The Best Birth Podcast

HeHe, the founder of Tranquility by HeHe and the Birth Lounge, shares her journey into the birth advocacy space and the importance of informed and confident birth experiences. She emphasizes the need for physical and mental preparation, understanding the benefits and risks of interventions, and practicing grounding techniques. HeHe encourages women to have a birth plan that allows for flexibility and to advocate for their goals in ...

Amber Bruseke, founder of Biceps After Babies, discusses nutrition and exercise during pregnancy. She emphasizes the importance of exercise during pregnancy and challenges the notion that pregnant women are fragile. She shares her own fitness journey and the normalization of exercise during pregnancy in her upbringing. Amber recommends starting with 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week and incorporating resistance ...

Stacey Singleton, a doula and advocate for mothers, shares her journey and passion for empowering parents in childbirth. She discusses the benefits of the Bradley Method, which emphasizes communication and understanding between partners during labor. Stacey explains the importance of recognizing the signposts of labor and creating a supportive environment for mothers. She also highlights the role of doulas in providing physical and...

Katrina Bolduc, a certified professional midwife, shares her journey to becoming a doula and midwife and the importance of supporting families throughout the birth process. She emphasizes the need for comprehensive, family-centered care and the benefits of having a birth team that aligns with your goals. Katrina also discusses the importance of creating a birth plan, starting small and adjusting as needed, and preparing for postpar...

In this conversation, Jen and Sarah discuss postpartum depression and anxiety in both men and women with Braxton Dutson, LCSW. They highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing postpartum mental health issues in men, as well as the impact of a partner's mental health on the other partner. They also provide insights into how partners can offer support and seek professional help. The conversation then shifts to the topic of...

In this episode, Sarah Felt, a midwife, shares her expertise in the area of prenatal care and preparing for labor. She discusses the various tests and checks performed during prenatal visits, such as monitoring the baby's heart rate and measuring fundal height. Sarah emphasizes the importance of nutrition and hydration in maintaining a healthy pregnancy and explains how certain foods and supplements can support the body during labo...

Dr. Jonathan Crowther discusses the bodily changes that occur during pregnancy, focusing on the cardiovascular, genitourinary, respiratory, thyroid, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, and sleep systems. He explains the physiological changes that happen in each system and provides tips for managing common symptoms. Dr. Crowther emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention if symptoms become severe or if there are any conce...

Katie Förster shares her journey to becoming a doula and the transformative experiences she had during her own births. She emphasizes the importance of preparing both the mind and body for birth and highlights the role of somatics in birth preparation. Somatics is the idea that our body is intelligent and can store trauma, but it is also the way to move through it. Katie discusses the power of curiosity, tracking sensations, and mi...

Kelly Dean, founder of the Tummy Team, shares her journey of discovering the importance of core strength and functional mobility before and after pregnancy. She emphasizes the need for awareness of proper posture and alignment, as well as the coordination between the core and pelvic floor. Kelly provides practical tips and exercises to strengthen the core and improve overall well-being. She also highlights the significance of the f...

Megan Heaton, founder of the VBAC Link, shares her personal journey of having two cesarean sections and her desire for a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). She emphasizes the importance of education and finding a supportive provider when considering a VBAC. Megan also discusses the misconceptions and risks associated with VBAC, as well as the need for a backup plan when planning an out-of-hospital birth. Her story highlights the ...

In this episode, Melinda Hudnall discusses hypnobabies, prenatal yoga, and microcurrent neurofeedback. She explains that hypnobabies is a childbirth class that helps women prepare for birth by bringing their minds into a state of calm and relaxation. Melinda shares her personal experience with a failed epidural and how it led her to explore alternative pain management techniques. She also discusses the benefits of prenatal yoga, in...

Mandy Nielsen, an expert in infertility, shares her experience and insights on infertility and IVF. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help from a specialist early on and highlights the role of reproductive endocrinologists in diagnosing and treating infertility. Mandy discusses the various factors that can contribute to infertility, including male factor infertility, egg health, and uterine issues. She also talks about the d...

Dr. Jonathan Crowther discusses prenatal care and screening during trimesters two and three. The goals of prenatal care are risk assessment, health promotion and education, and therapeutic interventions. Prenatal care should ideally start in the first trimester. Providers who specialize in prenatal care include midwives, family medicine doctors, obstetrician-gynecologists, and maternal fetal medicine subspecialists. Screening tests...

In this episode, Ellie Morris, a life coach, shares her journey of becoming a health coach and how she discovered the power of coaching in all areas of life. She explains the concept of the model, which states that our thoughts create our results, and how it can be applied to loving the way we look and feel. Ellie also discusses her three-part system for postpartum self-care, which includes body awareness, thought work, and refinin...

Julie Francom, a birth photographer, discusses the power of photography in preparing for and processing birth. She shares her journey into birth photography and the importance of capturing empowering moments during labor. Julie highlights the strength and resilience she has witnessed in birthing women and the impact of documenting those moments. She emphasizes the value of birth photography in helping women prepare mentally for bir...

In this episode, guest Christina Packard shares her insights on managing family expectations when bringing home a new baby. She emphasizes the importance of emotional and mental preparation, as well as having a support system in place. Christina also discusses how to prepare young children for the arrival of a new sibling and the significance of establishing family traditions. She offers advice on budgeting for a growing family and...

Dr. Betty DeLass, a pelvic floor health specialist, discusses the importance of pelvic floor therapy during and after pregnancy. She emphasizes the need for prehab and rehab to prevent and address pelvic dysfunction. Dr. Betty explains that the pelvic floor is a sling of muscles that supports organs and helps with various bodily functions. She highlights the impact of pregnancy on the pelvic floor and the need for rehabilitation to...

In this episode, JayCee Wall shares her experience of giving birth to twins. She compares the pain and preparation for twins to her previous births. She discusses the options she had for delivery and ultimately chose to have a C-section. JayCee also talks about the emotional challenges she faced during her pregnancy and the support she received from her family. She shares some helpful gear and equipment that made caring for twins e...

Amanda Taulbee, a birth educator for the Bradley Method, shares insights on how to prepare for labor and delivery. The Bradley Method focuses on relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education to help women feel prepared and confident during childbirth. Amanda emphasizes the importance of relaxation in managing pain and teaches techniques like the 'Duh Face' to help relax the muscles. The method also encourages the involvement of th...