Yoga | Birth | Babies

What does it look like to approach birth feeling prepared, supported, and truly unrushed? In this episode, Deb is joined by yoga teacher Hayley Antonelli, who shares her thoughtful and empowering birth story. From intentionally training in prenatal yoga before conception to carefully building a birth team aligned with her values, Hayley walks us through how preparation and mindset shaped her entire experience. Hayley opens up about navigating unexpected recommendations during pregnancy, including concerns about her baby measuring small, and how she stayed grounded in her own timing when faced with decisions. Her story highlights the importance of informed choice, trusting intuition, and surrounding yourself with providers who respect your voice. The conversation continues into postpartum, where Hayley shares what contributed to her smooth recovery and positive breastfeeding experience. This episode is a beautiful reminder of the power of intentional preparation, supportive care, and the stories we choos

The vaccination schedule for your baby can feel daunting. It also may seem a little strange,  you might wonder why a newborn needs to be protected against Hepatitis B? Between frequent visits to the pediatrician and fears you might have over adverse reactions to the vaccines, many parents wonder how they can best support their child.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies I speak with holistic pediatrician Dr. Ana-Maria Temple about newborn and childhood vaccinations. In an easily digestible manner, she explains the vaccines babies are given and why they are given at such a young age. We discuss the possibility to delay certain vaccines and why a parent might consider doing that. Dr. Temple also offers resources and questions you might ask your pediatrician to get everyone working together and ensure care is aligned with your family’s goals. As Dr. Temple says “If you understand the why, you can then make decisions and choices.”  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with lin

A big topic of conversation among my prenatal students is maternity leave- how to set boundaries while pregnant, how to protect that time once baby arrives, and what it might look like to return to work postpartum. How do you hold both worlds of being a new parent and a working parent? Is it possible to truly enjoy both? The answer is yes, and in this conversation, you’ll hear practical tips and thoughtful guidance on how to make it work. On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I am joined by Lauren Smith Brody, an expert in supporting working parents and advancing women’s leadership in the workplace. She is the CEO of The Fifth Trimester consulting and the bestselling author of The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom’s Guide to Style, Sanity, and Success After Baby. Lauren's non-profit: Chamber of Mothers Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solu

On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I am joined by PYC community member, Rachel Eisman. Rachel is a public sector consultant and new mom of two. When she's not working, she likes writing and reading. As we dive into Rachel’s birth story, we also revisit her first birth and explore the differences between the two. Rachel shares what she learned the first time around, and how she intentionally applied those insights to her second experience… which ended up unfolding swiftly! I hope you enjoy this exciting and empowering story. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga

Today is all about induction at 39 weeks- something I hear often when my students approach that point in pregnancy. We’ll take a closer look at the ARRIVE Trial and explore whether the data truly reflects what’s happening in labor and delivery units. What are the real pros and cons of elective induction? What are the risks and potential benefits? Join us as we unpack this nuanced and often debated topic. On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I am joined by Dr.  Elizabeth Langen. Dr. Elizabeth is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist and Associated Professor at the University of Michigan. She currently directs the Cardio-Obstetrics program at the University of Michigan that provides patient-centered care for women with cardiovascular disease before, during, and after pregnancy. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregn

I’m so happy that the pelvic floor is finally getting its moment to shine. This incredibly important set of muscles impacts our breath, continence, helps keep our organs in place, and affects our day to day comfort. It certainly deserves our attention! However not all of the information people are sharing about it is factual and some of these myths can lead to real physical issues over time. On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with Dr. Janelle Howell, DPT, WCS about these common myths. From assumptions like a cesarean birth will prevent prolapse and keep things tight, or that Kegel exercises will solve everything, or waist trainers will shrink your waist, Dr. Howell busts through these myths with facts and shares evidence based solutions. This refreshing conversation clears the air about topics many are often hesitant to talk to a care provider about, but can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources

In today’s episode, we share a powerful community birth story shaped by resilience, intuition, and hope. It’s a journey through infertility that ultimately leads to the arrival of a miracle baby. This conversation explores trusting your inner voice, learning to advocate for yourself, building the right support team, and surrendering to the process when the path forward feels uncertain. On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I am joined by Elizabeth Sullivan. Elizabeth is a Wealth Management Advisor and partner in The Mann Sullivan Group at Merrill Lynch where she focuses on helping individuals and families build, preserve, and transfer their wealth by taking a holistic approach to their financial lives. She particularly focuses on working with women in transition through other major life events. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: ⁠prenatalyogacenter.com⁠ Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to

Today we’re talking about breastfeeding- a topic I know will be supportive for so many of you. What I love about this conversation is that my guest offers practical, accessible guidance and helps break down how the mechanics of breastfeeding actually work. Whether you’re preparing, navigating, or simply wanting to better understand the process, this episode is here to support you. Let’s dive in. On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I am joined by Dr.  Leigh Campbell, MD, IBCLC. Dr. Campbell is among the inaugural cohort of board-certified Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine physicians and is also a board-certified neonatologist and pediatrician. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spo

Today I’m joined by Mika Fox on Yoga | Birth | Babies.  A native New Yorker, Mika lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and baby boy, Nogah. She works in account management at a tech company and loves to dance, hike, travel, and practice yoga. Mika is also a PYC alum, having attended classes from weeks 14–39 of her pregnancy. Her birth story took unexpected twists and turns, but one thing remained constant throughout: her deep trust in her body and her baby. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch

How has our understanding of postpartum evolved, and what challenges have remained all along? The answers may surprise you. Today I’m joined by Dr. Karen Sheffield-Abdullah on Yoga | Birth | Babies. Dr. Karen is an assistant professor, certified nurse-midwife, mindfulness coach, and perinatal mental health researcher. Dr. Karen’s expertise has been featured in The New York Times, Politico, TEDx Talks, and NPR. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s community birth story spans years- from a long path to pregnancy to an unexpected C-section and a diagnosis of postpartum preeclampsia. It’s truly a full-arc journey of resilience and transformation. Listen in, as I’m joined by Nitasha Mehta on Yoga | Birth | Babies. Nitasha is a marketing leader with 15+ years of experience at Amazon, Samsung, and Boxed, whose work in women’s health led her to launch Shakti- a postpartum snack company rooted in traditional Indian remedies to support healing after birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

When becoming a new parent, it is crucial to have a community you can count on to not only understand what you’re going through, but also to show up for you. This is true for both pregnancy and postpartum… and also parenthood beyond. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Shai Tamary. Shai is a community builder, program strategist, and yoga teacher based in New York City. She is the founder of The Nest, a grassroots perinatal community. A new mom herself, she is passionate about reimagining the perinatal period not as a time of isolation, but as an opportunity to build lasting village-like support. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb an

Today, we’re revisiting an episode focused on how to overcome- and prevent- traumatic childbirth experiences. My guest shares key factors that can contribute to birth trauma, red flags to watch for when working with a care provider, and three essential tips for preparing for childbirth. This episode is rich with insight, and my hope is that you’ll walk away feeling informed, empowered, and confident in your support team. My guest, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered! Dr. Dekker is also host of the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Dr. Marlena Fejzo, a leading women’s health scientist and researcher. Dr. Fejzo is best known for discovering the first genes linked to uterine fibroids, nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, and hyperemesis gravidarum, and has published extensively on diseases affecting women. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California and an internationally recognized leader in women’s health research. I was immediately struck by Dr. Fejzo’s depth of knowledge and knew she would be the perfect guest to explore hyperemesis gravidarum—what it is, how common it is, and why greater understanding and compassion are so needed. My hope is that this episode helps begin that shift. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve b

Toddlerhood is full of big emotions, sudden shifts, and constant change- especially when a new baby is on the way. Today we will dive into what’s really happening beneath toddler behavior and how parents can navigate this season of life with confidence, connection, and compassion. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Devon Kuntzman. Devon is the founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, a certified parent coach, and mother. Devon helps parents move beyond the “terrible twos” narrative, reframing toddlerhood as a powerful window for building emotional intelligence, secure relationships, and lifelong skills. Her work—and her book, Transforming Toddlerhood—offers practical, guilt-free support for this often misunderstood stage. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’

At first glance, the title might make you think parenting in the digital age sounds overwhelming. But what if technology could actually support today’s parents instead of adding stress? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Sarah Trott. Sarah is the creator and host of The Fourth Trimester Podcast and founder of HelloGaia Parenting Copilot, an evidence-based tool that gives families quick, reliable answers from pregnancy through early parenthood. Sarah is a tremendous resource in the postpartum world. As she talks about the work she does now, she also weaves in moments from her own postpartum experience- the very journey that inspired her mission today. Enjoy this thoughtful and informative conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening

It’s time for another community birth story from one of our PYC students. I’m always amazed by the range of experiences people share, and I truly believe each story offers us valuable insight, empathy, and wisdom. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I’m joined by Srilaya Yallapragada- a software engineer from California who moved to NYC halfway through her pregnancy. Srilaya opens up about navigating a major move, choosing a new care provider, communicating her needs, building community in a brand-new city, and, of course, her incredible birth story. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacen

When my son was born and we needed a nanny, I remember feeling totally overwhelmed. Where do you even begin when it comes to hiring someone you barely know to caretake your child? It’s a feeling so many parents share, and that’s exactly what today’s episode is about: nannies- the process, the common mistakes made, and how to navigate it all. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Sarah Davis. Sarah has been in the nanny industry for over 25 years and has owned Nanny Agency Olive You Nanny agency for 20 years. She also created The Nanny Playbook, a step-by-step guide that empowers parents to confidently hire and build lasting relationships with nannies. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a

A past blog post about nuchal cords (when the umbilical cord wraps around baby’s neck) sparked a lot of fear and confusion, especially around the idea that this could “strangle” baby. In this episode, we take a deeper look at what’s really happening. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Dr. Jessica Vernon. Dr. Jessica is is a mom of two and a board-certified OBGYN for over a decade. She is an Associate Medical Director as well as the Director of Mental Health at Oula, a midwifery-led women’s health startup in NYC.  Understanding how brilliantly the body functions during pregnancy can bring so much reassurance. We hope this episode helps you feel informed, grounded, and confident! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a ra

As roughly one third of American Babies are born via C-Section, Cesareans rank among the top surgical procedures given in the US. Since it’s such a common procedure, it can be easy to forget that it’s major abdominal surgery. New parents are sent home with the daunting task of caring for a newborn and healing from surgery often with little support. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Sara Reardon and Jessica Reale, two doctors of Physical Therapy and board-certified Specialists in Women’s Health. Sara and Jessica offer tips and advice for healing after a cesarean including how and why to do scar mobilization. They also explain how the pelvic floor is affected postpartum even if you had a cesarean.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to,