Yoga Birth Babies

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...

Today’s community birth story spans years- from a long path to pregnancy to an unexpected C-section and a diagnosis of postpartum preeclampsia. It’s truly a full-arc journey of resilience and transformation. Listen in, as I’m joined by Nitasha Mehta on Yoga | Birth | Babies. Nitasha is a marketing leader with 15+ years of experience at Amazon, Samsung, and Boxed, whose work in women’s health led h...

When becoming a new parent, it is crucial to have a community you can count on to not only understand what you’re going through, but also to show up for you. This is true for both pregnancy and postpartum… and also parenthood beyond. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Shai Tamary. Shai is a community builder, program strategist, and yoga teacher based in New York City. She is...

Today, we’re revisiting an episode focused on how to overcome- and prevent- traumatic childbirth experiences. My guest shares key factors that can contribute to birth trauma, red flags to watch for when working with a care provider, and three essential tips for preparing for childbirth. This episode is rich with insight, and my hope is that you’ll walk away feeling informed, empowered, and confide...

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Dr. Marlena Fejzo, a leading women’s health scientist and researcher. Dr. Fejzo is best known for discovering the first genes linked to uterine fibroids, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and hyperemesis gravidarum, and has published extensively on diseases affecting women. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern Californi...

Toddlerhood is full of big emotions, sudden shifts, and constant change- especially when a new baby is on the way. Today we will dive into what’s really happening beneath toddler behavior and how parents can navigate this season of life with confidence, connection, and compassion. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Devon Kuntzman. Devon is the founder of Transforming Toddlerho...

At first glance, the title might make you think parenting in the digital age sounds overwhelming. But what if technology could actually support today’s parents instead of adding stress? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Sarah Trott. Sarah is the creator and host of The Fourth Trimester Podcast and founder of HelloGaia Parenting Copilot, an evidence-based tool that gives famil...

It’s time for another community birth story from one of our PYC students. I’m always amazed by the range of experiences people share, and I truly believe each story offers us valuable insight, empathy, and wisdom. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Srilaya Yallapragada- a software engineer from California who moved to NYC halfway through her pregnancy. Srilaya opens up about n...

When my son was born and we needed a nanny, I remember feeling totally overwhelmed. Where do you even begin when it comes to hiring someone you barely know to caretake your child? It’s a feeling so many parents share, and that’s exactly what today’s episode is about: nannies- the process, the common mistakes made, and how to navigate it all. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Sarah D...

A past blog post about nuchal cords (when the umbilical cord wraps around baby’s neck) sparked a lot of fear and confusion, especially around the idea that this could “strangle” baby. In this episode, we take a deeper look at what’s really happening. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Dr. Jessica Vernon. Dr. Jessica is is a mom of two and a board-certified OBGYN for over a deca...

As roughly one third of American Babies are born via C-Section, Cesareans rank among the top surgical procedures given in the US. Since it’s such a common procedure, it can be easy to forget that it’s major abdominal surgery. New parents are sent home with the daunting task of caring for a newborn and healing from surgery often with little support. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak...

I always love connecting with members of the PYC community- students, alumni, educators, and everyone in between. Today’s guest shares a deeply personal and moving birth story filled with struggle, resilience, and heartfelt reflection. Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies is Renata Freitas. Renata is originally from Brazil and moved to the US for her MBA at Wharton, where she met her husband....

Since becoming a parent, I’ve often wondered how our own stress from parenting affects our ability to actually parent. Today’s episode explores that connection through the lens of nervous system regulation- parenting edition. Joining me today on Yoga|Birth|Babies is Kat Sabath. Kat is a therapist, coach, and yoga teacher who helps parents find fulfillment in family life. She’s the founder of The F...