The Breath & Birth Co Podcast

Join Vanessa as she drops in during a Summer Break to share what she's been up to. See her present a Birth Planning seminar at Babies & Bumps in Columbus, OH on Sunday, June 8th! She'll also have a table throughout the day giving away prizes, including opportunities to win 50% off her Metamorphosis online self-paced Metamorphosis course! Also announcing Becoming , a one-day local in-...

In this episode of the Breath & Birth Co podcast, Vanessa shares her personal pregnancy and birth story in detail. Joined by HypnoBirthing® teacher and Birth Doula, Aly Romot , they reflect on Vanessa's labor experience, including her unique challenges and the importance of informed consent. They also touch on key recommendations for navigating pregnancy and birth with confidence and empo...

In today’s guided meditation, we invite you to connect to the natural rhythm of labor through the soothing rise and fall of ocean waves. This practice is all about trusting your body, surrendering to each wave, and flowing through birth with confidence and calm. What to Expect in This Meditation This meditation takes you on an imaginative ride along the ocean’s currents—mirroring the waves of labo...

In this heartfelt episode of the Breath and Birth Co Podcast , Vanessa—hospital-based DONA-certified birth doula and childbirth educator—opens up about her deeply personal journey to motherhood. From navigating chronic endometriosis and infertility to finding calm through HypnoBirthing® amidst severe hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) , Vanessa shares how it all unfolded. She’s joined by special guest Al...

In this gentle guided meditation, you’ll be invited to connect with your breath, your body, and your baby through the practice of the Golden Thread Breath —a calming tool to help soften and surrender as you prepare for birth. Whether you’re seeking stillness in the midst of a busy day or intentionally carving out time to prepare your mind and body for labor, this 5–10 minute practice offers a mome...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, speaks with Alyssa Broadwater, a Registered Dietitian specializing in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum nutrition . Alyssa shares her personal journey into this field, important nutritional aspects for both men and women in preparing for conception, and practical dietary recommend...

This calming body scan meditation is designed to help you rest deeply, release tension, and connect with your baby. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply need a quiet moment, this practice invites you to slow down and surrender to your body’s innate wisdom during pregnancy. Together, we’ll gently scan each part of your body—from head to toe—sending gratitude, breath, and trust. You’ll leave...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co Podcast, host Vanessa, a hospital-based DONA-certified birth doula, is joined by Daisy Vance, an experienced Birth Doula and Certified Breastfeeding Counselor from Westerville, Ohio. They explore crucial topics such as the importance of selecting a supportive care provider, the value of prenatal and postpartum support services, and practical tips for maki...

In this episode of The Breath and Birth Co Podcast, hospital-based DONA-International Certified Birth Doula Vanessa leads listeners through a calming guided meditation. Tailored for expectant mothers, this meditation focuses on surrendering to the birthing process and trusting your body's natural wisdom . Vanessa provides step-by-step instructions to help you relax, release tension, and build...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth co podcast, Vanessa, a hospital-based, DONA-certified birth doula, and childbirth educator, delves into the topic of endometriosis. She answers common questions about the signs, symptoms, and diagnosis of the disease, and discusses various treatment options, including excision surgery. She also discusses how endometriosis affects pregnancy, birth, and postpa...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co podcast, Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, guides listeners through a calming color meditation. This meditation is designed to bring peace, connection, and energy to expectant mothers by visualizing a chosen color. The episode begins with breathing exercises , then leads into the meditation where the color evolves through different...

In this World Doula Week 2025 episode of the Breath and Birth co podcast, Vanessa welcomes Kelli Blinn , an experienced birth doula and childbirth educator from Columbus, Ohio. Kelli shares her journey into birth work, inspired by her childhood fascination with the pregnant body and childbirth. They discuss the differences between home births and hospital births, emphasizing the importance of advo...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth co podcast, Vanessa, a certified birth doula and childbirth educator, guides listeners through a calming meditation inspired by her recent completion of an 85-hour prenatal yoga teacher training . Vanessa shares the details of her new pregnancy retreat called 'Becoming,' aimed at fostering calm, confidence, and connection for expectant mothers. The...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa connects with Missy Gallow, a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and Co-Owner of Misama Physical Therapy in Clintonville, OH . Missy shares her deeply personal and transformative birth stories, including her experiences with a twin birth via elective C-section and her subsequent plans for a home birth after C-section (HBAC) . The discu...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, hospital-based birth doula and childbirth educator Vanessa leads a guided meditation designed for expectant mothers. Listeners are invited to imagine a mindful walk through a vibrant field of wildflowers, connecting with the serene energy of nature and the life growing within them. The meditation focuses on engaging all senses to foster relaxati...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa introduces Caroline Pitts of Peaceful Doula Care . They discuss Caroline's journey to becoming a doula, the philosophies of Lamaze , and practical advice for expecting mothers. They also address common misconceptions and the importance of postpartum preparation. Listeners are encouraged to engage with childbirth education to feel em...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa – a certified birth doula and childbirth educator – guides expectant mothers through a serene, nature-inspired meditation designed to foster a deep connection with their growing baby. Listeners are invited to engage all their senses on a mindful journey through a peaceful woodland trail, embracing the calming sounds, scents, and sig...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa welcomes Megan Houle , a seasoned Registered Nurse, IBCLC, and Craniosacral Therapist from Little Dove, LLC . With 15 years of nursing experience and a decade as a lactation consultant, Megan shares her journey and insights into breastfeeding, including the importance of education and support systems. They discuss common misconcepti...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa, a Certified Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator, addresses key questions about labor and birth. Vanessa explores essential topics including informed consent, the importance of cervical checks, and what constitutes a Bishop score. She explains your rights throughout the birthing process, stressing the significance of bodily autonomy and...

In this episode of The Breath & Birth Co. Podcast , we invite you to unwind with a gentle guided sleep meditation designed specifically for pregnancy. 🌙✨ As an expectant mother/birther, your body is constantly changing, and finding deep rest can sometimes feel out of reach. This meditation will help you: 💛 Release tension from head to toe 💛 Connect with your breath to calm your nervous sys...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa, an experienced birth doula and childbirth educator, talks with fellow doula Megan Neal of Birth Your Way about their experiences in the birth support field, including inspirations, challenges, and the importance of advocacy. Megan shares her journey into birth work, misconceptions about labor, and the roles of support partners. The...

In this episode of The Breath & Birth Co. Podcast , we are dedicating time to cultivate loving-kindness (Metta) meditation —a gentle yet powerful practice designed to nurture both you and your baby with warmth, compassion, and peace. Pregnancy is a season of transformation, and this meditation invites you to soften, breathe deeply, and embrace yourself with kindness. You’ll be guided through:...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa is joined by Chelsea Skaggs, a life and relationship coach from Postpartum Together. They discuss the importance of grace and letting go of perfectionism in early parenthood. Topics include dealing with societal pressures, navigating changes in relationships, and managing parent guilt. Chelsea shares insights from her background in psych...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, host Vanessa, a DONA-International Certified Birth Doula and Certified Childbirth Educator, guides expecting mothers through a calming meditation practice. Today's meditation focuses on connecting with your body and baby, releasing tension, and fostering a sense of calm through a full body scan. Vanessa emphasizes gratitude for the body&apo...

In this episode of the Breath and Birth Co. podcast, Vanessa, a hospital-based birth doula and childbirth educator, introduces special guest Dr. Gabby, a vitalistic chiropractor and founder of the inside space: a family chiropractic studio. They delve into the significance of nervous system regulation in pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care. Dr. Gabby explains how the nervous system impacts bodi...