If you could choose between a functional efficient labor or a dysfunctional and inefficient labor, I’m guessing you would choose functional and efficient labor. I have been to many births as a doula and I’ve had 2 kids of my own. While the body may need time to open to let baby descend and rotate, […]
Community birth stories are, for me, some of the most important episodes to share on this podcast. Oftentimes, we’re overwhelmed with negative birth narratives, which can impact one’s confidence in their ability to birth. I feel passionate about hearing, and sharing, stories where individuals acknowledge their birthing anxieties but ultimately overcome them. Today on Yoga
Birth Story: A Deep Belief in a Desired VBAC with Jessie Valentine Read More »
Today, we’re exploring a topic that has impacted so many people around the world, including some of my closest friends and students. I’ll admit that I didn’t know much about IVF, as I haven’t had personal experience with it, so I set out to learn more. Interestingly, my cousin is an expert on the subject,
The History, Science and Technology Behind IVF with Dr. Donna Drucker Read More »
Today, we have a community birth story. I look at these stories as a wonderful chance to hear firsthand about the incredible experience of birth from someone in our very own community—an experience that deeply influences so much of what we do here at PYC! Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Fiamma.
Birth story: How to Adjust When Birth Plans Change with Fiamma Read More »
Today we are diving into a topic near and dear to my heart: doulas. Tune in as we explore how to find a doula who best fits you and your unique needs! Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Francie Webb. Francie is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)
Everything You Need to Know About Hiring a Doula, From a Doula with Francie Webb Read More »
There are countless reasons why I believe sharing and listening to birth stories is so valuable. One standout aspect is the many universal themes that emerge- whether between different births, throughout the journey from pregnancy to parenthood, or even within the individual birth stories themselves. While the societal conversation around birth can often evoke fear,
Birth Story: Never Be Afraid to Ask for Help with Shing Yiing Ong Read More »
A student once said to me, “I’m interested in home birth, but why would I choose to have a home birth?” I had two options. Either I could tell her all my reasons right then and there, or I could find a home birth midwife to come on the podcast and speak on the subject.
Why Choose Home Birth with Kara Ffrench, CNM Read More »
Today, we’re diving into the birth story of a student who completed her teacher training with us last year- while pregnant! It was truly special to witness her journey as a student at PYC, both in our training and our classes. When she shared details of her wonderful and positive birth experience with me, I
Birth Story: Very Quick and Very Peaceful with Jessica Roback Read More »
Today, we’re delving into a universal experience: the challenge of control. Have you ever wondered why it can be so hard to let things organically happen? Or questioned what it is that’s behind the desire to control in the first place? As much as it would be fabulous to control everything, it simply isn’t possible.
Why We Want to Control Pregnancy, Birth and Parenthood with Dr. Britta Bushnell Read More »
Have you ever thought about the importance of having your body internally balanced for labor and birth? Today we discuss The Body Ready Method and how it can assist you in your birth, because let’s be honest: so much of a functional birth is the work we do ahead of time. On today’s episode of
The Body Ready Method and How It Can Help Your Birth! with Taylor Lee Bello Read More »
Today we’re talking about how to overcome, and avoid, traumatic childbirth experiences. My guest for this conversation, Rebecca, shared with me a statistic that blew my mind: 35-45% of people report having a traumatic birth… An absolutely enormous number! Throughout our conversation, Rebecca shares some key factors that play a role resulting in traumatic birth
How to Avoid a Traumatic Birth with Dr. Rebecca L. Dekker, PhD, RN Read More »
Have you considered using midwifery care for your birth? Perhaps you have questions about what a midwife does or how they differ from a traditional OBGYN. Today we are going to talk all about midwives. I think midwives are fantastic, they hold a special place in my heart because my own births were attended by a midwife. In this
Why to Reconsider Midwifery Care with Casey Selzer, CNM Read More »
How would you like your partner to be involved during pregnancy and birth? Today we dive into a conversation about birth partners and their role in supporting you through your birth experience. We talk about how to prepare ahead of time by discussing the expectations and dynamics that influence both the emotional and physical aspects of birth
How to Help the Partner Be the Best Partner They Can Be with Yiska Obadia Read More »
What is a doula and why would you want one? In today’s episode we will discuss what a doula is, how they play a role in birth, and their ability to enhance what a partner can offer. I was a labor and support doula for over ten years and know first-hand the benefits of using a doula.
Why You Need a Doula with Jeanna McNeil Read More »
Have you considered why you should have a vaginal exam during pregnancy and labor? I often say your cervix is not a crystal ball, it’s not going to tell you when labor is going to start. It’s something I see time and time again, students will come into class excited because they are a little dilated or
Vaginal Exams- When and Why to Have One During Pregnancy and Labor with Kara French Read More »
Have taken a childbirth education course or read books about the stages of labor? We are going to break away from the medical idea of dilation equally in the stages of labor and talk about it organically and flexibly to what the body is showing you during the stages. We’ll touch upon the behavior of
Navigating the Stages of Labor with Ashley Brichter Read More »
If you’re having a vaginal birth and it’s time for that baby to make itself completely earthside, you have to get that baby out of your body through some form of pushing. The pushing phase of labor is often the portion of birth we see in movies and tv. Frequently we see a birthing person laying
Pushing Tips for Labor with Liz Wade and Shaina Brickner Read More »
Twenty years ago I found a study that stated 1 out of 3 birthing parents experience birth trauma. It’s a pretty shocking statistic. As time has gone by, I wondered if the numbers had improved and perhaps we were seeing fewer parents experience traumatic birth? To answer this and take a deep dive into birth
Birth Trauma with Kate McReynolds LMHC, PMH-C Read More »
If you’re pregnant you may find yourself scrolling through Tik Tok or instagram, happening upon a video or post and thinking “I want my birth to look like that.” Whether you’re thinking about the music you’d like to hear during birth or figuring out what type of pain management you’d like these preferences are often
Fluid Birth Plans with Liesel Teen BSN, RN Read More »
Are you working with a doula for your birth? If you are or you’re curious about hiring one, what do you expect from a labor support doula? Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies I welcome back my friend, my mentor, my doula, Terry Richmond. This is her fourth episode, clearly I enjoy talking with her. In
What Should I Expect From My Doula? with Terry Richmond Read More »
Where will you be giving birth? Did you know there are options? Today we’re going to be talking about where to give birth, because if you don’t know your options, you don’t have them. From hospital births, to birth centers, and home births these different locations all have pros and cons and honestly, not everyone
Where to Birth: Know Your Options with Catherine Stewart-Lindley Read More »
If you could choose between a functional efficient labor or a dysfunctional and inefficient labor I’m guessing you would choose functional and efficient labor. I have been to many births as a doula and I’ve had 2 kids of my own. While the body may need time to open to let the baby descend and
As expectant parents we spend so much time preparing for birth and life with a baby, often we forget about the recovery our bodies and minds need after labor. Between our culture and our medical system healing from birth is greatly overlooked and under discussed. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies we turn the attention back
What’s It Like To Heal From A Vaginal Birth? with Morgan Michalowski Read More »
No matter which way you may be leaning in terms of pain meds during labor, it’s important to know all your options so that you can make an informed decision. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Rachel Salem, about all your options for pain medicine during labor. Rachel shares the
Know Your Options: Pain Meds During Labor with Rachel Salem CRNA Read More »
Did you know that the memory of your birth and your satisfaction with it directly correspond to how you perceive being treated during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum? This is a big reason why it’s important to make sure you’re getting the support and respect you need throughout your whole journey of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood.
I remember a midwife once telling me that it’s those who don’t have any nervousness around labor and delivery that worry her most. You might think that’s strange however, birth is full of many unknowns. Sure we know that you’ll leave labor with your baby now a part of the “outside” world, but we really
There’s a lot of fear surrounding age and pregnancy. It’s as if awakening on your 35th birthday renders you conceptionally challenged. But why has that pressure been put on people? What does it really mean to have a baby after 35? And, what can we do to increase fertility at 35 and beyond? In this episode
Having A Baby After 35 with Dr. Shannon Clark Read More »
VBAC’s are a birth option that one comes to with a great deal of preparation and planning. If this is your envisioned birth option, likely you desire the chance to experience a vaginal birth. To help see that vision come true, it’s important to stack the cards in your favor and one of the best ways
How To Approach Your VBAC With Confidence with Meagan Heaton of VBAC Links Read More »
1 in 3 new parents report their birth as traumatic. This leaves a tremendous amount of new parents adjusting to new parenthood while also overcoming an emotionally traumatizing event. Sometimes the healing is never resolved and subsequent pregnancies and births can bring up past traumatic feelings. This week’s episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies was inspired by conversations within
Healing from a Traumatic Birth with Kristin Lasseter, MD Read More »
There’s a reason this podcast caught your eye, likely because you’re feeling a bit stressed and want to know how this could affect your pregnancy and baby. While stress is a normal part of life, especially at times of great change, like pregnancy and new parenthood, it could create imbalances in the nervous system, endocrine
How Does Stress Affect My Pregnancy? with Parijat Deshpande Read More »
What do you do when your birth is going well then very suddenly isn’t? That’s the path Cindy’s birth took. To give you some peace of mind, Cindy and her son are healthy and well, but they had a very unusual turn of events in their birth journey. In my 20 years working with pregnant folks, this
Community Birth Story: A Surprise Ending with Cindy Walters Read More »
Failure to progress in labor. Can we all agree this is a horrible name and can impact someone’s view of their ability to give birth! For years, birthing people have been expected to follow “Freidman’s Curve” a standard set by a trial of only 500 participants conducted nearly 50 years ago. Recently, ACOG has set
Failure to Progress In Labor with Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins Read More »
We all have certain character traits that define our nature and help us predict how we will respond in different situations. When it comes to birth, understanding these characteristics can allow us to foresee how we may respond to the flow and turns of labor. These insights can help in preparing the kind of support
During pregnancy and birth a certain level of anxiety is to be expected as much is unknown and many things change. However it’s important to note ways depression and anxiety can manifest. A common way for it to appear during this time of life is a lack of trust in one’s self, one’s body, ability
Trust Your Body and Release Control During Pregnancy & Birth with Dr. Carly Snyder Read More »
There are so many resources to gather information about pregnancy, labor and birth. How do you know what’s accurate and what’s misleading? In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with double board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, Shannon M. Clark, MD, MMS, FACOG about the myths and realities of many pregnancy
Myths & Realities of Debated Pregnancy & Birth Topics with Dr. Shannon Clark Read More »
Due dates, that looming day etched in your mind when your journey through pregnancy will come to an abrupt ending. But how accurate are these given dates and what happens if that day comes and goes? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with board-certified, practicing OB/GYN, Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins. Nicole
Due Dates & Induction with Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins Read More »
In a world that often categorizes people and events in a binary manner, those who fall beyond the binary often face unseen challenges. Family planning, reproductive care, and birth are no exceptions. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with doula, childbirth educator and board-certified music therapist, Beth Hardy about supporting
How much time have you put into learning about a cesarean birth? What are factors that play a role in having a cesarean birth or way to decrease the chances of a cesarean birth? With the national average for cesarean rates hovers around 30%, time spent on understanding cesareans births may serve to be very
Cesarean Birth with Dr. Marta Perez Read More »
I got an email from a student who is 39 weeks & 1 day pregnant. She’s quite uncomfortable & distraught. She wrote to me having just come back from her weekly check up with her care provider. She was told that her baby is high & her cervix firm. According to her provider, she hadn’t
Your Cervix Is Not A Crystal Ball Read More »
Sharing birth stories matters. It’s an opportunity to support and inspire one another during a transformative time. Each new parent carries their own powerful narrative of their birth that shapes the beginning of a new stage of life. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Prenatal Yoga Center community member and proud new mother,
Community Birth Story: Power, Surrender and Opening with Lina Lum Read More »
I got an email from a student who is having her first baby. She’s 34 weeks along and at her last appointment, her doctor did an ultrasound and said her baby is already 6 pounds 9 ounces and if she goes to 40 weeks, her baby will be 9 pounds and he doesn’t think her
Carrying A Boulder Up a Mountain of Jello Read More »
Telehealth has become the norm while social distancing is being respected. This can leave some new and expectant parents anxious about the care they will receive as leading up to their birth and recovering during postpartum. In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Certified Nurse Midwife, Eugenia Montesenos about telehealth care. Eugenia explains
Understanding Telehealth with Eugenia Montesenos Read More »
Everyone who gives birth shall forever carry their story imprinted deep within. For some, the memories brings joy, others unresolved feelings and for many, they are somewhere in between. Time will take someone further from the experience but what happens when your birth goes unprocessed? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with co-director of
Processing Your Birth Story with Nikki Shaheed Read More »
Pregnancy and being a brand new parent inherently carries a fair amount of anxiety and uncertainty. Add in an unprecedented pandemic, and that anxiety is likely to increase. One of the best ways to combat these feelings are solid and supportive answers to best prepare for what lies ahead. In this very special and timely
Pregnancy and Birth During the Coronavirus Pandemic Read More »
What if your birth fell well beyond any preconceived vision of possibility? What if it took so many twists and turns that even a prolific author would struggle to paint such a surprising story? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with prenatal yoga teacher, childbirth educator, and labor support doula, Hess Kim. Hess humorously
Community Birth Story: Strength, Endurance, and Surrender with Hess Kim Read More »
Birth. Rarely does it unravel as planned or expected. The uncertainty and loss of control can be very challenging for many pregnant people. It can bring up fear, make some hold tighter to a preconceived plan, or throw themselves into the hands of science and relinquish any autonomy. How does one approach such a transformation
Transformed by Birth with Britta Bushnell Read More »
Approximately 60% of pregnant people will receive an epidural. With those receiving epidural analgesia, up to 10% of those people will not receive full pain relief- there may be a spot where discomfort is still felt or pain relief is not delivered. Or you may find yourself waiting for pain medication or choose not to
Comfort for Birth with Yiska Obadia Read More »
An epidural is a very familiar term for most, but how much knowledge do people have about it? With an average of 60% of birthing people choosing epidural anesthesia, it is important to make informed decisions about what serves you best. In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with anesthesiologist and yoga teacher,
Epidurals with Dr. Claire Sandberg Read More »
Currently in the US, approximately one-third of all babies are born by cesarean. However, it’s interesting to note that when I asked my prenatal yoga class of 21 pregnant people how many have considered the possibility of cesarean birth, only 3 people raised their hands. For many, the idea of a surgical birth is something
Preparing for Cesarean: A Necessary Conversation with Mary Esther Malloy Read More »
How would you react upon finding out you were carrying twins? Shock? Excitement? A bit nervous? A combination of all three? If are one of the 3.35% of parent having twins you may be looking for some support and guidance as you welcome your new expanded family. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with
