Ruth is a resilient and passionate mother of twins, a missionary kid, who grew up in Haiti and France, and is currently residing in Missouri. She is an advocate for natural birthing and breastfeeding, having undergone extensive training to become a doula. Her personal experiences with home birthing, miscarriage, and successfully breastfeeding her preterm twins have inspired her to support and educate other expecting mothers. Ruth is dedicated to promoting holistic and natural birthing methods.

In this captivating episode of "Birthing Twins," host Bibi, a midwife from Australia with personal and familial experience with twins, delves into the often challenging but deeply rewarding journey of naturally birthing twins. The episode features Ruth, who shares her compelling story of discovering she was pregnant with monodi twins at 20 weeks and the subsequent trials and triumphs of her pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding journey. Ruth’s narrative illuminates the power of perseverance, community support, and faith in navigating unexpected challenges.

Ruth discusses the complexities of her second pregnancy following a traumatic miscarriage, highlighting her determination to maintain a natural birthing plan despite numerous obstacles. Key to her story is her interaction with Dr. Stu and her supportive midwife, who helped her navigate the medical system's pressures. Ruth's account of laboring at 33 weeks, her hospital transfer experiences, and advocating for a vaginal birth under challenging circumstances provides invaluable insights into the practicalities and emotional strength required for such a journey. Her eventual success in exclusively breastfeeding her premature twins underscores her commitment and the possibility of overcoming difficult odds with determination and support.

• ​Perseverance and Faith: Ruth’s journey demonstrates the importance of perseverance, strong belief, and faith in successfully navigating pregnancy and childbirth challenges.
• ​Community and Support Systems: Surrounding oneself with supportive and knowledgeable individuals, such as midwives and doulas, is crucial in maintaining a natural birthing plan.
• ​Natural Birthing Advocacy: Ruth’s story emphasizes the feasibility and benefits of natural birthing, even in complex cases like premature twin births.
• ​Breastfeeding Challenges and Triumphs: The episode provides insight into the difficulties and rewarding outcomes of committing to exclusive breastfeeding, despite initial struggles.
• ​Holistic and Patient-Centric Birth Planning: The importance of creating a birth plan that aligns with one's values and finding medical professionals who support holistic approaches is highlighted throughout Ruth’s experience.

1. ​“I always wanted to be a mom. I wasn't thinking about birth until my college years when I heard about my aunt’s home births. That's what I want.”
2. ​“When I found out it was twins, our world was turned upside down for the better, but at the same time, there was so much to consider and prepare for.”
3. ​"I made a decision that I wasn't going to go into the hospital if I went into labor at 35 weeks. I asked my midwife to support me, and she agreed."
4. ​“The only words that came out of my mouth during the most painful labor moments were ‘Jesus,’ and I was so grateful for the strength to persevere.”
5. ​“Teaching my daughters to breastfeed was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but the perseverance paid off. They're both exclusively breastfed now.”

• ​Ruth’s Instagram: @ruth_itsamullerfullife
• ​Dr. Stu’s Podcast: Birthing Instincts
• ​Weston A. Price Foundation: Nutrition and Health

Listen to the full episode to explore Ruth's inspiring journey and gain valuable insights into natural twin birthing and breastfeeding. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from "Birthing Twins" as we continue to share stories and tips on twins' pregnancies and beyond.