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This episode dives deep into everything you want to know about placenta encapsulation. From postpartum depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, to what to do if your partner isn't on board. Listen in as expert, Shannon Sheppard, answers all of these questions and much more.

Show Notes

2:55 - Is placenta encapsulation for me? Introduction of Shannon Sheppard, Placenta Encapsulation Expert.

7:58 - After being trained in placenta encapsulation, Shannon immediately started seeing the benefits first hand in her clients. 

11:36 - What do we know about placenta encapsulation? We know that in the animal kingdom, animals eat their placenta instinctually. It can help increase...

We know from our years of serving women, taking them step by step through childbirth education, that there is a power to birth and work to be done in order to achieve the birth you desire. This episode highlights some important key things for you to do in order prepare for the birth that you want! From exercises, to meditation, and labor rehearsals, all the work that you put into preparing will pay off in a huge way when it comes time for the real thing! We know that if you're researching, listening to this podcast, taking our birth course, and following our posts on instagram that you are envisioning the birth that you want. We're here to help you achieve that goal. We love being your support and helping you find and make the choices that are right for you! We love hearing about all of the amazing stories of your empowered and successful births! You were made for birth and we know you can do this.

Show Notes

1:55 - We know that you can do this! You are strong and capable and...

 Our loving warning to you is to make sure you get pregnant before letting your partner listen to this adorable list! Ha! We must say we had a ton of fun recording this podcast and thinking through all of things our poor partners have to deal with. As moms, we mostly embrace all of the changes that happen to our body like our growing belly, lack of sleep and funny food cravings because, well, it's happening to us. We get excited even if it's not fun, knowing that it is all part of growing a baby. Partners though, they really kind of get taken by surprise with some of the changes and expectations in pregnancy, birth and postpartum so we thought it was fun to dive right in and cover those here. We hope you have a good laugh and learn along the way.

Show Notes

2:38 - As women, we get pretty excited about the changes that happen during pregnancy, but how do our partners feel about all of this?

3:28 - Get ready for the pregnancy list: room on the bed dwindling, lots of pillows,...

We stress the importance of having a vision for your birth and finding the right provider to support you through that process, but how exactly do you get there? There are likely going to be some obstacles you will face as you work through what you know you want for your birth, understanding what questions to ask your provider, thinking through real-life scenarios you may come up against, and having the knowledge and the voice to advocate for yourself during pregnancy and birth. This episode will walk you through each step and help you feel more clear and calm about the process for your own birth.

Show Notes

3:16 - You and your provider may view birth differently. That's ok!

6:25 - The first thing you need to be able to do to effectively advocate for yourself.

9:51 - Questions to discuss with your provider as well as what the red flags might look like.

17:33 - How to work through the deal-breaker questions and figure out where there's some give-and-take necessary to get the...

It's true that we love telling you all of the ways to have an easier, more comfortable, confident, and empowered birth experience, but we decided to switch things up and get a little sarcastic so you can join us in some laughs while we give you all the top tips on what will cause more pain during labor.  Maybe you already know that being flat on your back and not having great support will leave you less than comfortable but what about pulling up trauma from a previous birth, focusing on all the negatives happening right now, and inviting all the unsupportive and opinionated people into your birth space!? No? Don't worry, we've got you covered mama! As always, we hope that you leave this episode armed with a smile and some crazy good info about how to make your birth the best it can possibly be.

Show Notes

4:07 - Being free to move around during labor is so important and being stuck in one position not only causes more discomfort but also slows, stalls, and makes it harder for...

With so many decisions to make during pregnancy and postpartum, we know that vaccines are not only a hot topic but are also at the forefront of everyone's mind with all that 2020 brought. As with all of our topics we discuss here on the podcast, we try to give you the very best, credible information so that you can research, ask questions, and make an informed decision that is right for you and your family. We also support whatever that decision is for you. 

Show Notes

2:31 - The goal with this topic is the same with birth! We want to teach you how to gather all of the best information, research, ask questions, receive informed consent and make an informed decision that is best for you and your family.

6:28 - How to research these things for yourselves...and how not to research as well. Facebook, social media, blogs, all the fun places to get misinformation that you may want to steer away from. Don't worry though, we get into what you need to find the right info!

17:54 - There...

Tune into this excellent conversation we had with prenatal yoga instructor, doula, Lamaze Childbirth Educator, and mother, Deb Flashenberg as we discuss why it's so important to have balance in the pelvis throughout pregnancy and birth.  Deb shares her personal and professional experience including how she went from a five-hour pushing stage with her first baby to a five-minute pushing stage with her second baby all due to balance in the body and mind. We also discuss how having the proper preparation for the mind and body is crucial to your birth experience no matter how you're choosing to birth. 

Show Notes

2:44 - Why the topic of achieving balance in the pelvis lights Deb up. She has had some excellent personal and professional experiences to gather information and be able to share that on the podcast.

7:58 - There is so much more than just baby being head-down when we are talking about positioning. Listening to pain and discomfort can help us move into...

It's not that you can't eat a ton, or that you're swollen, the heartburn, exhaustion, or crazy pregnancy dreams, so do you know what it is!? We have seen a massive increase in this challenge for pregnant women especially since Covid hit in 2020. Don't worry though, we've got you covered. We'll tell you what you need to know, what your options are, and how to be prepared for this. We know...we haven't said what it is. But that's what the episode is for! So take a guess and a listen!

Show Notes

2:21 - Your biggest challenge in the third trimester is not that you can't eat a ton, or that you're swollen, or your crazy pregnancy nightmares. So if you're wondering what it is, listen in here.

8:34 - This is our absolute biggest pet peeve with inductions plus everything you need to know about how it's done and what your options are.

15:32 - More managed births affect our mental state while we birth. It's easier to believe that a mother's body "doesn't work on its own" when we jump-start it...

This is probably the thing moms are most curious about as they approach their due date! When do I head into the hospital? When do I call the midwife at the birth center? How will I know it's really time? Whether you are birthing medicated or unmedicated, we have some excellent tips for you to know when it's time to get into the car and head to your birthplace, as well as when it's just fine to labor at home for a while. Of course, much of this will depend on your vision for your birth so we walk you through what the ideal birth looks like for you in order to pinpoint that right time.

Show Notes

3:20 - What happens if my water breaks? What if you want to stay at home? How do you know when you need to head in?

11:13 - What to look for so you know it's the right time to head in (depending on your goals for birth.) If you're wondering what contractions feel like and when to pay attention, we talk about that here.

20:12 - First-time moms, listen up. These are the magic numbers we...

We know you're wondering exactly what you can expect when you arrive at the hospital during active labor and this episode is going to walk you through the step by step of what happens from the time you drive up to your birthplace until the time you take your sweet baby home in your car. Most importantly we are going to tell you what the usual procedures are as well as your options because it's true that you probably won't be told that the many "standard procedures" are still up to you, the birthing mother. Our favorite thing to do is to help women understand all of their choices during birth and to allow them the confidence and freedom to choose what feels right and good for them. 

Show Notes

6:13 - You're in labor, you finally finish the drive to your birthplace, how do you get inside and what happens next??

14:15 - Once you're admitted into the hospital, there are a few things that happen before you get settled in and can get back into your birthing groove. These...