Birthing Instincts

In this week’s episode, Blyss and Stu do a deep dive into the methodology, history, and current practices surrounding the non-stress test (NST) used in prenatal care. They answer all your questions: What is a non-stress test? Where did it come from? How did it become so accepted? Does it actually tell you what it's supposed to tell you? And, is there evidence that a previous stillbirth is an i...

Blyss is back and Stu has a hodgepodge of topics to cover with her. Blyss shares her enriching experience at an international midwifery conference in Greece, while Dr. Stu sheds light on the impersonal nature of modern medical practices and the hope brought by the Alice Walton School of Medicine. The episode enriches listeners with firsthand stories of birth, the dynamics between midwives and heal...

In this week’s episode of The Birthing Instincts Podcast, Dr. Stu is joined by Ashley Mariani, also known as 'The Rogue Therapist' from Instagram, to discuss the complexities of fatherhood and relationships. While Blyss is traveling, Ashley and Dr. Stu get deep and personal in conversation about how men can navigate fatherhood, improve their relationships, and break generational trauma. A...

In this episode of The Birthing Instincts Podcast, Dr. Stu is joined by HeHe Stewart from The Birth Lounge Podcast to explore common reasons for C-sections, how hospital policies and interventions often lead to unnecessary surgeries, and strategies for avoiding them. The episode features poignant birth stories that highlight the challenges and triumphs of navigating the medical system to achieve a...

In this week’s episode, Dr. Stu hosts a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist known on Instagram as Dr. K Pregnancy Specialist. From the rising C-section rates and the impact of continuous fetal monitoring, to the role of litigation in shaping medical practice, Dr. K shares her insights and the importance of incorporating midwifery approaches. Together, they also address more sensitive topics l...

In this weeks episode, Blyss and Stu examine the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure, providing historical context and the latest research findings. They discuss the relevance of abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy and the challenges of interpreting self-reported research data.  Mentioned in This Episode Stu’s 9/11 reflections on Patreon President Trump Signs Executive Order Limiting Big Phar...

This week Blyss and Stu go on a deep dive into macrosomia, also known as a large baby. They review extensive data from multiple sources, including ACOG, NICE guidelines, and the Big Baby Study, and discuss the implications of predicted and actual macrosomia. They discuss risk factors, maternal and fetal morbidity, ultrasound accuracy, the pros and cons of induction of labor, and the impact of the...

In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast, Blyss was experiencing issues with her wifi so Stu tackled the topic of blood transfusions solo. He discusses the challenges and alternatives to blood transfusions, particularly focusing on the concerns of patients who decline blood products due to personal, medical, or religious reasons. The episode covers recent studies on the risks associated w...

In this heartfelt episode, Blyss and Stu pay tribute to the late Michel Odent, a luminary in the field of childbirth and midwifery. They reminisce about his groundbreaking contributions in the world of birth. A strong supporter of water birth, advocating for hormonal understanding in labor, and his unwavering belief in the power of love and natural birthing processes, he is truly a legend that has...

In this week's episode, Blyss and Stu discuss the medical complexities of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) during pregnancy. They particularly focus on a listener's experience with blood clots during her second pregnancy and explore the risks, treatments, and recommendations associated with VTE. The discussion includes in-depth analysis of medical guidelines, the ef...

In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss interview Larissa Paul, founder of 'Girls Who Know®,' an organization dedicated to educating young girls about their bodies, menstrual cycles, and childbirth. They highlight how early education, and the knowing one's body can empower young girls, reduce fear, and lead to better birthing experiences.  About Lau...

In this episode, Stu and Blyss are joined by Gail Tully, the founder of Spinning Babies, to discuss the intricate dynamics of birth and fetal positioning. Gail shares both her personal journey and the scientific insights that have shaped Spinning Babies. Together they explore how balance, gravity, and movement can impact labor, and how practitioners and expectant mothers can prepare for a smoother...

In this week's episode of the Birthing Instincts podcast, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss Young are joined by Claire Holloway, founder of the Center for Bright Beginnings. Claire discusses the deeper philosophy of yoga, highlighting its relevance not just during pregnancy but as a preparation for home birth and beyond. She explains how yoga supports autonomy and personal sovereignty, guiding individ...

This week Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss are joined by Dr. Marguerite Duane to discuss the shortcomings of conventional infertility treatments and the promising potential of Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM). Dr. Duane, a family physician and expert in RRM, explains the importance of treating infertility as a symptom of underlying health issues rather than as a disease itself. Together, they dive...

In this episode of the Birthing Instincts podcast, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss discuss elective sterilization methods such as vasectomy and tubal ligation. The episode details the procedures, potential complications, and success rates of reversals, offering a comprehensive overview of the various sterilization methods. Blyss brings the conversation back to natural and ancient methods of contraceptio...

In this week’s episode, Blyss and Stu discuss various reasons for medical inductions, the process involved in hospital inductions, and alternative methods like castor oil and homeopathic remedies that can be pursued for a more natural approach. Listener stories highlight personal experiences with induction, offering insight into both the challenges and positive outcomes associated with this interv...

This week Blyss and Stu welcome Patti Wood, founder and executive director of Grassroots Environmental Education, to discuss the potential risks of exposure to cell phones and other wireless devices, particularly focusing on their effects on fetal development and general human health.  About Patti: Patricia Wood is the founder and Executive Director of Grassroots Environmental Education, a not-for...

In this episode, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss are joined by Stacia Garmon, a dental hygienist who shares her expertise on periodontal disease and its potential impact on overall health, including its association with heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Additionally, Stacia shares her pregnancy journey with her son Dax,...

In this week's podcast, Blyss and Stu are joined by renowned midwife and author Robin Lim to explore her new book, The Yoni Owner's Manual. Robin shares her awe-inspiring experiences and insights into midwifery, childbirth, and the spiritual aspects of the female body, emphasizing the importance of pleasure and the interconnectedness of humans with nature and the divine. About Robin: Robin...

In this edition of The Birthing Instincts podcast, Dr. Stu hosts an enlightening discussion with guest Millie Hill, a renowned writer and feminist advocate. Millie, the author of 'The Positive Birth Book' and 'Birth Like a Feminist,' shares her journey from a drama therapist to a prolific writer on childbirth and women's health. The conversation delves into the significance of...

This week Dr. Stu is solo as Blyss is away and joined by guest Ellie Stangl, a certified doula and legislative aide in Nebraska. Together they delve into the legislative process affecting maternity care: Does anyone understand the process? Does it make any logical sense? The short answer is no, but dive into this conversation with us to dig deeper and discuss the complications and frustrations of...

This week Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss do a deep dive into mono-chorionic twin pregnancies, with a focus on debunking common myths about mono-mono twins. Drawing on recent research and personal experiences, they explore topics like the risks of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), cord entanglement, and the overall safety of vaginal deliveries for mono-mono twins. Resources Between a Shot and a...

This week Blyss and Stu discuss the importance of understanding the menstrual cycle with guest Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, author of The Fifth Vital Sign. Lisa brings not only her personal experiences with menstrual health, but also her expertise in the roles of basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cervical position in fertility awareness. They highlight the broader health implications of suppre...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Meredith Nelson and Alicia Fishbein, board-certified patient advocates and seasoned doulas from Intentional Birth. The episode explores the critical role of advocacy in childbirth, covering topics from prenatal visits to labor and NICU challenges. Learn how to navigate hospitals, advocate effectively for clients, and transform traumatic experiences into em...

While Dr. Stu was busy teaching breech in Texas, Blyss hosted Valerie Wiesner to discuss the practice of vaginal steaming, its benefits, and the ancient traditions associated with it. Valerie shares her extensive experience in sacred postpartum care and describes how steaming can help with postpartum recovery, menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, and even prostate health in men. Additionall...