Pure Nurture Pregnancy and Birth

Latest Episodes:

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: 5 Questions You MUST Ask Before Birth with Deb Flashenberg Aug 30, 2022

Show notes

Deb Flashenberg is the founder and director of the Prenatal Yoga Center in NYC. She is a yoga teacher, labor support doula, Lamaze childbirth educator and has completed a midwifery assistant program at The Farm in Tennessee with Ina May Gaskin and The Farm midwives. On this episode of the Pure Nurture Podcast, Deb is sharing all about five essential questions to ask your care provider before birth. When you're in labor, it's not a good time to start negotiating your delivery wishes. You need to feel heard, respected, and supported BEFORE your big day and be sure you and your support team are all on the same page.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Who is Deb Flashenberg & how she got into supporting pregnant women before she became a Mom (2:35)
Prenatal Yoga Center in NYC
Yoga | Birth | Babies Podcast
Who's Afraid of the Pregnant Yogi? online program
When you meet your doctor for the first time, ask these 5 key questions to make sure you're on the same page (5:36)
Is it too late to switch care providers in your 3rd trimester? (25:00)

"As a doula, Deb has heard this lament time and time again: "I received the name of my doctor from a friend, and if I had known what to ask, I probably would have switched doctors a long time ago. Now I feel it's too late to change!" Ideally, it's best to have a very important conversation with your doctor at the beginning of your pregnancy to make sure that the way he or she practices medicine matches up with the way you want to birth. If you're already into your pregnancy and a relationship with your doctor, be sure to ask these key questions at your next appointment! When you're in labor, it isn't a good time to start negotiating your labor and delivery wishes. It's essential that you feel heard, supported and respected long before the big day!" - Via www.prenatalyogacenter.com

Click here to read more about the 5 questions Deb recommends you ask your doctor.

If you found this podcast helpful and want more, visit Deb at her Prenatal Yoga Center, on Instagram, and Facebook. Check out her prenatal yoga teacher training (if you're ready to dive deeper) and when you're in New York City, pop in for a yoga class!

Best part? You can practice yoga wherever you are with Deb's free yoga videos.

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: Cervical Exams- Everything You Need to Know with the Birth Kweens Aug 24, 2022

Show notes

Meet, Karly and Ali. Hosts of the Birth Kweens Podcast, a wildly honest conversation on all things natural pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and women's health. Together, they've attended 1,000+ births and have A LOT to say on this. They help women explore their pregnancy options with a funny, lighthearted approach. Our conversation is one of my faves. (I think I can officially call myself a "birth nerd.")

In this episode, you'll hear about:

What Ali & Karly are up to
Vaginal Steam Therapy (or Yoni Steaming)
Cervical exams- What they are, when they're done, how they're done, etc.
Speeding up the birth process (or NOT speeding up the birth process)
Birth Kweens Podcast

They are a powerful combo! Between a Doula and a Midwife, they're definitely ones to watch! Catch them online and anywhere you listen to podcasts. Also, here:

Instagram - @birthkweens Website - www.birthkweens.com

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: Birth without Fear with January Harshe Aug 23, 2022

Show notes

Birth Without Fear began with a simple passion to let women know they have choices in childbirth. It evolved into a corner of inspiration and support for women and their families through their trying to conceive, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journeys.

January Harshe is a wife and a mother of six children. Each of her birth experiences was so different. She started the Birth Without Fear Facebook page as an outlet for this passion in May 2010 and the Birth Without Fear Blog was born in October 2010.

In March 2019, January launched her book: Birth without Fear: The Judgment-Free Guide to Taking Charge of Your Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum.

She now supports women through Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. However, she also wanted to inspire, support, and unify women in their communities. She launched Birth Without Fear events to see the amazing connections and healing taking place among attendees. Along with her husband, Brandon, she hosts the Harshē Podcast where they discuss everything from birth and parenting to coffee and marriage! January's passion is to support women on their journeys of womanhood, pregnancy, birth, and motherhood with peace, love, and healing. She's definitely one to watch!

In this episode, you'll hear about:

January's story & how she looked forward to turning 40 (0:45)
Birth without Fear Facebook Group
Birth without Fear book (3:24)
Women wanting an empowered birth (6:00)
Moving through medical interventions with self-love (8:58)
January has three vaginal births after two cesareans (9:48)
There is a provider who wants to support you, in the way that you need (12:06)
How to FEEL more empowered about your birth (ask the right questions) (12:35)

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: Preparing your pelvic floor and core for birth with Anita Lambert Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

Anita Lambert is the owner of Holistic Health Physiotherapy and a Registered Pelvic Health and Orthopaedic Physiotherapist with a focus on women's health, specifically prenatal and postpartum care. She's one of the select few physiotherapists in Canada to receive advanced training in labor support, which blends orthopedic physiotherapy expertise with birth doula support.

Anita is always looking to share and learn up-to-date information about pregnancy, birth, and beyond which led her to co-host the To Birth & Beyond Podcast.

You can usually find Anita on the move - whether playing with her kids or exercising with strength training, spin, yoga, or Pilates. Anita lives in Peterborough, Ontario with her husband Andy, daughter Pippa and the newest addition to the family - baby Jack.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Anita's work with prenatal and postpartum care (1:27)
To Birth and Beyond Podcast
Where your Pelvic Floor is (5:53)
Preparing Your Pelvic Floor for Birth Podcast
Kegel exercises (8:27)
Best time to do Kegel exercises (most women do it wrong) (9:00)
In-Depth Birth Prep Podcast
Flower Bloom Breathe to expedite labor — How to video (10:40)
Perineal Massage — How to video (12:30)
Massage oil recommendations (15:50)
Exercises to prepare for birth (16:30)
Spinning Babies Daily Essentials Video
Ways to ease your birth (17:50)

If you feel drawn to Anita, you can find her on Instagram here, Facebook, her site HolisticHealthPhysio.com, and her amazing podcast To Birth and Beyond.

If thinking about birth gives you the jitters, Anita shares solid advice to help you prepare here. If I was pregnant, I would've downloaded this.

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: Uncovering Birth: Empowered Education, Conception to Parenting with Eyla Cuenca Aug 16, 2022

Show notes

Eyla Cuenca is a holistic birth guide, Childbirth Educator, Lactation Counselor, health freedom advocate, and mother. She holds a BA in Anthropology from Bennington College and trained under Robert A. Bradley, MD where she became specialized as a Birth Educator. Her years of work as a Guardian Ad Litem for the 11th Judicial Circuit and attending births as a Doula in both hospital and home settings brought her into human rights and advocacy work. She stands behind the idea that it is everyone's right to have access to empowering education from conception to parenting. Her practice is dedicated to offering guidance that supports women and men in the process that is a return to their deepest knowing about birth, individual sovereignty, and the body's innate intelligence.

She offers 1-1 guidance sessions to assist women and couples at any point in their journey, from conscious conception to processing births years later. She also offers her signature childbirth education program, as well as Doula training, and Placentophagy training (how to prepare the placenta for consumption).

In this episode, you'll hear about:

The importance of taking a class about pregnancy and birth
Nutrition to improve your birthing experience
Navigating surprises during birth
Eyla's course: Uncovering Birth Masterclass

What students get from the Uncovering Birth Immersion:

Deep knowledge of how labor and birth work
Fears transmuted into desires and courage
Nutrition to avoid birth complications & support postpartum health
Effective, non-chemical relaxation techniques
A clear understanding of breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum healing
Tools for clear communication with medical providers & birth team
A comprehensive unique birth & postpartum plan
How to navigate variables & unexpected scenarios
Deeper connection and communication with your birth partner
PDFs, videos, and actions steps to support you in continued learning & conscious parenting

"Maybe you want a natural birth but everyone says it's painful, and maybe even impossible. This 8-week deep dive into an empowered birth will crush your limiting beliefs holding you back from having the experience you want and are worthy of."

I get it, there is a lot telling us we can't do it. Telling us that birth is something we should want to get through as quickly as possible. I'm here to tell you, that birth can be transformative, pleasurable, and the best experience of your life.

It's just a matter of getting fully informed.

Are you ready to break through limiting beliefs and have a peaceful & empowering experience? Results of Taking this Course As a mother, after this course you will:

Know how to prepare your body and mind for easeful and connected birthing
Feel confident about your birth choices & making informed decisions
Be able to plan and accomplish the natural birth of your dreams
Understand how to welcome, nurture and care for your new baby
Breakthrough any fear or apprehensions about the "pain" or mysteries of birth

As a father, after this course you will:

Know exactly how to support the mother through her journey
Feel confident in creating a masculine container within the birth context
Be able to advocate more easily for your family
Have the practical tools to read labor and assist with newborn care and postpartum support
Dispel limiting beliefs about birth

Connect with Eyla:

Elya's online course: Uncovering Birth Masterclass
Website: eylacuenca.com
Instagram: @eyla_cuenca_birth
Telegram: https://t.me/eylacuenca

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: Be your own wellness advocate with Lauren Futrell Dunaway Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

A lot of women hit dead ends with their doctors during pregnancy. They don't feel heard or taken seriously. They feel like they can't stand up to a doctor and say, "That's not what I want for my birth. What are some other options?"

It's not about getting aggressive. It's about being curious!

Lauren Dunaway, PhD in Public Health, got up the courage to leave her doctor for a midwife midway through her pregnancy. When she saw how much they cared, she knew that she was in good hands.

If you're a rule follower who's scared to make a change, you'll walk away from the conversation with courage!

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Lauren, her three daughters, and her mission in public health (2:00)
How she got into natural remedies for her family (4:00)
How essential oils helped Lauren get off some medication (6:47)
Emotional support with essential oils (8:17)
Wellness in the home with essential oils (8:50)
Why it's so important to be your own wellness advocate (12:15)
Lauren left her doctor for a midwife midway through her pregnancy (15:23)
5 questions you must ask your care provider BEFORE birth

Cultivate wellness in your life with LaurenEFDunaway.com. You can connect personally with Lauren on TWO Instagram feeds:

@EssentialSimplicity or @LaurenEFDunaway. After this conversation, we sincerely hope you'll feel more comfortable speaking up to your doctor and asking questions.

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: Say Yes! To Birth with Rachel Yellin Aug 09, 2022

Show notes

What if you could be excited about your upcoming birth? Rachel Yellin talks about this feeling on this episode of the Pure Nurture Podcast. She believes you do NOT have to take negative feelings from your past birth into your next.

With over 15 years as a birth professional, Depth Hypnosis Practitioner, and yoga teacher, Rachel currently owns and is the primary teacher/coach of Yes To Birth! If you want to have a less painful, more manageable pregnancy and birth, where you feel excited, calm and prepared for labor, and your baby is born on their terms, Rachel is for you! Rachel will inspire you with facts, opinions, and birth stories, while saying totally inappropriate things, and providing life and relationship skills that go far beyond birth.

Rachel will support you to make conscious choices about where, how and with whom to give birth, create the most loving, peaceful pregnancy and birth environment, and see the baby as a wise person whose preferences matter. Rachel has been doing birthwork since 2002. For years she was a very successful doula, and has been teaching childbirth classes, prenatal yoga, and depth hypnosis therapy for a decade. Her audio program has been sold internationally since 2014.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Yes! to Birth (3:48)
Conscious Parenting & Conscious Birth (13:16)
Natural Birth (17:06)
How to heal from a difficult or traumatic birth experience (23:04)
How to not take a bad birth experience into your next one (28:12)

Don't you feel more empowered after that conversation? I hope you're saying, "Yes! My body can do this. Yes! I can do this." Learn more about this fantastic woman here: RachelYellin.com.

As you lower your anxiety about birth, let's lower your anxiety about nursing wear options. My next guest, Devon Berrier created a line of fashionable breastfeeding fashion options for the working mom. The best part? It doesn't look like nursing wear, at all! She also opens up about her postpartum experience and the challenges that she faced.

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: Steps to Take for a Healthy Baby and an Easeful Pregnancy with Dr. Aumatma Simmons Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

Dr. Aumatma is a Naturopathic Doctor & Nutritionist, in practice for close to 15 years. She specializes in women's health, is the best-selling author of "Fertility Secrets: What Your Doctor Didn't Tell You About Baby-Making," and is a sought out speaker on topics related to Women's Health and Empowerment.

Dr. Aumatma was awarded the "Best Alternative Medicine Practitioner″ award locally in 2015, and as a top "Women In Medicine" Doctor in 2020. In addition to supporting couples through private 1 on 1 care and online group programs, and she also trains practitioners who want to specialize in fertility

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Dr. Aumatma's road to fertility and postpartum support
Pre-conception testing
What ridges on your nails mean
What a Naturopathic Doctor is
Mind Body Spirit Approach
Body Talk
Prenatal Supplements
Folic Acid vs Folate
Nutrition for Pregnancy
Emotional and Mental Support

Website: HolisticFertilityCenter.com

Facebook: @DrAumatmaNd

Instagram: @holsitic_fertility_doctor

Summer Podcast Series - Childbirth Education and Support: Using your intuition to improve your pregnancy and birth experience with Adriana Lozada Aug 02, 2022

Show notes

"You breathe. You blink. You digest. You don't tell your body to do those things... Your body will know how to give birth. The mind-body connection is SO STRONG. The mind can influence the body..." A.L.

Adriana Lozada's background is multi-layered and multi-cultural. A former print and online editor from Venezuela, the birth of her daughter sparked her passion for being a birth advocate, leading her to open Birthful: a company that helps new and expectant parents take on whatever maternity sends their way.

She is a certified Advanced Birth Doula (DONA International), a postpartum educator, and a healthy sleep consultant, as well as a bestselling author and international speaker. Adriana is also the host of the Birthful Podcast, where she talks to amazing, knowledgeable, and passionate birth professionals every week, to help new and expectant parents inform their intuition, so they can have more rewarding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.

"After giving birth, Adriana became passionate about helping others on their maternity journeys. The fire to make a difference started from a place of outrage (have you noticed the broken state of maternity care? the non-existence of paid family leave in the US?), which she has since focused into a torch that lights her way towards supporting new parents to have joyful and satisfying birth and postpartum experiences.

Adriana is an advanced birth doula, an eco-maternity consultant, a postpartum educator, and a child sleep consultant. She's a bestselling author, speaker, and host of the acclaimed Birthful podcast. All part of her quest to help people have a smoother transition into parenthood." (from birthful.com)

In this episode, you'll hear about:

The Birthful Podcast (0:11)
Intuition vs fear (0:55)
How to tune into our intuition (5:30)
Supporting your physiology during labor (7:07)
Labor Land (7:30)
Birthing a 12-pound baby (9:40)
Reducing anxiety about your upcoming birth (14:35)
Pregnancy Brain book
Delivering Miracles Podcast (High-risk pregnancy expert)
Calming your nervous system (20:22)
Why an OB Chose to Have a Home Birth with Amali Lokugamage podcast episode
Childbirth education classes (Which class is best for your personality? Take this quiz.) (20:22)
Michel Odant

Sail into Adriana's world at Birthful.com. She'll help you navigate the unexpected seas of birth with her wisdom in your ear. Add her The Birthful Podcast to your list. What excites her? Hearing from you. Feel free to email her

Prenatal Nutrition Series: Prenatal Nutrition with Melissa Mor Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

No pregnancy is the same. We all have our own unique needs and this is also true from a nutritional standpoint. Not many people support pregnancy from a nutritional health perspective. Melissa Mor bridges that gap by supporting women during preconception, pregnancy, and after baby arrives.

After having two pregnancies with previas and having successful outcomes with fast recoveries, Melissa felt compelled to start a coaching business to support other women. Today, she helps moms and soon-to-be moms create healthier lifestyles by showing them how to easily implement natural solutions in their daily life or routines. According to Melissa, "No matter what the issue is, there is always a more natural solution."

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Melissa's career path from Fashion to Family Wellness Coach (1:08)
What was missing around pregnancy support? (2:00)
Homeopathy (Dive deeper in episode 15) (5:41)
What issues a Family Wellness Coach can help you with (6:14)
Not detoxing while you're pregnant (7:50)
How Melissa helps her clients (10:05)
The difference between prescription vs plant based vitamins and supplements (10:41)
What to eat while pregnant if you can't stomach healthy food (15:40)
Top 3 supplements to take if you're nauseous during pregnancy (18:00)
How to connect with Melissa at CaratsandKale.com (19:36)

Get the support you need during the wild ride of Motherhood. Whether you're trying to conceive, are pregnant, or just gave birth to a beautiful baby, CaratsandKale.com is the place for holistic friends, like you! Follow Melissa on Instagram to say, "Hi!" or send a love note to CaratsandKale@gmail.com.

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