Birthing Instincts

Listener questions on breech prompted Blyss & Dr. Stu to discuss one of our favorite topics in detail. Vaccine hesitancy is on the rise. Experts still wonder why. We share what we are thankful for as the holidays are just around the corner. Ever wondered why breech birth is widely feared and misunderstood? We unravel the complexities around breech birth, exploring safety measures, the undeniab...

We give some theory and new science on epidurals. These are things you ought to know. Blyss tells a tale of two births while Dr. Stu spreads real information around the globe. First up, we reflect on our recent webinar on home birth hesitancy, discussing fear-inducing tactics used by the medical industry. We question scientific experiments and discuss gaslighting around polio. We then share powerf...

British osteopath, Doula & Birth Mentor, Shellie Poulter shares her insight and experience with coercion in the birth space and solutions for its betterment. We discuss how mistreatment in the hospital system is not limited to patients and families. A jet-lagged Dr. Stu shares the tale of his time teaching in the U.K. while Blyss dealt with a tough birthing situation.  It's an open dialogu...

While Dr Stu is teaching and playing abroad, Blyss sits with Tara, founder and voice of the Christian Hypnobirthing movement, to discuss her personal birth stories and how these experiences, her faith, tenacity, and curiosity led her to creating this popular app that tens of thousands of women have used to support their birth journeys. Tara's app seamlessly blends traditional hypnobirthing tec...

Dr. Stu checks in with Blyss from teaching and enjoying Ireland and they are joined by Vedic Meditation Teacher, Doula and Mom, Patti Quintero to discuss the great necessity of mind and soul maintenance and the expansion of self in a world of stress. We traverse the globe from Ireland to New York, then Los Angeles, discussing cultural nuances around birth choices and the shockingly high C-section...

In their somewhat erratic Halloween tradition, Blyss & Dr. Stu share some scary stories and a lot of dumb doctor dogma. We also introduce our upcoming Webinar, "Bringing The Homebirth Hesitant on Board" debuting in November.  This episode brings to light the complex connections between nature, healthcare, and risk assessment. We reflect on how our understanding of nature is reflected i...

Autumn is here and beside the display of nature's splendor comes the inevitable cold and flu season with all it's precautions and warnings. Blyss & Dr. Stu refuse to blindly accept the standard recommendations offered by organized medicine. Together they dive into what is known about influenza in pregnancy and share their wisdom and typically strong opinions. In this episode, Dr. Stu a...

Today we have as our guest spiritual midwife, Anna Lundqvist, who chose defiance and de-registering rather than submit to the bloody shit show that is the increasingly regulated and medicalized world of midwifery. Her story and wisdom are compelling. Blyss launches The Bridge Midwives and Dr. Stu speaks out on some new platforms. This conversation aims to strip back the layers to reveal the influe...

In today's episode, we discuss the origins and question the usefulness of estimated due dates. Blyss gets back to birthing and Dr. Stu is gaining media exposure to spread the word. Digging a deeper hole of mistrust, ACOG unequivocally supports the RSV vaccine for pregnant women. Once again, the math and ethics do not line up for them. We question ACOG's support for this barely tested vacci...

Unearth the rich and mesmerizing traditions of midwifery as Blyss announces her new podcast, At Her Feet, with her co host Lindsey. This episode is a homage to midwives across the globe, their vibrant cultures, and the pivotal role they play in the birthing process. Settle in as Blyss and Lindsey share their journey from a transformative retreat in Mexico to the profound wisdom passed down by our...

Postpartum mental health is the focus of today’s podcast with guest, Cynthia Overgard of the Down to Birth podcast. We dive into this often-overlooked topic and the importance of a strong support system. Dr. Stu returns from teaching in Wisconsin and Blyss is back home on birth watch. This critical conversation with Cynthia takes us inside the escalating complications in hospital births. From diss...

Working for women and not the law, traditional midwife, Rebecca Walker joins the show to discuss birthing in a maternity care desert. Dr. Stu reviews hospital rankings with suspicion and Blyss reads an impassioned letter from a Scottish doula in despair. This episode uncovers the harsh realities faced by women in rural areas seeking maternity care. Dr. Stu, Blyss, and Rebecca dissect hospital poli...

On short notice, Blyss gives Dr. Stu a request for a deep dive into the common finding of uterine fibroids. Listener questions and common doctor recommendations are addressed. Whether pregnant or not, many women will be confronted with this diagnosis. Symptoms, treatment, outcomes, and options are all discussed in today's episode. The data may surprise you. Dr. Stu and Blyss delve into the tre...

By almost any parameter of general health we are a sicker society than we were 50 years ago. Models of wellness abound yet we are still told to follow only some science. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in pregnancy. Blyss & Dr. Stu share their recent "rememberings" from traveling to visit a nurturing community of birth workers and the positive experiences of listeners. Then we look...

Still riding the high of the Louisville conference, Blyss & Dr. Stu take a drive back in time to the Farm in Tennessee. With Buffalo Springfield on the radio and Dr. Stu in awe of the surroundings, the midwives tell Blyss an emotional tale of The Farm's past and future. They explore the complexities of Tennessee's midwife law, the critical role of licensure, and the essential need for...

The normalization of breech and twin birthing and the skills to make that happen were the reason the birth community came together in Louisville, KY for four days in September. Blyss & Dr. Stu share the stories and memories from a weekend of learning and bonding. We are stronger as a community united. You'll discover how the positioning of a baby's arms affects their rotation during br...

Blyss is soaking up Sedona while Dr. Stu has the privilege of teaching breech to doctors in Chicago. Today's topic by popular request is shoulder dystocia, sharing truth, and dispelling fear. There are no signs and no way to prevent the condition, so why all the interventions? Get ready to uncover the truth about birth options and practices when it comes to shoulder dystocia. Blyss and Dr. Stu...

Today, Blyss & Dr. Stu define "ectopic" and discuss ectopic pregnancy and share their ectopic thoughts on that. The medicalized birth system continues to alienate us and positive breech stories enlighten us. Dr. Stu shares stories from his childhood home and Blyss finds a gem in hers. In this episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss cover the risk factors of ectopic pregnancies, the paramount import...

Protection from untested interventions has long been the basis for ethical decisions in medicine and especially pregnancy. So what happened? Blyss & Dr. Stu discuss the wisdom of Naturopathy and the attack on longstanding principles and wisdom from many fronts. ACOG changes ethics and the Arrive Trial isn't all that we were sold. In this episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss cover the ACOG Committee...

Dr. Stu had eye surgery, again, this week and celebrated his birthday by recording with the Whimsical Blyss. So with little prep time, we gratefully explore the knowledge of our beloved fellow travelers in letters you have written to us. Through your letters, we've gained valuable insight into your experiences and queries, and together, we tackle them head-on. We explore hot topics in the birt...

We are often told by our doctors why we need a cesarean and how routine they are. But there are a lot of reasons to be wary. Today, Blyss & Dr. Stu discuss what you should know to help make that informed decision and then break down a popular YouTube podcast. Prepare to be enlightened as they unravel the intricate truth of cesarean sections – the most common surgical procedure in the US, and y...

Join us as we celebrate the arrival of Stu’s first grandchild, and finally cover a topic that has been highly requested: cholestasis. This is a lesser-known health issue that affects a significant number of pregnant women and usually results in interventions once it is discovered. You'll walk away from this episode with a deeper understanding of cholestasis - from its potential treatments, its...

Medical induction of labor continues to rise. Most OBs will want to induce all of you. Does this make sense? No! Blyss & Dr. Stu explain. Blyss hangs with her boys & Dr. Stu becomes a grandpa. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: The alarming rise in induction rates Depersonalization of birth & the risks of a non-individualized approach Methods and risks of Induction: pitocin, water...

On the Summer Solstice, Dr. Sara Wickham, author and researcher, joins the podcast to share her wisdom. Dr. Stu and Dr. Sara talk about the meaning of risk and prevention and the risk of prevention as it pertains to some very relevant topics: BMI, "Needing" a cesarean, Pitocin & Vitamin K. She is a treasure trove of knowledge. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Historical roots of...

In this episode, Blyss and Dr. Stu delve into the term 'Geriatric Pregnancy', debunking myths and embracing evidence around advanced maternal age and the need for individualized care. They also touch upon stories of successful births, medical interventions, and the risks of synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) versus natural oxytocin. Amidst personal anecdotes, survival strategies for a metaphoric...