The Birth Lounge Podcast

This episode is everything you need to get your newborn sleeping through the night in the first 16 weeks after birth! All the tips shared in this episode are actionable TODAY to get you better sleep starting tonight! Connect with HeHe on IG Download the Newborn Sleep Solutions Guide for infants 0-16 weeks Join our FREE Masterclass about How to Decrease Your Risk of a C-section!

Dig out your scuba gear, cause we’re taking a deep dive into the world of twin sleep! In this episode HeHe meets with Kim West (The Sleep Lady) and Natalie Diaz (Twiniversity). Sleep training can be a bit of a hot topic and today we’re talking about common ways *cough* cry it out *cough* people have tried to sleep train, and alternatives to cry it out that actually work. Listen in as we discuss the most recent data, age old theories and their new book! Guest Bio: Natalie and Kim are the co-authors of The Newborn Twins Sleep Guide: The Nap and Nighttime Sanity Saver for Your Duo's First Five Months, a research-backed resource for new and expecting parents of twins, offering a gentle approach and an alternative to allowing your babies to cry it out. Natalie and Kim have appeared on and in Parents, People, Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bravo TV, CNN, Fox News, TODAY, GMA, Dr. Phil, and more. Links: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience! Connect with HeHe on IG Connect with Kim (The Sleep Lady) on IG or on her website here. Connect with Natalie (Twiniversity) on IG or on her website here. Grab Kim and Natalie’s book here Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com Sign up for Lactation, bottle feeding or formula feeding support from HeHe: https://calendly.com/tranquilitybyhehe/1-to-1-consult Check out our FREE CLASS: 6 Ways to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce your Risk of Tearing: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/opt-in Check out the Newborn Sleep Solution Guide: https://stan.store/TranquilityByHeHe/p/newborn-sleep-solutions-maximizing-newborn-sleep/

Are you familiar with mirror neurons and their role in the way our brain works? If not, you'll want to understand exactly what they are and how they have the potential to positively or negatively impact your labor experience! Evidence Based Pitocin Guide Connect with HeHe on IG Work with Dr. Jaz The Active Experience Connect with Dr. Jaz on IG Dr. Jaz Bio: Dr. Jaz Robbins is a therapist, nutritionist, author, professor, and mental health consultant. She is the founder of the nonprofit, Healing, Hope & Love as well as the mental health consulting firm, The Active Experience®. She specializes in working with clients who have histories of trauma and/or complicated health concerns. Additionally, Dr. Robbins is a poet and stage performer who enjoys integrating expressive arts into her work with clients when appropriate.

It takes a village to raise a child… but where is that village?! In this episode, HeHe sits down with Maranda Bower of Postpartum University to discuss how postpartum looks very different today than it did when our parents were having children & what that means for the way we need to prepare for postpartum. Connect with HeHe on IG Connect with Maranda on IG https://postpartumu.com/ Join The Birth Lounge Sign up for Lactation, bottle feeding or formula feeding support from HeHe Check out our FREE CLASS >> 6 Ways to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce your Risk of Tearing

Your bladder plays a huge role in labor! If it is full, it is taking up valuable space that baby needs to continue their descent down and out. You should be emptying your bladder frequently during labor—and that’s exactly what this episode is about! HeHe is diving into the why and when behind peeing often in labor. A 2017 study stated that postpartum hemorrhage occurs in 3% of births, but the CDC Foundation suggests that up to 70% of those may be avoidable. It’s been shared time and time again that having a full bladder can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and this episode is going to spill the beans on what you need to know! Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Episode Resources: 2017 study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28502... CDC Foundation: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/ReportfromNineMMRCs.pdf National Insitute for Children's Health Quality: https://nichq.org/insight/taking-leading-cause-maternal-death-improving-postpartum-hemorrhage-care EBB: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/ Maternal Mortality Review Information App: https://reviewtoaction.org/implement/getting-started ACOG: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2017/10/postpartum-hemorrhage ACOG Expansion: https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2017/09/acog-expands-recommendations-to-treat-postpartum-hemorrhage

Today's episode is with a guest who is well-versed on mom shaming and bullying in online spaces-- Taylor Kulik, a holistic sleep and parenting educator! Taylor always meets online criticism with kindness and compassion-- a skill that many of us could use some practice with! Join HeHe & Taylor as they chat about how the way you were parented, your inner dialogue and your past traumas impact the way you respond and show up in online spaces! We also dive into how to protect your mental health and set boundaries when in mom groups on social media! Connect with Taylor on IG Connect with HeHe on IG Join HeHe's FREE CLASS that shares How to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce Tearing in Labor here! Grab your copy of HeHe's Newborn Sleep Solutions Guide -- a guide to better sleep in the first 8-16 weeks after birth!

I've been recently getting more and more calls from moms who have a freezer full of pumped breastmilk and don't know what to do with it! If that's you, this is a must-listen episode! Join The Birth Lounge Connect with HeHe on IG Data: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33098117/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572138/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7926441/ CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/faq.html#:~:text=Breast%20milk%20can%20be%20stored%20in%20the%20freezer%20(at%200,within%206%20months%20is%20best. Freeze Dried Breastmilk Companies: https://itsmyleche.com https://milkify.me https://boobyfood.com https://mothership-milk.com/products/freeze-dry-your-breast-milk Sign up for a 1:1 consult for infant feeding support!

Today's episode is featuring Lara Proud, RN, who is joining HeHe to discuss the signs + symptoms of Mastitis, what professionals can help & what options you have for remedying it! We also dive into preventative measures and what to consider when it comes to antibiotic use with Mastitis! Lara’s Bio: Beyond The Bump was started when Lara Proud went on maternity leave with her son in 2018. As a Registered Nurse, Lara was blown away by the lack of local resources for prenatal classes, postpartum support, and didn’t want anyone else to have to struggle like she did with breastfeeding. Beyond The Bump is located on the East Coast of Canada in Fredericton, New Brunswick serving all across Canada virtually and in-person locally. Her biggest goal is to empower parents in their decisions surrounding all things birth and parenting and help them feel prepared and supported along the way! Connect with Lara on IG Connect with HeHe on IG Join HeHe’s FREE CLASS that shares How to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce Tearing in Labor here! Resources: ACOG: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2021/02/breastfeeding-challenges Breastfeeding Medicine: https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20Protocol%20%2336.pdf Le Leche League: https://lllusa.org/mastitis-updated-la-leche-league-usa-resource-page/

This episode dives into the what it takes to be an exclusively pumping parent-- the mental load, the time, the commitment, all of it! Jacquie Ciccione, RN & CLC, joins HeHe to dive into how to know if you are using the correct flange size, what are common issues that arise when someone exclusively pumps and so much more! Jacquie's Bio: My name is Jacquie Ciccone. I am a wife, mom, registered nurse, and certified lactation counselor. After giving birth to my son and having several struggles, I became fascinated with breastfeeding. I ended up exclusively pumping for a year, so I’m passionate about breast pumps and pumping. I am determined to help close the gap between lactating mothers and breast pumps. I now offer 1:1 pumping consultations to improve their experience and increase the likelihood of success. I consider pumping a sport and an entirely new set of breastfeeding skills. I will be offering group counseling for pumping moms starting in July that I’m very excited about! I stay updated with the latest research and advancements in lactation counseling and breast pumps, ensuring I can provide my clients with the most current and evidence-based support. Join The Birth Lounge! Links/Tools Mentioned in episode: Nipple Ruler https://sarahwellsbags.com/collections/hands-free-pumping-bra https://thedairyfairy.com/ https://www.loveandfit.com/collections/nursing-bras Connect with Jacquie on IG Work with Jacquie: https://pumpedupmama.com/ Connect with HeHe on IG Work 1:1 with HeHe & The TBH Team on Breastfeeding, formula feeding or bottle feeding

Anyone else TIRED of the age old debate about baby feeding?! Fed is best?! Breast is best?! In today’s episode, HeHe sits down with Mallory Whitmore, The Formula Mom & Education Lead from Bobbie, a formula company working their tails off to create a product as similar to breastmilk as possible. They’re diving into all the things you need to know to choose the best formula for your baby! Our team is always 100% supportive of our clients' feeding goals and Bobbie is the formula we stand behind. Not only do we dive into the components needed to nourish your baby but we also dive into lactose intolerance… We also dive into how to use formula in conjunction with breastfeeding. Mallory's Bio: Mallory is a mom of 2, educator, advocate, and certified infant feeding tech. She's the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform that helps new parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions-- without guilt or shame! She can be found on Instagram @theformulamom or behind the scenes leading education for @Bobbie. Find Bobbie formula here: https://www.hibobbie.com/ Join The Birth Lounge here! Check out our FREE CLASS >> 6 Ways to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce your Risk of Tearing

Have you heard of Hand Expression? Do you know how to do it? It can be a very beneficial skill to have in the first few days after your baby is born to collect colostrum (or even before labor to harvest colostrum to take with you to the hospital— ask your provider more details about this)!Knowing how to properly hand express is a very handy skill to have with you when you need it! Join Sarah Gregory, IBCLC, and HeHe on todays episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast! Connect with Sarah on IG Connect with HeHe on IG Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com

Gina Mostly, IBCLC, joins HeHe to chat about colostrum harvesting, why telling someone their milk needs to ‘come in’ is bad advice and how to properly support your newborns feeding goals while you’re still in the hospital after birth! We also dive into how to hand express and the tools that can make that easier! Gina explains how your body begins prepping to feed your baby in the second trimester, but sometimes hospital policies or things that happen in birth can disrupt this bodily process + what to do about it if your goal is to nurse your baby! She also shares tips for you to take with you to the hospital and begin building a strong breastmilk supply from day 1! Gina's bio: Gina is an IBCLC, Mother of 5 (including twins), prior military and current mil-spouse. My main areas of focus in lactation are prenatal education, TOTs, oral rehabilitation and pumping aside from breastfeeding basics! Connect with Gina on IG Join The Birth Lounge! Join the Dad Daze Course! Resources: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/breastfeeding/colostrum-is-superfood-for-your-newborn/

In today’s episode, HeHe sits down with Lo Nigrosh, an IBCLC, to dive into what you need to know about hospital provided lactation support vs private lactation support! Lo is breaking down how to hire an IBCLC, why you may want to explore this option *before* your baby gets here, what to do if you are getting conflicting lactation advice and how hospital culture impacts the care you may be given in the hospital. We also dive into how your nurses own lactation and feeding journey with their baby impacts their lactation support they give to you! Guest Bio: Lo Nigrosh lives in Athol, Ma in a log cabin on 5 acres with her husband Max, 2 children, 1 dog and 2 cats. It was her own intense struggle to breastfeed her oldest that led her to birth and lactation work, but it was listening to the struggles of so many others that has kept her here. As an IBCLC she focuses on helping each client feel proud of every ounce they make, and to recognize each hurdle they unfairly faced. The Milk Making Minutes Podcast explores baby feeding struggles and triumphs through the lens of systemic medical and cultural barriers so that you understands that your body did not fail and your successes really are the miracles you felt they were. Connect with Lo in IG https://www.instagram.com/lonigrosh_ibclc_podcast_host/ Join The Birth Lounge! https://www.thebirthlounge.com In-Person Childbirth Education, Boston MA: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/cbe-baby-booty

In this episode, HeHe answers some questions from our listeners! Tune in to hear HeHe’s advice on breastfeeding while pregnant, induction, dissecting your previous birth, anemia, iron infusions and supplements, VBAC, TOLAC, and and using breastmilk as a remedy for Pink Eye! Below are the questions HeHe answered AND the resources mentioned!: 2:59 - “I’m two days past my due date with my second child. My first was induced at 42 weeks and it led to a c-section. I’m being urged to induce at 41 weeks now and I’d love your thoughts on this.” Grab the Induction Cheat sheet HeHe mentioned here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/induction 1:1 consult: https://stan.store/TranquilityByHeHe/p/book-your-11-call-with-me-6uk9a 8:31 - “What do you think about an Iron infusion? Levels have dropped a bit and the midwife practice recommended one but I’m not sure of the pros and cons.” 14:35 - Breastfeeding and Getting Pregnant: “Do you have any content on getting pregnant while breastfeeding? I am breastfeeding my toddler and don’t have a period but I want to start trying. I also don’t want to wean.” 15:53 - Check out episode 229 with Jessie Brebner all about Tracking Your Fertility Using Cervical Mucus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baWmrqzyvvM&feature=youtu.be 16:04 - For more about Fertility Awareness Method check out episode 230 with Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: https://youtu.be/W580-E2HYC8?si=LqUIrt52eDNFfNPa 18:01 - using breastmilk for pink eye American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend breastmilk as a remedy. 19:20- check out our episode about donor milk with Sterling Grey-Simmons here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eExkweNQg8M 21:21 - Failed induction: “I had a failed induction. I was dilated to four centimeters for four days until I just gave up and got a C-section. I’m very sad about it and am wondering what are some things that I could have done differently. I was induced because my baby was measuring too big at 37 weeks. My baby was born at 7lb 14oz and I’m actually still mourning the birth that I wasted and I got everything I didn’t want. Also, the Pitocin was already on 30.” Grab the pitocin cheat sheet here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin 29:47 - VBAC: “I’m looking for information about VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and TOLAC (trial of labor after cesarean) with induction. First baby was a c-section and they were breech. I couldn’t find a provider who would attend a vaginal delivery. [My] provider is vbac supportive but will not let me go past 40 weeks due to my age of 39. I’m worried about induction and the chance of an “emergency c-section” and overall safety of TOLAC with induction. Thanks” Links: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience! Connect with HeHe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/ VBAC: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-113-the-evidence-on-vbac/ https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijgo.14159 Iron: Desiccated Liver Supplement that HeHe takes https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-intravenous-iron-supplementation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173188/ https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-020-03363-3 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2786031 https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2021/08/anemia-in-pregnancy ACOG video: https://www.acog.org/education-and-events/webinars/district-ix-iron-deficiency-anemia-in-pregnancy Ovulation Prediction Kits Breastmilk as remedy for Pink Eye: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33098117/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572138/ Join The Birth Lounge Induction Freebie Pitocin Freebie VBAC: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-113-the-evidence-on-vbac/ https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijgo.14159 Iron: Desiccated Liver Supplement that HeHe takes https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14571-intravenous-iron-supplementation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7173188/ https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-020-03363-3 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2786031 https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2021/08/anemia-in-pregnancy ACOG video: https://www.acog.org/education-and-events/webinars/district-ix-iron-deficiency-anemia-in-pregnancy Ovulation Prediction Kits Breastmilk as remedy for Pink Eye: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33098117/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572138/

In today’s episode, HeHe is joined by Embryologist, Alease Barnes, to discuss an ovulation- which simply means you aren’t ovulating as expected! You will hear the reasons why this occurs in some women, how to determine if you may not be ovulating, how it impacts fertility and what to do about it! Alease shares the data around ovulation prediction kits and how to properly use them when TTC! Guest Bio: Alease Barnes is an accomplished Embryologist, educator and content creator. After obtaining her Bachelor's degree in Genetics from North Carolina State University, she has established herself as a skilled embryologist in the field of reproductive medicine. In addition to her hands-on work in the IVF lab, Alease is a passionate educator and content creator, leveraging her extensive knowledge to educate and advocate for fertility awareness. With a strong presence on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, she has amassed a significant following and actively strives to empower individuals on their infertility journey by dispelling misinformation and providing support. Connect with Alease on IG (@alease_the_embryologist) Connect with HeHe on IG Join The Birth Lounge Save $10 on your Temp Drop Wearable Thermometer with code: FRIEND-4B3HG7P

I know tearing in in birth is on your mind-- and something even scarier than tearing is having to have an episiotomy during labor! So, that's exactly what we are diving into on today's episode! HeHe is joined by Dr K, Pregnancy Specialist, to discuss everything you need to know about episiotomies! While no one wants it to be done to them, it is sometimes needed (but, not often AT ALL) and I want you to know the questions to ask to advocate for yourself if you end up being the rare case that calls for one! Dr. K's Bio: Dr. K earned her doctorate of medicine from the University of Miami in Miami, Florida. She completed a residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Winthrop University Hospital in New York and a Fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the joint program sponsored by the Perinatology Research Branch of the National Institute of Health, Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan. Currently, she works in the midwest of the United States of America. Dr. K has special interests in risk prevention & reduction for pregnant mothers, diagnosing and managing birth defects for children in the womb and encouraging healthy practices after childbirth, such as breastfeeding. She has a panache for clear, non-alarmist communication of complex ideas. Dr. K has published in high-impact peer-reviewed Obstetric Journals. She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. “I am a wife and mom; I welcomed my first child in fall 2020, during the COVID-19/Pandemic. I am zealous to share helpful insights and advice on all things related to pregnancy and motherhood. I believe my work as a physician is a personal assignment from God. Connect with Dr. K on IG! Join The Birth Lounge! Connect with HeHe on IG! Freebie: Questions to ask your provider Links mentioned: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2018/09/prevention-and-management-of-obstetric-lacerations-at-vaginal-delivery https://www.leapfroggroup.org

What do you know about blood sugars? Are you aware of the risks associated with high blood sugars? What about low blood sugar? Did you know that irritability is associated with out of balance blood sugars? Your blood sugars play a huge role when trying to conceive and in pregnancy! Join HeHe and Becca Romero to dive into what you need to know about balancing your blood sugars including symptoms of imbalanced blood sugars, foods that support healthy blood sugars and how blood sugar can impact egg quality! Bio: Becca Romero is the founder of Little Life Nutrition, an online fertility nutrition practice. Becca is a licenced dietitian nutritionist and a certified nutrition specialist. With a specialized focus on addressing infertility, she offers personalized dietary and lifestyle solutions, including menstrual cycle education for women aiming to enhance their conception potential and ensure the birth of a healthy baby. She is driven by the philosophy that optimal preconception nutrition and lifestyle can shape the well-being of generations to come. Join The Birth Lounge! Connect with Becca on IG Work with Becca HeHe's fave organic lube for TTC & Pregnancy, use code HEHE15 for 15% off

In today’s episode, HeHe is joined by Dr. Samanthan Briguglio, a naturopathic doctor, to discuss how our caffeine consumption may be negatively impacting our hormones, what that does to our bodily systems and how we can effectively curb bad habits that have formed over the years! HeHe even shares about the bad coffee habits she struggles with and what steps she is taking to better support her hormonal health! Bio: Samantha Briguglio started Walk the Natural Path Women's Health and Fertility Care because of her passion for helping women achieve their wellness and/or fertility goals! As an ND, she is licensed to treat – and teach – patients from a mindset of natural healing that treats the root cause of symptoms! Dr. B focuses in hormonal balancing and fertility support. Join The Birth Lounge! Connect with Dr. B Work with Dr. B HeHe’s favorite magnesium lotion, use code HEHE10 for 10% off

In today's episode, HeHe sits down with homebirth Midwife, Blyss Young, to talk about understanding if you are a candidate for homebirth. Blyss shares what type of care homebirth midwives do and how it may differ from what you find in the hospital or a birth center environment. We dive into the power that comes along with tapping into your instincts and spiritual experience of homebirth, plus how to know when youre not a good candidate for homebirth! Does having a high-risk pregnancy automatically rule you out of being a candidate for homebirth? Tune in to hear HeHe & Blyss answers all your questions! Bio: Blyss Young, LM CPM, is a home birth midwife, childbirth educator, placenta encapsulator and natural birth and family consultant. Through her guidance and love centered approach she supports families to birth in the ways that they feel most empowered. She is a firm believer in intuition, the sacredness and ritual of birth and the power of autonomy in birth. She has studied with both Dr. Stu Fischbein (LA's only home birth obstetrician) and many skilled midwives. She has been fortunate to learn the art of midwifery in addition to the unique skills of delivering Breech, Twins and VBACs. At the heart of all of her work is a deeply rooted belief in the brilliant design of the human body and the symbiotic relationship between baby and parent. She continues to strive to support the sacredness of birth as a rite of passage, in the hopes to resurrect lost traditions that can bring connection to our high tech low touch lives. Join The Birth Lounge! Connect with Blyss: https://www.birthingblyss.com/ Listen to Episode 182: Is Homebirth Safer Than Hospital Birth? Listen to Episode 142: The Beginning of Homebirth Thrive Training Institute CPR course, use code HEHE10 for $10 off your purchase

In today's episode, HeHe sits down with Allison Yarrow to discuss her new book, 'Birth Control: The Insidious Power of Men Over Motherhood.' What happens when hospital culture is rooted in tradition and not evidence? How does it impact patient care when incentives are set up to reward providers for doing expensive surgeries and seeing as many patients as possible, but theres no incentive for supporting unmedicated, biological labor and meeting patients where they’re at in this journey? What happens when a system that is designed to be FOR PROFIT is faced with the decision profits or people— and, they can only choose one? Join us to discuss how the hospital system was designed to produce specific results and how that may affect your labor experience! Join The Birth Lounge! Connect with Ali: https://allisonyarrow.com/ Order Birth Control: The Insidious Power of Men Over Motherhood Bio: Allison Yarrow is an award-winning journalist, speaker, and author of 90s Bitch: Media, Culture, and the Failed Promise of Gender Equality (Harper Perennial, 2018), finalist for the Los Angeles Press Club book award, and Birth Control: The Insidious Power of Men Over Motherhood (Hachette/Seal Press, July 2023). She has written about health, politics, and gender for many publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Vox, Insider, USA Today, Time, and Newsweek. She was a national magazine award finalist, a TED resident, an Aspen Ideas Festival fellow, and a grantee of the International Women’s Media Foundation. She produced the award-winning Vice News documentary “Misconception,” and gave a TED talk called “What to Expect Post-Expecting.”

Is your period your fifth vital sign? Have we been taught to ignore a very insightful patterns and messages from our bodies? Has traditional birth control inhibited young women from properly learning their bodies? Today, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack sits down with HeHe to talk about optimizing your fertility with Fertility Awareness Method. Lisa shares how traditional birth control impacts the female libido, emotional states and the risks that many of us are never told about! She also shares how you can become familiar with your bodies patterns and relearn your menstrual cycle to improve your overall health and feel confident in your reproductive health decisions! Join The Birth Lounge! Connect with Lisa: https://fertilityfriday.com/ Grab your Temp Drop and save $10 with code FRIEND-4B3HG7P

Welcome to 2024! This year's podcast is being aired twice weekly! We get to have twice as much fun each week and chat with twice as many brilliant people to help you have a confident and informed birth experience! This season is about helping you avoid things you don't want in labor, advocate for your goals and take back your power! HeHe sits down with Jessie Brebner to dive into the subject of using cervical mucus as a way to track your fertility. Whether you are trying for a baby right now, or trying not to have a baby, this episode is for you! Our cervical mucus is constantly changing and those changes tell us a lot about what is happening in your body and with your fertility. Jessie shares how to learn your patterns and how to accurately identify your fertile window! Plus she dives into knowing the best times to time the deed based on your goals-- to make or not make a baby! Join The Birth Lounge Connect with Jessie: https://fertilitycharting.com.au/ Save $10 on your Temp Drop Wearable Thermometer: FRIEND-4B3HG7P

How much does your partner know about your menstrual cycle? How much consideration of your period do you take when planning your monthly schedule? Author of the book, Manstration, Alyx Coble-Frakes is joining me to talk about how to become a 'cycle scientist' to make your cycle work for you! We talk about how to bring your partner into this conversation, using a period planner and how legislation muddles things. *This episode contains strong language! Bio: Alyx Coble-Frakes is a passionate social entrepreneur. She has 10 years of experience in business, and 8 years of experience working in health and wellness. When she returned from the Peace Corps in 2015, she felt out of touch with her own health, so she began a path of healing. This led her to launch a health coaching company, and subsequently The Agenda. She has recently authored a book called “Manstruation” which is opening up conversations around periods with men. The Agenda: https://www.theagendaperiod.com/ Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/

Giving birth in a U.S. hospital can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be—especially with Dr. Nicole Rankins in your corner. I am honored to have an an Obstetrician that truly values patient autonomy and shared decision making with her patients to help them have an empowered birth experience and avoid birth trauma! We are discussing all of the pain relief options in the hospital (yes, epidurals! But so many other options too!) plus everything you need to know about each option to make an informed decision about coping with the sensations of labor! Our Guest: Dr. Nicole is a Duke University-trained, board-certified, practicing OB/GYN and mom of two who empowers first-time moms to have the beautiful birth experience they deserve. Over her 20 year career, she’s helped more than 1,000 babies into this world, and is a proud HBCU grad (Spelman College & North Carolina A&T State University). Her popular podcast, All About Pregnancy & Birth, is a top 50 parenting podcast with over 1.5 million downloads. Find the latest episodes here! Join The Birth Lounge here for judgement free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Casey Lewis is a NICU Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Neonatal Therapist & Certified Lactation Counselor who experienced placental abruption that led to an emergency c-section and in an unexpected twist, she found herself receiving care as NICU parent rather than giving care as a clinician. In today’s episode, she shares the physical and emotional demands of your baby being in the NICU, tips for coping and how to effectively communicate with medical staff about your preferences for your baby’s care. She also tells her birth story and how she knew something was wrong. This is such an informative episode that makes NICU parents feel seen and non-NICU parents feel prepared. SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram Connect with Casey on IG BIRTH EDUCATION: Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience. Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress. And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor. Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way. Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum evidence based articles you can use anytime, anywhere.

Have you ever thought about how birth trauma impacts your partner? Or, how that subsequently impacts your relationship? Your intimacy? Your postpartum experience? What if you feel like your partner even played a role in your birth trauma? Ashley Mariani joins me to today to chat about how to identify if your birth trauma is impacting your relationship with your partner and how to navigate this space with the goal of reuniting. We dive into emotional attainment, effective communication in postpartum and how to deal with the mental load of birth trauma. A don't miss episode for anyone who is struggling with birth trauma after birth and wondering if this is your new normal. Bio: Ashley Mariani is a registered social worker specializing in couples perinatal mental, emotional and sexual health, while also fiercely advocating against obstetric violence. She has seen the implications of birth traumas impact on the mental, emotional and sexual lives of couples and strives to help couples and individuals in prevention and resilience building. Ashley’s academic background includes degrees in sexuality, counseling, individual and couples work. The lens she works most passionately from is rooted in the body’s innate wisdom, the nervous system. Ashley works with her clients from a holistic framework that utilizes, movement, nutrition, plant medicine, vagus nerve toning, and functional medicine. Ashley is also a mother to three free spirited children, including twins. The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Connect with Ashley: https://mindonline.ca/ Ashley's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therogue.therapist/

Today’s guest, Dr. Q, is joining me to discuss pain in labor! Everyone wants to have a pain free birth, but something always left out of the conversation is our individual PERCEPTION of pain! Dr. Q is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, childbirth educator and postpartum doula! She specializes in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and conditions that affect the bladder, bowel, and reproductive systems. This episode will help you have a deeper look at the neuroscience behind pain! Dr. Q will teach us how your perception of pain can impact your labor, how medications (pain relief meds + labor augmentation meds) impact your pelvic floor and how you can learn to work with your body in terms of the fear-pain-tension cycle to have your best birth! The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Connect with Dr. Q: drqdpt.com

Today’s guest, Dr. Q, is joining me to discuss pain in labor! Everyone wants to have a pain free birth, but something always left out of the conversation is our individual PERCEPTION of pain! Dr. Q is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, childbirth educator and postpartum doula! She specializes in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction and conditions that affect the bladder, bowel, and reproductive systems. This episode will help you have a deeper look at the neuroscience behind pain! Dr. Q will teach us about qualifying vs quantifying pain and the different types of pain + what they are telling us! The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Connect with Dr. Q: drqdpt.com

Have you ever thought about using donor milk? Did you know it was an option? Do you know where you can donate? How do you sign up to be a milk bank recipient? How do you know if you are eligible? Are there benefits to donor milk? This episode will help your options when it comes to donor milk! Sterling shares what parents need to know and how to navigate the milk bank system to best advocate for yourself and your baby. We will talk about the many processes and paperwork involved in being, both, a donor and a recipient. Sterling is a full spectrum doula and certified lactation specialist— not to mention she has breastfed 3 babies of her own! She also serves parents in-person around the Metro Atlanta area and offers virtual services otherwise. The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Home Visits with Sterling Virtual Meetings with Sterling Digital Breastfeeding Training Educational Breastfeeding Coloring Book

Did you know there is an app that can help reduce the risk of stillbirth in the end of pregnancy? I know a big fear of many moms out there is how to know if your baby is healthy as your pregnancy gets closer to your due date (and even beyond your due date). You can easily add in an evidence-baed approach of daily kick counts to your routine to check-in on baby's well-being. Joining me today is Emily Price, the CEO of Count the Kicks, to discuss stillbirth rates in the US, why there are such racial disparities and risk factors you need to know about. Most importantly, we will dive into the common myths around stillbirth and what not to do if you think your baby's movements have reduced compared to their normal patterns! Count the Kicks has a public health campaign that educates and empowers expectant parents to track their babies' movements in the third trimester of pregnancy. The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Count the Kicks: https://countthekicks.org/

The most dangerous time in pregnancy is actually postpartum; particularly, days 43-365. Postpartum Mood Disorders can be serious, resulting in harmful or dangerous behaviors and thoughts. However, there are a number of evidence-based options to help support new parents and families in this transitional time. Dr. William Leininger, OBGYN, is joining us to discuss the options around postpartum anxiety, depression, and other mood challenges that may arise after having a baby. We dive into the non-pharmacological options, the holistic and lifestyle options and the taboo options. This episode will also include information about the new postpartum medications zuranolone, and what you need to know! The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com Patients and Supports Teams: National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) --has translators for 60 languages Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org) – 988 English and Spanish Crisis Text Line (crisistextline.org): Text “HOME” to 741-741 Postpartum Support International - https://www.postpartum.net Mother to Baby – Information about Medications in Pregnancy and Lactation https://mothertobaby.org/ National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, NIHhttps://www.nccih.nih.gov/ BUMPS – Best Uses of Medicine in Pregnancy – UK https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/ NIH Medical Information Search site – medlineplus.gov Professionals ACOG Perinatal Mental Health Resources https://www.acog.org/about/leadership-and-governance/board-of- directors/iffath-a-hoskins-md/minding-mental-health Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance - https://www.mmhla.org/ Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health - https://www.2020mom.org/ National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, NIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/ Regional Organization – Roanoke, VA - https://www.huddleupmoms.org State Organization – Massachusetts - https://www.mcpapformoms.org

Reflux in babies can be challenging and overwhelming. There are so many questions that parents have and very little places to turn for answers. What causes it? How do you know if your baby is experiencing normal spit up or reflux? What is silent reflux and what causes it? Does burping after feed help or hinder reflux? What remedies exist? How do you settle your reflux baby in those long hours of crying fits and discomfort? Aine Homer joins us today to discuss everything you need to know about baby reflux, evidence-based resources and how to get answers for your family! Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com (Doors are only open September 4th-9th!) Aine’s website: https://www.thebabyrefluxlady.co.uk Resources: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acid-reflux-gastroesophageal-reflux-in-babies-beyond-the-basics https://llli.org/why-infant-reflux-matters/ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/GERD-Reflux.aspx https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/gerd

It’s no secret that the healthcare system is a profit-driven industry that needs an immediate overhaul to improve patient outcomes and start centering patient preferences. We all know that many hospital practices aren’t evidence-based but rather designed to move the bottom line, financially, for the institution. Billie Harrigan is a Traditional Birth Companion and owner of Birth Trauma Ontario in Canada who has been serving families for over 40 years. With extensive international experience, Billie understands the complexities of modern maternity services and the pervasive issues that contribute to birth-related trauma and negative outcomes. Today’s conversation will challenge your assumptions of the medical system and push you to expand the perspectives in which you see the delivery of healthcare in the US & Canada by discussing common tactics used by cults and the resemblance of hospital care. We dive into the impact of non-trauma-informed care on patients’ short-term and long-term well-being. Buckle up because this episode is like nothing else you’ve ever experienced! The Birth Lounge doors are open!!! Join here: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/join Billie’s Traditional Birth Companion Program: https://billieharrigan.com/becoming-a-traditional-birth-companion Is hospital care actually evidence based? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3241518/ The System Isn’t Broken: https://billieharrigan.com/blog/2019/11/6/the-system-isnt-broken-but-its-people-are

Season Opener!!! This episode is jam packed with data and discussion points to help you have an informed conversation around finding your perfect induction equation so you can have a positive induction experience! The choice to be induced is a very personal one and one that should be made very intentionally. This episode dives into 4 options of induction that you probably have never heard of! These options can help decrease your risk for cesarean and reduce the need for additional interventions! The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com Induction Equation Video: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/induction-equation Induction Cheat Sheet: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/induction Oral Miso: https://www.cochrane.org/CD001338/PREG_oral-misoprostol-induction-labour Outpatient Ripeners: https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(22)00798-0/fulltext?dgcid=raven_jbs_aip_email https://www.obgproject.com/2023/05/10/outpatient-labor-induction-with-misoprostol-impact-on-length-of-stay-and-vaginal-delivery-rates/?mc_cid=83f577ac38&mc_eid=854ebe014b https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7027046/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519220302845 Melatonin: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/10/12/3252 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2019.00616/full https://www.cochrane.org/CD010527/PREG_giving-melatonin-women-pregnancy-protect-babys-brain-and-improve-long-term-outcomes-baby https://grantome.com/grant/NIH/R21-HD086392-01 (Brigham & Women’s Hospital) https://fetalmedicine.org/abstracts/2022/var/pdf/abstracts/2022/03846.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34058776/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7044825/ EPO: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-evening-primrose-oil-epo/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876382022000257 https://brieflands.com/articles/fga-130352.html

The truth is-- unbiased care does not exist. If everyone from your doctor to your mom to the stranger in the super market has biases, what are you supposed to do? Plus, do those biases increase your risk of experiencing birth trauma? This episode will tell you exactly why it's important to be able to spot bias and what to do with it if you encounter provider bias that is impacting your care. I also share tips to reducing your risk of birth trauma. Questions to ask your provider: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Interviewing-Providers The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Work with me: https://www.tranquilitybyhehe.com/

Unnecessareans (Unnecessary c-sections) are on the rise in America and for many reasons! So many women prepare for labor from a place of wanting to avoid a c-section but fail to understand what actually CAUSES unnecessary cesareans! Without understanding WHAT causes them, it will be very hard to implement HOW to actually avoid one! There are things you can do, decisions you can make and conversations you can have that will mitigate your risk of unnecessary intervention and allow you to avoid having a cesarean birth when that is not your plan! This episode will teach you the three most influential things you can do to avoid an unnecessarean! Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/join Sources for this episode: Spontaneous Labor: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/215/4538/1396 https://www.ejog.org/article/S0301-2115(98)00058-X/abstract https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0137188 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1948087/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26776817/ https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2013/11/definition-of-term-pregnancy https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/when-pregnancy-goes-past-your-due-date https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2014/03/safe-prevention-of-the-primary-cesarean-delivery https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2020/01/macrosomia Labor at home: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/american-obstetrics-in-the-1950s/ https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2019/02/approaches-to-limit-intervention-during-labor-and-birth https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2014/03/safe-prevention-of-the-primary-cesarean-delivery https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3660040/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595201/ Failure to Progress: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2014/03/safe-prevention-of-the-primary-cesarean-delivery https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010088.pub3/full https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/obstetric-care-consensus/articles/2014/03/safe-prevention-of-the-primary-cesarean-delivery

HeHe and Deb connect to discuss the Mind-Body Connection and its' impact in labor'. The importance of movement in pregnancy How that builds a mind-body connection What that connection means for your labor experience Yoga can feel intimidating if you have never done it before --Deb shares the best ways to ease yourself into a practice that will benefit you and your baby plus help you have a smoother labor! Follow Along with Deb: Prenatal Yoga Center Yoga | Birth | Babies Podcast Instagram More About Deb: Deb Flashenberg (CD(DONA), LCCE, E-RYT 500, RPYT, YACEP) is the director of The Prenatal Yoga Center in NY and host of the Yoga | Birth | Babies Podcast. Drawing on her experience as a prenatal yoga teacher, labor support doula, childbirth educator and mother, Deb hopes to support the pregnant person with functional yoga asana to create a functional birth and ease into parenthood feeling empowered and honored on this sacred journey of birth and beyond.

HeHe sits down with Nurse Beckie to discuss: Trauma informed breastfeeding support in the hospital How to have your breastfeeding goals heard and respected in the hospital How to best set yourself up for a successful breastfeeding journey Connect with Nurse Beckie at @nursebeckie_ on Instagram or on her website at www.bestfeedinglc.com

Jen Kamel is the CEO and Founder of VBAC Facts® whose mission is to increase access to vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) through education, legislation, and amplifying the consumer voice. VBAC Facts® helps perinatal professionals, and cesarean parents, achieve clarity on the VBAC evidence through their educational courses, continuing education training programs, and consulting services. As an internationally recognized consumer advocate, Jen supports perinatal professionals around the world through her online professional membership, travels throughout the United States training perinatal professionals, presents Grand Rounds at hospitals, and works as a legislative consultant throughout the US focusing on midwifery legislation and regulations that threaten VBAC access. Over the years she has testified multiple times in front of the California Medical Board and legislative committees, educating legislators on the importance of VBAC access, and has served as an expert witness and consultant in legal proceedings. VBAC Facts® envisions a time when every pregnant person seeking VBAC has access to unbiased information, respectful providers, and community support so they can plan the birth of their choosing in the setting they desire. Special Offer: 15% off courses for parents and professionals using coupon code BirthLounge at checkout. Go to vbacfacts.com/courses to enroll. Follow along with Jen: https://vbacfacts.com

Episode 2 of 2 with Julia Karol. Today we hear from Julia ALL about her birth! This is an amazing birth story you won't want to miss. Julia Karol is building a family. Along the way, she is asking anyone and everyone about how they came to make the decisions they did regarding family life. She's opening up an honest, funny, raw, and earnest conversation looking at what creating a family really means and how it might show up differently than expected. Join Julia as she explores the concept of today’s modern family. Episodes feature everyday friends, family, neighbors, and experts sharing their own journey to define and create a family. Julia's Website: www.storkdpodcast.com

Sit down and get cozy! This solo episode with HeHe Stewart dives into the glaring issues with in-hospital childbirth education. So before you sign up for your local hospitals class, make sure to give this one a listen! If you are listening along with us live during the first week of December, be sure to catch The Birth Lounge while doors are open HERE! Link mentioned in episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3241518/

Julia Karol is building a family. Along the way, she is asking anyone and everyone about how they came to make the decisions they did regarding family life. She's opening up an honest, funny, raw, and earnest conversation looking at what creating a family really means and how it might show up differently than expected. Join Julia as she explores the concept of today’s modern family. Episodes feature everyday friends, family, neighbors, and experts sharing their own journey to define and create a family. Julia's Website: www.storkdpodcast.com

Erika is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Massachusetts. She completed her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at Regis College in Weston, MA, and she also received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brandeis University. She has a diverse background working with infants, children and teens in school-based settings, early intervention, and private practice. Erika has trainings in tethered oral tissues, Michelle Emmanuel's Tummy Time! Method, visual-vestibular techniques, reflex integration, feeding, and oral motor skills. Additionally, she is trained in Handwriting without Tears. Erika lives on the North Shore of Massachusetts. She is the mother to Jordan (3) and Lila (infant). In her spare time, she enjoys playing outside with her children, jogging, watching Boston sports and meditating. Erika is a level I Reiki practitioner.

Today HeHe is sitting down with Malia Funk of The POV. Covering everything you need to know about using this FemTech tool to find a provider that you want and deserve. The POV is a curated marketplace of modern healthcare offerings designed for women+. Our goal is to help women and uterus-owners choose the best care option available. Follow along with POV: Thepov.us

How young is too young? The benefits of chiro care, babywearing, the impacts of vaginal vs c section delivery on musculoskeletal structure and development, oral ties and tethers, and how to find a pediatric chiropractor in your area! Dr. Ashtiani is the owner and treating chiropractor at Essence Chiropractic & Wellness located in San Antonio, Texas. Chiropractors focus on the structure and condition of the body influences and body functions and its ability to heal itself. The mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. Dr. A specializes in pediatric and the perinatal period. www.essence-chiro.com

Melissa Chappell, LDEM, CPM is a midwife and owner of two birth centers in Utah, as well as a doula trainer of over 20 years. She is passionate about women’s health from a holistic and nourishing perspective, and advocates for women’s wellness in all areas of their lives. She has worked with midwives and birthing women all over the world, including in Haiti, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and loves seeing how women’s lives improve with access to safe and effective midwifery care. She’s the owner of Fresh Melissa, a company dedicated to creating tasty treats that are also healthy. She is the mother of 4 children and 3 grandchildren that she adores. In between catching babies, Melissa loves to explore as much of the world as she can – from international travel to exploring the mountains in her backyard.

Melissa Chappell, LDEM, CPM is a midwife and owner of two birth centers in Utah, as well as a doula trainer of over 20 years. She is passionate about women’s health from a holistic and nourishing perspective, and advocates for women’s wellness in all areas of their lives. She has worked with midwives and birthing women all over the world, including in Haiti, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and loves seeing how women’s lives improve with access to safe and effective midwifery care. She’s the owner of Fresh Melissa, a company dedicated to creating tasty treats that are also healthy. She is the mother of 4 children and 3 grandchildren that she adores. In between catching babies, Melissa loves to explore as much of the world as she can – from international travel to exploring the mountains in her backyard.

A former communications strategist at a top public affairs firm in Baltimore, Maryland, Cristen Pascucci is the founder of Birth Monopoly and Birth Monopoly's Doula Power group, co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project, and, from 2012 to 2016, vice president of national advocacy organization Improving Birth. She has run an emergency hotline for women facing threats to their legal rights in childbirth, created a viral consumer campaign to “Break the Silence” on trauma and abuse in childbirth, and helped put obstetric violence and the maternity care crisis in national media. Today, she is a leading voice for women giving birth, speaking around the country and consulting privately for consumers and professionals on issues related to birth rights and options. Cristen​ ​is also the host of Birth Allowed Radio as well as executive producer of a documentary film planned for release in 2020 to start a national conversation on obstetric violence, birth trauma, and women's rights in birth. facebook.com/birthmonopoly instagram.com/birthomonopoly

As fall and winter weather approaches and we all begin reaching for those coats we are re-sharing our episode about carseat safety with Dahlia Rizk of Buckle Me Baby Coats. About Dahlia: My 3 kids, 2 cats, dog and I live in New Hampshire where winter is long and cold and like you our lives are super busy. I want my kids to be safe and warm in the winter but I found myself too tired to wrestle their winter coats off in the car seat every single trip. One day, feeling overwhelmed with all the taking the coat off - put the coat on, I thought if the zipper wasn’t in the middle this wouldn't be a problem… and I realized I had a super simple and easy fix to the winter coat problem!! Excited, I spoke with every coat manufacturer imaginable. I thought they would jump on the idea and together we would quickly get the coat out to all parents but none of them believed that coats needed to be redesigned for the car seat. They weren’t in the trenches though – I was – and I knew other parents needed car seat coats too but this was pre-social media and I didn't have a way to talk to parents directly so I focused on my growing family and going back to school and getting a degree. A few years ago on a grey depressing March day I saw a mom in a parking lot. Her daughter was screeching while wrapped in a blanket that was dragging through the slush. I looked at the moms face and she looked as tired and defeated as I felt when I thought of the coats. I knew that look and felt her pain. I thought to myself who needs the big guys Ill tell parents myself, so I had a sample made, made a video with my nephew and posted to Facebook. My post went viral - parents loved them! In a few short years Buckle Me Baby Coats has grown from shipping out of my kitchen to shipping all over the world. Outside of Buckle Me Baby Coats I'm also a mental health counselor – running a mental health private practice where I treat adults with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Follow along: www.bucklemecoats.com

THIS IS OUR 200TH EPISODE!! I can not believe that we have had 200 hang outs, 200 conversations about your rights and 200 times that you prioritized yourself and your birth so you can have a better birth! This is the way to a world that has no birth trauma and women are truly in control of their birth experiences again! Exciting news in that The Birth Lounge doors are open! They are open September 5th-9th! You can join at https://www.thebirthlounge.com/join In this episode, I will teach you how to can respectfully navigate the conversations around your birth goals and have your preferences honored! We are going to talk about declining routine cervical exams, declining an IV and continuous fetal monitoring as a low risk laborer, advocating for pushing in any other position than on your back and how to decline an unnecessary induction that does not feel aligned with you. Links mentioned in the episode: Evidence-Based Induction Guide: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/induction History of Lithotomy position: https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.77.5.636 Failure to Progress: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Failure-to-Progress-Handout.pdf Inducing for Due Dates in *NOT* evidence based: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-inducing-labor-for-going-past-your-due-date/