Birthing Instincts

Today, Blyss meets up with Dr. Stu at his new homestead for some in-person podcasting! They discuss thrombocytopenia and low levels of independent thought in so many health care providers. Learn about the importance of a complete blood count and peripheral blood smear, the risks associated with certain medications, and the key characteristics of gestational thrombocytopenia. They also discuss vari...

Today, Blyss and Dr. Stu dive into the topic of low lying placenta and challenge the commonly held perception of it being a high-risk condition, discussing the medical gaslighting that often occurs. Blyss shares her firsthand experience of witnessing an unassisted birth where the mother made the empowered choice to stay home. Together, they provide comforting truths and alternative perspectives on...

The brilliant author of “ The Fourth Trimester ” & “ Call of the Wild ”, Kimberly Ann Johnson joins Blyss & Dr. Stu for a really fascinating conversation into rites of passage and our autonomic nervous system. You have to hear her! In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Tears during birth and the impact of interventions on labor Addressing pelvic floor issues after hospital birth The trans...

Do physicians live up to their definition? Blyss and Dr. Stu delve into the troubling relationship between big medicine, big government, and big pharma. Blyss & Dr. Stu, together again, break down the ugly reality. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: ACOG and v@cc!nes in pregnancy Manipulating healthcare choices with money Birth center experiences: stay or leave as a midwife? Castor oil and...

Blyss and Dr. Stu come together in Santa Barbara for an Instagram Live session to answer questions with a surprise guest. They address a range of topics including subchorionic hematoma, balanced diets in pregnancy, breech deliveries, declining cervical checks, and placental delivery. They also share insights from a remarkable hospital experience highlighting the possibilities of birth. Tune in to...

Blyss and Dr. Stu discuss optimal cord clamping and debunk misconceptions about nature's incredible design. They explore the anatomy and physiology of the umbilical cord, ways to separate it, and its spiritual side. Letters from listeners about seeds of fear and lack of support has the duo shaking their heads....again! In this episode of Birthing Instincts: The benefits of optimal cord clampin...

Every intervention has a ripple effect, and today Blyss & Dr. Stu discuss how culture changes can lead to unintended consequences. They delve into the topic of posterior babies, including what they are, why moms experience more discomfort and longer labors, and different methods to help get a baby to turn. They also explore the impact of our lifestyles on the positions of our babies, optimal f...

Dr. Nathan Riley and Midwife Sara Rosser join Blyss and Dr. Stu in this episode to discuss their dream of enhancing the birth and life experience. The group talks about the illusion of safety in hospitals, exercising autonomy, and being proactive in birth and life. They also touch on free birth, the use of cannabis and psychedelics in pregnancy and birth, and the Born Free Method yearlong program....

While today's topic is Retained Placenta, the real lesson is our systems are broken — and those that broke them expect us to let them fix them. From CPS tyranny to more interventions, Dr. Stu is mad as hell and Blyss wisely says, “Don't let them do it.” In this episode of Birthing Instincts: North Texas parents CPS case Normalization of interventions in hospital settings Retained placentas...

Today on the podcast, Blyss and Dr. Stu are joined by Nathalie Rojas, an IVF coordinator and indigenous birth worker, to discuss assisted reproduction and the pros and cons of messing with Mother Nature. They delve into Nathalie's journey to birth work, her role as an IVF coordinator, the overuse of IVF, and the impact of insurance on access to fertility treatment.  In this episode of Birthing...

Blyss talks to Alma and her midwife Brooke about Alma's journey to a successful natural birth at home despite having cystic fibrosis. The doctors recommended that Alma should not deliver at home, but she and her midwife navigated the risks and challenges to make it happen. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: How Alma chose home birth & found a midwife Cystic fibrosis challenges during p...

On the Ides of March, Blyss and Dr. Stu gather to heed the warnings and clear the air on Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD), a rare condition in which abnormal cells grow in the uterus after conception, and other important topics. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Breech fear-mongering Dating & tracking your pregnancy Midwife harassment Picking a birth assistant Molar pregnancies: wh...

Returning from their travels, Dr. Stu and Blyss share their reflections on their time in Bali and Haiti, offering valuable insights into cultural practices and healthcare. Looking at some current dilemmas and fellow traveler letters, they delve into various topics related to accountability and integrity, including the importance of critical thinking when choosing which research to trust, maintaini...

 While Blyss bathes in tropical wonder, Dr. Stu goes solo and cleans out a corner of his mind attic. From misdiagnosis to outright lying, "medical expert" is now a codified oxymoron. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Safety and effectiveness of HPV v@cc*nes Use of tracking/codes for unv@x  The importance of seeking out second opinions Accepting the uncertainty and unpredictability of...

For episode #300, Blyss and Dr. Stu are joined by Ibu Robin Lim CPM, a Filipino-American midwife and founder of Yayasan Bumi Sehat, a non-profit organization in Indonesia. Blyss is in Bali feeling the love with Ibu Robin, and Dr. Stu is on Maui as a guest of The Ellen Fisher Podcast. It’s a tropical timewarp of stories and history. Lim shares her passion for human rights in childbirth and how prot...

Medicine has been attacked and the medical industry gaslighting continues to rise as trust is nearing zero. Blyss & Dr. Stu catch up on travel ups and downs and respond to the experiences of listeners. Dr. Stu exposes the American Academy of Pediatrics. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Examining the issues of trust and corruption with the AAP A look at the structure of Blyss & Dr. St...

In this episode, Blyss and Dr. Stu speak with Integrative Pediatrician Dr. Joel Gator Warsh on the topic of why half of our children have a chronic disease. They discuss environmental toxins, food and nutritional issues, the lack of individualized care, and the broken state of the current medical system. Dr. Joel also shares his thoughts on the importance of minimizing antibiotic use, his approach...

After returning from a great #reteachbreech seminar in Indiana, Wise Goddess Blyss and Dr. Stu address listeners' inquiries about sleeping positions during pregnancy, pregnancy insurance, artificial rupture of membranes, and optimal intervals for pregnancy planning. They then delve into the topic of ultrasound technology, highlighting both its well-known benefits and downplayed risks. The disc...

Kelly Rain Gross joins Blyss & Dr. Stu to share her experiences with two home births and the challenges she faced navigating unexpected outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and asking questions, and the need to stick with what is right for the individual, even if it goes against the norm. You’ll hear her uplifting story of going the home birth route after genetic t...

Most of us are nutrient and vitamin deficient. On today's podcast, Blyss & Dr. Stu talk with Needed co-founder, Julie Sawaya, about her home births and journey to creating an optimal supplement for moms and dads. Julie also shares her insights on the importance of working with the right midwife or doula, the impact of a first birth on future births, and the importance of addressing the und...

  Blyss & Dr. Stu catch up on crazy California weather and current events in the birth world, and share listener letters from their new email account. They also discuss the latest "crisis" article on Group B Strep and the continuous destruction of trust in medicine. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Surprise breech, “emergency” c-sections, & gestational diabetes Satisfaction v...

Sensational headlines and rumors have finally been put to rest for the midwife trial in Nebraska. Defense Attorney Hermine Hayes-Klein returns to the podcast to give us her unique perspective on the Court V televised trial of midwife, Angee Hock. Hermine also provides her brilliant insight on midwifery law, maternal health, and creating regulations that protect freedom. In this episode of Birthing...

Today, we’re venturing into a postpartum topic — breastfeeding! After Dr. Stu tells Blyss about his last Los Angeles adventure, they are joined by the incredible Chelsea Poyo-Nieto BA, IBCLC who unpacks how to set yourself up for success with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a learned skill, and it’s important to invest in your ability through a breastfeeding class and with a lactation consultant....

Sherlock Holmes has a mind palace; Dr. Stu has a mind attic — and today him and Blyss are clearing out the clutter! The dynamic duo is together as Dr. Stu traveled to Santa Barbara and into Blyss’ kitchen. They each share triumphant birth stories and unpack more Dumb Doctor Dogma. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Triumphant birth stories & the increase in home births Journalists spreadin...

Director Paula James Martinez and Executive Director Sara Ojjeh discuss Born Free, their new film on why the U.S. is the only nation in the developed world with a rising maternal mortality rate. They hope to amplify the need for change in the U.S. maternity system and rebrand our midwifery model while honoring the contributions of the Granny Midwives. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: How rac...