Your BIRTH Partners
122 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Identifying gaps, acknowledging biases, and co-creating a trauma-informed standard of birthcare with change agents across the spectrum of birthwork.
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Episodes
The Rebozo & Beyond: Cultural Appropriation in Birth 1
May 03, 2021 04:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBIn this episode, Montse Olmos, Mujer dela Tierra, and Mayte Acolt, The Womb Doula, share with us about their roles as birthworkers and what led them to create a petition requesting removal of Rebozo training from doula workshops, which has garnered international attention. During this conversation we discuss: ~the physical harm from rebozo use that prompted the urgency of the petition ~how many birthworker trainings provide inadequate training for holistic remedies ~how the medical-industria...
The Rebozo & Beyond: Cultural Appropriation in Birth 1 #036
May 03, 2021 04:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBIn this episode, Montse Olmos, Mujer dela Tierra, and Mayte Acolt, The Womb Doula, share with us about their roles as birthworkers and what led them to create a petition requesting removal of Rebozo training from doula workshops, which has garnered international attention. During this conversation we discuss: ~the physical harm from rebozo use that prompted the urgency of the petition ~how many birthworker trainings provide inadequate training for holistic remedies ~how the medical-industria...
Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy & Birth
April 26, 2021 04:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBDr. Sharon Dongarra of Thrive Chiropractic joined Pansay of Sacred Butterfly Births & Maggie to explain some comment misconceptions about chiropractic care during pregnancy and identify how it can be used in tandem with medical or midwifery prenatal care to optimize wellness. Chiropractic care has often been misunderstood and maligned by allopathic medicine...where do those biases come from and how can we grow more understanding of options for birthing people? Join Sharon, Pansay, and Maggi...
Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy & Birth #035
April 26, 2021 04:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBDr. Sharon Dongarra of Thrive Chiropractic joined Pansay of Sacred Butterfly Births & Maggie to explain some comment misconceptions about chiropractic care during pregnancy and identify how it can be used in tandem with medical or midwifery prenatal care to optimize wellness. Chiropractic care has often been misunderstood and maligned by allopathic medicine...where do those biases come from and how can we grow more understanding of options for birthing people? Join Sharon, Pansay, and Maggi...
Unbiased & Representative Birth Education
April 19, 2021 04:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBCheyenne Varner of The Educated Birth joins us this week to talk about fostering inclusion & autonomy in childbirth education materials. She shares about the homogenous birth images & resources that didn't reflect her family & her community and led to her creation of The Educated Birth materials. Cheyenne dives into the harm to both birthing people and birthworkers when we are faced with limited images & a limited mindset around the possibilities of birth. She explains why representation o...
Unbiased & Representative Birth Education #034
April 19, 2021 04:00 - 45 minutes - 31.2 MBCheyenne Varner of The Educated Birth joins us this week to talk about fostering inclusion & autonomy in childbirth education materials. She shares about the homogenous birth images & resources that didn't reflect her family & her community and led to her creation of The Educated Birth materials. Cheyenne dives into the harm to both birthing people and birthworkers when we are faced with limited images & a limited mindset around the possibilities of birth. She explains why representation o...
Pregnancy & Birth Support for Young Parents
April 12, 2021 04:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBThis week we are thrilled to welcome SeQuoia Kemp of Doula4AQueen on to share about her experiences providing support to younger teen parents. SeQuoia shares with us in this episode how her passion for supporting birth started when she herself was a teenager and how those formative experiences & her Black feminist roots impact the doula care she provides now. ~SeQuoia discusses how her public health background helps her to look broadly at all the systemic & structural factors that are imp...
Pregnancy & Birth Support for Young Parents #033
April 12, 2021 04:00 - 45 minutes - 31 MBThis week we are thrilled to welcome SeQuoia Kemp of Doula4AQueen on to share about her experiences providing support to younger teen parents. SeQuoia shares with us in this episode how her passion for supporting birth started when she herself was a teenager and how those formative experiences & her Black feminist roots impact the doula care she provides now. ~SeQuoia discusses how her public health background helps her to look broadly at all the systemic & structural factors that are imp...
Bias in Pregnancy Over Age 35 #032
April 05, 2021 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBThis week we are breaking down the terminology stigma around "AMA" or advanced maternal age, exploring the nuances of risk management in pregnancies over the age of 35, & highlighting the benefits that should be discussed in any conversation around age & family planning. Ray Rachlin of Refuge Midwifery shares how their personal practice centers patient autonomy through fertility support, pregnancy monitoring, & birth care for this population, how they discuss relative risk surrounding age w...
Bias in Pregnancy Over Age 35
April 05, 2021 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBThis week we are breaking down the terminology stigma around "AMA" or advanced maternal age, exploring the nuances of risk management in pregnancies over the age of 35, & highlighting the benefits that should be discussed in any conversation around age & family planning. Ray Rachlin of Refuge Midwifery shares how their personal practice centers patient autonomy through fertility support, pregnancy monitoring, & birth care for this population, how they discuss relative risk surrounding age w...
Postpartum Care Failings & Foundations #031
March 29, 2021 04:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBRay Rachlin of Refuge Midwifery joined Pansay of Sacred Butterfly Births & Maggie to lay out some of the ways we are failing to provide adequate care to postpartum families. The postpartum time frame spans anywhere from 6 weeks, to the full year after birth depending on what dictionary you check, and for those who've lived it, the "postpartum period" may never truly close. Despite this, many people feel inadequately supported through this transition from pregnant to parent. We see this in h...
Postpartum Care Failings & Foundations
March 29, 2021 04:00 - 43 minutes - 30.1 MBRay Rachlin of Refuge Midwifery joined Pansay of Sacred Butterfly Births & Maggie to lay out some of the ways we are failing to provide adequate care to postpartum families. The postpartum time frame spans anywhere from 6 weeks, to the full year after birth depending on what dictionary you check, and for those who've lived it, the "postpartum period" may never truly close. Despite this, many people feel inadequately supported through this transition from pregnant to parent. We see this in h...
Masculine-Identified Birthworkers #030
March 22, 2021 04:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBJessie Ray Spivey of The Doudad joined Pansay & Maggie to explore some of the myriad reasons that masculine-identifying birthworkers continue to face issues with acceptance in the greater birth community. We discussed necessity of trauma-informed care by all birthworkers to increase client comfort. We address how awareness of the racism-driven disparities in perinatal morbidity and mortality is motivating more Black people to enter birthwork. Jessie speaks to his work dissolving "gender norm...
Masculine-Identified Birthworkers
March 22, 2021 04:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBJessie Ray Spivey of The Doudad joined Pansay & Maggie to explore some of the myriad reasons that masculine-identifying birthworkers continue to face issues with acceptance in the greater birth community. We discussed necessity of trauma-informed care by all birthworkers to increase client comfort. We address how awareness of the racism-driven disparities in perinatal morbidity and mortality is motivating more Black people to enter birthwork. Jessie speaks to his work dissolving "gender norm...
Unpacking Pelvic Biomechanics & Birth
March 15, 2021 04:00 - 53 minutes - 37.5 MBWe are joined by Brittany Sharpe McCollum of Blossoming Bellies Birth to dive deep into bias around pelvis shape, pelvic biomechanics & dynamics, and the relationship between the pelvis & movement during birth. Brittany discusses the bias and racism inherent in classifying pelvic shapes as a predictor of labor outcomes. She shares her definition for truly "optimal" fetal positioning, and what we can do to support it, without getting in the weeds about what *could* happen. Finally, Brittany ...
Unpacking Pelvic Biomechanics & Birth #029
March 15, 2021 04:00 - 53 minutes - 36.9 MBWe are joined by Brittany Sharpe McCollum of Blossoming Bellies Birth to dive deep into bias around pelvis shape, pelvic biomechanics & dynamics, and the relationship between the pelvis & movement during birth. Brittany discusses the bias and racism inherent in classifying pelvic shapes as a predictor of labor outcomes. She shares her definition for truly "optimal" fetal positioning, and what we can do to support it, without getting in the weeds about what *could* happen. Finally, Brittany ...
History & Future of Collaborative Birth Care
December 21, 2020 05:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBIn our last episode of season 2 we are joined by Dr Nathan Riley, MD of the Obgyno Wino Podcast to discuss collaborative birth care. We discuss how medicine & obstetrics has historically excluded midwives and other community caregivers and the intentional harm that has caused, particularly in communities of color. We identify the challenges in changing the mindset about what responsibilities physicians have for birth, and the conversations that need to be happening between hospital-based b...
History & Future of Collaborative Birth Care #028
December 21, 2020 05:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MBIn our last episode of season 2 we are joined by Dr Nathan Riley, MD of the Obgyno Wino Podcast to discuss collaborative birth care. We discuss how medicine & obstetrics has historically excluded midwives and other community caregivers and the intentional harm that has caused, particularly in communities of color. We identify the challenges in changing the mindset about what responsibilities physicians have for birth, and the conversations that need to be happening between hospital-based b...
Professionalism, Activism, & Politics in Birth Care #027
December 14, 2020 05:00 - 52 minutes - 36.4 MBHow does "professionalism" stop us from showing up as activists and advocates for change in birth care? In this episode, Katy Cecen, NICU nurse & midwife, turned whistleblower, activist and full-time community organizer shares her journey and growth in stepping up to face the challenges and inequities of our birth care system. She details how professionalism is a tool of white supremacy culture, the privilege inherent in operating as an "apolitical" birth pro, and 3 steps you can take now to...
Professionalism, Activism, & Politics in Birth Care
December 14, 2020 05:00 - 52 minutes - 36.9 MBHow does "professionalism" stop us from showing up as activists and advocates for change in birth care? In this episode, Katy Cecen, NICU nurse & midwife, turned whistleblower, activist and full-time community organizer shares her journey and growth in stepping up to face the challenges and inequities of our birth care system. She details how professionalism is a tool of white supremacy culture, the privilege inherent in operating as an "apolitical" birth pro, and 3 steps you can take now to...
Cultural Humility in Birth Care
December 07, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 16.3 MBIn this episode we are discussing Cultural Humility in birth care. We talk about the differences between cultural competence and cultural humility, the impact of "professionalism" on how we engage with those in our care about their cultural preferences and needs, and the growth and hope possible within our system. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/yourbirthpartners)
Cultural Humility in Birth Care #026
December 07, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MBIn this episode we are discussing Cultural Humility in birth care. We talk about the differences between cultural competence and cultural humility, the impact of "professionalism" on how we engage with those in our care about their cultural preferences and needs, and the growth and hope possible within our system. Support the Show.
Trauma-Informed Birth Care #025
November 30, 2020 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.2 MBIn birth care we have the opportunity to support someone through one of their most transformative life experiences. It is our responsibility to create trauma-informed spaces for everyone in our care. We are discussing how and when we became aware of trauma-informed practices, the different types of trauma we encounter, specific steps we take in our care practices to reduce trauma, and our goals moving forward to create a perinatal healthcare system where trauma experiences are rare, rather...
Trauma-Informed Birth Care
November 30, 2020 05:00 - 35 minutes - 24.8 MBIn birth care we have the opportunity to support someone through one of their most transformative life experiences. It is our responsibility to create trauma-informed spaces for everyone in our care. We are discussing how and when we became aware of trauma-informed practices, the different types of trauma we encounter, specific steps we take in our care practices to reduce trauma, and our goals moving forward to create a perinatal healthcare system where trauma experiences are rare, rather...
"A Womb of Their Own" Q&A: Trans & Non-binary Birth Care #024
November 23, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33 MBDuring Trans Awareness Week, we hosted a screening of the film, "A Womb of Their Own" and had the opportunity to do a Q&A with the filmmaker Cyn Lubow and queer non-binary midwife Ray Rachlin. In this Q&A we discussed expanding our understanding of gender beyond traditional masculine & feminine roles, we identified some best practices for birth pros to adopt in their care to be more inclusive, discussed the challenges of systemic change & actions to take forward, and we heard from community...
"A Womb of Their Own" Q&A: Trans & Non-binary Birth Care
November 23, 2020 05:00 - 48 minutes - 33.6 MBDuring Trans Awareness Week, we hosted a screening of the film, "A Womb of Their Own" and had the opportunity to do a Q&A with the filmmaker Cyn Lubow and queer non-binary midwife Ray Rachlin. In this Q&A we discussed expanding our understanding of gender beyond traditional masculine & feminine roles, we identified some best practices for birth pros to adopt in their care to be more inclusive, discussed the challenges of systemic change & actions to take forward, and we heard from community...
Navigating Perinatal Mental Health in 2020
November 09, 2020 05:00 - 36 minutes - 25.4 MBPerinatal mental healthcare deserves more of our attention as birth professionals, especially now in these unprecedented times. Emily Souder, LCSW-C, PMH-C sheds light on this growing issue and shares her recommendations for addressing the concerns of those in our care. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/yourbirthpartners)
Navigating Perinatal Mental Health in 2020 #023
November 09, 2020 05:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBPerinatal mental healthcare deserves more of our attention as birth professionals, especially now in these unprecedented times. Emily Souder, LCSW-C, PMH-C sheds light on this growing issue and shares her recommendations for addressing the concerns of those in our care. Support the Show.
Relating and Caring: Birth Pros & Clients
November 02, 2020 05:00 - 38 minutes - 27.3 MBWe are continuing our conversation this week with Irnise Williams JD, RN who joins Dr Abby Dennis, MD & Maggie Runyon, RNC-OB. We're talking about the different dynamics of provider to patient/client relationships. We're talking about why we struggle to have nuanced conversations around care decisions. We're calling out the use of threats to coerce care choices. We're identifying some of the complicated biases & the role racism plays in engaging with those in our care. We're calling for cha...
Relating and Caring: Birth Pros & Clients #022
November 02, 2020 05:00 - 38 minutes - 26.7 MBWe are continuing our conversation this week with Irnise Williams JD, RN who joins Dr Abby Dennis, MD & Maggie Runyon, RNC-OB. We're talking about the different dynamics of provider to patient/client relationships. We're talking about why we struggle to have nuanced conversations around care decisions. We're calling out the use of threats to coerce care choices. We're identifying some of the complicated biases & the role racism plays in engaging with those in our care. We're calling for cha...
Birth Professionals & Liability
October 26, 2020 04:00 - 33 minutes - 23.4 MBThere may be nothing that creates a stronger divide between birth professionals and the people they serve than the fear of liability. Particularly in the hospital setting, the fear of liability looms large and impacts the way we provide care: from the policies we create, to the technology we use, and the way we speak to patients. Special guest Irnise Williams, JD, RN joins Dr Abby Dennis, MD & Maggie Runyon, RNC-OB to dig into this multi-layered issue: How do we move past that fear? What bes...
Birth Professionals & Liability #021
October 26, 2020 04:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBThere may be nothing that creates a stronger divide between birth professionals and the people they serve than the fear of liability. Particularly in the hospital setting, the fear of liability looms large and impacts the way we provide care: from the policies we create, to the technology we use, and the way we speak to patients. Special guest Irnise Williams, JD, RN joins Dr Abby Dennis, MD & Maggie Runyon, RNC-OB to dig into this multi-layered issue: How do we move past that fear? What bes...
B.I.R.T.H.-Respected, Trusted, Heard
October 19, 2020 04:00 - 24 minutes - 17.5 MBPart two of breaking down our motto: "Be.Inspired.Respected.Trusted.Heard." How do we ensure birthing people are respected, trusted, & heard? What does it mean to respect & trust birth? What actions can we take so those in our care are actually heard? What steps do we take when we're working within a healthcare system that doesn't seem to trust birth and makes it hard for birth pros to give the time and attention they need to hear each person & respect their wishes? Support the show (https...
B.I.R.T.H.-Respected, Trusted, Heard #020
October 19, 2020 04:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBPart two of breaking down our motto: "Be.Inspired.Respected.Trusted.Heard." How do we ensure birthing people are respected, trusted, & heard? What does it mean to respect & trust birth? What actions can we take so those in our care are actually heard? What steps do we take when we're working within a healthcare system that doesn't seem to trust birth and makes it hard for birth pros to give the time and attention they need to hear each person & respect their wishes? Support the Show.
National Midwifery Week Celebration #019
October 12, 2020 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MBWe celebrated National Midwifery Week with this live podcast! Our midwifery panel (Meredith Strayhorn, M.Ed, CD, CPM-Student, Ray Rachlin, LM, CPM, CLC, Dr Angela Mike, DNP, CNM) shared with us their answers to what midwifery means to them, what they wish they'd learned in school, but didn't, what they love to do as midwives outside of catching babies, how they process difficult birth outcomes, and how they are living out this year's slogan "Midwives for Equity." Support the Show.
National Midwifery Week Celebration
October 12, 2020 04:00 - 47 minutes - 32.9 MBWe celebrated National Midwifery Week with this live podcast! Our midwifery panel (Meredith Strayhorn, M.Ed, CD, CPM-Student, Ray Rachlin, LM, CPM, CLC, Dr Angela Mike, DNP, CNM) shared with us their answers to what midwifery means to them, what they wish they'd learned in school, but didn't, what they love to do as midwives outside of catching babies, how they process difficult birth outcomes, and how they are living out this year's slogan "Midwives for Equity." Support the show (https://w...
B.I.R.T.H.-Be, Inspired
September 28, 2020 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.9 MBOur org's motto is Be.Inspired.Respected.Trusted.Heard. In this part 1, we want to dig in to what that motto means, how it dictates our practice, and the way we show up to hold space for birth. How do we change our mindset to stop us from feeling like we as birth pros have to "make birth happen" and allowing it to just Be? What does it mean to be inspired by birth? How do we temper our expectations and hopes and dreams for birth so that it doesn't overwhelm the birthing person's? Support t...
B.I.R.T.H.-Be, Inspired #018
September 28, 2020 04:00 - 25 minutes - 17.3 MBOur org's motto is Be.Inspired.Respected.Trusted.Heard. In this part 1, we want to dig in to what that motto means, how it dictates our practice, and the way we show up to hold space for birth. How do we change our mindset to stop us from feeling like we as birth pros have to "make birth happen" and allowing it to just Be? What does it mean to be inspired by birth? How do we temper our expectations and hopes and dreams for birth so that it doesn't overwhelm the birthing person's? Support t...
Moving Beyond Burnout #017
September 21, 2020 09:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBWe are sharing about the realities of working as a birth pro and the sacrifices and toll that can take on us. How do we recognize burnout and carve out practices that go beyond self-care so that we can be sustained in this work? Birth pros are at a high risk of burnout; we often lack the resources from our employers, our communities, and permission from ourselves to breathe, to pause, to take care of our needs. Studies recognize 40-58% of birth pros across the spectrum of roles identify wi...
Moving Beyond Burnout
September 21, 2020 09:00 - 33 minutes - 23.4 MBWe are sharing about the realities of working as a birth pro and the sacrifices and toll that can take on us. How do we recognize burnout and carve out practices that go beyond self-care so that we can be sustained in this work? Birth pros are at a high risk of burnout; we often lack the resources from our employers, our communities, and permission from ourselves to breathe, to pause, to take care of our needs. Studies recognize 40-58% of birth pros across the spectrum of roles identify wi...
Reflecting on State & Future of Birth Care
September 14, 2020 04:00 - 51 minutes - 36.2 MBIn this episode we had the opportunity to welcome Dr Mimi Niles, PhD, CNM, MPH in for a lengthy conversation about the state of birth care. We're talking about what's missing at present, the improvements we need to make with midwifery, nursing, and medical education to put person-centered care and a health equity lens at the forefront, practice changes to increase client comfort and autonomy, and what we hope for the future! Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/yourbirthpartners)
Reflecting on State & Future of Birth Care #016
September 14, 2020 04:00 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBIn this episode we had the opportunity to welcome Dr Mimi Niles, PhD, CNM, MPH in for a lengthy conversation about the state of birth care. We're talking about what's missing at present, the improvements we need to make with midwifery, nursing, and medical education to put person-centered care and a health equity lens at the forefront, practice changes to increase client comfort and autonomy, and what we hope for the future! Support the Show.
Hope & Partnering Together #015
September 07, 2020 04:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBWe are thrilled to share the thoughts of Dr Mimi Niles, PhD, CNM, MPH, Dr Neel Shah, MD, MPP, FACOG, & Krysta Dancy, MA, MFT with you this week! We asked these birth pros to share their experiences with you about finding hope in birth care through this pandemic and how we partner together to move forward. Support the Show.
Hope & Partnering Together
September 07, 2020 04:00 - 23 minutes - 16.8 MBWe are thrilled to share the thoughts of Dr Mimi Niles, PhD, CNM, MPH, Dr Neel Shah, MD, MPP, FACOG, & Krysta Dancy, MA, MFT with you this week! We asked these birth pros to share their experiences with you about finding hope in birth care through this pandemic and how we partner together to move forward. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/yourbirthpartners)
Being a Doula during a Pandemic
May 26, 2020 04:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBThis week we are honoring the end of Internation Doula Month. We have a panel of doulas on to discuss their experiences of providing care through a pandemic. We're talking about work:life balance, virtual doula services and other ways to pivot during this time, and grow from here into a truly collaborative care environment. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/yourbirthpartners)
Being a Doula during a Pandemic #014
May 26, 2020 04:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBThis week we are honoring the end of Internation Doula Month. We have a panel of doulas on to discuss their experiences of providing care through a pandemic. We're talking about work:life balance, virtual doula services and other ways to pivot during this time, and grow from here into a truly collaborative care environment. Support the Show.
Nurses as Advocates and Change Leaders
May 04, 2020 04:00 - 54 minutes - 38.1 MBWe are celebrating Nurses Week with two special guests on the show, Mandy Irby & Torie Pugh. We are digging in to what it means to be a nurse advocate, the pressing issues facing birthing people right now, and empowering nurses to step up and into their roles as care leaders at the bedside and beyond. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/yourbirthpartners)
Nurses as Advocates and Change Leaders #013
May 04, 2020 04:00 - 54 minutes - 37.6 MBWe are celebrating Nurses Week with two special guests on the show, Mandy Irby & Torie Pugh. We are digging in to what it means to be a nurse advocate, the pressing issues facing birthing people right now, and empowering nurses to step up and into their roles as care leaders at the bedside and beyond. Support the Show.
National Infertility Awareness Week #012
April 20, 2020 04:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, we have special guests Dr Torie Comeaux Plowden and Jessie Bernstein, LMT on to talk about caring for people along the fertility journey. We discuss stigma, access to care, cultural considerations, impacts within communities of color, supporting legislative efforts, and limits of care in the time of COVID-19. Support the Show.
National Infertility Awareness Week
April 20, 2020 04:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MBThis week in honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, we have special guests Dr Torie Comeaux Plowden and Jessie Bernstein, LMT on to talk about caring for people along the fertility journey. We discuss stigma, access to care, cultural considerations, impacts within communities of color, supporting legislative efforts, and limits of care in the time of COVID-19. Support the show (https://www.paypal.me/yourbirthpartners)