The Birth Lounge Podcast

Have you ever heard the term “obstetrical violence” and wondered what it meant? Or maybe you envisioned this blatant act of disrespect or an assault of sorts. These are both examples of obstetrical violence, but is another side to it, too. A sneaky side. Today’s episode is going to share a few instances of medical manipulation in the birth room that were silent and coy and draped in not-so-gracefu...

Inside The Birth Lounge, I teach my Secret Sauce to Pushing. Part of that formula is based on your baby's position in your pelvis! I actively advise against what's called 'directed pushing,' where birthing people are told how and when to push (primarily talking about unmedicated births). It is not new that directed pushing can be less effective than letting the birthing person push with their body...

  Today’s episode is all about planning for the unexpected parts of postpartum! HeHe is joined by MaMa MD, Ariana Within, to dive into how to thrive (not just survive) in the weeks right after birth! Postpartum is often feels like one of the most isolating times in a parents life, so how can you feel empowered during such a challenging space in life? Shifting the perspective to how amazing postpar...

Everyone in the birth room has a job—your provider, your nurse, your partner, and you…but, what does your job really look like? Probably different than you think if your goal is to have your dream birth! Deep breathing and movement, sure, but what’s your ultimate job? To stay in control. Today’s episode is going to share with you the number one responsibility that a birthing person has to keep the...

Today, HeHe is joined by Ginny Parham, a Period Coach who help women with bed bound periods turn them into kick ass periods so they can live their lives to the fullest. She created the 90-Day Pain-Free Period Method that changed my life and I want to share it with you!! Ginny is going to break down the basic understanding of our menstrual cycle plus quick, simple switches you can do in your home t...

Do you really need childbirth education classes? Wondering if you can get all the information you need for a good birth by reading books and taking a one-hour online course? This largely depends on how you define 'good birth." This episode is breaking down exactly how to decipher what the best way to prepare for your birth might be! HeHe is going to share the 7 slippery slopes of birth that is tau...

Did you know that 98% of all feminine care products has at least 1 toxic ingredient? That's scary! Healthy products are my jam! I’m always looking out for things like fragrances and perfumes in products around my house. I’m a big fan of Thinx instead of traditional period products because of the bleach and parabens and hormone disruptors…We store our food in glass containers and use eco friendly d...

Its ironic because Nubain isn't a pill at all--it's an IV narcotic! Do you know your pain relief options during labor? Like, really know them? There are so many more options than just unmedicated birth and epidural birth. Depending on where you choose to give birth, you will have a variety of pain relief options, both natural and medical. There is always a forgotten option that is truly magical an...

One of the best ways to empower yourself is to dive in head first. Go searching for various birth stories, for various birth approaches, for various pain relief options. Do your research and, in that, you will find your power. In this episode, HeHe is breaking down why you need to allow people to challenge you on your ideas of birth and what your ideal birth looks like. When someone challenges you...

Today on The Birth Lounge Podcast, I am joined by Rebekkah Tran, mom of twins, to share about one of her twins’ journey with Plagiocephaly! Rebekkah is sharing the first signs that she noticed, what her first action steps were, and what she has learned along the way of advocating for her child for a “silent” and “cosmetic” condition. There is ZERO education around this for parents before their bab...

Your baby’s positions matters so much when it comes to your labor and delivery. A baby that is engaged in the right position can lead to a shorter labor, less painful labor, less back labor, and reduce the risk of tearing. In this episode, I am breaking down the science as to why your baby’s position is so important. I am also going to dive into the complications we sometimes see happen if babies...

Today’s episode is diving into postpartum pelvic floor! How’s that for alliteration?! Melissa Dessaulles, Founder of Mommy Berries, is joining me to share everything you need to know after having a baby. She is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist who is breaking it down as to what you can expect after a baby passes through there, how to restore your body post baby, and what’s the goal for postpartum...

It irks me to pieces when someone says, "birth trauma is totally normal." No, it's not. In this episode, I am breaking down exactly why perpetuating the idea that birth trauma is normal is not only very dangerous, but also disregards mental health of new parents. I'm sharing my thoughts on a variety of traumatic birth situations and talking about nature's role in birth. Birth trauma is what you de...

Olivia Chisolm is a dear friend of mine and joins me today to chat about inclusion (or lack there of) in women’s health. She is the Founder of To Live In Color and serves as an Inclusion Consultant that supports small businesses in being as inclusive as possible. You, as a consumer, have the same responsibility to be inclusive and Olivia shares how you can do this in your own life and with your me...

Coronavirus has caused some definite headaches in 2020, but I would like to highlight a few positive changes that I’ve witnessed come about in the birth world due to this global pandemic. Not everything is doom and gloom. Matter of fact, somethings have really changed for the better and can be used to keep the momentum in changing women’s health in a permanent way. In today’s episode, I’m diving i...

HeHe is the queen of saying “Be an Educator Consumer” when it comes to your heathcare and, particularly, your birth. Today, HeHe is joined by celebrity personality and stylist, Ali Levine, to discuss how to be an informed consumer when it comes to your birth goals. Ali shares how she navigated the journey of fear-based care around birth and seeking care from a VBAC supportive provider! She also sh...

Did you hear there is a FDA approved IV infusion treatment for postpartum depression? 1 in 9 women suffer from postpartum depression (1). This could be a game changer for so many women. It’s called Zulresso! But what if you aren’t eligible and approved for Zulresso infusions? Recently, Motherly released an article that shared news about the SNOO from Happiest Baby possibly being covered by insuran...

No one expects medical manipulation to happen during birth, but what are you supposed to do if you find yourself feeling manipulated during or after birth? How can we protect ourselves against being manipulated by the medical system? Today’s guest, Olivia Friel, is a fellow doula and one of my closest birthy friend! She and I are sharing about confidently navigating conversations with your doctor....

 A fussy baby is hard. Most of the time, you’re both crying! I’ve been there, too! A crying baby seems to escalate everything so I’m sharing the best tips to calming a fussy baby! I can’t take credit for the method, but I am sharing my take on things plus the science to why this method works! I’m breaking down why each of these steps matter and EXACTLY how to do them to calm any fussy baby! Bedtim...

This episode is redefining beauty! Kimmay Caldwell is a self-love coach and Undergarment educator who supports people to say hurray inside, outside, and underneath™. She is an expert bra fitter with over 14 years of experience of getting intimate with people from cup sizes A to N. Based in NYC, she travels around the world to spread her empowering message of self-love, and how to use the everyday...

Studies show that, on average, 80% of laboring people don’t eat the entire time they are in labor and 60% don’t drink during labor! YET, 95% of them would have chosen TO eat and drink during labor if they had been given the choice! Are you shocked? Honestly, I couldn’t imagine being asked to run a marathon without carb loading the night before or not being allowed to drink any water during the mar...

Today’s episode is so timely! At the time of recording, I had no idea that we’d be in the middle of a global pandemic when it aired, but here we are. The decision to cloth diaper is on more people’s minds than ever before with the recent coronavirus outbreak. Bailey Bowman is an expert in all things cloth diaper. She is joining me today to share everything from the types of cloth diapers, sizing,...

Which team are you on? Would you believe me if I said I’m team middle? I am! I do’t think the power is so much in having a written out plan as there is in having already given thought to how you want your birth to unfold. IF you have no clue how birth can unfold (other than what you’ve learned on TV or social media), then you *NEED* to listen to this.  If your birth has no plan, then your birth te...

Help people balance their hormones to get their energy back. She loves her incredible perception to help women heal & listen to your body and then respond to that message. She helps women relearn how to tap into their gut intuition…literally their gut. She talks about how your stomach plays a huge rule in your hormones and what to do if your hormones may be out of whack! You’re even going to learn...

In my endless scrolling on social media, I inevitably see an expecting parent jokingly say they wish they could have a glass of wine or a glass of beer. I never know if I should write in that it’s A-OK to have something to drink (says the science) or leave it be..or are they even looking for a serious answer? I have no clue, but I thought it was a conversation that needed to happen so I’m bringing...