In this episode, Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss are joined by Stacia Garmon, a dental hygienist who shares her expertise on periodontal disease and its potential impact on overall health, including its association with heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Additionally, Stacia shares her pregnancy journey with her son Dax, who was born with bilateral renal agenesis. Her advocacy for her son and her thirst for knowledge wi...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 420
In this week's podcast, Blyss and Stu are joined by renowned midwife and author Robin Lim to explore her new book, The Yoni Owner's Manual. Robin shares her awe-inspiring experiences and insights into midwifery, childbirth, and the spiritual aspects of the female body, emphasizing the importance of pleasure and the interconnectedness of humans with nature and the divine. About Robin: Robin Lim CPM Filipina~American~Micronesian midwife founder Bumi Sehat Foundation maintains six clinics in Indone...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 419
In this edition of The Birthing Instincts podcast, Dr. Stu hosts an enlightening discussion with guest Millie Hill, a renowned writer and feminist advocate. Millie, the author of 'The Positive Birth Book' and 'Birth Like a Feminist,' shares her journey from a drama therapist to a prolific writer on childbirth and women's health. The conversation delves into the significance of positive birth experiences, the impact of fear in childbirth, and the influence of language and cultural norms on matern...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 418
This week Dr. Stu is solo as Blyss is away and joined by guest Ellie Stangl, a certified doula and legislative aide in Nebraska. Together they delve into the legislative process affecting maternity care: Does anyone understand the process? Does it make any logical sense? The short answer is no, but dive into this conversation with us to dig deeper and discuss the complications and frustrations of introducing and passing bills that advocate for midwifery and home birth practices. The conversation...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 418
This week Dr. Stu and Midwife Blyss do a deep dive into mono-chorionic twin pregnancies, with a focus on debunking common myths about mono-mono twins. Drawing on recent research and personal experiences, they explore topics like the risks of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), cord entanglement, and the overall safety of vaginal deliveries for mono-mono twins. Resources Between a Shot and a Hard Place , by Joel Warsh Jama Article: Pregnancy Related Deaths in the US 2018 to 2022 . Twin home...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 416
This week Blyss and Stu discuss the importance of understanding the menstrual cycle with guest Lisa Hendrickson-Jack, author of The Fifth Vital Sign. Lisa brings not only her personal experiences with menstrual health, but also her expertise in the roles of basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and cervical position in fertility awareness. They highlight the broader health implications of suppressing ovulation with birth control pills and shed light on how modern medicine often overlooks natur...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 415
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Meredith Nelson and Alicia Fishbein, board-certified patient advocates and seasoned doulas from Intentional Birth. The episode explores the critical role of advocacy in childbirth, covering topics from prenatal visits to labor and NICU challenges. Learn how to navigate hospitals, advocate effectively for clients, and transform traumatic experiences into empowering and supportive births. The discussion includes real-life stories, practical tools, and hear...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 414
While Dr. Stu was busy teaching breech in Texas, Blyss hosted Valerie Wiesner to discuss the practice of vaginal steaming, its benefits, and the ancient traditions associated with it. Valerie shares her extensive experience in sacred postpartum care and describes how steaming can help with postpartum recovery, menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, and even prostate health in men. Additionally, Valerie talks about her vision for making sacred postpartum practices more accessible through com...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 413
In this episode, Blyss is joined by Lara Jason, an assistant professor of sociology at Grinnell College, as she shares her powerful and emotional story about her breech birth experience. Despite her extensive preparations and strong advocacy skills, Lara experienced a traumatic birth intervention that violated her consent, echoing her past experiences with sexual assault. This episode underscores the importance of trauma-informed care and the need for systemic changes to respect and prioritize w...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 412
This week we welcome Dr. Stanton Hom, to discuss a variety of topics from the impacts of vaccinations on children to the decline in global fertility rates. About Dr. Stanton Hom – DC, DACCP, CCWP is the Founder of Future Generations: a global movement normalizing vibrant health for life by providing freedom focused care and education so we can experience our innate genetic potential. Together, he and his team have built one of the top clinics in the world through their innovative and against the...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 405
This week, with Blyss still on the road, Stu is joined by guest co-host Raquel Hernandez as they talk to guest Lia Berquist about the importance of birth plans. Lia, a doula and birth educator, provides insights on what it takes to create a strong birth plan. She emphasizes the foundational role of comprehensive childbirth education and the need for individualized, flexible, and positively framed birth plans. The conversation touches on key preferences to include, such as avoiding unnecessary in...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 410
In this week's episode of The Birthing Instincts Podcast, Blyss and Stu welcome renowned pediatrician and author Dr. Paul Thomas to discuss his book, Vax Facts. They discuss a range of topics related to pediatric health and vaccinations. Dr. Thomas talks about his background, the studies he's conducted on vaccine safety, and the differences in health outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated children. The conversation dives into the troubling financial incentives within the medical system tha...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 413
This week Dr. Stu and Midwife emphasizes discuss newborn jaundice, including its types, causes, and treatments. They explore physiologic jaundice, breastfeeding jaundice, and human milk jaundice, explaining the pathophysiology behind each and the typical clinical signs to observe. Blyss emphasizes the importance of vigilant yet balanced medical care and the role of physiologic processes in newborns, promoting a more holistic and individualized approach to treating jaundice. Resources Chelsea Poy...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Blyss and Stu discuss a wide range of topics affecting maternity and healthcare, from home births and their underestimated safety to the new regulations threatening the role of doulas. They critique flawed studies, including the infamous Wax paper, and highlight a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice holding doctors accountable for administering COVID-19 vaccines without proper prescriptions. They also address the ethical dilemmas faced by healthcare professionals, and underscore the i...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 407
Since the airing of this episode, we have been made aware of a Reddit post sharing a number of allegations against the practices and character of our guest. We are aware of the situation and encourage everyone to be diligent when seeking out resources/support. https://www.reddit.com/r/FreeBirthSocietyScam/ ______ This week Blyss and Stu invite Emilee Saldaya, the founder of the Free Birth Society, onto the podcast. Emilee shares her journey from working within the medicalized birth system to adv...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 50 min•Ep. 406
In this episode, Blyss and Stu delve into a rich conversation with Billie Harrigan, who discusses her role as a traditional birth companion and the importance of home birth. Billie offers insights into the origins and flaws of regulated midwifery, the rise of obstetric violence, and the increasing stillbirth rates. She emphasizes the need for resilience and trauma-informed care, and shares her approach to prenatal and postpartum care. Billie shares about her training program for aspiring traditi...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 405
Liz Wheeler from Blaze TV's 'The Liz Wheeler Show' joins the Birthing Instincts Podcast for an insightful discussion on the flaws within the American medical system and the importance of trusting one's body in the birthing process. Liz shares her personal journey through preterm labor, experiencing hyperemesis gravidarum, and navigating the medical interventions that followed. The discussion highlights the contrast between standardized medical care and individualized, holistic approaches emphasi...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 404
In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast, Blyss and Dr. Stu explore the risks and benefits of cesarean sections (C-sections) and vaginal births after cesareans (VBACs). They discuss the pros and cons of home births versus hospital births. In a hospital setting, expectant parents benefit from a large, skilled medical team, while home births offer more control over the birthing experience and additional time for bonding with the baby. It's crucial to consider the entire pregnancy when mak...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podcast, we explore the possibilities of homeopathy and homeopathic remedies. The benefits of this type of alternative treatment for pregnancy, labor, and related issues are numerous, with the most significant advantage being the absence of side effects. Mothers can be prescribed homeopathic remedies without the fear of adverse reactions that are often associated with conventional medicine. However, it is essential to work closely with a trained practiti...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 402
Join Blyss and Dr. Stu in this episode as they welcome Michele Kazmier to the show. Michele is a home birth midwife passionate about holistic neonatal transition. During the episode, she shares her insights on the NRP guidelines for newborn care, explaining why oxygen is often used for resuscitating newborns at birth instead of room air, and how to assess babies at birth to determine if they are compromised. Listeners will also learn about various neonatal resuscitation methods essential for the...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 401
In this episode of Birthing Instincts, Blyss and Dr. Stu welcome Lindsey Mathews Cantu, a strength and conditioning coach at Birthfit. Birthfit offers specialized strength and conditioning training tailored for mothers and their motherhood journey. Throughout the conversation, Lindsey shares her personal experience of giving birth and discusses how her philosophies influenced this meaningful moment. She also explains how her birthing experience inspired her to develop various programs and offeri...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 400
Welcome to another episode of Birthing Instincts Podcast. In this episode, Blyss and Dr. Stu welcome Zach Bush, MD, to the show. Zach is an incredible thinker and orator on many relevant topics that affect us all. The conversation ventures into the realm of maternity care, optimal health, and the medical system in general. Zach's responses to these various topics couldn't be more than eye and mind-opening. They discuss not only maternity care but also the health of humanity and the planet as a w...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 399
Before getting into today's topic, Blyss and Dr. Stu discuss the maternity care crisis in California that has been impacting local birth centers. They explain Bandl's Ring more in-depth and explain how it's detected. Bandl's Ring is a constriction in the uterus and a sign of obstructed labor. It obstructs normal labor and can put the lower uterine segment at risk of rupture. Although Bandl's Ring can be seen (and sometimes felt) during labor and detected using ultrasonography, its symptoms are t...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 398
In this special bonus episode Dr. Stu recaps his remarkable experiences in Washington D.C. with Lindsay Meehleis and Katie Allen. They had the honor of attending the 'Make America Healthy Again' gala and be a part of history. The episode captures emotional reflections and insights into their advocacy efforts, aiming to bring significant changes to the public health system, particularly in maternity care. If you want to be a part of the future of maternity care reform, fill out this survey to tel...
Jan 27, 2025•48 min
Why isn't healthcare more personalized? This is the question our guest today aims to address. Alexandra is the founder of Just the Inserts, a platform dedicated to empowering individuals with accessible and transparent information about medical choices. In today's conversation, you'll learn about the reasons behind this lack of personalization, the role pharmaceutical companies play in it, and how individuals can make confident medical decisions—such as those regarding childbirth—based on reliab...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 397
Induced labors have pros and cons. For moms on the verge of delivery, it is fundamental to understand the whole scenery to make the best decision. However, interfering with the natural process can harm both the mother and the baby. Common risks of inducing labor are infections, postpartum hemorrhages, bleeding, umbilical cord issues, and general discomfort at the moment of delivery and even while breastfeeding. In this episode, you will learn everything about this topic while Dr. Stu and Blyss e...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 396
Welcome to this week's of the Birthing Instincts Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss share their insights on various cases submitted via email. They discuss best practices for blood transfusions during pregnancy and delivery, the probable causes and symptoms of Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), and the detection and risks associated with ureaplasma infection. Additionally, you will learn about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) on the healthcare community and the professi...
Jan 08, 2025•57 min•Ep. 396
Join us in celebrating a journey of health, inspiration, and empowerment as we welcome 2025! In this special episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss recap the year's podcast episodes, highlighting important topics discussed throughout. They also share the victories and challenges from both their personal and professional lives, along with exciting upcoming projects and plans for the year ahead. Tune in to listen to the full episode, and we’ll see you next year! In this episode of the Birthing Instincts Podca...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 394
In this episode of Birthing Instincts Podcast, Dr. Stu and Blyss welcome Jaimie Zaki, an LPN, doula, IBCLC, and mom of 5 dedicated to transforming breastfeeding support. The importance of breastfeeding for the mental and emotional development of the baby is undebatable. On the same note, moms can benefit from breastfeeding as well since it reduces the potential for health issues after pregnancy. Other benefits include a quicker recovery from childbirth and a decrease in the stress of birth. Thro...
Dec 25, 2024•1 hr 36 min
Today, Dr. Stu welcomes Dr. Rixa Freeze to discuss their paper “Twin Home Birth Outcomes” more deeply and all the topics related to this theme. You will learn more about the connection between twin pregnancies and breech birth and why it is common for one or both babies to be in a breech position, as well as the mode of delivery. Dr. Rixa Freeze has a PhD in American Studies from the University of Iowa. Her doctoral studies focused on the history of healthcare and medicine with a specialization ...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 42 min
