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Click on the blog post {aka Show Notes} for any podcast below and the links are at the bottom! Enjoy!
Birth After 35
Mar 04, 2020
With terms like Advanced Maternal Age and Geriatric Mother being thrown around, it's time we broke down all the facts surrounding being pregnant and giving birth after the age of 35- including the hot topic of stillbirth. Share this episode with your friends who are also having babies in their late 30's & beyond!
[4:03] Why "Geriatric" is not even close to an appropriate term for a pregnant woman.
[5:29] Why you need to have the correct information about giving birth over 35.
[6:31] Why women are choosing to have children later in life?
[7:15] Challenges for women giving birth after 35
[8:10] The Hot Topic: Stillbirth
[9:58] Relative vs. Absolute Risk
[11:43] Gestation and how it's different before and after age 35
[13:03] Why out of hospital midwifery care may be a great choice
[16:27] What stands in the way of a mother over 35 having her best birth?
[19:20] What you can do to have the best outcomes
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If you haven't subscribe
...And Baby Makes Three: Newborn Procedures
Feb 26, 2020
We love talking about all things birth, but there a few things you need to know after birth in order to make an informed decision for your baby. This episode goes over the basics of what will be offered or required for baby within their first 24-48 hours of life.
[3:54] Delayed Cord-Clamping
[5:19] What cord-milking is and why it isn't a best practice for baby.
[7:52] Why immediate skin to skin has so many benefits for mom and baby.
[9:42] Hepatitis B Immunization
[12:09] Vitamin K Injection + Oral Vitamin K
[14:08] Erythromycin eye ointment
[16:13] Washing your baby - not necessarily a procedure, but the evidence to wait is pretty good!
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some neat bonus episodes coming and if you're not subscribed you may miss them. Click >>here<< to subscribe in iTunes!
AND if you love all
...Birth: Enneagram Type 7
Feb 18, 2020
We have good reason to think that Enneagram 7 women are birthing rockstars! They are optimistic about everything, quick learners, and they are curious about allll the many birthing options available. Curious what an Enneagram 7 mama needs to know to achieve her best birth? Take a listen!
[4:37] Enneagram 7 strengths
[7:56] Watch out for these!
[8:25] Why re-framing the word "pain" will make a huge difference for you.
[13:19] Your favorite place to give birth!
[16:32] Tips and tricks for your partner
[19:00] Why Type 7 mamas love the My Essential Birth Course
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some neat bonus episodes coming and if you're not subscribed you may miss them. Click >>here<< to subscribe in iTunes!
AND if you love all the great birth discussions, tips, and tricks you're hearing, make sure to head o
...Communication Pitfalls & Pointers for Birthing Couples
Feb 11, 2020
Anyone else experience pregnancy hormones drawing you away from your partner instead of closer? You're not alone! This important time in your life may shed light on communication skills that could use a little improvement. So, we've given you tons of examples and incredible tips and exercises to keep your communication strong and open. The best part is all of this will transfer into how you communicate and lean on your partner during birth.
[2:00] Marriage + Pregnancy & Parenthood = time to level up your communication skills
[2:25] How does poor communication show up in labor and birth?
[7:50] The most important step in building communication
[8:48] We discuss The Five Love Languages
[10:35] Our first communication exercise for you!
[10:45] It's important to recognize that pregnancy affects both people
[15:12] Two more communication exercises for you!
[16:43] The sandwich method
[20:27] The magic of creating a check-in time
[22:09] The importance of studying birth tog...
Get Your VBAC On!
Feb 05, 2020
This is a must-listen for any woman who has had a prior cesarean birth and is curious about or planning for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). We talk about statistics for VBAC's and why they're on your side, plus how to overcome obstacles standing in your way- including your provider, your partner, and yourself.
[3:18] What is a VBAC
[3:30] The facts about VBACs
[5:22] Benefits of a VBAC
[7:41] What are the risks?
[9:05] VBAC is safer than Elective Repeat Cesarean Birth
[9:40] What increases your odds of having a VBAC
[11:35] How to find a VBAC supportive provider
[13:51] Red Flags - How to tell if your provider sounds supportive but isn't really
[16:50] How to you get your partner on board
[18:09] How to convince yourself that you can do this!
[19:17] Resources
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some
...BONUS episode with Relaxation Practice
Feb 03, 2020
If you want to put your knowledge to the test and practice for the big day...this episode is 100% for you! We'll walk you through this relaxation exercise and give you an opportunity to practice with relaxing music at the end. Grab your pen and paper, take notes, and then get ready to teach your body to relax better than you ever have before. Remember, practice makes permanent, so practicing the right way will you set you up for birthing success!
[1:01] The physical & mental aspects of relaxation + why consistency is key
[1:31] Tips for successful relaxation (how-to)
[2:18] How often to practice and for how long
[3:14] Tips for practicing solo & how to create triggers for when people in your birth space are making relaxation suggestions during labor
[4:00] When & where to practice
[4:45] Breathing - how to do it correctly
[5:30] Setting up for relaxation practice
[6:06] Practice HERE 
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet,
...How Senses Influence Your Birth
Jan 30, 2020
How often does your body just melt at someone's request for you to "relax?" (No, YOU relax! lol) Anyone else feel the tension forming in their jaw and forehead when you hear that? In this episode, we'll give you and your partner some guidance on how to prep for a relaxing birth by tapping into the power of your senses! Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @myessentialbirth AND for even more great info head over to www.myessentialbirth.com to check out our FREE Pregnancy Guide & other incredible downloads.
[2:19] Why drawing on your senses and creating muscle memory is important.
[4:08] How to use external visual senses helps create a relaxed, comfortable environment.
[7:38] Internal visuals that help moms go deeper during relaxation and birth.
[11:34] Re-framing discomfort with the power of your mind and how to re-program your thoughts.
[12:42] The importance of the sounds, music, words, meditations that you're putting in your head and the right ones to use.
[15:45] How ...
Birth: Enneagram Type 1
Jan 21, 2020
Feeling like things need to be perfect for your birth? Do you have high expectations for yourself, your provider, your birth team and your partner? Let me guess...you kinda think you know what's best and your preparation consists of research, lists and checking off all of your accomplishments as you go. Well, mama, we made this episode just for you!
[3:38] Enneagram 1 strengths
[11:21] Watch out for these
[17:54] Advice for partners
[22:10] Why Enneagrams 1's love the My Essential Birth Course
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't want you to miss a thing. Plus we have some really neat bonus episodes coming and if you're not subscribed you may miss them. Click >>here<< to subscribe in iTunes!
AND if you love all the great birth discussions, tips, and tricks you're hearing, make sure to head over to iTunes and give us a review. It will help other mamas just like you
...How NOT to Write a Birth Plan
Jan 15, 2020
There's really never a question of "if" you should create a birth plan. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. We break down the do's and don'ts of writing a birth plan and the "why" behind what you choose. Plus we include an exercise at the end of this episode that will help you envision your ideal birth before you write it all out.
[3:17] Cortney shares a shocking but true story about her personal experience with a provider that did not support having a birth plan.
[8:54] The DON'TS for a Birth Plan
[11:14] The DO's for a Birth Plan
[16:30] Things that were important to us to have on our birth plans. Spoiler alert, they are very different from each other.
[21:28] An exercise on how to envision your ideal birth
[24:24] Have questions about writing your birth plan? Send us a dm on Instagram!
Subscribe & Review in iTunes
If you haven't subscribed to the podcast yet, you definitely should! We love breathing life into our mamas and don't wan
...Assembling Your Dream Birth Team
Dec 27, 2019
If you want your dream birth, you need a dream birth team! They're kinda like the Avengers, but they have latex gloves & tired smiles instead of magical hammers and flying suits. Your dream team should consist of people who enthusiastically support your birth goals 100% and who have a track record of success. Second only to the knowledge & preparation you acquire through taking a super amazing birth course (wink!), your birth team is one of the most influential aspects in the outcome of your experience.
[3:22] 2 Categories of your birth team
[7:25] Why it's important to know what kind of birth you want and to have supporting information/research when you go to talk to those you love about supporting you in this birth.
[9:44] What do you do if you have some family members that may be imposing themselves on your space but you don't necessarily want them there?
[12:41] Your physical birth team - These people should support you 100%!
[15:09] HOW to find a great provider.
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