16. "I Can't Leave My Children Without a Mother" - Esther Widroff's Birth Stories: Part I

After overcoming infertility hurdles to have her children, Esther came across some difficult information that presented the possibility she would not live long enough to raise them. Testing positive for the BRCA gene mutation meant that she had to make some very difficulty decisions and her ultimate choices weren’t always well received by those around her. After a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction, she thought that she was past the worst threat to her life, but complications from the surgery proved otherwise. Esther’s story is one of strength, faith and redemption.   Promo codes for this episode’s sponsors:   7th Day Shine - natural, chemical and paraben free makeup specially formulated for permissible application on Shabbos. Use code “BIRTHWAY10” for 10% off your purchase. Find them on Instagram.   Elys & Co. - beautiful and high quality baby bedding and layette line. Use code “BW10” for 10% off your purchase. Find them on Instagram and Facebook.    To continue the conversation, and learn more about similar topics, check out the Yoledet Academy Instagram community.   Check out the Yoledet Picks Amazon Storefront to find any of the products mentioned in this episode, and discover Chanie’s other favorites.   If you like what you hear and want to help more people discover this show, here's what you can do to help us grow: 1. Rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts. 2. Subscribe to this show on whichever podcast app you listen. Ex: hit the button "follow" right under the cover art on Spotify. Plus - you'll never miss another episode. 3. Be a good friend and spread the wealth of knowledge! You never know how this will improve someone's life.  Did you know that you can listen on your web browser too? Just hit this link and share it with your friends - no special apps needed.

Om Podcasten

New: Hear your voice on The Happy Birthway Podcast! Call 203-759-8639 to ask me a question or leave a comment that I will answer on the podcast. Unpopular opinion: A healthy mom and healthy baby are NOT enough. Why don't we pay attention to a mother's experience and perceptions of her birth enough? I'm an L&D nurse revealing insider secrets that you won't learn in your standard childbirth ed class. We explore every facet (from opposite extremes) of not just birth, but the experience of womanhood and childbearing. Along with women sharing their experiences vulnerably, a slew of experts gift us with knowledge we never thought we needed. I throw in an extra layer to the discussion by exploring the implications of Judaism and Jewish culture on the reproductive experience. This show spans way beyond pregnancy and birth, with topics on sex, birth control, birth trauma, perinatal mental health, postpartum realities, breastfeeding, sleep training, diet culture, infertility, realities of our healthcare system, Jewish law, and so much more. The information here is not intended to give you medical advice or replace the care of a qualified healthcare provider.