The MamasteFit Podcast

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...

In this episode, perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula Gina outlines the phases of postpartum tissue healing, including the inflammation and proliferation phases, emphasizing the importance of patience and mindful movement during this period. She also provides practical advice on how to assess readiness for exercise, manage pressure, and avoid overloading the healing tissues. Additionally, Gin...

Gina breaks down what you need to know on how to automate the backend of a business to free up time for client interactions. The episode breaks down the essential steps for business automation, emphasizing the importance of creating and managing an email list. Gina shares her experience on using email platforms like Flow Desk to build automated workflows. The episode also discusses the effectivene...

In this episode of The MamasteFit Podcast, Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, and Roxanne, a certified nurse midwife, discuss the essential preparations for the postpartum period. Roxanne shares her personal experiences with previous postpartums, emphasizing the importance of planning beyond birth. She details various aspects of prep including nutritional strategies, mental health...

In this video, Roxanne, a certified nurse midwife, labor nurse with 13 years of experience, and soon-to-be mom of 4 discusses the various signs that indicate labor may be coming within the next 24 to 48 hours. Aside from contractions, Roxanne covers everything from effacement to diarrhea, how big of a deal is the loss of the mucus plug, what is vaginal discharge vs amniotic fluid, lightening, nest...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina and Roxanne discuss the final weeks of Roxanne's pregnancy as she approaches 35-36 weeks. They cover various topics including the mental and emotional challenges of the final month of pregnancy, their personal experiences with labor timelines, and detailed preparations for a home birth. The hosts discuss the importance of having an action plan...

On this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, perinatal trainer and birth doula Gina and certified nurse midwife Roxanne delve into the intricacies of pelvic mechanics for the pelvic outlet. They discuss more than just the 'knees and ankles out' approach, focusing on the importance of soft tissue, hormonal impacts, and pressure mechanics with rib cage and pelvic positioning. Key topics include unders...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina and Roxanne talk with Alex about her unmedicated hospital birth. Alex shares her preparation for birth, the support she received from her provider, and how she used distraction to manage early labor. She describes her quick progression once she arrived at the hospital, the transition through labor, and her birthing experience, which included pu...

Certified Nurse Midwife Roxanne explains the significance of the second trimester anatomy scan, typically performed between 18 to 22 weeks of pregnancy. She delves into the primary objectives of the scan, which include assessing the baby’s organs, limbs, and overall growth, as well as evaluating the placenta's position and condition. Roxanne also covers common reasons for follow-up scans and helps...

In this episode of the MamasteFit YouTube channel, certified nurse midwife Roxanne discusses iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. She explains the importance of hemoglobin and iron in red blood cells, symptoms of anemia, and the necessity of increased iron due to the doubling of blood volume during pregnancy. Roxanne outlines how iron deficiency anemia is screened through blood tests and indicates...

In this episode of The MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, and Roxanne, a Certified Nurse Midwife, discuss the importance of understanding pelvic mechanics for birth workers. The episode addresses how the pelvis opens, the different movements and exercises that can create space prenatally and during labor, and the impact of pelvic mechanics on pregnancy com...

In this Birth Story episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina and Roxanne welcome Faith to share her comprehensive journey into motherhood. Faith recounts her unique conception process using a known sperm donor due to her partner's genetic condition, leading to pregnancy after multiple attempts. She details her active pregnancy, preparatory measures for a home birth, and the intense yet empoweri...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina and Roxanne sit down for an update on Roxanne's fourth pregnancy. Approaching her third trimester, Roxanne shares her experiences and challenges during her second trimester, including juggling midwifery school, work, and raising three other children. They discuss the preparation for the upcoming birth, including prenatal visits, the decision for a ho...