055: Tips for New Dads: Building Connection and Confidence in Birth and Parenting with Dr. Jay Warren
Birth Education Center
In today’s show I welcome Dr. Jay Warren, a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor deeply passionate about families and especially new dads. I was double lucky to be his Hypnobirthing childbirth educator, and the doula for the birth of his son. Dr. Jay runs local dad groups, has created several courses, from prenatal bonding to what new dads need to know through the first year of parenting. Dr. Jay also hosts (2) podcasts: Healthy Births, Happy Babies and The Dadhood Journey. I asked Dr. Jay to share how education and the birth of his son shifted his entire chiropractic practice to what it is...
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054: Katie’s VBAC - a Transformative Journey from Hospital to Home Birth
Birth Education Center
In this episode, Katie contrasts her two births. Her first birth led to a cesarean that was unplanned and unwanted. Katie’s hope is that her lessons can serve as teaching tools and warnings for new parents to get educated early, find the best support and be aware that you have intuition when it comes to birthing your baby. Katie discusses what red flags showed up along the way, her regrets in feeling it was too late to switch providers. Katie recognizes where she could have done more as far as education and understanding what “Birth Culture” really looks like in the Untied States. She...
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053: How To Have a VBAC: Part 3, Emotional and Physical Readiness
Birth Education Center
Episode three of our VBAC series delves into the "journey" of preparing for a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). We cannot emphasize enough the importance of emotional and physical readiness. We want you to look at your stuff- the challenging stuff and the parts that have hurt or disappointment around them. We have found that parents who can be really honest with themselves, possibly look at their birth from other angles and gather more support, have better births the second time around. We talk about the significance of storytelling, ownership of past birth experiences, and the role of...
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052: How to have a VBAC: Part 2, Finding the Right Supportive Provider
Birth Education Center
In this episode of the VBAC series, Ashley and I discuss the challenges of finding a supportive provider for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). In part two of this series, we discuss the importance of choosing a provider who genuinely supports VBAC, rather than one who is merely tolerant or unsupportive. It is SO IMPORTANT that you find this provider early, as in before you are pregnant again, to broaden your options for care. Even if you are thinking of getting a repeat cesarean, you want a provider that is supportive either way in case you change your mind and decide on a VBAC. You would...
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051: How To Have A VBAC Part One
Birth Education Center
Overcoming Fear and Preparing for VBAC Success This is the first in a series on VBAC. In this episode, Ashley and I focus on the complexities and considerations surrounding Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). We are talking about the importance of self-forgiveness for what you “think” you may have taken on form your previous birth experience and how to resolve that. We go over the current high cesarean rates and attribute them to systemic issues rather than individual inadequacies. Your body can birth! We of course promote education on cesarean prevention and VBAC success through...
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050: Optimizing Fertility: A Holistic Approach with Dr. Leah Gordon
Birth Education Center
In this episode, Dr. Leah Gordon, a naturopathic doctor specializing in fertility, is here to discuss the importance of addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just symptoms. This episode should be shared with future parents before trying to conceive! There are some important points you will want to share with your friends and family. Dr. Gordon has a unique approach because she has lived the experience of a fertility journey. She focuses on proactive measures, holistic health, and early education. She shares some vulnerable parts of her personal story and why advises starting...
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049: Trusting Your Birth Journey: Insights from Nikki Helms of San Diego Community Birth Center
Birth Education Center
In this episode, Midwife Nikki Helms is here! Nikki is the owner of the San Diego Community Birth Center which is the only black owned birth center in San Diego. Nikki’s birth center offers a lot of co care which means people see an OB and also come to the birth center for more education and understanding of the birth process. Some of these families will be birthing at the hospital but want balanced information to make the best possible choices within the medical model system. And some families do co care for birth at the birth center but keep an OB with their insurance for testing and...
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048: Supporting Military Families During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Birth Education Center
In this episode, we welcome Amanda Dodson, a seasoned doula, CAPPA doula trainer and co-founder of the Military Birth Resource Network. Amanda is a military spouse herself and has birthed in the military system. San Diego is a military home to several bases and we need to discuss the unique challenges faced by military families and how we can serve them better. We also need military families to get resources EARLY if not BEFORE they are pregnant, so they have more options for support. This is a great episode to share with any of your military friends NOW – before they are pregnant and in a...
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047: Taylor's Natural Birth Story
Birth Education Center
Today we have a Hypnobirthing birth story. Taylor and Jack recount their unmedicated birth experience supported by their doula, Heather. New parents that are looking into Hypnobirthing always want to know how the tools work in labor and birth. And the cool part about birth – is the unknown – which is always the most intimidating! This show explores their journey through pregnancy, labor, and early parenting. Taylor started educating herself early and really tried to look at her birth from all the angles. She highlights the value of hypnobirthing classes, pain management techniques, and the...
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046: Childbirth Education Helps You to Have an Empowered Birth
Birth Education Center
In this one-year anniversary episode, Ashley and I go back to the essential role of childbirth education in reducing fear and improving birth experiences for both parents and babies. Pretty much every episode this year has come back to education, education, education! If you haven’t chosen a class yet, there may be some ideas in here to choose a class fit you a bit better. If you have already taken a childbirth class – this may help you find any missing bits of information that wasn’t covered. In this show we take a look at the various types of childbirth classes, ranging from natural...
info_outlinePostpartum mental health is beginning to be recognized more in mainstream media. But what about pregnancy mental health? Did you know that signs of postpartum depression or the risks for developing it can start during pregnancy?
In today’s show I have Beth Warren, a LCSW and author who specializes in perinatal mood disorders. Last year Beth and I created an online course highlighting her book, The Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Workbook to get families early help with what to look for in their mental health journey. I, myself suffered with pregnancy OCD but at that time no one was talking about it. It was treatable and I had no idea. Our hope with this course is that families start their preventative mental health journey early in pregnancy so they can be actively managing any symptoms that regularly get lost in our medical system. Remember there is a baby coming and now is the time to prepare and cover all your bases so you can be there 100% for them.
Our discussion covers trauma-informed care, understanding attachment styles, and the impact of birth trauma. We also address the spectrum of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, the need for early intervention, and the benefits of online therapy with a newborn.
Thinking that this mental health stuff doesn’t apply to you may be an obstacle to set aside and really explore where you are with the help of Beth and her course. You and your partner will leave with an understanding of how this may already be affecting both of you(perinatal mood disorder do not only affect the one carrying the baby) and what tools there are here to help. Getting this support before your baby joins your family will make all the difference. Beth’s workbook is included in the price of the course.
Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health Course
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