Returning from their travels, Dr. Stu and Blyss share their reflections on their time in Bali and Haiti, offering valuable insights into cultural practices and healthcare. Looking at some current dilemmas and fellow traveler letters, they delve into various topics related to accountability and integrity, including the importance of critical thinking when choosing which research to trust, maintaining personal integrity and standing up for beliefs, and empathizing with patients to avoid insensitiv...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 11 min
While Blyss bathes in tropical wonder, Dr. Stu goes solo and cleans out a corner of his mind attic. From misdiagnosis to outright lying, "medical expert" is now a codified oxymoron. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Safety and effectiveness of HPV v@cc*nes Use of tracking/codes for unv@x The importance of seeking out second opinions Accepting the uncertainty and unpredictability of childbirth Listener stories: white coat syndrome & gestational hypertension The value of honesty and trust...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 8 min
For episode #300, Blyss and Dr. Stu are joined by Ibu Robin Lim CPM, a Filipino-American midwife and founder of Yayasan Bumi Sehat, a non-profit organization in Indonesia. Blyss is in Bali feeling the love with Ibu Robin, and Dr. Stu is on Maui as a guest of The Ellen Fisher Podcast. It’s a tropical timewarp of stories and history. Lim shares her passion for human rights in childbirth and how protecting mothers and newborns can build peace, one family at a time. They discuss Lim's experiences an...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 34 min
Medicine has been attacked and the medical industry gaslighting continues to rise as trust is nearing zero. Blyss & Dr. Stu catch up on travel ups and downs and respond to the experiences of listeners. Dr. Stu exposes the American Academy of Pediatrics. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Examining the issues of trust and corruption with the AAP A look at the structure of Blyss & Dr. Stu’s businesses How paying out-of-pocket can enhance your birth experience Celebrating a positive bir...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 15 min
In this episode, Blyss and Dr. Stu speak with Integrative Pediatrician Dr. Joel Gator Warsh on the topic of why half of our children have a chronic disease. They discuss environmental toxins, food and nutritional issues, the lack of individualized care, and the broken state of the current medical system. Dr. Joel also shares his thoughts on the importance of minimizing antibiotic use, his approach to counseling couples as a pediatrician & conscious parenting, and his perspective on fevers in...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 28 min
After returning from a great #reteachbreech seminar in Indiana, Wise Goddess Blyss and Dr. Stu address listeners' inquiries about sleeping positions during pregnancy, pregnancy insurance, artificial rupture of membranes, and optimal intervals for pregnancy planning. They then delve into the topic of ultrasound technology, highlighting both its well-known benefits and downplayed risks. The discussion includes understanding radiation exposure and temperature during ultrasound and tips for minimizi...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr 17 min
Kelly Rain Gross joins Blyss & Dr. Stu to share her experiences with two home births and the challenges she faced navigating unexpected outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and asking questions, and the need to stick with what is right for the individual, even if it goes against the norm. You’ll hear her uplifting story of going the home birth route after genetic testing revealed her unborn baby had trisomy 21, or Down syndrome. Kelly also shares her experience o...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 32 min
Most of us are nutrient and vitamin deficient. On today's podcast, Blyss & Dr. Stu talk with Needed co-founder, Julie Sawaya, about her home births and journey to creating an optimal supplement for moms and dads. Julie also shares her insights on the importance of working with the right midwife or doula, the impact of a first birth on future births, and the importance of addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies. Additionally, their conversation explores the challenges of finding op...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 21 min
Blyss & Dr. Stu catch up on crazy California weather and current events in the birth world, and share listener letters from their new email account. They also discuss the latest "crisis" article on Group B Strep and the continuous destruction of trust in medicine. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Surprise breech, “emergency” c-sections, & gestational diabetes Satisfaction vs. trauma from unexpected birth experiences The danger of think tanks & confirmation bias The importance o...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Sensational headlines and rumors have finally been put to rest for the midwife trial in Nebraska. Defense Attorney Hermine Hayes-Klein returns to the podcast to give us her unique perspective on the Court V televised trial of midwife, Angee Hock. Hermine also provides her brilliant insight on midwifery law, maternal health, and creating regulations that protect freedom. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Overview of charges against the midwife & NE’s lack of midwifery laws Why the judge’...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 29 min
Today, we’re venturing into a postpartum topic — breastfeeding! After Dr. Stu tells Blyss about his last Los Angeles adventure, they are joined by the incredible Chelsea Poyo-Nieto BA, IBCLC who unpacks how to set yourself up for success with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a learned skill, and it’s important to invest in your ability through a breastfeeding class and with a lactation consultant. In this episode, you’ll learn how your birth experience and being in a hospital can affect the early...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 29 min
Sherlock Holmes has a mind palace; Dr. Stu has a mind attic — and today him and Blyss are clearing out the clutter! The dynamic duo is together as Dr. Stu traveled to Santa Barbara and into Blyss’ kitchen. They each share triumphant birth stories and unpack more Dumb Doctor Dogma. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Triumphant birth stories & the increase in home births Journalists spreading misinformation on home births Fundal massage after birth Doulas: how to empower dads to speak up T...
Dec 28, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Director Paula James Martinez and Executive Director Sara Ojjeh discuss Born Free, their new film on why the U.S. is the only nation in the developed world with a rising maternal mortality rate. They hope to amplify the need for change in the U.S. maternity system and rebrand our midwifery model while honoring the contributions of the Granny Midwives. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: How racism & a lack of education affect the U.S. birthing system Rebranding and normalizing the midwife...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 17 min
“Black Adam” & “Sex/Life” star Sarah Shahi shares her journey to choosing home births and having a breech birth of twins with Dr. Stu! Sarah also opens up about trusting oneself and honoring each individual’s story. Blyss & the "legendary" Dr. Stu chime in with insight on coping through labor, twin births, and informed consent. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: How Sarah chose home birth vs. hospital route Sarah’s twin home birth story with Dr. Stu Knowing your options for birth &am...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Dr. Stu and Blyss are joined by Certified Nurse-Midwife Naomi Drucker. Today, you’ll hear about the inside workings of Naomi’s model of care, which gives women the option of having a home birth or hospital experience with a midwifery team. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Naomi’s practice: offering hospital & home births with midwives Ways to get doctors to support midwives in hospitals Challenges Naomi faces in the hospital as a nurse-midwife How Naomi’s pregnancy experiences led her ...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 3 min
When agenda and rigid ideology replace beneficence and autonomy, relationships and trust collapse. Blyss and Dr. Stu talk with health care ethicist Dr. Jennifer Dunatov about how our physical and mental well-being depends on restoring respect for ethics above all else. Dr. Jen gives crucial insight into ethics services in hospitals, providing practical routes for you to use your voice and obtain an ethics consult. This is an empowering conversation you don’t want to miss! In this episode of Birt...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 19 min
Today, Dr. Stu and Blyss are answering a listener’s question on velamentous cord insertion, detailing what to know about this rare occurrence and how it does not risk you out of home or vaginal birth. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Anatomy of the umbilical cord & velamentous insertion Home or vaginal birth with velamentous insertion Helping men become better birth partners Blyss reflects on navigating grief in a public way Low progesterone levels & miscarriage Modern medicine &am...
Nov 23, 2022•44 min
Today, Dr. Stu and Blyss are addressing the misinformation on home births that was discussed on The Joe Rogan Experience with comedian Bridget Phetasy. As the comedians talk about Bridget’s C-section and use comedy to ease discomfort, they flippantly share inaccurate statistics and comments that promote fear and limiting perspectives around childbirth. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Addressing misinformation & inaccurate statistics on home births How influencers’ have a responsibilit...
Nov 14, 2022•49 min
With Blyss busy on Halloween doing birthing stuff, Dr. Stu cleans out his mental attic and finds some scary stuff. Today, he’s unpacking recent updates from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) on vaccine recommendations and how hospitals should navigate the current “oxytocin” shortage, along with a breakdown of why some vaccine studies and articles need to be questioned. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: ACOG updates: jab recommendations & “oxytocin” shortage ...
Nov 09, 2022•57 min
Today, Dr. Stu and Blyss are discussing the “fluid of life” aka amniotic fluid! They answer questions like, what’s too much? What’s too little? How can you support your fluid amounts nutritionally? Whether spontaneous or artificial, Blyss doesn’t like the word rupture and tells of a transport. Dr. Stu ponders mosquitoes and polar bears and gives updates from the road. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: The anatomy of the amniotic sack What is amniotic fluid & how the baby keeps it in hom...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 19 min
A healthy lifestyle applies to both clients and practitioners alike. Today, Blyss and Dr. Stu chat with midwives Josie & Maral of Tourmaline Birth & Wellness Collective about their integrative model of care. They break down what makes their birth center different, including the structure of having multiple care providers and the non-profit that subsidizes care for those who can’t afford midwifery services. From this conversation, we gain a look into what it means to nurture both birth an...
Oct 26, 2022•1 hr 13 min
After catching up on life and listener stories, Blyss and Dr. Stu flush away the fear and confusion on the topic of meconium and Meconium Aspiration Syndrome. They discuss how meconium is quite common, and how birth may change when it is present. Dr. Stu and Blyss also get into the topics of cord clamping, stolen cord blood, and Dr. Stu’s experience with “Bait and Switch.” In this episode of Birthing Instincts: The commonality of meconium in pregnancy Meconium, home births, & what to expect ...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Fellow travelers ask Dr. Stu to comment on a popular Social Media influencer's video. Dumb Doctor Dogma is everywhere, and Blyss and Dr. Stu are here to break down the fallacies in arguments made by non-experts on home birth. They also talk about the lack of acknowledgment of midwives’ credentials, how birth is not inherently a dangerous experience for low-risk moms, and why we should not equate the level of training with quality of care. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Pervasive bias for...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 13 min
Modern men face a crisis of masculinity. This week, we are joined by Blyss’ brother and author John Wineland to discuss a new masculine paradigm and ways to nurture intimacy and connection. So often couples have challenges in their relationships after having a baby, and through John’s healthy intimacy framework, he helps them baby-proof their relationships. He teaches embodiment practices that individuals, couples, and birth workers can use to know what will impact the moment — what will nourish...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 14 min
The Down to Birth Podcast team, Cynthia Overgard & Trisha Ludwig, join Blyss and Dr. Stu to talk about red flags when seeking a practitioner so you can feel empowered to make the best choice for your pregnancy and birthing experience. They also discuss a high-profile mom’s birthing story, unpacking the hospital tyranny she experienced and her call for change. ------------- Cynthia’s Bio: Cynthia Overgard is the founder of HypnoBirthing of Connecticut. In addition to producing the podcast, Do...
Sep 28, 2022•1 hr 22 min
In today's podcast, Blyss & Dr. Stu share wisdom through stories of loss and wonder. Blyss vulnerably and openly shares about the death of her daughter and the ways her unimaginable loss has deepened her ability to hold space for others. This episode is filled with the joy, beauty, trauma, and pain that comes with birth work, and ultimately, life. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Blyss’s birth story of the week When healthcare providers threaten you with CPS What to know about violatio...
Sep 20, 2022•1 hr 19 min
After sharing a couple of listener stories, Dr. Stu and Blyss unpack Dr. Sara Wickham’s book on Anti-D, RhoGAM, and Rh factor. They dive into the implications of routinely giving RhoGAM to all Rh-negative pregnant women, and how there is a lack of research trials and data on RhoGAM. You may get aggravated, you may get p*ssed, but as always, Dr. Stu and Blyss are here to provide informed consent and empower you to choose what’s best for your family. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: Listener...
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Given that modern medicine is more akin to a hamster wheel void of intuition than an industry that’s committed to learning and designed to help people, the thought of battling it can quickly become overwhelming. Today, Dr. Stu & Blyss continue to critique policy-makers, as well as pop-culture’s latest depiction of breech birth. The balance is restored by some incredibly uplifting birth stories from listeners that remind us that it is indeed possible to make a difference in this world, one bi...
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Today on the show, Dr. Stu and Blyss are joined by their former patient and good friend, Desiree Doan. Desiree shares the details of all three of her birth stories: A hospital transfer, a successful VBAC, and how she navigated placenta accreta spectrum or, as Desi says, “That time my placenta went wild!”. Her story of self-advocacy is both awe-inspiring and informative…It’s amazing what a determined baby and mother are capable of accomplishing. In this episode of Birthing Instincts: The Physicia...
Aug 31, 2022•1 hr 19 min
Blyss and Stu host Julie Hewett, a Clinical Psychologist and mother of two based in Santa Monica. Julie is passionate about helping people who have felt silenced to empower their voices to be heard. This took on very personal meaning to her this past year when she struggled with a fear-based medical system to deliver her breech baby on her own terms. Blyss, Stu, and Julie share their sympathies for those subjected to the broken medical system and strive to empower patients to demand the care the...
Aug 24, 2022•1 hr 22 min
