The Birth Lounge Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 248: Mirror Neurons in Labor with Dr. Jaz Robbins Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Are you familiar with mirror neurons and their role in the way our brain works? If not, you'll want to understand exactly what they are and how they have the potential to positively or negatively impact your labor experience!

Evidence Based Pitocin Guide

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Work with Dr. Jaz

The Active Experience

Connect with Dr. Jaz on IG

Dr. Jaz Bio:

Dr. Jaz Robbins is a therapist, nutritionist, author, professor, and mental health consultant. She is the founder of the nonprofit, Healing, Hope & Love as well as the mental health consulting firm, The Active Experience®. She specializes in working with clients who have histories of trauma and/or complicated health concerns. Additionally, Dr. Robbins is a poet and stage performer who enjoys integrating expressive arts into her work with clients when appropriate.

Ep. 247: Is 'TheVillage' a thing of the past? with Maranda Bowers Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

It takes a village to raise a child… but where is that village?! In this episode, HeHe sits down with Maranda Bower of Postpartum University to discuss how postpartum looks very different today than it did when our parents were having children & what that means for the way we need to prepare for postpartum.

Connect with HeHe on IG

Connect with Maranda on IG

https://postpartumu.com/

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Check out our FREE CLASS >> 6 Ways to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce your Risk of Tearing

Ep. 246: Your Bladder Matters Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Your bladder plays a huge role in labor! If it is full, it is taking up valuable space that baby needs to continue their descent down and out. You should be emptying your bladder frequently during labor—and that’s exactly what this episode is about! HeHe is diving into the why and when behind peeing often in labor.

A 2017 study stated that postpartum hemorrhage occurs in 3% of births, but the CDC Foundation suggests that up to 70% of those may be avoidable. It’s been shared time and time again that having a full bladder can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage and this episode is going to spill the beans on what you need to know!

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Episode Resources:

2017 study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28502...

CDC Foundation: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/sites/default/files/files/ReportfromNineMMRCs.pdf

National Insitute for Children's Health Quality: https://nichq.org/insight/taking-leading-cause-maternal-death-improving-postpartum-hemorrhage-care

EBB: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pitocin-during-the-third-stage-of-labor/

Maternal Mortality Review Information App: https://reviewtoaction.org/implement/getting-started

ACOG: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2017/10/postpartum-hemorrhage

ACOG Expansion: https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2017/09/acog-expands-recommendations-to-treat-postpartum-hemorrhage

Ep. 245: Mom Shaming in Online Spaces with Taylor Kulik Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode is with a guest who is well-versed on mom shaming and bullying in online spaces-- Taylor Kulik, a holistic sleep and parenting educator! Taylor always meets online criticism with kindness and compassion-- a skill that many of us could use some practice with! Join HeHe & Taylor as they chat about how the way you were parented, your inner dialogue and your past traumas impact the way you respond and show up in online spaces! We also dive into how to protect your mental health and set boundaries when in mom groups on social media!

Connect with Taylor on IG

Connect with HeHe on IG

Join HeHe's FREE CLASS that shares How to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce Tearing in Labor here!

Grab your copy of HeHe's Newborn Sleep Solutions Guide -- a guide to better sleep in the first 8-16 weeks after birth!

Ep. 244: SOLO Cast- What to Do with a Freezer Full of (Breast)Milk? Feb 25, 2024

Show notes

I've been recently getting more and more calls from moms who have a freezer full of pumped breastmilk and don't know what to do with it! If that's you, this is a must-listen episode!

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Connect with HeHe on IG

Data:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33098117/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572138/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7926441/

CDC:

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/faq.html#:~:text=Breast%20milk%20can%20be%20stored%20in%20the%20freezer%20(at%200,within%206%20months%20is%20best.

Freeze Dried Breastmilk Companies:

https://itsmyleche.com

https://milkify.me

https://boobyfood.com

https://mothership-milk.com/products/freeze-dry-your-breast-milk

Ep. 243: What to Know about Mastitis with Lara Proud, RN Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

Today's episode is featuring Lara Proud, RN, who is joining HeHe to discuss the signs + symptoms of Mastitis, what professionals can help & what options you have for remedying it! We also dive into preventative measures and what to consider when it comes to antibiotic use with Mastitis!

Lara’s Bio:

Beyond The Bump was started when Lara Proud went on maternity leave with her son in 2018. As a Registered Nurse, Lara was blown away by the lack of local resources for prenatal classes, postpartum support, and didn’t want anyone else to have to struggle like she did with breastfeeding. Beyond The Bump is located on the East Coast of Canada in Fredericton, New Brunswick serving all across Canada virtually and in-person locally. Her biggest goal is to empower parents in their decisions surrounding all things birth and parenting and help them feel prepared and supported along the way!

Connect with Lara on IG

Connect with HeHe on IG

Join HeHe’s FREE CLASS that shares How to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce Tearing in Labor here!

Resources:

ACOG: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2021/02/breastfeeding-challenges

Breastfeeding Medicine: https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20Protocol%20%2336.pdf

Le Leche League: https://lllusa.org/mastitis-updated-la-leche-league-usa-resource-page/

Ep.242: What It Takes to be an Exclusively Pumping Mom with Jacquie Ciccione, RN/CLC Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

This episode dives into the what it takes to be an exclusively pumping parent-- the mental load, the time, the commitment, all of it! Jacquie Ciccione, RN & CLC, joins HeHe to dive into how to know if you are using the correct flange size, what are common issues that arise when someone exclusively pumps and so much more!

Jacquie's Bio:

My name is Jacquie Ciccone. I am a wife, mom, registered nurse, and certified lactation counselor. After giving birth to my son and having several struggles, I became fascinated with breastfeeding. I ended up exclusively pumping for a year, so I’m passionate about breast pumps and pumping. I am determined to help close the gap between lactating mothers and breast pumps. I now offer 1:1 pumping consultations to improve their experience and increase the likelihood of success. I consider pumping a sport and an entirely new set of breastfeeding skills. I will be offering group counseling for pumping moms starting in July that I’m very excited about! I stay updated with the latest research and advancements in lactation counseling and breast pumps, ensuring I can provide my clients with the most current and evidence-based support.

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Links/Tools Mentioned in episode:

Nipple Ruler

https://sarahwellsbags.com/collections/hands-free-pumping-bra

https://thedairyfairy.com/

https://www.loveandfit.com/collections/nursing-bras

Connect with Jacquie on IG

Work with Jacquie: https://pumpedupmama.com/

Connect with HeHe on IG

Work 1:1 with HeHe & The TBH Team on Breastfeeding, formula feeding or bottle feeding

Ep. 241Choosing the Right Formula for Your Baby with Mallory Whitmore, Bobbi Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

Anyone else TIRED of the age old debate about baby feeding?! Fed is best?! Breast is best?! In today’s episode, HeHe sits down with Mallory Whitmore, The Formula Mom & Education Lead from Bobbie, a formula company working their tails off to create a product as similar to breastmilk as possible. They’re diving into all the things you need to know to choose the best formula for your baby! Our team is always 100% supportive of our clients' feeding goals and Bobbie is the formula we stand behind. Not only do we dive into the components needed to nourish your baby but we also dive into lactose intolerance…

We also dive into how to use formula in conjunction with breastfeeding.

Mallory's Bio:

Mallory is a mom of 2, educator, advocate, and certified infant feeding tech. She's the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform that helps new parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions-- without guilt or shame! She can be found on Instagram @theformulamom or behind the scenes leading education for @Bobbie.

Find Bobbie formula here: https://www.hibobbie.com/

Join The Birth Lounge here!

Check out our FREE CLASS >> 6 Ways to Avoid a C-Section & Reduce your Risk of Tearing

Ep. 240: How to do Hand Expression with Sarah Gregory, IBCLC Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

Have you heard of Hand Expression? Do you know how to do it? It can be a very beneficial skill to have in the first few days after your baby is born to collect colostrum (or even before labor to harvest colostrum to take with you to the hospital— ask your provider more details about this)!Knowing how to properly hand express is a very handy skill to have with you when you need it! Join Sarah Gregory, IBCLC, and HeHe on todays episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast!

Connect with Sarah on IG

Connect with HeHe on IG

Join The Birth Lounge: https://www.thebirthlounge.com

Ep. 239: Colostrum IS milk! with Gina Motsay, IBCLC Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

Gina Mostly, IBCLC, joins HeHe to chat about colostrum harvesting, why telling someone their milk needs to ‘come in’ is bad advice and how to properly support your newborns feeding goals while you’re still in the hospital after birth! We also dive into how to hand express and the tools that can make that easier! Gina explains how your body begins prepping to feed your baby in the second trimester, but sometimes hospital policies or things that happen in birth can disrupt this bodily process + what to do about it if your goal is to nurse your baby! She also shares tips for you to take with you to the hospital and begin building a strong breastmilk supply from day 1!

Gina's bio:

Gina is an IBCLC, Mother of 5 (including twins), prior military and current mil-spouse. My main areas of focus in lactation are prenatal education, TOTs, oral rehabilitation and pumping aside from breastfeeding basics!

Connect with Gina on IG

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Resources:

https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/breastfeeding/colostrum-is-superfood-for-your-newborn/