Birthful

In this episode we talk about the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ new recommendations on “Limiting Interventions during Labor and Birth”. Do you need to be continuously monitored? Does your bag of waters need to be broken? Do you have to hold your breath to push? How about IV fluids? It turns out that “many common obstetric practices are of limited or uncertain benefit”, and i...

Up to 45% of women report that their births were traumatic, and around 3% will experience PTSD. What are the differences between the two? What are the symptoms and risk factors for childbirth PTSD? What about PostTraumatic Growth? Cheryl Tatano Beck 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/podcastbirthptsd...

When talking about birth, words that tend to come up are fear and pain. But what if instead of trying to get rid of the fear and pain, you focused wholeheartedly on bringing heaps of joy and pleasure to your birth instead? Angela Gallo 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/podcastpleasure/ If you enjoy w...

Figuring out how much your birth will cost is a daunting proposition composed of many confusing and expensive parts. But what if you could navigate it in an non-overwhelming manner, that could potentially save you thousands of dollars? Nate Dallas is here to share his step-by-step secrets. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birt...

There’s an extremely famous quote in the birth world from Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer that says “If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any”, but sometimes the amount of options, choices and nuances can be truly overwhelming. So where do you start? Betsy Schwartz tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birth...

Many women suffer from an onslaught of unwelcome pelvic floor symptoms such as incontinence, prolapse, painful sex, and dry vaginas, even many years after giving birth. Although super common, avoiding trampolines and peeing when your laugh doesn’t have to be the new normal. So what does this rehab entail? Susi Hately tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and lin...

Although about 80% percent of mamas start off breastfeeding, by 3 months only about half of them are exclusively breastfeeding. So, what vital information should you know before baby arrives to increase your breastfeeding success? Cindy Leclerc 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/podcastbreastfeedingpr...

How do you navigate the fear, manage the stress and relearn trust, in order to let joy back in? What support systems should you put in place for both you and your partner? How do you deal with the new normal of being happy and sad at the same time? Melissa Krawecki is back to share her wisdom and knowledge.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-n...

This not very well known and hard to diagnose syndrome sometimes presents like preeclampsia, and other times just like regular pregnancy symptoms. On top of that, there’s little you can do to prevent it. What can you do instead of worrying? Melissa Krawecki is here to bring awareness, and share her story.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-not...

Although no one plans to have their baby in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, about 10% of newborns will spend some time there. Prematurity is the most common reason, but even some less severe, full term concerns such as respiratory issues, unstable blood sugar, infection, or jaundice may warrant a short stay. What should you know?  Dr. Sue Hall tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checki...

Laura Brandenburg’s placentas tend to steal her birth shows. She’s here to tell us how this prompted a transfer from birth center to hospital for her first birth, and how she got the last word during her second birth by delivering both baby and placenta at home.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory19 If yo...

What should you look for in a breast pump? Is it ever too early to pump? What’s the easiest way to build your breastmilk stash? What about if you need to increase milk production or are exclusively pumping? How can you make your pumping sessions more effective? Nancy Mohrbacher answers these questions and many more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on th...

We’ll be talking about why breastfeeding a newborn is different from an older baby. It's often assumed that breastfeeding will simply work, but most moms report significant problems within the first week. Fortunately, understanding why newborns feed the way they do can make the whole process a breeze. Theresa Nesbitt is tells us more, including how to avoid nipple pain, encouraging a good latc...

Today we’ll be approaching the 4th trimester from a more culturally traditional point of view. Lisa Chin is here to tell us about her experience of following the Chinese tradition of sitting the month, which involves eating body warming foods, staying inside, and not showering for weeks. How did this impact her recovery?  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed...

Breastfeeding Need-to-Knows - Today we’ll be taking on 11 breastfeeding need-to-knows! Consider these breastfeeding mini-facts as possible bumps-in-the-road that can be dealt with fairly easily with a bit of information and determination, but that can otherwise potentially derail your breastfeeding relationship. These include damaged nipples, baby weight loss, nipple shape, breast behavior, colost...

Water birth - What are there benefits to giving birth in water? Are there any risks? What about if you are considering a VBAC? Why has there been so much controversy around water births, and what does the evidence say? Barbara Harper 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/podcast-waterbirth/ If you enjoy...

Prenatal Bonding - We now know that babies are conscious while in womb. They can hear sounds, learn, form memories, and respond to your stress. So, can connecting with your baby before the birth, make for better pregnancies and healthier babies? And how do you go about doing that? Dr. Jay Warren tells us more, including how singing, talking, and playing with your baby makes a difference.  Get the...

3rd Stage of Labor - There are critical physiological changes that happen within mom and baby immediately after birth that allow for bonding and a healthy transition from womb to word. What are they, how can they be supported, and how do interventions change the hormonal flow?  Dr. Sarah Buckley tells us more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “sho...

We’ve arrived at the last episode of our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Today, Jaime Hitt tells us about her VBAC, and all the ways she prepared differently than for her first birth in order to make it happen, including and unexpected external cephalic version. We talk about chiropractic care, cross-fit, prodromal labor, delayed cord clamping, having a VBAC supportive provider (not just to...

We continue on our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Kate Bechtold had previously pushed two babies out without too much fuss, so she was expecting her third to come out in no time. But what happens when she starts pushing with all her might, and doesn’t feel the baby move down?  Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter ! Don't miss even more...

When Breech Doesn’t Flip - We continue on our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Today, Chantal Shelstad shares the impact that having a cesarean birth due to a breech presentation had on her psyche, her ensuing struggle with postpartum mood anxiety for years to follow, and how preparation and determination were key in finally having the VBAC she wanted. Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan...

This week, Natasha Grey shares her lovely homebirth story, noting how an ultimatum from her midwife had her running for the stairs, and right into transition. Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter ! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

This week, Kate Turza tells us about her three epidural births, and highlights how what happens during the third stage of labor can impact breastfeeding and your recovery, even for many weeks after the birth.  Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter ! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Advertising Inquirie...

Emily Alsheskie never really had any experience around children -nor was she all that excited about having kids. Oh, how things change! Check out her awesome and unconventional home water birth story, that happened while she lived in a small apartment, while going to school. Plus, many of the things she did to prepare for her birth, including hypnobirthing, chiropractic, saltwater pool, birthing a...

Victoria Wilson tells us how bringing great labor support to a birth makes for a much better experience than when you just bring your stubbornness. Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter ! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands