Down to Birth
351 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 418 ratingsJoin Cynthia Overgard and Trisha Ludwig once per week for evidence-based straight talk on having a safe and informed birth, which starts with determining if you've hired the right provider. If we had to boil it down to a single premise, it's this: A healthy mom and baby isn't all that matters. We have more than 30 years' experience between us in midwifery, informed rights advocacy, publishing, childbirth education, postpartum support and breastfeeding, and we've personally served thousands of women and couples. Listen to the birth stories of our clients, listeners and celebrities, catch our expert-interviews, and submit your questions for our monthly Q&A episodes by calling us at 802-GET-DOWN. We're on Instagram at @downtobirthshow and also at Patreon.com/downtobirthshow, where we offer live ongoing events multiple times per month, so be sure to join our worldwide community. We are a Top .5% podcast globally with listeners in more than 80 countries every week. Become informed, empowered, and have a great time in the process. Join us and reach out any time - we love to hear from you. And as always, hear everyone, listen to yourself.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
#261 | Emma the Naked Doula on Pleasurable, Orgasmic Birth and Her New Book
April 17, 2024 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.7 MBEmma Armstrong, author of The Fearless Birth Book, and Instagram birth influencer at @thenakeddoulaofficial, joins us today to delve into the meaning of pleasurable birth. We ask the questions, "Why should a woman want a pleasurable birth, what does it even mean, and what holds women back from experiencing pleasure instead of pain?" In this enlightening and off-the-record-style conversation, we uncover the emotions holding us back from ecstatic, pleasurable, even orgasmic birth. Emma opens ...
#260 | Triplets at Home! With Traditional Midwife Kristine Lauria @globalmidwife64
April 10, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 45.5 MBYou won't find an obstetrician anywhere in the United States who will birth triplets vaginally in the hospital, but today you'll hear the story of traditional midwife Kristine Lauria who welcomed them at home with the respect and reverence for birth every woman deserves. Kristine witnesses some of the most "high risk" births around the world in her midwifery work for Doctors Without Borders. She has attended over 500 breech, twin, and triplets births! In this episode, you will hear the st...
#259 | Resisting Coercion: Carolyn Marrone's Story of a Miscalculated Due Date and Standing Up To Pushy Providers
April 03, 2024 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBWhen Carolyn was pregnant with her first baby, she went past her "due date." After declining an induction at 41+6, her doctor questioned her integrity as a mother, stating, "I am surprised your motherly instinct (to protect your baby) hasn't kicked in yet." Knowing that she and her baby were ok, she continued to wait despite heavy pressure from her OB. When she passed the 42-week mark, feeling out of options and having been told she was going to have a ten-pound baby, Carolyn accepted an in...
#258 | March Q&A: Implants & Breastfeeding, Giving Birth Advice, Ultrasounds, Newborn Transition in Waterbirthing, Posterior Babies, Family Boundaries
March 27, 2024 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBWe are back with the March Q&A episode with Cynthia & Trisha. We kick off today's episode with an unbelievable, once-in-a-lifetime story of an OB who holds off a mother's pushing to tie a bow in the baby's hair before being born! Next, we get into our questions beginning with a mother who wants to offer important birth advice to her friend's daughter but doesn't know if it is her place or how to not overstep boundaries. Also, what questions to ask at a late third-trimester ultrasound to bes...
#257 | Labor & Delivery Nurses' Roundtable: How Their Hands are Tied to Doctors' Orders
March 20, 2024 09:00 - 1 hour - 41.7 MBIn today's episode, three current and former L&D nurses join us in a roundtable-style conversation to share their behind-the-scenes experiences on the L&D floor. These three women get raw, real, and honest about what pulled them to this line of work and for one, what forced her to leave. They share their experiences and that of the women they serve on how birthing mothers are manipulated, coerced, and betrayed by their providers and the system. You'll hear astonishing quotes such as "Well th...
#256 | Transforming Your Hospital Birth Experience with Taylor Dilk @taychayy
March 13, 2024 09:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBLike many mothers, Taylor Chamberlain Dilk had no idea where to begin in preparing for childbirth. Lucky for her she has a large social media presence and requested recommendations from her audience, and lucky for us, Down to Birth Show came highly recommended. Once she started digging in, she felt her inner maternal voice rising to the surface. She knew she wanted an unmedicated birth, but had no idea what she was up against giving birth with an OB in the hospital. When she was offered a m...
#255 | What's Up with Intrauterine Growth Restriction: An Off-the-Record-Style Conversation with Dr. Stu Fischbein
March 06, 2024 10:00 - 1 hour - 43 MBIn this episode, we welcome back Dr. Stu Fischbein for his third appearance on Down to Birth Show. We start the conversation by catching up on some of the latest problems occurring on the birth scene including VBACs, aspirin in pregnancy, the monetization of birth, late pregnancy ultrasounds, big babies, and due dates, before we get into the meat of the episode on Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). Dr. Stu shares a letter from one of his followers regarding her IUGR diagnosis resulting...
#254 | February Q&A: Vomiting in Labor, Cord Traction, Pacifiers, Probiotics and Plugged Ducts, Breast Milkshake, PPH, Bicornuate Uterus
February 28, 2024 10:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBWelcome to the February Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha. To kick things off, we share some of your New Year's Resolutions--don't miss this as Trisha makes Cynthia momentarily speechless! Next, we dive into your questions beginning with: Is cord traction really necessary to birth the placenta? Another woman explains that she always throws up in labor right when her water breaks and asks if this is normal. Also, a new mother is curious if giving her baby a pacifier will be harmful or helpful...and m...
#253 | The ACOG Files: Exploring the Guidelines That Support Physiologic Birth
February 21, 2024 10:00 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MBIn today's episode, Cynthia and Trisha break down some of the current guidelines published by ACOG (the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists). You'll see many of these guidelines favor physiological birth and stand for minimal medical intervention in exactly the ways we recommend, which makes it all the more perplexing why so many of today's obstetricians don't follow along. By understanding ACOG's position on common concerns in pregnancy and birth, you can feel more empowered ...
#252 | A Father's Perspective on his Baby's Inaccurate IUGR Diagnosis
February 14, 2024 10:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBIUGR or Intrauterine Growth Restriction is the latest trend on the obstetric scene--a diagnosis that has afflicted many mothers unnecessarily. Eric, a father of two daughters, joins us on the show today to discuss his experience with his wife's IUGR experience. When an early ultrasound told them their baby was measuring smaller than expected, they were sent to maternal-fetal medicine and their baby was labeled as growth-restricted. As their dreams of a birth center birth quickly vanished, ...
#251 | HPV and Your Abnormal Pap May Not Be What You Think: Cervical Cancer Prevention with Nathan Riley, MD
February 07, 2024 10:00 - 52 minutes - 36.3 MBHave you ever wondered why we actually need to get a pap smear or why the testing guidelines frequently change? The presence of HPV or the Human Papilloma Virus is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer and is the reason behind the pap smear. A pap smear looks at the health of the cells in our cervix and the presence of HPV. When abnormal cells are found, it is usually recommended that we have those cells removed at the risk of the functionality of our cervix. In this eye-op...
#250 | January Q&A: Cervical Massage, VBAC Provider Red Flags, Due Date Calculation, Infant Sleep, Sufficient Milk Supply, RhoGAM and More
January 31, 2024 10:00 - 46 minutes - 32.2 MBHello and is it too late to still say Happy New Year?! Cynthia & Trisha are back with the first Q&A of 2024 in season five of the Down to Birth Show! We kick it off today by sharing some of your highs and lows from the holiday season. Next, we get into our questions beginning with a mother who had low milk supply with her first baby and wonders what she can do in pregnancy and birth to prevent it from happening again; one curious listener wants to know if she can check her own cervix to help...
#249 | Katie Spinks Breaks the Silence: Pitocin, Uterine Rupture, and Life-Altering Consequences
January 24, 2024 10:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBPitocin has been named the most over-used and abused drug in maternity care. It is increasingly used for elective induction despite the lack of FDA approval for this purpose. Rupture of the uterus is a known adverse reaction to this drug, and its use is contraindicated when there is fetal distress or overstimulation of the uterus. Few, if any, women are given full informed consent to the administration of this drug in labor. Katie Spinks is one of these women. Katie had a routine, elective...
#248 | Redefining Power in Birth & in Life with Cait Scudder @themillionairemother
January 17, 2024 10:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBCait Scudder, also known as the Millionaire Mother, is a successful entrepreneur and mother of two. Currently in her third pregnancy, she joins us today to share her story of transformation from resistance to surrender in birth and in life. She describes her traumatic first birth resulting in a third-degree tear and bladder prolapse and the way she was robbed of her power through hospital policy, despite still achieving an unmedicated, vaginal birth. After going deep into somatic and physic...
#247 | The Birth of Fierce Lizzie: From Rule Follower to Autonomy Advocate
January 10, 2024 10:00 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MBLizzie Bolliger, aka Fierce Lizzie on Instagram, wasn't always fierce. She went into her first birth experience knowing very little other than that she wanted an unmedicated vaginal birth. After experiencing premature rupture of membranes, her first birth resulted in Pitocin augmentation and then meconium aspiration, resulting in her baby being taken away from her for the first fifteen hours of life. The second time around, she figured she knew enough to avoid an epidural and Pitocin but st...
#246 | Your Sex Life Revived with "Sexpert" Susan Bratton
January 03, 2024 10:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MBSusan Bratton is an intimacy expert and champion advocate for all who desire their most fulfilling and passionate intimate relationships. She joins us today to discuss how mothers can have a thriving sex life after having a baby and far beyond menopause. If you are someone who doesn't orgasm easily, or who feels guilty for not wanting more sex, or if you just want to learn more about what your body is capable of, this episode is for you! She details the anatomy of the yoni (the tantric word ...
#245 | December Q&A: Your Holiday Traditions; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Failure to Progress; RSV; Precipitous Birth; Osteoporosis
December 27, 2023 10:00 - 55 minutes - 38.4 MBWelcome to the December Q&A episode with Cynthia and Trisha! Today, we begin with revealing your holiday traditions and difficult family challenges of the season. Additionally, we share our long-standing holiday traditions. Next, we dive into your questions beginning with: What are the signs of postpartum hemorrhage? Is failure to progress dangerous and what can you do to prevent it? Is it safe to use breastmilk to treat pink eye in a baby? Considering the danger of RSV, should I ask fam...
#244 | Our First-Annual "Ask Us Anything Personal"
December 20, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBAs we gear up for our season finale next week, we've got a special treat for you today – a "holiday special" episode that's a departure from our usual format. In this extra-long, off-the-record conversation, which we recorded Friday night at Trisha's house, we're delving into the personal questions you've been curious about throughout 2023. That's right, we're steering clear of the usual birth-related questions, and don't worry, you'll get your full dose of those in next week's December Q&A....
#243 | Dr. Green Mom Answers Your Questions on Vitamin D, Circumcision, MTHFR Gene, C-Sections Babies' Needs, Fevers, Probiotics & More
December 13, 2023 10:00 - 38 minutes - 26.6 MBJoin us for our long-awaited episode with Ashley Mayer, affectionately known as Dr. Green Mom, a highly respected family and pediatric doctor specializing in individualized and holistic medicine. In this insightful conversation, Dr. Mayer not only answers your burning pediatric healthcare questions but also provides a unique blend of personal insights and professional opinions on some of the most commonly debated topics in pediatrics. Dr. Ashley Mayer addresses crucial concerns such as deve...
#242 | The Legal Rights and Roles of Doulas with Attorney Hermine Hayes-Klein
December 06, 2023 10:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBDoulas are an increasingly important, if not essential, member of a birth support team. However, along with their increased importance, doulas are exposed to an ever-increasing level of risk and liability. In this episode, we welcome back to the show maternal healthcare and human rights attorney Hermine Hayes-Klein, to discuss the legal rights and roles of doulas. She asks the question, what does support really look like, and can the doula actually assert the mother's right to informed c...
#241 | November Q&A: Biophysical Profiles; Preventing PROM; Lacking Natural Birth Support; Declining Cervical Exams; Having Hashimoto's; Anemia
November 29, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutes - 27.8 MBWelcome back to our monthly Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha! This month, we kick things off with a short story from an L&D nurse attending a mother giving birth to her seventh baby who was coerced into an unnecessary cesarean and what we think about how it was handled. Next, we get into your questions starting with: How do I defend myself against friends and family who don't support my plans for a natural birth? Another mom asks what she can do to prevent her waters from breaking before labor be...
#240 | An Unexpected Twin Born at Home: Elizabeth Parsons of @PurelyParsons
November 22, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBElizabeth Parsons of Purely Parsons is a mother of five, living on seventy acres in Appalachia, homesteading with her husband and children. For her fourth pregnancy, she had a planned home birth with her seasoned midwife. Despite having regular prenatal care and even an ultrasound the day before she went into labor, Elizabeth had an unexpected twin double breech birth at forty weeks! After the first baby was born, six minutes later, she felt the urge to push again and it seemed unusually int...
#239 | The Cost of Breastfeeding Versus Formula Feeding with Dr. Rhonda Trust, PhD
November 15, 2023 10:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBA 2023 article from Yale News flashed across news outlets in the United States headlined: "Yale researchers find that breastfeeding can cost over $11,000 a year. " The article goes on to say, "While the 2022 baby formula shortage in the United States sparked calls for an increase in support for breastfeeding nationwide, a group of researchers at the Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine sought to demonstrate how breastfeeding can impose significant financial burdens on fa...
#238 | Our Eldest Fan Shares Her Wisdom with Today's Young Mothers
November 08, 2023 10:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBIn this heartwarming episode, we met with the woman we believe is our oldest and wisest podcast fan and devout member of our Patreon community: Lee Roversi, a CSA farm owner in Hawaii, mother of three adult children, and grandmother. Lee begins by reflecting on her upbringing in Connecticut during the 1950s and how it shaped her perspective on motherhood. Her traditional family background contrasted with her later path toward holistic childbirth choices. Lee's story unfolds with anecdotes fr...
#237 | On Life Support During Birth: Tess Frame Describes Waking Out of a Coma Postpartum
November 01, 2023 09:00 - 49 minutes - 33.8 MBTess Frame is a mother of two who experienced severe pneumonia in late pregnancy after contracting the flu. Her condition became septic, resulting in organ failure and premature labor. She gave birth by cesarean at thirty-five weeks while comatose, and was intubated in critical care for several weeks after. While in a coma, she experienced and/or perceived traumas she could only begin to unwind after becoming conscious, trying to unravel what experiences were real and what were only imagine...
#236 | October Q&A: Mom Friends, Tight Abdominal Muscles, Diabetes & Pregnancy, Velamentous Cords, Vitamin D & Breastfeeding
October 25, 2023 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBHello everyone - it's your favorite day of the month, when we take your calls! As always, thank you for submitting your excellent questions to 802-438-3696 (802-GET-DOWN). Keep them rolling in! We love hearing from you. Today, we kick things off with some of the hilarious comments and questions your husbands and partners have said during pregnancy and birth. Next, we dive into our questions beginning with one mom seeking guidance on how best to make mom friends after having a baby. Another...
#235 | Solution or Sham? The Anti-Depressant Industry Exposed with Dr. Roger McFillin
October 18, 2023 09:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBDr. Roger McFillin, a seasoned clinical psychologist and the compelling voice of the Radically Genuine Podcast, dares to question the prevailing surge in depression diagnoses in our modern world. He boldly sheds light on the truth about SSRIs, leveling grave accusations of "criminal negligence" at the doctors who knowingly sidestep informed consent requirements. Dr. McFillin uncovers a disturbing reality—one where patients are shielded from the harsh truth of low efficacy rates, serious risk...
#234 | Cynthia's Second Birth Story: Lessons in Trust
October 11, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBHello, everyone! It's Cynthia here. Today, in celebration of my birthday, I want to share the extraordinary story of my daughter's birth. This personal narrative delves into the pivotal role intuition and self-trust played throughout my conception and pregnancy with her. You'll learn of some unexpected challenges we faced, and you'll hear about our unconventional attempt to reposition our breech baby head-down. Definitely don't try that at home - even though we did. I hope you enjoy it. Ca...
#233 | Esophageal Atresia: When Liz Eidelman's Baby Was Born "Incompatible With Life"
October 04, 2023 09:00 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MBLiz Eidelman, whose name some of you may recognize as the funny mom on Instagram @lizeidelman, gave birth to her first child in the hospital with a team of med students present. She had an episiotomy she didn't want, a vacuum-assist that led to another flood of people in the room, and a baby who was whisked away to the NICU within moments of birth, leaving Liz in the dark about her baby's condition. Overhearing nurses whisper, "The mother doesn't know yet," added to her anxiety. What Liz and...
#232 | September Q&A: Infant Reflux, Tearing, The Homebirth Environment, Waterbirthing with PROM, Esophageal Atresia, Postpartum Cramping, Newborns
September 27, 2023 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MBHello Friends! It is time for the September Q&A episode! Today, we open with two listener emails sharing their experiences on declining circumcision and accepting a necessary emergency cesarean birth. Next, we dive into your questions beginning with: Can I still labor and birth in the tub even if my membranes have ruptured before labor begins? Lucky for ya'll, we have Barbara Harper of Waterbirth International pop on the show to answer this question. Next up, we address whether experiencin...
#231 | Heart Moms: One Mother's Journey with Congenital Trans-Position of the Great Arteries
September 20, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBJo Young is a "heart mom" from the U.K. Being a heart mom indicates belonging to a community of parents whose children are born with congenital heart defects. The pivotal moment in Jo's story began at her twenty-week anatomy scan with her husband. It was here that they received the life-altering revelation that their baby girl bore a congenital heart defect requiring immediate postpartum surgery. This condition, known as "transposition of the great arteries" (TGA), unveils a complex anomal...
#230 | The Free Birth Dilemma with Sara Rosser
September 13, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBSara Rosser is a Certified Professional Midwife (CPM). While she has not had a free birth herself, she has supported women in her community who have chosen to do so. Free birth (or "wild birth") is a controversial practice in which a woman chooses to give birth in the absence of a trained birth professional, whether that be a midwife or obstetrician. In today's discussion, we dig into why a woman might choose free birth, whether or not free birth is "safe" for a mother and baby, how those w...
#229 | Sara Wickham: The Risk of the Risk-Based Approach
September 06, 2023 09:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MBDr. Sara Wickham, PhD, MA, PGCert, BA, is a best-selling author, speaker, and researcher who works independently. She has more than twenty years' experience as a midwife; she's lectured in more than 30 countries; and, she is a researcher and author of seventeen books, and has edited three midwifery journals. She is considered a leading expert on the research and evidence around many of the most controversial topics and most difficult decisions in childbirth: Induction, newborn interventions,...
#228 | August Q&A: Routine PP Pitocin, Insufficient Glandular Tissue, Boundaries with In-laws, Fundal Massage, Fore-milk, Manual Dilation, Weight Gain in Pregnancy, A Husband with Addiction
August 30, 2023 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBIt's time for the August Q&A episode with Cynthia & Trisha! We kick off today's episode with the crazy and unsupportive comments most often heard by our listeners. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and get ready for some laughs. Next, we get into our questions, including: Is routine Pitocin postpartum necessary? What can you tell me about insufficient glandular tissue and breastfeeding? What to do about family members who use sweets as a way to get children's attention? Is aggressive fundal mass...
#227 | Tips For Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage with @thealliewoods
August 23, 2023 09:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBPostpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality around the world. When considering home birth, preventing and/or effectively treating PPH is an essential part of safe care. Allie Woods of Almost Holistic Allie is here today to share her three home birth stories, the first two of which resulted in significant postpartum hemorrhaging, including a hospital transfer. In the first case, she and her midwife presumed it was a fluke when she had an unknown retain...
#227 | Tips For Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage with @AlmostHolisticAllie
August 23, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBPostpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality around the world. When considering home birth, preventing and/or effectively treating PPH is an essential part of safe care. Allie Woods of Almost Holistic Allie is here today to share her three home birth stories, the first two of which resulted in significant postpartum hemorrhaging, including a hospital transfer. In the first case, she and her midwife presumed it was a fluke when she had an unknown retain...
#226 | The Case for Co-Sleeping with OnTrack Baby
August 16, 2023 09:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBEvery mammal in nature sleeps with their offspring, but these days, many mothers are cautioned against co-sleeping by pediatricians and well-meaning friends and family. This guilt or fear keeps parents distant from their sleeping babies even when it goes against their own inclination. Then, the cycle continues with a baby whose nervous system wakes them often in search of physical comfort, while parents frantically seek the latest and greatest sleep product on the market (Snoo, anyone?). W...
#225 | Free-Birthing as a Woman of Color: How Nichollette Chose One Extreme Over Another
August 09, 2023 09:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBMaternal mortality for black women is three times higher in the United States, at almost 70 deaths per 100,000. As a woman of color, Nichollette Jones was motivated to protect herself and her daughter from the risks and protocols associated with hospitals, especially during Covid, which showed a sky-rocketing of maternal mortality statistics across the board in the U.S. Unable to cover the cost of a home birth midwife, she determined her next-safest option was to have her baby at home with ...
#224 | Introducing Solid Foods with Katie Ferraro of Baby Led Weaning Made Easy
August 02, 2023 09:00 - 38 minutes - 26.4 MBKatie Ferraro of @babyledweanteam is a mother of seven, registered dietician and baby led weaning proponent. Baby-led weaning is a method of introducing solid foods to babies where purees and spoon-feeding are skipped in favor of finger foods, allowing the baby to self-feed. When Katie found out she was pregnant with quadruplets, she knew she needed the easiest, most effective way to feed her babies, and has developed a digital community support program on baby-led weaning and founded her "...
#223 | July Q&A: Prolapsed Cord, Tearing & Sutures, PROM, Nursing & Tooth Decay, Irish Twins, Breastmilk Calorie Concerns, Breech Birth, Pet Peeves
July 26, 2023 09:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBWelcome to the July Q&A episode with Cynthia & Trisha. Today, we kick off the conversation with a story of an OB commenting on the "tightness" of a woman's perineum. Next, we jump into our questions on when sutures are or are not needed after a tear; placenta previa and a prolapsed cord; the risk of infection after rupture of membranes when GBS negative; how to get oxytocin flowing when your spouse is not present at birth; are there risks in pregnancy and postpartum if you have Irish twins;...
#222 | Overcoming & Understanding Sleep Deprivation with Dr. Lynelle Schneeberg
July 19, 2023 09:00 - 53 minutes - 37.1 MBDr. Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD, is a sleep psychologist, an assistant professor at the Yale School of Medicine, and Director of the Behavioral Sleep Program at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. She’s also a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. She works with adults who have insomnia and has a particular passion for helping parents whose children have sleep difficulties. She is the author of "Become Your Child’s Sleep Coach: The Bedtime Doctor’s 5-Step Guide, Ages 3-10. " Tod...
#221 | Understanding Fetal-Maternal Microchimerism with Rachel Marynowski of @Kale.Blossom
July 12, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBRachel Marynowsk of @Kale.blossom is a licensed naturopathic physician focusing on preconception, fertility and postpartum. In today's episode, Rachel introduces us to the fascinating phenomenon of fetal-maternal microchimerism and how it may influence women's health, particularly postpartum. Fetal-maternal microchimerism refers to the presence of fetal cells in a mother's body and vice versa, exchanged during pregnancy and birth. These cells are believed to serve as a unique form of commu...
#220 | Catrina's HBAC: A Mother's Triumph Over Medical Intervention
July 05, 2023 09:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MBCatrina's first pregnancy was labeled high risk when a routine ultrasound revealed a two-vessel cord, leading to repeat ultrasounds and a diagnosis of IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) and low fluid at 35 weeks. Her doctor immediately sent her in for an induction, and because her baby was still breech at that point, she ended up with a C-section. Catrina felt completely "checked-out" during the whole experience, as this was the exact opposite of the birth she had planned for. Her baby e...
#219 | June Q&A: Assault in Labor, Home Birth Risk, a Swollen Cervix, Parental Conflicts, Laboring in Water, Nuchal Hands, Being Dropped as a Patient
June 28, 2023 09:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBWe are back answering your questions in the June Q&A episode. We kick it off with a woman's story of multiple non-consented vaginal exams in labor, her complaint to the hospital, and the hospital leadership's response. Next, we jump into our questions including: I really want a home birth, but I am afraid that hospital birth is safer and that home birth is dangerous. How do I determine this risk? My mom had a c-section for a cervix that swelled shut. Is that possible? I am struggling wi...
#218 | Birth Trauma Alchemy with Eyla Cuenca
June 21, 2023 09:00 - 51 minutes - 35.6 MBEyla Cuenca, a birth doula and birth trauma alchemist, delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of pregnancy and birth. She highlights the varying experiences pregnant women may encounter when it comes to their healthcare providers and how it can impact their journeys. Eyla introduces the concept of birth trauma alchemy, which focuses on transforming birth traumas and wounds into opportunities for growth, self-knowledge and empowerment. We delve into the psycho-emotional work req...
#217 | EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing for Birth Trauma with Carolyn Yates, LMFT
June 14, 2023 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.4 MBAt least one-third of women report to experiencing birth trauma. Traumatic experiences can be trapped in the physical body and manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder, easily triggered by everyday events and preventing us from fully embracing our experience as a mothers. Talk therapy can be helpful but often is not sufficient to fully resolve trauma, because trauma causes our brains to become wired to focus on repetitive thoughts, creating a maladaptive circuit. Fortunately, when we slee...
#216 | The Mystery of Functional Birthing Explained with Author Sarah Thompson
June 07, 2023 09:00 - 49 minutes - 34.2 MBWith the right knowledge and education about the intricacies of our own health, we have the potential to influence how our body gives birth. Did you know that by twenty-eight weeks of pregnancy your body is already making physiological and functional shifts to prepare for labor? Or that your baby's adrenal glands are the biggest factor in the initiation of labor? Have you ever heard that sub-clincal hypothyroidism is associated with a significantly higher rate of postpartum hemorrhage or tha...
#215 | May Q&A: NSTs, Short Cords, Boundaries, Fetal Ejection Reflex, Decels in Labor, Artificial Rupture of Membranes, VBAC, Postpartum Doulas
May 31, 2023 09:00 - 50 minutes - 35 MBHello! We are back with the May Q&A. This month we kick things off with a short conversation on obstetrical rhetoric around the risks of cesarean birth and induction, followed by your excellent questions on: Short cords and small placentas Setting boundaries with well-meaning parenting advice-givers The necessity or not of Non-stress tests (NST) in late pregnancy True medical indications for artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) VBAC labor contractions and an interesting tidbit on th...
#214 | Four Ways Waterbirthing Improves Home Birth Outcomes
May 24, 2023 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.8 MBLisa Marie and Richard Oxenham are a water-birthing midwifery duo extraordinaire in addition to being husband and wife and protégés of Barbara Harper of Waterbirth International. Lisa has attended over six hundred water births and has never, not once, induced a woman's labor. Through their years of experience, they have come to believe that giving birth in water improves birth outcomes over giving birth out of the water. In this episode, we cover the ways in which water birth increases the ...
#213 | Choosing Home Birth the First Time Around with Colleen Mason @Uncomplicated Family
May 17, 2023 09:00 - 43 minutes - 30.2 MBWhen your hospital birth plan repeatedly includes the word "No", considering home birth becomes extremely enticing. In this episode, Colleen of @uncomplicatedfamily shares with us how she left her OB and chose home birth not only the first time but six more thereafter! Many mothers fear the idea of home birth because they only imagine what might go wrong. And while there are certain risks to consider before home birthing and it isn't the preference of every woman, we review how it can be a ...