The Birthful Podcast | Talking With Pregnancy, Birth, Breastfeeding, Postpartum & Parenting Pros To Inform Your Intuition

Babies are constantly and very specifically communicating their needs to us. So what are some ways they do that? How can you tune into and translate their messages? And what if you have a baby that needs more help navigating the world? The fabulous Carrie Contey has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastunderstandingbabyIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Our Sponsors:* Check out

What if instead of asking “what happened” during a birth, we instead asked the birthing person: “what happened TO YOU?” What if we stopped defining birth as vaginal, or medicated, induced, or cesarean, and looked at it as a meaning-making event? Is there even a way to prepare for this type of transformation? Britta Bushnell tells more.Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbirthtransformationIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights,

What does the postpartum hormonal rollercoaster look like? How can you support your hormonal balance to avoid adrenal fatigue and autoimmune issues? What’s causing your vaginal dryness, and should you consider “vaginal rehab”? Dr. Jolene Brighten tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcasthormonesafterbirth/If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Our Sponsors:* Check out Mabbly : ht

It’s sadly not uncommon for babies to cry inconsolably for long periods of time, and we usually attribute it to colic or the so-called witching hour. But what if there were a proven set of steps you could follow to calm your baby instantly and consistently? Dr. Harvey Karp tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastcalmingreflexIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Our Sponsors:*

What are the 4 components of pain? Does pain equate suffering? If the signal doesn’t make it to the brain, is it pain? And how can you (and your partner!) change that signal before it arrives? Pain specialist Julie Bonapace has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastworkingwithpain/If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Our Sponsors:* Check out Mabbly : https://lactationnetwork.com/S

For as much as birth stories get shared far and wide, things seem to go radio-silent when it comes to the postpartum period. It can be hard to determine when they begin and when they end, and they also tend to be much messier to recount. However, there’s much value to be found in sharing and hearing these stories. Chaya Kasse Valier tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastpostpartumstoriesIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips,

Today we’re talking about Gestational Diabetes. What is it? How is it diagnosed? How reliable are these tests? If you are diagnosed, what does that mean for your pregnancy, baby and birth? Why does the usually recommended GD diet result in worsening results, and is there a better alternative to all this? Lily Nichols has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastgdIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana

Why and how often do postpartum hemorrhages happen? Are there risk factors? What can be done if they happen? Can they be prevented, and if so, how? Are fear and protocol making things worse? Maryn Green tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastpphIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Our Sponsors:* Check out Mabbly : https://lactationnetwork.com/Support this podcast at — https:/

Today we continue to talk with new dad, Jeremy Buczek about his pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum experience. In Part 1 last week, we left off just as things were moving into active labor. Today, we continue from there through the birth, and into postpartum, where Jeremy shares the trauma he experienced, what helped him through it, and the joy of becoming a dad. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastdadperspective2Support our sponsors: Go to canvaspeople.com and use the code BIRTHFUL to get a free 11x14 canvas - you only pay for shipping.If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music

Part birth and postpartum story, part helpful tips, part reflections, this 2 part episode with Jeremy Buczek goes deep into the birth partner’s experience of pregnancy, birth and postpartum to help your partner know a bit more of what to expect. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastdadperspectiveIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Our Sponsors:* Check out Mabbly : https://lactationnetwor

Last episode we talked about how breastfeeding may be perfectly natural, but it’s not perfectly easy. There tend to be a few or a lot obstacles to overcome. But what does that actually look like? Dawn Pensack is here to share her stories. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbreastfeedingpersistenceIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)What we talked about: Dawn’s two very different breastfeeding experiencesTrying to breastfeed a preemieThe problems with “comparison-itis”Feeling all the feelings through the heightened emotional lens of postpartumConflicti

Breastfeeding may be perfectly natural, but it’s not perfectly easy. Many people think it will just happen, without realizing there's a steep learning curve. So what are the most common breastfeeding struggles, and how can you navigating them? Kathleen Kendall-Tackett tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbreastfeedingstrugglesIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Our Spo

There’s a unique healing power in writing your birth story, in not having an audience, in getting raw and going to the deep places, rather than just sharing the version suitable for light conversation. How do you get started, and is there a way to make the process a bit easier? What if your birth involved trauma? Jaime Fleres tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastwritingyourstory If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps! And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at: facebook.com/birthful twitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianika Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY) Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY) Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips,

Babywearing is a  sanity-saving practice that has been around for millennia, providing many benefits for both baby and caregiver. What are those benefits? What are the different carrier types? How do you know which is right for you? What do you need to know in terms of safety? And can one carrier take you from the newborn to toddler stage?  Joanna McNeilly tell us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbabywearingIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't mis

Creating a baby registry can be downright panic producing, but contrary to what the thousands of products out there would have you believe, you really don’t actually need that much. So how do you know what to get and when to get it? Megan Whitaker tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastregistryIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!  Our Sponsors:* Check out Mabbly : https://lact

Usually, conversations around inductions focus on their reasons, risks, benefits, and when to schedule them. That doesn’t leave much time to discuss how they are done, and share expectations on how long they may take, or whether they’ll work at all. Toni Golen is here to walk us through the details. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastinductionprocessIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!To do that on your iPhone: click on the review tab on the general podcast page, and then the “leave a review” button at the bottom.On your Android device: scroll to the review section, select your stars, and then follow instructions to leave a review.And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey S

Today we are taking on the most common myths and concerns around birth traumas, and exploring ways to avoid them. The statistics for those who consider their birth to have been traumatic can range between 25 and whopping 49%. So, what can you do to improve the chances of having a lovely birth, and not be a part of that statistic? Bianca Sprague and Natasha Marchand tell us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbirthtraumamythsIf you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter!

We continue still with our “Birth Stories” for the summer series!It’s a jam-packed episode today with five, very different birth stories! From traumatic, to physiological, to emergency cesarean with placental abruption, to VBAC, to home birth, and a bit of lyme disease thrown in there to keep you on your toes, Bronwyn Fackrell shares it all. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory29If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and new

What do you do when you send your husband out to car-nap your older daughter as you finish getting ready to go to the hospital, and labor goes from 0 to 60, while you’re still at home? Do you panic? Do you call 911? Do you call your doula? Do you breathe and center yourself so you are present for your baby? Erin Davis is here to tell us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory28If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaDownload Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests! Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org

We continue still with our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Today’s story comes from Shani Stidham, who did a whole lot of soul searching and preparation in early pregnancy, and set things up so she’d have the environment and support she needed to explore birth on her own terms, and have a glorious postpartum to boot! Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory27If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps!And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at:facebook.com/birthfultwitter.com/birthfulinstagram.com/adrianikaTitle music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY)Sponsorship music: “Air Hockey Saloon” by Chris Zabriskie, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Chris_Zabriskie/ (©CC BY)Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and