The role and practice of a midwife is often misunderstood. Many think this is someone who simply assists medical doctors, or they confuse the offerings of labor support doula with a midwife assuming this person has limited medical training and authority or just catches babies. (None of those assumptions are correct!) So what does a […]
What Midwives REALLY Do Read More »
One Wednesday morning, during circle time, a student bravely spoke up about an experience she had at her last prenatal appointment. Her doctor told her she had gained too much weight between visits. The woman left her appointment upset, ashamed and confused about what to do next. Upon hearing, I too was confused and had
Prenatal Weight Shaming Read More »
It is very possible that until pregnant, you never thought much about your cervix. But once you’re hovering around your due date, it can become prime concern. At each weekly exam, you may be wondering, “How dilated am I?”, “Does that mean labor might start soon, or do I still have a ways to go?”
All Things Cervix! Read More »
“I would like a deep, painful tear of my perineum”, said NOBODY! Pretty much in every movie or TV show where birth is being portrayed, we see the birthing person flat on her back, legs spread wide and people are yelling at her to “PUSH!” It’s no wonder that is how people think they should
Protecting Your Perineum Read More »
In this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies, I speak with labor and delivery nurse, doula, Lamaze Childbirth educator and author, Debby Amis. Debby breaks down this new study to highlight areas of inconsistent interpretation and emphasizes the lack of focus on the increase in 3rd and 4th degrees tears that have been noted with this new
JAMA Laboring Down Study: Yay or Nay? Read More »
What do you do when you’ve prepared for your birth to unfold in a certain direction only to find out you are one of the 1 in approximately 25 people carrying a breech baby? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Spinning Babies Trainer and home birth midwife, Nicole Morales. Nicole offers insight to
Why This Baby Is Breech Read More »
The number one reason for first time birthing people to have a cesarean is “failure to progress.” Failure to progress is defined as a labor lasting 20 hours or more for first time parents. However, labor is not always linear and can have variations. In the 1940’s the Friedman Curve was introduced in hospitals as
How To Make A Slow Labor Progress Read More »
The C.D.C. reports that black mother in the U.S. are 3 to 4 times more at risk of maternal mortality regardless of socioeconomic status and education than white women. These statistics are just the beginning of shining a light on the racial disparity seen in the birthing world. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak
Improving Birth & Health Outcomes for Black Moms & Babies. Read More »
Welcome to part two of the Birthing From Within focused podcasts. Recently, I embarked on the path to becoming a Birthing From Within Mentor. The process to becoming a mentor is multilayered but starts with a weekend intensive course called Crossing the Threshold. Right after attended the weekend course, I recorded last week’s podcast with
An Ancient Map For Modern Birth Read More »
If only there was a way to script out your “ideal” birth and be guaranteed the experience unfolds in that exact manner. Unfortunately, that’s impossible. However, many of us try to overly plan and seldom allow ourselves to relinquish the illusion of control over the wild nature of birth. In this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies,
Exploring Birthing From Within Read More »
Have you ever found yourself facing a completely different scenario in life then you were expecting? At 7 months pregnant, writer and yoga teacher Anna Gannon, found herself unexpectantly unemployed and depressed. To her complete surprise, she stumbled into meditation which became passion and career. In the episode of Yoga |Birth |Babies, Anna and I
Meditation & Facing Birth Fear Read More »
The pushing stage of labor rarely looks as it does in the movies! Did you know there are so many other options to birth a baby then flat on your back with you legs thrown up to the ceiling and pushing like your face is going to burst? In this episode of Yoga | Birth
Pushing Power: Understanding the 2nd Stage of Labor Read More »
The headline “The ARRIVE Trial: Induction at 39 weeks leads to lower cesarean rate” may have caught your eye in the last few months. It may have also left you confused, wondering what to do with these new findings and what does all this mean for pregnancy, due dates and physiological births. In this episode
Understanding the ARRIVE study Read More »
Failure to progress is the number one reason first time mothers end up having an unplanned cesarean birth. Many times the cause of the cervix failing to open is related to the baby’s position and how is it rotating through the pelvis and applying pressure onto the cervix. While some misalignments may not be able
Spinning Babies Founder Gail Tully Read More »
When taking a Childbirth Education class, you may assume that all the information you are receiving is given in hopes of best supporting you, the birthing person. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Depending on where you take your class, the information may not be based on best care practices for the birthing person,
Where to take Childbirth Education Read More »
This week we’re continuing to revisit a few of my must listen to episodes! This is such an important issue and episode, even if you did listen to the first release I would highly recommend revisiting this episode. The current US cesarean rates hover around 33%. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the cesarean rate should
Reducing Unnecessary Cesarean Birth With Dr. Neel Shah Read More »
Summer fun is calling, and I am taking some time off of recording new podcasts to be with my family. In the meantime, I’m re-releasing some of my favorite episodes. Enjoy! According to the Listening to Mothers iii Survey, 41% of the people indicated that their care provider tried to induce their labor, with three
Labor Induction with Dr. Rachel Reed Read More »
An epidural is a very familiar term for most, but how much knowledge do people have about it? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with anesthesiologist and yoga teacher, Claire Sandberg. Claire breaks down common myths and misconceptions about epidural anesthesia and clearly present the facts about epidurals so listeners
Epidural 101 with Dr. Claire Sandberg Read More »
In this episode of Yoga |Birth |Babies, I speak with Stephanie Heintzeler, midwife, doula, and IBCLC. Stephanie’s vast experience as a birth worker ranges from delivering babies as a midwife in Germany to supporting women as a board certified lactation consultant. Stephanie and I talk about getting the medical support you desire and key differences
Finding the Support You Need in Birth Read More »
In April 2018, ACOG, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, released a new recommended guideline for Maternal Care. This new set of suggested protocols has the potential to vastly improve maternal health, which currently has a bleak outcome of 17.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2011, 2012 and 2013 with non- Hispanic black
Deserving of Better Care for Expectant and New Parents; The New ACOG Guidelines Read More »
In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies” we’re sharing an inspirational birth story from our community. Today’s guest Bridget Tichar had a great birth and we want to share her experience to provide some inspiration and comfort for our expectant Mamas! Bridget was an active member of the Prenatal Yoga Center community throughout
Community Birth Stories with Bridget Tichar Read More »
Did you know you can refuse routine interventions and ask for more clarification on the risks and benefits of these interventions? On this episode of “Yoga| Birth|Babies,” I speak with founder of Birth Monopoly and co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project, Cristen Pascucci. Cristen and I have a lively conversation about informed consent and
Informed & Implied Consent in Maternity Care with Cristen Pascucci Read More »
In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with new mother and yoga teacher, Chantal Eder. We discus the the challenges and joys of pregnancy and new motherhood. Chantal also opens up about her surprisingly unique birth and processing the experience. New and expectant mothers will enjoy Chantal’s candor and relate to
Community Birth Story: Chantal Eder Read More »
This week on “Yoga | Birth | Babies” I wanted to talk to you about preparing for birth. As a speaker and teacher I’m frequently asked, “What tips would you give expectant parents?” Well based on my experience and what I see in my students, as expectant parents we spend hours choosing the right, stroller,
Minisode: Preparing for Your Birth Read More »
In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Bebo Mia founders, Bianca Sprague and Natasha Marchand. Bianca, Natasha and I discuss the misconceptions and assumptions women of size face when entering motherhood. We talk openly about “fat shaming” and how plus size moms can find support and embrace and trust their bodies. With
Plus Size Pregnancy with Bebo Mia founders Bianca Sprague & Natasha Marchand Read More »
I wanted to re-visit one of my favorite episodes this week. Early on, in the life of Yoga | Birth | Babies I had the pleasure and honor of speaking with Debra Pascali Bonaro. She is a world renowned doula, teacher, mentor, birth advocate, and mother. If you’ve heard about Orgasmic Birth then you’re familiar
Turning Pain to Power with Debra Pascali Bonaro Read More »
In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with author and Lamaze Program Co-Director, Dr. Judith Lothian. We explore the idea of pain for a purpose in childbirth. Dr Lothian offers her insight as to how women can use the pain of labor to inform their body how to move, moan and
Pain for a Purpose in Childbirth with Dr. Judith Lothian Read More »
On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Lamaze Teacher, labor support doula, and international speaker Sharon Muza. No labor is exactly alike, but sometimes there are variations beyond what one would consider “typical.” Sharon and I discus prodromal labor, back labor, as well as a quick and wild precipitous birth.
Labor Variations: Prodromal Labor, Back Labor, and Precipitous Birth with Sharon Muza Read More »
As a doula, I’ve heard this lament time and time again: “I received the name of my doctor from a friend, and if I had known what to ask, I probably would have switched doctors a long time ago. Now I feel it is too late to change!” Ideally, it’s best to have a very
5 Questions to ask Your Care Provider Before Birth : A minisode with Deb! Read More »
In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I had the opportunity to speak with microbiome scientist and mom, Anne M Estes, Phd. She enlightened me about the incredible world of microbiomes in relationship to a healthy pregnancy, birth and your newborn baby. Topics covered: What is microbiome and why is it important to
The Microbiome with Anne Estes, Phd Read More »
In today’s episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with internationally recognized expert on water birth and gentle birth and author of Gentle Birth Choices, Barbara Harper. Barbara explains what drew her to embracing and advocating for water birth and demystifies some of the misconceptions of water birth and explains the values and benefits to both mother
Barbara Harper and the Beauty of Water Birth Read More »
In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Dr Mark Sloan talks all things umbilical cord! He thoughtfully and thoroughly discusses everything from delayed cord clamping, to the controversial subject of cord blood banking to a nuchal cord and it’s occurrence rate. In this episode: Dr. Sloan’s approach to pediatrics What drew him to
Umbilical Cord 101 with Dr. Mark Sloan Read More »
With one third of babies being born via cesarean, it is important to understand the process of a cesarean birth. However, there are ways to make a surgical birth less “surgical” feeling and shift the focus to a softer, gentler birth, a family centered cesarean, also called a “gentle cesarean.” This week on Yoga|Birth|Babies we
Family Centered Cesarean with Narchi Jovic and Suzanne Chesney Read More »
We have a very special episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies to share with you! I had the pleasure of speaking with world renowned author and birth authority, Penny Simkin. Penny Simkin, P.T., is a physical therapist, childbirth educator, doula, and birth counselor. She is nationally recognized as a premier authority on childbirth, having
Pain, Suffering and Trauma in Labor with Penny Simkin Read More »
If you’re curious about how your Great Grandmother’s birth may have differed from yours, this is the episode for you. In today’s episode Deb interviews Tina Cassidy author of Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born. Ms. Cassidy became curious about birth when she realized how different her expectations of birth were from
History of Birth with Tina Cassidy Read More »
In this episode Deb interviews her doula mentor, former Broadway actress and singer. Currently, Terry is one of NYC’s most sought after Doulas and Childbirth Educators. She has attended 100s of births here in NYC assisting new Moms with a wide variety of birth choices and experiences. Drawing from these experiences Terry talks to Deb
Terry Richmond: How To Navigate The Hospital System & Have An Empowered Birth Read More »
This week, Deb discusses the effects of fear on labor, and the importance of taking some time to uncover your personal fears around your upcoming birth. Join us as we learn how to dance with the fear.
Dancing with the Fear of Birth Read More »
Prenatal Yoga Instructor, childbirth educator, and Mother of 2 Clare Friedrich talks to Deb about Maternity care in the US, the role of doulas, and her own pregnanciesIn this episode Clare talks about the newly released report “Overdue: Medicaid and Private Insurance Coverage of Doula Care to Strengthen Maternal and Infant Health” and the changes
Choices In Childbirth’s Clare Friedrich, Talks Childbirth Advocacy Read More »
It’s time for a book club! We’re revisiting a post from 2010, but this time I want to delve back into these books with the PYC community. We’ll be reading one book a month, starting with Ina May’s Guide To Childbirth. At the end of the month I will post some questions on the blog and we
Deb’s Book Club and Book List! Read More »
What makes some births faster than others? Often, it is the baby’s position in the pelvis. Optimal position is when the baby is head down, with its chin in line with the birth canal, evenly tucked into its chest, and its spine is in an anterior position- towards the pregnant person’s belly (vertex position). Most
Better Birth; Eliminating Intrauterine Constraint Read More »
Movies, TV and friend’s stories often portray birth as a painful and arduous experience. From the repetition of these external influences, it is understandable how there is little space left to believe that birth is not necessarily painful. Could this preconceived idea of the pain of labor actually cause MORE pain? Imagine if all you
NPR: Pain Really Is All In Your Head And Emotion Controls Intensity Read More »
Lately, I’ve been struggling with some of the stories I hear regarding appropriate vs. inappropriate behavior from labor support doulas. While I am not currently taking on any births, I was an active doula for almost 10 years and have tremendous respect and admiration for how a trained labor support doula can support a laboring
Doula Do’s and Don’ts Read More »
In the hecticness of planning for the arrival of a new baby, taking a formal Childbirth Education Class (CBE) sometimes get put on the back burner and forgotten about. A new study published in The Journal of Perinatal Education sites the positive birth experiences of those that participated in a formal CBE class compared to
Have A Better Birth; Take Childbirth Education! Read More »
