Adriana Lozada tackles a question parents ask her often: how to introduce your other children to their newborn sibling. There isn’t one right way to do it, so Adriana has suggestions to make the intros and transition easier—and joyful! If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on dealing with family and visitors , or this episode on how to truly understand and calm your baby . You can connect with Birthful on Instagram @birthfulpodcast and email us at podcast@birthful.com . Be sure to ...
Nov 04, 2020•11 min•Ep. 279
Doula and birth photographer Karissa Raya balances supporting people in childbirth and documenting the magic of a family’s history. She offers insights and tricks of the trade for documenting your birth experience with photos, including framing those special moments—all while staying in the moment. Listen through to the end for Adriana’s “Two Things to Do: One for You, One for the Rest of Us.” Every week, she selects actions, books, and other resources to further inform your intuition and suppor...
Oct 28, 2020•36 min•Ep. 278
Hypnosis in childbirth, often known as HypnoBirthing, is one tool you can use to lessen pain perception and let your oxytocin flow. Adriana Lozada breaks down the origin of this tool, and how you can practice it ahead of giving birth. If you liked this episode, listen to this birth story for a first-person account of using hypnosis during childbirth, and this full episode on using self-hypnosis for pain management. You can connect with Birthful on Instagram @birthfulpodcast and email us at podca...
Oct 21, 2020•10 min•Ep. 277
Taylor Walker Sinning breaks down exactly how she trained herself for months to use hypnosis to relieve her pain during birth. And makes clear to Adriana Lozada just why it became her most powerful tool during childbirth. Listen through to the end of the episode for Adriana’s “Two Things to Do: One for You, One for the Rest of Us” as she selects actions, books, and other resources to further inform your intuition and support others on their birth journeys. If you liked this episode, listen to th...
Oct 14, 2020•34 min•Ep. 276
October is Pregnancy, Infant, and Child Loss Awareness Month. The topic has been in our social media feeds for the last week after Chrissy Teigen and John Legend shared their painful experience losing a pregnancy. They broke open a taboo topic that we at Birthful have been thinking a lot about: how to talk about miscarriages and pregnancy and infant losses. This week Adriana Lozada takes a few quiet moments to talk directly to you, our mighty listeners, about the realities and misconceptions of ...
Oct 07, 2020•10 min•Ep. 269
Since they aren't growing a baby inside their bodies, it usually takes a bit longer for partners and dads-to-be to realize the magnitude of changes coming their way. What are some ways to prepare for becoming a dad, connecting with your kids, and showing up in a way you can be proud of? JaMone Alexander 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-fatherhood Please follow Birth Center Equity Fund and Ancie...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 261
Kids aren't born racist, so how do these biases get absorbed? What can you do to intentionally bring up anti-racist kids? Is it ever too early to start talking about race, and what are some ways to do so with your babies, toddlers, kindergarteners, and older children? Dr. Qadira Ali Huff 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-antiracist-children If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe! Cli...
Jun 10, 2020•46 min•Ep. 260
Instead of posting a new episode, this week we are amplifying the voices of Black podcasters. We encourage you to take the time you would have used to listen to this week's Birthful episode to expand your listening options. Hear what they have to say: All About Pregnancy and Birth Podcast Birth Stories In Color Podcast Natal Homecoming podcast Fertility Friday Dem Black Mamas Woke Mommy Chatter Experiencing Motherhood: Single & Black Mahogany Momology Black Mom Diaries That Black Couple If y...
Jun 03, 2020•3 min
For her third birth, Melonie Fitch was planning a birth center birth, but when the quarantine began, she and her husband decided to have a home birth instead. All that changed when at 39 weeks and five days, her blood pressure unexpectedly skyrocketed, instantly risking her out of a home birth and causing her to be medically induced for preeclampsia. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-preeclampsia-COVID-story...
May 27, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 259
There are so many opinions and judgments around how and where infants should sleep, that it can be hard to figure out what would work best for your family. How did we get here? What are an infant’s biological sleep needs? What risk factors should you consider when setting up the sleep environment? Is bed sharing as dangerous as we are led to believe? Dr. James McKenna has answers. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/p...
May 20, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 258
Kara Fransted and her husband had never considered having a home birth, but as the pandemic hit and there was a real possibility of her husband having to miss the birth of their third child, they looked into it. Never mind that she was already 38 weeks pregnant. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-homebirth-switch-COVID-story If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe! Download Birthful's Postpartum Pl...
May 13, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 257
Postpartum can be a difficult and very isolating time of life. That's why building your village of support ahead of time is so incredibly important. But what do you do when your village is also in isolation? How can you and your partner support yourselves and each other during these times? Perinatal relationship specialist Elly Taylor 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-postpartum-COVID If you enj...
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 255
After having a cesarean birth for a failed induction, Mandy Morine was determined to have a VBAC. She did all the things to prepare and set up an extensive team to support her. Then COVID hit, and Mandy found herself having to adjust to virtual doula support, a closed yoga studio, canceled bodywork appointments, and feeling she was losing her resources. So what happened when her water broke early, and she found herself facing another induction? Get the most of this episode by checking out the re...
Apr 22, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 254
Canceled fertility cycles, face-to-face appointments, bodywork sessions, baby showers, having as many people as you want at your birth, a postpartum period surrounded by a loving village… These are just a few of the anticipated experiences you may have lost during these times. And all that loss can be bringing up a lot of grief. So, how can you work with your body to process that grief, along with the anxiety and fear you may be carrying? Will all this result in trauma? Parijat Deshpande has ans...
Apr 15, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 253
How do you prepare for virtual doula support? What about the technology? What can you practice ahead of time? Does this shift your partner's responsibilities? Do you keep your laptop open the whole time? How does it differ from regular doula support? Jakki Devereaux, mother of three, shares her experiences with receiving virtual doula support by choice, and more. Show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-virtual-doula-support If you enjoy what you hear, make sure to subscribe! Download Birthful's ...
Apr 08, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 252
In today’s episode, Adriana Lozada focuses on the essentials of partner labor support during this time of the pandemic. Many hospitals are limiting birth support to one healthy person, so we wanted to do a special episode on how to prepare for providing labor support during these times, and also help birth partners feel more confident about their active involvement in the process. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/p...
Apr 01, 2020•42 min•Ep. 251
For her first birth, Krissy Whitehead didn’t have much of a plan, other than getting an epidural. That birth was a lovely experience, so what made her alter her birth wishes with each consecutive birth, and choose a home water birth for her fourth one? Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-four-births-different-wishes-story Sign-up for my Postpartum preparation courses at Birthfulcourses.com Download Birthful's ...
Mar 25, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 250
Is there a best time to introduce solid foods? What foods should you start with? Is it best to do baby-led weaning, purees, or a mix? What about nutritional requirements, allergies, water, texture windows, and flavor windows? Is food before one just for fun? Does your baby have any say on 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/podcast-starting-solid-foods Download Birthful's Postpartum Pla...
Mar 18, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 249
How should you touch a laboring person during contractions? How should you touch them in between contractions? Should you use both hands? Should you lean in? How fast should you go? Why is touch helpful at all? Yiska Obadia 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-comforting-touch-massage-labor Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter ! Don't miss even more ti...
Mar 04, 2020•55 min•Ep. 247
Both of Molly Chesterson’s labors have started with inductions but under different circumstances. After having an epidural for her first birth, Molly was hoping for an epidural free experience the second time around. It was an intense close call at the end, when she went from 4 centimeters to baby in about 30 minutes, while her husband was getting food! Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-scheduled-induction-w...
Feb 26, 2020•50 min•Ep. 246
You may have heard that uncontrollable shaking is a very common part of labor and immediate postpartum. But is there a neurological purpose to all this shaking? And is the management of the third stage of labor, truncating the resolution, down-regulation and integration of the primal birth process, basically messing with neurological completion? Lesley Everest shares her thoughts. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/p...
Feb 19, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 245
Bernice Good went into preterm labor when her water broke at 31 weeks. Though the circumstances were less than ideal, she had what she describes as a lovely vaginal hospital birth with no interventions. The struggles continued during the 19-day NICU stay, and she shares how they successfully navigated breastfeeding with all of the obstacles of prematurity. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-vaginal-premie-bir...
Feb 12, 2020•56 min•Ep. 244
Adriana talks with Pelvic Health Physical Therapist Sara Reardon (aka The Vagina Whisperer) about what optimal pelvic health looks like. They go into the details about what to do -and not do- when peeing or pooping, discuss common issues such as leakage, painful intercourse, and abdominal separation, and explore proactive actions you can take during pregnancy to support your postpartum recovery. Show notes at birthful.com/podcast-pelvic-floor-function Check out my birth and postpartum online pre...
Feb 05, 2020•43 min•Ep. 243
Melissa Statler had a quick and mostly flowing birth. Feeling elated, she placed her newborn to her breast, only to be met with excruciating pain and instant damage to her nipples. As her confidence drained, she was informed that because her baby was large for gestational age, she would have to meet certain sugar level requirements during the first series of feedings, adding stress to injury. How did Melissa overcome these and more breastfeeding problems, to have the satisfying and nurturing bre...
Jan 29, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 242
Krista Thompson shares her progression from a prodromal labor that ended with her baby being taken to the NICU, to a precipitous second hospital birth with Fetal Ejection Reflex, and finally an unassisted-like home birth experience. She also gives us a glimpse into her struggles with codependency, and why it was so important for her to take the reins of her last pregnancy. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-h...
Jan 15, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 240
When you’re expecting, anxiety and worrying seem to take center stage, especially if you are categorized as high-risk. What can you do with these feelings? Can they affect your and your baby’s health? How do you make the mind-body connection work for you, to put this anxiety in its place? Parijat Deshpande 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-anxious-mind-pregnancy Download Birthful's Postpartum P...
Jan 08, 2020•56 min•Ep. 239
Alaina Gay woke up excited and happy, thinking her water had broken, only to discover it was blood. Her planned birth center birth turned into an induction at the hospital, but thanks to compassionate care providers, that focused on her wellbeing as well as on a respectful transfer of care, Alana had the healthy and empowering birth she was looking for. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-placental-abruption-s...
Jan 01, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 238
With the legalization of cannabis expanding around the world, it’s time to have a nuanced conversation about its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. What do we know about the health risks? What about the legal risks? Is a non-biased risk-benefit analysis centered on harm reduction possible, and what would that look like? Heather Thompson 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-cannabis-pregnancy-b...
Dec 25, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 237
Anne-Marie Shumaker’s story is epic no matter how you approach it. Her fertility process was an long road involving surgery, multiple rounds of IUI, and a devastating miscarriage. The birth itself included persistent back labor, stalling for hours at 8 cms, and a long pushing stage. And yet, holding her miracle baby released all her previous feelings of brokenness and fear. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on the show notes page at birthful.com/podcast-...
Dec 18, 2019•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 236
More and more, we’re acknowledging the menstrual cycle as a vital sign. Let’s take it one step further, to consider how the uterus connects to general health. What happens to the uterus during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum? Why is it important to restore the uterus after having a baby. Valerie Lynn 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-restore-uterus-postpartum Click to join the Birthful Patreon ...
Nov 27, 2019•55 min•Ep. 233
