Adriana Aleman Crane’s first birth involved several days of prodromal labor— and if you don’t know what that is, you really want to listen to this episode! But her second birth? Her husband almost missed it! She shares with Adriana Lozada that sleep is glorious, acupuncture is worth it, and how releasing control (and her bag of waters!) gets her labors to flow. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Rethinking the Pushing Stage and our episode on Why the Golden Hour Matters for Your Baby. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Acupuncture can help alleviate nausea, constipation, and back pain. It can encourage breech babies to flip and labor to start. But how does it work, and what does it feel like? Acupuncturist, massage therapist, and birth doula Dr. Patrick Boswell talks with Adriana about how acupuncture gets to the root of the issue, with the happy result of improving more than the symptoms you came in for!Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on The Induction Process and our short episode on Ways to Deal With Morning Sickness— Whether It’s Mild or Debilitating.Learn more about Dr. Patrick Boswell at ANewLifeAcupuncture.com. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

After giving birth twice before, Victoria Wilson thought she had “life with a newborn” pretty much figured out. But when her third daughter was born fussy, frustrated, and just wouldn’t settle, Victoria was thrown for a loop. Was this just who her baby was? Or was something wrong?Victoria shares with Adriana how making her own wellness a priority during pregnancy allowed her the strength to navigate and surrender to this extremely difficult experience from a place where she was well-resourced. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on the Effects of Stress During Pregnancy, and if you want to hear Victoria’s first two birth stories, listen to our episode titled Support Beats Stubbornness.You can connect with Victoria on Instagram @motherwelldoula. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

It’s estimated that about 80% of pregnant people experience insomnia by their third trimester, and newer research is showing how melatonin and circadian rhythms may impact fertility, implantation, miscarriage, risk of preeclampsia and postpartum depression. Mar De Carlo shares with Adriana how small and mindful changes to your sleep habits can help you tap into more rest and improve your family’s sleep— before and after the baby arrives. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on the Effects of sleep deprivation and our other episode with Mar De Carlo on Taking Care of You.You can connect with Mar on Instagram @mar_decarlo. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

After a difficult first labor with interventions she was unsure about, Alyssa Jennings was determined that her next birth would be on her terms. Little did she know that she’d be having to contain the fetal ejection reflex until her doctor arrived! Alyssa shares with Adriana the magic words her husband used to help her wait (no, they didn’t have anything to do with the doctor), along with a great solution to when you don’t want to labor in the hospital but you want to be close by (even though you live half an hour away). Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our short episode titled Straight Talk About the Effects of Electronic Fetal Monitoring on You and Your Baby and our episode on Connecting With Your Baby in Utero. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

You’ve probably been told to do prenatal yoga, but is it really for you? Trauma-informed yoga teacher Abigail Lauren Geller says not if it’s another overwhelming thing on your to-do list! But if you are curious about the benefits of prenatal yoga for your body, your mind, your pregnancy, and your labor, and want to create a space of self-reflection to better connect with your body and protect your energy, then prenatal yoga may be just what you need. Abigail also shares with Adriana how lying on your back while pregnant may not be as problematic as we’ve been led to believe. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Diastasis and Tummy Fitness and our legacy episode titled Why Do Prenatal Yoga?You can connect with Abigail on Instagram @1unusualpearl. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Anya Cutler had originally planned to give birth at a birth center with midwives, then at nearly 37 weeks (and after trying practically everything possible to encourage her baby to flip) she ended up transferring care to an OB/GYN experienced in vaginal breech delivery. Anya shares with Adriana how even though this challenged her need for control, having an OB who was comfortable with breech and confident in her ability to give birth made all the difference.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Getting a Good Latch and our episode on Family-Centered Cesareans. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

You know how as pregnancy progresses, your whole body becomes more uncomfortable? It turns out that chiropractic care can help you feel much better and even help you have an easier birth. Dr. Elliot Berlin shares with Adriana why chiropractic care is a superb pregnancy tool for anyone, but especially if you have an “athletic pelvis” or want to aid a breech baby turn head down.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our episode on Baby’s Position and Labor Flow and our interview on Big Babies and Shoulder Dystocia.You can connect with Dr. Berlin on Instagram @Doctorberlin. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

For weeks, Julia Cooper had been nervous that her baby would arrive while her husband and mom were away, and sure enough, contractions started merely hours after she dropped her husband off at the airport. What follows is a testament to how hard it can be to shut off your thinking brain while in labor and how despite that, you can still support your physiology and get things to flow (even if you have a prolonged labor and an epidural!).Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on The Holistic Stages of Birth and our episode on A Dad's Perspective. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

It’s common knowledge that walking, swimming, and doing prenatal yoga can all be super helpful during pregnancy, but what about running, barre, CrossFit, or weightlifting? Deb Flashenberg shares with Adriana how strength-focused exercising can lead to a too-tight core and pelvic floor that make for more difficult labors and harder postpartum recoveries. They explore how you can figure out if your pelvic floor is too tight and what you can do about it to have a more flowing birth.  Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Protecting Your Perineum and our episode on Vaginal Rehab. You can also listen to the episode I did on Deb’s Yoga | Birth | Babies podcast about Finding Birth Flow Within A Hospital Setting.You can connect with Deb on Instagram @prenatalyogacenter. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Lauren Horton has always been physically active, and during pregnancy, she continued to do a mix of CrossFit, swimming, yoga, and tons of dog walking. She shares with Adriana her surprise when she found herself hunkering down on the bed during labor instead of moving, and why she went with it (although she could have done without the hemorrhoids). Lauren also opens up about the impossibility of trying to live up to the expectations of doing it all, how sometimes the win is as small as having been able to pump at work, and why she concludes that “everyone is a badass.”Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Shaking and the Primal Nature of Birth and our episode on Why Employers Need to Value Your Parenting Skills.You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Being pregnant means having relaxin loosening up all your tissues, while your core stretches and your center of gravity shifts, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with the associated aches and discomforts. Restorative body educator extraordinaire Molly Deutschbein shares with Adriana ways you can move, support, and align your body for a happier pregnancy and a more flowing birth as well as how to navigate the postpartum return to a non-pregnant body. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Baby's Position and Labor Flow and our episode on Your Pelvic Floor.You can connect with Molly on Instagram @fasciadoula. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Adriana Lozada shares eight great questions for sussing out your provider’s protocols and practices as your pregnancy advances, in order to help you figure out how much shared decision-making and agency you will truly have in your birth experience.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on its show notes page.If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on What You Need to Know About Birth Positions and our episode on Informed ConsentIf you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Chances are your pregnancy and birth will flow, and you’ll never need to see any of the care providers that deal with more complicated situations. But what if you do? Dr. Loralei Thornburg helps demystify what it can be like working with a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. She shares with Adriana why so much of it has to do with experience, risk tolerance, and resources, and why – regardless of medical complications – you can still humanize your experience.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on its show notes page.If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Preeclampsia Essentials and our episode on How Your Nervous System Impacts Your Pregnancy and BirthYou can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Margot Strauhull brought her self-described “rule-following” attitude to her first hospital induction with an OB and had what she considered was a fine birth… until she was overcome by sadness in postpartum. This started her on a journey of peeling back the layers, to finally come to a deep trust in her own wisdom and instincts.Margot tells Adriana how the fear radiating from her providers around her “history of macrosomal infants” further activated her intuition to switch to a freestanding birth center at the beginning of her 3rd trimester, and finally have the undisturbed physiological birth she wanted.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources and links listed on its show notes page.If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Big Babies and Shoulder Dystocia and our episode on Birthing Like a Rockstar.You can learn more about Margot on Instagram @margotyoga. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The mounting evidence is clear: having a doula can help decrease the risk of having a cesarean birth and significantly improve birth experiences. In fact, doulas have even been called a form of pain relief themselves, as people tend to want fewer pain medications and epidurals when supported by a doula. But what makes what doulas do so special and different from the care you receive from your other care providers?Sabia Wade talks to Adriana about what a doula is, how to find one that will be a good fit for you, the difficulties in accessing a doula (and how that’s evolving), and why a doula’s uniquely non-clinical care can be so complementary to that of the rest of your team, no matter the type of birth you have. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on How Do You Know If Your Care Provider Is Treating You Fairly? and our episode on All About Postpartum DoulasYou can learn more about Sabia Wade’s work on Instagram @sabiawade. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Laurel Gourrier, co-host of the podcast “Birth Stories in Color,” reflects on how her hospital birth experience— even though it was long and hard— often felt like a big party, thanks to the support of her partner, parents, and in-laws. She tells Adriana Lozada how their care and the constant communication of her wishes created a safe and joyful space in which she could birth, even leading her parents to open their home for the birth of her second child.If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Big Babies and Shoulder Dystocia, and our episode on The Induction ProcessGet the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  You can connect with Laurel on Instagram @birthstoriesincolor. Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

There is ample evidence of the benefits of midwifery care for uncomplicated pregnancies, including lower rates of inductions, episiotomies, and cesareans. So why aren’t midwives more widely used in the U.S. (like they are in the rest of the world!)? Dr. Melissa Cheyney talks with Adriana all about midwifery care including the different types of midwives, their certifications, where they practice, and the importance of OBs, perinatologists, and midwives working together to provide you with the right amount of care (instead of too much, too soon or too little, too late). Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Helping Your Mammalian Body (and Baby!) Have an Easier and More Connected Birth, and our episode on Cesarean Risk: What’s Your Place of Birth Got to Do With It?You can learn more about Dr.Cheyney’s work on Instagram @theupliftlab. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Heather Lauf was so clear on the importance of choosing the right care provider for her birth that she switched practices, twice! Even with her ample preparation, labor still threw her for a loop when she found out her water hadn’t broken (it really seemed it had!), and then again when she couldn’t quiet her thinking brain after realizing she had too many eyes watching her. Nevertheless, Heather was able to have the unmedicated vaginal birth she was hoping for with the help of her trusted team.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on  Baby’s Position and Labor Flow, and our episode on The Holistic Stages of BirthYou can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. IIf you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Obstetricians are the go-to care providers when giving birth in the US, but not all OBs are created equal. How does your obstetrician's background and training impact the care you get, and is that aligned with the care you deserve? Dr. Stuart Fischbein shares his insights, the hard lessons he’s gained over his career, as well as why he still does breech deliveries, VBACs, and home births.Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on What You Need to Know About Birth Models (Birth What?), and our episode on How to Avoid a "Cascade of Interventions."You can connect with Dr. Stu on Instagram @birthinginstincts. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo, co-founder of the socially impactful Fourth Phase aftercare boxes, shares how her expectations of when and how she should bond with her baby tarnished her otherwise wonderfully supported and respected birth experience. She tells Adriana how this hyperfocus on bonding impacted her postpartum, and how her mom helped her shift things with lots of wisdom and laughter. If you liked this episode, listen to this interview about the physical and emotional changes you can expect after giving birth and this episode on how to time your pain relief options.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  You can learn more about Nana and Fourth Phase on Instagram @fourthphasebox or at fourthphasebox.com. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Dr. Brad Bootstaylor talks with Adriana Lozada about how vital it is to establish shared decision-making with your care provider and the problem with the prevailing fear-based approach in perinatal care. Plus: why no one should ever roll their eyes at your birth plan!If you liked this episode, listen to our interview titled Know What You're Up Against When Giving Birth at a Hospital, and our episode on Family-Centered Cesareans.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

After having three hospital births – that included inductions, vaginal births, and a cesarean – Mariah Robinson couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing from her experiences. She shares with Adriana how she searched far and wide for a collaborative care provider who would support her wishes for an unmedicated vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and the trust and confidence she built with her body to get through an unplanned homebirth without fear.If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on the purpose of childbirth pain, and this interview on the induction process.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course at BirthfulCourses.com.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Finding the care provider that’s right for you is a critical first step toward having a great birth experience. Dr. Robin Elise Weiss talks with Adriana about the different types of prenatal care providers and how their varying philosophies can impact the care you receive. She also shares how to go about finding the care provider that’s right for you, and what you can do if you decide they are no longer a good fit. If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on informed consent during childbirth, and this interview on the induction process.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  You can learn more about Robin @robineliseweiss on Instagram. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

After birthing quite a large baby and experiencing shoulder dystocia, Jessica Bower went on a quest to figure out why she had grown a baby that size. She shares with Adriana how gaining control of her sugar levels really helped with her “Mission: Make a Small Baby” for her third birth. This nutritional connection with her body was key in her decision to have an induction for her fourth birth after developing gestational diabetes, leading to the waterbirth she so desired. If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on gestational diabetes, or this episode about big babies and shoulder dystocia.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. You can learn more about Jessica @growingfamilieslactationdoula on Instagram. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Genevieve Howland (a.k.a. Mama Natural) talks with Adriana about ways you can navigate the emotions that come with gaining weight during pregnancy, identify possible triggers, and explore seeing it as an opportunity to connect with and appreciate your body in a new way. They also discuss how nutrition plays a role in lessening birth interventions, the folic acid vs. folate debate, ferments, bitters, cravings, mindful eating habits, and more.If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on the nourishing power of herbs during pregnancy, and this episode on loving your postpartum body.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. You can learn more about Genevieve @mamanatural on Instagram. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast or email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Adriana Lozada offers practical advice on how to deal with whatever level of nausea you are experiencing. She also lays out how hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is not just a bad case of morning sickness, but a severe and debilitating condition.If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on eating to grow a healthy baby brain, or this episode on how to tap into the nourishing power of herbs during pregnancy and postpartum. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast or email us at [email protected]. You can also download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Professor of Microbiology and researcher Dr. Anne Estes talks with Adriana about how your gut microbiome (not just your vaginal microbiome) plays a critical role in seeding your baby’s microbiome during birth, and what you can do about it. They discuss whether probiotics are necessary during pregnancy, why inserting a garlic clove in your vagina may not be the best way to combat Group B Strep, and the importance of looking at microbiomes through a diversity lens.If you liked this episode, listen to this interview for more on your baby’s microbiome, and this episode on the microbiome and your baby’s immune system.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.You can connect with Anne on Instagram @mostlymicrobeshost. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast on Instagram or email us at [email protected]. You can also download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

After an eye-opening, traumatic, and abusive first birth, Toni DeAztlan Smith was determined not to repeat the experience. Toni tells Adriana how she proactively took matters into her own hands and ended up having a powerfully healing birth. She also shares how she achieved her goals of being negative for Group B Strep, NOT developing gestational diabetes, and avoiding preeclampsia.If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on childbirth PTSD, and this episode on how to avoid a cascade of interventions.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast on Instagram or email us at [email protected]. You can also download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Herbs are micronutrient powerhouses for your immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, but some of them may not be recommended during this time of your life. Kathleen Mugnolo talks with Adriana about how you can figure out which ones are right for YOU, as well as whether it makes sense to use herbs to get labor started, to lessen the chances of Group B Strep colonization, to help with constipation, to increase milk supply, and how they can support your postpartum recovery.If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on what to eat during pregnancy and this interview on your baby’s microbiome.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  You can learn more about Kathleen @kathleen.mugnolo on Instagram. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast or email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Chelsy Arnett shares with Adriana how her husband nourished her during pregnancy. She also talks about the wonders of the double hip squeeze during labor, why she’d push in a completely different way the next time, as well as what’s helped her get through the surprisingly intense identity shift and breastfeeding challenges of the postpartum period.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on rethinking the pushing stage, and this episode on HypnoBirthing.You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast on Instagram or email us at [email protected]. You can also download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Registered dietitian and researcher Lily Nichols and Adriana take a closer look at the common nutrition recommendations during pregnancy, and whether avoiding raw fish and runny eggs may be keeping you from getting the nutrition you and your baby really need. Lily also shares why you should pair high-quality fats and proteins with your carbs, and how to listen to the signals your unique body is sending you for optimal nutrition.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. If you liked this episode, listen to this episode also with Lily on Gestational Diabetes, and this interview on the evidence of eating during labor.You can learn more about Lily @lilynicholsrdn on Instagram. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast or email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

OB/GYN and medical educator Dr. Amali Lokugamage talks with Adriana about how being pregnant propelled a paradigm shift in her ideas about birth, leading her to give birth at home. A champion of human rights in childbirth, she shares why birth recommendations have become so hospital-centric, and why it would benefit us all to embrace more family-centered, integrated, and collaborative models of care.If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on How Prenatal Yoga Can Help Protect Your Energy (And Why This Is Important!), and this interview on Why Your Team Isn’t Complete Without a Doula.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. You can learn more about Dr. Amali on Twitter @docamali. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Robina Khalid of Small Things Grow Midwifery explains what it takes to truly consider a homebirth, and shares with Adriana how to prepare for a successful experience.If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on homebirth reimbursement, and this interview about the purpose of pain in childbirth.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. You can learn more about Robina @smallthingsgrowhomebirth. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. You can also download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

April Teel shares with Adriana how her thoughtful preparation set the stage for her to have wonderful birth experiences at both a freestanding birth center (with a midwife) and a hospital (with a family practice doctor). She reflects on how what surprised her the most were the differences between the pushing stages—with one being managed, long, and difficult, and the second being completely dictated by her body, allowing her to experience the Fetal Ejection Reflex. Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on the show notes page.If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on Rethinking the Pushing Stage and this episode on Structural Body Changes During Pregnancy and Postpartum.You can also download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Cesarean rates have increased 500% in two generations, and about half of them may be unnecessary. Physician-scientist and ACOG Fellow, Dr. Neel Shah, talks with Adriana about how the hospital you choose can be your #1 risk of having a surgical birth, how we got here, and what you can do about it.If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on How to Avoid a “Cascade of Interventions” and this episode with Carrie Contey (it's the one we mentioned in the show).Get the most of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Jenny Murphy’s birth preparations were impacted by uncertainty, fear, and ever-changing circumstances. She shares with Adriana how focusing on her “birth vision”– and waiting to go to the hospital for as long as possible– allowed her to be the leader of her labor and have what she describes as a dream birth. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on How Your Birth Plan Impacts Your Birth Experience and this short episode on How to Have a Great Hospital Birth.You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Midwife and researcher, Dr. Mimi Niles, talks to Adriana Lozada about the U.S. hospital system, how your goals as a birthing person are at odds with the system’s goals, and how to tap into your power as a consumer within said system so you can have a better birth experience.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. If you liked this episode, listen to this episode on the cultural ideals that shape your birth experience, and this interview on Birth Models (both are part of our series on “Models and Places of Birth”).Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests!Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Adriana Lozada goes through the pros and cons of three places where you can give birth: a hospital, a birth center, and at home, and what you should consider when making an informed decision.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. If you liked this episode, listen to this story on Why Having an Audience Stalled Her Birth and this episode about Showing Up at Your Birth.You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation courseFollow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Medical anthropologist Robbie Davis-Floyd talks with Adriana about the technocratic, humanistic, and holistic birth models. She explains why we’ve gotten so obsessed with machines and numbers, why we need more midwives, how some OBs are making positive changes by embracing the midwifery model of care, and what you can take from those models to improve your experience.​​Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on the #1 cesarean risk and this episode on the holistic stages of birth. You can learn more about Robbie Davis-Floyd at davis-floyd.com. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected] you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Sarah Winward’s story starts with some lovely swing dancing in the living room, and stomping through deep snow with her dog, then gets really intense, having Sarah ask herself over and over “Where is the break?! There’s supposed to be a break. Where is the break?!” She shares with Adriana how being open to all her options let her be grounded in the experience. ​​Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on the baby’s birth experience and this episode if you're looking to find out what is HypnoBirthing. You can learn more about Sarah on Instagram @the_lactation_nd or at thelactationnd.com. Connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Author and childbirth educator Britta Bushnell describes eight deeply entrenched cultural ideals that can unconsciously— and even negatively— impact the course of your labor and how you parent. She and Adriana share how to reframe these beliefs to uplift realistic expectations and have a more transformative experience.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page. If you liked this episode, listen to this interview on the purpose of childbirth pain and this episode on healing your birth story. You can learn more about Britta Bushnell on Instagram @brittabushnellphd or at brittabushnell.com. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Michelle Onaka shares the ups and downs along the way toward having her child, including her fertility journey, then completely gutting their house during pregnancy, and following that up with a fabulous waterbirth. She shares with Adriana how immediate postpartum became a bit of a rude awakening, and how helpful it was to connect with a lactation consultant, a cloth diaper service, to start co-sleeping, and actually learn about how to navigate life with a newborn from a place of confidence (even if you can’t always know what’s going on). Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Infant Sleep Basics with Dr. James MCKenna and our episode on Fertility Before & After PregnancyYou can connect with Michelle on Instagram at @intentionalmoneylife. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Criselda F. shares with Adriana the details of her three-day-long birth, which she describes as amazing and transformative. It also truly illustrates how birth is not linear, as it can easily go from prodromal to precipitous! Find out what helped her get through the frustration of not knowing when it was really going to start, the joy of having her partner catch the baby, and why tearing was the one thing that really took her by surprise. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Protecting Your Perineum and our episode on The Baby's Birth Experience. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Alison Spath shares with Adriana the many twists and turns included in her path toward a planned homebirth after two cesareans (HBA2C), including getting things started with castor oil, having to hold at bay the fear-based opinions of random obstetricians, celebrating her victories along the way, and a last-minute trip to the hospital. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on Choosing Your Care Provider and our episode on Is Homebirth for You?You can connect with Alison on Instagram @beautifulbirthchoices. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Shelley Wylie shares with Adriana how marvelous it can be to see your partner really have your back and tell the nurse to wait until your contraction is over, how labor is not as horrendous as the Machu Picchu trail, and how you can absolutely have a lovely birth, even if you have to come undone and regather yourself in the process. She also highly recommends that if you dislike the tub, try the shower! Sponsor offers - TIME SENSITIVE! AQUATRU - Get 20% off any AquaTru purifier at AquaTru.com with promo code BIRTHFULNEEDED - Get 20% off your first order at thisisneeded.com with promo code BIRTHFULTONIES - Get 15% off at us.tonies.com/BIRTHFULHONEYLOVE - Get 20% OFF at honeylove.com/birthful with promo code BIRTHFULJENNI KAYNE - Get 15% off at jennikayne.com/birthful with promo code BIRTHFULONESKIN - Get 15% off at https://www.oneskin.co/ with promo code BIRTHFULHELLO FRESH - Get 50% off at hellofresh.com/birthful50 with the code BIRTHFUL50 (plus free shipping!)THE LACTATION NETWORK - Got to TLN.care/BIRTHFUL to schedule your insurance-covered lactation consultationGet the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on The Purpose of Childbirth Pain and our episode on Pro Tips for Photographing Your Unique Birth Experience.You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Kally McConnell shares her glorious VBAC story, along with all the things she did differently from her first birth, how it all started with a literal bang when her bag of waters broke, and how there was no time for the tub. She also shares with Adriana the insights she gained about the difference between labor contractions, pushing contractions, and Pitocin-generated contractions.Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview on VBAC Facts and our episode on Know(ing) What You’re Up Against When Giving Birth at a Hospital. You can learn more about Kally and her work at Creative-Care-Services.com. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Dani Izzie, a disability advocate who is quadriplegic, tells Adriana how her years of navigating the medical system, connecting with a community that understands her, building a supportive team, and her deep understanding of her body helped her through the birth of her twins. Get the most out of this episode by checking out the resources, transcript, and links listed on its show notes page.  If you liked this episode, listen to our interview titled If Pregnancy Becomes Medically Complicated: Working With a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Physician and our episode on Navigating the NICU. Also, here’s the episode on Family-Centered Cesareans that Adriana mentioned in the show. You can learn more about Dani on Instagram @daniizzie and about her film at danistwinsfilm.com. You can connect with Birthful @BirthfulPodcast and email us at [email protected]. If you enjoy what you hear, download Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! You can also sign-up for Adriana’s Own Your Birth online BIRTH preparation classes and her Thrive with Your Newborn online POSTPARTUM preparation course.Follow us on Goodpods, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts.Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Welcome to the Best of Birthful. Creator and host Adriana Lozada curated and edited each selection in this playlist of the show’s most popular episodes. It's a tailored introduction to the expansive catalog she amassed over the first five years of Birthful's 300+ shows.Doula Lesley Everest explores the primal nature of birth using somatic and emotional support therapies and an interspiritual ministry. She teaches you how uncontrollable shaking is a very common part of labor, with a significant neurological purpose in the third stage of birth. Here's the original episode in full.For more Birthful, visit our website. For new episodes out each week, subscribe to Birthful. You can connect with us on Instagram @birthfulpodcast and email us at [email protected] Birthful's Postpartum Plan FREE when you sign up for our weekly newsletter! Don't miss even more tips, insights, and news from Adriana and her guests! Our Sponsors:* For 20% off your membership, go to www.ixl.com/TODAYSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birthful/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands