The MamasteFit Podcast

In this episode hosts Gina and Roxanne, a labor and delivery nurse and student midwife, interview Leah Levitan. Leah is a licensed massage therapist and certified lymphatic therapist specializing in lymphatic drainage. The discussion centers on how lymphatic massage can alleviate common pregnancy symptoms like swelling and sinus congestion and support postpartum recovery, particularly for breast h...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Birth Story Fridays, Roxanne welcomes Dr. Abha Chopra, prenatal chiropractor, to share her second birth story. She shares her empowering story of having a hospital VBAC with an epidural at 41 weeks, following a switch to a more supportive provider at 28 weeks. Abha discusses her preparation for pregnancy and birth, including prenatal fitness and VBAC cour...

Gina and Roxanne discuss the importance and functionality of the pelvic floor during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. They explain what the pelvic floor is, common misconceptions around it, and exercises to support it. The episode covers breathing techniques for managing intra-abdominal pressure, movements for preparing the pelvic floor for birth, and postpartum recovery tips. The sister...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina and Roxanne interview Dr. Morgan MacDermott, a naturopathic doctor specializing in women's and perinatal health. The discussion focuses on strategies for successful breastfeeding during the early postpartum weeks, addressing common issues such as clogged ducts, engorgement, mastitis, and identifying a bad latch. Dr. MacDermott offers practical tips,...

In this episode of MamasteFit Podcast's Birth Story Fridays, Kilpy shares her compelling journey of overcoming medical doubts about her ability to conceive due to a septate uterus. She delves into her hospital induction and 30-hour labor, followed by an in-depth discussion on navigating postpartum anxiety and tough nursing journey due to DMER.  00:00 Introduction 00:02 Meet Kilpy: A Journey fr...

In this episode of the MamasteFit podcast, hosts Gina and Roxanne welcome Lexie Kite, co-author of 'More Than a Body,' to discuss the challenges of body image during pregnancy and postpartum. Lexie, who holds a PhD in body image and objectification, shares her insights on how women can develop body image resilience amid societal pressures. The conversation covers the importance of viewing the body...

Welcome to the MamasteFit Podcast! In this episode, professional wrestler Leah Van Dale, also known as Carmella from WWE, shares her personal journey through pregnancy, birth, and the creation of her newsletter, Snatch. Leah discusses the challenges she faced as a professional athlete, her struggles with fertility including chemical and ectopic pregnancies, and the emotional aspects of pregnancy a...

In this Birth Story Friday episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina and Roxanne chat with Deirdra, co-founder of EasyJug, a postpartum hydration tool. Deirdra shares her birth story and the journey of developing EasyJug with her husband. She talks about her late pregnancy, dealing with Bell's palsy and sciatica, and her decision between a home birth and hospital delivery due to her husban...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina and Roxanne are joined by Dr. Courtney Johnson, a pelvic floor physical therapist known as the Female Athlete Doc on the internet. Dr. Johnson discusses navigating exercise with pelvic organ prolapse during pregnancy and postpartum, addressing common fears and misconceptions. The conversation covers topics like defining prolapse, appropriate ex...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, shares her personal journey and preparation strategies for her third unmedicated home birth. Roxanne, a labor and delivery nurse and student midwife, joins her to provide additional insights and support. Gina discusses her experiences with previous births, the mental and physical techniques she's employin...

In this MamasteFit Podcast episode, Kodi shares her journey toward an emergency C-section, after an induction at the hospital for elevated blood pressure concerns. Kodi labors for hours, making it all the way to 9cm, only to find Baby made a last minute move during labor to be in a surprise frank breech position. Kodi describes how she felt supported and informed throughout her pregnancy and labor...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, and Roxanne, a labor and delivery nurse and student midwife, discuss the various labor positions and movements to support your baby's navigation through the pelvis. They emphasize that there is no one single best labor position or best position for your baby, and forcing your baby into a specific po...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina and Roxanne sit down with Jane Austin, a prenatal yoga expert from San Francisco, joins to discuss common misconceptions about movement during pregnancy. The conversation touches on the benefits of prenatal yoga for the entire perinatal time frame, the importance of building confidence through movement, and preparing for birth and postpartum recovery...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast Birth Story Friday, Ashley shares her experiences during her pregnancy and birth. She discovered her baby was breech at the end of her pregnancy and successfully opted for an External Cephalic Version (ECV) to rotate the baby head down. Ashley then went on to have a vaginal birth. Hosts Gina, perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, and Roxanne, labor an...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, co-hosts Gina and Roxanne share detailed strategies for preparing for Gina's fourth postpartum period. Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, outlines practical tips on securing support, meal planning, and essential postpartum products. The episode also offers insights into mental preparation and handling emotions during postpartum, alongside...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina, a perinatal fitness trainer and birth doula, and Roxanne, a labor and delivery nurse and student midwife, discuss the concept of community birth. They elaborate on why some choose to give birth outside of a hospital setting, sharing their personal experiences with home and birth center deliveries. The episode addresses common barriers to commu...

In this Birth Story Friday episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Monica shares her exhilarating experience of a precipitous VBAC that culminated in an unexpected car birth. Monica discusses her preparation for birth, the challenges she faced with unsupportive doctors, and the techniques she used to remain calm and confident. Despite a chaotic night marked by a storm, a stopped train, and a mad dash t...

Gina and Roxanne discuss how to prepare for an unmedicated birth. They explore the benefits of avoiding an epidural, why some might choose this path, and share tips for achieving an unmedicated birth. The hosts emphasize the importance of mental and physical preparation, selecting a supportive birthing team, understanding labor, and employing effective comfort measures. They also share personal st...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast Birth Story Fridays, Allegra shares her empowering journey of having an unmedicated vaginal birth with twins after an induction in a hospital setting. With detailed insights into her prenatal nutrition, including the emphasis on electrolytes, and the physical preparation involving yoga and chiropractic care, Allegra describes how she managed to avoid medic...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina and Roxanne are joined by Daphne Delvaux, known as The Mama Attorney, to discuss employment rights during pregnancy and postpartum. Daphne shares crucial information about when and how to announce your pregnancy to your employer, rights related to pregnancy loss, and the importance of early notification for accommodations. They also dive into mothers...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, Gina, and Roxanne discuss essential information about childbirth. Topics include understanding contractions, the role of labor hormones like oxytocin and prostaglandins, and the different stages of labor: early labor, active labor, transition, and pushing. They also delve into the birth of the placenta and provide tips on preparing for birth. Of course, t...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, co-hosts Gina and Roxanne chat with Julie, co-founder of Needed, a perinatal nutrition company. Julie shares her personal home birth stories, her journey in creating Needed, and the importance of optimal nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum. Both Gina and Roxanne have used Needed products and highly recommend them! Julie discusses the inspirations be...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina and Roxanne welcome Dr. Lejla Streets, a general dentist from Smiles in the Pines, of Southern Pines, NC, to discuss the critical topic of prenatal oral health. The conversation delves into the importance of dental care during pregnancy, explaining why pregnant women need more frequent dental visits, the reasons behind bleeding gums, and the im...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast, hosts Gina and Roxanne welcome Dr. Brittany Henderson, a dual board-certified specialist in internal medicine and endocrinology, to discuss the crucial role of thyroid health in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. Dr. Henderson, who operates the Charleston Thyroid Center, delves into the significance of thyroid function, common issues like hypothyroidis...

In this episode of the MamasteFit Podcast's Birth Story Fridays, Allegra shares her journey through two vastly different birth experiences. Her first, an unplanned C-section at 34 weeks for her twins, left her feeling unsupported and led to a traumatic postpartum recovery complicated by COVID-19 protocols and a retained placenta. Determined for a different outcome with her second pregnancy, Al...