Birthful

Latest Episodes:

Why A Midwife Might Be Just What You Need, with Melissa Cheyney Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

There is ample evidence of the benefits of midwifery care for uncomplicated pregnancies, including lower rates of inductions, episiotomies, and cesareans. So why aren’t midwives more widely used in the U.S. (like they are in the rest of the world!)?

Dr. Melissa Cheyney talks with Adriana all about midwifery care including the different types of midwives, their certifications, where they practice, and the importance of OBs, perinatologists, and midwives working together to provide you with the right amount of care (instead of too much, too soon or too little, too late).

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Helping Your Mammalian Body (and Baby!) Have an Easier and More Connected Birth, and our episode on Cesarean Risk: What’s Your Place of Birth Got to Do With It?

You can learn more about Dr.Cheyney’s work on Instagram @theupliftlab. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.

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[Birth Stories] Why Having an Audience Stalled Her Birth, with Heather Lauf Dec 30, 2023

Show notes

Heather Lauf was so clear on the importance of choosing the right care provider for her birth that she switched practices, twice! Even with her ample preparation, labor still threw her for a loop when she found out her water hadn’t broken (it really seemed it had!), and then again when she couldn’t quiet her thinking brain after realizing she had too many eyes watching her. Nevertheless, Heather was able to have the unmedicated vaginal birth she was hoping for with the help of her trusted team.

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Baby’s Position and Labor Flow, and our episode on The Holistic Stages of Birth

You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

IIf you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

What You Need to Know About Obstetricians (Obs), with Dr. Stuart Fischbein Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

Obstetricians are the go-to care providers when giving birth in the US, but not all OBs are created equal. How does your obstetrician's background and training impact the care you get, and is that aligned with the care you deserve? Dr. Stuart Fischbein shares his insights, the hard lessons he’s gained over his career, as well as why he still does breech deliveries, VBACs, and home births.

Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on What You Need to Know About Birth Models (Birth What?), and our episode on How to Avoid a "Cascade of Interventions."

You can connect with Dr. Stu on Instagram @birthinginstincts. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

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[Birth Stories] Why It Mattered That Her Team Prioritized Her Emotional Safety, with Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo Dec 23, 2023

Show notes

Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo, co-founder of the socially impactful Fourth Phase aftercare boxes, shares how her expectations of when and how she should bond with her baby tarnished her otherwise wonderfully supported and respected birth experience. She tells Adriana how this hyperfocus on bonding impacted her postpartum, and how her mom helped her shift things with lots of wisdom and laughter.

If you liked this episode, listen to this interview about the physical and emotional changes you can expect after giving birth and this episode on how to time your pain relief options.

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

You can learn more about Nana and Fourth Phase on Instagram @fourthphasebox or at fourthphasebox.com. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

How to Know if You and Your Provider Are Truly a Good Fit, with Dr. Brad Bootstaylor Dec 20, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Brad Bootstaylor talks with Adriana Lozada about how vital it is to establish shared decision-making with your care provider and the problem with the prevailing fear-based approach in perinatal care. Plus: why no one should ever roll their eyes at your birth plan!

If you liked this episode, listen to our interview titled Know What You're Up Against When Giving Birth at a Hospital, and our episode on Family-Centered Cesareans.

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

[Birth Stories] Pivoting From Wanting an Immediate Epidural to an Unmedicated VBAC Over Four Births, with Mariah Robinson Dec 16, 2023

Show notes

After having three hospital births – that included inductions, vaginal births, and a cesarean – Mariah Robinson couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from her experiences. She shares with Adriana how she searched far and wide for a collaborative care provider who would support her wishes for an unmedicated vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and the trust and confidence she built with her body to get through an unplanned homebirth without fear.

If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on the purpose of childbirth pain, and this interview on the induction process.

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Why Choosing The Right Care Provider is Crucial for Your Pregnancy, with Robin Elise Weiss Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Finding the care provider that’s right for you is a critical first step toward having a great birth experience. Dr. Robin Elise Weiss talks with Adriana about the different types of prenatal care providers and how their varying philosophies can impact the care you receive. She also shares how to go about finding the care provider that’s right for you, and what you can do if you decide they are no longer a good fit.

If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on informed consent during childbirth, and this interview on the induction process.

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

You can learn more about Robin @robineliseweiss on Instagram. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

[Birth Stories] How Nutrition Was Key for Her “Mission: Make a Small Baby,” with Jessica Bower Dec 09, 2023

Show notes

After birthing quite a large baby and experiencing shoulder dystocia, Jessica Bower went on a quest to figure out why she had grown a baby that size. She shares with Adriana how gaining control of her sugar levels really helped with her “Mission: Make a Small Baby” for her third birth. This nutritional connection with her body was key in her decision to have an induction for her fourth birth after developing gestational diabetes, leading to the waterbirth she so desired.

If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on gestational diabetes, or this episode about big babies and shoulder dystocia.

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

You can learn more about Jessica @growingfamilieslactationdoula on Instagram. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Reducing Anxiety Around Pregnancy Weight Gain and Nutrition, with Mama Natural Genevieve Howland Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

Genevieve Howland (a.k.a. Mama Natural) talks with Adriana about ways you can navigate the emotions that come with gaining weight during pregnancy, identify possible triggers, and explore seeing it as an opportunity to connect with and appreciate your body in a new way. They also discuss how nutrition plays a role in lessening birth interventions, the folic acid vs. folate debate, ferments, bitters, cravings, mindful eating habits, and more.

If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on the nourishing power of herbs during pregnancy, and this episode on loving your postpartum body.

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

You can learn more about Genevieve @mamanatural on Instagram. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast or email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Ways to Deal With Morning Sickness—Whether It’s Mild or Debilitating, with Adriana Lozada Dec 02, 2023

Show notes

Adriana Lozada offers practical advice on how to deal with whatever level of nausea you are experiencing. She also lays out how hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is not just a bad case of morning sickness, but a severe and debilitating condition.

If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on eating to grow a healthy baby brain, or this episode on how to tap into the nourishing power of herbs during pregnancy and postpartum.

Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.

Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast or email us at podcast@Birthful.com.

You can also download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands