Birthful

Last episode we talked about how breastfeeding may be perfectly natural, but it’s not perfectly easy. There tend to be a few or a lot obstacles to overcome. But what does that actually look like? Dawn Pensack is here to share her stories.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbreastfeedingpersistence If you enj...

Breastfeeding may be perfectly natural, but it’s not perfectly easy. Many people think it will just happen, without realizing there's a steep learning curve. So what are the most common breastfeeding struggles, and how can you navigating them? Kathleen Kendall-Tackett tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthf...

There’s a unique healing power in writing your birth story, in not having an audience, in getting raw and going to the deep places, rather than just sharing the version suitable for light conversation. How do you get started, and is there a way to make the process a bit easier? What if your birth involved trauma? Jaime Fleres tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resourc...

Babywearing is a  sanity-saving practice that has been around for millennia, providing many benefits for both baby and caregiver. What are those benefits? What are the different carrier types? How do you know which is right for you? What do you need to know in terms of safety? And can one carrier take you from the newborn to toddler stage?  Joanna McNeilly tell us more.  Get the most of this episo...

Creating a baby registry can be downright panic producing, but contrary to what the thousands of products out there would have you believe, you really don’t actually need that much. So how do you know what to get and when to get it? Megan Whitaker tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastregistry If...

Usually, conversations around inductions focus on their reasons, risks, benefits, and when to schedule them. That doesn’t leave much time to discuss how they are done, and share expectations on how long they may take, or whether they’ll work at all. Toni Golen is here to walk us through the details.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” pa...

Today we are taking on the most common myths and concerns around birth traumas, and exploring ways to avoid them. The statistics for those who consider their birth to have been traumatic can range between 25 and whopping 49%. So, what can you do to improve the chances of having a lovely birth, and not be a part of that statistic? Bianca Sprague and Natasha Marchand tell us more.  Get the most of t...

We continue still with our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! It’s a jam-packed episode today with five, very different birth stories! From traumatic, to physiological, to emergency cesarean with placental abruption, to VBAC, to home birth, and a bit of lyme disease thrown in there to keep you on your toes, Bronwyn Fackrell shares it all.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resou...

What do you do when you send your husband out to car-nap your older daughter as you finish getting ready to go to the hospital, and labor goes from 0 to 60, while you’re still at home? Do you panic? Do you call 911? Do you call your doula? Do you breathe and center yourself so you are present for your baby? Erin Davis is here to tell us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resou...

We continue still with our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Today’s story comes from Shani Stidham, who did a whole lot of soul searching and preparation in early pregnancy, and set things up so she’d have the environment and support she needed to explore birth on her own terms, and have a glorious postpartum to boot!  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links list...

Today’s story comes from Candice Hodges, who for weeks had to navigate scare tactics, conflicting advice from care providers, and modified bedrest, not to mention the logistics of a long induction, in order to embrace the chaos and have a birth that resembled what she intended.  Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter ! Don't miss even more tips,...

Last summer, while relating her birth stories, Chantal Shelstad surprised us all by sharing she was pregnant again. So she’s back to tell the tale of how she went from a Cesarean, to a VBAC, and to a home water birth, because as she says, “she likes to challenge herself.” Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstor...

We continue with our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Today’s story comes from Elizabeth Nigro, who first broke up with her OB, then was in denial that labor was even happening, but once she let go of perfect, she ended up with an amazingly beautiful birth where she felt safe, supported and like a super woman.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on th...

Today’s story comes from Naomi Wilcox-Lee, who shares how she prepared to bring joy and bliss to her birth, along with all the little ways her family and husband helped her do that, and how she ended up birthing like a rock-star without having to actually push.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory23 If you...

Today’s story comes from Jessica Winquist, who was determined to have a vaginal birth, even though her daughter was breech. As it turns out, pregnancy ended up being the most stressful part of her experience.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory21 If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating...

There’s a lot of misinformation when it comes to having a vaginal birth after a cesarean, with many people being told they are not allowed to VBAC. Often the risks of having a VBAC are exaggerated, while the risks of repeat cesareans are downplayed or not even brought up. That’s an unbalanced conversation that does not allow you to make a true informed choice. What are the facts? Jen Kamel has ans...

If you have a baby in your life, it’s a given that you’re not getting enough sleep, but how does that deprivation affect your mind, body and mood? How does it relate to weight gain?  Can your body adapt to the lack of sleep? Do micro-naps help or hinder? What about regular naps? Dr. Kimberly Fenn has answers.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show...

Birth is filled with uncertainty, and with that come the fears and what ifs: what if something goes wrong, what if the pain is too much, what if my wishes aren’t respected, What if I need a cesarean, what if I poop? All are valid, but not very helpful feelings. So how can you deal with them? Alexia Leachman has answers.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed o...

When it comes to pregnancy, birth choices and baby care, everyone seems to have an opinion. So what happens when your choices don’t line up with the preference of those who surround you, and may even be involved in the care of your baby? Kate Turza tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcasthelpersnot...

When returning to work, it’s not uncommon for baby to start waking more at night. What can you do ahead of time to support better sleep and minimize these wakings? If your baby starts waking more often, what can you do to survive and better the situation? Kim West has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podc...

If you’ve ever said that you don’t have time to meditate, or that you won’t know if you’re doing it right, or frankly, you’re not convinced that it will work, then this episode is for you! Anna Gannon is here to address all those resistance points, along with the wonderful benefits of meditating for fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting.  Get the most of this episode by checking ou...

It’s been nearly two years since I first spoke with Rebecca Dekker from EBB about eating and drinking during labor, and the importance of evidence based information and practices. Recently, Rebecca and her team updated their article on the evidence of “Eating and Drinking During Labor” and -not so surprisingly- not only does the previous evidence still hold, but there is further data support it. T...

Nicolle Kasch shares her personal story of persistence and success, along with specifics on how to navigate what can be a truly cumbersome process. Although filled with trial and error, her 8 months of determination resulted in full reimbursement.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/homebirthreimbursement If you enj...

How your baby is born will determine what microorganisms get where, when. It’s a beautifully orchestrated process with lifelong implications for your baby’s health. So what if you have a cesarean birth, take antibiotics, or are not able to breastfeed? Toni Harman tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/po...

Is a little stress good for your baby? What about chronic stress? Are there ways to deal with the anxiety and guilt? What if you have a high-risk pregnancy? How does it all affect you? Parijat Deshpande tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastpregnancystress And if you want to connect with Adriana,...