The Birth Lounge Podcast

With the return of The Birth Lounge podcast in 2022 - HeHe is SO excited to dive right into things with Dr. Jen Morgan. Join us as Jen explains all things prolapse! Jen Morgan is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy, who specializes in treating pelvic health conditions. As a pelvic Health physical therapist, Jen specializes in treating all dysfunctions of the pelvis, across the gender & age spectrums. Diagnoses often are related to the bowel, bladder, sexual health, pelvic pain, or musculoskeletal changes during pregnancy or postpartum; these conditions (like incontinence or pain with intercourse) may be “common” but are not normal & can be addressed! Jen has a continued commitment to patient care that is individualized and person-first. Her goal is to always have her patient’s feeling educated and empowered about their health and healing plans. Her plans of care blend hands-on techniques (including those that are self-taught), movement & breathwork to improve range of motion, gaining strength, decrease pain, and regulating the nervous system to facilitate your body’s healing. Jen has earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from A.T. Still University, completed countless hours of continuing education & has focused her efforts on being a teaching assistant for pelvic health & specialized manual techniques of visceral and neural manipulation, as well as her yoga certification (ERYT200) through yoga alliance. When not working, Jen is spending lots of time working on house projects with her husband, drinking coffee & loving on her pup. You can always follow along on Instagram @doc_jenmorgan for more of the fun.

Inside the halls of American hospitals, millions of people find comfort, healing, and support. But for many doctors and nurses, this couldn’t be further from the truth. This podcast will dive into the shadows of American healthcare to investigate and uncover the abuse, control, and political power plays that leave the very people responsible for our nation's health, broken and battered. We’re sharing stories of professionals in medicine that have experienced horrendous treatment at the hands of a broken system that does nothing to stop the trauma. As the Association of American Medical Colleges states, “Long before the #MeToo movement, women in medicine have instinctively banded together to counter a culture that too often tolerated harassment.” From systemic trauma to abuse of power to the unspoken rules of cover-ups and corruption, Mandy Irby and HeHe will take you to the darkest corners of healthcare in America so you can have an inside look at bringing humanity back to medicine! Sensitive Content Warning: This podcast will share details of triggering subjects such as sexual assault and workplace violence, so if you aren’t in a space to listen, respect your mental health and tune in again at another time. Connect with us on Instagram: @pulsecheck.podcast

Eva is a Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and is the founder of My Sleeping Baby and the Sleep Bible program. Today HeHe and Eva cover the best tips for new parents to set their babies up for sleep success in those early months. Expecting? New parent? You don't want to miss these sleep strategies! Eva’s main goal is to help her clients establish healthy sleep habits for their children. After experiencing the debilitating effects of chronic sleep deprivation from her middle child, Eva was inspired to help families overcome their sleep challenges. Eva is a proud wife and mother of two girls and a boy (who are all great sleepers) and lives with her family in Toronto. Contact: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @mysleepingbaby Eva's Free Sleep Masterclass: Sign Up Here!

In this episode, HeHe shares what she learned at the Smilo panel and how this information can help change the way we treat pacifiers as parents and caregivers. Dr. Dave Tesini shared some brilliant knowledge and HeHe is relaying it to you! She is also sharing her experience with pacifiers and what she has seen in her experience with hundreds of families, some choosing that pacifier life and some not. No judgement here, folks!

Kallista is married and is a mom of 3. She is a registered nurse and finished the lactation counselor training course through The Center for Breastfeeding. Kallista helps new moms in their journey into motherhood. From pregnancy to welcoming baby in arms and beyond, she offers education, support, as well as her own experience. In this episode we are diving into your relationship with your partner postpartum! Email: [email protected] Website: www.newmomboss.com

Brianne Taggart is a mother of three, a Registered Nurse, IBCLC Lactation Consultant, childbirth educator and Certified Educator of Infant Massage. She loves teaching and empowering families about all things babies, boobs and breastfeeding. She understands firsthand how rocky the road into parenthood can be, so she likes to make that transition as smooth as possible for the families she teaches. Follow Bri on Insta for quick tips and tricks @breezy__babies and at www.breezybabies.com to see the products she offers. Discount: https://breezybabies.com/discount/BIRTHLOUNGE will give 20% discount off anything on Bri's website.

Karena Skibinski, is an occupational therapist based in mental health, mother, and host of the “what about the mama?” podcast. Karena’s work is designed to inspire mamas to shift the focus from all about the baby to themselves (even if it’s just during the episodes), and to use self-care as a modality to rediscover their intuition. When it comes to motherhood, there's an overabundance of information, and Karena's mission is to empower mamas to not only educate themselves but to also trust their intuition as the guiding light on their motherhood journey. Through practicing self-care, mamas tap into their intuition, bringing more confidence, ease and enjoyment into their parenting. Karena strongly believes that self-care isn’t just facemasks and massages, especially as mamas; it’s also about setting boundaries and communicating your needs – although a massage is SO nice every once in a while! She enjoys trying new recipes, going on long walks, swimming, and lazy afternoons on the couch. Follow along with Karena: www.whataboutthemama.com

In today's episode, HeHe is sitting down with Ben and Jess of The Balanced Birth Couple. Ben and Jess are passionate about childbirth education and bringing fathers into the birth space. That's why they created the Balanced Families Birth Class for Couples. It has a comprehensive, balanced approach specially crafted for couples because well...ya know...it's actually taught by a couple! Follow them here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balanced.birth.couple/ Website: https://www.balancedfamilies.com/ And don't forget to check out our NEW Dad Daze course, here!

In today's episode, HeHe is sitting down with Dr. Jennifer Morgan. Jennifer is passionate about pelvic floor health. As a pelvic health physical therapist, Jennifer specializes in treating dysfunctions in the pelvis that contribute to bowel, bladder, sexual health, pain complaints, and pre- and postpartum musculoskeletal dysfunctions. Follow Jennifer here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc_jenmorgan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centralitywellness Website: https://www.centralitywellness.com/ Jennifer has offered 10% off her services with the use of the code: ‘TBH’

This episode HeHe sits down with Dr. Alyssa Berlin and dives into the parenthood and postpartum journey. Dr. Alyssa is a prenatal and postpartum clinical psychologist, childbirth educator, and doula. Dr. Alyssa specializes in helping new parents transition comfortably to parenthood. She works specifically with new parents on issues such as anxiousness and emotional fluctuation during pregnancy, postpartum mood disorders, and the lesser discussed issues that can pop up for new parents. Resources mentioned in the conversation: the AfterBirth Plan Workshop www.doctorberlin.com Dr. Alyssa's Instagram The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com

HeHe sits down with Heidi of The Birth Story Podcast to chat all about the role of the doula and why HeHe started The Birth Lounge. This episode will share with you how you can seek out the best doula to fit your birth needs.

This episode is diving deep into how we can take the time in pregnancy to prepare our bodies and muscles for a better birth and easier postpartum. Julie Leonard is the founder of Strong Body Strong Mama! She is a mama of 3 and is a Pre and Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist and holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from the University at Buffalo. She was a competitive swimmer at the national level for over 15 years including in college and the Canadian Olympic trials. She is sharing her greatest tips to help you set yourself up for easier healing after baby! Use code 'HEHE' for 20% OFF my online self-paced programs Pregnancy Power (Education, Workouts, Birth Prep) and Fourth Trimester Restore (Education, Core & Pelvic Floor Rehab, Mobility Work) www.TheBirthLounge.com

Traci is a doula in Alabama who is teaching doulas how to keep your power during birth! This episode is for all the doulas in the house that get nervous when speaking up for clients! She and I will dive into how to identify coercive care in your pregnancy and birth! Then Traci is stepping us through how to navigate the medical system and how to ensure you are getting consensual care that is supportive of your birth goals! She created the Keeping Your Power concept to help birthing family’s and others focus on the importance of the foundational belief system, communication skills, and solidifying a birthing families self-advocacy skill to receive family centered care. Keep Your Power Course: https://www.maternalinstinctsdoula.net/keepingyourpower-for-doulas.html The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com

Arielle Speigel is the co-founder of CoFertility which is a platform that aims to un-complicate the fertility journey by answering every fertility question out there with its content, resources and tools. Arielle not only has poured her heart and soul into making Co-Fertility a safe-space for anyone on the fertility journey, but she also walked her own path with fertility and she shares some the experiences with that. We dive into how the pandemic impacted fertility treatments and what people need to know going forward with the uncertainty of this pandemic! We also discuss how to navigate IVF as a partner plus how to support a friend going through IVF! www.cofertility.com Join The Birth Lounge: www.TheBirthLounge.com/waitlist

Dr. Nathan Riley, OBGYN and Palliative Care Physician who sees birth as a natural process rather than a disease process. He is dedicated to changing attitudes around birth along with the treatment of birthing women. As the host of OBGyno Wino, not only does he have on the most amazing guests, but he also breaks down the ACOG Bulletins in everyday terms so that we can all understand it! It’s great for anyone listening who is really into the hard numbers and wants to see the evidence themselves! Or any medical care providers! Nathan and his podcast have given me so much inspiration. He isn’t afraid to talk about taboo topics in hopes of raising awareness that birth can be better! Much better! He is not afraid to question the status quo and call out bad care when he sees it! In today’s episode we are addressing how you can have respectful care in pregnancy and birth while engaging in shared-decision making with your provider. We are going to reset the way you think about prenatal and labor support! Work with Nathan: www.BelovedHolistics.com Ob Gyno Wino Podcast: https://www.obgynowino.com/ Join The Birth Lounge: www.TheBirthLounge.com Fertility Rally: https://fertilityrally.com/

Marissa is mom of two, wife and registered dietitian balancing a full-time career and motherhood while striving to stay healthy & happy. She empowers women with realistic nutrition education to confidently navigate pregnancy & postpartum. Even as a registered dietitian, she struggled in the first year knowing when, what and how to properly breastfeed, introduce solids to her baby, or transition to a healthy toddler diet - and taking care of herself…who has time for that with a new baby?! It wasn’t long until her poor nutrition choices and new life took a toll on her health—she felt chronically weak, tired, and was constantly getting sick. During this special, fleeting time with her quickly growing baby, she felt utterly exhausted and knew she needed to make my health and nutrition a priority. Researching anything and everything, she quickly realized that it didn’t need to be complicated, it didn’t need to be perfect, So she now serves new moms with simple tools, healthy tips and meaningful connections that nourish and inspire the journey of motherhood. The Birth Lounge: www.TheBirthLounge.com/waitlist Follow along on Instagram: @tranquilitybyhehe @marissa.mccormick_rd FREE webinar: 5 Ways To Prepare For Pregnancy (https://marissamccormick.com/?s=webinar) Fertility Rally: www.FertilityRally.com

Anna McMillan is the founder and owner of Little Winks Sleep. She is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Coach. Anna uses a parent-present gentle approach and is here to walk with you through your little one’s sleeping journey, using her experience and training. Use code: 'Hehe' for 10% off her sleep packages. Connect with Anna / Little Winks: Instagram / Facebook www.littlewinkssleep.com Resources for Better Sleep from Little Winks: here! Check out The Birth Lounge!

We are sitting down with Jenn Wirth, of Mom's Maternal Health. Jen is a wife and mother of two girls (3.5 & 1.5) & one Angel baby in Heaven. Jenn is a postpartum depression & anxiety survivor. She has founded Mom’s Maternal Health to help educate & provide support to moms that may be suffering, along with normalizing the hardships of motherhood. Connect with Jenn: Website: momsmaternalhealth.com Email: [email protected] Facebook / Instagram Check out The Birth Lounge!

We're chatting Respectful Parenting with Dr. Aliza Pressman, developmental psychologist, parent educator, asst. clinical professor. Dr. Pressman is a Co-founding Director of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center. Dr. Pressman is also the Co-founder of Seedlings Group, a New York City and Los Angeles parent education group that uses evidence-based research and information to educate and guide families about their developing children. Connect with Dr. Aliza: Instagram @raisinggoodhumanspodcast Raising Good Humans Podcast Check out The Birth Lounge!

Keisha Reaves has been in the mental health field for more than ten years. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Services from Clayton State University. She then completed her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology at the University of West Alabama. Keisha has worked with children and adolescents in the DFCS setting, children and adults with developmental disabilities, and she has worked in the hospital setting helping patients with acute diagnosis and substance use disorders. Serving women with life transition issues, postpartum depression, infertility, and women who have experienced child loss has become her specialty and passion. She likes empowering women of all sorts and encouraging women through holistic practices and talk therapy. With her passion for maternal mental health, Keisha’s mission is to educate, support, and uplift other women who are experiencing difficulties in their own maternal cycle. Motherhood can be trying and can affect women in various ways which are why Keisha not only provides counseling, but also facilitates workshops, training, support groups, and speaking engagements to encourage mothers to push through. Keisha also serves on the Postpartum Support International Georgia Chapter Board. Connect with Keisha: Facebook/Instagram @keisha_reaves www.keishareaves.com Connect with Push Thru: Facebook / Instagram @pushthrumom Check out The Birth Lounge!

Sarah Martin is a mother of 9, an experienced OB nurse, and founder of Traditional Motherhood. Sarah has taken her passion, knowledge and experience in pregnancy, birth and postpartum to create a community dedicated to education, empowerment and support of expectant and new mamas to take them from feeling scared to confidently prepared! Traditional Motherhood is taking expectant and new mamas from scared to confidently prepared through education. Connect with Sarah: Instagram @sarah.traditionalmotherhood Website: Traditionalmotherhood.com If you are listening to this the week it is published (3/2/21) - Doors are OPEN for The Birth Lounge Join us, here!

Bryce Reddy is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and mom of 2 living in coastal New England. When she's not hanging out with her kids, you can find her supporting mothers around the world on her social media platform @mombrain.therapist. There she shares information that is easy to understand and accessible so that it can be applied to everyday mom-life. You can learn more about her current offering "Mom's Temper Toolkit" at her website! Connect with Bryce Reddy / Mom Brain Therapist: https://www.mombraintherapist.com/ Facebook/Instagram @mombrain.therapist Mom's Temper Toolkit : Grab it here! Join The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com

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: www.TheBirthLounge.com/waitlist Episode Resources: 2017 study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28502758/ CDC Foundation: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/ReportfromNineMMRCs.pdf National Institute for Children’s Health Quality: https://www.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

When Jaclyn Coy had her first daughter, she was opened up to the world of unmedicated labor. As she dove in, she navigated switching providers and exploring her options to have an unmedicated labor without the ‘hippie dippie’ aspect she had always envisioned being innately connected to unmedicated labor. Through her birth experiences and motherhood journey, Jaclyn created the Minimal Intervention Birth Method which inspired her to write the book, Because YOU are Superwoman. In her book, share shares the stories of 15 people plus her own to help you hear empowering stories of real life births by birthing people just like you—some births went according to plan and some didn’t, but all were positive experiences! Connect with Jaclyn: MyMomistheWorst.com Facebook/Instagram @StoriesbyJKCoy Free chapter of Because YOU are Superwoman: https://mymomistheworst.com/2018/11/11/because-you-are-superwoman-chapter-one-freebie/ Join The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com

The holiday season can be hard for those who have experienced a loss this year. At a time of year that people are expected to automatically be happy and be cheery and bright-eyed, it can be painful to have to pretend to be enjoying yourself while you are dying inside. One mother described it as “a dark place of heartbreak and anger.” Through my work with Mothers’ who have experienced loss (or any kind of trauma), I have found that having a structure of mindsets to help you survive in high-stress situations is helpful. Blog: Bigger than You Approach Blog: Navigating the Holidays after Trauma and Loss

Today, HeHe is joined by Ryann Kipping, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Lactation Educator, and Author of The Feel-Good Pregnancy Cookbook. Ryann and HeHe break down how to get the majority of your crucial vitamins and minerals from food first! So many foods can be solutions to problems that pop up in pregnancy--constipation, nausea, heartburn. Ryann is sharing how to find the perfect prenatal, how to spot 3rd party testing, and how to identify trustworthy brands! Eating for two isn't as easy as it sounds and this episode is a must-listen for anyone who has been wondering if they are getting all the essential nutrients their baby needs on a daily basis! Ryann's Recommended Grocery List Join The Prenatal Nutrition Library Join The Birth Lounge

I get asked A LOT about The ARRIVE Study. It’s a hot topic. For some people they are thrilled to hear there is science backing up an induction and some folks are terrified because they feel pressure from their provider and don’t feel aligned with a 39-week induction. Before we dive into the issues with this study. Let’s take a look at the history that you should know. It’s ultimately up to you! You know your baby and your body! You are the most qualified person to make this call! These are my thoughts on The ARRIVE Study that is sometimes used as a means to suggest that 'all pregnant people' should be induced at 39 weeks. That is a not true and here's why! Join The Birth Lounge Our Blog about The ARRIVE Study Evidence Based Birth Research

Inductions are one of the most common interventions when it comes to birthing a baby. Some people welcome inductions, and some want to avoid it at all cost! Today, I am joined by Certified Nurse Midwife, Becca Helie, to discuss inductions, the methods in which you can be induced, and how to evaluate the risks and benefits of each option. Becca and I are going to dive into 'failed inductions,' too. Did you know that you may go in for an induction and not leave with a baby? Meaning that your body was not receptive to being induced, so it 'failed.' This is *NOT* a reason for an automatic c-section!!! If you are headed into an induction, this is an episode that you will not want to miss! Connect with Becca on IG: @becca_helie_cnm To learn more ways to take control of your birth experience: www.thebirthlounge.com

Today I am sharing the 7 tools that will change your breastfeeding life! Feeding your baby can be tough--cracked nipples, mastitis, clogged ducts, over supply, undersupply! This list goes on and on! The tools I share in this episode will aid in a smooth feeding journey for you and your baby. I'm going to share why I chose these specific things and when you would use them! You can find all the products I mention here! Join The Birth Lounge here! *If doors are closed, join the waitlist! We have flash sales randomly and you'll want to be the first to know!

In today's episode, HeHe is joined by Certified Nurse Midwife, Skyler Jacobs, to discuss how the current US postpartum care schedule sorely fails birthing people in getting them appropriate support after having a baby! Skyler is a big proponent of every birthing person getting a 2-week follow-up in addition to the expected 6-week check-up! We chat about how beneficial both visits would be and for different reasons. At the 2-week appointment, Skyler shares that providers would be assessing totally different things than at the 6-week appointment. She even shares how you can have a conversation with your provider to inquire if this may be an option for you! Shop Well + Worthy Co (15% off with code: TBHL15 ): www.wellandworthyco.com Join The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com

I recently attended a birth where the provider was forcibly suggesting that my client allow for an IV hep-lock to be placed. The issue arose when my client asked if there was any medical reason to have the IV placed at that time and the provider began to spew fear-based rhetoric and painted the picture (actually, just confirmed) that the placement of an IV was 'just in case' something bad happened there would already be easy IV access. In this episode, I dive into the legality of this interaction, how we navigated it, the outcome of the IV situation + the outcome of the birth! We teach you how to have these tough conversations with your providers AND share all the research you need to make your birth plan as ideal as possible! Join the waitlist for The Birth Lounge: www.TheBirthLounge.com/waitlist

Let’s rewind the clock—and I means AGES— I want to talk about how we used to birth—before we moved it to hospitals. Lets go all the way back to how physiological birth is expected to work. Today, Katelyn Fusco, Host of Happy Homebirth Podcast, is going HeHe to chat about home birth and how birth has transformed over the years. Katelyn is sharing who is right for home birth and the top home birth myths. We are also diving into stickier topics like the business side of birth and how legislation can impact women’s health. We shine a spotlight on consent and continuity of care as well. If you are an expecting parent, this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about birth. Buckle up, my friend, we are about to embark on a life-changing conversation! BOOKS MENTIONED: Dr brad bootstaylor —book: Shared decision making https://amzn.to/3lTUflE Tina Cassidy— book: Birth, The Surprising History of How We are Born https://amzn.to/3dxGHcY PODCAST MENTIONED: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-homebirth/id1446934537?i=1000466477615 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/happy-homebirth/id1446934537?i=1000463115609 JOIN HAPPY HOMEBIRTH ACADEMY HERE! https://happy-homebirth.mykajabi.com/a/27299/ijuPR8rd

Today is all about inductions and how to know if you are a 'good candidate' for one. HeHe is diving into a tool that the women's health field uses to rate a a pregnant person’s cervix in order to determine their readiness for induction. The original Bishop score (Developed by Dr. Bishop, OBGYN in 1964) is based on 5 criteria: dilation, effacement, station of baby, position of cervix, consistency of cervix. Since it's creation, there has been a simplified Bishop score that has come along and HeHe is going to share the differences. Interestingly enough, it is not a great tool for people who have had a baby before. It is a flawed tool, but it is the best we have at the moment.³ It does a pretty good job of indicating your body’s receptivity to a medical induction. This is definitely a tool to be aware of and to know your personal boundaries of what you consider a good number to induce your body. Remember consent is a discussion with your provider--make sure that is being done around the topic of induction especially. To learn more about tools to help you stay in control during labor join The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com To read more about the studies and research mentioned in this episode, visit our blog!

This episode is all about your child’s physical development in the first year of life! Pediatric Physical Therapist, Kara Masse, joins HeHe on the show to take about muscle development, rolling, crawling, and walking! What if your child’s physical development appears to be behind? What constitutes behind? Where do you go from there? What specialists do you see? Can you self refer? Kara is sharing all the deets so parents can be proactive in protecting and supporting your child’s physical development in those months where they grow rapidly! We are going to end on the note of how to avoid setting adult expectations for your baby! Join The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com/join Instagram: @the.birth.lounge and @tranquilitybyhehe

Inside The Birth Lounge, HeHe does a weekly group prenatal visit with our members! We chat about all things pregnancy, planning for birth, and preparing for postpartum. This week's episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast is a blurb from last week's prenatal inside the membership! After supporting over 200 birthing people, HeHe has a keen eye for things that hinder the birth process and disrupt the birthing space. She is sharing how nurses can sometimes unknowingly be perpetuating the patriarchy and stripping birthing folks of their power in doing so. This is an eye-opening episode to say the least! The Birth Lounge: www.TheBirthLounnge.com

Today’s guest is a dear friend of mine and a fitness expert specializing in prenatal and postnatal corrective exercise! Kayla Mehr, Founder of Your Fit Mom, is joining HeHe in an episode that is getting down and dirty about the truth of exercise in pregnancy and postpartum! Kayla is sharing how to determine who is qualified to help support your fitness goals during pregnancy (an unqualified instructor can seriously hurt you and your baby!), the top workout myths, and the best fitness routines to help you prepare for labor! We also dive into easing back into postpartum fitness, how to make c-section modifications, and Kayla’s opinion on Belly Bands! This episode is one you won’t want to miss! Work with Kayla: https://www.yourfitmom.com The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com

When people check in with us, it's generally done with good intention, but sometimes "checking in" can do more harm than good! There are multiple places in women's health and birth work where this rings true! When it comes to checking in with a pregnant person at the end of their pregnancy, it can be tricky! You can easily cross into the territory of annoying, overwhelming, and sometimes infuriating. What if I told you that cervical checks in the end of pregnancy aren't always evidence based? As in, 'checking in' on your cervix regularly can be counterproductive to your birth goals! I'm sharing my full list of places where humans "checking in" needs to be reconsidered and a new standard of practice needs to be created! Learn more about the science behind common birth practices at blog.thebirthlounge.com You can join The Birth Lounge here!

Have you ever heard the term “obstetrical violence” and wondered what it meant? Or maybe you envisioned this blatant act of disrespect or an assault of sorts. These are both examples of obstetrical violence, but is another side to it, too. A sneaky side. Today’s episode is going to share a few instances of medical manipulation in the birth room that were silent and coy and draped in not-so-graceful wordsmithing from providers. I am sitting down with Tranquility by HeHe team member and doula, Caitlin LeBeau, to chat about the things we have witnessed in labor and delivery rooms across the nation. Some cases are blatantly obvious and some cases are as covert as 007 himself. Note to listener: we do not give traumatic recounts of these instances. You need not be worried about hearing content that may cause trauma. Nonetheless, this episode is focused on obstetrical violence so listener discretion advised. To learn your rights as a birthing person and understand how to protect yourself during your birth experience, visit www.thebirthlounge.com

Inside The Birth Lounge, I teach my Secret Sauce to Pushing. Part of that formula is based on your baby's position in your pelvis! I actively advise against what's called 'directed pushing,' where birthing people are told how and when to push (primarily talking about unmedicated births). It is not new that directed pushing can be less effective than letting the birthing person push with their body, but what about being told not to push? Nurses are notorious for saying 'don't push' for this reason or that. (This is obviously not applicable to all nurses and is a generalization.) Whether it be that you are not fully 10cm dilated yet or the doctor isn't in the room, your body is telling you to push. I am diving into the science behind this urge to push and what you should do when you feel it! Sources: Longer labor times with directed pushing: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519218304025 EPU: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613812001805 Dilation: https://midwifethinking.com/2016/06/15/the-anterior-cervical-lip-how-to-ruin-a-perfectly-good-birth/ https://midwifethinking.com/2014/04/16/pushing-leave-it-to-the-experts/ The Birth Lounge: thebirthlounge.com/waitlist

Today’s episode is all about planning for the unexpected parts of postpartum! HeHe is joined by MaMa MD, Ariana Within, to dive into how to thrive (not just survive) in the weeks right after birth! Postpartum is often feels like one of the most isolating times in a parents life, so how can you feel empowered during such a challenging space in life? Shifting the perspective to how amazing postpartum women are is huge in this—we grew and birthed a baby and now are keeping that baby alone! Shifting the way you think about productivity, prioritizing needs, and asking for help can make an incredible difference, too! Ariana is here to share that you have control over how your postpartum period goes with the proper planning! We talk about the importance of community and communication plus how important it is to reign in the negative self-talk that can cause ‘comparisonitis!’ Join us for this honest conversation about what life after birth looks like! Ariana”s Website: arianawitkin.com. IG: @arianawitkinmd Power Hour (1:1, baby shower gift): https://arianawitkin.com/work-with-me Masterclass info: http://bit.ly/MamaRisingPPP Masterclass sign up: http://bit.ly/MamaRisingRegister

Everyone in the birth room has a job—your provider, your nurse, your partner, and you…but, what does your job really look like? Probably different than you think if your goal is to have your dream birth! Deep breathing and movement, sure, but what’s your ultimate job? To stay in control. Today’s episode is going to share with you the number one responsibility that a birthing person has to keep their birth on track! You have so much control and this one tip will make sure you don’t have over control at any point during your labor experience! Join The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com/join

Today, HeHe is joined by Ginny Parham, a Period Coach who help women with bed bound periods turn them into kick ass periods so they can live their lives to the fullest. She created the 90-Day Pain-Free Period Method that changed my life and I want to share it with you!! Ginny is going to break down the basic understanding of our menstrual cycle plus quick, simple switches you can do in your home to better support your hormones and having a healthier period. ! The fluctuations of your hormones each month will impact everything—your sleep, you mental clarity, your anxiety, your appetite, and your ovulation! We are diving into the length, color, odor, and flow of a typical period , plus how to know if your period is ‘normal.” Ginny is also going to share what we need to know about birth control and how this impacts our menstrual cycles (and our brains!) on a hormonal level. This is for anyone who has a period or knows someone with a period! Mentioned: EWG app (Clean 15 and dirty dozen) The Birth Lounge: www.TheBirthLounge.com Free Masterclass:https://painfreeperiod.easywebinar.live/registration-6 Join Rhythm & Root: https://www.rhythmandroot.com/course/64jud

Do you really need childbirth education classes? Wondering if you can get all the information you need for a good birth by reading books and taking a one-hour online course? This largely depends on how you define 'good birth." This episode is breaking down exactly how to decipher what the best way to prepare for your birth might be! HeHe is going to share the 7 slippery slopes of birth that is taught in The Birth Lounge. These are the seven most common places where folks slip down the slippery slope of losing control in labor! If your goal is to have an informed and confident birth, then this episode will show you exactly how to do that! Join The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com/join Free Masterclass: www.thebirthlounge.com/youridealbirth

Did you know that 98% of all feminine care products has at least 1 toxic ingredient? That's scary! Healthy products are my jam! I’m always looking out for things like fragrances and perfumes in products around my house. I’m a big fan of Thinx instead of traditional period products because of the bleach and parabens and hormone disruptors…We store our food in glass containers and use eco friendly detergent. So, it should be no surprise that you sexual health is important to me too! Especially in pregnancy & postpartum! Rebecca Alvarez Story earned her BA in Women’s Health & Sexuality from UC Berkeley and her MA in Sexuality Studies from San Francisco State and is the founder of The Bloomi. She is joining me to dive deep into what’s wrong with traditional sexual wellness products, how to spot harmful ingredients and false labeling, and what you need to know about long term effects of these issues in sexual wellness and women’s health! The Bloomi: https://thebloomi.com The Banned List: https://thebloomi.com/pages/the-banned-list The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com Free Training: www.thebirthlounge.com/youridealbirth

Its ironic because Nubain isn't a pill at all--it's an IV narcotic! Do you know your pain relief options during labor? Like, really know them? There are so many more options than just unmedicated birth and epidural birth. Depending on where you choose to give birth, you will have a variety of pain relief options, both natural and medical. There is always a forgotten option that is truly magical and that is Nubain/Staidol. We are going to dive into this option so you can feel confident to have a discussion with your provider about it's availability and any rules you need to know about its use at your particular place of birth! If you are on the fence about what pain relief option is best for you or you are still exploring your pain relief options, this episode is a must-listen! The Birth Lounge:https://www.thebirthlounge.com Free Birth Prep: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/youridealbirth Resources: https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/narcotics-for-pain-during-labor-849 https://evidencebasedbirth.com/effects-of-iv-opioids-during-labor/

One of the best ways to empower yourself is to dive in head first. Go searching for various birth stories, for various birth approaches, for various pain relief options. Do your research and, in that, you will find your power. In this episode, HeHe is breaking down why you need to allow people to challenge you on your ideas of birth and what your ideal birth looks like. When someone challenges you, be open to thinking, "what if?" This simple question will allow you to find a deeper comfort in your choices or will allow you to explore other options you have and may not have been aware of. Birth can look and transpire in a million different ways and you deserve to know the options. Join The Birth Lounge: www.TheBirthLounge.com/join I have a FREE MASTERCLASS for you! Less than 1 hour and jam packed with helpful tips to having an informed and confident birth experience: www.thebirthlounge.com/youridealbirth

Today on The Birth Lounge Podcast, I am joined by Rebekkah Tran, mom of twins, to share about one of her twins’ journey with Plagiocephaly! Rebekkah is sharing the first signs that she noticed, what her first action steps were, and what she has learned along the way of advocating for her child for a “silent” and “cosmetic” condition. There is ZERO education around this for parents before their baby is born and if you do find yourself needing support on the subject, Rebekkah explains how challenging that can be! It’s intentionally designed by nature that your baby’s head is not fused at birth! But, some babies can have variations of Plagiocephaly that causes their skull to fuse before birth which can lead to complications. At their pediatrician appointment, Rebekkah voiced her concerns and was essentially told to do some minimal impact exercises at home (stretching, being intentional with what side she placed toys, etc) and “wait it out.” After months of discussion with the pediatrician but to no avail and feeling unheard, Rebekkah jumped into research on her own. She was HORRIFIED and realized that time was of the essence. Rebekkah knew that if she was going to get her baby physical support for the growth and development of her head, she needed to act quick! This is an episode for EVERY expecting parent to be knowledgable about a preventable condition and how to properly support your child's physical development in the early months of life. Connect with Rebekkah: @trantwinjas Resources: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002320.htm https://familydoctor.org/condition/plagiocephaly/ Www.TheBirthLounge.com Watch my FREE MASTERCLASS to have an informed and confident birth here: www.thebirthlounge.com/youridealbirth

Your baby’s positions matters so much when it comes to your labor and delivery. A baby that is engaged in the right position can lead to a shorter labor, less painful labor, less back labor, and reduce the risk of tearing. In this episode, I am breaking down the science as to why your baby’s position is so important. I am also going to dive into the complications we sometimes see happen if babies are not in the right position when labor begins. The impacts of medical pain relief (especially epidurals) is always a big concern during this part of the birth planning process— how will we know if it’s too early? Will it slow down birth? I’m sharing what you want to consider when it comes to medical pain relief and the position of your baby during labor. I spit out some research articles in the episode and you can find those linked below! HeHe’s Secret Sauce to Pushing: www.thebirthlounge.com/youridealbirth If you’re interested in joining The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com Epidural has potential to interfere: https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/2005/05000/changes_in_fetal_position_during_labor_and_their.10.aspx Midwifery approach/ Restitution: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/birt.12267 Position + Tearing: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S026661389780006X

Today’s episode is diving into postpartum pelvic floor! How’s that for alliteration?! Melissa Dessaulles, Founder of Mommy Berries, is joining me to share everything you need to know after having a baby. She is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist who is breaking it down as to what you can expect after a baby passes through there, how to restore your body post baby, and what’s the goal for postpartum pelvic floors. We also dive deep into the conversation of kegels or no kegels? Melissa shares how sometimes, in labor, we see pelvic floors not be able to “turn of” (relax) enough to allow a baby to be born. She also shares how to identify if your own pelvic floor might be too tight or too loose! This episode will force you to stop and pay attention to your body! Take a deep breath and join us for the transformative conversation! Melissa Dessaulles: https://mommyberries.com The Birth Lounge: www.thebirthlounge.com

It irks me to pieces when someone says, "birth trauma is totally normal." No, it's not. In this episode, I am breaking down exactly why perpetuating the idea that birth trauma is normal is not only very dangerous, but also disregards mental health of new parents. I'm sharing my thoughts on a variety of traumatic birth situations and talking about nature's role in birth. Birth trauma is what you define it and everyone will define it differently. Providers and birth attendants can be traumatized by labor as well.I’m sharing about avoidable birth trauma, birth trauma caused by natural variations in labor (still something went wrong), and how to know they difference. Plus, I share helpful tips to navigating birth trauma and how to begin to move forward. Stop saying birth trauma is normal. You deserve better than that. Hugs to anyone out there who has experienced avoidable birth trauma. XO, HeHe *There is mention of maternal and infant mortality To join The Birth Lounge click here: www.thebirthlounge.com To learn more about The CONTROL Method click here: www.thebirthlounge.com/youridealbirth