Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast Episode 300: Reframing Birth with Lana Sullivan of Girl, Teach Me

Release Date: July 29, 2025
Host: Lisa Bass
Guest: Lana Sullivan

Introduction

In the milestone 300th episode of the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast, host Lisa Bass delves into the profound topic of childbirth, focusing on natural and home births. As Lisa anticipates her ninth child and plans for a home birth, she welcomes Lana Sullivan from Girl, Teach Me to share her extensive experiences and insights on birth, pain management, and overcoming fear.

Guest Introduction

Lana Sullivan introduces herself as a homeschooling mother of five who stumbled into the world of natural birth through an elective class during her master's program. Her passion ignited, Lana founded Girl, Teach Me, a platform dedicated to educating and mentoring women, especially new moms, on various aspects of motherhood, including birth.

[00:32] Lana Sullivan: "When you look at the stats, worldwide, 95% of births are natural and normal and need no intervention."

The Naturalness and Normalcy of Birth

Lana emphasizes the fundamental nature of childbirth, highlighting that the vast majority of births occur naturally without medical interventions. She stresses the importance of understanding that both the mother and the baby are biologically equipped for birth, which can significantly alter a woman's perception of pain and fear.

[08:06] Lana Sullivan: "Your brain decides a hundred percent of the time whether you feel pain or not... your brain is trying to make the decision."

Redefining Pain in Birth

A central theme of the discussion revolves around reframing pain during childbirth. Both Lisa and Lana advocate for viewing contractions as "working pains" rather than purely uncomfortable sensations. This mental shift can transform the birth experience, making it feel more purposeful and less daunting.

[28:23] Lana Sullivan: "Your body's working hard to do what it knows how to do... it's working hard to birth a baby."

Personal Birth Experiences and Lessons Learned

Lana shares her journey through multiple births, each providing unique lessons that shaped her current approach. She reflects on her initial misconceptions, such as the need to remain overly comfortable and minimize any discomfort, which hindered her ability to effectively manage labor pains. Over time, she learned to partner with her body and baby, allowing for a more fluid and empowered birth experience.

[32:13] Lana Sullivan: "Once you gain that knowledge... you welcome it instead of resisting."

Importance of a Supportive Birth Team

Both hosts agree on the critical role of a supportive and knowledgeable birth team. Lana underscores the necessity of choosing the right midwife—someone who aligns with the family's birth goals and can provide both emotional and practical support during labor.

[14:00] Lana Sullivan: "Having really educated midwives... it's just nice to have the right person on board."

Preparing for Birth: Education, Classes, and Mental Readiness

Preparation is key to a successful natural birth. Lana recommends educating oneself through reputable resources such as the Bradley Method, Ina May's teachings, and positive birth stories. Additionally, mental readiness involves overcoming fears and setting realistic expectations about the intensity and unpredictability of labor.

[32:22] Lana Sullivan: "Taking classes and reading books and getting the right team on board... flow with it."

Navigating Hospital Interventions and Transfers

The conversation touches on the realities of hospital births and the frequency of interventions. Lisa shares her personal experiences of unexpected inductions and the challenges of trusting medical advice. Lana points out that while transfers to hospitals are sometimes necessary, they often result from calm, informed discussions rather than emergencies.

[40:49] Lana Sullivan: "It's usually a conversation... it's a calm conversation."

Postpartum Recovery and Pain Management

Postpartum recovery, particularly pain management, is another critical topic. Lisa discusses the intense cramps she experiences after birth, noting that natural birth often leads to quicker physical recovery compared to surgical births like C-sections. Lana shares her methods for managing postpartum pain, including the use of herbal remedies and over-the-counter medications, acknowledging that experiences vary widely among mothers.

[45:37] Lisa: "My afterbirth cramps... are so bad."

Audience Questions

Postpartum Supplies

Lisa and Lana address audience inquiries about essential postpartum supplies. Lana mentions After Ease, an herbal remedy for easing postpartum cramps, while Lisa shares her personal challenges in managing pain with over-the-counter medications, highlighting the variability in postpartum experiences.

[44:51] Lana Sullivan: "I feel like it helped me a fair amount."

Free Birth Perspectives

The discussion moves to the controversial topic of free birth, where women choose to give birth without medical assistance. Both hosts agree that while it requires extensive preparation and knowledge, it can be a viable option for those confident in their ability to manage unforeseen complications.

[52:37] Lana Sullivan: "I just want to have the freedom... I want to feel taken care of."

Including Children in the Birth Process

Lisa asks whether Lana includes her children in the birth process. Lana shares her experience of having her older children present during the birth of her youngest, aiming to normalize the experience for them and reduce any fears they might have.

[56:45] Lana Sullivan: "This time I included them... they were basically all there."

Conclusion and Resources

In closing, Lisa and Lana reiterate the importance of being well-prepared, both mentally and practically, for childbirth. They encourage listeners to seek out trusted resources, educate themselves, and choose supportive birth teams to ensure empowering and positive birth experiences.

Resources Mentioned:

• Lana Sullivan's Platforms:

  • YouTube Channel: Girl, Teach Me
  • Blog: GirlTeachMe.com
  • Courses: Labor Without Fear

• Lisa Bass's Platforms:

  • Blog: Farmhouse.com
  • Courses: Simple Sourdough, YouTube Success Academy

Listeners are encouraged to explore these resources for further information and support on natural living, handmade crafts, from-scratch cooking, and entrepreneurship from home.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the informative and conversational aspects of the podcast episode.