Season 5 Episode 2: A Pregnancy For Every Body with Jen McLellan of Plus Size Birth
Release Date: 03/17/2021
InCast
Gestational diabetes changes the direction of many women’s pregnancies. Once the determination is made, things are not so straightforward after that. In this podcast we will explore how the path to birth changes once a diagnosis is made and what women can do to have a birth with as few complications as possible. We also look at what women can do to prevent the diagnosis in the first place. We discussed this important topic with Lily Nichols, who is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author with a passion for...
info_outline S8E5: Comforting Mothers Who Have Experienced Infant Loss with Elizabeth O’Donnell of Aaliyah in ActionInCast
When a mother has the devastating experience of leaving the hospital without a baby and perhaps only a memory box, many in our society expect them to get on with living and go back to their normal life. But their life is changed forever, and many don’t recognize or acknowledge that. Today we will hear the story of grief, anger, a battle, and finally, a life’s purpose for one mother who had to walk this hard path. Through her mission, she struggled to get family leave extended to grieving parents, so no one would have to suffer as she did. She also discovered the importance of...
info_outline S8 E4: The Latest in Treating Substance Use in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding With Dr. Kaylin Klie, MD, MA of UCHealthInCast
Join us for the latest information on perinatal addiction. We will explore the most commonly used substances that affect the lives of families and their babies during pregnancy and postpartum. We also discuss the new legislation in some states that has changed the way that parents with substance use issues are treated. Since it’s been proven that punitive measures do not lead to change with people who have this complicated problem, new laws were put into place with the hope that women with substance use issues start prenatal care earlier. You’ll also learn how educators and...
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Mama Bird Doula Services' mission is to improve the maternal health outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and their babies in their community. They believe that all birthing persons and their families should feel Safe, Seen, and Heard. Through lived experience, the founder of Mama Bird, Birdie Johnson, came to understand the importance of having complete support and information to make decisions for the best possible outcomes. Knowing that this support and information is often missing, she made it her mission to be sure that others would have a better...
info_outline S8 E2: Nurse-Family Partnership: The Difference 1,000 Days Can MakeInCast
For more than 40 years, the Nurse-Family Partnership has been improving the lives of first-time mothers and their babies! Nurses from the organization work with families for the first 1,000 days, from pregnancy until the baby reaches 2 years of age. You have probably heard of this community health program but may not have been sure of all they do. Listen in to learn more about their successes with the more than 380,000 families that NFP nurses have served since 1996. Perhaps some of your clients would benefit from the program! Our guests are Jane Pray, Sara Lynch, and...
info_outline S8E1: Birth a World Away: How One Organization Is Making a Difference in Africa with Dr. George Mulcaire-Jones of Maternal Life InternationalInCast
Most of us listening today live in a well-resourced country and have access to skilled obstetrical/perinatal care. Although we do not have a perfect healthcare system here in the U.S., it is hard to imagine the realities of birth in the places in Africa we are going to talk about today. When complications arise in the U.S. and other western countries, there are medications, supplies, and trained providers to respond in most cases. But in Africa, there may not be any skilled birth attendants or the equipment they need to save lives during a birth if things go awry. ...
info_outline Season 7 Episode 6: 1 Kick, 2 Kicks, 7 Kicks More! A Stillbirth Prevention Program With Megan Aucutt of Healthy Birth Day, Inc – Count the KicksInCast
How can a free app help prevent over 30% of stillbirths in Iowa? Join us as we discuss the amazing organization that founded the project now used by many pregnant people to do just that. Megan will take us through the history of the organization and the development of the Count the Kicks app and other educational materials available on their website. She will also share the background and definition of stillbirth. The fact that stillbirth affects about 21,000 babies every year in the US should help us all understand how important it is to help parents take preventable...
info_outline Season 7 Episode 5: Family-Centered Care in the NICU with Megan TeagueInCast
About 10% of newborns will spend some time in the NICU, and you probably know at least one family who has spent time there. Join us for an inside look at the NICU with Megan Teague as she shares a vivid story of what caring for babies and families looks like on a daily basis. You will learn how to incorporate information about a potential stay in the NICU into your interactions with pregnant families to make them aware but not overwhelmed. This information can also help you understand the scope of work that goes on in the NICU and how to support families with newborns in the NICU as...
info_outline Season 7 Episode 4: Perinatal Suicide Prevention with Lindsay LebinInCast
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info_outline Season 7 Episode 3: Resiliency for Birth Workers with Nicole HeidbrederInCast
While witnessing the miracle of birth can be exhilarating, it is often wrought with circumstances that create stress, confusion, grief—and sometimes even burnout— in nurses, caregivers, doulas, and other birth workers. The COVID and post-COVID period has brought even more tension into the mix with restrictions and staffing issues. Listen to explore the problems and discover some solutions to make life as a birth worker more resilient and satisfying. Nicole Heidbreder has worked as a Hospice Nurse and Labor and Delivery Nurse in various capacities for the last 10 years...
info_outlineWhen Jen was pregnant in 2010, she realized that she was being treated differently because she exists in a larger body. Determined to make her plan for an unmedicated birth a reality, Jen researched and found a midwife who supported and encouraged her to pursue the birth plan she wanted. After the birth of her baby, she decided to start a blog to share her story, but soon it was clear that this was not just about her own story. She became a childbirth educator and created an evidence-based website and podcast that includes positive resources, so she could change others’ stories as well. She now also sits on a National Institutes of Health panel to give input on creating the Pregnancy for Every Body program.
Jen McLellan is a published author, founder of Plus Size Birth, and host of the Plus Mommy Podcast. She helps people navigate the world of plus size pregnancy, shares tips for embracing your body, and laughs her way through the adventures of parenthood. Her work has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, Glamour, Todays Parent, Huffington Post, and International Doula. As a public speaker, Jen has spoken at numerous events including presenting at the National Institutes of Health. Jen is also a certified childbirth educator, wife, and mother to a charismatic ten-year-old.
Listen in as we explore Jen’s journey and learn important information we can use in our lives and practices every day.
Listen and Learn:
- How to help women understand their options based on their personal health and not only their BMI
- What can be done to increase the number of size-inclusive healthcare providers available
- The difference between relative risk and actual risk when assigning a risk status
- How COVID may impact plus-size patients who may be mistreated if attending an appointment on their own and what tools can be used to prevent that
- What ideas can be implemented to create a size-friendly environment
- The shocking stats on cesarean rates based on BMI
- How important this topic is: Jen has reached 6 million page views on her website, 150 thousand downloads on her podcast
Resources & Mentions:
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