was I wanted to give my kids unique names because I like having unique name, but it's like a fine line between cool, unique, and just like weird, you know? So. baskin champion: ⁓ yeah. Yeah. Yes. so my name is actually a family name. My first name legally is Sarah Baskin. It's hyphenated. You know, being from the South, that's what we do. And I had, I had no middle name growing up. Now I've moved champion to a middle name, my maiden name, ⁓ ⁓ great grandparents last name was Baskin. And then my grandmom was named Sarah and her maiden name was Baskin. So. ⁓ Merelise Wilson: Okay. ⁓ yeah. Mm-hmm. That's so cool. baskin champion: my parents gave me her name. So I like family names. Where does your name come from? Merelise Wilson: I love it. It's such a cool name. My dad, so my parents, the story goes that they could not agree on a name. My dad wanted really unique names. I was actually apparently named Juno for like a couple of days. ⁓ Yeah, it's like before the movie, obviously. ⁓ And my mom wanted really traditional, like Mary Catherine, Elizabeth, like very traditional. ⁓ And they could come to an agreement. ⁓ And my dad like very into like language and like, baskin champion: No way. Merelise Wilson: literature and all kinds of things. And one day he just came to my mom and he was like, I thought of this name, it's Merelise And he was like, it's kind of like French, like that's the inspiration. And she was like, well spell it. And he spelled it for her and she loved it. And that was it. So yeah. baskin champion: That's amazing. is spelled differently than you would assume it being spelled being from the South because everything is like Mary, you know, but it's a really pretty name. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Yes. Thank you. Yeah, so the last couple of things I wanted to ask you. So you're pregnant again, which is so exciting, halfway. And Fox just turned a year, by the way, happy birthday. okay, so what's the plan for number two? I know you've mentioned that you're considering VBAC, but what are you thinking? baskin champion: Yeah, I like it. Okay. I am. Yes, halfway there. Thank you so much. Yeah. So again, I feel like a birth plan, especially after having my experience, I'm trying to hold very loosely. So my plan right now is to try for a VBAC if I go into labor naturally. ⁓ And ⁓ I have to be induced, then it's just a C-section. There's no induction. It'll be just a C-section. ⁓ So the plan for now. And I pray about it every day. And I just believe that ⁓ Merelise Wilson: Mm-hmm. baskin champion: Lord will provide what's supposed to be. And that's where I put all my worries and anxiety because ⁓ dwelling on it gets you nowhere you know it just causes your days to be worse so that's something that I don't let myself do I don't dwell on anything I just give to the Lord and know he will do what's best Merelise Wilson: Yeah. will be will be. baskin champion: Exactly. So that's where we're at for this one. And I was really scared at first and I'm terrified, but I just really don't think about it, which I don't know if that's good or bad, but I that's, what I do. Merelise Wilson: Well, it's easier when you have a toddler because they keep you busy. baskin champion: Yeah, you have no time to think. I have one brain cell left. My goodness. Yeah. He's out there crying right now. Merelise Wilson: I know it is so hard. It is so hard. but okay, well, I always like to close by asking my guests to describe birth in three words, whatever comes to mind. baskin champion: Miracu- ⁓ my gosh, I can't even talk. What's the word? Miraculous. Miraculous, beautiful, and- Merelise Wilson: You're pregnant like we said. Miraculous. baskin champion: I don't want to say terrifying, but like that's the other word for me, but I'm not trying to scare other people, but maybe just unknown. Yeah. Merelise Wilson: unknown. I like that. And the unknown can be scary. baskin champion: They can, but it also can be incredible. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. And you know, I feel like a healthy amount of fear is normal something as life-changing as giving birth, you know? So I think, yeah. Well. baskin champion: I couldn't agree more. Oh yeah, I think it's good. It's a whole life change and you, know, the old person you were is no longer and it's okay. But there's nothing wrong with fear as long as you have a place to put it in to cope with it, I guess. You know, like there's fear in everyday life, but you've got to learn how to cope with it and have a place to put it, which for me is in the Lord. Merelise Wilson: Yeah. Well, thank you so much for doing this. Thank you for giving me some of your time. I know you're very busy with your little man and everything else going on, so I really appreciate it. baskin champion: Of course. Thank you so much for having me on. I'm so honored and I'm really excited to share this story. Merelise Wilson: Me too, I'm excited for people to hear it. next time. Okay, I'm gonna stop recording, but it'll keep you on. baskin champion: Me too.