The MamasteFit Podcast

Certified Nurse Midwife Roxanne explains the third stage of labor—the time from baby’s birth to placenta delivery. How long does it last for most people, and why it matters for postpartum hemorrhage and potentially breastfeeding. Roxanne describes how oxytocin-driven uterine contractions help the placenta separate and the signs of separation and compares expectant/physiologic management (waiting a...

On the MamasteFit Podcast, perinatal fitness trainer and doula Gina and certified nurse midwife Roxanne interview Brooke about the birth of her second child, Scarlet. After a 48-hour first labor that included Pitocin and an epidural, Brooke (a physical therapist) prepared intensely for an unmedicated hospital birth: reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, listening to MamasteFit, taking our childbi...

Gina (doula/perinatal fitness trainer) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) walk through how birth has evolved, from mostly home births with midwives pre-1700s (but high death rates from infection, bleeding, obstructed labor, and blood pressure issues) to increasing hospital-based, physician-led care in the 1800s–1900s. They discuss key shifts like antiseptics, anesthesia (including twilight slee...

This episode breaks down gestational diabetes (new insulin resistance in pregnancy—not type 1 or 2), how insulin and glucose work, and why pregnancy naturally raises insulin resistance (but sometimes the pancreas can’t keep up). It covers who’s at higher risk (higher BMI, inactivity, prior GDM, certain ethnic groups, prior 9+ lb baby, PCOS, hypertension, heart disease) and how screening works at 2...

This episode breaks down elective induction (inducing labor at 39–41 weeks with no medical reason besides still being pregnant) and reminds you that “we scheduled your induction” still requires your consent. It explains why 39 weeks is the risk-benefit sweet spot (mature baby lungs) and why providers avoid going past 42 weeks (stillbirth risk rises from 1/10,000 at 37 weeks to 32/10,000 at 42 week...

In this MamasteFit Podcast: Birth Story, Hanna shares her home VBAC story after two C-sections, delivering a 9 lb 11 oz baby despite being told her pelvis was “too small” in previous births. She recounts a first pregnancy shaped by COVID stress, a long induction ending in C-section, and a discouraging postpartum comment about never birthing vaginally. Her second pregnancy included deep VBAC resear...

Gina (doula/perinatal fitness trainer) and Roxanne (CNM, former L&D nurse) unpack how a decade in birth work—plus Gina’s first, distrust-filled hospital birth—shifted them away from polarizing “all natural” vs “all medical” takes. They discuss how social media fuels hate on both ends, how tension between doulas and providers can hurt the birthing person, and why an empowering birth isn’t defin...

Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer, birth doula, and founder of MamasteFit in North Carolina, explains how exercising during pregnancy improves quality of life during pregnancy and postpartum—not just birth outcomes—while noting prenatal exercise research is still limited. She highlights a 2025/2026 American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology systematic review (11 RCTs) finding the strongest biom...

Gina (perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) declare they’re officially done with pregnancies and fully in their child-rearing era, while joking about “perfect bookend babies,” potato-like newborns, and toddlers who won’t stop poking the baby’s face. They share what helped them accept closing the baby chapter—realizing you can’t get the same baby back, ack...

In this MamasteFit Podcast: Birth Story, Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) interviews Victoria about two very different births: her first, a 39-week elective induction with Cytotec and high-dose Pitocin, limited eating/mobility, epidural issues, frequent cervical checks, infection/fever, and a postpartum hemorrhage with painful clot removal—followed by postpartum anxiety and breastfeeding struggle...

Certified nurse midwife Roxanne explains common skin changes in pregnancy caused by hormonal shifts, increased blood volume, and a growing belly, including hyperpigmentation (melasma, linea nigra), vascular changes (spider veins, varicose veins), and stretch marks. She shares practical tips like daily SPF and sun protection for darkening, and compression socks, avoiding prolonged standing/crossing...

Certified nurse midwife Roxanne explains placenta previa—when the placenta covers or sits very close to the cervix (complete, partial, or low-lying)—usually found at the 18–22 week anatomy scan. While it can show up in 10–30% of pregnancies early on, most resolve as the uterus grows (about 90–95% for low-lying/partial and ~70% for complete), with follow-up ultrasounds commonly around 28, 32, and s...

Roxanne breaks down Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) —a pregnancy-specific liver condition (about 2–3% of pregnancies) where bile acids build up in the bloodstream, often causing intense itching on palms/soles with no rash. She reviews other possible symptoms (jaundice, dark urine, light stools, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain), how diagnosis is made with symptoms plus bile acid labs...

Gina (perinatal fitness trainer and doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) break down what labor & delivery nurses do versus midwives, OBs, and some family medicine providers, including who typically handles low- vs high-risk care and which interventions midwives can’t do. They explain why some people choose midwives versus OBs, and note midwives can provide full-spectrum women’s health...

On this episode of The MamasteFit Podcast: Birth Stories, Gina (perinatal fitness trainer and doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) interview Destiny about her two births. Her first ending with an unplanned C-section in 2024 after laboring to 10 cm, pushing 1.5 hours, spiking a fever with concern for infection, and baby’s sustained high heart rate. Her second, a much faster VBAC just three...

Gina (perinatal fitness trainer/birth doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) discuss postpartum stress urinary incontinence—aka “surprise pee” during running, jumping, laughing, sneezing, or heavy lifts. The sisters and pros emphasize it’s common, not shameful, and NOT a required badge of motherhood. They explain key contributors: impact mechanics (shock absorption through ankles/knees/hips)...

Gina (perinatal fitness trainer + birth doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) break down what a doula is—and definitely isn’t. A birth doula is a non-medical, continuous support person (think: labor coach, comfort measures, positions, partner guidance, emotional support, and helping you ask the right questions), not someone who checks cervixes, runs vitals, or makes medical decisions. They...

Gina (perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula) breaks down why your pelvic floor isn’t a one-move wonder: hip and spine positions change pelvic floor tension, so deep squats, butterfly, and “all the Kegels” only hit part of the picture. She explains the pelvic floor as four quadrants (front/back, right/left) and shows how wide-stance + spinal extension biases the front, while knees-in/internal r...

Gina (perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) discuss Roxanne’s early postpartum recovery at five weeks after a home birth of her fourth baby, Harvey. Roxanne shares that this is her first postpartum without a hemorrhage, attributing differences to improved nutrient status (not being anemic, vitamin D, diet), the home birth flood of oxytocin & support,...

Roxanne welcomes Sadie to share her first birth and postpartum experience. Sadie prepared for an unmedicated birth through extensive education (birth courses, daily podcasts/YouTube), movement/pelvic biomechanics work, breathing/hypnobirthing, and practicing counterpressure with her husband- inspiring her to later train as a doula! She chose a low-intervention hospital option in Utah called “Simpl...

Gina (perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula) and Roxanne (certified nurse midwife) share the story of Roxanne’s fourth “bonus baby,” Harvey, and the end of her pregnancy leading into a planned home birth. Roxanne describes weeks of waiting, prodromal labor, and trying to start labor on her due date (January 7) before Gina left for a pre-planned Disney Marathon trip; a cervical check showed she...

Feeling overwhelmed about vaginal tearing during childbirth? Join Roxanne, a certified nurse midwife, on the MamasteFit YouTube channel as she breaks down the nuances of lacerations and vaginal tearing. Learn about different types and degrees of tears, their prevalence, and which ones may require sutures. Roxanne offers tips on preventing tears and discusses healing techniques, including the benef...

In this episode of The MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, and Hayley Kava, our in-house pelvic floor PT, dive deep into the topic of diastasis recti. They explore the common fears and misconceptions associated with diastasis recti during and after pregnancy. The conversation covers the natural occurrence of abdominal muscle separation, the importance of br...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina shares her experience running the 2026 Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge, which involves completing a half marathon followed by a full marathon the next day! She details the motivation behind participating in the event and the unique medals awarded for completing both races. Gina discusses her training journey, the unexpected circumstances with her s...

Join Roxanne, a certified nurse midwife and former labor nurse as she demystifies fetal monitoring. Roxanne delves into continuous and intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring, discussing their history, benefits, limitations, and appropriate use for both high and low-risk pregnancies. Learn about categories of fetal heart tracings, how they influence labor decisions, and the importance of shared d...