Yoga Birth Babies

What do you do when motherhood feels challenging—when it doesn’t come as naturally as you expected? This episode was inspired by honest conversations in my prenatal yoga classes, where some students shared fears about entering parenthood. One even admitted, “I don’t know if I’m very maternal.” That vulnerability struck a chord, and I knew we needed to explore it further. In this episode of Yoga |...

Today we are talking about stalling versus flow, in birth, and how your body’s balance, and alignment can play a major role in that process. What does it even mean to be balanced and aligned? To have this conversation today with me on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have Lindsay McCoy.  Lindsay McCoy is an exercise physiologist, an experienced birth doula, and a childbirth educator of 12 years. She combines...

Taking medication while breastfeeding, even taking something as common as Tylenol can be controversial. So what about parents on or who need to start taking medicine like Zoloft, Prozac or other psychotropic medications? Is it safe for both parent and new baby? Today we’re going to talk all about postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression medication and breastfeeding. There are lots of thoughts,...

Today, we’re diving into one of my favorite types of conversations- a community birth story. What makes this episode extra special is that it actually includes two birth stories. My guest reflects on both her first and second births, sharing how the challenges she faced during her initial pregnancy and postpartum experience shaped the decisions she made the second time around. To have this convers...

Many times, I hear my prenatal students express feeling disconnected from their care provider or uneasy about hospital policies. However, they’ve hired a doula in hopes that that will help them navigate and achieve the birth experience they want. Today, we’re diving into how and why birth preparation goes beyond simply hiring a doula. To have this conversation with me today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I...

Today, we’re diving into the relationship between birth and the pelvic floor. First, we’ll cover the basics: What is the pelvic floor? What is its function? How does one even connect with their pelvic floor? We usually aren’t taught about the pelvic floor growing up, and lack an awareness of it, in part because it’s a group of muscles we do not see. However this mysterious group of muscles doesn’t...

Today, we’re diving into our current parenting culture- does it support or hinder parents and kids? To have this conversation with me today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Emily Edlynn, PhD. Emily is a licensed clinical psychologist, international speaker, co-host of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast, and award-winning author of Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Co...

Having a baby is expensive! So, how can we prepare for the expected and unexpected costs that come with having a child? In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with financial educator and founder of Smart Money Mamas Chelsea Brennan. From getting a clear picture of your current financial state, to understanding how to prioritize and prepare for baby expenses, Chelsea gives simple exercises...

Today, we have a very special community birth story. I love when I get to hear the birth stories of not only our student community, but also of our teaching community. Today, we have a story of the latter! Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Meredith Witte. Meredith Witte is a functional strength coach and a yoga instructor with a Master’s in Exercise Physiology. She is the founder and owner of The...

Today, we're diving into the topic of VBACs—Vaginal Birth After Cesareans. We'll explore the most common reasons for cesarean births, as well as the risks and benefits of choosing a VBAC. Additionally, we'll discuss factors that might make someone risk out of a VBAC, and compare those risks to those of a repeat cesarean. To have this conversation today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Meagan Heaton. Me...

The other day I overheard some students discussing whether to hire a doula for their birth, or rely on the support of labor and delivery staff. As L&D nurse experiences vary from hospital to hospital, I felt this was an important topic to explore. In this episode, we’ll dive into the role of a labor and delivery nurse, what to expect, and some insider tips—straight from an L&D nurse herself! Today...

If you could choose between a functional efficient labor or a dysfunctional and inefficient labor, I’m guessing you would choose functional and efficient labor. I have been to many births as a doula and I’ve had 2 kids of my own. While the body may need time to open to let the baby descend and rotate, it can be a lot on the parents and support team to go through the experience of a long labor! Tod...

Today we have a remarkable and empowering community birth story. Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Amber Hogue. Amber is a proud mom of two boys, Finn and Wally, and lives in the Bay Area with her family. She works in clinical research with a focus on patient engagement, leveraging her expertise to create meaningful connections and improve healthcare outcomes. A yoga teacher for over 10 years, Amb...

A few months ago, before teaching my postnatal class, my students were sitting in a circle sharing their experiences about postpartum and all the surprises this phase brought. In other words, they were discussing all the things no one had told them about postpartum.  Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Tina Goldstein. Tina facilitates the New Parent Support Group at PYC, and is a postpartum doula, c...

Today, we’re diving into a book titled Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser. This collection of essays captures the journey of being the go-to person for everyone’s needs while quietly struggling. It explores the idea of being “happy to help”… even when you shouldn’t be. The essays are hilariously relatable, and what I love most is the author’s raw vulnerability and personal storytelling....

Many parents experience significant pressure and responsibility when it comes to feeding their new child, particularly around breastfeeding. This is especially true for the individual providing nourishment and nutrition through breastfeeding. Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Chana Topek Diamond. Chana is a licensed clinical social worker, doula, lactation/feeding counselor and childbirth educator...

If you’re a parent, or have simply spent time around children, you know the how hard it can be to stay calm when a child is whining. I’m almost 14 years into parenthood and still, I find myself hungrily looking for expert advice on this issue! In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Dr. Laura Markham on this valuable subject. Dr. Laura Markham is the author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kid...

Community birth stories are, for me, some of the most important episodes to share on this podcast. Oftentimes, we’re overwhelmed with negative birth narratives, which can impact one’s confidence in their ability to birth. I feel passionate about hearing, and sharing, stories where individuals acknowledge their birthing anxieties but ultimately overcome them. Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have...

Today, we're talking all about prenatal chiropractic work and how it can help you have a smoother birth and more comfortable pregnancy. I love the idea of chiropractics because it all goes back to alignment. And as a studio owner, yoga teacher and former doula, I am confident in saying that when the pregnant body is aligned, it not only feels better for the pregnant person but also helps their bir...

Today, we're exploring a topic that has impacted so many people around the world, including some of my closest friends and students. I'll admit that I didn't know much about IVF, as I haven’t had personal experience with it, so I set out to learn more. Interestingly, my cousin is an expert on the subject, and one day shared with me about the the history of IVF and the globalization and the technol...

For many sex is a very different experience while pregnant and newly postpartum. From wondering if you might hurt your baby to the physical discomfort one may experience, a lot of questions come to mind. Today we're going to talk about sex during pregnancy and after baby. I gathered some of the students together from the prenatal and postnatal classes and asked what their questions were. Questions...

Today we are going to talk about SLEEP: your sleep, your baby’s sleep, and how to help your baby get good sleep. We dive into the topic of sleep deprivation, its impact on maternal mental health and bonding with baby, and also the different types of sleep training methods.  Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Liza Kaplan Montanino. Liza is a dual-certified pediatric and special needs sleep cons...

Today, we have a community birth story. I look at these stories as a wonderful chance to hear firsthand about the incredible experience of birth from someone in our very own community—an experience that deeply influences so much of what we do here at PYC! Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Fiamma. Fiamma was born in NYC grew up as a competitive equestrian show jumper where she would travel bet...

If you are a new and expectant parent, I know that childcare is a subject that has crossed your mind before. Whether you’re going back to work full-time, or just need some assistance throughout the day, remember that you don't have to do it all on your own! As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” The right choice for your family will depend on your individual priorities, so let’s explore the opt...

Today we’re diving into a topic that’s very close to my heart. Along with being a parent of a child often labeled as "difficult," I know that so many other children are unfairly pigeonholed because of their behavior. And I’ve come to realize: it’s not so much about the actual behavior as it is about understanding the root cause of that behavior. To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Bi...