Birth, Baby! | Guidance for Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum, and Parenting

Join us for a crucial episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast as we unravel the importance of kick counting in pregnancy. Many expectant parents have heard about kick counting but may feel unsure about how to effectively practice it. That's why we're thrilled to have Kimberly Isburg, an expert from Count The Kicks, to guide us through this essential prenatal ritual.   Count the Kicks is an evidence-based...

In this insightful episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we dive deep into the often-contemplated decision of whether to have siblings present during the birth of a new baby.  Join us as we welcome back the esteemed midwife, Leonora Colen, from Home Birth Honey in Austin, Texas, to explore the nuanced pros and cons of this unique birthing experience. In this conversation, we discuss the topic of siblin...

Join us for a fun Father's Day Special on Birth, Baby! Podcast, where we celebrate the behind-the-scenes supporters of Ciarra and Samantha – our husbands! In this comedic episode, we invite our very own husbands to the mic for a friendly yet competitive showdown to determine the ultimate "Birth King."  Get ready for laughter and surprises as we put our partners to the test with a fun and interacti...

In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we delve into the often-misunderstood topic of weight gain during pregnancy. Join us as we welcome back Leonora Colen of Home Birth Honey, a seasoned midwife with years of experience guiding expectant mothers through this transformative journey. Together, we explore the various factors influencing weight gain, from prenatal health to societal pressures, off...

Welcome to another episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, where we delve into the inspiring journey of conception and birth. In this episode, we are privileged to hear Courtney's deeply personal story of becoming a mother and her transformation into a birth worker.   Courtney takes us through her experience with IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), sharing the emotional and physical challenges of procedures li...

Sabrina Ortolano is back! In this episode we go deeper into what a community and village looks like in the perinatal period. We talk about how we can be a better village and what helpful support looks like.   Sabrina Ortolano is a Birth Doula who has been supporting families for nearly thirty years. She is also the owner of IPSB , Los Angeles’ longest-running bodywork school, where she is the head...

In this episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we're joined by Sabrina Ortolano, a birth doula with nearly 30 years of experience, to talk about the history of birth and the village in the United States. The birth scene has changed so much over the years, and it has an impact that people don’t always realize. We discuss the evolution of birth practices in the United States and the impact on the parent-c...

We have a special Mother’s Day episode for you! In this heartwarming episode of Birth, Baby! Podcast, we invite a very special pair of guests - our own moms! Join us as we delve into the intimate and captivating stories of their childbirth experiences. From the anticipation of labor to the unforgettable moment of meeting their newborns for the first time, our moms candidly share their journeys, co...

Ciarra and Samantha help break down what to consider when choosing a pediatrician for your newborn. This is a task that is daunting to so many new parents. Listen to get an idea of the things to consider when making this decision.  In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha discuss how to choose a pediatrician for your child. They provide tips and considerations for finding the right pediatrician, such...

Today we have a Jes, a postpartum doula on the Empowered Beginnings team, on to talk to us about the birth and NICU stay of her second child. She wanted to share this story to bring light to the world of being a NICU parent. Jes is a wife and mother of two children, postpartum doula and pediatric sleep consultant, and a passionate plant and pug lover.  Jes shares her birth stories, focusing on her...

In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha discuss the topic of cervical exams during pregnancy and labor. They explain what a cervical exam is and what providers are looking for during the exam. They discuss the reasons why providers offer cervical exams and the potential benefits and drawbacks of getting them. They emphasize that cervical exams are not a crystal ball and do not accurately predict when...

This episode may be hard for some people to listen to, but we feel it's important to talk about it because so many families share with us that they struggle with making the decision of whether or not to circumcise their children. Brendon Marotta, creator of the documentary American Circumcision , joined us to tackle this subject. Brendon Marotta is a filmmaker, author, podcaster, public speaker, a...

In this episode we interview Dr. Jared Poplin about the ins and outs of oral tie revisions. He answers commonly asked questions and addresses fears that many parents experience surrounding this procedure.  Dr. Jared Poplin is the owner of Poplin Pediatric Dentistry, a specialized pediatric practice based out of Austin, Texas. A Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Poplin exc...

In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha interview Naiomi Catron of Milk Diva about lip ties, tongue ties, and how they relate to feeding. They discuss the lack of a clear definition for tongue ties and the subjective nature of diagnosing them. Naiomi explains that a tie is a piece of tissue that restricts range of motion and can cause functional deficits. She emphasizes the importance of assessing to...

Let's talk Parent Hacks!  In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha share their favorite parent hacks that have made their lives easier as parents. They discuss tips for making the baby's crib easier to clean, using a splash mat under the highchair, using a pacifier to give medicine, freezing breast milk flat, and rotating boxes of toys. They also talk about creative ideas like using animal stickers to...

Today we have a past doula client of ours on to talk to us about the pregnancy and birth of her twins! Sarah grew up in the Texas Hill Country, and recently returned in 2019. She met her now husband in 2021 and they were married August 2022. She loves the outdoors, riding horses, playing with her two French Bulldogs, and spending time with friends and family. Sarah and her husband Nolan run a fami...

In this episode we chat with Naiomi Catron of Milk Diva about how and when to introduce solids to babies!  We discuss the recommended age to start solids, the importance of meeting developmental signs, and the role of breast milk in complementing solid foods. We also touch on the risks of starting solids too early, the window of opportunity for introducing new flavors, and the order of feeding bre...

In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha interview Chantal Blake, a womb steaming therapist, about embracing menstrual cycles and the benefits of vaginal steaming. They discuss the connection between honoring cycles and honoring births and postpartum experiences. Chantal shares her personal journey with vaginal steaming and how it has helped women with various reproductive health issues. They also tal...

In this episode we talked with Theresa Swan. Theresa is a Peristeam Hydrotherapist (and a Peristeam Facilitator) through the Peristeam Hydrotherapy Institute.  During this intensive training she learned how to use steam therapy with over 350 pelvic health situations. Her mission is to see a revival of every household using steaming to help support and rebalance their bodies. She came to talk to us...

Katie Phillips comes on to share her birth story. The fertility journey, pregnancy experience, and birth of her son are so inspiring to those that haven’t had a straightforward experience of their own! She shares the process of egg retrievals, IVF rounds, and the travel involved. She also shares the emotional process of experiencing a pregnancy and preparing for a birth, and how childbirth classes...

In this episode we chat with Dr. Elissa Gonzalez of Blue Monarch Pediatrics about jaundice! Does delayed cord clamping increase the risk of jaundice? How do you know if your baby's bilirubin is truly high enough to warrant staying longer in the hospital? Can you effectively eliminate jaundice at home? She helps us break down what it is and how you can help your baby get rid of it. Dr. Elissa Gonza...

In this episode we’re joined by Dr. Whitaker, a direct care pediatrician in Austin, Texas at the practice Blue Monarch Pediatrics! He’s here to talk to us all about fevers in newborns. What constitutes a fever in a newborn? At what age is it less dangerous for a baby to have a fever? What can a parent do for a newborn with a fever and is it always necessary to go to the emergency room? Dr. Whitake...

This is Episode 6 in a 6-episode series. In this episode, Dr. Katherine Melot joins us to chat about diastasis in infants and children. Many people don't realize that anyone can have diastasis, not just after pregnancy. She discusses how this happens, it's effects, when it's something to be concerned about, and how to help correct diastasis in children.  Dr. Katherine Melot is the owner and creato...

This is Episode 5 in a 6-episode series. In this episode, we have Dr. Michelle Meija. She explains how hormones play a role in healing diastasis and building muscle. Dr. Michelle is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) with a Master’s of Science in Functional Nutrition. She practices as the Functional Nutrition Practitioner for BirthCo., dedicated to promoting optimal wellness from the inside ou...

This is Episode 4 in a 6-episode series. In this episode you will hear the birth stories and postpartum journey of Amy Ferrara. Amy is a faith-based speaker, Bible teacher, and homeschooling mom. She's a native Texan who spent nearly 20 years in Washington, DC, where she met and married her husband, Mark. They have 3 kids, ranging in ages from 4 to 14. Amy and her family moved to Austin in 2020 an...