The Birth Lounge Podcast

In this episode, we’re diving deep into one of the most talked-about (and often misunderstood) topics in early parenthood SIDS and co-sleeping. Despite the scary warnings you’ve probably heard from the AAP or your pediatrician, many families still find themselves wondering how to safely sleep near their baby. And honestly? That’s a valid question. We’ll explore what the research actually says abou...

This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth, our go-to for buttery-soft, temperature-regulating bamboo sheets and loungewear that actually lasts. Cozy Earth products are made from responsibly sourced materials that keep you cool, cozy, and comfortable through pregnancy, postpartum, and all the snuggly moments in between. Use code HEHE for an exclusive discount at cozyearth.com and treat yourself to th...

In this powerful episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with infectious disease scientist, Ellie to pull back the curtain on what’s really behind vaccines, immunity, and medical ethics. After years working in big pharma, Ellie began questioning what she saw from the inside, and now she’s here to help parents unpack the complex, often confusing world of vaccine science through an evide...

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, we’re diving into one of the most important (and often misunderstood!) newborn topics: Vitamin K. HeHe is joined by Katie Collins, a board-certified physician assistant, to unpack everything you need to know about Vitamin K supplementation: what it is, why it matters, and how to make an informed choice that feels right for your family. Together, they br...

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe sits down with Dr. Alok Patel, a board-certified pediatrician and national medical contributor for ABC News, to have the real talk about vaccines—no fear, no judgment, just facts and empowerment. Together, they unpack the difference between vaccine hesitancy and being anti-vaccine, why open conversations matter, and how parents can confidently navi...

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Dr. Brian Thornburg, a board-certified pediatrician, to tackle one of the most overwhelming parts of early parenthood: newborn procedures and vaccine decisions. From the very first hours after birth, parents are presented with a whirlwind of choices—Vitamin K, Hep B, eye ointment, vaccine schedules—and it can feel impossible to sort...

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with clinical pharmacist Dr. Michaela Wachal to unpack the controversy surrounding Tylenol (acetaminophen) use in pregnancy and its potential links to autism and other neurodevelopmental concerns. Together, they dive into what the research actually says (and doesn’t say), why transparency and informed consent are so important, and how to...

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe shines a light on the often-overlooked role of doulas in the NICU. While most doula trainings don’t cover NICU-specific education, families navigating this space need that extra layer of support.  Special guest Mary Farrelly, a NICU nurse, doula, and educator, joins the conversation to talk about the unique challenges families face in the NICU, fro...

We’re closing out NICU Awareness Month with a powerful episode all about putting YOU back in the driver’s seat of your baby’s NICU journey. Too often, parents feel sidelined in the chaos of beeping monitors and medical jargon—but you are your baby’s best advocate, and this episode will help you step into that role with confidence. Today we’re joined by Mary Farrelly, a NICU nurse, doula, and found...

In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe welcomes Brooke Smith, a seasoned NICU nurse, IBCLC, doula, and childbirth educator, to shine a light on what life in the NICU really looks like for families. Together, they unpack practical tips for navigating the beeping machines and medical jargon while still staying connected to your baby in meaningful ways. Brooke shares strategies for coping...

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, one of HeHe’s favorite things to have on hand for a comfy pregnancy and postpartum period! They’re also a great way to detox your home, while detoxing your gut! Use code HEHE for 40% off the softest PJ’s, loungewear, or even new sheets to make your pregnancy and postpartum feel a little more luxurious : https://cozyearth.com/   In this episode of The B...

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Sally Hayes, founder of Matrikas, to talk about what it really takes to build a solid, supportive village for new parents. Together, they unpack the importance of continuity of care, how to create a trustworthy referral list, and the reality of navigating a maternal healthcare system that often feels broken and fragmented. Sally brin...

Miscarriage affects 1 in 4 pregnancies, yet it’s still surrounded by silence, shame, and stigma. In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Jessica Zucker, a reproductive psychologist, author of I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement, and an incredible voice in this space. Together, we’re getting real about the emotional and psychological impact of pregnancy loss, how our me...

Have you ever stopped to think about what’s really in your shampoo, cleaning spray, or even your favorite candle? Spoiler alert: everyday products are often loaded with hidden toxins that can impact your health, hormones, and even fertility. In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, I’m joined by Illie Balaj, integrative nutritionist, children’s book author, and founder of Live HealthIllie, for...

Ep. 377: The Myth of the Aging Placenta with Sophie Messager, Phd  Have you ever been told your placenta might be “too old”? Maybe you’ve heard that once you hit 35 or if you’ve conceived through IVF, your placenta just can’t keep up. This so-called “aging placenta” idea gets tossed around a lot, but here’s the truth: it’s a myth. In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, I’m joined by the incr...

This episode isn’t just about birth plans—it’s about the plan no one wants to make, but every family needs. I’m joined by Kayleigh Summers, aka The Birth Trauma Mama, to have a real and raw conversation about creating a catastrophe plan during pregnancy. Kayleigh shares her personal story of surviving an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) and how that experience changed everything about the way she vie...

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, one of my favorite things to have on hand for a comfy pregnancy and postpartum period! Use code HEHE for 40% off the softest PJ’s, loungewear, or even new sheets to make your pregnancy and postpartum feel a little more luxurious : https://cozyearth.com/ In this week’s episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, we’re tackling one of the biggest elephants in t...

Ohhh baby! The second trimester is here, and it’s bringing all the feels! In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my pregnancy so far and giving you the inside scoop on some pretty big updates happening inside The Birth Lounge. Here’s what you’ll hear in this week’s episode: ✨ The first magical moments of feeling baby kicks (inside and outside!) ✨ The less magical parts: hello, hea...

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the world of baby wearing with Jordan Morillo, a perinatal health OT, certified babywearing consultant, and toddler mom. We’re talking everything from the ABCs of carrier choices to spotting a perfect carry (and avoiding the not-so-perfect ones). You’ll learn how to safely position your baby, back carry like a pro, tandem wear without losing your mind,...

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, I’m sitting down with Katharine Graves, the powerhouse behind KG Hypnobirthing, to uncover the magic of turning birth into a calm, confident, and downright empowering experience. We’re talking about how hypnobirthing can completely change the way you feel about labor, why evidence-based maternity care is non-negotiable, and how partners can be fierce ad...

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, one of HeHe’s favorite things to have on hand for a comfy pregnancy and postpartum period! Use code HEHE for 40% off the softest PJ’s, loungewear, or even new sheets to make your pregnancy and postpartum feel a little more luxurious . Grab The Secret Sauce to Pushing Here or join our lifetime membership to get free access !  In this episode of The Birt...

In this spicy World Breastfeeding Week episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe is calling out the BS that’s messing with your breastfeeding journey. From the "feed every three hours" myth to the outdated fear around nursing your baby to sleep, we’re busting it all wide open. HeHe breaks down 9 of the most common (and flat-out harmful) pieces of advice that new parents are being fed — and shows y...

Welcome back to The Birth Lounge Podcast, where we say the quiet parts out loud and hold nothing back when it comes to protecting your power in birth. In this episode, I’m joined by Krysta Dancy, a licensed trauma therapist, birth doula, and one of the most honest voices in the trauma-informed care space. Together, we unpack what birth trauma really is, how to spot it, how to prevent it, and how t...

Welcome back to The Birth Lounge, where we ditch shame, question the mainstream, and talk about your body with zero fluff and full truth. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Mimi Lindquist, co-host of The Medicine Podcast and expert in AHCC and medicinal mushrooms, to break down everything you need to know about HPV — the "common cold of the cervix." If you've ever felt confused, judged, or tot...

Welcome back to The Birth Lounge Podcast—where we challenge the status quo, ask the questions the system hopes you won’t, and take your family’s health seriously (without fear-mongering or fluff). In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with Kelly Ryerson, co-executive director of American ReGen and founder of Glyphosate Facts. With degrees from Dartmouth and Stanford, Kelly brings the heat and the r...