podcasts
Approximately 1 in 4 pregnant people will be induced. With rates this high, understanding induction and all it entails can help demystify the induction process and reduce fear, which can make your whole birth more satisfying. In this episode of Yoga |Birth|Babies, I speak with Labor and Delivery nurse, childbirth educator and mother of 7,
Everything You Need To Know About Being Induced with Trish Ware Read More »
You may have seen the February 2021 Congressional Report stating there are toxic metals in commercial baby. It definitely made me stop in my tracks when I first learned about this. Interestingly enough, toxic heavy metals in baby food in not new news. (Yes, even the organic baby foods!) So what does all this even
Toxic Metals in Commercial Baby Food & Baby’s First Foods with Malina Linkas Malkani Read More »
When working to heal diastasis recti, most people think of physical exercises to repair the damage. However, nutrition can also play a role in this recovery. In this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies, I speak with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Thrive and Bloom Nutrition, Alexandra Paetow. Alexandra explains how food and nutrition can
Nutrition for Diastasis Recti with Alexandra Paetow 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 »
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the first 40 days after birth is honored by “sitting the month.” It’s a time of confinement and healing believed to be crucial to the future health of the new parent and newborn. I first heard about this tradition from one of my students and was immediately intrigued. As a person
“Sitting the Month”, Honoring the First 40 Days of Postpartum with Dr. Lily Yu Gillespie 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
For the majority of people, pregnancy won’t cause your career to come to a screeching halt. Now imagine that your body is the instrument your career centers around. That’s exactly what happened for Megan Fairchild, principal dancer with New York City Ballet. For her pregnancy meant a quick pivot and stepping back from her career
From Stage to Stroller and Back Again with Megan Fairchild Read More »
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 »
Parenting has been a very humbling experience. My children are incredible teachers showing me where I lack patience and need to adjust my behavior in order to help them self regulate and defuse tense moments. I’ve found myself being more REactive to their behavior rather than PROactive which often elevates tantrums, defiance, and frustration. If
Effective Strategies for Common Parenting Challenges with Dr. Heather Maguire 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 »
Sixty percent of new parents don’t breastfeed for as long as they intended, according to the CDC (Center for Disease Control). The top reason being issues with lactation or latch. It’s easy to understand why people would discontinue without support or solutions for breastfeeding issues. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I
Solutions for Breastfeeding Problems with Kelly Euperio Read More »
The birth of a child not only represents the start of a new life for the baby, but a new life for the parent as well. While this “birth” may not be recognizable to others and on the surface the new parent looks the same, they emerge a different person on the inside. In this episode
Postpartum Story: The Birth of A Parent with Melissa Macleod Read More »
It was a year ago this week, that the US shuttered by the force of COVID-19, leaving in it’s wake thousands of mothers who feel crushed by an unequal share of the pandemic burden. However, many mothers already felt massive burn out from daily life, the pandemic just highlighted the unrealistic expectations and pressures put
Mom Burnout. Are We Failing Mothers? with Diana Spalding Read More »
Watching one’s body change dramatically over a matter of months can feel disconcerting. Combine that with a history of disordered eating and body image challenges, and navigating pregnancy and postpartum may feel overwhelming and out of control. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with licensed social worker, Catie Lynch, who specializes in eating disorders,
Pregnancy, Postpartum, Body Image and Disordered Eating with Catie Lynch Read More »
Sharing community birth stories offers an intimate connection between one parent and another. Sharing birth stories can be a form of childbirth education, as it helps to remove fear of the unknown and bring confidence, power and courage to those awaiting the transition from pregnancy to parenthood. In this episode of Yoga| Birth |Babies, we
Community Birth Story: Accepting A Change of Plans with Caroline Williams Read More »
As parents, we aim to raise our children to be good people. Inclusive, respectful people that help move humanity forward. To do this, we have to have open, honest and sometimes difficult conversations about issues that our country and society faces. Simply stating “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you” is
Introducing Anti-Racism to Your Kids with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum Read More »
The term “core” is thrown around a lot in the fitness and yoga world. But what does it really mean? What muscles are involved and how does someone prepare for pregnancy and postpartum? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with licensed physical therapist and author, Patricia Ladis. Patricia explains what we mean when we
Preparing the Pelvic Floor and “Core” for Pregnancy and Postpartum with Patricia Ladis Read More »
The reality of birth inequities in the US is not merely an opinion; it is a fact. Women of color are dying at higher rates than their white counterparts, and in some parts of the country that rate is up to 12 times higher. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Rhea Williams, Certified
Birth Inequities in the US with Rhea Williams Read More »
Birth defects, defined by the March of Dimes, are structural changes that affect one or more parts of the body (e.g. heart, brain, foot). While some birth defects are completely unavoidable and unpreventable, certain behaviors and social and environmental factors can impact the risk for birth defects. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, Chief Medical and Health
Preventing Birth Defects with Dr. Rahul Gupta Read More »
Many pregnant people envision the early days of parenthood snuggled close with their new cooing baby. But, what happens when the dream-like vision collides with brutal reality of a constantly crying baby? One in four babies suffer from a condition called, colic. The baby cries for long stretches of time with little break and no
Coping with a Colicky Baby with Jackie DelVecchio Read More »
If you haven’t spent a lot of time around a newborn some of their behaviors and habits may seem bizarre or even scary to you as a new parent. In this episode of Yoga |Birth|Babies, board-certified Pediatrician and IBCLC, Dr. Tracey Agnese demystifies the behavior of your newborn baby. She talks about everything from baby
Scary Things Newborns Do That Are Totally Normal with Dr Tracey Agnese Read More »
Frequently students return to class and express how blindsided they felt by the demands of the first few weeks of life with a newborn baby. Much time had been spent preparing for labor and birth but many felt unprepared for the reality of this transition. In this episode of Yoga|Birth| Babies, we pull back the curtain and dig
Life With A Newborn: Thriving And Surviving The First Weeks With Meema Spadola. Read More »
Birth has so many unknowns including not fully knowing the scenario and care provider you will be encountering upon entering a hospital or birth center. Common situations are bound to arise that may derail the laboring person’s birth flow/physiology. It is important to have tools to help combat this predicament. In this episode of Yoga
Finding Birth Flow Within A Hospital Setting with Adriana Lozada. 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
In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies we dive into the topics I love most, yoga, birth and babies! Renowned yoga teacher, podcast host and yoga business strategist, Mado Hesselink shares her journey from her early 20s having her first child and to her late 30’s when having her second child. Mado also discusses how she balances
Being Transformed by Birth and Yoga with Mado Hesselink Read More »
Did you know there are 90,000 chemicals that we are surrounded by, on a daily basis, that may impact your health, pregnancy and baby? Many of these chemicals are commonly used in beauty products, house cleaning items, and even the clothes we wear. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with board certified rheumatologist, integrative
Environmental Health & Your Pregnancy with Dr. Aly Cohen Read More »
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 »
Did you know, the psoas major (there are two of them, one on each side of your spine and pelvis) are the only muscles that connect your spine to your legs? These important muscles play a major role in your posture, nervous system, and even how your baby cascades into your pelvis. In this episode
The Psoas: Stabilizing Your Spine and Guiding Your Baby with Libby Hinsley, PT Read More »
It’s no surprise that with the amount of responsibilities and pressure mothers endure day after day that emotions may rise to the level of rage. However, a raging outburst can often leave a parent (particularly a mom) feeling remorseful, shameful, and guilt-ridden. In this episode of Yoga| Birth | Babies, I speak with writer and
Mom Rage with Minna Dubin Read More »
Studies have shown that hearing positive birth stories can increase one’s confidence in their own upcoming birth. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with new mother, Jenn Gross. Jenn shares her fast, primal and confident birth story. She talks about how she prepared for her birth and how she was able to find such
Community Birth Story: A Fast, Primal and Confident Birth with Jenn Gross Read More »
In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with board-certified OB-GYN and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Marta Perez on what we know about the science of COVID, it’s effect on pregnancy and fetal and neonatal risks. Dr. Perez helps demystify some of the data and clarifies the effects of COVID on the
The Science of Covid & Its Effect on Pregnancy with Dr. Marta Perez Read More »
As parents, we aim to raise our children to be good people. Inclusive, respectful people that help move humanity forward. To do this, we have to have open, honest and sometimes difficult conversations about issues that our country and society faces. Simply stating “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you” is
Sigh…exhaustion! As a parent, who isn’t exhausted at times? What parent struggles with not losing their cool with their kids at some point? How do parents let go of the facade of control they think that have over their kids? In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Clinical Psychologist and Parenting Specialist, Rachel
I have yet to meet a parent who hasn’t struggled through a child’s tantrum or other challenging moments. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we knew exactly what to do to manage or even avoid tantrums? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with the co-founders of Big Little Feelings, child therapist, Deena Margolin LMFT and
During these unusual times, we are asking so much more of ourselves, our partners and our children. How much constant togetherness can people handle before resentment sets in and everyone gets itchy for alone time? How does one parent under what feels like “house arrest” ? What can you do when you feel lonely and
Navigating Constant Togetherness as Parents and Partners Read More »
Have you ever wondered what the appropriate milestones are for your baby? What is there to do if your child is not meeting these benchmarks? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with pediatric occupational therapist, Nekole Eaton. Nekole specializes in child development and shares her deep knowledge about expectations and variations in reaching developmental
Development, Emotional, and Social Milestones with Nekole Eaton of Kids OT Help Read More »
Part of parenting is learning through mistakes. Personally, I could write a book on the missteps I’ve taken despite thinking I’m doing the right thing in the moment. Jenny Best, founder, and CEO of Solid Starts, and mom of three explains how her errors and anxiety about feeding her first child opened the door to
Baby-Led Weaning: When and How to Start Solids with Solid Starts founder Jenny Best Read More »
Adjusting back to work has always been a concern for new parents. Today, in a time of a pandemic where childcare may have adjusted, finding flexible, creative ways to meet the demands of your job may require some creativity and negotiations. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with author and founder of The Fifth
Making Work-Life Balance Easier with Lauren Smith Brody Read More »
A magic alarm does not go off and cripple your eggs the morning you turn 35 years old. But why does society put that pressure on people? What does it really mean to have a baby after 35 and what can we do to increase fertility? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with double
This week on Yoga|Birth|Babies we’re taking a break from our expert lead interviews and focusing on a birth story from the community. Eliana Balk reached out to me to share her story and ideas about how to talk about birth trauma from the birthing person’s perspective. Most conversations around birth trauma are from leaders and
Community Birth Story: How to Talk About Birth Trauma Read More »
For the past few months, I’ve been gravitating towards the subject of motherhood devouring podcasts, books, and articles on the subject. Possibly because I am knee-deep in early childhood as the mother of two young children or because the subject is so deep and vast and I like many parents thirst for some guidance and
Ups and Downs in Motherhood with Dayna Kurtz Read More »
“There is a significant amount of evidence that shows that healthcare providers hold stereotypes based on a patient’s race, class, sex, and other characteristics. This influences their interpretation of behaviors and symptoms, and even their overall clinical decisions.”states this week’s podcast guest, Alexandra Samuel-Sturgess The CDC reports that black mothers in the US are 3
Improving the Birth and Health Outcome for Black Moms and Babies Read More »
Why does society accept the deeply embedded belief that mothers can’t be sexy? Saturday Night Live just re-aired their “Mom Jeans” skit poking fun at “moms”. Emphasizing that once someone because a mother they trade in the sexy body, cute clothes, and sense of self for a frumpy bodied person with poor fashion sense who
The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby with Debra Pascali Bonaro Read More »
Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, are often a time of family gatherings and celebrations. But now during this unprecedented time, these milestones are being experienced in isolation. This massive departure from how one may have originally envisioned the transition into parenthood can lead to feelings of loss and grief. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I
Loss, Grief, Anxiety and Isolation During Pregnancy and Parenthood 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 »
Did you know there is a correlation between breastfeeding issues and epidurals? The continuous IV fluid given to birthing people during labor may render the breasts more swollen. The nipples become harder, flat, and more shallow. This can cause problems for the baby to latch successfully. “If mothers realize the swelling and difficulty latching is just
Breastfeeding and Epidurals with Dianne Cassidy Read More »
The hormonal blue print needed to move labor forward has a few requirements. For the body to function well in labor, we need to remove pressure, stress, shame and anxiety and help the laboring person find deep relaxation. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with HypnoBirthing® childbirth educator, certified holistic health coach, and author
Hypnobirthing with Kristy Rodriguez 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 »
