What does it look like to approach birth feeling prepared, supported, and truly unrushed? In this episode, Deb is joined by artist and yoga teacher Hayley Antonelli, who shares her thoughtful and empowering birth story. From intentionally training in prenatal yoga before conception to carefully building a birth team aligned with her values, Hayley walks us through how preparation and mindset shaped her entire experience.
Hayley opens up about navigating unexpected recommendations during pregnancy, including concerns about her baby measuring small, and how she stayed grounded in her own timing when faced with decisions. Her story highlights the importance of informed choice, trusting intuition, and surrounding yourself with providers who respect your voice.
The conversation continues into postpartum, where Hayley shares what contributed to her smooth recovery and positive breastfeeding experience. This episode is a beautiful reminder of the power of intentional preparation, supportive care, and the stories we choose to absorb during pregnancy.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How prenatal yoga can support labor and birth
- Building a birth team that aligns with your values
- Navigating recommendations and making informed decisions
- Staying grounded and avoiding rushed choices
- The impact of mindset and positive birth stories
- Postpartum recovery and breastfeeding support
**Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com
About Haley:
Hayley Antonelli is a yoga teacher, painter, and Vedic astrology apprentice based in New York City. Originally from Washington, DC, she has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. Prior to trying to conceive, Hayley completed Prenatal Yoga Center’s teacher training—a decision she credits as deeply supportive for her first pregnancy. She currently teaches prenatal and classical hatha yoga at Center Yoga in Gramercy.
Connect with Haley:
Instagram: @hayleyantonelli
Website: hayleyantonelli.com
Check out similar Yoga| Birth| Babies episodes:
- Birth Story: How a Calm Pregnancy and Supportive Team Led to Empowered Choices with Emily Silver
- Birth Story: From Fear to Joy with Srilaya Yallapragada
- Birth Story: Trusting Your Gut with Paige Host
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center
