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/podcastunderstandingbaby If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really h...
Feb 07, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 137
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/podcastbirthtransformation If you enjoy what...
Jan 31, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 136
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...
Jan 24, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 135
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/podcastcalmingreflex If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It...
Jan 17, 2018•51 min•Ep. 134
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 Ad...
Jan 10, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 133
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/podcastpostpartumstories If you ...
Jan 03, 2018•49 min•Ep. 132
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/podcastgd If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to...
Dec 27, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 131
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/podcastpph 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.co...
Dec 13, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 130
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/podcastdad...
Nov 22, 2017•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 129
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/podcastdadperspective If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps! And if you want to connect ...
Nov 15, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 128
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/podcastbreastfeedingpersistence If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps! And if you want to conne...
Nov 01, 2017•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 126
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/podcastbreastfeedingstruggles If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review...
Oct 25, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 125
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 wh...
Oct 18, 2017•58 min•Ep. 124
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/podcastbaby...
Oct 11, 2017•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 123
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/podcastregistry If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps! And if you want ...
Oct 04, 2017•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 122
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/podcastinductionprocess If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your ratin...
Sep 27, 2017•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 121
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/...
Sep 13, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 119
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/birthstory29 If you enjoy what you he...
Aug 23, 2017•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 117
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/birthstory28 If you enjoy what you he...
Aug 16, 2017•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 116
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/birthstory27 If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to le...
Aug 09, 2017•52 min•Ep. 115
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! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/don...
Aug 02, 2017•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 114
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/birthstory25 If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps! And if yo...
Jul 26, 2017•50 min•Ep. 113
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/birthstory24 If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your...
Jul 19, 2017•55 min•Ep. 112
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/birthstory23 If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps! And if you want to c...
Jul 12, 2017•54 min•Ep. 111
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/birthstory21 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/birth...
Jun 28, 2017•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 109
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...
Jun 14, 2017•59 min•Ep. 107
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/podcastlackofsleep If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your r...
Jun 07, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 106
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/podcastbirthfears If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to l...
May 31, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 105
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/podcasthelpersnotvisitors If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps! And i...
May 24, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 104
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/podcastbacktoworksleep If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really h...
May 17, 2017•53 min•Ep. 103
