Birthing Instincts

Latest Episodes:

#320 The Ripples are Spreading Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Stu had eye surgery, again, this week and celebrated his birthday by recording with the Whimsical Blyss. So with little prep time, we gratefully explore the knowledge of our beloved fellow travelers in letters you have written to us.

Through your letters, we've gained valuable insight into your experiences and queries, and together, we tackle them head-on. We explore hot topics in the birthing world, such as breech birth, twin birth, low platelets, and more. These discussions highlight the necessity of informed consent, the power of asking questions when certain decisions don't sit well with you, and the importance of trusting your instincts. So, if you’re pregnant, contemplating pregnancy, or just interested in the birthing world, this episode is rich with insights that challenge conventional wisdom and inspire informed decision-making.

Key highlights:

Birthday Celebrations and Listener Letters
Breech Birth and Vaginal Delivery Options
Midwifery Care for Mono-Di Twins
Challenges and Controversies of Hospital Birth
Hospital Births and Platelet Monitoring Debate
Positive Hospital Experiences

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

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

#319 The Downsides of Cesarean Section Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

We are often told by our doctors why we need a cesarean and how routine they are. But there are a lot of reasons to be wary. Today, Blyss & Dr. Stu discuss what you should know to help make that informed decision and then break down a popular YouTube podcast.

Prepare to be enlightened as they unravel the intricate truth of cesarean sections – the most common surgical procedure in the US, and yet, one fraught with overlooked risks and consequences. Unleash your curiosity as we dissect the power of informed consent, the seriousness of risks linked to cesarean sections, and the importance of effective communication in the doctor-patient relationship.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Dr. Stu and Blyss disclose alarming insights about the potential risks of not having a vaginal delivery. The factors discussed range from the baby missing out on exposure to natural bacteria that aids immunity, to an increased likelihood of allergy, asthma, autism, and ADHD. Our exploration of the Amish population, their low rates of chronic disease and autism, and their preference for vaginal deliveries will definitely make you rethink conventional childbirth procedures.

Wrapping up, they bring to light the grim reality associated with cesarean sections - the five times higher maternal mortality rate and the increased risk of abnormal placentation. Brace yourselves as we challenge the status quo and question the influence of litigation and politics on medical practices. By the end of the episode, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of the complexities surrounding childbirth and the potential downsides of cesarean sections. Listen in as Dr. Stu and Blyss transform your perspective on childbirth and equip you with knowledge to prepare you to be your own advocate to get the birth you want.

Key highlights:

How Covid lockdowns failed us
Action bias and why doctors feel they have to intervene
Most people don't know their birth story, so does your birth story matter?
Effects of c-section on the baby
Exploring the downsides of cesarean Sections
Risks and procedures of cesarean section
Consequences of cesarean section delivery for both mother and baby

Episode resources:

@katythedoula on Instagram
YouTube video: Change in birth plan, considering a C-section & revealing our secret
YouTube video: Mom Postnatals - You Are Amazing

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

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

#318 Your Cholestasis Questions Answered…Finally! Jul 19, 2023

Show notes

Join us as we celebrate the arrival of Stu’s first grandchild, and finally cover a topic that has been highly requested: cholestasis. This is a lesser-known health issue that affects a significant number of pregnant women and usually results in interventions once it is discovered. You'll walk away from this episode with a deeper understanding of cholestasis - from its potential treatments, its impact on the liver, and whether or not it is as scary as it is sometimes portrayed.

We dissect the risks and benefits of various treatments for cholestasis, alongside a poignant story from a listener who was diagnosed with this condition. We don't shy away from examining the harsh realities, but also shed light on the real facts of what different bile levels mean and their corresponding risks. We further delve into the medical model of treating cholestasis, highlighting the need for an individualized approach that takes into account the woman's unique experience and not just the medical perspective.

Not only do we discuss cholestasis, but we also tackle topics like the potential risks of placental pathology and the controversy surrounding forceps usage in childbirth. We pull back the curtain on the medical world, questioning the incentives behind the non-disclosure of placental pathology by hospitals, and revisiting the debate on the induction of labor. This episode is packed with valuable insights, personal stories, and expert advice - an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of cholestasis and its management during pregnancy. Tune in and let's grow together!

The Biology of Aging and Fertility
Sensitivity of Hands and Feet
Reevaluating Induction Practices in Obstetrics
Cholestasis in Pregnancy and Risk Factors
Preeclampsia Risk in ICP Patients
Antepartum Testing in Intrahepatic Cholestasis
Likelihood of ICP Recurrence
Obstetricians' Approach to Risk and Individuality
Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Cholestatic Pregnancies

Episode resources:

Statistics: Risk of Stillbirth with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: What do Bile Acid Concentrations Tell Us?
Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #53: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: Replaces Consult #13, April 2011
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome
Blyss' Cholestasis Protocol

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

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

#317 The Seduction of Induction Jul 12, 2023

Show notes

Medical induction of labor continues to rise. Most OBs will want to induce all of you. Does this make sense? No! Blyss & Dr. Stu explain. Blyss hangs with her boys & Dr. Stu becomes a grandpa.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

The alarming rise in induction rates
Depersonalization of birth & the risks of a non-individualized approach
Methods and risks of Induction: pitocin, water breaking, and downsides
Questioning the “risk factors” for induction
Diminishing sacred moments & how medical management impacts embracing childbirth

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

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

#316 Reclaiming Birth with Dr. Sara Wickham Jul 05, 2023

Show notes

On the Summer Solstice, Dr. Sara Wickham, author and researcher, joins the podcast to share her wisdom. Dr. Stu and Dr. Sara talk about the meaning of risk and prevention and the risk of prevention as it pertains to some very relevant topics: BMI, "Needing" a cesarean, Pitocin & Vitamin K. She is a treasure trove of knowledge.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Historical roots of medical practices and their impact on the present
Shifting language of risk: Embracing "chance" in maternity care
Exploring fear-driven reliance on interventions in childbirth
Problematic history of BMI
Questioning Vitamin K: Interfering with newborns' natural processes

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Sara:

Instagram: @drsarawickham
Website: www.sarawickham.com
Article: Five questions to ask if you’re offered induction of labour
Sara’s Book: What's Right For Me?: Making decisions in pregnancy and childbirth
Referenced book: Closure

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

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

#315 Advanced Maternal Age: Debunking Myths Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Blyss and Dr. Stu delve into the term 'Geriatric Pregnancy', debunking myths and embracing evidence around advanced maternal age and the need for individualized care. They also touch upon stories of successful births, medical interventions, and the risks of synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) versus natural oxytocin. Amidst personal anecdotes, survival strategies for a metaphorical apocalypse, and reflections on adaptability, the episode underscores the importance of informed consent and patient autonomy in making birth choices.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Geriatric Pregnancy and its misconceptions
Recommendations for pregnancy at advanced maternal age
Understanding the medical considerations & interventions
Upholding patient autonomy and informed consent in birth choices
Stories of successful births, medical interventions, and informed consent

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.
Branch Basics | Go to links.branchbasics.com/birthinginstincts and use the code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 15% off a starter kit.

Resources:

ACOG Obstetric Care Consensus, Number 11 August 2022

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

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

#314 Low Platelets & Deficiencies of Wisdom Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

Today, Blyss meets up with Dr. Stu at his new homestead for some in-person podcasting! They discuss thrombocytopenia and low levels of independent thought in so many health care providers. Learn about the importance of a complete blood count and peripheral blood smear, the risks associated with certain medications, and the key characteristics of gestational thrombocytopenia. They also discuss various platelet count thresholds and what they mean for the expecting mother.

Blyss explores the world of nutrition and supplements to help increase platelet count during pregnancy. The duo covers a range of options, from vitamins and minerals to specific foods and supplements that can aid in building healthy blood and increasing platelets.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Understanding platelet count in pregnancy
Importance of complete blood count and peripheral blood smear
Thrombocytopenia and preeclampsia
Management of gestational thrombocytopenia
Increasing platelets with nutrition
Discerning truth in advertising

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Resources:

15 Food to Increase Platelet Count in Your Blood

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

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

#313 Comforting Truths About Low Lying Placenta Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

Today, Blyss and Dr. Stu dive into the topic of low lying placenta and challenge the commonly held perception of it being a high-risk condition, discussing the medical gaslighting that often occurs. Blyss shares her firsthand experience of witnessing an unassisted birth where the mother made the empowered choice to stay home. Together, they provide comforting truths and alternative perspectives on low lying placenta, offering insights that challenge the traditional approach and empower women to make informed decisions about their birth plans.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Medical gaslighting and low lying placenta
Understanding different locations of the placenta
When babies go rogue, stay home
Treating individuals as adults, not children
Preserving traditional midwifery practices
Ibuprofen's impact on male hormones

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

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

#312 Activating Your Inner Jaguar with Kimberly Ann Johnson Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

The brilliant author of “The Fourth Trimester” & “Call of the Wild”, Kimberly Ann Johnson joins Blyss & Dr. Stu for a really fascinating conversation into rites of passage and our autonomic nervous system. You have to hear her!

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Tears during birth and the impact of interventions on labor
Addressing pelvic floor issues after hospital birth
The transformative power of rites of passage
The female nervous system and the effects of epidurals
Building supportive communities in the birthing process
Challenging societal norms and encouraging critical thinking

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Kimberly:

Books: The Fourth Trimester / Call of the Wild
Instagram: @kimberly.ann.johnson | @mother.circle
Website: https://kimberlyannjohnson.com | www.mothercircle.com

Resources:

Download Chapter One of Call of the Wild for free here
Guided pelvic floor mapping here
Keli Garza: www.fourthtrimestervaginalsteamstudy.com
Ellen Heed: www.sexologicalbodywork.com

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

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

#311 Low Hanging Fruit: The Marketing of our Health Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

Do physicians live up to their definition? Blyss and Dr. Stu delve into the troubling relationship between big medicine, big government, and big pharma. Blyss & Dr. Stu, together again, break down the ugly reality.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

ACOG and v@cc!nes in pregnancy
Manipulating healthcare choices with money
Birth center experiences: stay or leave as a midwife?
Castor oil and VBAC
Aspirin during pregnancy
Big medicine, gov., pharma: unveiling health marketing realities

This show is supported by:

LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.

Resources:

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
Email: birthinginstinctspodcast@gmail.com
Call-in line: 805-399-0439

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

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

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