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

Today’s story comes from Candice Hodges, who for weeks had to navigate scare tactics, conflicting advice from care providers, and modified bedrest, not to mention the logistics of a long induction, in order to embrace the chaos and have a birth that resembled what she intended. 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://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Last summer, while relating her birth stories, Chantal Shelstad surprised us all by sharing she was pregnant again. So she’s back to tell the tale of how she went from a Cesarean, to a VBAC, and to a home water birth, because as she says, “she likes to challenge herself.”Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory25If 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:

We continue with our “Birth Stories” for the summer series! Today’s story comes from Elizabeth Nigro, who first broke up with her OB, then was in denial that labor was even happening, but once she let go of perfect, she ended up with an amazingly beautiful birth where she felt safe, supported and like a super woman. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory24If 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 gue

Today’s story comes from Naomi Wilcox-Lee, who shares how she prepared to bring joy and bliss to her birth, along with all the little ways her family and husband helped her do that, and how she ended up birthing like a rock-star without having to actually push. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory23If 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://lactatio

Today’s story comes from Jessica Winquist, who was determined to have a vaginal birth, even though her daughter was breech. As it turns out, pregnancy ended up being the most stressful part of her experience. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/birthstory21If 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://redcir

There’s a lot of misinformation when it comes to having a vaginal birth after a cesarean, with many people being told they are not allowed to VBAC. Often the risks of having a VBAC are exaggerated, while the risks of repeat cesareans are downplayed or not even brought up. That’s an unbalanced conversation that does not allow you to make a true informed choice. What are the facts? Jen Kamel has answers.Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastvbacfactsIf 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 we

If you have a baby in your life, it’s a given that you’re not getting enough sleep, but how does that deprivation affect your mind, body and mood? How does it relate to weight gain?  Can your body adapt to the lack of sleep? Do micro-naps help or hinder? What about regular naps? Dr. Kimberly Fenn has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastlackofsleepIf 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 gues

Birth is filled with uncertainty, and with that come the fears and what ifs: what if something goes wrong, what if the pain is too much, what if my wishes aren’t respected, What if I need a cesarean, what if I poop? All are valid, but not very helpful feelings. So how can you deal with them? Alexia Leachman has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbirthfearsIf 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 an

When it comes to pregnancy, birth choices and baby care, everyone seems to have an opinion. So what happens when your choices don’t line up with the preference of those who surround you, and may even be involved in the care of your baby? Kate Turza 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/podcasthelpersnotvisitorsIf 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 : h

When returning to work, it’s not uncommon for baby to start waking more at night. What can you do ahead of time to support better sleep and minimize these wakings? If your baby starts waking more often, what can you do to survive and better the situation? Kim West has answers.Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbacktoworksleepIf 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

If you’ve ever said that you don’t have time to meditate, or that you won’t know if you’re doing it right, or frankly, you’re not convinced that it will work, then this episode is for you! Anna Gannon is here to address all those resistance points, along with the wonderful benefits of meditating for fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastmeditationIf 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,

It’s been nearly two years since I first spoke with Rebecca Dekker from EBB about eating and drinking during labor, and the importance of evidence based information and practices. Recently, Rebecca and her team updated their article on the evidence of “Eating and Drinking During Labor” and -not so surprisingly- not only does the previous evidence still hold, but there is further data support it. This is great news for laboring mamas- but you’ll have to listen until the end to get the nitty-gritty on the update. Along the way, you’ll also hear about what constitutes evidence based care, and why it’s important. (Hint: many hospital labor practices are not based on evidence, and can in fact be detrimental to the process.) Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcasteatingduringlabor2If 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

Nicolle Kasch shares her personal story of persistence and success, along with specifics on how to navigate what can be a truly cumbersome process. Although filled with trial and error, her 8 months of determination resulted in full reimbursement. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/homebirthreimbursementIf 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://lactationnet

How your baby is born will determine what microorganisms get where, when. It’s a beautifully orchestrated process with lifelong implications for your baby’s health. So what if you have a cesarean birth, take antibiotics, or are not able to breastfeed? Toni Harman 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/podcastmicrobiomeandimmunesystemIf 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:

Is a little stress good for your baby? What about chronic stress? Are there ways to deal with the anxiety and guilt? What if you have a high-risk pregnancy? How does it all affect you? Parijat Deshpande 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/podcastpregnancystressAnd 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://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.

In this episode we talk about the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ new recommendations on “Limiting Interventions during Labor and Birth”. Do you need to be continuously monitored? Does your bag of waters need to be broken? Do you have to hold your breath to push? How about IV fluids? It turns out that “many common obstetric practices are of limited or uncertain benefit”, and it’s time to change things up. Sharon Muza 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/podcastlimitInterventions/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

Up to 45% of women report that their births were traumatic, and around 3% will experience PTSD. What are the differences between the two? What are the symptoms and risk factors for childbirth PTSD? What about PostTraumatic Growth? Cheryl Tatano Beck 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/podcastbirthptsd/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:/

When talking about birth, words that tend to come up are fear and pain. But what if instead of trying to get rid of the fear and pain, you focused wholeheartedly on bringing heaps of joy and pleasure to your birth instead? Angela Gallo 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/podcastpleasure/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://lactationnetwor

Figuring out how much your birth will cost is a daunting proposition composed of many confusing and expensive parts. But what if you could navigate it in an non-overwhelming manner, that could potentially save you thousands of dollars? Nate Dallas is here to share his step-by-step secrets.Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastbirthfinances/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

There’s an extremely famous quote in the birth world from Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer that says “If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any”, but sometimes the amount of options, choices and nuances can be truly overwhelming. So where do you start? Betsy Schwartz 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/podcastbirthoptions/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:*