Yoga Birth Babies

Tantrums are a normal part of childhood, but that doesn't make them any easier to navigate. In this episode, we revisit a valuable episode “from the vault,” in which Deb sits down with Dr. Cindy Hovington to explore the science behind tantrums and emotional regulation. Together, they unpack what's actually happening in a child's brain during a meltdown and why understanding brain development can h...

Before your child ever needs extra support, it's helpful to understand how to navigate the systems designed to help them. In this episode, Deb speaks with attorney and mental health clinician Paula Yost about Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), advocating within the school system, and how parents can confidently speak up when they know something isn't quite right. Paula shares practical guid...

What makes the Prenatal Yoga Center Teacher Training so unique? In this special episode, Deb sits down with PYC graduate and mentor Phoebe to explore her journey through the training and how it transformed her approach to teaching yoga. Together, they discuss the evolution of the PYC Method, the shift to hybrid learning during the pandemic, and why the training continues to resonate with yoga teac...

Birth rarely unfolds exactly as we imagine, yet many expectant parents enter labor with expectations shaped by stories, social media, classes, and conversations with care providers. In this episode, Deb sits down with doula, Lamaze childbirth educator, and lactation counselor Robin Gibson Douthit to explore how those expectations influence the birth experience—and what happens when reality takes a...

Travel looks different once kids enter the picture- but that doesn’t mean adventure has to stop. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Deb sits down with Bri Hepworth, mom of four and founder of Mini Voyager, to talk about the realities of traveling with children and how families can make trips feel more enjoyable, flexible, and memorable. Bri shares how her perspective on travel evolved after...

In this deeply honest community birth story, Deb talks with Nitzan Auz about the emotional complexity of welcoming her third baby during a season of uncertainty, stress, and shifting expectations. As she approached her due date, Nitzan found herself navigating not only the physical and emotional intensity of late pregnancy, but also the weight of global events unfolding in Israel that deeply impac...

Vaginal exams are one of the most common procedures during pregnancy and labor, but are they always necessary? In this episode, Deb sits down with certified nurse midwife Kara French to unpack when and why vaginal exams may be offered, what information they actually provide, and how parents can make informed decisions about their care. Together, they explore the role of vaginal exams both before a...

What does excellent doula support actually look like- from pregnancy through postpartum? In this candid and practical conversation, Deb sits down with birth doula Taylor Lee Bello to explore what families should know when choosing a doula, what healthy communication and expectations look like during labor, and the often-overlooked support needed in the immediate postpartum period. Together, they u...

Vaccines can feel like one of the most overwhelming topics for expectant and new parents—especially when information online is conflicting, emotional, and constantly changing. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Deb sits down with Flor M. Muñoz to unpack what parents actually need to know about vaccination during pregnancy and infancy. Together, they explore how maternal vaccines help protec...

Welcoming twins into the world often comes with extra layers of planning, medical decision-making, and learning to adapt when things don’t go exactly as expected. In this community birth story, Deb talks with Isabel Low about her emotional two-year fertility journey, the surprise and excitement of learning she was pregnant with twins, and how carrying two babies reshaped her expectations for pregn...

Feeding your baby can feel like one of the most emotionally loaded parts of early parenthood—and for many families, the conversation around formula feeding is still wrapped in stigma and silence. In this episode, Deb speaks with Jayne Freeman, a childbirth educator, postpartum doula, and breastfeeding counselor who is passionate about expanding the narrative around infant feeding. Together, they e...

Potty training can feel surprisingly simple for some families—and incredibly challenging for others. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Heather Wittenberg, child psychologist and founder of BabyShrink, to unpack why that divide exists and what parents can do when things don’t go as planned. We explore how potty training is more than just a practical skill—it’s a complex developmental milestone t...

Partners are often told to “be supportive” during pregnancy and birth- but what does that actually look like in practice? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we explore how partners can move beyond simply being present to becoming truly engaged, attuned, and collaborative throughout the journey. Joined by doula and perinatal bodyworker Yiska Obadia, we unpack some of the most common misunder...

Preterm birth is something many parents worry about- but how much do we really understand about why it happens and how to prevent it? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski, a leading researcher in maternal and infant health, to explore how our understanding of preterm birth has evolved- and where the science is headed. We discuss what current research tells us about risk, s...

Children’s behavior is often seen at the surface—but what if there’s so much more underneath? In this episode, we explore the powerful role sensory processing plays in shaping how children experience and respond to the world around them. Pediatric Occupational Therapist Madeha Ayub helps us reframe “challenging behavior” through a more compassionate, informed lens, offering parents a deeper unders...

What does it look like to approach birth feeling prepared, supported, and truly unrushed? In this episode, Deb is joined by yoga teacher Hayley Antonelli, who shares her thoughtful and empowering birth story. From intentionally training in prenatal yoga before conception to carefully building a birth team aligned with her values, Hayley walks us through how preparation and mindset shaped her entir...

The vaccination schedule for your baby can feel daunting. It also may seem a little strange,  you might wonder why a newborn needs to be protected against Hepatitis B? Between frequent visits to the pediatrician and fears you might have over adverse reactions to the vaccines, many parents wonder how they can best support their child.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies I speak with holistic pedi...

A big topic of conversation among my prenatal students is maternity leave- how to set boundaries while pregnant, how to protect that time once baby arrives, and what it might look like to return to work postpartum. How do you hold both worlds of being a new parent and a working parent? Is it possible to truly enjoy both? The answer is yes, and in this conversation, you’ll hear practical tips and t...

On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I am joined by PYC community member, Rachel Eisman. Rachel is a public sector consultant and new mom of two. When she's not working, she likes writing and reading. As we dive into Rachel’s birth story, we also revisit her first birth and explore the differences between the two. Rachel shares what she learned the first time around, and how she intentionally...

Today is all about induction at 39 weeks- something I hear often when my students approach that point in pregnancy. We’ll take a closer look at the ARRIVE Trial and explore whether the data truly reflects what’s happening in labor and delivery units. What are the real pros and cons of elective induction? What are the risks and potential benefits? Join us as we unpack this nuanced and often debated...

I’m so happy that the pelvic floor is finally getting its moment to shine. This incredibly important set of muscles impacts our breath, continence, helps keep our organs in place, and affects our day to day comfort. It certainly deserves our attention! However not all of the information people are sharing about it is factual and some of these myths can lead to real physical issues over time. On th...

In today’s episode, we share a powerful community birth story shaped by resilience, intuition, and hope. It’s a journey through infertility that ultimately leads to the arrival of a miracle baby. This conversation explores trusting your inner voice, learning to advocate for yourself, building the right support team, and surrendering to the process when the path forward feels uncertain. On this epi...

Today we’re talking about breastfeeding- a topic I know will be supportive for so many of you. What I love about this conversation is that my guest offers practical, accessible guidance and helps break down how the mechanics of breastfeeding actually work. Whether you’re preparing, navigating, or simply wanting to better understand the process, this episode is here to support you. Let’s dive in. O...

Today I’m joined by Mika Fox on Yoga | Birth | Babies.  A native New Yorker, Mika lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and baby boy, Nogah. She works in account management at a tech company and loves to dance, hike, travel, and practice yoga. Mika is also a PYC alum, having attended classes from weeks 14–39 of her pregnancy. Her birth story took unexpected twists and turns, but one thing...

How has our understanding of postpartum evolved, and what challenges have remained all along? The answers may surprise you. Today I’m joined by Dr. Karen Sheffield-Abdullah on Yoga | Birth | Babies. Dr. Karen is an assistant professor, certified nurse-midwife, mindfulness coach, and perinatal mental health researcher. Dr. Karen’s expertise has been featured in The New York Times, Politico, TEDx Ta...