Lauren Alexander shares her story of welcoming her fourth baby after years of carefully considering whether to expand her family again. Her pregnancy brought unique challenges, including severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and an experimental approach using metformin to manage symptoms.
She discusses navigating prenatal care, transitioning to midwifery care for her first home birth, and the emotional differences between hospital and home birth experiences. Lauren also talks postpartum recovery, the struggles of breastfeeding, working with a lactation consultant, and discovering her baby’s tongue-tie.
Listeners will appreciate Lauren’s thoughtful thoughts on motherhood, advocacy, and finding supportive providers and community during pregnancy and postpartum.
BIRTH HISTORY SUMMARY
Early Pregnancy
Lauren and her husband spent years debating whether they wanted a fourth child before finally deciding to grow their family again. Because of her previous experiences with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), she entered the pregnancy cautiously and researched possible ways to manage symptoms.
During this pregnancy, Lauren experimented with metformin as part of an emerging approach that some mothers with HG have been exploring. She shares that the experience was dramatically different from her previous pregnancies and allowed her to go about her daily life in ways she hadn’t before.
Preparation for birth at home
After previous hospital births, Lauren decided to pursue a home birth with midwifery care for the first time. She appreciated the slower pace, personalized support and calm environment her midwives provided during pregnancy.
As the delivery approached, she focused on creating a peaceful atmosphere at home and preparing her older children for the arrival of their new sibling.
Work and delivery
Labor began with mild contractions that gradually intensified throughout the day. Once active labor began, things moved quickly and Lauren relied heavily on the support of her birth team and family.
She describes the birth as calm, empowering and profoundly different from her hospital experiences. Lauren was especially grateful for the supportive environment and shared that she didn’t break out during labor.
Postpartum challenges and breastfeeding
During the postpartum period, Lauren experienced unexpected feeding difficulties with her baby. After seeking help from a lactation consultant, they discovered the baby had a tongue-tie that was affecting breastfeeding.
Lauren reflects on the emotional and physical challenges of early postpartum recovery, while also emphasizing how valuable support systems, research, and community have been during this time.
Lauren Alexander Bio
Lauren lives in Northern California with her wife and four children. After three HG pregnancies and hospital births, Lauren discovered Dr Marlena Fejzo’s research into the causes of HG, giving her some hope that her fourth pregnancy could be different. Trying an experimental preconception protocol, she experienced her first HG-free pregnancy and had her last baby at home. Just like her second and third births, this was a fast and intense labor, but without complications and a wonderful change from the hospital environment. Join Lauren on The Birth Hour Facebook Patreon Group and on Instagram @rachellehecht.
RESOURCES REFERRED TO
Providers & Services
- Midwifery Care — Lauren chose midwifery care for her first home birth and appreciated the personalized support during pregnancy and delivery.
- Lactation Consultant — A lactation consultant helped identify her baby’s language and supported her breastfeeding journey.
Products & Supplements
- Metformin — Lauren discusses the use of metformin experimentally during pregnancy as part of the HG symptom management approach. It talks about how The Birth Hour Patreon Group helped her connect with other moms interested in this new study, and they started a fundraising effort together.
Terms & Conditions
- Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) — Severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy that significantly affected Lauren’s previous pregnancies.
- Tongue-tie — An oral restriction related to feeding that affected breastfeeding after delivery.
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9. Frequently Asked Questions
A: Lauren shares her personal experience using metformin experimentally during pregnancy to help manage HG symptoms. Although her experience was positive, she emphasizes the importance of working closely with experienced health care providers when exploring treatment options.
A: Lauren describes her home birth as calm, supportive and very different from her previous hospital births. She appreciated the continuity of care with the midwives and the comfort of working in her own environment.
A: Lauren noticed persistent breastfeeding challenges postpartum and eventually worked with a lactation consultant who diagnosed tongue-tie. Painful feedings, latch problems and poor milk transfer can all be possible signs.
A: Lauren explains that her contractions started gently before quickly intensifying once active labor begins. Having an experienced birth team and supportive environment helped her feel grounded during the rapid progression.
ABOUT THE TIME OF BIRTH
The Birth Hour is a birth story podcast hosted by Bryn Huntpalmer. With over 1,000 episodes and 27 million downloads, it’s one of the longest-running pregnancy and birth podcasts in the world. New episodes are posted every week — no medication, epidural, home birth, hospital birth, c-section, VBAC and everything in between.
🎧 Listen: Search for “The Birth Hour” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
📚 Course Know your options: thebirthhour.com/course
💛 Patreon: patreon.com/thebirthhour (Listen to Lauren’s first 3 birth stories and join this tight knit community)
Takeaway food
Lauren has experienced severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) challenges in her previous pregnancies.
Deciding to have a fourth child was a long and thoughtful process.
Metformin was used experimentally to manage HG symptoms during her pregnancy.
Lauren’s home birth experience was her first with midwifery care.
Labor began with mild contractions that progressed quickly.
The birth was calm and supportive, unlike hospital experiences.
Postpartum challenges included a tongue-tie diagnosis for her baby.
Lauren’s breastfeeding journey involved working with a lactation consultant.
The importance of community support in navigating motherhood was emphasized.
Lauren plans to share resources for others interested in the metformin approach.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and family background
02:48 Deciding to have a fourth child
05:19 Pregnancy journey and metformin trial
08:06 Birth at home
10:58 Labor begins
13:50 The birth process
22:25 Postpartum challenges and tongue tie
30:33 Conclusion and Resources
