Yoga | Birth | Babies

In a world that often categorizes people and events in a binary manner, those who fall beyond the binary often face unseen challenges. Family planning, reproductive care, and birth are no exceptions. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with doula, childbirth educator and board-certified music therapist, Beth Hardy about supporting Queer, Trans, Non-Binary Folks in Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum. Beth discusses why some queer, trans, and non-binary folks may avoid seeking medical assistance during the process of getting pregnant, throughout their pregnancy, and birth. Beth also talks about the importance of finding the right birth team, including how to help hospital staff keep the birthing space feeling safe and supportive for a laboring person. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our S

Cesarean sections rank among the top surgical procedures given in the US. Currently, one third of American babies are born in this manner. Because it’s such a common procedure, it can be easy to forget that a cesarean is 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 two doctors of Physical Therapy and board certified Specialists in Women's Health Sara Reardon and Jessica Reale. 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 someone 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 If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 mil

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies we dive into the topics I love most, yoga, birth and babies! Renowned yoga teacher, podcast host and yoga business strategist, Mado Hesselink shares her journey from her early 20s having her first child and to her late 30’s when having her second child. Mado also discusses how she balances being a yoga practitioner, teacher, and a parent. This powerful episode really has something for everyone... Expectant parents, New parents, yoga teachers, and yoga practitioners. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at ​CALM.COM/YBB Orgai

Why do so many mothers suffer from mom guilt, martyr-mode, and perfectionism? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Gemma ((the first digital education platform dedicated exclusively to women's mental health) Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, MD, about the pressure many mothers feel to fulfill unrealistic expectations put on them by themselves and society. Dr. Lakshmin offers solid take aways to break the habits and mentality of mom guilt, martyr-mode, and perfectionism as well as learning to say no and set boundaries. This conversation can help break the strain and stress often felt by new mothers allowing for an easier transition into parenthood. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take

Did you know there are 90,000 chemicals that we are surrounded by, on a daily basis, that may impact your health, pregnancy and baby? Many of these chemicals are commonly used in beauty products, house cleaning items, and even the clothes we wear.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with board certified rheumatologist, integrative medicine specialist, and environmental health expert Dr. Aly Cohen about environmental health and pregnancy. Dr. Cohen talks about the importance of considering the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the normal function of hormones and how people can make choices to avoid them. She also offers very solid advice on foods and personal care products to avoid will pregnant and breastfeeding.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: I finally found t

When Catalina reached out to share her birth story, I was struck by the powerful words she used to describe her birth, “I was able to make empowered decisions without shame.” Immediately, I knew there was a story to explore and wanted her as a guest on the podcast. With no time wasted, Catalina responded that as a woman of color and in a same-sex relationship, she loves sharing her story of both how she got pregnant and about her amazing pregnancy and birth. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, new parent, Catalina Restrepo, shares her story. She explains that even though we, as a society, have “advanced” so much, people are still so puzzled about same sex couples having children.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: I finally found the best clean products to help to stay healthy and main

How much time have you put into learning about a cesarean birth? What are factors that play a role in having a cesarean birth or way to decrease the chances of a cesarean birth?  With the national average for cesarean rates hovers around 30%, time spent on understanding cesareans births may serve to be very valuable.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with board-certified OB-GYN and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at WashU School of Medicine, Dr. Marta Perez. Marta covers the gamut about everything from preparing for a scheduled cesarean to understanding the difference between an emergency cesarean and an unplanned cesarean. Marta also discusses the importance of finding closure in understanding why an unplanned cesarean occurred.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Spon

Birth in many respects is an ordeal for your body and mind. How much thought have you put into the healing process hours and days after your baby? Often times, once the baby is introduced into the world and family, the birthing person’s needs fall by the side as the focus shifts to caring for this new life.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, we turn the attention back to the new parent and the path to healing both mind and body from a vaginal birth. (Don’t worry- there’s an episode dedicated to healing from a cesarean birth!) I speak with Morgan Michalowski, a certified nurse midwife, women’s health nurse practitioner, international board certified lactation consultant, doula, and mother about the road to recovery after a vaginal birth, including what is “normal” and when to seek help, healing from a tear, how much bleeding is to be expected and surprises that can happen in the shower!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: p

The transition into pregnancy, birth, and postpartum often comes with a steep learning curve. Many people come out the other side of parenthood saying, Why did nobody tell me this?  That sentiment was the inspiration for the book, WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS?: THE DOULAS’ HONEST GUIDE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with birth doulas and co-authors of the book WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS?: THE DOULAS’ HONEST GUIDE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS Ash Spivak and Natalia Hailes. Ash and Natalia discuss doulas and what they bring to the birth experience as well as what they discovered to be people’s the biggest surprises of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube:

Did you know, the psoas major (there are two of them, one on each side of your spine and pelvis) are the only muscles that connect your spine to your legs? These important muscles play a major role in your posture, nervous system, and even how your baby cascades into your pelvis.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we take a deep dive into talking about one of my favorite muscles the psoas, with licensed Physical Therapist and Certified Yoga Therapist, Libby Hinsley. We explore how the psoas affects the ever changing pregnant spine as well as how it can influence fetal positioning. Libby also offers some important insight about the needs of the muscles, do you stretch or release them? For the curious student and yoga teacher, this conversation will be enlightening!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies 

It’s no surprise that with the amount of responsibilities and pressure mothers endure day after day that emotions may rise to the level of rage. However, a raging outburst can often leave a parent (particularly a mom) feeling remorseful, shameful, and guilt-ridden.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth | Babies, I speak with writer and speaker, Minna Dubin. Minna has explored (and experienced) “mom rage” and written several pieces about this very topic for The New York Times and has been featured in Parents Magazine among others. In our conversation, Minna explains what feeds into this rage, the fear of judgment many mothers have, how common this experience is, and ways to alleviate the rage. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Yo

Studies have shown that hearing positive birth stories can increase one’s confidence in their own upcoming birth.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with new mother, Jenn Gross. Jenn shares her fast, primal and confident birth story. She talks about how she prepared for her birth and how she was able to find such deep confidence in her body’s ability to birth. Jenn also explains what led her to move from a traditional obstetric practice to working with midwives at a birth center. Check out the video below in the show notes of Jenn in the parking garage working through some big contractions- she was working with the PYC mantra- Open throat, open vagina!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga C

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Cheri Grant, also known world wide as the “Peanut Ball Lady”. Cheri explains how peanut balls are incorporated into labor and how they can positively effect labor. She goes into detail about how the different positions of a peanut ball can open the pelvis to help with fetal positioning, leading to a more functional birth. For pregnant people and birth workers, this conversation is a must!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning

In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with board-certified OB-GYN and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Marta Perez on what we know about the science of COVID, it’s effect on pregnancy and fetal and neonatal risks. Dr. Perez helps demystify some of the data and clarifies the effects of COVID on the different systems in the pregnant body. She also explains what is currently understood about the risk of COVID to babies and developing fetuses. For those who may feel overwhelmed and unclear about COVID and pregnancy, this podcast will bring some peace of mind and clarity.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier

Birthing people sometimes feel like they are going into a hospital setting needing to have their guard up to defend their birth preferences against the enemy- the medical institution. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with former hospital and now home birth midwife, Chloë Lubell about how to create a respectful, collaborative and balanced relationship with your care provider and hospital staff. Chloë also discusses the rights of the birthing and the importance of informed consent.  Support Our Sponsors: Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leav

Sigh…exhaustion! As a parent, who isn’t exhausted at times? What parent struggles with not losing their cool with their kids at some point? How do parents let go of the facade of control they think that have over their kids?  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Clinical Psychologist and Parenting Specialist, Rachel Bailey. She gives solid and practical strategies for helping parents reconcile arguments, deescalate when they feel triggered, and truly take care of their own needs. For any parent who has felt overwhelmed or exhausted, this podcast is for you.  Support Our Sponsors: Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts

If you knew there was a way to successfully lower cesarean rates and create a family-centered birth, would you be interested in learning more about it? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Dr. Neel Shah. Dr. Shah is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School. He is part of the team that created The Team Birth Project. The goal of this initiative to decrease C-sections and improve birth outcomes.  Dr. Shah explains the importance of communication and the team effort needed to fully support the birthing person. Something as simple as a whiteboard could change the whole approach to respecting and honoring birth plans and the flexibility needed when pivoting original intentions.  Support Our Sponsors: Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to

I have yet to meet a parent who hasn't struggled through a child’s tantrum or other challenging moments. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we knew exactly what to do to manage or even avoid tantrums?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with the co-founders of Big Little Feelings, child therapist, Deena Margolin LMFT and parent coach, Kristin Gallant about creating a practical action plan to navigate all the tough moments with your children. We talk about meltdowns, and tantrums, how to avoid them, what do to if you when the tantrum is already underway, and setting clear boundaries.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies 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

Sharing birth stories matters. It's an opportunity to support and inspire one another during a transformative time. Each new parent carries their own powerful narrative of their birth that shapes the beginning of a new stage of life.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Prenatal Yoga Center community member and proud new mother, Lina Lum. Lina shares her beautiful and compelling birth story and what influenced her birth choices. Lina explains how she experienced the waves of labor and how she worked with her body to move through them.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies 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

During these unusual times, we are asking so much more of ourselves, our partners and our children. How much constant togetherness can people handle before resentment sets in and everyone gets itchy for alone time? How does one parent under what feels like “house arrest” ? What can you do when you feel lonely and isolated? How can you still get your personal needs met?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the mother of two young children Michelle Canarick about navigating constant togetherness as a parent and partner. Michelle offers valuable insight into the struggles people are feeling with constant companionship and how to “parent” well under these circumstances. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & fac