Birthful

Have you considered what motherhood means to you, and how you are going to integrate that, with your current identity? How do you feel about the words sacrifice and devotion? Sophie McEntee is here to tell us why becoming a mom can be such a messy process, and what you can do to prepare.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful...

What are some signs that your fertility is returning after giving birth? How does breastfeeding suspend your cycle, and for how long? What should you consider when thinking about the spacing between pregnancies? Lisa Hendrickson-Jack has answers to this and so much more.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-post...

It’s extremely common for pushing stages to be managed, with laboring people reclining on their backs and being told to grab behind their knees and pull them open towards their ears, while tucking their chins, and holding their breath for a count of 10. Is this really the best way? Does it support physiology? And what effect does it have on the baby, and on the perineum that’s receiving the brunt...

I talk with Robin Kaplan about the importance of a good breastfeeding latch, along with what you can do if your baby has a shallow latch, a leaky latch, is developing sucking blisters, or takes way too long to feed, as well as how to save your nipples, and what to do when your older baby suddenly develops an uncomfortable latch. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links...

Jacky Braun Zuker lives in Israel, and her birth story is a testament of how birth is not linear, how you can find your voice during labor, how care providers truly need to listen to the birthing person, and the importance of informing your intuition.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-Israel-birth-story Downl...

This is a bonus episode! Instead of the usual interview or story, today you are going to get a minisode with my compiled list of things that I believe can set any person up for a better birth, no matter how the baby decides to enter the world. And because, it’s the spirit of the season and what not, I’m calling it The 12 Days of Birth. Whatever your beliefs, I hope you have a wonderful and mindful...

Chelsea Wiley had a fast and furious first birth, followed by a postpartum period that left her feeling overwhelmed, isolated and unprepared for being a parent. After realizing she was the one that needed mothering, she prepared differently during her second pregnancy by using traditional ayurvedic tools that helped her slow down, improved her postpartum experience and recovery, and changed the co...

In this episode of the Birthful podcast, I talk with Professor Gene Declercq about the complex realm of inductions. Are there good and not so good reasons for inductions? What are the risks? Do inductions lead to other interventions? Let’s see what the numbers say. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-indu...

Today’s birth story, is with Nichole Joy, whose experiences have taken her from a Cesarean birth, to a VBAC, to an unexpected and unassisted home birth. She has gone from being afraid of giving birth and letting others guide her decision making, to trusting the process and being able to tell an EMT to “get your hand off of my vagina” as her baby’s body was about to emerge.  Get the most of this ep...

Today’s show is about the impact of the over-sexualization of breasts on breastfeeding. If you breastfeed, you’ll find that your breasts undergo a radical identity shift from culturally sexual to biologically nurturing. So what does that have to do with how you feel while doing it, your ability to nurse in public, your decision on how long to breastfeed, having to deal with strangers opinions, and...

Today’s breastfeeding stories start when Claire Labrosa had breast reductions at age 17. Clare shares how she was able to breastfeed - and even tandem feed- her three kids, but not without her share of obstacles. Many of them having nothing to do with her reduction, but rather lack of support, conflicting information from careproviders, and dealing with lip ties, tongue ties, and sensitive babies....

Planning to breastfeed your newborn? In this episode of the Birthful Podcast I talk with none other than Dr. Jack Newman on what to expect, what to avoid, and when to ask for help, in order to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-breastfeeding-newborn Title music: “Vibe A...

Monica Drake has had three very different birth and breastfeeding experiences. In this episode, we’re going to hone in on the third one, which included weeks of prodromal labor, no time for an epidural, and immediate postpartum interventions to baby that may not have been necessary, and have required a lot of processing.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed...

Hayley Gallagher Katz had set out to have a non-medicated waterbirth with a midwife and doula. So what happens after a month of prodromal labor, 40 hours of induction, the worst headache of her life, and lots of oozing meconium?  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-induction-meconium-respecful-cesarean-story...

How does your baby’s position affect the flow of labor? Are there things you can do during pregnancy that can help baby get in a better position? Will doing these things help you be more comfortable during pregnancy? Will it make birth easier? The fabulous Gail Tully from Spinning Babies is here to tell us all about baby’s position and labor flow. Get the most out of this episode by checking out t...

What happens when you plan for a birth center water birth and you end up with a 34 week preemie, and an onslaught of breastfeeding obstacles? How does this help you prepare differently for your next birth and postpartum? Vanessa Young shares her perspective.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-preemie-NICU-b...

The thought of vaginal tearing can make any woman cringe. And let’s not even think about episiotomies. Are there ways to avoid tearing? What’s the evidence behind perineal massage, kegels and squats? Will being told how to push make things worse? Rachel Reed tells us more about protecting your perineum during birth. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the...

After her first birth Julia experienced undiagnosed postpartum depression along with major breastfeeding struggles. Second time around, she was dreading her baby’s arrival rather than excitedly awaiting it, so she did something about it. Julia shares how proactively preparing for all possibilities allowed her to be fully present during those first weeks, and enjoy the time with her newborn. Get th...

Waiting a few minutes to clamp a newborn’s umbilical cord can have significant health benefits, and yet the debate of early vs. delayed cord clamping rages on. What’s the big deal? Dr. Mark Sloan explains and share what the evidence says. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-delayed-cord-clamping Go to birthfu...

Margo Fox shares her challenging vaginal birth, that included trying all the natural things to avoid a medical induction, navigating disappointing vaginal checks, reluctantly getting an epidural. And yet, she persisted.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-natural-induction-epidural-vaginal-birth-story Go to...

Julia is the daughter of a midwife, who grew up immersed in birth culture. For as long as she can remember, she had hoped for a home water birth. What happens when labor has other plans, that include a transfer to the hospital?  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-homebirth-transfer-hospital-story Go to birth...

Babies grow and develop at an astounding rate, but it turns out that those developmental leaps happen at specific times, following some not-so-sunshiny days. Listen to Dr. Frans Plooij, creator of The Wonder Weeks, explain what the fussy phases are all about, how to tell they are happening, and what you can do about it. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on...

Going from being an non-parent individual to being a parent duo is an immensely transformative process that rocks any couple’s world. In this episode of the Birthful podcast, Elly Taylor will take us through the 8 stages that you can expect to navigate, as you grow. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: http://www.birthful.com/podc...

Sarah Pion shares her two unmedicated, intense, and wonderful birth center birth stories, along with how much she values having found the right care provider, why even in labor she can’t leave the house without makeup, and the newfound appreciation and deep love she now has for her body.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birth...

Although the reasons behind preeclampsia are not yet well understood, this disorder can affect 1 in 12 pregnancies, threatening the health of both mom and baby. So what are its symptoms? Who’s at higher risk, and what happens if you do develop preeclampsia? What about postpartum preeclampsia? Eleni Tsigas has answers.  Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on...