In this episode, Leti Ode opens the doors to one of the most intense and transformative moments of her life: motherhood. Everything begins with an unexpected piece of news: "It's twins," and everything changes. With complete honesty, Leti shares everything she experienced: from not wanting to be with her daughters and feeling completely overwhelmed, to crying non-stop during those first few days.The account of the birth becomes a key moment: a sincere testimony full of nuance that reflects the strength and vulnerability that coexist in childbirth. Afterward, she discusses the experience in the incubator and how motherhood became a 50/50 shared journey with her partner, redefining the roles of mother and father. Topics we explore 00:00 - Intro03:46 - The news: it's twins07:09 - I didn't want to be with them17:15 - Pregnancy worries22:53 - Crying in the ER32:09 - Leti's birth story39:00 - Incubator time42:58 - Mom and dad 50/5053:00 - Sharing the good and the bad58:44 - Postpartum amenorrhea from not eating Key moments Discovery and Multiple Pregnancy The surprise of the twin pregnancy [02:06]: Leti recounts the initial surprise and shock upon discovering she was expecting twins, news that triggered nervous laughter and logistical concerns regarding housing and the car. High-risk pregnancy [03:41]: Her pregnancy was classified as high-risk from the start, as it was monochorionic diamniotic (one placenta, two sacs), which required very close medical monitoring at La Paz Hospital. Intense symptoms and fears [10:22]: She experienced severe nausea, back pain, and contractions very early on. The fear of complications and temporary diagnoses, such as a possible "vasa previa," caused a great deal of distress [15:16]. Intrahepatic cholestasis [17:55]: At week 33, Leti developed intrahepatic cholestasis, a liver condition that caused intense itching and elevated bile acids, leading to the decision to induce labor in week 34. Supplementation and exercise [24:37]: During pregnancy, she took specific supplements for twins with extra iron. At first, she was able to do cycling and barre, but toward the end, she could only go for walks due to fatigue and pain. Birth and Postpartum Induction and vaginal birth [27:25]: The birth was induced, a process that included a cervical balloon and oxytocin. Despite difficulties, such as being unable to move and the itching from the epidural, Leti managed a vaginal birth. Postpartum hemorrhage [32:32]: She suffered a postpartum hemorrhage due to uterine atony, a common complication in multiple pregnancies. It was a very serious and distressing moment for her husband, though Leti remembers it with a strange sense of peace, knowing her daughters had already been born and were fine. Separation and guilt [38:10]: The twins went to the incubator and Leti was discharged alone, which generated a deep sense of guilt and disconnection from her babies. She describes the experience as "unnatural" and emotionally devastating. Euphoria and exhaustion [40:40]: Returning home with the girls, even with home-based care, brought her euphoria and happiness. However, two months in, the arrival of colic and reflux, coupled with constant sleep deprivation, led her to a point of extreme exhaustion. Relationship [44:00]: Motherhood with twins put their relationship to the test. Both felt equally "swamped" and connected through the experience, which strengthened their bond, although the first few months were marked by a lot of disconnection and tension. Motherhood and Professional Life Efficiency and empathy [47:17]: Motherhood has made her more efficient and decisive in her work as a brand manager, and she has developed greater empathy and a desire to communicate in a real and meaningful way. "Con un par" Podcast [48:50]: She created her podcast as a form of personal therapy and to raise awareness about multiple motherhood, as she found little information and specific support for her situation. Real motherhood on social media [52:16]: She believes there is more room for real motherhood on social media, but warns of the risk of focusing only on the difficulties, forgetting the wonderful aspects it also has. Aesthetic pressure [54:58]: She has not prioritized postpartum physical recovery due to the busyness and lack of social exposure, and emphasizes that her body has been capable of doing something incredible, downplaying aesthetic changes. Complementary feeding (BLW) [59:28]: She opts for a mixed feeding approach for her twins (purées and BLW) for practical and time-saving reasons, not out of fear of choking. She recognizes that with two babies, there are things that require flexibility. Intuition vs. Pediatricians [01:03:03]: She has relied heavily on her intuition regarding her daughters' feeding, waiting for them to be ready for complementary foods, despite general recommendations from pediatricians. Supplements for children [01:05:17]: She has used probiotics for her daughters due to digestive problems and reflux, a decision that, although it might cause fear, was very beneficial. She criticizes the use of medications like omeprazole in babies when the microbiota might be the solution. Individual identity [01:07:27]: Despite being identical twins, her daughters already show very different personalities and preferences. Leti recognizes the challenge of fostering their individual identities and avoiding comparisons. An intimate, real, and necessary episode thanks to www.belevels.com.
