Birth Words: Language For a Better Birth

I'm thrilled to introduce you this week to the most special of all special guests: my mom, Vicki Collet! Vicki is an an associate professor of elementary education who also teaches doctoral courses in literacy studies. Before her work in teacher preparation, she taught in kindergarten through 12th grade and worked as a literacy coach and district curriculum coordinator. She is passionate about cho...

In this episode, Sara introduces the concept of figured worlds. Figured worlds are the simplified mental perceptions we have of the way things typically work. In birth, common figured worlds hold many families back from having empowered, active birth experiences.   REFERENCES: Gee, James Paul.  How to do discourse analysis: A toolkit . Routledge, 2014. Holland, Dorothy C., William Lachicotte Jr, D...

In this week's episode of Birth Words, I get to introduce you to the lovely Alleah Erica Clarke. Alleah Erica is a yoga teacher, childbirth educator, and gestational coach. She hosts The Partners Workshop, where she helps couples engage as a partnership during pregnancy and birth. In this episode, she discusses how communication between partners--both verbal and nonverbal--can be a powerful force...

In this episode, Sara looks at caregiver-client conversations and how they can reinforce asymmetrical power relationships. She invites birthgivers to mindfully choose a midwife or obstetrician who honors your autonomy and power as the one growing and giving life. References: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHiu94RzDhQ Leahy, Margaret M. "Therapy talk: Analyzing therapeutic discourse."  Language Sp...

In this episode, Sara interviews author and historian Lara Freidenfelds about her book  The Myth of the Perfect Pregnancy . Lara discusses the knowledge we've gained about early pregnancy and miscarriage, as well as wisdom we've lost from earlier times.

In this episode, Sara interviews author and historian Lara Freidenfelds about her book  The Myth of the Perfect Pregnancy . Lara discusses the knowledge we've gained about early pregnancy and miscarriage, as well as wisdom we've lost from earlier times.

In this episode, Sara considers the importance of using language that recognizes the power of birthgivers! She takes a critical look at some common descriptions and depictions of childbirth. Links for Excerpts and Clip Discussed: https://medlineplus.gov/childbirth.html https://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/delivery-methods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwP__y5lEHM

This episode is an interview with licensed massage therapist Kristy Burtenshaw. Kristy discusses the role that fascia plays in the physiological and emotional process of birth, and how our words play an important supporting role in that process.

Heading in to year two of the Birth Words podcast, we'll be shifting to an every-other-week schedule. Tune in next week for another episode of Birth Words!

In this episode, Sara considers the effects of our words. She invites birthgivers and birth workers alike to be intentional about using words that point towards positive change and honor the power of those who give life.

In this episode, birth videographer and podcast host Sarah Asay talks about birth videography and how she uses video as a mediating tool to capture birth experiences and communicate powerful messages.

In this episode, Sara invites listeners to be reflective about the words that they use in the realms of racial injustice and in all aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

This special episode is a rebroadcast of a conversation with Dr. Sayida Peprah, previously aired as episode 28. In this interview, Dr. Sayida discusses the importance of being authentic, humble, and curious when interacting with others from different cultures or circumstances.

In this episode, mother Jess Burdette shares the stories of her two home births, which she prepared for with Hypnobabies. She discusses the importance of being intentional about the words and stories we let into our pregnancies and birth experiences, and the power of encouraging words.

In this episode, we revisit the topic of silence and discuss how silence, though appropriate in some scenarios, is inappropriate in others. We consider the death of George Floyd, the astonishingly high maternal mortality rate for birthgivers of color in the US, and commit to use our voices to rise above silence and create a more peaceful world.   REFERENCES: Austin, John. "How to Do Things with Wo...

In this episode, Stacey and Chanel, who each chose adoption for their birth children years ago, discuss the important role that language played and continue to plays in the choices.

This episode unpacks the role of silence in the birth space. REFERENCES: Buckley, Sarah. Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering : A Doctor's Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting Choices Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 2009. Patterson, Adam. "Wittgenstein's Silence." New Narrative. 19 June 2013, https://www.new- narrative.com/2013/06/19/wittgensteins-silence/. Vlăduțescu, Ștefan. "Communica...

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Coats talks about how she cares for her clients during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She shares her perspective of the transformative and empowering process of giving life and how she provides physical and emotional support to her clients throughout this miraculous process.

In this episode, Sara introduces the idea of concept metaphors: the metaphors that operate underneath our speech (often subconsciously). She explores several concept metaphors relating to pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum time.

In this episode, Adriana Lozada shares her insights about the power of her birth podcast, Birthful, and the power of positive birth frameworks. She also discusses how language can be a barrier to the physiological unfolding of birth.

This episode is a mash-up of Episode 15 (Affirmations) and Episode 41 (Agentive). Sara talks about the linguistic power of affirmations and the importance of using language that rightly frames the birthgiver as the central agent bringing forth new life, and provides frames and idea seeds for writing powerful affirmations for those preparing to give birth during COVID-19.

In this podcast episode, Hypnobabies founder and director, Kerry Tuschoff, shares her thoughts about the power of language during pregnancy and birth. Kerry gives examples of common phrases used during birth that can be disempowering and induce pain and fear, then offers positive alternatives that frame birth as a powerful, beautiful experience.

In this episode, Sara considers the unique situation of the global COVID-19 pandemic and what birthgivers can do to claim their power as life-giving agents engaged in a praiseworthy work.

This episode is a conversation with Salt Lake area birth photographer Lindsey Rivera. Lindsey discusses her experience with birth and how it has shaped her career as a birth photographer who reveals her clients' beauty and power.

In this episode, Sara talks about some colloquialisms used to refer to pregnancy. REFERENCES: Etymonline. (2020). Pregnant. In Online etymology dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/pregnant Steinmetz, K. (2019, May 11). It's time to rethink the demeaning ways we describe pregnancy. Time. https://time.com/5587321/knocked-up-pregnant-synonyms/