InCast

In today's fast-paced and often disconnected world, many new parents find themselves navigating pregnancy, birth, and postpartum with far less support than previous generations. In this episode, we explore the powerful role of community in maternal and family well-being and why rebuilding a modern-day "village" may be one of the most important ways to improve postpartum outcomes. Drawing from her...

In a world that feels increasingly uncertain—from global conflict and community tension to lingering stress carried forward from the pandemic—expecting and new parents are holding more emotional weight than ever before. This episode explores how stress shows up during the childbearing years and, more importantly, how perinatal professionals can help parents feel grounded, supported, and capable ev...

Induction has quietly become one of the most common interventions in childbirth—so common that many parents assume it's inevitable or automatically safer. In this episode, we slow the conversation way down and take a careful, evidence-based look at how induction became routine, what the research actually shows, and why so many families are encouraged to induce without hearing the full story. With...

In this rich and reassuring conversation, Debbie sits down once again with Dr. Lexi Hill, a Maternal–Fetal Medicine specialist, to unpack what  advanced maternal age  really means today.   Together, they demystify the risks, clarify what's truly important in prenatal care, and offer practical guidance for parents, educators, and birth professionals alike. From essential screenings and advocacy tip...

When a pregnancy is labeled "high-risk" and families are transferred from standard pregnancy care to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist, it can feel overwhelming, disorienting, and even like a personal setback. Emotions like fear, confusion, and self-doubt are common for parents, but finding balance during this transition is essential. Staying engaged and empowered isn't just good for emot...

Pregnancy often begins with joy and anticipation—but for some , it ends in unimaginable heartbreak. In this powerful episode, we explore what happens when pregnancy ends in loss, and how doulas, birth workers, and loved ones can offer meaningful support.     T his episode offers insight into the complexity of perinatal grief, the power of presence, and practical strategies for compassionate care....

We're diving into a vital topic that touches the heart of our work as birth professionals: supporting mental health during the perinatal period. Whether you're a childbirth educator, a doula, or another type of birth professional, your role is uniquely positioned to offer meaningful support during one of the most emotionally complex times in a person's life.    Perinatal Mental Health Disorders (P...

Hillary helps us learn how newborns experience their brand-new world —and how we as educators and doulas can help families understand them in ways they may have never been taught. Rather than seeing babies as a blob to be shaped, we can recognize them as fully formed people with unique needs. Transitioning from an internal dark, warm, water-filled home to the bright, ever-changing world can be qui...

Join us as we explore gentle sleep support—for both parents and babies—with Sierra Brooks, CAPPA Certified Postpartum Doula, Gentle Sleep Coach, and Certified Lactation Counselor.  In this episode, Sierra shares insights into how helping parents understand the biological needs of their babies, and how to accommodate those needs while getting enough rest themselves, can reduce maternal mental healt...

Sarah —better known as the "Labor Junkie RN"— is a practicing high - risk labor nurse , social media influencer, and mom of three.   You may have seen her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook sharing evidence-based insights on pregnancy, birth , and postpartum.  She often ends reel s with " F or more information on pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum , give me a follow and check out my page ".   S...

Too many moms and babies are dying in the US! Many of those tragedies are avoidable. We have seen this problem, talked about the problem , and yet, the problem still exists. Poor outcomes can happen because of lack of respect and not listening to what is being said by the patient, especially BIPOC patients.    Today we are speaking to Dr. Renée Canady, a relationship - driven leader and author of...

Gestational d iabetes changes the direction of many women's pregnanc ies .  Once the determination is made, things are not so straightforward after that .  In this podcast we will explore how the path to birth changes once a diagnosis is made and what women can do to have a birth with as few complications as possible. We also look at what women can do to prevent the diagnosis in the first place.  ...

When a mother has the devastating experience of leaving the hospital without a baby and perhaps only a memory box, many in our society expect them to get on with living and go back to their normal life.  But their life is changed forever, and many don't recognize or acknowledge that. Today we will hear the story of grief, anger, a battle, and finally, a life's purpose for one mother who had to wal...

Join us for the latest information on perinatal addi c tion.   We will explore the most commonly used substances that affect the lives of families and their babies during pregnancy and postpartum. We also discuss the new legislation in some states that has changed the way that parents with substance use issues are treated .   Since it's been proven that punitive measures do not lead to change with...

Mama Bird Doula Services' mission is to improve the maternal health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and their babies in their community .  They believe that all birthing persons and their families should feel Safe, Seen, and Heard. Through lived experience, the founder of Mama Bird, Birdie Johnson, came to understand the importance of having complete support and i...

For more than 40 years, the Nurse-Family Partnership has been improving the lives of first-time mothers and their babies ! Nurses from the organization work with families for the first 1,000 days , from pregnancy until the baby reaches 2 years of age. You have probably heard of this community health program but may not have been sure of all they do .   Listen in to learn more about their successes...

Most of us listening today live in a well-resourced country and have access to skilled obstetrical / perinatal care. Although we do not have a perfect healthcare system here in the U.S. , it is hard to imagine the realities of birth in the places in Africa we are going to talk about today.    When complications arise in the U.S. and other western countries , there are medications, supplies, and tr...

How can a free app help prevent over 30% of stillbirths in Iowa ?  Join us as we discuss the amazing organization that founded the project now used by many pregnant people to do just that .  Megan will take us through the history of the organization and the development of the Count the Kicks app and other educational materials available on their website .  She will also share the background and de...

About 10% of newborn s will spend some time in the NICU, and you probably know at least one family who has spent time there . Join us for an inside look at the NICU with Megan Teague as she shares a vivid story of what caring for babies and families looks like on a daily basis .   You will learn how to incorporate information about a potential stay in the NICU into your interactions with pregnant...

Join us to better understand the poignant topic of perinatal suicide.   Perinatal suicide is the leading cause of maternal mortality from pregnancy to 1 year after birth, accounting for 23% of all maternal deaths.   Listen to learn about the static risk factors that can increase the chance of suicide, along with.   some dynamic risk factors that may appear for the first time in pregnancy and postp...

While witnessing the miracle of birth can be exhilarating , it is often wrought with circumstances that create stress, confusion , grief — and sometimes even burn out — in nurses, caregivers, doulas , and other birth workers. The COVID and post - COVID period has brought even more tension in to the mix with restrictions and staffing issues .  Listen to explore the problem s and discover some solut...

Newborn babies get their first microbiome from their mother's vagina during birth .   The baby will become covered with this beneficial bacterial as they come out of the protected environment of the womb , through the birth canal , and to the world beyond .   When the baby is born vaginally, they will have a gut microbiome similar to that of their mother's vaginal and fecal flora .   This helps se...

In 2016, when the NYS DOH put out a request for application to receive the Creating Breastfeeding Friendly Communities (CBFC) Grant, the Rockland County Lactation community united to support and work together for this initiative. At that time, 86.6% of new mothers in the state initiated breastfeeding, but only 56% were still breastfeeding at six months , and of those, only 17% were exclusively bre...

Listen in as we discuss promoting Vaginal Nulliparous Term Singleton Vertex (NTSV) birth to decrease the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Dr. Lagrew agrees with a past president of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Vincenzo Berghella, who said, "Physicians do need to balance risks and benefits, and for some clinical conditions, cesarean is definitely the best mode of delivery. But...

Pregnancy and birth are often portrayed with a single brush as if all these experiences are basically the same for every birthing person. But for Lauren and her family, that was far from the truth. The anticipation of the ideal birth ended abruptly and unexpectedly when her husband arrived home early with flowers one day, finding her looking unwell. He talked Lauren into going to the doctor for a...