Birthing Instincts

Latest Episodes:

#310 Together Again May 27, 2023

Show notes

Blyss and Dr. Stu come together in Santa Barbara for an Instagram Live session to answer questions with a surprise guest. They address a range of topics including subchorionic hematoma, balanced diets in pregnancy, breech deliveries, declining cervical checks, and placental delivery. They also share insights from a remarkable hospital experience highlighting the possibilities of birth. Tune in to hear their informative discussion and Q&A session!

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Blyss shares a remarkable hospital experience
Debunking the myth: Babies do not need immediate baths after birth
Subchorionic hematoma and pelvic rest
Declining cervical checks
The timeframe of placental delivery
Defining “high-risk” pregnancies

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

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

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

#309 The Amazing Umbillical Cord May 17, 2023

Show notes

Blyss and Dr. Stu discuss optimal cord clamping and debunk misconceptions about nature's incredible design. They explore the anatomy and physiology of the umbilical cord, ways to separate it, and its spiritual side. Letters from listeners about seeds of fear and lack of support has the duo shaking their heads....again!

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

The benefits of optimal cord clamping
Delayed cord clamping vs. optimal cord clamping
Anatomy and physiology of the umbilical cord
Cord compression and prolapse
Spiritual side of cord and placenta separation
Waiting for optimal cord clamping: when to separate the umbilical cord
Advocating for oneself regarding cord clamping in a hospital setting

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.
Branch Basics | Go to links.branchbasics.com/birthinginstincts and use the code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 15% off a starter kit.

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

#308 Posterior Babies & Fist Bumps May 10, 2023

Show notes

Every intervention has a ripple effect, and today Blyss & Dr. Stu discuss how culture changes can lead to unintended consequences. They delve into the topic of posterior babies, including what they are, why moms experience more discomfort and longer labors, and different methods to help get a baby to turn. They also explore the impact of our lifestyles on the positions of our babies, optimal fetal positioning, and trusting the wisdom of the baby's side.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Understanding and navigating posterior babies
Methods for supporting optimal fetal positioning
Blyss' successful technique for birthing a posterior baby
Surrendering to your baby's wisdom
The impact of our lifestyles on the positions of our babies
ACOG's guidelines on laboring down with an epidural
Postpartum hemorrhage
Financial concerns & limiting midwife units

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

#307 The Born Free Method: Returning to Instinctual Birth with Dr. Nathan Riley & Midwife Sara Rosser May 03, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Nathan Riley and Midwife Sara Rosser join Blyss and Dr. Stu in this episode to discuss their dream of enhancing the birth and life experience. The group talks about the illusion of safety in hospitals, exercising autonomy, and being proactive in birth and life. They also touch on free birth, the use of cannabis and psychedelics in pregnancy and birth, and the Born Free Method yearlong program.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

The illusion of safety in hospitals
Practicing autonomy in birth and life
Radical responsibility and staying true to oneself
What to expect from The Born Free Method program
Free birth: Why people are choosing it
The use of cannabis and psychedelics in pregnancy and birth

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.
Branch Basics | Go to links.branchbasics.com/birthinginstincts and use the code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 15% off a starter kit.

Resources:

Website: bornfreemethod.com save 10% with code INSTINCTS10
Beyond Holistics: belovedholistics.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

#306 What ARE Obstetricians Taught in Medical School? Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

While today's topic is Retained Placenta, the real lesson is our systems are broken — and those that broke them expect us to let them fix them. From CPS tyranny to more interventions, Dr. Stu is mad as hell and Blyss wisely says, “Don't let them do it.”

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

North Texas parents CPS case
Normalization of interventions in hospital settings
Retained placentas: considerations and Pitocin
Impact of birth experience on mothers and babies
Obstetrician education and training
Choosing when to engage with healthcare systems

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.

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

#305 IVF: Beyond Embryos on Ice with Nathalie Rojas Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

Today on the podcast, Blyss and Dr. Stu are joined by Nathalie Rojas, an IVF coordinator and indigenous birth worker, to discuss assisted reproduction and the pros and cons of messing with Mother Nature. They delve into Nathalie's journey to birth work, her role as an IVF coordinator, the overuse of IVF, and the impact of insurance on access to fertility treatment.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

The path that led Nathalie to birth work
The role of an IVF coordinator
Pros and cons of assisted reproduction
Overuse of IVF and its impact on society
The impact of insurance on access to fertility treatment
The lack of education about fertility & women's health
Increases in miscarriages after v@x

This show is supported by:

Branch Basics | Go to links.branchbasics.com/birthinginstincts and use the code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 15% off a starter kit.
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

#304 Against Medical Advice: A CF Mama’s Home Birth Success Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

Blyss talks to Alma and her midwife Brooke about Alma's journey to a successful natural birth at home despite having cystic fibrosis. The doctors recommended that Alma should not deliver at home, but she and her midwife navigated the risks and challenges to make it happen.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

How Alma chose home birth & found a midwife
Cystic fibrosis challenges during pregnancy
Navigating the birth from Alma's and Brooke's perspectives
Alma's postpartum experience and recovery
How Brooke's experience with Alma shapes her approach to midwifery
The odds of passing on CF: genetic testing & screening

Brooke's bio: My midwifery journey started in 2013, 6 weeks after my first child was born. I was raised in a traditional Western medicine household and grew up believing birth to be a medically managed event. After an introduction to the world of home birth through the Business of Being Born documentary, I switched my desire to attend births in the hospital to an overwhelming pull to home birth midwifery. During my education at Birthingway College of Midwifery, I birthed 2 more kiddos at home with midwives. I obtained my midwifery license in 2019 and started my own home birth practice with a fellow midwifery preceptor. In 2020 my fourth child was born, surprise, also at home with midwives. Since then, i have become the solo midwife to my practice, Milk and Honey Birth Services.

This show is supported by:

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

Resources:

Brooke Francis, CPM www.milkandhoney-birth.com
Watch Blyss’ Niece Claire Wineland’s Documentary here

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

#303 Molar Pregnancy and Other Oddities Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

On the Ides of March, Blyss and Dr. Stu gather to heed the warnings and clear the air on Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD), a rare condition in which abnormal cells grow in the uterus after conception, and other important topics.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Breech fear-mongering
Dating & tracking your pregnancy
Midwife harassment
Picking a birth assistant
Molar pregnancies: what to know

This show is supported by:

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

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

#302 Will Anyone Ever Be Held Accountable? Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

Returning from their travels, Dr. Stu and Blyss share their reflections on their time in Bali and Haiti, offering valuable insights into cultural practices and healthcare. Looking at some current dilemmas and fellow traveler letters, they delve into various topics related to accountability and integrity, including the importance of critical thinking when choosing which research to trust, maintaining personal integrity and standing up for beliefs, and empathizing with patients to avoid insensitivity and invalidating experiences.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Dr. Stu & Blyss’ reflections on Bali & Haiti
Advice for an unhappy hospital worker
Choosing which research data to trust
Importance of personal accountability and integrity
Insensitivity & invalidating experiences in healthcare

This show is supported by:

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

Resources:

Donate: mamababyhaiti.org ; bumisehat.org
Video: OBGYNs Speak
Article: Dr. Peter McCullough, Dr. James Thorp

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

#301 Medical Controversies & Fellow Traveler Stories with Dr. Stu Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

While Blyss bathes in tropical wonder, Dr. Stu goes solo and cleans out a corner of his mind attic. From misdiagnosis to outright lying, "medical expert" is now a codified oxymoron.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

Safety and effectiveness of HPV v@cc*nes
Use of tracking/codes for unv@x
The importance of seeking out second opinions
Accepting the uncertainty and unpredictability of childbirth
Listener stories: white coat syndrome & gestational hypertension
The value of honesty and trust in patient-provider relationships
Risk of uterine rupture during labor

This show is supported by:

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

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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