Today’s breastfeeding stories start when Claire Labrosa had breast reductions at age 17. Clare shares how she was able to breastfeed - and even tandem feed- her three kids, but not without her share of obstacles. Many of them having nothing to do with her reduction, but rather lack of support, conflicting information from careproviders, and dealing with lip ties, tongue ties, and sensitive babies. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” pag...
Nov 07, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 179
Planning to breastfeed your newborn? In this episode of the Birthful Podcast I talk with none other than Dr. Jack Newman on what to expect, what to avoid, and when to ask for help, in order to get breastfeeding off to a good start. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-breastfeeding-newborn Title music: “Vibe Ace” by Kevin MacLeod, at freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/ (©CC BY) Sponsorship music: “Air ...
Oct 31, 2018•40 min•Ep. 178
Monica Drake has had three very different birth and breastfeeding experiences. In this episode, we’re going to hone in on the third one, which included weeks of prodromal labor, no time for an epidural, and immediate postpartum interventions to baby that may not have been necessary, and have required a lot of processing. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at: birthful.com/podcast-prodromal-precipitous-NICU-story If you enjoy what yo...
Sep 26, 2018•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 175
Hayley Gallagher Katz had set out to have a non-medicated waterbirth with a midwife and doula. So what happens after a month of prodromal labor, 40 hours of induction, the worst headache of her life, and lots of oozing meconium? Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-induction-meconium-respecful-cesarean-story Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code BIRTHFUL for 15% off Click to grab my free po...
Sep 12, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 173
How does your baby’s position affect the flow of labor? Are there things you can do during pregnancy that can help baby get in a better position? Will doing these things help you be more comfortable during pregnancy? Will it make birth easier? The fabulous Gail Tully from Spinning Babies is here to tell us all about baby’s position and labor flow. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-baby-positions-labor...
Sep 05, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 172
What happens when you plan for a birth center water birth and you end up with a 34 week preemie, and an onslaught of breastfeeding obstacles? How does this help you prepare differently for your next birth and postpartum? Vanessa Young shares her perspective. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-preemie-NICU-breastfeeding-story Click to grab my free postpartum plan And if you want to connect with Adriana, rea...
Aug 29, 2018•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 171
The thought of vaginal tearing can make any woman cringe. And let’s not even think about episiotomies. Are there ways to avoid tearing? What’s the evidence behind perineal massage, kegels and squats? Will being told how to push make things worse? Rachel Reed tells us more about protecting your perineum during birth. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-protecting-perineum-tear Download Birthful's Postpartum ...
Aug 22, 2018•55 min•Ep. 170
After her first birth Julia experienced undiagnosed postpartum depression along with major breastfeeding struggles. Second time around, she was dreading her baby’s arrival rather than excitedly awaiting it, so she did something about it. Julia shares how proactively preparing for all possibilities allowed her to be fully present during those first weeks, and enjoy the time with her newborn. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: b...
Aug 15, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 169
Waiting a few minutes to clamp a newborn’s umbilical cord can have significant health benefits, and yet the debate of early vs. delayed cord clamping rages on. What’s the big deal? Dr. Mark Sloan explains and share what the evidence says. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-delayed-cord-clamping Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code BIRTHFUL for 15% off Click to grab my free postpartum pla...
Jul 25, 2018•47 min•Ep. 166
Margo Fox shares her challenging vaginal birth, that included trying all the natural things to avoid a medical induction, navigating disappointing vaginal checks, reluctantly getting an epidural. And yet, she persisted. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-natural-induction-epidural-vaginal-birth-story Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code BIRTHFUL for 15% off If you enjoy what you hear, ma...
Jul 04, 2018•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 164
Julia is the daughter of a midwife, who grew up immersed in birth culture. For as long as she can remember, she had hoped for a home water birth. What happens when labor has other plans, that include a transfer to the hospital? Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-homebirth-transfer-hospital-story Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code BIRTHFUL for 15% off If you enjoy what you hear, make su...
Jun 22, 2018•55 min•Ep. 162
Babies grow and develop at an astounding rate, but it turns out that those developmental leaps happen at specific times, following some not-so-sunshiny days. Listen to Dr. Frans Plooij, creator of The Wonder Weeks, explain what the fussy phases are all about, how to tell they are happening, and what you can do about it. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-wonder-weeks/ (Previous one was https://www.birthful...
Jun 13, 2018•53 min•Ep. 160
Going from being an non-parent individual to being a parent duo is an immensely transformative process that rocks any couple’s world. In this episode of the Birthful podcast, Elly Taylor will take us through the 8 stages that you can expect to navigate, as you grow. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: http://www.birthful.com/podcast-parenthood-transition-identity (Previous one was http://www.birthful.com/podcastparenthood/ ) If...
May 30, 2018•50 min•Ep. 157
Sarah Pion shares her two unmedicated, intense, and wonderful birth center birth stories, along with how much she values having found the right care provider, why even in labor she can’t leave the house without makeup, and the newfound appreciation and deep love she now has for her body. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-Empowering-Unmedicated-Birth-Center-Stories Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding an...
May 25, 2018•58 min•Ep. 156
Although the reasons behind preeclampsia are not yet well understood, this disorder can affect 1 in 12 pregnancies, threatening the health of both mom and baby. So what are its symptoms? Who’s at higher risk, and what happens if you do develop preeclampsia? What about postpartum preeclampsia? Eleni Tsigas has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-preeclampsia-complications-postpartum Go to birthful.c...
May 23, 2018•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 155
During pregnancy, Hanley Rice signed up for childbirth education classes, and planned for a home birth. Then, at 30 weeks, she started leaking amniotic fluid. Her world got turned upside down, and she was admitted to the hospital to wait for baby to arrive, hopefully not before 34 weeks. Even under those circumstances, having a team that was sensitive to what she had planned made for a beautiful birth experience. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the ...
May 18, 2018•54 min•Ep. 154
We often think that newborns are cute but helpless little lumps, when in fact they have an arsenal of instincts to ensure they can find their food source without much external help. What are those instincts that make breastfeeding and bonding seamless? Diane Wiessinger tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: http://www.birthful.com/podcast-baby-mammal-breastfeeding (PART 2: Your Baby Mammal: Sleeping & Solids , w...
May 16, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 153
Rachael Svendsen’s birth was what she would call a perfect birth. The postpartum period? Not so much. Dealing with tongue and lip ties, along with a baby that needed her all the time, was much harder than she imagined. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-Surviving-Fussy-Baby-Postpartum-Story Go to birthful.com/simplybreastfeeding and use the code BIRTHFUL for 15% off If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to...
May 11, 2018•58 min•Ep. 152
Despite increasingly high health care spending, the U.S. has one of the worst rates of deaths related to pregnancy and childbirth in the developed world. The damage goes beyond statistical data points, with rates of birth trauma also rising. And if you are a person of color, the situation is much worse. What is going on, and what can you do to help bring more equity into yours and all births? Denise Bolds tells us more about this important topic. Get the most of this episode by checking out the ...
May 09, 2018•59 min•Ep. 151
“It’s gonna get more intense now” were the words of Celia’s midwife after her water broke. Even then, Celia felt strong and powerful while being in so much pain. She felt grateful to be so connected to her body. She knew the only way through it, was through it. So she roared... In today’s Friday Birthful Story, I’ll be talking with Celia Mei Donaldson about her home birth. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcas...
May 04, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 150
Birth does its own thing, and often it’s harder than expected, even for women whose experience matched their birth plan. How can you heal? Is there a way to prevent birth trauma? Pam England from Birthing From Within tells us more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: http://www.birthful.com/podcast-healing-birth-story-trauma/ And if you want to connect with Adriana, reach out at: facebook.com/birthful twitter.com/birthful insta...
May 02, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 149
Melissa Divaris Thompson tells me about her two very different cesarean birth experiences. Melissa describes her first experience as traumatic. By contrast, she felt really empowered during her second birth. So what makes them so very different? Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-empowered-cesarean-birth-story If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe! And if you want to connect with Adriana, reac...
Apr 20, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 147
In this episode of the Birthful Podcast, we are going to be talking about birth, but from the baby’s perspective. Have you ever wondered what a baby goes through when being born? It turns out that there’s a specific sequence of events that occurs as newborns transition into the outside world. What are those events and why do they matter? To learn more, I’ll be talking with Karen Strange. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birt...
Apr 18, 2018•57 min•Ep. 146
Culturally, we may have this idealized dream of life with baby, where everything falls into place seamlessly, and that all you need to take care of your little one is love and the things on your registry. Oh, if it were so. Tracy Cutchlow helps examine those myths and more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcast-motherhood-myths If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really he...
Apr 11, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 145
March 22nd through March 28th is World Doula Week, and so I wanted to do a bit of celebrating by bringing you some fabulous birth moments but from my doula perspective. And of course, I’ll be digging deeper by telling you WHY I think these moments are special. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastdoulamoments/ If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or review. It really helps! And if you wa...
Mar 21, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 143
Today we are taking a close look at a recently released research, the ARRIVE trial abstract that suggests elective inductions at 39 weeks could reduce the cesarean rate. What does this mean for pregnant people and maternity care? Does mother nature really have it all wrong? Is there a better way of reducing the cesarean rate? Sharon Muza helps make sense of all these questions and more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birth...
Mar 14, 2018•46 min•Ep. 142
In this episode, I talk with sleep consultant Rebecca Michi about newborn sleep. How do newborns sleep, and when do they start sleeping through the night? What’s the best way to set down a healthy sleep foundation? Are there things you should avoid doing? How can you get more sleep? Listen to the answers to all these questions and more. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastnewbornsleep If you enjoy what you h...
Mar 07, 2018•48 min•Ep. 141
What does restoring your vitality after birth even mean? Is restoring the same as getting your body back? What are the 5 universal needs towards restoration? How can you prepare for the profound experience of codependence that’s coming your way, within a culture that’s obsessed with self-sufficiency? Kimberly Johnson shares the simple answer. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastpostpartumvitality If you enjo...
Feb 28, 2018•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 140
As humans, we’ve got enormous energy-hungry brains, made up of rare building blocks. How does your pregnant body and the placenta build your baby’s brain from scratch, and what should you eat before, during and after pregnancy to help it be the healthiest? Dr. Theresa Nesbitt has the answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastgrowahealthybrain If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to leave your rating or r...
Feb 21, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 139
When trying to conceive, the process of peeing on a stick can be fraught with emotions, and having to work on boosting your fertility month after month, or undergo treatments, can take over your life, bringing forth feelings of guilt, resentment, isolation, grief, and much stress. What can you do to make this a more enjoyable ride? Heidi Brockmyre has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the “show-notes” page at: birthful.com/podcastfertilityrol...
Feb 14, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 138
