Dr. Kimmie Chernichky - A Podcast Interview Episode #1
Updated: May 17, 2022
A couple of years ago Kimmie reached out to meet up for coffee. We sat down for coffee at Barnes & Noble and got to know each other. I remember how sweet, genuine, and caring she was during our conversation. I could feel how much she loves her job, clients, and family life.
Fast forward, we worked together with Huddle Up Moms, a fairly new local nonprofit dedicated to support, connect and empower women and their families in the southwest region of Virginia. Last Fall, I was fortunate to sit down with Kimmie and interview her about her first birth story and work life.
[DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by individuals in the following article or podcast program do not necessarily reflect those of Jen Marie Cliff, JMC Healing & Wellness Academy, or its affiliates. Jen and JMC Healing and Wellness Academy are not responsible for the decisions and actions related to medical information or advice. Please seek a medically licensed professional if you have any medical concerns or medical conditions. Copyright Reiki Pathways, LLC.]
BIRTH STORY
At the time of the interview, Kimmie was raising a toddler and expecting a second on the way. She summarized her first birth as, “uneventful.” In the end, her blood pressure was borderline high but she knew it was due to stressor factors. She and her husband run a small family-owned chiropractic business in the Botetourt area, near Roanoke Valley. Kimmie’s midwife sat her down and highly recommend she stop working. Admittedly, she was relieved, “We don’t need permission to do anything...” but it was what she needed to hear. She now had time to focus on caring for herself and preparing for the baby to come...which didn’t take long...
The Next Day
Kimmie and her husband planned to have a home birth, but it was accidentally medically unassisted. The funniest part was, she thought her first birth would take forever so she sent her husband off to the movies! He wasn’t there until the last 10 minutes!!
The Upside To Being Alone
Now, she didn’t recommend this but she pointed out from her perspective, being alone was a positive experience. She also set herself up for success:
Her Mantra: EAT, SLEEP, DRINK, IGNORE
Affirmations were all over the room “Down and Out”
In other words, she synced into the contractions and let them do their job
Being alone allowed her to vocalize without inhibition
Naturally moving in ways that the body needed to do
Instinctively move for the baby to pass through the pelvis
REST
The number one priority was rest. As a Prenatal Chiropractic Practitioner, she was familiar with other women being transported to the hospital from a homebirth due to exhaustion.
Signs To Call A Midwife
Kimmie’s midwife gave her two main signs/symptoms to look for during labor:
When her water broke
Or when she couldn’t sleep between contractions
Her water never broke, rather it was gushing small amounts of water during contractions. Which is why she waited to call the midwife.
Why Every Mom Should Have A Midwife
Midwife; best support person
Post-birth saved in money (transfer fee) because they were unsure about the blood loss
Exceptional postpartum care standard protocol - unless compilation or c-section
Follow up: 24 hours, 48, 1/2/4/6 weeks for mom and baby
Immediate skin to skincare and latched within the first hour; not magical; the learning curve
Postpartum; midwife; bleeding started when she started to shower, take care of mom
Lactation support is crucial
Seek free services; ask!! - for mom and support person; be at the appointment; pick the right person not just because they're offering; uplift and cheerleaders
Day 3-4 was exhausted; healing & hormones
The pain of birth has an endpoint, but breastfeeding is a whole new challenge for a year
Don’t be a people pleasure
Pregnancy status
Does not tell the due date to lessen the questions and unwanted advice unless its the midwife/need to know
Mental health and labor
Not have to have that conversation
Kimmie’s number one advice:
“Don’t be a people pleasure.”
At the end of the day, it’s your body and it’s your pregnancy. Don’t do something you instinctively know it’s not what’s best for you or the baby. You take charge but ask for help when the time is right.
WORK-LIFE
Help support through the journey of preconception to motherhood
Pediatric and prenatal chiropractor
Taking care of mom; the foundation is set with the mom
Pediatric
Different than adult adjustment
Joint; not fully developed
No damage/misalignment/chronic issues - less of a challenge for adjustment
Infants; super gentle
Children; nervous system/spine; neurologic base
S/S to come in for a checkup
All children get checked 90% of babies have a misalignment
Pressure: Birth and spine on baby 60-90 lbs normal vaginal birth; if complicated that increases
Common:
Constipation; breastfeeding challenges, reflex
older kids: sleep issues
Bump to bundle - naturally minded
SUMMARY
Set up your pregnancy and postpartum for success and support
Every pregnancy is different; woman to woman; pregnancy to pregnancy
The fear of pregnancy and advice
Not everyone is meant to have a home birth; high-risk birth
Observe the signs; like premature labor
No shame; what works best; safety is the priority
LISTEN HERE
Click here or the image below to listen now.
Learn more:
Email: hello@cfchirova.com
FB Private: Bump to Bundle
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