My work revolves around women and birthing people, and naturally my guests on the podcast are mainly of that experience! However, today we are mixing things up a bit and exploring the transition to parenthood from a man’s perspective. Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Dan Doty. Dan is a father of 3, a husband, an outdoorsman and a meditator. He is the co-founder of Fatherhood Ready and Fatherhood Unlocked. He was the co-founder of men's org EVRYMAN and the producer director of hit tv show MeatEater. He has been featured in the NYTimes, Men's Health, the Today Show and the Joe Rogan Experience. In this episode, we dive into how fatherhood has evolved across generations and what it looks like for men today. Dan shares solid, practical tools for men on how to show up for their partners and children, and I know you’ll find this conversation incredibly valuable. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re talking all about my favorite: The pelvic floor. From how the pelvic floor changes in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, to what the signs and symptoms to see a pelvic floor PT are, to what happens at an actual appointment… we cover it all. Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Dr. Amy Stein. Amy is a premiere physical therapist and is at the forefront of treating pelvic floor disfunction and pelvic pain. In addition to being the founder of Beyond Basics PT, Amy has served as the President – and is currently on the advisory board – of the International Pelvic Pain Society. As an award-winning author, Amy has written books on pelvic pain (Heal Pelvic Pain) and endometriosis (Beating Endo: How to reclaim your life from Endometriosis) and created a video on pelvic pain (Healing Pelvic Pain and Abdominal Pain). Amy is also a co-editor of Healing in Urology as well as a featured author in many medical textbooks, including Pelvic Pain Management, Female Sexual Pain Disorders: Evaluation and Management, Management of Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women, and The Overactive Pelvic Floor. Amy’s bio speaks for itself, and it goes without saying that she is the ideal person to have on for this discussion which I am so happy to bring you. Happy listening and happy learning! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you preparing for a subsequent child? If you answered yes, then today’s episode is a must-listen. Today, we’re discussing the topic of introducing a new sibling into the family,… specifically to your first child. Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Alyssa Blask Campbell. Alyssa is a teacher, parent, and emotional development expert with a master’s degree in early childhood education. She is a co-creator of the Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP), the host of the podcast, "Voices of Your Village” and the author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions. Today’s episode is the ultimate guide to preparing for this transition; we’ll be going over how to help your first child understand this adjustment and shift of attention, how you as a parent can re-organize certain systems around both kids, and how you as a parent can prepare for all of this. Alyssa is an absolute joy to learn from, and I have no doubt that you’ll walk away from this episode with the most valuable tools and tips. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is so common to put a lot of care, effort, and attention towards pregnancy and birth. And- it goes without saying- the prenatal period is incredibly important. However, the postpartum phase is a hugely transitional time for new parents and deserves equal consideration and planning. So let’s dive into it! Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies to discuss Postpartum is Elaine Keller-Duemig. Elaine is a certified nurse midwife and the owner of Central Park Midwifery, a private midwifery practice in Manhattan that attends hospital births. Elaine earned her bachelor's degree in Women's Studies and a certificate in LGBT studies from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. She earned a nursing degree at Quinnipiac University, and has a midwifery masters degree from Columbia University. Prior to midwifery, she worked as a labor and delivery and postpartum nurse in several hospitals. In our conversation, we’ll explore how to create a postpartum plan, the importance of healing and rest for the birthing person, essential supplies for new parents, and breastfeeding and lactation. We also get into the subject of relationships- establishing boundaries around visits from family and friends, adapting to adjustments in your primary relationship with your partner, and maintaining your own individuality post-birth. I’m excited for you to hear what Elaine has to say, and I encourage you to jot down some of her valuable tips! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A student once said to me, “Im interested in home birth, but why would I choose to have a home birth?” I had two options. Either I could tell her all my reasons right then and there, or I could find a home birth midwife to come on the podcast and speak on the subject. As you can see, I chose the latter! Today’s guest on Yoga | Birth | Babies is none other than Kara Ffrench. Kara has been a registered nurse since 2006 and became a midwife in 2014. She has spent her midwifery career working in private practice as well as in large hospital systems, and currently attends home birth and hospital births. Additionally, she offers complete patient GYN care.  Join us as we explore the topic of home birth- why some might choose it, who would be a good candidate for home birth, the standard of practice that ensures safety for the laboring person and baby, what a back up plan entails, and much more. If you are considering home birth, I know this conversation will help you in making a decision- whatever that ends up being! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're exploring one of the most powerful tools for birth: movement. When we consider movement during labor and delivery, it raises questions such as: Does the shape and size of your pelvis impact the birthing process? How does the pelvis open? Can you move effectively if you have an epidural? Join us as we delve into the importance of movement (and advocating for it!) in birth. To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I am joined by Brittany Sharpe McCollum. Brittany is a Perinatal Pelvic Biomechanics Educator, a labor support doula, and a childbirth educator. She is also the owner of Blossoming Bellies Wholistic Birth Services based out of the greater Philadelphia PA area. Brittany is a wealth of knowledge, so you can rest assured knowing that you’ll gain valuable insights from this episode. Ultimately, my hope is that this discussion instills you with a new level of confidence in your body’s ability to bring baby into the world. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a saying that goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know,” and this is especially true when it comes to prepping for birth. If you aren’t informed about the different options for your birth, then how can you be expected to make the most informed decisions in your birth! Today, we’ll be diving into the key differences between a hospital-led childbirth education class and an independent-led childbirth education class. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I am joined by Ceridwen Morris. Ceridwen is an author, childbirth educator and doula who has supported thousands of expectant parents in New York City for over twenty years. She is the author of the forthcoming How to Give Birth (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, 2025). Morris served on the board of The Childbirth Education Association of Metropolitan New York for five years, and ran the education program at Tribeca Pediatrics for ten years. She has taught at Real Birth, City Births, NYC Birth Prep and Prenatal Yoga Center. As you give this episode a listen, I hope it inspires you to bring questions to your care provider that explore how the birthing experience can be tailored to your preferences, versus you having to conform to hospital policies and protocols. Enjoy this informative episode! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re diving into the birth story of a student who completed her teacher training with us last year- while pregnant! It was truly special to witness her journey as a student at PYC, both in our training and our classes. When she shared details of her wonderful and positive birth experience with me, I knew I had to have her on the podcast to share her story with all of you. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I am joined by Jessica Roback. Jessica is a digital marketer and yoga instructor living in the Chicago suburbs with her family. Music, movement, and writing are her passions and you can usually find her playing with her kids, going for a walk, or planning her next outdoor adventure. It’s no secret that there are many fear-based ideas surrounding birth, and one of the reasons I wanted to feature Jessica’s story is that it offers an empowering and positive perspective. While hearing a positive birth story won’t guarantee a similar experience, embracing an empowering lens can certainly open up opportunities for hope, empowerment, and excitement about birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes, the most challenging aspect of parenting is the work we do on ourselves. It involves reflecting on our own childhood experiences and understanding how they shape our view of parenthood today. It also requires taking emotional accountability- managing our reactions and behaviors instead of blaming others or projecting our issues onto them. It might seem overwhelming just to read that, so today we're breaking it down with the concept of Conscious Parenting. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I am joined by Bryana Kappadakunnel. Bryana is a seasoned professional in the fields of perinatal, infant, and early childhood mental health. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who primarily focuses on 0-5 year old children, Bryana has worked in a therapeutic preschool, community mental health settings, and now runs her own private practice and online community called Conscious Mommy. In our conversation, we define Conscious Parenting, explore the importance of reflecting on our emotional reactions, discuss how to manage parental emotional triggers, and differentiate between setting boundaries and exerting control or punishment. We also tackle the challenging topic of apologizing to our children. It’s undoubtedly hard work, but by better understanding ourselves, we can better understand our children and become more effective and compassionate parents. I hope you enjoy this episode. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When today’s guest reached out to me about bringing a pediatric physical therapy conversation to the table, I was all in. Apart from my well-known love for all things anatomy and my own experience with PT, I was really curious how it even works with newborns and babies! For this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I am joined by Dr. Emily Schlict. Emily is a pediatric physical therapist who primarily treats patients from birth to 5 years old. She is trained in dynamic movement intervention (DMI) and Schroth Therapy for Scoliosis. Emily is also a Board Certified Autism Specialist. Emily is the owner of EMpower PT, which provides pediatric physical therapy to children in their homes throughout Manhattan. In this conversation, Emily goes over the reasons a newborn may need to see a physical therapist, what PT looks like for a newborn or baby under three, and how to recognize when it may be time for parents to seek out PT for their child. We even discuss some general things, aside from PT, that you can do with your newborn to help them develop and reach their milestones. I am really excited for you to hear this conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having a child with special needs can be both an isolating and challenging experience, but it also offers endless opportunities for learning, acceptance, and education. There are many different kinds of special needs, but today we're focusing on the “unseen” disabilities of neurodiverse children and the unique experiences of their parents. Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies is Susanna Peace Lovell. Susanna received her B.A. from UC Berkeley and is an author, speaker, disability rights advocate and certified professional life coach dedicated to the health and wellness of disability families everywhere. This is also her lived experience raising a teenage daughter with a myriad disabilities and diagnoses including ASD (autism spectrum disorder), ADHD, anxiety and severe food allergies. If you're a parent of a child with disabilities, I hope this conversation offers you support and validation. For those who are close to families with disabilities, this episode aims to show how you can be a supportive ally. Tune in as Susanna openly shares her journey with her daughter, offers advice on finding the right resources and care providers, and discusses how parents can advocate effectively for themselves, their families, and their children. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we're diving into a community birth story that’s far more than just a tale of delivery. Ready for some intriguing details? My guest recently welcomed her third baby. She’s been a dedicated student at PYC for nine years, and she’s been featured on the YBB podcast three times, sharing insights from all three of her births. But there’s even more… each of her births involved induction, each for different reasons. Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Yali Szulanski. Yali is an educational wellness consultant, a trauma-informed emotion specialist, teacher, and writer. She received her master's in psychology and education from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a special certification in spirituality mind-body integration. Yali is currently on track to receive her rabbinic ordination in 2025 and is also the youth director at the Hebrew Institute in Riverdale, where she lives with her family.  Yali brings a wealth of philosophical wisdom and life perspective to our conversation that I can’t for you to hear. Join us as we uncover how something as seemingly simple as a running practice can be equally as profound as giving birth to 3 children. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are speaking on a hot topic: tongue tie. The reason tongue tie is a hot topic is because it has been a controversial subject for a while now! Naturally, I wanted to understand why- which brought us to the guest and interview you’ll hear today. To have this conversation with me on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Stephanie Heintzeler. Stephanie is a German educated midwife and acupuncturist as well as US-educated birth doula and Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).  Stephanie comes to this conversation with so much knowledge, and I know you will learn so much in this episode. If you’ve ever been curious or confused about tongue tie, sit back and relax because this episode will take away the mystery and fill in the blanks. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:   Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matrescence, A.K.A. becoming a mother/parent, is a developmental milestone that brings forth a major identity shift within us. Every parent’s personal definition of this milestone will be wildly different, and each journey will look a myriad of different ways, but a universal perspective we can adopt about matrescence is that it can be an opportunity to grow more into ourselves. To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Emese Parker. Emese is a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner, pregnancy & motherhood support specialist, award-winning author, public health geek, mama, and matrescence activist. She has been in the healthcare field for over 20 years and is passionate about supporting and empowering women, promoting perinatal mental health wellness, and walking with women through various life transitions—especially pregnancy and motherhood. I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation on matrescence. Although this life transition can be full of new-baby bliss, it can also be a messy, bumpy road. So how can we navigate that? How does the view of motherhood in our society contribute to this road? How do we want to respond, and what kind of parent do we want to be? Gain insight into these questions and so much more. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re looking at the title of this episode thinking, “I’ve never heard of cholestasis”… you’re not alone! That being said, it’s important to know about as it can occur in 1-2 in every 1,000 pregnancies. So let’s talk about cholestasis in pregnancy- the symptoms, the treatment, how it is diagnosed, and how one can deal with this in pregnancy.  To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Donna Benavides. Donna is a mother who experienced Cholestasis of Pregnancy and is now blessed with two healthy teens, Branden & Evan, and her angel baby Jorden. She’s dedicated her time and advocacy to Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) and is the Founder of ICP Care 501(c)(3) nonprofit. She is also a registered prenatal yoga teacher! Donna has had ICP in all 3 of her pregnancies, and she graciously shares the knowledge and experience she’s gained on the diagnosis through our honest conversation. If you have ICP or it comes up later on in your pregnancy, we want you to know how to advocate for yourself in order to find the support you need in guiding you through a healthy pregnancy. **CW: In this episode, there is mention of a stillbirth. This experience is shared about within the first 16 minutes. Please feel free to skip ahead, because there is so much good advice offered throughout the rest of our conversation as well.** Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we have a community birth story that will literally take you on a wild ride. In just one short but juicy hour, you’ll find an illustration of pregnancy over 40, preparation for birth from a yoga teacher perspective, and multiple twists and turns in a birth story. Today’s Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have with me Renata DiBiase. Renata is a book designer and yoga teacher residing on eastern Long Island with her husband and newborn baby. She is also a PYC Prenatal Teacher Training alumni! Believing in yourself isn’t always an easy feat, but Renata exemplifies just that in her birth. Throughout this conversation, so many lessons of resilience, strength, and staying in the present can be found. I hope you leave this episode feeling just as inspired as I did. CW: In this conversation, there is mention of a miscarriage and a premature birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that the number of babies born to first time parents in the US who are over 35 has been steadily increasing? I see countless parents in the PYC community (including myself) have their first child over 35. So why have we heard that it’s difficult and more dangerous to conceive after 35? What happens (or doesn’t happen) at 35 to the body and how might this affect your pregnancy and birth? To answer this question I invited Dr. Nicole Rankins back to Yoga|Birth |Babies. This is my third episode with Dr. Rankins. She’s an incredible guest. As an OB/GYN she’s helped over 1,500 babies into the world. She also has an amazing podcast All About Pregnancy & Birth that I turn to for grounded scientific information that feels like it’s coming from a dear friend. In today’s episode Dr. Nicole and I talk about the risks and benefits of having babies over 35. We talk about fertility, how care may or may not be different for those over 35, and how managed or not managed your birth may need to be. Dr. Nicole dispels some huge myths. For those of you concerned about pregnancy over 35 this episode will calm and soothe your mind. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re delving into a universal experience: the challenge of control. Have you ever wondered why it can be so hard to let things organically happen? Or questioned what it is that’s behind the desire to control in the first place? As much as it would be fabulous to control everything, it simply isn’t possible. And, you guessed it; this rings especially true in pregnancy and parenthood.  Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have with me Dr. Britta Bushnell to have this conversation. Britta is the author of Transformed by Birth, a childbirth educator, a mentor to other birth professionals, and a now 3rd-time guest on this podcast! Throughout this conversation, we dive into the ins and outs of control: why we want it, how we try to get it, how it shows up as we prepare for pregnancy and beyond, and whether or not it actually serves us to have it. Furthermore, we explore the idea of how to stoke the curiosity of something without trying to manage it in a certain way. So join us as we unpack these layers, promising a conversation that will leave you with a new sense of awareness. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s no secret that getting good sleep is vital in living a healthy life. However, sleep becomes crucial in the fourth trimester- the newborn phase! When baby and you develop healthy sleep patterns, it benefits the whole family. But I know what you’re thinking: “Easier said than done.” Well, to have this conversation with me today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have Kristine Petterson. Kristine is a birth doula, a Pre/Postnatal yoga instructor, and a Mindful Sleep and Parenting Educator. And, as a sleep consultant, Kristine’s knowledge on fourth trimester sleep proves promising. Throughout the conversation, we dive into the importance of a healthy sleep relationship, Kristine’s belief in babies' ability to self-soothe, and we go over some tangible tips in creating better sleep hygiene for you and your newborn. Trust me, you’ll want to listen to this conversation (even a couple of times) to take some notes! Cheers to getting better sleep. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the best things about founding and developing Prenatal Yoga Center has been getting the chance to foster and grow our perinatal community. Throughout the months during (and after) their pregnancy, our students and staff get to know each other through rich dialogue where we work through things that come up, connect on shared experiences, and learn from different ones! Being so invested in their journey leading up to birth, I always feel fortunate when I get to hear how baby came into the world. So today, we have one of my favorite episode types: a community birth story. On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have former prenatal student Alicia Krakauer. Alicia is a born and bred New Yorker, a musical theater actress, and singer songwriter. After finishing her graduate degree at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, she met her husband Liam back in 2014. They now live back in her hometown of NYC, and have just welcomed their first baby boy, Alastair, who was born at Lenox Hill just like his mommy! Alicia gets candid about the twists and turns that occurred in her birth and gives wonderful advice on how to process duality; allowing the space for more than one thing to be true, in both birth and postpartum. This is such an organic conversation, and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought about the importance of having your body internally balanced for labor and birth? Today we discuss The Body Ready Method and how it can assist you in your birth, because let’s be honest: so much of a functional birth is the work we do ahead of time! On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I’m speaking with Taylor Lee Bello, a Body Ready Method Professional and Birth Doula serving NYC and the tri-state area. Her practice enhances the body for birth, empowers new parents, and ultimately supports optimal labor and delivery experiences through hands-on work, comfort measures and emotional support, while advocating for her clients to experience their desired birth outcome. If you’ve ever wondered about where to open the pelvis to help baby through, as well as what to do when/if labor stalls, then this episode is for you. Bringing so much insight into the conversation, Taylor gives new and expectant parents the advice to always ask why! She stresses the importance of seeking options and affirms that knowledge is power, especially in birth. Lastly, she reminds you to always listen to your gut and never be afraid to seek support… because it’s there for a reason. Resources: https://Bodyreadymethod.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com (*hyperlink episode link from Wordpress!) Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re talking about how to overcome, and avoid, traumatic childbirth experiences. My guest for this conversation, Rebecca, shared with me a statistic that blew my mind: 35-45% of people report having a traumatic birth… An absolutely enormous number! Throughout our conversation, Rebecca shares some key factors that play a role resulting in traumatic birth experiences, red flags to keep an eye out for when working with your care provider, and 3 top-tier tips for preparing for childbirth. Additionally, we go into her expert’s take on elective labor induction, how to advocate for yourself, and different birthing positions. We round out our wonderful conversation with how parents and those in the birth team can learn to advocate for themselves if they are feeling pressured or coerced by their care provider. The information in this conversation is so rich and I’m hoping that by the end of this conversation, you’re going to feel so much more ready to move into that experience and have the confidence of your team around you. Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN joins me for this special conversation. Rebecca Dekker, a nurse with her PhD, is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered! Previously, Dr. Dekker was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Kentucky. In 2016, she shifted gears to focus full time on the mission of Evidence Based Birth.® Dr. Dekker is also host of the Evidence Based Birth® Podcast! Rebecca would like to offer the advice to expectant parents to do the research in finding the right care provider for you and educate yourself in building a supportive birth team. It is never too late, and it may feel like a trap, but you can be creative and resourceful in finding a way to get people who you trust at your birth. If it’s not possible to switch, then make sure you have strong advocates in the room with you that are ready to speak on your behalf. Rebecca would like you to know that it’s not your fault if your care provider is abusing you and it’s not your job to find another doctor to replace them. Most the time, there's somebody else who can step in, and most of the time they come in really willing to help and feeling bad that you've had a bad experience. Resources: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Babies-Are-Not-Pizzas-Delivered/dp/1732549664 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I am so excited for you to hear this conversation on one of my favorite subjects: diastasis recti. This is a conversation I especially wanted to have because I love learning and teaching about diastasis and the pelvic floor! We talk about what diastasis is, the misconceptions, how to heal, and what we can do to strengthen the linea alba. Anna and I dive right in, and full disclosure: we get a little geeky. We have a special guest today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, Anna Hammond. Anna has her doctorate in physical therapy and has been a physical therapist (DPT) for 15 years. She’s an orthopedic certified specialist and a certified strength and conditioning coach. She’s now the head PT at Core Exercise Solutions, where she assists in program development, creating continuing education, mentorship, 1:1 consultations, and leading their Learning Through Applications membership. I myself completed the Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist certification program a few years ago when I wanted to learn even more! I think those who are pregnant and postpartum will really enjoy hearing this conversation to understand how their body is working and understand diastasis. Additionally, anyone in the fitness world who is working with the perinatal community is going to get a lot out of this. Anna would like to offer the advice to new and expectant parents to make time for yourself and connect with your body. There’s a lot of emotion involved with healing the body postpartum, as it can sometimes feel like you and your body are speaking two different languages. However, like any relationship, the more you connect with it, the more you’re going to have a better relationship. It’s all about how to trouble-shoot your own body and how you can understand it better. This helps give a sense of empowerment, because you start to gather what you can do in the meantime before the checkup, and take control. Understanding that postpartum has many seasons is crucial in managing expectations, while keeping yourself accountable and taking action with your healing! Resources: https://www.coreexercisesolutions.com/pces/ (Pregnancy and Postpartum Exercise Specialist course) Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a beautiful community birth story from Prenatal Yoga Center graduate, Courtney Vasserman! I personally loved this story and think it will be inspiring, relatable, and encouraging for our community to listen to. Courtney takes us through how she prepared for birth, including the methodology and tools she found incredibly impactful from classes at PYC, along with the coping skills she used and how those varied from early labor, to active labor, to transition. This story is absolutely beautiful, as Courtney speaks on the empowerment and trust she found in her body, yet honest in the sense that she doesn’t shy away from describing her postpartum challenges- pelvic floor issues, breastfeeding struggles, and feelings of isolation. I appreciate how she opens the curtain to what a lot of people experience, and offers affirmation to those who need know they aren’t alone and will get through it. Sharing her birth story today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, Prenatal Yoga Center graduate Courtney Vasserman grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and currently lives in New York, where she has worked as an advertising strategist since 2012. She lives in Manhattan with her husband Alex, her mini Bernedoodle Muffin, and now her 4.5 month old baby girl Sophie, who she is so in love with. She has always dreamed of being a mother. Courtney would like to offer the advice that it is okay to slow down, especially in the postpartum experience. She acknowledges that, especially for those like her who are career driven and type-A, it may be hard to learn and accept this concept in the first few months. However it is okay to spend five days in bed when you’ve just given birth! It’s okay to ask someone else to hold the baby or not go on that mile walk. She reminds us to acknowledge the little accomplishments in those tender postpartum months. Courtney reassures that you don’t need to be running around, and that slowing down will be better for both you and your family in the long-run. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you thought about what happens right after baby is born?  Today we dive into what to expect following baby’s birth and how to navigate the first 12 weeks of life.  We discuss many topics including umbilical cord care, circumcision care and even how to bathe your baby.  We also dive into the subject of feeding and what to anticipate the first week.  Although the newborn phase may be overwhelming, our guest Dr. Wendy Hunter, approaches this conversation in an accessible way that makes it easy to follow and understand.   Dr. Wendy Hunter joins us to have this discussion today on, Yoga| Birth| Babies.  Wendy Hunter, MD is a pediatrician in San Diego, CA. She rounds on newborns at Scripps Hospital. Her podcast “The Pediatrician Next Door'' mixes the science of medicine with the realities of parenting.  She incorporates integrative therapies into her practice. Dr. Hunter would like to normalize the anxiety parents may feel during the newborn phase.  She encourages parents to recognize the anxiety they feel during this period is okay and normal.  She says that having a baby and acknowledging the responsibility of taking care of the child, may cause anxious thoughts.  She wants parents to know that they are not alone and there are resources and ways to find help.  She recommends that parents use their pediatrician as a resource to answer questions and give advice regarding their newborn.  She also reinforces there are professionals that want to assist parents during this time and recommends parents seek help. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may be more aware of what you are eating during pregnancy, however, have you considered how nutrition may affect your birth and postpartum?  In today’s discussion we explore gut health and how your body works during the prenatal and postnatal phase.  We look at gut issues and the treatment for these issues.  We also dive into a conversation around bowel movements because this can tell you so much about your digestive health.  This is an informative discussion that will help you make the connection between what you eat and how it affects your body, especially during pregnancy.  On this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, we welcome Bridgitte Mallinson to have this conversation.  Bridgitte is a functional medicine dietitian, business mentor and the founder and CEO of GutPersonal, a supplement company that empowers everyone to eliminate gut issues for good through a personalized approach.  After healing a lifelong struggle with her gut, she has spent a decade studying functional medicine and nutrition as a registered functional dietitian. Bridgitte advises parents to give themselves grace during the postnatal phase.  Taking care of a newborn can be overwhelming and she recommends that parent be compassionate with themselves.  She also reminds parents to eat three balanced meals a day, with protein, fat, and carbohydrates.  Sometimes new parents are so focused on taking care of baby, that they may forget to eat.  She highlights that they need energy to take care of their child, making it important for them to have proper nutrition as well. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you find it harder to create friendships as an adult?  Today we talk about friendships and how they can be difficult to navigate, especially during parenthood.  Our guest discusses common conflicts that arise between parents as well as ways to better maintain these connections.  If you are a parent or an expectant parent, this conversation will shed light on why friendships are more complex during this phase.  Our guest Danielle, is easy to talk to and gives great advice for parents navigating these new waters.   To dive deeper into this topic, on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have Danielle Bayard Jackson.  Danielle is a female friendship coach and educator who speaks nationally about the science of women’s platonic connections.  She is also the author of Fighting for Our Friendships (May 2024).  Danielle’s coaching business, Friend Forward, is dedicated to teaching women how to create and maintain better female friendships.  Danielle recommends that parents should be intentional with their time.  She says it’s challenging to be available to everyone when they are focusing on raising children.  She advises parents to choose a few close friends to spend time with to avoid becoming overwhelmed by too many obligations.  She also encourages parents to reframe what spending time with friends looks like.  Perhaps running errands with a friend is more feasible than planning a four-hour brunch on a Saturday.  She highlights that friends don’t need to be entertained, they just want to spend time together.  Danielle gives down to earth advice that is very helpful for parents.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you considered how your endocrine system might affect your fertility or pregnancy?  Today we dive into the topic of endocrine disruptors and how they may adversely affect your system.   Although these endocrine disruptors are everywhere in our environment, the good news is there are ways to limit your exposure.  Our guest today shares practical tips that you can use immediately to limit your exposure to these environmental factors.  She gives great advice on how to find a healthy balance that will benefit your family and the next generation.   To have this conversation, we welcome Sarah Thompson on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies.  Sarah is a board-certified diplomat of oriental medicine, certified functional medicine practitioner, and birth doula. She is also the author of Functional Maternity – Using Functional Medicine and Nutrition to Improve Pregnancy and Childbirth Outcomes. Sarah recommends that parents should try to control what they can in their environment and let go of what they cannot control.  Although it may seem daunting, she believes the goal is to give kids the best chance at success by limiting their exposure to toxins.  She says parents are able to control what goes into their bodies and on their skin, which will give them the opportunity to reduce damage caused by harmful chemicals.  She advises parents not to be too hard on themselves if they aren’t always able to make the best choices because the journey will not be perfect.   Sarah shares ways parents can limit their exposure to damaging elements in a way that is accessible and easy to understand.  I’m excited for you to hear this discussion.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you considered using midwifery care for your birth?  Perhaps you have questions about what a midwife does or how they differ from a traditional OBGYN.  Today we are going to talk all about midwives.  I think midwives are fantastic, they hold a special place in my heart because my own births were attended by a midwife.  In this conversation we will dive deeper into the midwifery model of care.  What is a midwife?  What are some misconceptions around midwifery care?  How does midwifery differ from a more traditional OBGYN?  What is a midwife’s involvement in labor and birth?  Who’s a good candidate to work with a midwife?  We got you covered on so many topics about midwifery, if you had any doubt of what midwifery was, by the end of this conversation you will be crystal clear. Casey is full of passion and knowledge, I am really excited for you to hear her perspective and all her wonderful ideas!  To have this conversation, I have Casey Selzer joining us today on Yoga| Birth| Babies.  Casey Selzer, CNM, is a midwife with over 15 years of clinical experience.  She has worked in both private practice and public health care models including in hospital birth centers.  She has a passion for education and has served as adjunct faculty at the Columbia University School of Nursing.  Casey encourages parents to spend time in the third trimester building a birth team and a labor tool kit for a positive birth experience.  Nonetheless, she also stresses the importance of planning for the postpartum phase.  Although deciding what kind of birthing experience to have is imperative, she believes it is equally important to build a postpartum plan.  She encourages parents to consider what resources and support they will need to create a village for their family.  She mentions that this part of parenthood is often overlooked, however, she thinks it is critical for parents to build relationships and partnerships that will surround them with community.     Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with my favorite type of podcast episode, a birth story!  We’ve been able to create an amazing community of students here at PYC.  I see many of these students twice, sometimes three time a week.  I get to know them, hear their stories, listen to their concerns and I am able to share with them what I’ve learned.  Today we have Katie Lohiya, sharing her birth story.  She has been part of our PYC community since she was 13 weeks pregnant.  She attended class 2-3 times per week, even when she wasn’t in NYC she would join online, which I absolutely adored. I was able get to know Katie well.  We have a similar background, we are both dancers and performers and I resonated with her.  When I asked her to share her birth story she said “absolutely.” Katie tells a beautiful birth story.  I am deeply honored that as she was explaining her story, her time at PYC was very much interwoven into her birth.  I am very appreciative that the time we spent together helped her throughout her labor experience.  On today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we’ve invited Katie Lohiya, one of our community members.  She is originally from Chicago but has lived in NYC for 14 years.  Katie graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BFA in Dance.  Before having her daughter, she danced professionally for a contemporary company (Lydia Johnson Dance) and has taught extensively throughout NYC.  She’s been married to her husband Vaibhav for 10 years and they live on the Upper West Side. Katie recommends that parents trust their instincts when it comes to pregnancy, birth and parenthood.  She points out that there is so much information to sift through, that it helps to tap into their own intuition.  Whether it’s finding the right provider, advocating for themselves in labor, or getting a second opinion from a pediatrician, she believes that if parents trust their inner voice they will ultimately make the best decision for their family.  Katie’s story is heartfelt and candid.  I’m really excited for you to hear her story, it’s very special! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does the health of the pelvic floor impact birth?  It is so important to have a healthy pelvic floor in order to have a functional birth and a healthy body.  This is one of my favorite topics!  If you’ve been a listener of Yoga| Birth| Babies, you know that anytime I have an opportunity to talk about the pelvic floor, I will bring an expert on to do so.  Not only have I picked the brain of many experts on this topic, I have taken multiple certifications focused on pelvic floor health. Today we will talk about the function of the pelvic floor, how it impacts birth, how to prepare the pelvic floor for birth and ways to relax the pelvic floor.  We will also discuss Kegels and their role in pelvic floor balance. To have this conversation, I have Kara Mortifoglio joining us today on Yoga| Birth| Babies. Kara is a pelvic health specialist, and co-owns a physical therapy practice in Manhattan, Long Island and Westchester.  She specializes in treating all pelvic floor disorders including pregnancy, postpartum, bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction. Kara believes that as parents get closer to the birth of their baby, it’s really important to allow their bodies to rest.  Avoiding Kegels as well as vigorous activity can help the pelvic floor be relaxed for labor.  She points out that the more relaxed the pelvic floor is, often times the easier the delivery will be.  She thinks that less is more when preparing the pelvic floor for birth.  Kara and I have a really great conversation, I think you are going to get a lot of useful information out of it!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you do strength training while pregnant?  Today we will talk about strength training for pregnancy, birth and beyond.  This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart because I believe that strength training can help prepare your body for birth, help you be more comfortable during pregnancy, and help you rehab postpartum.  In this conversation we will discuss common misconceptions about strength training during pregnancy, including safe practices, warning signs and when to return to strength training postpartum.   To dive into this conversation on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have Nicole Scheitlin.  She is the Founder of Strong Mama Wellness and mom of two. Nicole is a Certified Exercise Physiologist, Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist, and Health Coach with over 12 years of experience in the fitness industry. Nicole would like to encourage new parents to think of exercise as a way to support their bodies through their natural changes and move away from seeing exercise as a way to achieve an aesthetic goal.  She would like parents to switch their mindset and view exercise as a powerful way to support their bodies and energy levels through parenthood.  You will get so much out of this conversation! You are going to walk away feeling empowered to exercise and know that this can help prepare you for the path ahead.    Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parents are you thinking about your child’s growth and development and how to help them hit their milestones?  Our guest today is an occupational therapist who focuses on sensory play for babies.  In this discussion she talks about why sensory play is important for your baby and how you can integrate it into your daily activities.  She reviews the different senses and shares that there are actually eight of them, I thought there were only five!  We also have a conversation about the importance of toys and how they have an impact on your child’s development and sensory awareness.   Little secret, when it comes to toys, less is more and without batteries is even better.   We welcome Allie Ticktin on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies.  Allie is an occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration.  She is the founder of Play 2 Progress and the author of the book, ‘Play to Progress: Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play.’Allie believes that the best way to support children is by arming their parents, from inception, with the knowledge and skills necessary to encourage their child’s development for success through childhood and beyond. She highly recommends that parents spend time on the floor with their babies.  She encourages them to make it a technology free zone and to lay on the floor with their babies face to face.  As they get older that will continue to evolve.  She says when in doubt, get on the floor and start playing!  Allie has a lot of really great down to earth information that I think you will find super valuable.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a birth story from one of our community members Sydney Pollock.  I had the privilege of watching Sydney go through her whole pregnancy at PYC.  She started taking class very early in her pregnancy and the last class that she took was the day her water broke, two days before she was supposed to be induced!  Sydney shares her birth story with me and recounts the surprises that happened during her experience.   As we were talking about the highs and lows and some of the unanticipated outcomes of her birth, she spoke about how her care provider was incredibly supportive.  The way her birth team treated her made the difference between her having a dramatic birth experience versus a traumatic one.  Sydney’s birth story is an example of how birth doesn’t have to go exactly how we envisioned for it to feel empowering.  Birth can have its unexpected turns, but you don’t have to be traumatized by it.  Despite its twists and turns, you can still feel incredibly supported and taken care of by the people around you.  That support can have a positive impact on how you view your birth experience.   On this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we welcome Sydney Pollock.  She is a first-time mom to her baby Abigail.  She is a therapist (LCSW) in private practice and specializes in children ages 0-5 as well as pregnancy/postpartum (PMH-C).  She lives in NYC with her husband, baby Abigail and two dogs Cooper and Milo. Sydney emphasizes that her birth story would have gone very differently if she did not fully trust her care provider.  She believes that having confidence in your provider allows for a more positive birth experience and encourages parents to seek a provider they trust.   She is grateful for the care she received from her birth team and hopes that other parents will have the same level of care.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is PCOS and how does it affect fertility?  Today we will discuss PCOS – Polycystic ovarian syndrome and how it impacts infertility and pregnancy.  If you have PCOS, this conversation will give you information on how to advocate for your best pregnancy.  As we dive into this topic, we will examine the role the environment plays on the endocrine system and on hormones in general.  After having this conversation, I actually went through my beauty products and cleaning supplies and got rid of many of them.  As I learned more about this subject, I realized how delicate our bodies are and how outside factors can greatly influence our health, especially when looking at PCOS.   We welcome Doreen Block and Dr. Aumatma Simmons on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies.   Doreen Bloch is the Founder of ELLEMENT, the first personalized prenatal supplement company. She is a Forbes 30 Under 30 CEO who has pioneered a patent-pending prenatal supplement solution after discovering the challenges with bioavailability and customization from every other prenatal on the market.  Dr. Aumatma is a double board-certified Naturopathic Doctor & Endocrinologist, in practice for close to 15 years. She specializes in fertility and is the best-selling author of two books: “Fertility Secrets: What Your Doctor Didn’t Tell You About Baby-Making” and “(In)Fertility: Struggles, Secrets, & Successes.” Doreen recommends that new parents trust their instincts.  She reminds them that this is their journey and they know what is best for their families. Dr. Aumatma suggests that parents consider removing toxins from their environment as soon as possible, even before conception.  She acknowledges that this can be an overwhelming task and advices to take it slow.  She recommends starting with one change and then slowly altering habits.  This is a big topic, however, I really appreciate how this discussion is easy to follow and understand.  I think you will get a lot out of it! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have a beautiful birth story today, that I am excited to share with you!  Perhaps you are moving through your own pregnancy or birth experience right now and wondering what it will be like.  Something to think about as this story unfolds, is the importance of a flexible mind.   A student in class shared with me that she was feeling very tight in her hips and concerned that her tension would affect how she gave birth.  I told her that birth didn’t necessarily require a flexible body, however, it did require a flexible mind.  My guest Rikke, demonstrated this ability as she worked with the twists and turns of her birth and had a beautiful experience. She discusses how even though it wasn’t the birth she envisioned, ultimately it was supportive and peaceful. Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with Rikke Le Kirkegaard, to learn about her extraordinary birth experience.  Rikki is originally from Denmark and has lived in New York since 2019 with her Italian husband.  She has worked for UNICEF since 2015 – first four years in Tanzania and now over four years in New York. If circumstances don’t turn out the way parents expect or hope, Rikke suggests they spend their energy shaping the new narrative into something that works for them.  Instead of giving their attention to trying to change the situation, she recommends embracing it and allowing it to be.  In this way, she hopes parents can enjoy this unique time in their lives, instead of worrying about conditions that are out of their control.  I really appreciate Rikke’s openness and vulnerability during this conversation.  I am excited for you to hear this inspiring birth story!   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you feel overwhelmed by all the parenting choices available now?  In today’s podcast we discuss feeling confident in your choices as a parent.  We have so much information at our fingertips in 2024, it can be challenging to sort it all out.  Perhaps you feel conflicted about where to find reliable information or maybe you are experiencing decision fatigue.   I’ve invited Sharon Mazel, internationally recognized pregnancy and parenting expert, to talk about how we can feel grounded and confident in our parenting choices.  In this conversation, we also discuss myths surrounding baby’s first year, navigating milestones and how to make choices that are right for you and your family.      We welcome Sharon Mazel on this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies.   Sharon is an internationally recognized parenting and pregnancy expert, author, journalist, speaker, parenting coach, and mom of four with over 25 years of experience in the field. Sharon is the author of Bite-Sized Parenting: Your Baby’s First Year and was previously with the What to Expect book series.  Sharon advises new parents to embrace the idea that there is no such thing as a perfect parent.  She says that parenting is a learning curve and everyday parents learn more about themselves and their children.  Sharon believes that if you are always open to learning, then you will make the best choices for your child.  She also suggests taking a look at the bigger picture, especially during moments that feel monumental.  When you are able to take a step back from any situation, you can gain a better perspective on what’s really happening in front of you.   I’m really excited for you to hear this conversation!  I think you are going to get a lot out of this discussion about making the best choices for your family.    Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How would you like your partner to be involved during pregnancy and birth?  Today we dive into a conversation about birth partners and their role in supporting you through your birth experience.  We talk about how to prepare ahead of time by discussing the expectations and dynamics that influence both the emotional and physical aspects of birth and pregnancy.  Sometimes partners are nervous about being involved, however, in this conversation we highlight ways to help them get past that fear so they may be the best partner they can be for you.   On this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we welcome Yiska Obadia.  Yiska is a passionate teacher and healing arts practitioner, with over 25 years of experience as a massage therapist, acupuncturist and birth doula. Yiska would like to encourage expecting parents to prepare and educate themselves about birth and postpartum as much as possible.  She believes that when parents set up a support system and work as a team, they may have a more positive birth and postpartum experience.  I really enjoyed speaking to Yiska.  She is so knowledgeable and gives such great information in this podcast!  This is one to listen to with your partner. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a community birth story.  I love sharing birth stories because they are inspiring and confidence building.  Listening to different scenarios and various journeys, releases the idea that birth has to happen in one way.  Today’s guest, Aly Grobeck, offers a wonderful story filled with humor and candidness.  I really appreciate Aly sharing how important it was for her to listen to her body and stand up for herself throughout her experience.  This is something we talk about in yoga, learning how to listen to your body’s cues, so that when you are in labor, you have the awareness to do what is best for you and your baby.   On this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we welcome Aly Grobeck, one of our PYC students.  She was born and raised in NYC on the upper west side.  She is now preparing to go back to her digital marketing job in the beauty industry after six months of maternity leave. Aly would like to encourage expecting parents to birth with courage and know that they are strong enough to navigate whatever choices they make.  She also says that the period after baby is born may be hard, but it does get easier.  She tells parents not to lose hope if circumstances don’t unfold the way they expect.  She remembers the “dark days,” however, she says those are far behind her now.  I appreciate Aly’s open and honest conversation with me.  I admire how she was able to take charge of her own birth and listen to her body.  I am honored to have Aly be part of our community and share her inspiring birth story.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is a doula and why would you want one?  In today’s episode we will discuss what a doula is, how they play a role in birth, and their ability to enhance what a partner can offer.  I was a labor and support doula for over ten years and know first-hand the benefits of using a doula. Doulas support every family and every type of birth, not just unmedicated births.  It’s not necessary to have one type of birth in mind to receive the assistance of a doula.  During this podcast we will talk about the hard evidence that points to the benefits of having a doula in labor.  This data may help you feel more confident about your choices moving forward.  As a bonus, we also go over questions you may use when you are interviewing a doula.   To go deeper into this conversation on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have Jeanna McNeil. She is a birth doula, birth photographer, & maternal mental health advocate. Her passion is serving women and families locally in Alabama and virtually all over the world.  Jeanna would like to share that birth is not just something to be endured, moreover, it can be a beautiful and empowering experience no matter how or where someone gives birth.  She says, that parents may not remember all the details about their experience, but they will remember how they felt, how they were treated and that experience will carry into parenthood.  Jeanna believes that the way that you birth matters and investing in that experience is invaluable.  You are going to receive so much from this conversation, you won’t want to miss this.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you thought about how your relationship with your partner may be affected during the postpartum period?  Today’s podcast topic came from my students.  I noticed a heated conversation happening before my postnatal yoga class one day.  Several students had gathered together and were talking about how they felt anger and resentment towards their partners.  They felt like so much of the burden of being a new parent fell on their shoulders.  I observed rage, tears and deep emotions during this discussion.  After this conversation, I was inspired to create a podcast about relationships during the postpartum period. I found a speaker, Lauren Tetenbaum, to speak on the subject and why it’s so common to experience anger in the postnatal phase.  Lauren talks about practical ways to work with your partner to lessen the resentment.  She also discusses how to set boundaries and prioritize self-care.   On this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we welcome Lauren A. Tetenbaum LMSW, JD, PMH-C. She is an advocate and therapist who specializes in supporting millennial and young women through life transitions, including professional and personal identity shifts. She is a mother of two as well as a licensed social worker certified in perinatal mental health.  Lauren encourages partners to communicate their expectations before baby arrives.  She also emphasizes the importance of taking things one step at a time.  While it may be helpful to plan, it is equally important to practice mindfulness and be flexible with situations as they arise.  She also hopes to see women becoming more assertive in their boundary setting so that they are able to navigate the postpartum phase with more ease. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you considered why you should have a vaginal exam during pregnancy and labor?  I often say your cervix is not a crystal ball, it’s not going to tell you when labor is going to start.  It’s something I see time and time again, students will come into class excited because they are a little dilated or discouraged because they are not.  My guest today is going to talk about the information we get from vaginal exams and how that will help you make decisions in pregnancy and labor.  She poses the question, are they even necessary before the onset of labor?   On this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we welcome Kara Ffrench, certified nurse midwife. Kara has been a registered nurse since 2006 and became a midwife in 2014. She spent her midwifery career working in a private practice as well as in a large hospital system. Kara is currently in a private practice attending home and hospital births, including seeing patients for complete gynecological care.   Kara reminds parents that they are in control and make the decisions in their birth process.  She emphasizes, “your body, your baby, your birth.”  She says it’s important for parents to talk to their providers about their birth preferences during prenatal care, to discern if their provider is a good fit.  She suggests that if you are not comfortable with your provider’s approach to labor, you don’t have to stay with them, you can always switch.  Kara gives useful information for expecting parents and how vaginal exams may help when looking at the big picture of birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you struggle with how to handle postpartum visitors and setting boundaries? Setting boundaries isn’t the easiest thing to do for some either. Personally, I was never good at this. After stumbling upon an article written by our guest, I instantly knew more folks needed to think about this ahead of time! We’ll touch upon when to have visitors meet your newborn, vaccinations, how to communicate to folks that you are or aren’t ready for guests, is the new parent the host (NO!), and even ways to politely ask folks to leave after overstaying their welcome.  To dive deep into this conversation on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we have Ruth Gordon-Martin. She’s the founder of CODDLE, an online community that supports and empowers new and expectant parents. Ruth reminds us not only to prepare for postpartum, but having this conversation with your team ahead of time is a part of the preparation too! I’ve heard many stories from our PYC community of those who didn’t set clear boundaries and were put in awkward positions to navigate. Ruth has a lot of wisdom to offer as a parent and postpartum doula who’s helped to facilitate necessary boundaries for families. If you’re a new or expectant parent, I trust you’ll receive so much from this week’s episode. I’m excited to share this episode with you.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you considered the different choices there are when feeding your baby?  Offering choices and education is something we value here at PYC.  Our job is to support your choices for birth, however you choose to birth.  When it comes to feeding baby, nevertheless, not all parents feel this support.  Many parents sense judgement from others when they opt for formula feeding or bottle feeding.  In this conversation, Jayne Freeman talks about the need to normalize formula feeding. She shares how the current breastfeeding narrative may contribute to anxiety, lack of confidence and postpartum depression.  Jayne gives some practical information on how to choose formula if that’s the path you opt to take.   On this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we welcome Jayne Freeman to have this discussion.  Jayne Freeman is a CEA/MNY certified childbirth educator, breastfeeding counselor and postpartum doula specializing in mood disorder prevention. After the birth of her two daughters, Jayne started a public access show about birth and parenting, titled “Mamarama.” More recently Jayne’s area of focus has been on postpartum mood disorders and she is working on advanced certifications for perinatal mental health. Her current mission is to shift our feeding paradigm to one of choice and inclusion. Expectant parents put so much emphasis on how they will be taking care of the baby and they do not consider how they will be taking care of themselves.  New parents would benefit from being better prepared when it comes to taking care of themselves during the postpartum period.  It’s important to acknowledge that when something is not working, such as breastfeeding, it’s okay to transition to an alternative without feeling any sense of guilt.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought about what’s needed to prepare and recover from a cesarean birth? Whether you’re planning, have a scheduled cesarean or curious to know more, this information is valuable. We’ll discuss what to expect during a cesarean and how to create a cesarean birth plan. How to prepare the night before, what to wear to the hospital, what to do when you arrive and recovery on the other side of cesarean.  On this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, we welcome Amy Morrison to have this conversation. She is the founder of Pregnant Chicken, a popular online resource for expectant and new parents. Amy struggled to find reliable information during her own pregnancies. She wanted to offer advice that’s straight forward to other parents. Some things we desire may not go as planned, but the main focus is about having an open conversation of expectations with your care provider. Vaginal birth or cesarean, this conversion is equally important to have with your care provider to create a family centered birth. Preparation and being confident is so important to set you up for success. I’m delighted for you all to receive Amy’s wisdom.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? You have your baby and everything is going great the first few days or weeks. Suddenly your baby starts to cry and cry and cry. You try all different swaddles, ways to bounce your baby, wear your baby or soothe their tummy. During your visit to your pediatrician they tell you, “you have a colicky baby.” What does it mean to have a colicky baby? What are the misconceptions- gas, reflux, colic? Could it be affected by gut health? For those who have gone through this or currently experiencing this, what kind of emotional physiological support did you need from having a colicky baby? It can really impact you and your whole family. To dive deeper into this topic, today on Yoga| Birth| Babies we have Megan Dishman. She is an emergency room nurse in Utah. Megan was shocked in 2021 by her own postpartum experience with a colicky baby. This is such an important topic. Something I learned during this conversation is 20% of babies fit the criteria of colic. This information brings to light how the first several weeks and months of new parenthood can be.  Megan will break down some of the misconceptions of colic and give ways to support parents through this challenging time. If you’re in this category or know someone who is, she offers amazing advice on how to support new parents. I sincerely think you’ll receive so much from today’s episode. I invite you to listen!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a very special birth and postpartum story to share. Many of you know, birth stories are one of my favorite kinds of episodes! In the words of my guest, “It was magical and so exciting.” Their postpartum story is so raw and vulnerable. The most exciting and challenging adventure she’s experienced is beginning motherhood. I am so appreciative of our guest for sharing honestly what they went through.  Today’s guest on Yoga| Birth| Babies is Maria Emilia, one of our PYC students. She is a Brazilian Model, craft artist and a mom to her wonderful daughter.  I really loved talking with Maria. I’ve had the honor to watch her move through her pregnancy and postpartum journey. Not only is she part of our PYC community, but a ball of energy who is always smiling and supportive. She not only shows up for herself, but for others in the community as well. Maria showed the hospital residents birth in a way that they may not often see. She also shows up for the community by sharing the bumps she experienced during postpartum. Maria’s open and honest conversation will help so many others moving through pregnancy and postpartum. Thank you Maria for all that you offer in today’s conversation!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been estimated that 15%-20% of parents experience postpartum depression, anxiety and stress. Note that these are only the numbers of folks who have reported. The reality is these numbers can be rather larger than estimated. In understanding these statistics, we are going to discuss the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression, anxiety and stress and how we can seek help. Often experiencing this can feel isolating, overwhelming and anxiety inducing. We will talk about these common scenarios. It’s essential to know which thoughts are common scary thoughts and which thoughts are recommended to be supported with a medical professional.  Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, we have Karen Kleiman to discuss this topic. She is a well known international mental health expert with over 35 years of experience. She is also an author of a number of groundbreaking books. Karen is also the founder of The Postpartum Stress Center and The Karen Kleiman Training Center. Karen offers wonderful insight about postpartum depression, anxiety and stress. So much is packed into this conversation, but there is so much value in learning about it. I am really excited for you to listen to today’s offerings. My hope is this information can provide you additional resources of support and hope.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you thought about approaching birth from a physiological standpoint? Today we are going to talk about how to best prepare for a physiological birth. Let’s discuss why it’s important to physically and mentally prepare for birth and not just “wing it” and see what happens. We’ll explore how you get your partner involved, if you’re partnered. Getting your doula and care provider all on the same page is crucial for your birthing experience. Let’s not forget about the pelvis! We’ll discuss how to prepare the pelvis and the pelvic floor. We can’t have a conversation about birth and not include how essential the pelvis and pelvic floor is, am I right?!  To have this conversation, I have Krisha Crosley joining us today on Yoga| Birth| Babies. She is Serenity Life Doula, natural birth coach and natural birth trainer.  This is a fantastic conversation! Krisha has such great advice to offer you. Krisha is hardcore, but I appreciate the way she trains. It’s really a full body experience offering. While she is an elite athlete herself, she still has ways to support everyone that wants to work with her at any level of athletic experience. She’s really smart about why and how we train our bodies. Her suggestions are incredibly helpful and I think you’re going to receive so much from our conversation. I’m excited for you to hear this conversation.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does your baby struggle with acid reflux, gas or constipation? Today we have a super fun topic diving deep into reflux, gas and constipation for your newborn. We’ll talk about the signs and ways to alleviate this. Did you know the breastfeeding parent’s diet may also influence babies being gassy? You know me, I love practical information and today we have helpful tips to offer support to you and your baby.  Hilary Sadler joins us to have this discussion today on, Yoga| Birth| Babies. She is a nurse, lactation consultant, author and mom of four children. Hilary offers us a lot of valuable information and I’m excited for you to learn from her.  When you’re able to help your baby with gas, reflux and constipation, it may help you have an easier time through parenthood. I am honored to offer you this special episode.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with another favorite type of podcast episode, a birth story! I absolutely love the birth stories from our community. It truly is special and a joy to watch the students move through pregnancy, hear their birth stories and then come back postpartum. We have students who come in often for class and I really get to know and witness them as they go through their journey.  Sharing their birth story today is, Ivana Đurović, who brings a big smile to my face and all who meet her. Ivana was born and raised in Serbia. She came to New York for grad school to receive her PhD in Linguistics. Along the way she met her husband, got married and now they have their first baby together.  Ivana shares how magical her birth was and I adore how she describes her experience. There are many real traumatic births we hear about happening in the world. Ones we hope to learn from to help other parents avoid having a similar experience. It’s also important to hear about the wonderful birth experiences folks do have, because these positive births do happen too. Hearing about positive birth experiences can inspire parents to do the best they can to achieve this outcome. When we’re able to hear positive birth stories, it can be healing from the traumatic birth stories we’ve heard. If your birth was challenging, my hope for you is you may receive some healing by listening to Ivana’s birth experience. May this episode be inspiring and comforting to those in need. I am honored to share today’s story with you all.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have taken a childbirth education course or read books about the stages of labor? We are going to break away from the medical idea of dilation equally in the stages of labor and talk about it organically and flexibly to what the body is showing you during the stages. We’ll touch upon the behavior of the birthing person, sounds they may make, how they’re moving in their body, communication and if the labor projects have been stopped to a halt. It’s a great topic to think about who is in front of you laboring or maybe you’re the laboring person and this is happening to your body, as opposed to what we’ll see in a medical labor book.  To have this conversation today, I’ve invited Ashley Brichter. Her first birth did not go as planned which she will share with us. She is founder of Birth Smarter, doula, childbirth educator and parent. Born and raised in NYC, she currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has a lot of knowledge and information to share with us.  Ashley provides us valuable information about what your body may be doing during the early phases of labor and when you’re further along, turning the corner as contractions become more intense. You will receive so much from her in this episode. I’m excited for you to hear our conversation.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's talk about the term "bouncing back" after birth. What does "bouncing back" truly mean? This term is often filled with so much shame, anxiety and depression. The postpartum period can be such an intense time for new parents. Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we'll talk about the 5 key principles for healing after birth and what "bouncing back" can look like for you. We'll shed light on postpartum depletion and ways to support our body and mind during this challenging time.  To have this conversion I've invited Maranda Bower. She is the CEO & Founder of Postpartum University®, supporting parents and professionals in health well being while eliminating postpartum depression and anxiety. Her education includes functional nutrition, maternal mental health psychology and more. Maranda shares her postpartum journey and wisdom with us. I'm really excited for you to listen to our conversation and receive valuable information for your postpartum journey.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been tracking your baby's progress? If I'm being honest when I first had my child, I was obsessed with making sure they hit their milestones. Remember, there is quite a range when it comes to this, but it's important to know when to seek help. Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, it's all about communication and speech milestones for your baby. We'll get into typical communication development, importance of gestures, everyday strategies to help facilitate communication, and what to do if your baby is not hitting these milestones. To have this conversation, we have Jackie Dolson-Shewchuk and Tricia Brown of Chatterbox, who is our PYC studio neighbor!  Tricia is a Licensed registered Speech Pathologist in NY, reaching her Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology from SUNY Buffalo. She holds a Master of Science in Speech Pathology from SUNY Fredonia with 20 years of experience in the field. Jackie is also a PROMPT Certified practitioner in NYC since 2001. Her scope of practice is with children diagnosed with motor speech disorders and/or autism spectrum disorders. This is such a fascinating conversation and I am confident with the accessible and practical tools Jackie and Tricia will offer you! I think you're going to learn so much from this episode. I can't wait for you to listen.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parents, did you ever feel the pressure to "bounce back," fast after birth? Let's be real, the postpartum experience isn't always the one we imagine it to be. Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, I've invited Sarah Merrill. Sarah recounts her own experience of postpartum and journey into parenthood. She is an advocate for birth trauma awareness and shares a bit of her own birth trauma in this episode. Parenthood can come with a mental load. Sarah offers tips on how she moved through the mental load of becoming a new parent.  You may know Sarah Merrill from her Instagram account called, Big Kid Problems, sharing humor and relatable content to everyday struggles. Her newest Podcast called, Bottle Service, is about her journey into parenthood and postpartum. Postpartum and parenthood can often be packaged as this happy, shiny thing we are all supposed to enjoy, but there can be a lot of struggle. I think you're going to receive a lot from our conversation and relate to her experiences she shares with us. My hope is hearing her story will help you feel less alone in your own journey into parenthood and postpartum. I'm excited for you to listen to this conversation.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought about how your nervous system relates to birth? You can’t birth if you don’t feel safe. Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies, we are going to talk about Polyvagal Theory and Birth. My guest approached me about this topic and I realized I didn’t know much about it. Excitedly, I did my own research and was amazed with what I discovered. Polyvagal Theory and Birth needs to be talked about more. It’s about our nervous systems being regulated. This makes so much sense about the importance of feeling safe, secure and connected to our body when we think about birth. Learning to connect to your nervous system is so important!  To have this conversation I have my dear friend and colleague, Chantal Traub. She’s a NYC birth facilitator, doula, CBE, and menopause coach. She has 20 years of practice and has been internationally acclaimed for her expertise on the pelvic floor and her Pushing Power technique, which is taught here at PYC.  Chantal shares her stories on birth and how the Polyvagal Theory relates to the births she’s attended. I’m very honored to share this special episode and topic with you.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does experiencing a positive birth mean to you? Birth can be really transformative to people and can also be traumatizing. On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, Moran Liviani shares how to prepare for a positive birth. Moran is a birth doula, hypnobirthing practitioner, and a placenta encapsulation specialist.  A positive birth doesn’t mean it will look exactly how you envisioned and there’s no idealized way one should birth. A positive birth is about how you feel after the birth and how you’re made to feel by the folks there. We will talk about the importance of education, understanding expectations, making sure if you’re partnered- how your partner is on board, how your full birth team is there to support you and how you need to be embraced during your birth experience. When you’re fully embraced through your journey, you can emerge feeling positive about your birth experience.  I really enjoyed this conversation with Moran. I think you’re going to get a lot of very practical and inspiring information from this episode. I’m excited to share this with you. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*TW: Stillbirth Feeling your baby kick for the first time can be an incredibly special moment for you and your family. Baby's kicks can feel different for every pregnant person from butterflies to the literal feeling of being kicked, but did you know that counting the kicks during your third trimester is a proven way to track both you and your baby's health?  On today's episode of Yoga| Birth | Babies I speak with Count the Kicks ambassador Shawn Soumilas. We discuss the evidence based prevention campaign, resources and support for parents to be and parents who've experienced loss, as well as Shawn's personal experience with stillbirth.  I so appreciate Shawn sharing her story. She also does an incredible job talking about the research on counting kicks as a preventative measure. Shawn also highlights the racial disparities for birthing parents in the United States. Our country ranks among one of the most expensive places in the world to have a baby, however our outcomes for babies and parents don't match these costs.  I hope that the knowledge shared by Shawn and Counting the Kicks empowers you to trust your body and your baby. In knowing what to look for and by giving yourself the chance to turn inward and find the patterns you are taking a massive preventative measure benefitting you and baby.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yoga can have a profound impact in a practitioner’s life on and off the mat. In today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I had the honor of chatting with internationally celebrated Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts (who you likely know from her yoga classes and meditations on Peloton) about her journey into motherhood and how the tools she explores on the mat have practical application in her life.  In a conversation which truly covers everything this podcast is about (yoga, birth, and babies), Chelsea opens up and shares her birth story, talks about her experience with loss, and her journey as a yoga teacher, and new mother. I am honored that she felt this is a safe space to dive into everything and as a listener I’m really confident that you are going to feel the love in her heart as she shares her birth story, experiences, as well as her passion for how yoga has impacted her life been her lifeline through joy and challenges, somethingI think we can all relate to. I’m really excited for you to hear this conversation.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're having a vaginal birth and it's time for that baby to make itself completely earthside, you have to get that baby out of your body through some form of pushing. The pushing phase of labor is often the portion of birth we see in movies and tv. Frequently we see a birthing person laying in a hospital bed crushing their partner's hand, screaming things like "Get this baby out of me." It doesn't seem particularly pleasant and might leave you wondering, is that what the pushing phase of labor really looks like?  To talk about talk about the top tips for the pushing stage of labor on this episode of Yoga | Birth Babies I have Liz Wade and Shaina Bricker. They're the hosts of The Birth Nurses Podcast and labor and delivery nurses with over 40 years combined experience. We cover the most advantageous positions to birth a baby (even if your care provider's not keen on having you in a variety of positions), getting around being told you have to birth on your back, and navigating a conversation with your birth team to help support what best serves you as the one pushing. We talk about adverse outcomes of pushing ineffectively like purple pushing, perineal tearing, arrested descent, and cesarean.  I truly enjoyed this conversation. Additionally Liz and Shaina shared their personal stories of pushing during their labors. It really highlighted how our bodies and babies often have their own ideas of what will work, no matter what our preconceived ideas of labor are. Personally, I thought I would just breathe and my baby would walk right out, it was not that smooth and I relied on tools I never thought I would use. There is so much wonderful information in this episode, I hope this conversation will add a few more tools for you to take into your birth.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're going to talk about riding the wave of grief. This episode is for those of you who are going through or supporting someone going through pregnancy and infant loss. To have this conversation I invited Devora Entin licensed clinical social worker specializing in perinatal and reproductive health onto today's episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies. We talk about riding the waves of grief, working through one's pain when suffering through this loss, and the importance of having conversations about infant loss. We also talk about finding confidence and working through anxiety and nervousness of that pregnancy after loss. For those supporting someone who is grieving we talk about the best ways to offer support and things you might want to avoid saying. Dvora offers so much in this conversation and she offers it with such hope. I'm honored to share this episode with you. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does “Family” mean to you? Today’s guest Julia Karol began to ask herself this question at the start of the pandemic. To get answers she turned to friends, family, neighbors, and experts. Along the way she found many answers and stumbled upon many variations of family. From alternative families, the family positivity movement, to solo parenting Julia was able to choose the path to a family that best suited her.  In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with Stork’d host Julia Karol about the many different types of families and specifically her journey as a solo parent. What I really enjoyed about this conversation is how stretched me beyond what I see on an everyday basis. It’s a really great conversation and I think you’re going to get a lot out of this. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve likely heard about birth playlists (you might even be creating one) or maybe you take your baby to a music class. While music can be inspiring and playful for your family, did you know there’s also science to show it can help your family bond and even help those dealing with depression. Today on Yoga| Birth | Babies we’re going to talk about something near and dear to my heart, Music. It has so many applications for pregnancy, birth, and beyond!  To have this conversation I invited music therapist and singer-songwriter Jamie Bendell onto today’s episode. Jamie has some amazing ideas and input and is so passionate about this topic. She also shares the scientific benefits of how music can help you and your family during this phase of life. As a former performer and singer it is so near and dear and just something that resonates with me so deeply. I’m incredibly excited for you to hear this conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I feel like there are so many times people hear negative pregnancy and birth stories. Maybe someone goes past their due date or they’re a smaller body that has a bigger belly and they constantly hear “That’s a big baby!” or “oh you’re past your due date, or giving their opinions and it can absolutely influence how someone feels about themselves and their ability to give birth To counter all of that, today on Yoga| Birth |Babies we have a community birth story. This one is full of amazing gems and takeaways talking about big babies, confidence, epidurals, pushing, and choosing your birth team. There’s so much that our guest Stephanie Gonzalez shares. I had the pleasure of having Steph as part of our PYC community quite early on in her pregnancy and well throughout the end of her pregnancy. She shared her birth story with me over an email and as soon as I read it I reached out and asked for her to share your story here on the podcast. What I love about this episode is that Steph shares her confidence. I’m hoping that that can lead to confidence for others in our community. Sure, negative feedback and stories are everywhere (not just in the media, sometimes from our friends, family, and even medical professionals too). If hearing these comments leads you to feel not quite as grounded in your experience, I hope that you can remember that you’re not alone. Many have overcome these obstacles and walked away having really powerful births. I think you’re going to get that from Stephanie’s birth story. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that the number of babies born to first time parents in the US who are over 35 has been steadily increasing? I see countless parents in the PYC community (including myself) have their first child over 35. So why have we heard that it’s difficult and more dangerous to conceive after 35? What happens (or doesn’t happen) at 35 to the body and how might this affect your pregnancy and birth?  To answer this question I invited Dr. Nicole Rankins back to Yoga|Birth |Babies. This is my third episode with Dr. Rankins. She’s an incredible guest. As an OB/GYN she’s helped over 1,500 babies into the world. She also has an amazing podcast All About Pregnancy & Birth that I turn to for grounded scientific information that feels like it’s coming from a dear friend.  In today’s episode Dr. Nicole and I talk about the risks and benefits of having babies over 35. We talk about fertility, how care may or may not be different for those over 35, and how managed or not managed your birth may need to be. Dr. Nicole dispels some huge myths. For those of you concerned about pregnancy over 35 this episode will calm and soothe your mind. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twenty years ago I found a study that stated 1 out of 3 birthing parents experience birth trauma. It’s a pretty shocking statistic. As time has gone by, I wondered if the numbers had improved and perhaps we were seeing fewer parents experience traumatic birth? To answer this and take a deep dive into birth trauma, I invited Kate McReynolds LMHC owner of Root to Rise Counseling onto the podcast. Kate specializes in perinatal mental health and is a mother of two. She is down to earth and gives fantastic support around this topic.  Kate defines what birth trauma is, signs and symptoms someone is suffering from it, how it differs from PMADs, how to recover from birth trauma, and how to prepare for subsequent children after a traumatic birth. Unfortunately the numbers of parents experiencing trauma have not improved. I think this is a really important conversation for you to hear if you are preparing for birth or if you’ve given birth. Kate shares from her personal experiences as a Mom and provides us with an understanding of what support is available to help understand, prevent, and recover from birth trauma. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I heard about the new book The Yoga of Parenting, I knew I had to have author Sarah Ezrin as a guest here on Yoga| Birth| Babies! Now I promise this isn’t a book report, it’s a very lively conversation. I must say that I marked up my copy of this book with stars, highlights, circles, underlines, I resonated with so much. You’ll hear me use that word a lot in our conversation and I mean it, as I read this book something in my body started vibrating in resonance with Sarah’s words.  Sarah is an author, yoga educator, content creator, and Mama of two. In this podcast we cover energy management, boundaries, finding pause and stillness before reacting to our children and our nervous system. There’s a lot yoga can teach us about pausing before we react, how we can really learn from our children, and of course our nervous system moving fight and flight to rest and digest. We cover a lot of material in this conversation. Sarah is an overall fantastic and fun person and I think you’re really going to enjoy this episode. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve probably heard about labor support doulas, the people who help you during your birth, but did you know there are also doulas to help you after your baby is born? They’re called postpartum doulas and they’ll assist you, your family, and your baby. On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I’m speaking with Postpartum Doula, Certified Lactation Counselor, and mother of three Valerie Trumbower all about postpartum doulas. Valerie guides us through the basics of what a postpartum doula is, what kind of services they provide, and how this differs from the support of friends and family. Valerie works primarily as an overnight doula so we also cover what that looks like for different families.  I had a postpartum doula with both of my children, they’re very practical. From showing a new parent or grandparent the basics of giving baby a bath, to assisting with lactation issues, circumcision care, or helping you unpack your birth postpartum doulas are an incredible resource for you and your family. We even cover how to interview postpartum doulas so that you can fill out your postpartum support team. I think you’re going to get a lot out of today’s conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while you know that the birth stories are one of my favorite things to dive into. I think it’s so important to hear about different experiences. Many times we have an image of birth from movies, or our friends or sister, or even our own experience, and these stories can be limiting, scary, or even set unrealistic expectations about the possibilities of birth. This is why I feel it’s so important to hear many birth stories, following parents who’ve made a variety of choices and whose births have taken a variety of paths. Hearing how and why someone chose to have the support of a doula, change their doctor, birth at home, or have a surgical birth, may help bring you peace around the unpredictable journey of birth. It may strike a chord within you to say, that sounds amazing, or exactly like the experience I want, I didn’t even know that was a possibility. It also shows us how unique and personal the birth journey is, not only from parent to parent but baby to baby. On today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, my guest is Marisa Collins. She talks about the birth of her second child, why she chose a home birth, and how this birth differed from her first. She also talks about her postpartum experience and some of the challenges of postpartum. The highlight of this episode is when Marisa takes the mic and shares her birth story. It is powerful and beautiful. I was mesmerized listening to it and I’m so excited for you to hear it. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you were to describe your ideal birth, I’m guessing that you would describe your care as centered and individualized for you and your family’s needs. Many of you would probably talk about trauma informed care, and more than anything I think everyone wants a safe birth. You probably wouldn’t describe being treated like a new car on an assembly line but did you know that the US hospital system follows procedures outlined by Toyota to streamline your experience?  On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with board certified labor nurse Mandy Irby about how to create a safe, patient centered, and trauma informed birth. Mandy offers incredible tactics that you can walk away from this episode with. She describes ways that you can advocate for yourself and she highlights the systemic issues of the current birth culture. She explains what individualized care is and how you can create that standard of care for yourself within a hospital. If you are pregnant or just had a baby and this is something that resonates with you I highly recommend listening to this episode. It’s going to give you a way to support yourself or your team to support you, to advocate for yourself, and to make sure that the team that you’ve chosen really sees you and shows up for you. I’m excited for you to hear this conversation with Mandy! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered why some babies naturally go head down around 34 weeks and others don’t? Or why some births progress quicker than others? A lot of it has to do with what’s happening inside your body! For a variety of reasons there might be constrictions or imbalances limiting baby’s movement. Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies we’re taking a dive into understanding how chiropractic care works, how it benefits baby, pregnancy, and your body. As well as the Webster technique, what it is and how it can encourage baby to go head down. We’re also going to talk about how chiropractic work can help those planning a VBAC, and we’ll be talking about the importance of informed choices and decision making.  For this lively and interesting conversation my guest today is Dr. Elliot Berlin prenatal chiropractor, childbirth educator, labor support bodyworker, and cofounder of Berlin Wellness Group. You may also have heard his podcast The Informed Pregnancy Podcast (which I had the honor of being a guest on). He is delightful to talk to, down to earth, and full of so much knowledge. You’re going to get so much great information from this podcast Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s 4:45pm on a beautiful spring day, as you walk past the playground you notice an exasperated mother force her wailing toddler into a stroller. Did you shudder as you walked past grateful this wasn’t you? Or maybe at times, it’s been you. To be perfectly honest with all of you, at times it’s been me.  On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth | Babies we’re going to talk about anxiety and the need to control your child (or children). When I came across this topic from our guest, psychotherapist and parent coach Olivia Bergeron I thought wow, I totally relate to that. Have I felt the need to control things? Yes. Have I let my anxiety run my desire to control things? Yes. Have I gone head to head or (will to will) with both of my children? Yes.  So when I was introduced to Olivia and this topic, I thought this is something I really relate to and I think many other parents do as well. Olivia provides fantastic information. In our conversation she answers questions like does controlling really help? Or does the strategy backfire? Does anxiety have a purpose? And what are some better strategies to help our child find their way instead of us trying to control? Olivia has a lot of knowledge. She’s incredibly smart, and I’m really excited for you to hear this conversation.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have a hot topic on the podcast today, sex after baby. For many couples this aspect of the relationship can be strained or even nonexistent. From birth trauma, to fear, pain, feeling uncomfortable in your body, or completely disconnected from your partner, postpartum sex is a complicated issue. To take on this issue, I invited Ashley Mariani MSW RSW onto today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies. Ashley is a clinical social worker specializing in couple’s perinatal mental, emotional, and sexual health and is a fierce advocate against obstetric violence.  We start our conversation discussing how newborns impact the relationship of parents. Then we talk about attunement between the parents aka reconnecting outside of sex. Then we jump into how new parents can navigate sex and sexuality. It’s a conversation that I feel is incredibly important for the relationship.  Ashley explains the hierarchy of needs in a relationship. This may or may not surprise you, but sex is at the top. She gives incredible advice and support on how couples can create and restructure the foundation after the baby comes for moving up to finding reconnection. I thought this was a great conversation and I think you will too. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sunday is Mother’s Day and we have a very special 2 part episode this week in celebration! In honor and gratitude to all of the mothers and mother figures in our community we put together an episode filled with insight and advice from some of my favorite episodes about motherhood.  In this best of episode we talk about self care as a mother, finding community and friendship, avoiding burnout, and how to have a kid and a life. As a Mother’s Day bonus we have a 2nd episode dropping tomorrow! Tune back in for the second part when we’ll talk about feeling sexy, overcoming shame, guilt, and more! In this episode:  Ups & Downs In Motherhood with Dayna Kurtz: Author, speaker and licensed social worker Dayna Kurtz speaks about her new book, Mother Matters: A Holistic Guide to Being a Happy, Healthy Mom.  We have a very fun and lively conversation about “mother care”, the ever-changing role of a mother, and “fair fighting” with your partner as well as many of the ups and downs new parents face on the parenthood adventure.  The Importance of Community with Jessica Pally: Director of event programming & operations at Motherly, Jessica Pallay and I have a lively conversation about how community has shifted from past generations, the impact of online parenting, and how to find your “posse” during this transitional time. The Beatles were absolutely right, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” Mom Burnout, Are We Failing Mothers with Diana Spalding: Motherly’s Director of Health and Wellness, author and certified nurse midwife, Diana Spalding and I I talk about what sparked her passion to make changes on behalf of mothers and their overburdens. Diana shares her thoughts on how we can heal and elevate modern motherhood through individual, family and societal changes. How To Have A Kid And Life: A Survival Guide With Ericka Sóuter: Ericka Sóuter, journalist and author of the book, How to Have a Kid and Life: A Survival Guide  lays out what it means to continue to escalate in one’s career while still being present as a parent. She also gives solid advice on the importance of boundaries and how to set them as well as finding personal space in your life. This is a must listen to episode for all parents who seek balance in their lives.  Please enjoy the insight, shared struggles, and talk about being a mother and learning to thrive.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back for part 2 of our Mother’s Day Special! Over the years I have had the honor of speaking to some truly incredible professionals in the perinatal field. Choosing my favorite episodes was a difficult task so we decided to release a second episode as our gift to you! In this best of episode we talk about feeling sexy as a mother, overcoming shame, the value of postpartum education, mom guilt, martyr mode and perfectionism, and going back to work as a mom.  These conversations were often sparked by my own challenges as a mother. I hope that the insights shared help you as much as they helped me. In this episode:  The Ultimate Guide To Sex After Baby with Debra Pascali Bonaro: Documentarian, author, speaker and doula, Debra Pascali-Bonaro and I have a fun and lively conversation about her new book, The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby: Secrets to Love and Intimacy. Debra explains why so many people put sexuality and motherhood into two very different realms and how motherhood figures can reclaim their sexy wild woman.  Shame Proof Parenting With Mercedes Samudio, LCSW:  Licensed psychotherapist, parent coach, speaker, and bestselling author, Mercedes Samudio started the #EndParentShaming movement as well as coined the term Shame-Proof Parenting – using both to bring awareness to ending parent shame. Mercedes shares how shame has infiltrated parenthood and offers strategies that encourage healthy parent- child relationship building. The Importance Of Postpartum Education With Dr. Jane Shomof: Doctor of Clinical Psychology and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Jane Shomof and I discuss the importance of postpartum planning and as well as recognizing the difference between postpartum anxiety versus postpartum depression, and postpartum OCD. Jane also shares how she sees society’s expectations of new parents can play into the struggle many new parents experience. How To Overcome Mom Guilt, Martyr-Mode, And Perfectionism With Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, MD: Board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Gemma, Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, MD talks about the pressure many mothers feel to fulfill unrealistic expectations put on them by themselves and society. Dr. Lakshmin offers solid take aways to break the habits and mentality of mom guilt, martyr-mode, and perfectionism as well as learning to say no and set boundaries.  The Fifth Trimester With Lauren Smith Brody: Author and 5th Trimester Movement founder, Lauren Smith Brody and I have a lively conversations about the challenges and struggles many mothers face when heading back to work after the birth of their baby. Enjoy some incredibly useful tips on how to make this transition a little easier. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re talking about one of my all time favorite hobbies, sleep! Sleep (or lack thereof) is a very hot topic among new parents. Recently in one of my Postnatal Yoga classes a mom shared about her experience as the only parent who could successfully soothe her baby to sleep. This was leaving her feeling incredibly burnt out and exhausted. Her sentiment was shared by many members of the community.  On this episode of Yoga|Birth| Babies I’m speaking with Sarah Skiles, pediatric sleep consultant, doula, and advanced newborn care specialist. Sarah’s personal experience with spiraling health and postpartum mood disorders due to sleep deprivation is her driving force behind the passionate way she serves, supports, and guides new parents. Sarah shares tools to help your family build healthy sleep habits from birth, as well as what new parents should prepare to expect and for those with toddler’s Sarah has you covered too! I couldn’t be more excited to share this episode with all of you. If you’re preparing for a newborn or you have a child with sleep issues, or you just want to set really healthy sleep habits from the beginning you’re going to get a lot out of this conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes after baby your “O” can stand for ouch! Yes, today we’re talking about sex after baby. For many pelvic floor dysfunction turns what was once a pleasurable part of life into something painful. This pain doesn’t have to be permanent though and with the help of a PT you can have a better quality of life.  On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth | Babies I speak with Christina Walsh a physical therapist specializing in integrative manual therapy and co-creator of Tighten Your Tinkler to take a very deep dive (pun intended) into the pelvic floor. If you’ve been listening to the podcast you might be surprised that we’re talking about “tightening” the tinkler because you’ve likely heard me rant against over tightening. However, Christina beautifully talks about the balance needed for a strong pelvic floor and what she means when she says “tighten.” Christina and I talk about what new parents should expect when it comes to sex after baby, solutions for painful sex, kegels (how they might contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction) and a variety of ways to address dysfunction. I think you’re going to get so much out of this conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are a lot of genetic tests out there for those planning a family and those expecting their little one. It can be rather confusing which tests you should get and why. Many families are also concerned about how invasive the tests are and how accurate the tests are, and what they should be doing with their results.  To dive into this conversation of prenatal and preconception genetic testing on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have Kira Dineen MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM a certified genetic counselor who has been specializing working with pregnant folks and helping people planning pregnancy to obtain family history and to explore genetic testing options. She’s also the host and producer of the podcast DNA Today.  Kira helps demystify a lot of the genetic tests out there and how to decide which tests might be best for you and your family. She is incredibly fun. I had such a great time. Even though this can feel like a very heavy topic, the way that Kira explains it and her enthusiasm, will help set you at ease and provide you some clarity around genetic testing during pregnancy and preconception. I know you’re going to enjoy this episode.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve begun or are about to begin the process of weaning your baby, food allergies might be at the top of your mind. With so many people having serious reactions to common foods such as milk, eggs, shrimp, and peanuts you might find yourself wanting to put off giving these foods to your baby. But is that a good idea? And even if you’re ready to test these foods out, you might be wondering how a choking hazard like peanut butter can safely be given to an infant.  On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies we’re going to talk about how to introduce allergenic foods to your baby through baby-led weaning. To have this conversation I invited Katie Ferraro, a registered dietician specializing in baby-led weaning and host of the podcast Baby-Led Weaning Made Easy. We’ll be talking about when one can ideally introduce allergens to a baby, the nine foods that account for ninety percent of food allergies, how to introduce these foods, and what to look for in an allergic reaction.  If you’re about to begin the journey of introducing foods to your baby, grab a pen and paper or your computer. Katie offers some wonderful tips on introducing these foods and even gives us suggestions for how to serve these foods to your baby. I think her approach is incredibly intelligent and feel that it is a calming way to deal with a phase of parenting that many are anxious about. Katie will put you at ease with her research, tips, and first hand experience as a Mom of 7! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Yoga| Birth | Babies we have an absolutely gripping, fascinating, and very NYC birth story. As my guest Alexis Field puts it, “It was the wildest night of my life and the birth I had always hoped for.”  I’ve listened to birth stories for years and I love each and every one. What I absolutely love about Alexis’ birth story is that in addition to being a fantastic, empowering, and exciting tale, Alexis (the parent who gave birth), is a performer. She knows how to hold the space and really tell a story. You are going to be thrilled as you hear Alexis share how her labor and birth experience unfolded, it really is wild.  For those of you based here in NYC, I know you’ll be able to envision the five floor walk up that she lives in (and how her husband has to help people in and out of the building). Alexis will have you on the edge of your seat. I’m so excited for you to feel inspired and excited and root for Alexis throughout her story. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think about preparing your home for the arrival of your new baby your mind might go to a place of baby-proofing and purchasing toys and gear like cribs and high chairs. However, what if you home didn't need more stuff? Today we're looking at how to create an environment that encourages your baby's growth and honors their developmental stages through the Montessori lens To have this conversation, I invited Jeanne-Marie Paynel onto Yoga | Birth | Babies. Jeanne-Marie is a parenting mentor, Montessori home consultant, a doula, host of The Art of Parenting podcast and founder of Your Parenting Mentor. We have a fantastic conversation and in full disclosure I drink the Montessori punch. Both my kids went to Montessori preschools. We took a lot of their offerings and brought them home, so this topic and approach really resonated with me. I deeply value what is being discussed about the idea that we need to get more and more and more to better support our child's growth but often it's actually about being more simplistic. I love this approach to encourage kids to discover on their own, allow them to be who they really are, and see things from their point of view, (and I mean literally getting down on the ground to do this). I'm really excited for you to listen to this conversation.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you been struggling to name your baby? Maybe there’s a name you love but your partner hates, or maybe you’ve named your baby and you think you made a mistake, what can you do? Listen to today’s podcast! We have such have such a fun show for this week’s episode of Yoga | Birth| Babies. I invited Sophie Kihm, baby naming expert and editor in chief of Nameberry to join me. She has such an interesting approach to choosing baby names. Though I’ve already named my children, I found the baby naming quiz to provide some pretty accurate results. I fell into the Bohemian name category, no surprise to me with children named Shay and Sage. We go over how the Nameberry DNA quiz works, use Sophie’s expertise as a therapist to discuss working through a name dispute with your partner, how and when to change your baby’s name, the history and popularity of names and more. I think you’re going to get a lot out of this episode and hopefully even lift some of the stress of choosing your baby’s name. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pumping is a pretty hot topic among new parents. As a matter of fact, when I polled my postnatal yoga students on what their current concerns were and what they needed support with, nearly everyone had a pumping question. Whether they were getting ready to go back to work or just wanted to spend a little time away from baby, the questions were pretty similar. From how often they should pump, to how much they should pump, to the best pump, and taking care of their pump, everyone felt uncertain about what they were doing. While I pumped to feed my children, this is not my specialty. So, I invited Heather ONeal and Maureen Farrell back onto Yoga | Birth | Babies. We had an excellent chat last year about PPA/PPD medication and breastfeeding and I suspected they would have a lot of expertise to share around pumping, did they ever! Heather and Maureen and midwives and lactation professionals, they host a fantastic podcast called The Milk Minute. On today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies they share practical tips for the expectant parent getting ready to embark on their pumping journey and provide incredible support for those parents in the midst of pumping. I hope today’s episode boosts your confidence as a pumping parent and provides you some answers for those areas of pumping where you feel a little uncertain. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a bit, you likely know that something I’m incredibly passionate about is optimal fetal positioning. In part it’s because of my own experiences with birth going from a very long first birth to a much more efficient second birth. When a baby is better aligned in the body, birth can be more efficient. So how do we set ourselves and our babiess up for this more optimal positioning and a more efficient labor? Well there are a few things one can do, today we’re going to dive into something I recently learned about called Gilligan’s Guide.  On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I’m speaking with Ann Gilligan, creator of Gilligan’s Guide and a labor and delivery nurse (as well as prenatal yoga teacher) with over 33 years experience of working in delivery rooms. Ann explains what malposition is and how it affects birth flow. We go into why more babies are presenting in incorrect positions (ROT) these days and how to help get these baby’s into a more optimal position. We also have a great discussion on inversion practices during pregnancy and Ann’s clinical reasoning as to why many inversions are something she leaves out of a prenatal yoga practice. I think you’re going to get a lot out of this conversation, I’m so excited for you to hear it! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine, you’re at your 38 week check up and your care provider wants to do a cervical exam. For some people this might sound great, but what if it doesn’t? Do you have to have the exam because your care provider suggested it? What about continuous fetal monitoring during your labor, birthing on your back, or limited contact with your baby after birth? If these things are hospital policy, are you and your family required to comply? The answer may surprise you, you’re allowed to say no.  So how do you respectfully communicate your desires and boundaries with your care provider and birth team? To answer this question I’ve invited HeHe Stewart to be my guest on today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies. HeHe is a doula, founder of Tranquility by Hehe Maternity Concierge, and host of the podcast The Birth Lounge. HeHe is an incredible advocate for pregnant folks. While the topics we’re covering today, advocating for yourself during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, respectful communication, informed consent, and hospital policy sound heavy, HeHe brings a fantastic light energy to the conversation.  I had such a great time speaking with HeHe, she is amazing. You’re going to get so much wonderful information. We do some role play, so you’ll have examples of what to say if your care provider presents something that you’re not feeling great about. HeHe offers solid examples of how to respectfully decline and shift the power in the room back to you. We also talk about informed consent and that you don’t need to straight off sign the hospital consent form as is. There is so much great information in this conversation!   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a very special episode, as I write that I’m realizing that I say that about almost every episode because they’re all special to me! However, this is the kind of episode that I hold very dear, a community birth story. These episodes are truly special. I love hearing the stories from our community about their births and what makes today’s extra extra special is that my guest Lauren Seidman has been with Prenatal Yoga Center for four births! Yes, she has four kids. Several years ago Lauren appeared on YBB about the birth of her second child and how she made some choices to go in a different direction for baby two. With baby four, she went in a totally different direction than she did for baby one, two, and three, which is what we’re highlighting in today’s episode. In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies childbirth educator, doula, and mother of four Lauren Seidman talks about the very different direction she took having baby four. Based on the title, cat’s out of the bag, Lauren decided after having three hospital births that she wanted to have a home birth. In our conversation not only does Lauren tell the beautiful birth story that she experienced she talks about what it was like when she told her friends and family “Hey, folks I am having a home birth,” some of the pushback that she got, and some of the misconceptions about home birth she dealt with.  Listening to Lauren’s birth story, I had a smile across my face the whole time. She paints the most beautiful picture of giving birth. All I could think about was the headlamp her midwife had on as she was in the dark bathroom birthing her child, it was really fantastic. So if you’re curious about home birth or you just want to hear a really positive empowering birth story, you’re going to enjoy hearing what Lauren has to say. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I recently stumbled into the system known as “Fair Play” and I thought it was really interesting. You’ve likely heard of it too, it’s a documentary, it’s a book, and it’s a deck of cards. The best way I can describe it, is that it’s a system to help honor and value your partner’s needs and time. I thought it was really interesting and particularly valuable to the YBB audience so I found a fair play facilitator and therapist to speak to me about this system.  In this week’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with marriage and family therapist as well as Fair Play facilitator Lucinda gibbons. Lucinda goes through the Fair Play methodology for us. We talk about the 4 main rules of Fair Play and how using Fair Play improves communication in relationships. This isn’t exclusive to just partnered relationships either, it can be used for any relationship, a work relationship, a roommate relationship, anyone you’re interacting with. It’s about communication, seeing each other for who you are, your values, and honoring and valuing each other’s time. I really enjoyed this so I think you are going to get a lot out of it as well.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weaning either from breast or bottle feeding, can be a very controversial topic. From when you should do it, to how should you do it, many parents are left feeling frustrated, confused, and even bereft. It’s been a popular topic of late at PYC and this podcast comes by request from my students in Postnatal and Baby & Me classes.  I did an extensive search to find my guest for today’s episode of Yoga | Birth| Babies, to discuss weaning today we have Dr. Lilly Hubschman-Shahar registered nurse, neonatal nurse practitioner, IBCLC and Vice President of Nest Collaborative. Not only does she bring years of clinical experience and evidence based information, she also beautifully shares about her personal journey weaning her daughter. Dr. Hubschman-Shahar offers practical tips about weaning, we talk about parent led weaning and child led weaning, what happens if you need to wean abruptly and the difference between a nursing strike and child led weaning. It’s a really great conversation. If you are headed towards weaning or in the process of it or even thinking about it I think this conversation will give you a lot of tools and support. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a community birth story. I absolutely love having members of our community come on and share about their experience. There are so many different ways to birth and so many times when someone has one idea for their birth and it turns into a different way and I think it is so important to hear all the different unfoldings of birth. So as you head into your birth you have a variety that you can envision. You’ve been informed about all the possibilities from listening to these birth stories so I’m so excited for you to hear Dia’s story. Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies Dia Dearstyne shares her birth story. Dia is a professional dancer turned yoga teacher who I had the pleasure of meeting during her Prenatal Yoga Teacher training with me at PYC. She’s absolutely wonderful and I really enjoy this conversation. What you’re going to hear is how Dia had envisioned her birth and how it turned out, how she used her yoga practice and her pranayama throughout the birth, and really how she was able to use concentration and breath to help her through some really difficult moments. She also shares a bit about stumbling through postpartum as many of us in fact I’d venture to say all of us do. It can be bumpy and I love that we talk about that so that we take away any idea that everything’s always smooth sailing let’s wipe that away and recognize that the transition into parenthood has its ups and downs and Dia so beautifully talks about that. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As parents we often find that our day to day self care goes by the wayside. Even though many of us know that meditation is an excellent tool to deal with and prevent overwhelm and anxiety it often feels out of our reach. The good news, as today's guest shares, is that we can reap the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of meditation in as little as 8-10 minutes a day.  In today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I invite yoga and meditation teacher Kelly Smith to share how you can create a meditation practice that you’ll actually stick with. Kelly shares a little bit about her journey, her podcasts Mindful In Minutes and Meditation Mama, and leads us through a truly delightful meditation. I have to admit that I’m not the best at carving out time for mediation on my own. The guided practice Kelly shares today felt incredible. I could feel the tension and stress that is all the time living in the back of my neck and shoulders softened, I felt so much better after only five minutes of meditation. Kelly shares some solid tools for those of us who don’t have hours and hours of solitude to find a practice that fits our lifestyle so that we too can reap the amazing benefits of meditation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that between one in four to one in six people in the perinatal world experience urinary leakage also known as incontinence? It’s speculated to be much more common as these numbers are just from patients reporting their symptoms. Many people assume that after having a baby, they’re going to pee a little when they sneeze, laugh, or go for a run. However, while this experience is common, this is not a normal function of the body. So many people just live with these symptoms that alter the quality of their life, but they don’t have to. In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I’d like to offer you some solutions to this problem. I brought on my friend Marianne Ryan PT OSC as the guest today. If you follow Prenatal Yoga Center on instagram you’ve likely seen many of our collaborative reels and instagram lives. Marianne is a wealth of knowledge. She’s a physical therapist and board certified orthopedic clinical specialist practicing just a few doors down from my studio here in NYC. Marianne is also the author of the bestselling book Baby Bod.  Marianne and I talk about the different types of incontinence, the role of kegels, how to resolve some of the issues and things that can make incontinence worse, and what a visit with a Pelvic Floor PT is like. it’s a really great conversation. Please know that if you’re having any sort of leakage, you deserve to live a better life than that. Enjoy this conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a really fun and interesting educational podcast. It’s all about building your birth team from your care provider, to your birth partner, to other support people you might have like a doula and childbirth educator. Building your birth team is an aspect of birth you have some control over, so it’s important to do your research, ask the right questions, and make sure you feel truly comfortable around and supported by all members of your team. So what should you be looking for in your team? What should you be taking them? And what red flags should you be aware of?  To have this conversation on today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I invited Sarah Lavonne, founder of Bundle Birth to join me. It was a delight to talk to her! I smiled from ear to ear the whole time we chatted. She is so knowledgeable and offers information in such an easy to understand digestible way. You’re going to walk away from this episode with notes, enthusiasm, and excitement to talk to your birth team and organize the people that will be supporting you. Get ready to pause the episode and take notes as Sarah offers wonderfully phrased questions that you’ll be able to take into your appointments and interviews. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know millennials tend to be more likely to have high blood pressure during pregnancy than previous generations? So why is it that millennials are having such a hard time as parents? Today’s podcast is for all those that were born between 1981-996 and let’s even say a little beyond, (we’re going to dip into Gen-Z a bit too). So I’m talking to you, the millennial, about why pregnancy and parenthood is so difficult for your generation. My guest to have this conversation on Yoga| Birth| Babies is Dr. Christine Sterling, and she has what she calls the “millennial problem. ” Dr. Sterling is a board certified ObGyn, mother, and founder of Sterling Parents. She explains what she calls the millennial problem, how we resolve it, and some of the underlying reasons for this millennial problem. We talk about all sorts of things from social media, to stress levels, to comparison, to the overwhelm of information at your fingertips. Dr. Sterling gives concise tips to help you digest all of this information overwhelm. What I find really beautiful about this conversation is that it’s so heartfelt. Dr. Sterling truly wants to offer support and help people that are feeling that strain and stress of navigating pregnancy and parenthood, she’s offering some really grounding solutions.  It’s a wonderful talk. I found myself riveted as I was listening to Dr. Sterling offer such thought provoking information. I think you too will get a lot out of this. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re diving into a topic I’m a bit embarrassed we haven’t covered at this point. We’re often talking about a conscious effort for inclusion and yet we haven’t had a podcast conversation about birthing with a disabled body, so we'll be diving into that today. For those who are disabled there can be certain needs that need to be met. It's also extremely important to be recognized as an individual and to be able to receive care that treats you like one, not just a blanket policy.  To have this conversation on Yoga| Birth| Babies I've invited Lo Nigrosh IBCLC, host of the podcast The Milk Making Minutes, and mom of 2. I’m really excited for you to hear this conversation. While we talk about birthing with a disabled body we also talk about being seen as an individual, looking at your personal circumstances and not just falling into certain categories, recognizing your needs as a parent, your baby’s needs, and checking in on what you need instead of what the system is telling you. So I’m very excited for you to hear this conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have one of my favorite type of episodes, a community birth story. Truly one of my favorite things is hearing the experience of someone going over the threshold into parenthood. I got to know my guest for today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies Sophie Stalton, through 2 pregnancies. Her first as she crossed that threshold into parenthood and then coming back, seeing how she’s a different person and how she’s now navigating her 2nd pregnancy. At PYC we’ve had that honor for so many people, second, third, fourth, sometimes even fifth and sixth pregnancies. It’s incredible watching how that person continues to evolve so it’s really wonderful having Sophie back.  One really special thing that we talk about, people often say to me “How far can I practice prenatal yoga in my pregnancy?” and I say as long as you want. Something that happened during Sophie’s first pregnancy, I got an email in the morning right before I was about to teach one of my 10am classes, and she said “My water broke, can I come to class?” and I said “Absolutely.” And she did. It’s something that I share all of the time, so Sophie is often in my brain as I talk about prenatal yoga. In today’s episode, Sophie shares her first and second birth experiences. She had an unplanned cesarean for her first and was hoping to have a vbac for her second. We talk a lot about how she made the decisions about vbac and cesarean, but also a lot about how people view cesarean. Sometimes cesareans are pooh-poohed upon or it’s almost like a runner up, and some people are traumatized by the idea of a c section, but what I really love about Sophie’s conversation is that we removed the stigma and celebrated that a cesarean birth or as some people call them belly births, its another option, another way that babies are born and families are made. We can celebrate modern medicine instead of thinking there’s a problem with it or your body failed you in some way. I really appreciate Sophie’s exploration of that idea and I hope that you appreciate it too. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re pregnant you may find yourself scrolling through Tik Tok or instagram, happening upon a video or post and thinking “I want my birth to look like that.” Whether you’re thinking about the music you’d like to hear during birth or figuring out what type of pain management you’d like these preferences are often referred to as a birth plan.  In today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies we’re going to talk about birth plans or maybe you want to call them birth preferences or fluid birth ideas (my guest Liesel and I say fluid birth plans a lot!). To have this conversation, I invited Liesel Teen RN and founder of Mommy Labor Nurse on the podcast. It was such a fun conversation. Liesel covers so much practical and helpful information! From how to make a birth plan, when to make a birth plan, the concept of a fluid birth plan, to how to work with the hospital and nursing staff from presenting your birth plans to supporting you throughout your birth experience. You might have thought birth plans are only for vaginal births, but cesarean birth plans are just as important considering one third of folks have their babies as a belly birth. You may be surprised to learn that many of your preferences can be brought into the operating room too.  It’s a fantastic conversation full of so much information you can take with you into your birth experience and even your next care provider’s visit. I can’t wait for you to listen. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mothers are everywhere, in every country all over the world. While our cultures might be different, I wondered if the lessons we impart on our children were similarly different or actually rather similar.  To answer this question, I have Ana Tajder as my guest on Yoga| Birth| Babies today. Ana is an award winning international journalist, author, and host of Thank You Mama, a podcast in which she interviews women from all around the world about the most important lessons they learned from their mothers. I will say I had the honor to be a guest on her podcast. She has interviewed over 100 parents so a lot of today’s conversation comes from her experience as a journalist and speaking with all of these people on her podcast. Additionally Ana has lived in multiple countries and has a very international family.  It was really a lovely conversation, we dive into what some of the universal lessons and traits of parenting from different cultures, some of the biggest differences, as well as her own experience living in different parts of the world and how that influenced her parent style and her own parenting. It’s a really rich conversation. I think you’re going to get a lot of joy from listening and it’s thought provoking. I really think the bottom line is that as parents we always try to do the best we can. Please enjoy this conversation with Ana. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not uncommon for partners to feel uncertain, out of place, or even helpless during pregnancy and birth. This can lead to misunderstandings in our relationships, from thinking our partner doesn’t want to be involved or isn’t excited about the baby. More often than not, this isn’ true. What’s true for many partners is that they just aren’t sure what their role is, how they can help, and they often deeply undervalue the importance of their presence.  In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies we’re going to talk about how partners can help support during pregnancy and birth. To have this conversation, I invited Ben and Jessica Lagrone, a husband and wife team and co-founders of Balanced Families. It’s a fantastic conversation. Ben and Jessica give amazing takeaways about how to be involved in pregnancy and the actual birth. We also talk about the feelings of helplessness and fear partners may experience. You’re going to walk away with solid information and tools so that you and your partner can be prepared mentally and physically for whatever unfolds in your birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe this has happened to you, you’re late in your pregnancy (or you just had a baby), you walk into a room and think, why did I even come in here? Or possibly you’ve walked out the door with two different shoes on (no, not the left and right but different pairs of shoes). Instances like this are often attributed to “Mommy Brain”. No, you haven’ lost intelligence, but yes there can be a little forgetfulness. However Mommy Brain is actually a super power! Instead of thinking about it in the negative, let’s look at some of the amazing things Mommy Brain can do. To learn about our superpowers, I’ve brought Dr. Jodi Pawluski a behavioral neuroscientist and therapist onto Yoga| Birth| Babies today. Jodi and I have a really great conversation about what’s happening with the brain late in pregnancy, after baby, the environment that we’re dealing with, the chaos, as well as the impact of having a baby and parenting decades later. Once a parent, always a parent. I think you’re really going to enjoy this conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while you know I love the community birth stories, so that’s what we have today. We have one of our community members sharing her birth story.   In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I am delighted to chat with Anna Greenberg. Not only is she a member of our community having gone through her pregnancy with us but she also did our teacher training back in 2020.    Anna has been teaching yoga and meditation in New York City for the past twelve years (including pre and postnatal for the past few), she’s been a staple in the Peloton teaching team for the past four years.   I’m very picky about whose classes I take and she absolutely is up there! She offers wonderful information and I just love taking her class.   Now before she had her baby, while she was pregnant, I asked if she would she come on the podcast and share her birth story, she said absolutely. Then as she was getting closer to her birth there was some turbulence. Please note there is mention of stillbirth in this story.  Anna shares a lot about the struggles she had at the end of her pregnancy, the struggles she had during her birth, and her postpartum. She so bravely shares her experience and what’s really beautiful and the reason that she wanted to share this and I totally agree is that you can see the support she had, how she processed the experience, and how she is really doing well now. Every time I connect with her there’s just joy in her voice and it’s really exciting to see how someone can come out on the other side. She really has a lot to share about things she learned from her own struggles. I hope you can take away from this episode some of the strength that Anna displays in her powerful story.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s episode is a bit of a departure from what we typically talk about, pregnancy, birth, lactation, and interventions. Today we’re talking about what your astrological chart can tell you about yourself, your parenting, and your child. I found this conversation fascinating, I love astrology, I think it’s really interesting. Both my kids as a gift were given their birth charts and my mom had me have my birth chart done when I graduated the conservatory, so it’s something that I always have in the back of my mind, so when it was presented to me that I could interview someone about natal charts and parenting I jumped on it.  To have this conversation on Yoga| Birth| Babies I spoke with Tara Vogel, a certified parenting astrologer helping us learn about how we can stay connected with our kids and ourselves using astrology. I think you’re going to have a really fun time listening to this episode. While you likely know your baby’s sun sign, this episode may inspire you to start to look at what your child’s chart says about how they need to be parented and how you as a parent react or are triggered by things. It’s just another way of looking at parenting and I think at least for myself anything that can give me some tools and insight into who I am, how I parent, and who my children are and how they need to be parented is a good thing. So I hope you enjoy this episode! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you working with a doula for your birth? If you are or you’re curious about hiring one, what do you expect from a labor support doula? Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies I welcome back my friend, my mentor, my doula, Terry Richmond. This is her fourth episode, clearly I enjoy talking with her. In today’s episode Terry and I talk about what you should expect from your doula and how the role of doula has changed in recent times. Terry has been a doula and childbirth educator for over twenty years. She has seen the landscape of birth change, hospital protocols change, and the birth culture. This all has led to a shift in the role and expectations of the doula. We’re going pretty deep into what shifts she’s observed, how she’s adapted, how she’s seen others adapt. It’s a really fun and interesting conversation. I think this is going to benefit both those that are pregnant as well as birth workers. Terry has some really wonderful insight that I’m very excited for you to hear. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What can you do if labor seems to be, well, stuck? Most birthing people I know (including myself) want to move labor along! So how can we help that happen and avoid “stalled” labor?  On today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies doula and exercise physiologist Lindsey McCoy, gives us tools and tips to help balance the body, help baby find space, and to help baby move seamlessly through the pelvis so that labor doesn’t stall. Lindsey shares things we can do prenatally to prepare our body for birth as well as tools that you can take into your labor. She also talks about common signs parents can see that birth is a little delayed and how we can start to make room for baby and to rebalance the body. This conversation is packed full of information that can give you confidence heading into your birth. When you feel confident, you can more easily roll with your labor and any obstacles that may occur. I’m really excited for you to hear this conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re talking about something very near and dear to my heart. We’re talking about how you take parental leave when you’re a small business owner or an entrepreneur. Crossing the threshold into parenthood is a huge emotional as well as physical experience. If you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, it is a huge responsibility to shoulder that business and help it continue to move forward even as you are becoming a parent. So how do you have one foot in keeping your business going and one giant foot investing in being a new parent?  To have this conversation I welcomed Arianna Taboada founder of The Expecting Entrepreneur onto Yoga| Birth| Babies. She tells us how we can set ourselves up for parental leave as a small business owner. It’s a really great conversation and she gives very concrete tools for those that will be facing having a baby while still shouldering the responsibility of owning a business. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while you know that anytime I can talk about the pelvic floor, it puts a smile on my face. Today’s conversation does exactly that. We’re talking about pelvic organ prolapse and the role the pelvic floor plays in supporting those organs or maybe not supporting those organs so well.  To have this conversation, I welcomed Jeanice Mitchell to Yoga| Birth| Babies. She’s a physical therapist with advanced training and certifications in women’s health, biofeedback, and pelvic health and founder of the popular instagram @mypelvicfloormuscles and nonprofit myPFM.  Jeanice has the best enthusiasm for this topic! She goes over so much information about what pelvic organ prolapse is and makes it so understandable. You’re going to be shocked to find out how prevalent pelvic organ prolapse is. We talk about the symptoms, go over how to check for it, how to talk to your care provider about it, what rehab and the healing process are like, as well as things that might worsen prolapse.  I am extremely excited for you to listen to this conversation! If you have any sort of pelvic organ prolapse, there are things you can do to heal. If you’re concerned about your pelvic floor and your pelvic organs that can create more stress (which isn’t good for your pelvic floor) and can greatly affect your quality of life. Learning how to heal prolapse can vastly improve the quality of your life and we want that for you. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re talking about Spinning Babies® and Birthing from Within®, two of my favorite birth methodologies. I’m currently doing my parent educator certification with Spinning Babies® and several years ago I embarked on the Birthing from Within® mentor program so they’re both near and dear to my heart. I truly believe in these two methodologies. To discuss how we can use these two seemingly different methodologies that actually have a lot of underlying similarities as we approach childbirth education and how parents can use a lot of this thinking a lot of these principles and apply it to their birth I invited doula, bodyworker, and educator Jamie Mossay onto Yoga| Birth| Babies. It’s really exciting how process focused instead of outcome focused these two methodologies are so Jamie has a lot to say about this and I’m really excited for you to hear it.  Jamie is a delight to talk to, she has such in depth knowledge about both these methodologies and how they can serve and support you as a pregnant person but also I think this is going to speak a lot to birth workers as well so I’m really excited for you to hear this conversation.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies we have a birth story. I love our community birth stories but there are two things I particularly love about this birth story. One being that I got to know Ali quite well in PYC’s prenatal yoga teacher training. She also came to classes online through her second pregnancy. It means so much to me when I get to know people and watch their journey through pregnancy and into parenthood, it’s particularly special when I can hear their birth story.  Ali’s birth story is absolutely beautiful. As I was listening my mouth was agape, I just couldn’t get enough of hearing it. It was a peaceful, confident birth where she used mantras that we often talk about in class like “I trust my body, I trust my baby.” It is so important to find that inner trust during birth. She also used one of the other mantras we often say in classes and that’s “Squeeze knees, birth with ease.” The relationship Ali had with her midwife and how her midwife held space for her was just stunning. I’m really excited for you to hear such a positive hospital birth story that I hope inspires you and puts a smile on your face the way it did mine. Support Our Sponsor:  Spinning Babies: For comfort in pregnancy and preparation for an easier birth join me and Spinning Babies Worldwide Virtual Conference! Go to spinningbabiesconference.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where will you be giving birth? Did you know there are options? Today we’re going to be talking about where to give birth, because if you don’t know your options, you don’t have them. From hospital births, to birth centers, and home births these different locations all have pros and cons and honestly, not everyone is a good candidate for all of these places. What’s important is that you find the place you’re drawn to and a place that will support you and your vision of where to give birth.  To have this conversation on today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I have my friend, labor support doula, and childbirth educator Catherine Stewart Lindley. She has attended thousands of births in the last 20 years and is very passionate about supporting unique and personalized care for each family. I love speaking with Catherine, she has her facts, years of experience in a truly wide variety of births and birth locations, and she’s really wonderful. I think our conversation will be helpful for people who aren’t quite sure of all of their options, so they can decide what’s best for them. It’s never about where your doctor or doula or midwife thinks you should birth, it’s really what’s best for you, the safest for you, and that is different for everybody. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Catherine. Support Our Sponsor:  Spinning Babies: For comfort in pregnancy and preparation for an easier birth join me and Spinning Babies Worldwide Virtual Conference! Go to spinningbabiesconference.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you could choose between a functional efficient labor or a dysfunctional and inefficient labor I’m guessing you would choose functional and efficient labor. I have been to many births as a doula and I’ve had 2 kids of my own. While the body may need time to open to let the baby descend and rotate, it can be a lot on the parents and support team to go through the experience of a long labor.  Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have midwife Gail Tully of Spinning Babies back on the podcast. This is her 3rd episode with us and I have to say I absolutely adore speaking with Gail. Today, we talk about how to use Spinning Babies for a smoother, more balanced, more efficient birth. Gail offers us techniques and methodologies to help babies navigate more seamlessly through the pelvis. She talks a lot about the different parts of the pelvis and different techniques to utilize to help the baby through, depending on where the baby is in the pelvis.  You’re going to get so much out of this conversation, Gail’s a delight to chat with. We’re very aligned in our birth philosophies and I have been using the Spinning Babies methodology for years. I’m currently working on the Spinning Babies Parent Educator Training (which was a fantastic 3 days in person followed by online training that I’m working my way through). You’re going to want to take notes on the techniques Gail shares at the end – and if you’re getting ready for birth, this is a great episode to share with your birth partner! Support Our Sponsor:  Spinning Babies: For comfort in pregnancy and preparation for an easier birth join me and Spinning Babies Worldwide Virtual Conference! Go to spinningbabiesconference.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many sex is a very different experience while pregnant and newly postpartum. From wondering if you might hurt your baby to the physical discomfort one may experience, a lot of questions come to mind. Today we’re going to talk about sex during pregnancy and after baby. I gathered some of the students together from the prenatal and postnatal classes and asked what their questions were. Questions I heard included: concerns about sex during pregnancy and will it hurt the baby? If the vagina changes forever after birth? How postpartum hormones change sex? And what can you do if sex hurts? So, to have this conversation I invited Dr. Sabrina Baxter, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in Pelvic Floor dysfunction onto this week’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies. I love that she talks about individualized treatment because while we’re answering these questions in somewhat broad strokes it is such an individualized experience what is going on with your body. I hope this just gives you some insight into your body and some curiosity about your body because you deserve to live a really wonderful quality of life and part of that is to have a healthy pelvic floor. Support Our Sponsor:  Spinning Babies: For comfort in pregnancy and preparation for an easier birth join me and Spinning Babies Worldwide Virtual Conference! Go to spinningbabiesconference.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I have a unique podcast episode for you. I’m calling it birth not required. Many times people make the assumption that unless you’ve had a baby you should not be supporting pregnant folks. They wonder how someone could possibly relate to what a person feels when they’re going through birth. Personally, I had Prenatal Yoga Center for many years before I had my first child. I was a labor support doula, prenatal yoga teacher, and a lamaze teacher. Sometimes people would say to me “but you’re not going to understand what I’m going through.” And it was true. I might not have had their experience or know exactly what they were going through. However, even after I had two kids, I could only relate to what my experience was which may not be what they will experience.  For today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I have Jessica Lorion the host of Mamas In Training Podcast. Jessica has not had her own kids yet and she’s very much a mama in training. She’s learning about all the options that she’s excited to perhaps participate in as she has her own kids. As she learns, she’s also sharing this valuable information with her community. Though not a mama, she’s supporting and helping parents train for their big excursion into parenthood and it’s a really unique, wonderful, interesting, and rich conversation that I think you’re going to get a lot out of. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have one of my favorite kinds of podcast episodes, we have a community birth story. I love hearing from the community and hearing your birth stories. Today’s story is special for a few reasons. A big reason I wanted to share this story is that it’s about an amazing and empowering hospital birth. Many times when we think about hospital births, we think that you have to come in super defensive, have your walls up, and be ready to fight for your choices. But today’s guest Arlynn shares that for her, that was not the case.  In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with new mother and prenatal yoga teacher Arlynn Villanueva. I had the pleasure of getting to know Arlynn in my prenatal yoga teacher training and then again a few years later in prenatal yoga classes. Between prenatal yoga teacher training, prenatal yoga classes, and Arlynn’s preparations for birth, it’s safe to say went into her birth with a lot of education. This led to her opening discussion with her care provider early on in pregnancy. By the time she entered the hospital in labor, notes had been made in her chart so that everyone was on board with her preferences. As you listen to this conversation, Arlynn talks about what an amazing, empowering experience it was. I love that we can see that hospital births can be amazing empowering births. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Fertility Awareness Method also known as FAM? Well, it’s a method you can use to help you know the window in which you can conceive or the window in which if you don’t want to conceive you can abstain. There’s so much more to it. I’m just giving you the tip of the iceberg. And I have to say in full disclosure, that years ago when I was getting pregnant with my first child I used a book called Taking Charge of Your Fertility which is very similar to the FAM method. I found it really really helpful so that I could better understand my body. As a yoga teacher, I appreciate learning to listen and really explore what’s happening in my body. This methodology gives you insight into your body in a very deep way. I think you’re going to enjoy that.  To talk about FAM, I invited Chloe Skerlak, Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner and Full Spectrum Fertility Awareness Educator to join me on today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies. She has some really great information. We talk all about cervical fluid and the position of your cervix, taking pictures of your cervix, taking your temperature, and more. There’s so much great stuff packed into this conversation.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking medication while breastfeeding, even taking something as common as Tylenol can be controversial. So what about parents on or who need to start taking medicine like Zoloft, Prozac or other psychotropic medications? Is it safe for both parent and new baby? Today we’re going to talk all about postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression medication and breastfeeding. There are lots of thoughts, stigmas, and fears about this, so I wanted to get to the bottom of breastfeeding your child while taking any sort of mood stabilizing medication.  In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I invited Heather ONeal and Maureen Farrel both midwives, lactation professionals, and hosts of an amazing podcast called The Milk Minute (which I am so excited that I got to be on, so make sure you listen to that)! These ladies have so much amazing information and we get into the nitty gritty. They talk about different types of medication, more popular brands for perinatal folks, how these medicines come into breastmilk, and all about antidepressants and psychotropic medication while nursing.  If you are concerned about starting a medication like this, or maybe you’re already on medication and you’re considering breastfeeding your child or any sort of way of lactation, this conversation can help you have some clarity on the benefits and risks. Of course always, always, always check with your care provider as well! But if it’s something that has just been lingering in your mind, I hope this conversation gives you some peace of mind. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does breastfeeding look like in the first week of a baby's life? Sometimes as new parents we keep thinking feed the baby, feed the baby, but babies have tiny tummies! While we may think they should be gulping down full breasts of milk, I learned years ago from today’s guest, that all a baby needs in the first day or so is a teaspoon! In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies we have one of my all time favorite people Andrea Syms-Brown IBCLC. You will hear me literally glowing and giggling as we have this conversation. I’ve known Andrea for almost 20 years not only did she help support me with breastfeeding two children, she was with PYC for around 17 years, she’s an amazing person, newborn care specialist, and IBCLC. You’re going to learn so much from this amazing conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first trimester, wow. It can be a bear for some of us. I know my first trimesters were rough, and many of us go through those difficulties on our own. It can be incredibly uncomfortable, exhausting, isolating, and full of emotional ups and downs.  I knew my friend Francesca was having a difficult time with her first trimester, so I invited her to join me for today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies. Francesca is a fellow yoga instructor, I actually took prenatal yoga classes with her when I was pregnant with my son 11 years ago! In today’s episode Francesca honestly shares how uncomfortable her first trimester was and how she got through to the other side. From excruciating nausea to exhaustion, Francesca tells us what she did to get through her days.  If you have or had a similar experience with your first trimester (or pregnancy) I hope you feel seen and supported by today’s episode. Francesca is completely honest about how she coped. I hope her story resonates with you and her ideas help. You may feel lonely in your experience, but you are not alone.  Support Our Sponsor:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I was pregnant with my first, instead of asking for clothes, onesies, and all of the stuff babies come with I asked for hours with a postpartum doula. My friends pooled their money and got me a day of postpartum doula support and it was the best gift I received. My husband and I were literally waiting on pins and needles for our doula to arrive after my son was born. Despite being a doula and having attended many births, I held my son and thought what do we do with this new baby? Our doula arrived and provided much needed support, confidence, education and the chance for me to rest.  In today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with Kristin Revere, doula, podcast host, and cofounder of Gold Coast Doulas. I was particularly curious about an aspect of postpartum doulas I was unfamiliar with, overnight work. I learned so much, it’s a really fantastic conversation. As Kristin so beautifully put “Our goal is to optimize rest for the entire family.”  For our parents-to-be who are worried about sleepless nights, this episode is for you! Support Our Sponsor:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is one of my favorite things we do on the podcast, sharing community birth stories. We have different members of our online or in-person community share their experiences. I love it. Not only do I love getting to know our community members a little bit better but I think it’s so important to put out a variety of birth experiences. There’s not one right way to birth. All of the different experiences shared will land with people differently and different people will relate with them. In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies I welcome Sydney Mulligan to share about her “accidental VBAC.” Sydney is a 2nd time parent and she’s been part of our community for a while. The other day in class I said “You’re the mayor of PYC.” It’s a fitting title as she’s just so embracing of new community members. She always introduces herself and she’s just a wonderful person. I think you’re going to enjoy Sydney’s story. Support Our Sponsor:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that one in five new parents and pregnant folks have a PMAD (Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder)? About ten percent of the cases come from having a traumatic birth. These are huge numbers and these are just the reported cases. It’s more likely that one in three pregnant people and new parents have a PMAD. Given how incredibly prevalent PMADs are, we need to learn to recognize the traits, know how to support people experiencing them, know how and where to seek help, and most importantly, take the stigma away from them.  To have this conversation I welcomed Nancy Layish LCSW to Yoga| Birth| Babies. Nancy is certified in the field of perinatal mental health and the co-founder of the non profit Central Florida Postpartum Alliance and member of Postpartum Support International. She’s got a ton of great information and she’s just so excited and willing to share it. I hope this episode encourages anyone suffering from a PMAD to know they’re not alone and to seek help. For those that are supporting pregnant people and new parents, I hope this helps you to see some of these signs and be a solid listening ear for the new parent that’s suffering and to hold that space for them. I think you’re going to get so much from this conversation. This is one of those that I bet you’re going to bookmark and come back to over and over again. Support Our Sponsor:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that mobility and flexibility increase in the pregnant body? And that this “borrowed flexibility” lingers in the postpartum body? Thanks to the hormones of pregnancy, primarily relaxin our ligaments relax to allow space in our pelvis to deliver a baby. Unfortunately relaxin doesn’t just go straight to our hips, it loosens the ligaments in our entire body. This hypermobility can easily lead to injury, especially in a yoga class.  Today on Yoga | Birth| Babies we’re combining two of my favorite topics into one conversation. We’re going to talk about yoga and anatomy , specifically hypermobility and how it relates to the pregnant and postpartum body. Of course we’re also going to dive into diastasic recti, the S.I. joint, overstretching and the pelvic floor. To have this conversation I welcomed back Libby Hinsley, Physical Therapist, Yoga Therapist and author of the book Yoga for Bendy People. Libby was on the podcast back in 2020 to talk about one of my favorite muscles, the Psoas. Today’s conversation was a lot of fun and I think a very important episode for yoga practitioners and teachers. Support Our Sponsor:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know how long you’ll be allowed to push at your upcoming birth experience? Or what position(s) you can birth in? How about how long you’ll be allowed to be pregnant without having an induction? There are many things you might butt up against during pregnancy and birth that you didn’t plan on, and hearing that care you expect is “… against our policy” in the middle of labor doesn’t put you in a great place to negotiate.  In today’s episode of Yoga|Birth| Babies I speak with midwife and birthing center owner Melissa Chappell all about “Policy”. In this fantastic conversation Melissa gives you the tools to have nonconfrontational conversations with your care providers. If you want to receive personalized and evidence based care instead of being held to antiquated “policies” this episode is for you. Support Our Sponsor:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we have a community birth story. I love getting to know our community members better. Oftentimes they’re people I’ve had in class, so it’s nice to dive a little bit deeper. I also really appreciate that while the stories are unique there’s still a relatable foundation that we hear birth after birth after birth.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with Maya Kaough, a professional aerial dancer, long time yoga practitioner, health coach, and personal trainer. I was drawn right into her story, she tells it so beautifully. As someone who had a really long birth, I found it interesting to hear Maya talk about her short birth and acceptance of that. Our ideas of how things should be or how we wish they were can carry so much weight. I was struck to hear someone who had the birth I had wished for or expected say that they had hoped for and expected an experience more like the long birth I had. It’s a lovely reminder that we all hold different ideals for our birth experience and that all births require processing and acceptance.  This is a beautiful birth story. I’m really excited for you to hear Maya and Lucas’ story. Support Our Sponsors:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that early caregiving experiences can boost mental wellness and diminish depression, anxiety, and addiction in adulthood? From 0-3 our little ones have extremely pliable brains. Not only are their sensory and motor systems developing but their emotional brain and stress systems are developing too! The best part, we can help shape baby’s brain through simple experiences in pregnancy, birth, and infancy like cuddling. In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with Greer Kirshenbaum PhD. She’s a neuroscientist, doula, infant and family sleep specialist, and founder of Nurture Neuroscience. I first stumbled upon Greer’s work on instagram and was taken by the way she combines neuroscience and the baby brain. It’s fascinating to me and I am so excited to share our rich conversation with you. New and Expectant parents, have a pen and paper ready because you are absolutely going to want to take notes!  Support Our Sponsors:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inductions occur for a variety of reasons, sometimes they’re wanted and medically necessary but sometimes expectant parents feel like they’re being pressured into one. So why would or should someone be induced? And if your care provider is suggesting one, how do you navigate that conversation?  In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with midwife, author, and mother of 5 Marley Hall. (Many of you may know her from social media as @MidwifeMarley.) We dive deep into the topic of inductions including how to have a conversation with your care provider and advocate for yourself as well as how to set yourself up for an induction.  Marley is truly lovely to speak with. She is thorough and easy to listen to. I think you’re going to walk away from this conversation feeling that you have a voice in how your birth unfolds and a deeper understanding of how to be your best advocate.  Support Our Sponsors:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Close your eyes and think about what you hope the first moments after your baby is born will be. You might be imagining cuddles, skin to skin contact, or little one crawling up you for their first feed. However in addition to the cuddles, there are a number of routine procedures your little one will need to go through to ensure their health. From eye drops and a PKU screening to your little one’s APGAR score, and first bath there are a lot of standard practices that take place right after baby is born.  So, are any of these tests and procedures optional? Can any of these procedures be delayed to ensure early moments of family bonding? And why do our little ones have so many tests right after birth?  To answer these questions I welcomed back to Yoga| Birth| Babies pediatrician Dr. Tracey Agnese. She dives deep into each procedure standardly encountered (in NY) giving us the risks and benefits so that you can begin your journey as a new parent feeling informed and empowered as you navigate the right choices for your family. Support Our Sponsors:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I love community birth stories. I think it’s fantastic to hear about a variety of different birth experiences, maybe something different than you’ve imagined or you had. It’s also a wonderful way for me to reconnect with our students and the community at PYC. In this week’s episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies I speak with new Mom, Hannah Weaver. There are a few things I love about Hannah’s story. First of all, I absolutely adore Hannah. We got to know each other throughout her time at PYC. Her birth experience shows that birth can unfold differently than you had imagined but you can still walk away feeling supported and seen throughout the process. We also talk about the importance of surrender. Surrendering to maybe what you had envisioned and to parts of parenthood and to birth. It’s a really fantastic conversation.  I think it’s just so important to recognize there’s not just one way to birth, but to be inspired by all the different stories we hear from our community. Support Our Sponsors:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having a baby is expensive, but how much does it really cost? Even with insurance supporting you, there can be a number of surprising costs. So how can parents to be plan for the bill?  In today’s episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies I speak to naturopathic doctor Dr. Ashley Burkman whose personal experiences navigating health care costs have led her to speak on the topic of health care costs. Dr. Burkman discusses understanding what is covered by insurance (and how to figure this out), the No Surprises Act, deductibles, lowering the cost of birth, what to do if you don’t have insurance, and how to deal with medical bills.  New parents shouldn’t be surprised by a big bill from birth. This conversation will help you figure out how to estimate costs so that your early days as a parent aren’t overshadowed by bills. Support Our Sponsors:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back for part 2 of our Mother’s Day Special! Over the years I have had the honor of speaking to some truly incredible professionals in the perinatal field. Choosing my favorite episodes was a difficult task so we decided to release a second episode as our gift to you! In this best of episode we talk about feeling sexy as a mother, overcoming shame, the value of postpartum education, mom guilt, martyr mode and perfectionism, and going back to work as a mom.  These conversations were often sparked by my own challenges as a mother. I hope that the insights shared help you as much as they helped me.  Support Our Sponsors:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sunday is Mother’s Day and we have a very special 2 part episode this week in celebration! In honor and gratitude to all of the mothers and mother figures in our community we put together an episode filled with insight and advice from some of my favorite episodes about motherhood.  In this best of episode we talk about self care as a mother, finding community and friendship, avoiding burnout, and how to have a kid and a life. As a Mother’s Day bonus we have a 2nd episode dropping tomorrow! Tune back in Thursday when we’ll talk about feeling sexy, overcoming shame, guilt, and more! Please enjoy the insight, shared struggles, and talk about being a mother and learning to thrive. Support Our Sponsors:  Ritual: Turn healthy habits into a ritual. For 10% off your first 3 months go to ritual.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m so happy that the pelvic floor is finally getting its moment to shine. This incredibly important set of muscles impacts our breath, continence, helps keep our organs in place, and affects our day to day comfort. It certainly deserves our attention! However not all of the information people are sharing about it is factual and some of these myths can lead to real physical issues over time.  Today I’m speaking with Dr. Janelle Howell, DPT, WCS about these common myths. From assumptions like a cesarean birth will prevent prolapse and keep things tight, or that Kegel exercises will solve everything, or waist trainers will give your an hourglass figure, Dr. Howell busts through these myths with facts and shares evidence based solutions.  This refreshing conversation clears the air about topics many are often hesitant to talk to a care provider about but can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Support Our Sponsors:  Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April is Cesarean Awareness month, and since roughly one third of American Babies are born this way I thought this episode was incredibly important to re-release!  Cesarean sections rank among the top surgical procedures given in the US. Since it’s such a common procedure, it can be easy to forget that it’s major abdominal surgery. New parents are sent home with the daunting task of caring for a newborn and healing from surgery often with little support. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Sara Reardon and Jessica Reale, two doctors of Physical Therapy and board certified Specialists in Women’s Health. Sara and Jessica offer tips and advice for healing after a cesarean including how and why to do scar mobilization. They also explain how the pelvic floor is affected postpartum even if you had a cesarean.  Support Our Sponsors:  Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As expectant parents we spend so much time preparing for birth and life with a baby, often we forget about the recovery our bodies and minds need after labor. Between our culture and our medical system healing from birth is greatly overlooked and under discussed.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies we turn the attention back to the birth parent. I speak with Morgan Michalowski, a certified nurse midwife, women’s health nurse practitioner, international board certified lactation consultant, doula, and mother all about vaginal birth recovery.  From muscle soreness, to bleeding, tears, prolapse, hormonal changes and nutritional needs Dr Michalowski discusses the range of normal and what our bodies and minds need to heal after birth.  P.S. (Cesarean Parents- I’m releasing the cesarean healing episode next week!) Support Our Sponsors:  Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you could choose between a short, fast labor or a long, slow labor, I’m guessing you would choose short and fast. But a precipitous labor can come with some unexpected complications for both the new parents and baby.  In today’s episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies I speak with Alisone Bonafos who joined our community during her pregnancy as a part of our yoga classes and teacher training.  In addition to sharing her surprising birth story Alisone has fantastic insight about coming through to the other side of birth. She openly shares her experiences after her baby was born and the journey with her partner into parenthood. Alisone’s honesty about some very common struggles as a new parent are something I think many of us can relate to, even though it’s not often spoken about. I think you’re going to get a lot out of this whole conversation! Support Our Sponsors:  Everlywell: Everylwell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Nutribullet: Go to nutribullet.com and use promo code YBB for 20% off your order. Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies  To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The vaccination schedule for your baby can feel daunting. It also may seem a little strange, you might wonder why a newborn needs to be protected against Hepatitis B? Between frequent visits to the pediatrician and fears you might have over adverse reactions to the vaccines, many parents wonder how they can best support their child.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies I speak with holistic pediatrician Dr. Ana-Maria Temple about newborn and childhood vaccinations. In an easily digestible manner, she explains the vaccines babies are given and why they are given at such a young age. We discuss the possibility to delay certain vaccines and why a parent might consider doing that. Dr. Temple also offers resources and questions you might ask your pediatrician to get everyone working together and ensure care is aligned with your family’s goals. As Dr. Temple says “If you understand the why, you can then make decisions and choices.”  Support Our Sponsors:  Everlywell: Everylwell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Nutribullet: Go to nutribullet.com and use promo code YBB for 20% off your order. Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center  *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parenting. Let’s talk about it. Whether your child is 6 days or 6 years old parenting can lead to a mix of feelings from love and joy, to judgement, expectation, and frustration. Sometimes this can leave you feeling not so great about being a parent.  In this week’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with Rachel Bailey, a parenting specialist, mother of 2, and therapist. We dive into what it really is to be a parent nowadays. Rachel provides actionable steps we can take when we feel discomfort in the parenting role from journaling, to mindset shifts, to teachable moments.  It’s a wonderful conversation that I think you’re going to get a lot out of! Support Our Sponsors: Everlywell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Nutribullet: Go to nutribullet.com and use promo code YBB for 20% off your order. Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service atwww.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having a baby is expensive! So, how can we prepare for the expected and unexpected costs that come with having a child?  In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with financial educator and founder of Smart Money Mamas Chelsea Brennan. From getting a clear picture of your current financial state, to understanding how to prioritize and prepare for baby expenses, Chelsea gives simple exercises that will help you understand your family money values, how to choose a money mantra, and how to prepare for the many expenses that come along with parenthood. I suggest you grab something to take notes with when you listen to this episode, I know I did! Support Our Sponsors:  Nutribullet: Go to nutribullet.com and use promo code YBB for 20% off your order. Everlywell: Everylwell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may have heard it’s easier to repair a straight and even cut as opposed to a jagged tear from vaginal births. But is this something that’s actually supported by medical evidence or merely a falsehood passed down about birth? In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies I talk to Dr. Heather Jeffcoat DPT all about tears and episiotomies. If you experienced either of these in your birth, how you can help your pelvic floor heal and if you’re pregnant preparing for birth what you can do to prevent either of these from happening? Dr. Jeffcoat goes in depth about the pelvic floor, what tearing it means, different types of tears one may get from having a vaginal birth, episiotomies, healing from either of these and ways you can minimize tearing during birth.  After listening to this episode you will feel empowered knowing you have choices in how you prepare, give birth, and heal our bodies are amazing! Support Our Sponsors:  Nutribullet: Go to nutribullet.com and use promo code YBB for 20% off your order. Everlywell: Everylwell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! *Offering 20% off a PDF download of Dr. Jeffcoat's book at SexWithoutPainBook.com to with code PYC20 Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meeting your baby for the first time is love at first sight right? For many of us, this isn’t the case. Personally, meeting my son for the first time left me wondering what I was supposed to be feeling.  Whether this idea of instant love and connection is something you’ve learned from movies and tv shows or the stories shared by family and friends, it’s ok if that’s not your experience. In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with Bethany Warren, LCSW, PMH-C about bonding and attachment with your baby. Bethany shares many reasons why you may not feel connected to the “stranger” you’ve just been handed and how you can build attunement.  I hope that today’s conversation can reduce the guilt and shame so many parents have around these feelings and provide you tangible tools to develop attachment and bonding with your baby. Support Our Sponsors:  Nutribullet: Go to nutribullet.com and use promo code YBB for 20% off your order. Everlywell: Everylwell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10 Get your package here! Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Community birth stories are incredibly special. Not only is it an honor to be a part of your journey in pregnancy, but I love hearing what happened at the birth you were preparing for, as well as how you’re doing postpartum! In today’s episode of  Yoga| Birth|Babies I speak to PYC regular and mother of two,Erin Amato. While Erin’s first birth was at a hospital, her second birth was at home. We discuss the ways Erin prepared for a home birth, her support team, her birth story, and what helped her feel safe, supported, and cared for birthing at home. We also talk about being a second time mom and how she prepared her daughter to welcome their new baby sibling. Support Our Sponsors:  Everlywell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that 1 in 4 pregnant people carry Group B Strep (GBS)? You might be wondering why we don’t hear about it until we’re pregnant? You may also be wondering if it’s dangerous, if there’s anything you can do to prevent it, and if you have it, how does it affect your and your baby’s care. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak to professor and neonatologist Dr. Tara M. Randis all about Group B Strep. From screening, to symptoms, and treatment Dr. Randis covers everything you need to know to understand GBS. This episode sheds light and lots of answers on this little known but common condition. Support Our Sponsors:  Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Everlywell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service atwww.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If speaking in front of a group of people, taking an exam, or being in a new place ever left you urgently finding the nearest bathroom, you’ve had first hand experience of how stress can impact your pelvic floor.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies I speak with Hayley Kava PT, MPT about the role stress plays in pelvic floor health. Hayley explains how our nervous system interacts with the pelvic floor both physically and chemically. She discusses her approach as a PT helping clients manage their stressors before working directly with the pelvic floor muscles. We also cover how important proper breathing and sleep are to our pelvic floor health and simple steps you can take to improve both and begin to bring balance back to your pelvic floor.  Support Our Sponsors:  Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Everlywell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service atwww.getboober.com Prenatal Yoga Center: YBB podcast listeners- join Deb for class! Take $10 off an 8 class or One Month Unlimited yoga class package with the code ybb10  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I don’t know about you, but as a parent I’m busy! It seems there’s never enough time in the day to get through family, work, and personal to do lists. So how can parents accomplish what needs to get done without burning out?  As today’s guest Rachel Nielson points out, “time isn’t a naughty child that needs to be managed, it’s something to make peace with.” In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies I talk to fellow podcaster, business owner, and Mom Rachel Nielson about how to successfully manage time and expectations as a parent. Rachel introduces us to the concept of containerizing our life, gives us tips on how to shift our focus, and tangible tools that will help you and your family have time for everything that matters. Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors:  Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Everlywell at home lab test is offering a special discount of 20% off an at-home lab test at www.everlywell.com/ybb Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service atwww.getboober.com To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birth stories can be an incredibly powerful tool to prepare for your upcoming birth experience. As we learn in today’s episode, a twin parent may feel like just a foot note in birth books. Through our community birth stories we aim to help illuminate a multitude of experiences. In today’s episode of Yoga |Birth |Babies we hear from community member and prenatal yoga teacher Jenny Campbell.  Jenny, an accomplished dancer and active yoga practitioner talks about how she surrendered to the physical and hormonal changes of a twin pregnancy. She also shares the support she sought out through pregnancy from switching to prenatal yoga classes and taking naps, to finding the right doula (Lindsey Bliss). Jenny also shares the details of her vaginal twin birth. Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center *Join Deb for a yoga class, register here and use code ybb10 for $10 off an 8 Class or One Month Unlimited package!* Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is so much information about supporting breastfeeding right now, particularly on social media. With its current popularity as something “good moms” do formula or bottle feeding parents are left in the dark.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with doctor of perinatal and pediatric nutrition, Dr. Bridget Young about the stigma around formula feeding and how to choose what is best for your baby.  Dr. Young shares indications that your baby may be dealing with allergies from breastmilk or formula intolerance and explains the different options for formula. She also offers some of her favorite bottle feeding tips! Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No matter which way you may be leaning in terms of pain meds during labor, it’s important to know all your options so that you can make an informed decision. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Rachel Salem, about all your options for pain medicine during labor. Rachel shares the difference between a “walking” epidural and a standard epidural, how epidurals are administered and dispels the myth that you need to hurry up and get an epidural before it’s “too late”. She also explains the pros and cons of narcotics like Stadol and Demerol.   Support Our Sponsors: Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Boober: Looking for a lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For those who have sweat through your child having a full on meltdown in the middle of Target. For those who have felt judged by others or responsible for your child’s behavior. For those who have felt shame as a parent, this podcast episode is for you.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with licensed psychotherapist, parent coach, speaker, and bestselling author, Mercedes Samudio. Mercedes started the #EndParentShaming movement as well as coined the term Shame-Proof Parenting – using both to bring awareness to ending parent shame. Mercedes shares how shame has infiltrated parenthood and offers strategies that encourage healthy parent- child relationship building. She also talks about what happens if we only focus on resolving the surface behaviors but don’t look deeper at the child’s emotional or mental state. Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Boober: Looking for a lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, Meredith Raucher Sisson, shares her story of two very different births; neither one “better” than the other just different. Meredith takes us on a journey of what she learned from the birth of her first child and how she reexamined certain choices for her second. She was equally satisfied with both birth experiences. Meredith also shares how she felt about having a VBAC for her second birth and the wisdom she gained as a second time mom.  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout pregnancy, your hormones are surging. Your estrogen is up 1000 fold, progesterone has increased 10 fold and relaxin is now present. Then you have your baby, the placenta is delivered and your hormones plummet like you are free falling off a mountain top. This major hormonal shift can create havoc for the new parent’s body and mind. It’s often the missing piece to better understanding the full picture of postpartum recovery.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Yale-trained MD, midwife, and herbalist, Dr. Aviva Romm. She gives the low down on what is in the normal scope of hormonal rebalancing post baby and when you may want to seek some help. She also talks about how things as simple as sleep and diet can affect your hormonal balance. This podcast is a necessity for anyone heading into the postpartum period or people who are already there and desire clarity of what is happening to their body and mind.  Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nobody likes when their child has a melt down. Wouldn’t you like to have a better understanding of what triggers tantrums and how to help your child self regulate instead of self implode?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with neuroscientist and founder of Curious Neuron, Dr. Cindy Hovington, Ph.D. who shares ways to manage tantrums according to science! She explains what is happening in your child’s brain during a tantrum and offers ideas to help your child emotionally regulate to lessen tantrums. Most importantly, Dr. Hovington offers suggestions for parents to stay calm during a tantrum. Support Our Sponsors: Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service atwww.getboober.com Green Chef The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well Go to GreenChef.com/ybb10 and use code ybb10 to get 10 Free Meals including free shipping! Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine teaching prenatal yoga for years and envisioning how your birth will unfold. Then learning that your baby is breech and despite many attempts to turn baby head down, you will need a cesarean birth. This is what happened to Christa.  In episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with founder of KITH & KIN, yoga teacher, and new mother Christa Nader. Christa shares how she wrapped her mind around changing her birth plans and how she prepared for her cesarean birth. Personally, my biggest take away from this conversation was how beautiful and powerful Christa’s birth was. We discussed how cesarean is often seen as “the ugly step sister” in the birth world and the need to change that perception. Support Our Sponsors: Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center And don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diastasis recti and the pelvic floor have fortunately become part of the conversation in prenatal and postpartum wellness. With knowledge comes power, confidence and choices. Pregnant folks and new parents are no longer in the dark about what is happening to their body and can take an active role in helping to restore and heal postpartum.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, it is my great pleasure to speak with  women’s health and fitness specialist and founder of Core Exercise Solutions, Dr. Sarah Duvall.  Sarah and I geek out and talk about diastasis recti, causes of it, and ways people may unknowingly inhibit their healing. Sarah also explains common pelvic floor misunderstandings.  Support Our Sponsors: Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center And don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever looked at an old picture of yourself before kids and thought about how much your life has changed?  Crossing the threshold into parenthood isn’t about simply adjusting to life with a child. It’s a remarkable transformation to one’s personal identity and how you relate to the world around you and within relationships.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with the director and founder of The Root Therapy NYC, Katherine Casey, LCSW about identity outside of parenthood. Kat gives suggestions on preparing for the shift into parenthood and creating clear boundaries.  Support Our Sponsors: Hello Fresh: America’s #1 meal kit! Go to HelloFresh.com/ybb14 and use code ybb14 for up to 14 free meals AND 3 free gifts! Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I recently returned the Spinnig Babies Parent Educator Training and have been so inspired by the work that I wanted to re-release this wonderful and insightful conversation with Spinning Babies®  founder, Gail Tully.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, Gail Tully (CPM) explains Spinning Babies® methodology and shares how the baby’s position and the pregnant body impacts the birth flow. She also reveals what to do prenatally to enhance your chances of being one of those fortunate people with a well balanced body and a functional birth. (Hint: prenatal yoga is a pretty smart choice!)  So if you ever wondered why some births are fast and furious while others slowly putter along, this will shed some light on that and give actionable takeaways to help find that delicate balance between baby and the passageway within the parent’s body.  Support Our Sponsors:  Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at:prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a childbirth educator, I am thrilled that I see so many people putting thoughtful effort into learning about their options for birth and thinking about their birth values. Unfortunately, the same rigor is not often put into postpartum education. Not just how to change a diaper or feed your newborn, but the emotional rollercoaster of postpartum, and the messiness of parenthood. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Doctor of Clinical Psychology and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Jane Shomof. Jane and I discuss the importance of postpartum planning and as well as recognizing the difference between postpartum anxiety versus postpartum depression, and postpartum OCD. Jane also shares how she sees society’s expectations of new parents can play into the struggle many new parents experience. Support Our Sponsors:  Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at:prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that the memory of your birth and your satisfaction with it directly correspond to how you perceive being treated during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum? This is a big reason why it’s important to make sure you’re getting the support and respect you need throughout your whole journey of pregnancy, birth, and parenthood.  In this week’s episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with maternal health expert and the founder of Boober, Jada Shapiro. Jada and I dive into the specific topics you should discuss with your birth team before your birth (including your care provider hospital, pediatrician, and lactation consultant)!  Setting clear expectations about the care you expect to receive can prevent anxiety, strife, and misunderstandings. We also talk about the importance of trusting your gut, seeing red flags, and listening to your “spidey” senses. This episode is so valuable for expectant and new parents as those who support them.  Support Our Sponsors:  Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at:prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much have you thought about preparing your body for conception?  Did you know that you can boost your fertility and balance your hormones to support your chances of conceiving through the practice of yoga and nutrition? In this week’s episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies, I speak with  award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist, registered yoga teacher Kendra Tolbert MS, about ways you can help prime your body and mind for conception. Kendra shares what it means to live FERTILE (who doesn’t love a good acronym!) and how food can play a role in supporting fertility. She also explains how yoga focused on fertility differs from a general population class. Support Our Sponsors:  Green Chef: If you want to shake up your dinner selection or just know that you are going to get delicious, easy to follow recipes, go to GreenChef.com/90ybb and use code 90ybb to get $100 off including free shipping! Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in July, at 37 weeks pregnant, Elisa, attended my prenatal yoga class in which we spoke of the importance of keeping an open mind about one’s birth plan. Little did she know that the next day she would be in labor.   Several weeks later, Elisa wrote to me saying “I can still hear your words in my head about 1 out of 3 people have their baby by caesarean section. And the story of your other student who ended up with an unplanned c section that was not at all the initial plan. You recommended us to be opened to whatever would happen.  Well – the 1 out of 3 in the room would become me…” In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, new parent and yoga teacher, Elisa Galassi, shares her unpredictable birth story. Elisa opens up about the twists and turns of her labor that led to an ending she never imagined. She also shares how she has processed her birth and what she has learned about herself through this experience. Please enjoy this beautiful community birth story.  Support Our Sponsors:  Green Chef: If you want to shake up your dinner selection or just know that you are going to get delicious, easy to follow recipes, go to GreenChef.com/90ybb and use code 90ybb to get $100 off including free shipping! Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is a privilege to have quality perinatal health care and assistance in conceiving. Unfortunately, due to a myriad of factors included a broken healthcare system, many people are not able to access the support they need. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Expectful’s Co-Founder and CEO, Nathalie Walton about the biggest obstacles in improving access to maternal health care. She shares steps and suggestions of how to obtain better care. We also dive into a conversation about conception and ways to enhance one’s chance of conception. Support Our Sponsors:  Green Chef: If you want to shake up your dinner selection or just know that you are going to get delicious, easy to follow recipes, go to GreenChef.com/90ybb and use code 90ybb to get $100 off including free shipping! Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many years, before formalized childbirth education class, knowledge of birth was transferred to expectant parents through birth stories from members of their community and families.  Birth stories can continue to contribute to the preparation and confidence for one’s upcoming birth and offer personal stories and real human interactions rather than a medical account of the experience.   In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with founder of The Birth Hour, Bryn Huntpalmer. Bryn explains the importance of having the opportunity to share one’s birth story with little interruptions and commentary. She also discusses the common thread she has noticed in over 600 birth stories. Lastly, Bryn shares a bit of her own birth stories.  Support Our Sponsors:  Green Chef: If you want to shake up your dinner selection or just know that you are going to get delicious, easy to follow recipes, go to GreenChef.com/90ybb and use code 90ybb to get $100 off including free shipping! Boober: Looking for a  lactation support, birth doulas, mental health therapists, and postpartum doulas. Use the code PYC to get 10% off your first service at www.getboober.com  Uprising Foods: Uprising is offering our listeners $10 off the starter bundle! That includes two superfood cubes and four pack of freedom chips to try! Go to www.UPRISINGFOOD.com/YBB Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than half of adults experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. Up to 45% of new parents report their birth was traumatic. Given the prevalence of trauma in our population and specifically the perinatal community, it's important that one’s yoga practice supports healing not further trigger trauma.  For yoga teachers it's necessary to understand how to support students with knowledge of trauma informed yoga. As practitioners, knowing how to adapt your own practice from a trauma-informed lens and what boundaries to expect from your teacher, may help support your healing.  In this episodes of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Taylor Wray, Trauma Informed Yoga Specialist. Taylor explains how trauma affects the body and brain. She also shares the main principles of trauma informed yoga. Taylor talks about triggers that may unknowingly be in a general class and how students and teachers can be aware of them. Support Our Sponsors:  Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast. Uprising Foods: Uprising is offering our listeners $10 off the starter bundle! That includes two superfood cubes and four pack of freedom chips to try! Go to www.UPRISINGFOOD.com/YBB Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a lot of fear surrounding age and pregnancy. It’s as if awakening on your 35th birthday renders you conceptionally challenged. But why has that pressure been put on people? What does it really mean to have a baby after 35? And, what can we do to increase fertility at 35 and beyond? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Shannon M. Clark, MD, MMS, FACOG, double board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist Shannon’s no nonsense approach offers the facts and busts the myths about birthing “later in life”. We also talk about being labeled as a “geriatric pregnancy”.  Support Our Sponsors: Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy and new parenthood are often isolating and people are feeling it now more than ever. This is one of the reasons why we put such a heavy emphasis on community building at PYC and share birth stories.  In this episode of Yoga |Birth |Babies, I have the honor of listening to the birth story and pregnancy journey of one of our community members, Kate Meredith.  Kate joined the PYC community at the start of Covid and in the very early weeks of her pregnancy. She shares the role community played for her during quarantine, obstacles she encountered, conscious choices she made about the trajectory of her pregnancy, and her recent birth story. Support Our Sponsors: Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you have a child and a life?  That question is answered by this week’s guest, Ericka Sóuter, journalist and author of the book, How to Have a Kid and Life: A Survival Guide. In this week’s episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, Ericka lays out what it means to continue to escalate in one’s career while still being present as a parent. She also gives solid advice on the importance of boundaries and how to set them as well as finding personal space in your life. This is a must listen to episode for all parents who seek balance in their lives.  Support Our Sponsors: Somfy: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast. Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Newborn babies have some peculiar quirks, habits, and bodily functions. If you’re entering parenthood unfamiliar with what’s normal and what isn’t you might be scared or deeply concerned by things that are pretty routine for new babies.  In this episode of Yoga |Birth|Babies, board-certified Pediatrician and IBCLC, Dr. Tracey Agnese demystifies the behavior of newborn babies. She goes over many things from oddly colored baby poop, to irregular breathing patterns, to signs that something is really wrong and you should consult your doctor. Learning about what is normal to expect from your little one will help put any new parent or parent to be’s worries at ease. Support Our Sponsors: Learn more about Somfy powered motorized window coverings, or connect with a Somfy dealer in your area to get a customized quote for your home by visiting somfysystems.com/podcast. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

VBAC’s are a birth option that one comes to with a great deal of preparation and planning. If this is your envisioned birth option, likely you desire the chance to experience a vaginal birth.  To help see that vision come true, it’s important to stack the cards in your favor and one of the best ways to do that is by aligning yourself with a supportive team.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Meagan Heaton, doula, childbirth educator, and co-founder of VBAC Links. Meagan’s mission is to provide evidence-based education and support for those who wish to try for a VBAC. In our conversation, Meagan dispels some of the myths surrounding VBACs and also helps debunk the “VBAC calculator.”  She also shares “red flags” that a pregnant person may want to look out for when interviewing care providers about a potential VBAC.  Support Our Sponsors: Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com Make meal time a little easier! Go to GreenChef.com/ybb100 and use code ybb100 to get $100 off including free shipping! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought about how lack of sleep affects you? Brain fog? Irritability? Now think about how that lack of solid sleep is affecting your child.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies, I speak with founder and creator of Little Z’s® Sleep Consulting, Becca Campbell. We discuss how poor sleep can impact your child’s health and how to set up a realistic bedtime routine (and actually stick to it!).  Becca explains that sleep training doesn’t necessarily mean “cry it out” and shares the 4 methods of sleep training so you can decide what is right for you and your family. Most importantly, she offers solid tools to help you get your baby to sleep so you can all feel rested. Support Our Sponsors: Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com Make meal time a little easier! Go to GreenChef.com/ybb100 and use code ybb100 to get $100 off including free shipping! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 in 3 new parents report their birth as traumatic. This leaves a tremendous amount of new parents adjusting to new parenthood while also overcoming an emotionally traumatizing event. Sometimes the healing is never resolved and subsequent pregnancies and births can bring up past traumatic feelings.  This week’s episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies was inspired by conversations within our community. Students spoke up about the wounds they carried and their concerns of repeating a challenging birth.  Kristin Lasseter, Board-Certified Psychiatrist who specializes in Reproductive Psychiatry and Women’s Mental Health helps address how healing can begin. She also shares primary symptoms that may arise that can indicate birth trauma as well as ways to mourn the vision of the birth that didn’t happen.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors:  Go to GreenChef.com/ybb100 and use code ybb100 to get $100 off including free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At PYC we discuss the pelvic floor in every prenatal yoga. We talk about the importance of balance, the need for both support and release in the pelvic floor muscles. But the idea of knowing where exactly one’s own pelvic floor lies in that spectrum of not too engaged and not too relaxed is often a mystery.   In this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies, doctor of physical therapy, Rachel Parrotta, DPT, helps us put on our detective hat and explore the pelvic floor. Rachel gives easy to understand indications that may help you figure out what is happening in your own body. If your pelvic floor is in a constant state of engagement, adding more toning can actually make matters worse. That’s why gathering the knowledge to best meet your individual needs is so important. Rachel also shares about her own discovery of her pelvic floor and using vaginal weights! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors:  Go to GreenChef.com/ybb100 and use code ybb100 to get $100 off including free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is power in sharing and hearing birth stories from people in your community. It can bring confidence to those soon arriving at their own birth and connection for those who have recently given birth. In this week’s episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, we have the delight of hearing the recent birth story from community member and prenatal yoga teacher, Julia Motyka. Julia’s raw honesty about embracing pain for a purpose was inspiring to hear. While many people, myself included, shy away from labeling birth as painful, Julia expressed how she was able to use these sensations to let her know how to move and react to what her body and baby needed to birth. I walked away from this conversation reminded of the deep reverence I have for birth. I hope you are moved as well by Julia’s birth story.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re confused or overwhelmed not knowing what you should or shouldn’t eat while pregnant, how to work around nausea or cravings, and making peace with weight gain during pregnancy this conversation will bring you clarity!  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies I speak with registered dietician, podcaster, and founder of the online education center Nourishing Minds Nutrition, Victoria Myers. Victoria considers herself to be “the non-diet dietitian” and shares amazing knowledge about how intuitive eating can be a relief and support during pregnancy. She clarifies the guidelines of recommended foods to indulge in and some you may want to forgo and discusses some pregnancy nutrition misconceptions.  *Trigger warning, we talk about disordered eating, eating disorders, and orthorexia.* Support Our Sponsors:  Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Unidragon: Go to unidragon.com and use my code: YBB for 10% off your purchase. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I would venture to bet you've been pretty mindful about what you eat and drink through out your pregnancy and postpartum, but have you thought much about your skincare regimen and how it may need to be adjusted? Certain products are simply not safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with board-certified dermatologist, Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD. Marisa gives us the low down on what is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding and what to skip, (yes, even those “natural” products need some consideration!) We also talk about stretch marks, unwanted hair growth and sun screen. Enjoy!  Support Our Sponsors  Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Unidragon: Go to unidragon.com and use my code: YBB for 10% off your purchase.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a reason this podcast caught your eye, likely because you're feeling a bit stressed and want to know how this could affect your pregnancy and baby. While stress is a normal part of life, especially at times of great change, like pregnancy and new parenthood, it could create imbalances in the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with the leading integrative high-risk pregnancy specialist and author, Parijat Deshpande. Parijat explains what exactly is stress and how our bodies react to stress. She also shares how small simple movements and calling upon your 5 senses can help release stress and come back into your body.  Support Our Sponsors  Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Unidragon: Go to unidragon.com and use my code: YBB for 10% off your purchase.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Approximately 1 in 4 pregnant people will be induced. With rates this high, understanding induction and all it entails can help demystify the induction process and reduce fear, which can make your whole birth more satisfying.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Labor and Delivery nurse, childbirth educator and mother of 7, Trish Ware. Trish shares everything you need to know about being induced, from having a “favorable cervix” to medically indicated reasons for induction. Trish’s down to earth tone makes this sometimes overwhelming topic, easy to digest and hear.  Support Our Sponsors  Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Greenchef: Go to GreenChef.com/ybb90 and use code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month including free shipping! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you remember the Saturday Night Live skit about “Mom Jeans”? It pokes fun at “moms” and emphasizes that once someone becomes a mother they trade in the sexy body, cute clothes, and sense of self for a frumpy bodied person with poor fashion sense who is fully family focused. Why does society accept the deeply embedded belief that mothers can’t be sexy?  This is one of my favorite episodes of Yoga | Birth | Babies which is why we are revisiting this important topic! I speak with award winning documentarian, author, world renowned speaker and acclaimed doula, Debra Pascali-Bonaro.  Debra and I have a fun and lively conversation about her book, The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby: Secrets to Love and Intimacy. Debra explains why so many people put sexuality and motherhood into two very different realms and how mother figures can reclaim their sexy wild woman. Debra offers amazing insight and advice for maintaining your connection to your partner and honoring your own personal needs.  Support Our Sponsors  Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com OUAI:  Go to THEOUAI.comand use code YBB to get 15% off your entire purchase. Greenchef: Go to GreenChef.com/ybb90 and use code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month including free shipping! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J came back to postnatal yoga and shared that she faced two monumentous moments of struggle and surrender during her birth. Having had the chance to get to know J through out her pregnancy, I was deeply curious about her birth story. J, was a regular in prenatal yoga and the topic of fear and control was often something she often expressed. How do you enter a situation that is out of your control when you have a deep desire to control the process?  In our conversation, J vulnerably shared about the anxiety and depression she faced during pregnancy, the obstacles of her birth, and how she had to surrender control to allow her labor to progress. After a long birth, she was able to look back at the experience with pride and deep admiration for her personal journey. She told her husband, "Don’t ever let me forget how strong I am."  Please enjoy this week’s episode of Yoga| Birth |Babies with J Stewart as she shares her birth story.  Support Our Sponsors: Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com OUAI:  Go to THEOUAI.comand use code YBB to get 15% off your entire purchase. Greenchef: Go to GreenChef.com/ybb90 and use code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month including free shipping! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may have seen the February 2021 Congressional Report stating there are toxic metals in commercial baby. It definitely made me stop in my tracks when I first learned about this. Interestingly enough, toxic heavy metals in baby food in not new news. (Yes, even the organic baby foods!) So what does all this even mean? Are you now making all your own baby food? Before you toss all your jarred baby food and start on your home garden, take a listen to today’s podcast.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Malina Linkas Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, Registered Dietitian. Malina breaks down the recent report, explains side effects to this exposure, and practical ways to reduce baby’s exposure to contaminants. She also shares ideas for baby’s first foods, there are so many more options than rice cereal!  (ps… If you stay until the very end of the podcast, you can hear about what happens when you put dish soap in a dishwasher! Fun tales from Malina and Deb’s past!) Support Our Sponsors: Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com OUAI:  Go to THEOUAI.comand use code YBB to get 15% off your entire purchase. Greenchef: Go to GreenChef.com/ybb90 and use code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month including free shipping! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When working to heal diastasis recti, most people think of physical exercises to repair the damage. However, nutrition can also play a role in this recovery.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies, I speak with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and founder of Thrive and Bloom Nutrition, Alexandra Paetow. Alexandra explains how food and nutrition can support the healing of weak connective tissue. She also provides specific foods that are high in collagen, a building block to help repair diastasis recti. For those looking for a well rounded approach to postpartum healing, this is the perfect conversation for you. Support Our Sponsors: Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com OUAI:  Go to THEOUAI.com and use code YBB to get 15% off your entire purchase. Greenchef: Go to GreenChef.com/ybb90 and use code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month including free shipping! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when your birth is going well then very suddenly isn’t? That's the path Cindy's birth took.  To give you some peace of mind, Cindy and her son are healthy and well, but they had a very unusual turn of events in their birth journey. In my 20 years working with pregnant folks, this one made my jaw drop. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with new mother, Cindy Walters. Cindy graciously and openly shares her unique birth story. She also discusses how she has processed her experience and grieved for the birth she didn’t have. This conversation highlights the importance of having the mental flexibility to adjust and surrender expectations and how vital it is to have a supportive team who will unwaveringly rally around you.  Support Our Sponsors: Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com   OUAI: Go to THEOUAI.com and use code YBB to get 15% off your entire purchase. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Failure to progress in labor. Can we all agree this is a horrible name and can impact someone’s view of their ability to give birth! For years, birthing people have been expected to follow “Freidman’s Curve” a standard set by a trial of only 500 participants conducted nearly 50 years ago. Recently, ACOG has set new standards. Unfortunately many hospitals and practices have been slow to put these new standards into practice.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I am thrilled to bring back board-certified, practicing OB/GYN and mom of 2, Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins to discuss the parameters of “Failure to progress” and it’s impact unplanned cesareans. Nicole lays out what is considered “normal labor” and why it’s important not jump to declaring arrested labor before active labor starts at 6cm. She also shares factors that may be influencing longer labors and strategies care providers, nurses, and doulas have to help labor progress.  Support Our Sponsors: Lovevery: Get free shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits at LoveEvery.com/YBB Osea: Try OSEA risk-free for 30 days and get free shipping on orders over $50. They even send free samples with every order! Get 10% off your first order with my promo code YBB at OSEAmalibu.com   OUAI: Go to THEOUAI.com and use code YBB to get 15% off your entire purchase. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the first 40 days after birth is honored by “sitting the month.” It’s a time of confinement and healing believed to be crucial to the future health of the new parent and newborn. I first heard about this tradition from one of my students and was immediately intrigued. As a person who barely waited 10 days to resume life, the idea of hunkering down, resting, being cared for by family or other support people sounded foreign and inviting. I wanted to learn more about this ancient custom.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, licensed and board-certified acupuncturist and clinical herbalist, Dr. Lily Yu Gillespie. Lily shares her own hesitation to “sit the month” after her first birth and how some of the methods like binding helped repair her pelvic organ prolapse. Lily also explains the value of warmth, steam, and herbal food or medicinal food can play in healing from the ordeal of birth. This conversation offers a different perspective from the “get up and go” mentality of American postpartum. Support Our Sponsors: Take the guesswork out of your child’s play! www.lovevery.com/YBB and get FREE shipping when you sign up to receive your Play Kits! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have certain character traits that define our nature and help us predict how we will respond in different situations. When it comes to birth, understanding these characteristics can allow us to foresee how we may respond to the flow and turns of labor. These insights can help in preparing the kind of support you desire in labor.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with certified childbirth educators, doulas and Enneagram enthusiast, Cortney Clegg and Stephanie King. Cortney and Stephanie break down the 9 different personality Enneagram types. We discuss how each of the different types require different considerations and support when it comes to birth. Some Enneagram types are more introverted and may require a quieter, more guarded space while others lean towards being an achiever and may be best served from helping them stay more grounded in the moment. With this information, you can communicate your needs with your care provider and birth team. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the majority of people, pregnancy won't cause your career to come to a screeching halt. Now imagine that your body is the instrument your career centers around. That's exactly what happened for Megan Fairchild, principal dancer with New York City Ballet. For her pregnancy meant a quick pivot and stepping back from her career for at least a year.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Megan openly shares a feeling many people encounter when having an unplanned cesarean; feeling like a failure. After all, as a masterful technician of her own body, why couldn't she get it to do what she wanted? Megan talks about how she got to the other side of those feelings, returned to appreciating her body, and how she felt even stronger and more centered returning to the stage after her birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During pregnancy and birth a certain level of anxiety is to be expected as much is unknown and many things change. However it's important to note ways depression and anxiety can manifest. A common way for it to appear during this time of life is a lack of trust in one’s self, one's body, ability to birth and parent, and a desire to take control of all aspects of the experiences. For many this gets coupled with years of fertility issues and loss leading a lot of expectant parents to find themselves overwhelmed.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Reproductive and Perinatal Psychiatrist, Carly Snyder, M.D. She addresses these concerns and offers pregnant people tools they can use to trust the pregnancy process and soften the need to control pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Carly also addresses the usage of anxiety and depression medication during pregnancy and postpartum.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Beautiful things may be on the other side of fear and discomfort.” This is Mirror trainer, birth doula and prenatal yoga teacher Rachel Nicks' life philosophy. And it certainly served her well as she quickly had to rework her whole birth team and plans as she recently became a second time mother.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with Rachel Nicks about her work, pregnancies and birth. (Full disclosure, Rachel is a Prenatal Yoga Center teacher trainee alum! It was so fun to reconnect with her several years after her start into perinatal work.) Rachel shares how she unapologetically prioritizes family and self care in order for her to show up more balanced for her birth work and as a trainer for Mirror.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parenting has been a very humbling experience. My children are incredible teachers showing me where I lack patience and need to adjust my behavior in order to help them self regulate and defuse tense moments. I’ve found myself being more REactive to their behavior rather than PROactive which often elevates tantrums, defiance, and frustration. If you can relate to any of this, today’s podcast episode will be a game changer for you! In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral, Dr. Heather Maguire. Heather breaks down why certain behavior patterns happen and offers tools and strategies to help you effectively deal with common parenting challenges. She also talks about finding the balance between a reward system and consequences. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are so many resources to gather information about pregnancy, labor and birth. How do you know what's accurate and what's misleading? In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with double board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, Shannon M. Clark, MD, MMS, FACOG about the myths and realities of many pregnancy and birth debated topics. Shannon covers a range of topics from epidurals (does the epidural medication pass through the placenta?) to the efficacy of putting garlic in your vagina to prevent Group B Strep. Enjoy Dr. Clark’s no nonsense, evidence based answers to questions gathered from the Prenatal Yoga Center community.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sixty percent of new parents don't breastfeed for as long as they intended, according to the CDC. The top reason being issues with lactation or latch. It's easy to understand why people would discontinue without support or solutions for breastfeeding issues. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology (CSOM) Kelly Euperio. Kelly discusses common breastfeeding challenges that many new parents encounter and solutions to resolve these issues. She also talks about milk supply, what is considered normal, and how much control we have to increase supply if we suspect it's dropping.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The birth of a child not only represents the start of a new life for the baby, but a new life for the parent as well. While this “birth” may not be recognizable to others and on the surface the new parent looks the same, they emerge a different person on the inside. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with new parent and actor, Melissa Macleod about her transformation as a new mother. Melissa shares her internal shift from embracing her new life and learning to trust her instincts as a parent. She also opens up about mistakes she made in early parenthood and what she learned from them.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a year ago this week, that the US shuttered by the force of COVID-19, leaving in it’s wake thousands of mothers who feel crushed by an unequal share of the pandemic burden. However, many mothers already felt massive burn out from daily life, the pandemic just highlighted the unrealistic expectations and pressures put on mothers. “I’ll go to my grave fighting for mothers.” are the words of Motherly’s Director of Health and Wellness, author and certified nurse midwife, Diana Spalding. In this week’s episode of Yoga |Birth | Babies, Diana and I talk about what sparked her passion to make changes on behalf of mothers and their overburdens. Diana shares her thoughts on how we can heal and elevate modern motherhood through individual, family and societal changes. Support Our Sponsors: About 1 in 8 mothers have PPD and it can affect not only the mother but also the whole family. The Skylark Clinical trial is studying a potential medicine for women with PPD. For more information about the study and to see if you or a loved one might be eligible visit www.skylarkppdstudy.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Watching one’s body change dramatically over a matter of months can feel disconcerting. Combine that with a history of disordered eating and body image challenges, and navigating pregnancy and postpartum may feel overwhelming and out of control. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with licensed social worker, Catie Lynch, who specializes in eating disorders, body image, and the postpartum period. She has made it her mission to help women stop dieting and find food freedom for themselves and their children. Catie shares tactics to find freedom from disordered eating and body image issues and discover ways to accept, embrace and trust your body during pregnancy and postpartum. She also discusses factors that contribute to the unrealistic expectations for pregnant and postpartum people’s body image. Support Our Sponsors: About 1 in 8 mothers have PPD and it can affect not only the mother but also the whole family. The Skylark Clinical trial is studying a potential medicine for women with PPD. For more information about the study and to see if you or a loved one might be eligible visit www.skylarkppdstudy.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharing community birth stories offers an intimate connection between one parent and another. Sharing birth stories can be a form of childbirth education, as it helps to remove fear of the unknown and bring confidence, power and courage to those awaiting the transition from pregnancy to parenthood.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth |Babies, we hear the birth story of community member, yoga teacher, and founder of The Abbey, Caroline Williams. Caroline shares the challenges of early pregnancy, the life changing events she experienced while pregnant, and why she needed to adapt her birth plans during labor. Caroline beautifully explains the flexibility and resilience needed not just for birth but for the role as a parent.  Support Our Sponsors: About 1 in 8 mothers have PPD and it can affect not only the mother but also the whole family. The Skylark Clinical trial is studying a potential medicine for women with PPD. For more information about the study and to see if you or a loved one might be eligible visit www.skylarkppdstudy.com Make life a bit easier and Go to GreenChef.com/90ybb and use the code 90ybb to get $90 off including free shipping!” Enjoy Green Chef The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well That’s GreenChef.com/90ybb Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As parents, we aim to raise our children to be good people. Inclusive, respectful people that help move humanity forward. To do this, we have to have open, honest and sometimes difficult conversations about issues that our country and society faces. Simply stating “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you” is not enough. In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with clinical psychologist, author of the book Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria and former president of Spelman College, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum. In this important conversation Dr. Tatum helps define anti-racism, prejudice, and white privilege. She offers insight into ways people may be complacent, unknowingly moving towards racism, and how “well meaning” parents contribute to systemic racism.  Children are not inherently born racist and Dr. Tatum gives solid starting points to talk to kids of all ages about racism.  Support Our Sponsors: About 1 in 8 mothers have PPD and it can affect not only the mother but also the whole family. The Skylark Clinical trial is studying a potential medicine for women with PPD. For more information about the study and to see if you or a loved one might be eligible visit www.skylarkppdstudy.com Join the conversation about National Birth Defects Prevention Month by following hashtag #Best4YouBest4Baby on social media and by visiting March of Dimes at marchofdimes.org/YogaBirthBabies and CDC at cdc.gov/birthdefects Make life a bit easier and Go to GreenChef.com/90ybb and use the code 90ybb to get $90 off including free shipping!” Enjoy Green Chef The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well That’s GreenChef.com/90ybb Abulé (ah-boo-lay) is a brand-new platform for 21st-century parents, based on ancient wisdom. It allows parents to easily and affordably get childcare help, set up learning pods, virtual activities, and pick-up/drop-offs all via BARTER. It’s launching in New York City NOW! Click here to learn more! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The term “core” is thrown around a lot in the fitness and yoga world. But what does it really mean? What muscles are involved and how does someone prepare for pregnancy and postpartum?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with licensed physical therapist and author, Patricia Ladis. Patricia explains what we mean when we say “core” and how the breath plays an intricate role in the core optimally functioning to promote a healthy pelvic floor. She also discusses how new parents can self assess for diastisis recti. Support Our Sponsors: About 1 in 8 mothers have PPD and it can affect not only the mother but also the whole family. The Skylark Clinical trial is studying a potential medicine for women with PPD. For more information about the study and to see if you or a loved one might be eligible visit www.skylarkppdstudy.com Join the conversation about National Birth Defects Prevention Month by following hashtag #Best4YouBest4Baby on social media and by visitingMarch of Dimes at marchofdimes.org/YogaBirthBabies and CDC at cdc.gov/birthdefects Make life a bit easier and Go to GreenChef.com/90ybb and use the code 90ybb to get $90 off including free shipping!” Enjoy Green Chef The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well That’s GreenChef.com/90ybb Abulé (ah-boo-lay) is a brand-new platform for 21st-century parents, based on ancient wisdom. It allows parents to easily and affordably get childcare help, set up learning pods, virtual activities, and pick-up/drop-offs all via BARTER. It’s launching in New York City NOW! Click here to learn more! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The reality of birth inequities in the US is not merely an opinion; it is a fact. Women of color are dying at higher rates than their white counterparts, and in some parts of the country that rate is up to 12 times higher. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Rhea Williams, Certified Nurse Midwife and Director of Professional Education and Programing for Spinning Babies® about birth inequities in the US. Rhea shares insight into how the mistreatment of black slaves, the targeted manipulation of birth control, and the inequality of respect and treatment of black people has led to a deep distrust of the current healthcare system within the black community. These societal failures have resulted in women of color, regardless of education and income, receiving poorer quality of care and being more likely to die in childbirth. Rhea provides tangible steps that individuals and communities can take to better support black birthing people.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Join the conversation about National Birth Defects Prevention Month by following hashtag #Best4YouBest4Baby on social media and by visitingMarch of Dimes at marchofdimes.org/YogaBirthBabiesand CDC at cdc.gov/birthdefects Make life a bit easier and Go to GreenChef.com/90ybb and use the code 90ybb to get $90 off including free shipping!” Enjoy Green Chef The #1 Meal Kit for Eating Well That’s GreenChef.com/90ybb To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birth defects, defined by the March of Dimes, are structural changes that affect one or more parts of the body (e.g. heart, brain, foot). While some birth defects are completely unavoidable and unpreventable, certain behaviors and social and environmental factors can impact the risk for birth defects.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes and Senior Vice President, Rahul Gupta, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP, offers insight on birth defects and shares which personal choices can increase your chances of having a healthy, full-term pregnancy and baby. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what’s in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Join the conversation about National Birth Defects Prevention Month by following hashtag #Best4YouBest4Baby on social media and by visitingMarch of Dimes at marchofdimes.org/YogaBirthBabiesand CDC at cdc.gov/birthdefects To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many pregnant people envision the early days of parenthood snuggled close with their new cooing baby. But, what happens when the dream-like vision collides with brutal reality of a constantly crying baby? One in four babies suffer from a condition called, colic. The baby cries for long stretches of time with little break and no obvious reason as to what is wrong. You can imagine the stress, frustration and sense of helplessness this puts on new parents.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Licensed Mental Health Counselor and mother of a colicky baby, Jackie DelVecchio. Jackie shares her story of having a colicky baby and what she learned about herself as a new parent. As a social worker, Jackie specializes in Perinatal Mental Health and draws on her experiences to support other parents living through life with a colicky baby. She offers solids tips for coping through this challenging and transient time.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what’s in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Join the conversation about National Birth Defects Prevention Month by following hashtag #Best4YouBest4Baby on social media and by visitingMarch of Dimes at marchofdimes.org/YogaBirthBabiesand CDC at cdc.gov/birthdefects To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Community has always been a central part of the PYC methodology. We come together as a community to support one another through pregnancy and parenthood. Hearing the stories from friends, family, and community members can help dispel fears, normalize the variation of birth experiences, and create confidence in the process of childbirth.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with yoga teacher, doula and my friend, Cat Acquaviva, about the birth of her second child. After a challenging first birth, Cat took a very different approach to preparing for her second and deeply committed to the Hypnobabies methodology. Cat openly and candidly shares how she faced her most difficult moments during birth and how she conquered them.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what's in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at  CALM.COM/YBB To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you haven't spent a lot of time around a newborn some of their behaviors and habits may seem bizarre or even scary to you as a new parent.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, board-certified Pediatrician and IBCLC, Dr. Tracey Agnese demystifies the behavior of your newborn baby. She talks about everything from baby poop to irregular breathing patterns to signs that something is really wrong and you should consult your doctor. Dr. Agnese’s calm and friendly demeanor will help put any new parent’s worries at ease.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what's in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at  CALM.COM/YBB To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frequently students return to class and express how blindsided they felt by the demands of the first few weeks of life with a newborn baby. Much time had been spent preparing for labor and birth but many felt unprepared for the reality of this transition. In this episode of Yoga|Birth| Babies, we pull back the curtain and dig into the nitty-gritty of what to expect in the first week as a new parent. Long time postpartum doula and Certified Lactation Counselor, Meema Spadola lovingly shares her vast knowledge about this challenging and precious time of transition. She covers everything from birth recovery to how much sleep new parents really get to handling demanding visitors. Whether you are a new parent, expectant person or someone offering support to new families, Meema will give you solid advice. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what's in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at  CALM.COM/YBB To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birth has so many unknowns including not fully knowing the scenario and care provider you will be encountering upon entering a hospital or birth center. Common situations are bound to arise that may derail the laboring person’s birth flow/physiology. It is important to have tools to help combat this predicament. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with certified Advanced Birth Doula (DONA International), a postpartum educator, a healthy sleep consultant and eco-maternity consultant, and host of the Birthful Podcast, Adriana Lozada. She and I enjoy a lively and informative conversation about how to help empower the birthing person, bring ownership to the them and help break the cycle of looking for external validations for a process that is happening inside them. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what's in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at  CALM.COM/YBB Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week. Use my code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB90 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB90 To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Due dates, that looming day etched in your mind when your journey through pregnancy will come to an abrupt ending. But how accurate are these given dates and what happens if that day comes and goes?  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with board-certified, practicing OB/GYN, Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins. Nicole shares an open and honest discussion on the pros and cons of waiting for labor to start on its own, labor induction, and what’s considered “full term”. We also discuss if a “big baby” or a schedule really is a medically indicated reason to induce labor? Find out in this podcast!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what's in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at  CALM.COM/YBB Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week. Use my code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB90 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB90 To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world that often categorizes people and events in a binary manner, those who fall beyond the binary often face unseen challenges. Family planning, reproductive care, and birth are no exceptions. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with doula, childbirth educator and board-certified music therapist, Beth Hardy about supporting Queer, Trans, Non-Binary Folks in Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum. Beth discusses why some queer, trans, and non-binary folks may avoid seeking medical assistance during the process of getting pregnant, throughout their pregnancy, and birth. Beth also talks about the importance of finding the right birth team, including how to help hospital staff keep the birthing space feeling safe and supportive for a laboring person. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what's in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at  CALM.COM/YBB Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week. Use my code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB90 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB90 To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cesarean sections rank among the top surgical procedures given in the US. Currently, one third of American babies are born in this manner. Because it’s such a common procedure, it can be easy to forget that a cesarean is major abdominal surgery. New parents are sent home with the daunting task of caring for a newborn and healing from surgery often with little support.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with two doctors of Physical Therapy and board certified Specialists in Women's Health Sara Reardon and Jessica Reale. Sara and Jessica offer tips and advice for healing after a cesarean including how and why to do scar mobilization. They also explain how the pelvic floor is affected postpartum even if someone had a cesarean. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at  CALM.COM/YBB Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week. Use my code ybb90 to get $90 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB90 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB90 To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies we dive into the topics I love most, yoga, birth and babies! Renowned yoga teacher, podcast host and yoga business strategist, Mado Hesselink shares her journey from her early 20s having her first child and to her late 30’s when having her second child. Mado also discusses how she balances being a yoga practitioner, teacher, and a parent. This powerful episode really has something for everyone... Expectant parents, New parents, yoga teachers, and yoga practitioners. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at ​CALM.COM/YBB Orgain Collegen Peptides Powder: For Yoga | Birth | Babies community, get 20% off your first order PLUS extra savings when you subscribe. www.tryorgain.com/YBB If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $90 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB90 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB90 To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do so many mothers suffer from mom guilt, martyr-mode, and perfectionism? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Gemma ((the first digital education platform dedicated exclusively to women's mental health) Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, MD, about the pressure many mothers feel to fulfill unrealistic expectations put on them by themselves and society. Dr. Lakshmin offers solid take aways to break the habits and mentality of mom guilt, martyr-mode, and perfectionism as well as learning to say no and set boundaries. This conversation can help break the strain and stress often felt by new mothers allowing for an easier transition into parenthood. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at ​CALM.COM/YBB I finally found the best clean products to help to stay healthy and maintain my glow! Orgain Collagen Peptides Powder: For Yoga | Birth | Babies community, get 20% off your first order PLUS extra savings when you subscribe. https://tryorgain.com/YBB/ If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know there are 90,000 chemicals that we are surrounded by, on a daily basis, that may impact your health, pregnancy and baby? Many of these chemicals are commonly used in beauty products, house cleaning items, and even the clothes we wear.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with board certified rheumatologist, integrative medicine specialist, and environmental health expert Dr. Aly Cohen about environmental health and pregnancy. Dr. Cohen talks about the importance of considering the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the normal function of hormones and how people can make choices to avoid them. She also offers very solid advice on foods and personal care products to avoid will pregnant and breastfeeding.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: I finally found the best clean products to help to stay healthy and maintain my glow! Orgain Collagen Peptides Powder: For Yoga | Birth | Babies community, get 20% off your first order PLUS extra savings when you subscribe. https://tryorgain.com/YBB/ If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Catalina reached out to share her birth story, I was struck by the powerful words she used to describe her birth, “I was able to make empowered decisions without shame.” Immediately, I knew there was a story to explore and wanted her as a guest on the podcast. With no time wasted, Catalina responded that as a woman of color and in a same-sex relationship, she loves sharing her story of both how she got pregnant and about her amazing pregnancy and birth. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, new parent, Catalina Restrepo, shares her story. She explains that even though we, as a society, have “advanced” so much, people are still so puzzled about same sex couples having children.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: I finally found the best clean products to help to stay healthy and maintain my glow! Orgain Collagen Peptides Powder: For Yoga | Birth | Babies community, get 20% off your first order PLUS extra savings when you subscribe. https://tryorgain.com/YBB/ If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much time have you put into learning about a cesarean birth? What are factors that play a role in having a cesarean birth or way to decrease the chances of a cesarean birth?  With the national average for cesarean rates hovers around 30%, time spent on understanding cesareans births may serve to be very valuable.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with board-certified OB-GYN and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at WashU School of Medicine, Dr. Marta Perez. Marta covers the gamut about everything from preparing for a scheduled cesarean to understanding the difference between an emergency cesarean and an unplanned cesarean. Marta also discusses the importance of finding closure in understanding why an unplanned cesarean occurred.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: I finally found the best clean products to help to stay healthy and maintain my glow! Orgain Collagen Peptides Powder: For Yoga | Birth | Babies community, get 20% off your first order PLUS extra savings when you subscribe. https://tryorgain.com/YBB/ If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birth in many respects is an ordeal for your body and mind. How much thought have you put into the healing process hours and days after your baby? Often times, once the baby is introduced into the world and family, the birthing person’s needs fall by the side as the focus shifts to caring for this new life.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, we turn the attention back to the new parent and the path to healing both mind and body from a vaginal birth. (Don’t worry- there’s an episode dedicated to healing from a cesarean birth!) I speak with Morgan Michalowski, a certified nurse midwife, women’s health nurse practitioner, international board certified lactation consultant, doula, and mother about the road to recovery after a vaginal birth, including what is “normal” and when to seek help, healing from a tear, how much bleeding is to be expected and surprises that can happen in the shower!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 I finally found the best clean products to help to stay healthy and maintain my glow! Orgain Collagen Peptides Powder: For Yoga | Birth | Babies community, get 20% off your first order PLUS extra savings when you subscribe. https://tryorgain.com/YBB/ To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The transition into pregnancy, birth, and postpartum often comes with a steep learning curve. Many people come out the other side of parenthood saying, Why did nobody tell me this?  That sentiment was the inspiration for the book, WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS?: THE DOULAS’ HONEST GUIDE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with birth doulas and co-authors of the book WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS?: THE DOULAS’ HONEST GUIDE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS Ash Spivak and Natalia Hailes. Ash and Natalia discuss doulas and what they bring to the birth experience as well as what they discovered to be people’s the biggest surprises of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know, the psoas major (there are two of them, one on each side of your spine and pelvis) are the only muscles that connect your spine to your legs? These important muscles play a major role in your posture, nervous system, and even how your baby cascades into your pelvis.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we take a deep dive into talking about one of my favorite muscles the psoas, with licensed Physical Therapist and Certified Yoga Therapist, Libby Hinsley. We explore how the psoas affects the ever changing pregnant spine as well as how it can influence fetal positioning. Libby also offers some important insight about the needs of the muscles, do you stretch or release them? For the curious student and yoga teacher, this conversation will be enlightening!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s no surprise that with the amount of responsibilities and pressure mothers endure day after day that emotions may rise to the level of rage. However, a raging outburst can often leave a parent (particularly a mom) feeling remorseful, shameful, and guilt-ridden.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth | Babies, I speak with writer and speaker, Minna Dubin. Minna has explored (and experienced) “mom rage” and written several pieces about this very topic for The New York Times and has been featured in Parents Magazine among others. In our conversation, Minna explains what feeds into this rage, the fear of judgment many mothers have, how common this experience is, and ways to alleviate the rage. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Studies have shown that hearing positive birth stories can increase one’s confidence in their own upcoming birth.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with new mother, Jenn Gross. Jenn shares her fast, primal and confident birth story. She talks about how she prepared for her birth and how she was able to find such deep confidence in her body’s ability to birth. Jenn also explains what led her to move from a traditional obstetric practice to working with midwives at a birth center. Check out the video below in the show notes of Jenn in the parking garage working through some big contractions- she was working with the PYC mantra- Open throat, open vagina!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Cheri Grant, also known world wide as the “Peanut Ball Lady”. Cheri explains how peanut balls are incorporated into labor and how they can positively effect labor. She goes into detail about how the different positions of a peanut ball can open the pelvis to help with fetal positioning, leading to a more functional birth. For pregnant people and birth workers, this conversation is a must!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with board-certified OB-GYN and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Marta Perez on what we know about the science of COVID, it’s effect on pregnancy and fetal and neonatal risks. Dr. Perez helps demystify some of the data and clarifies the effects of COVID on the different systems in the pregnant body. She also explains what is currently understood about the risk of COVID to babies and developing fetuses. For those who may feel overwhelmed and unclear about COVID and pregnancy, this podcast will bring some peace of mind and clarity.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Support Our Sponsors: If want you to start living a happier life today. get 10% off your first month by visiting betterhelp.com/ybb Join over 1 minion people taking charge of their mental health.   Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birthing people sometimes feel like they are going into a hospital setting needing to have their guard up to defend their birth preferences against the enemy- the medical institution. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with former hospital and now home birth midwife, Chloë Lubell about how to create a respectful, collaborative and balanced relationship with your care provider and hospital staff. Chloë also discusses the rights of the birthing and the importance of informed consent.  Support Our Sponsors: Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sigh…exhaustion! As a parent, who isn’t exhausted at times? What parent struggles with not losing their cool with their kids at some point? How do parents let go of the facade of control they think that have over their kids?  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Clinical Psychologist and Parenting Specialist, Rachel Bailey. She gives solid and practical strategies for helping parents reconcile arguments, deescalate when they feel triggered, and truly take care of their own needs. For any parent who has felt overwhelmed or exhausted, this podcast is for you.  Support Our Sponsors: Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you knew there was a way to successfully lower cesarean rates and create a family-centered birth, would you be interested in learning more about it? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Dr. Neel Shah. Dr. Shah is an obstetrician-gynecologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School. He is part of the team that created The Team Birth Project. The goal of this initiative to decrease C-sections and improve birth outcomes.  Dr. Shah explains the importance of communication and the team effort needed to fully support the birthing person. Something as simple as a whiteboard could change the whole approach to respecting and honoring birth plans and the flexibility needed when pivoting original intentions.  Support Our Sponsors: Sick of planning new meals each night? Let Green Chef do the meal planning, grocery shopping, and most of the prep for you week after week Use my code ybb80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to greenchef.com/YBB80 to redeem and for more details.  greenchef.com/YBB80 Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have yet to meet a parent who hasn't struggled through a child’s tantrum or other challenging moments. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we knew exactly what to do to manage or even avoid tantrums?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with the co-founders of Big Little Feelings, child therapist, Deena Margolin LMFT and parent coach, Kristin Gallant about creating a practical action plan to navigate all the tough moments with your children. We talk about meltdowns, and tantrums, how to avoid them, what do to if you when the tantrum is already underway, and setting clear boundaries.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharing birth stories matters. It's an opportunity to support and inspire one another during a transformative time. Each new parent carries their own powerful narrative of their birth that shapes the beginning of a new stage of life.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Prenatal Yoga Center community member and proud new mother, Lina Lum. Lina shares her beautiful and compelling birth story and what influenced her birth choices. Lina explains how she experienced the waves of labor and how she worked with her body to move through them.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During these unusual times, we are asking so much more of ourselves, our partners and our children. How much constant togetherness can people handle before resentment sets in and everyone gets itchy for alone time? How does one parent under what feels like “house arrest” ? What can you do when you feel lonely and isolated? How can you still get your personal needs met?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the mother of two young children Michelle Canarick about navigating constant togetherness as a parent and partner. Michelle offers valuable insight into the struggles people are feeling with constant companionship and how to “parent” well under these circumstances. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what the appropriate milestones are for your baby? What is there to do if your child is not meeting these benchmarks? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with pediatric occupational therapist, Nekole Eaton. Nekole specializes in child development and shares her deep knowledge about expectations and variations in reaching developmental milestones. She also explains the importance of social and emotional intelligence milestones and self regulation. This podcast can help calm the minds of new parents as they watch their children grow.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part of parenting is learning through mistakes. Personally, I could write a book on the missteps I’ve taken despite thinking I’m doing the right thing in the moment.  Jenny Best, founder, and CEO of Solid Starts, and mom of three explains how her errors and anxiety about feeding her first child opened the door to understanding and emerging as an expert in baby-led weaning. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, Jenny shares her path from the stage as a ballerina for New York City Ballet to becoming a food and farming expert. She explains how baby-led weaning can make mealtime and family life so much less stressful and pave the way to more adventurous eaters. Learn the difference between choking and gagging, the best “first” foods for your child, and introducing food allergens. Say goodbye to bland rice cereal!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adjusting back to work has always been a concern for new parents. Today, in a time of a pandemic where childcare may have adjusted, finding flexible, creative ways to meet the demands of your job may require some creativity and negotiations.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with author and founder of The Fifth Trimester movement, Lauren Smith Brody. Lauren offers practical tips for negotiating flexibility with your employer with no stigma or pay cut. She also discusses how this conversation can help those who can use whatever privilege they’ve got for others who may not be able to speak up as freely. This episode will help you make work-life integration easier for everyone around you. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A magic alarm does not go off and cripple your eggs the morning you turn 35 years old. But why does society put that pressure on people? What does it really mean to have a baby after 35 and what can we do to increase fertility? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with double board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, Shannon M. Clark, MD, MMS, FACOG.  Shannon shoots straight from the hip and offering the facts and busting the myths about birthing “later in life”. We also talk about being labeled as a “geriatric pregnancy”. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Yoga|Birth|Babies we’re taking a break from our expert lead interviews and focusing on a birth story from the community.  Eliana Balk reached out to me to share her story and ideas about how to talk about birth trauma from the birthing person’s perspective. Most conversations around birth trauma are from leaders and experts on the topic, but the voice of the new parent who has been through the experience is seldom heard.  Eliana bravely talks about two very different and traumatic births and how she processed and resolved them. She also shares about the importance of education, support and advocating for herself and what she hopes new and expectant parents can learn from her story. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the past few months, I've been gravitating towards the subject of motherhood devouring podcasts, books, and articles on the subject. Possibly because I am knee-deep in early childhood as the mother of two young children or because the subject is so deep and vast and I like many parents thirst for some guidance and support. My interest in the topic might also be due to the amplification of my role and responsibilities as a mother during quarantine. Regardless of the force behind this hunger, it has been an interesting journey that has lead to thoughtful introspection of "mothers" and the cultural expectations of mothers in society.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with author, speaker and licensed social worker Dayna Kurtz about her new book, Mother Matters: A Holistic Guide to Being a Happy, Healthy Mom.  We have a very fun and lively conversation about “mother care”, the ever-changing role of a mother, and “fair fighting” with your partner as well as many of the ups and downs new parents face on the parenthood adventure.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“There is a significant amount of evidence that shows that healthcare providers hold stereotypes based on a patient’s race, class, sex, and other characteristics. This influences their interpretation of behaviors and symptoms, and even their overall clinical decisions.”states this week’s podcast guest, Alexandra Samuel-Sturgess The CDC reports that black mothers in the US are 3 to 4 times more at risk of maternal mortality regardless of socioeconomic status and education than white women. These statistics are just the beginning of shining a light on the racial disparity seen in the birthing world.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Founder of Spirited By Truth, Alexandra Samuel-Sturgess. Alex has been working in the perinatal mental health field and creating a safe space for women of color for almost two decades. In this our conversion, Alex explains the maternal health racial disparities and openly talks about unconscious biases in the medical world. One reason I was so drawn to speaking with Alex is her approach to this work is a solution based on both a systemic level and the personal level. Enjoy this lively and important conversation. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does society accept the deeply embedded belief that mothers can’t be sexy? Saturday Night Live just re-aired their “Mom Jeans” skit poking fun at “moms”. Emphasizing that once someone because a mother they trade in the sexy body, cute clothes, and sense of self for a frumpy bodied person with poor fashion sense who is fully family focused. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with award winning documentarian, author, world renowned speaker and acclaimed doula, Debra Pascali-Bonaro.  Debra and I have a fun and lively conversation about her new book, The Ultimate Guide to Sex After Baby: Secrets to Love and Intimacy. Debra explains why so many people put sexuality and motherhood into two very different realms and how motherhood figures can reclaim their sexy wild woman. Debra offers amazing insight and advice for maintaining your connection to your partner and honoring your own personal needs.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, are often a time of family gatherings and celebrations. But now during this unprecedented time, these milestones are being experienced in isolation. This massive departure from how one may have originally envisioned the transition into parenthood can lead to feelings of loss and grief. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Licensed Social Worker and facilitator of our New Mother’s Support Group here at PYC, Jessica Shapley.  Jessica discusses how many new and expectant parents are feeling a huge sense of loss and grief at this time and offers ways to move through this discomfort. She also discusses managing the feelings of isolation and anxiety during early parenthood.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Telehealth has become the norm while social distancing is being respected. This can leave some new and expectant parents anxious about the care they will receive as leading up to their birth and recovering during postpartum.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Certified Nurse Midwife, Eugenia Montesenos about telehealth care. Eugenia explains what to expect in prenatal and postnatal visits that are now being offered through telehealth. She also shares what parts of medical care are essential to be done in person. This episode is important for new and expectant parent as well birth workers.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know there is a correlation between breastfeeding issues and epidurals? The continuous IV fluid given to birthing people during labor may render the breasts more swollen. The nipples become harder, flat, and more shallow. This can cause problems for the baby to latch successfully. “If mothers realize the swelling and difficulty latching is just from the epidural, not forever, they just have to get through this and then they will have better breastfeeding”, explains my guest, Dianne Cassidy, author and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Dianne Cassidy IBCLC, about some of the challenges new parents may face within the first few days of breastfeeding and offers solid support and encouragement to build her confidence. *Please know that as we discuss epidurals, our purpose is not to demonize epidurals or scare women out of this pain management option, but to offer information so they can make an educated choice. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you imagine giving birth and entering postpartum in the middle of a pandemic? Candice Baehr faced this exact scenario.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with co-founder of Parenthood Together and Feeding Heroes and mother of two, Candice Baehr about her recent birth experience and the challenges she faced birthing in a busy NYC hospital during the Covid 19 pandemic. Candice shares how she found incredible confidence and courage during her birth and how the hospital staff truly supported her during her labor and brief postpartum stay. In the midst of an unsettling time, let us appreciate how births can still be special.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hormonal blue print needed to move labor forward has a few requirements. For the body to function well in labor, we need to remove pressure, stress, shame and anxiety and help the laboring person find deep relaxation.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with HypnoBirthing® childbirth educator, certified holistic health coach, and author of the book, Pure Nurture—A Holistic Guide to a Healthy Baby, Kristy Rodriguez. Kristy explains the philosophy and approach to HypnoBirthing® and how relaxation and stress reduction techniques can help support a functional labor. She also talks about the vital role the partner plays in birth preparation.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone who gives birth shall forever carry their story imprinted deep within. For some, the memories brings joy, others unresolved feelings and for many, they are somewhere in between. Time will take someone further from the experience but what happens when your birth goes unprocessed? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with co-director of Birthing From Within International and author, Nikki Shaheed. Nikki explains what it is to process your birth with some one who can safely hold the space for you. She also discusses how to retell your birth without retraumatizing yourself and find closure. This is such an important conversation for anyone who has or will give birth as well as birth workers and family support. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bringing home a baby during a pandemic has unique challenges. New parents can no longer rely on the help and support of family, friends, or a doula to share the workload and take the pressure off of learning how to care for a newborn.  For those expecting a baby during COVID-19, this special episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies may help ease your anxiety. My guest, New York City based childbirth educator, postpartum doula and lactation counselor, Grace Veras Sealy, offers very solid and supportive ideas for how to navigate new parenthood with limited external help. Grace also provides wonderful questions new parents should ask their care providers and pediatricians before their birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered why some births are fast and furious while others slowly putter along? Many times it has to do with the delicate dance between the baby’s position and the balance and room made in the pregnant person’s pelvis and soft tissue.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with the creator of the Spinning Babies® approach, Gail Tully (CPM). Gail explains Spinning Babies methodology and shares how the baby’s position and the pregnant body impacts the birth flow. She also reveals what to do prenatally to enhance your chances of being one of those fortunate people with a well balanced body and a functional birth. (Hint: prenatal yoga is a pretty smart choice!)  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy and being a brand new parent inherently carries a fair amount of anxiety and uncertainty. Add in an unprecedented pandemic, and that anxiety is likely to increase. One of the best ways to combat these feelings are solid and supportive answers to best prepare for what lies ahead. In this very special and timely episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with NYC veteran doula and childbirth educator, Terry Richmond.  Terry openly and honestly talks about how she has been supporting her clients during this intense pandemic. She gives usable tactics and tools for how to best keep birth as normal as possible and lays out plans for how the birth partner can best support the laboring person. Terry also discusses the importance of creating a space where one can feel safe, comfortable, and deeply cared for. This episode is invaluable for pregnant people, support partners, and birth workers during this challenging time. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if your birth fell well beyond any preconceived vision of possibility?  What if it took so many twists and turns that even a prolific author would struggle to paint such a surprising story?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with prenatal yoga teacher, childbirth educator, and labor support doula, Hess Kim. Hess humorously shares the story of her epic birth. As an endurance athlete, she mustered the stamina to move through a challenging labor and found the grace to surrender to unexpected circumstances. Hess’s natural good nature and ease make listening to her story and an absolute delight. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birth. Rarely does it unravel as planned or expected. The uncertainty and loss of control can be very challenging for many pregnant people. It can bring up fear, make some hold tighter to a preconceived plan, or throw themselves into the hands of science and relinquish any autonomy.  How does one approach such a transformation with the willingness to accept the unknown path that lies ahead? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with childbirth educator, mythologist, and author of Transformed by Birth, Britta Bushnell. Britta and I have a deep, exciting, and curious conversation about the massive transformation of birth and emergence into parenthood. She beautifully explains the 8 cultural ideals that contemporary society has created around birth. We also discuss the place of fear and pain in birth.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered why postpartum people wake up with night sweats? Or find their hair falling out? Did you know there is a huge hormonal disruption once the placenta is delivered and that leads to hormonal levels plummeting?  This major hormonal shift can create havoc for the new parent’s body and mind. It's often the missing piece to better understanding the full picture of postpartum recovery.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Yale-trained MD, midwife, and herbalist, Dr. Aviva Romm. She gives the low down on what is in the normal scope of hormonal rebalancing post baby and when you may want to seek some help. She also talks about how things as simple as sleep and diet can affect your hormonal balance. This podcast is a necessity for anyone heading into the postpartum period or people who are already there and desire clarity of what is happening to their body and mind.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Approximately 60% of pregnant people will receive an epidural. With those receiving epidural analgesia, up to 10% of those people will not receive full pain relief- there may be a spot where discomfort is still felt or pain relief is not delivered. Or you may find yourself waiting for pain medication or choose not to receive an epidural at all.  So what other comfort techniques can people employ? It is important to have a whole slew of comfort measures available instead of solely relying on only one.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with massage therapist, acupuncturist and birth doula, Yiska Obadia. Yiska talks through a variety of comforting touch techniques like massage, counter pressure and relaxation techniques that can be very effective pain relief during labor. She also explains the 12 guiding principles of massage for labor. This is a “must” for both pregnant people and birthing partners!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it a fair assumption for pregnant yoga students to assume “If you had a yoga practice prior to pregnancy, you will know how and when to modify.”?  Whose responsibility is it to ensure the safety of the student and offer modifications.  What potential harm can really happen to the baby and the pregnant person from inappropriate yoga poses?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with my childbirth educator, Spinning Babies Parent Educator, founder of Om Births and my long time colleague, Bec Conant. In our lively and a bit geeky conversation, Bec and I answer all those questions and more. We both draw from our personal and professional experience about finding the balance between offering the student autonomy of their body and when to support the student with appropriate pose alternatives. We also both talk about the difficulty of not being ego driven in one’s practice. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An epidural is a very familiar term for most, but how much knowledge do people have about it?  With an average of 60% of birthing people choosing epidural anesthesia, it is important to make informed decisions about what serves you best.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with anesthesiologist and yoga teacher, Claire Sandberg. Claire breaks down common myths and misconceptions about epidural anesthesia and clearly presents the facts about epidurals so listeners can make an educated, informed choice.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surrogate Carrier: The act of carrying a baby for an intended family. In my opinion, one of the greatest gifts a person can give to a family that needs assistance in creating their family.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Anastasia Bartlett, a Certified Health Coach, Personal Trainer, Yoga Teacher, owner of Superior Surrogacy Consulting and three time surrogate carrier. In our conversation, Anastasia explains the very in depth process of becoming a surrogate, the relationship between the intended family and the surrogate person and what is it like carrying and birthing someone else’s child. Anastasia’s passion for the topic is truly engaging!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The path to creating a family can differ for everyone. For some it may require fertility assistance, others a surrogate, and others no assistance at all however for approximately 135,000 families it involves adoption.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with adoptive and assisted reproduction lawyer, Rebecca Mendel. As an adoptive parent, Rebecca offers both her personal experience and professional expertise on adoption. She explains the process of adoption from bonding with your new baby, the ups and downs of awaiting to become a parent, handling rude comments about adoption, as well as the legal bumps one may encounter during the adoption process.  Whether this reflects your journey into family life or not, Rebecca’s story is relatable for everyone venturing into parenthood.  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Manhattan Schoolhouse warmly welcomes families to a Reggio Emilia inspired school where every child’s intellectual, emotional, social and moral potential is thoughtfully cultivated in an environment of trust and partnership between parents, educators, children and community. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Currently in the US, approximately one-third of all babies are born by cesarean. However, it's interesting to note that when I asked my prenatal yoga class of 21 pregnant people how many have considered the possibility of cesarean birth, only 3 people raised their hands.  For many, the idea of a surgical birth is something they would prefer to avoid, but not learning about the process and preparing for the possibility can be a poor choice. Something unknown can create fear whereas education and communication can lead to supportive choices creating a more positive birth experience.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth | Babies, experienced childbirth educator, doula, parent support leader, and owner of Mindful Birth NY, Mary Esther Malloy, openly talks about preparing for a cesarean birth. Mary Esther explains how a cesarean birth unfolds and offers tools to use for a mindful cesarean. We also talk about how to integrate protocols more associated with a vaginal birth, like skin to skin, delayed cord clamping and “seeding” the baby. This is an important, necessary conversation for all expectant parents. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Manhattan Schoolhouse warmly welcomes families to a Reggio Emilia inspired school where every child’s intellectual, emotional, social and moral potential is thoughtfully cultivated in an environment of trust and partnership between parents, educators, children and community. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you imagine the need to be the main advocate for yourself in the middle of labor and directly postpartum? Or being pushed into the situation to go head to head with the hospital staff just to see your baby? That is exactly what happened to Jessie Katz. In the middle of her labor and directly postpartum, Jessie was able to find the clarity and strength to loudly and speak up for what she knew was right for her body and baby. Jessie credits this ability to be her self advocate to the time spent properly educating herself about the pregnancy, birth and postpartum. This strong sense of belief in herself allowed her to push her wishes forward just to have her baby back from the nursery when the hospital staff resisted this request. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Manhattan Schoolhouse warmly welcomes families to a Reggio Emilia inspired school where every child’s intellectual, emotional, social and moral potential is thoughtfully cultivated in an environment of trust and partnership between parents, educators, children and community. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A “big baby” is one of the top reasons for a suggested induction for pregnant people. But did you know that ultrasound offers less accuracy after the 37th week of pregnancy and can be off up to 15% of the estimated weight?  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with founder and author of Evidence Based Birth®, Rebecca L. Dekker, PhD, RN, APRN. Rebecca and I had a chance to speak about a problem many pregnant people face towards the end of their pregnancy, macrosomia, also know as “big babies.” This important conversation helps break through myths and common concerns of birthing a big baby. Rebecca also give sound advice to those who may face this issue as well as great tools for birth workers to discuss with their clients.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most talked about subjects at the beginning of every postnatal yoga class is breastfeeding. How is it going? What do you do with cracked nipples? What are you going to do when you go back to work?  In the episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Director of Stork and Cradle, Tamara Hawkins, FNP, RN, IBCLE, LCCE, CHHC. She answers all of these questions and more in the episode I am calling “Breastfeeding 101.” We talk about everything an expectant and new mother needs to know about breastfeeding in the first few days of baby’s arrive to what to do during pregnancy to prepare for breastfeeding, we also discus finding a lactation consultant! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when you realize your child has special needs and considerations? For some parents of children who have special needs, they may feel isolated and overwhelmed by living outside “the norm.” In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Bridget Tichar. Bridget is the mother of Teddy, her 2 1/2 son, who a year ago was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. Bridget shares the painstaking efforts she goes through on a daily basis to advocate for her son and keep him alive. She open and honestly talks about the challenges of raising a child with special needs and how this can make her feel judged by others. Whether it is Type One Diabetes, ADHD, learning disabilities, or any other issue, the commonalities of what Bridget discussed can still apply and offer support.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US is the only developed country that does not offer paid maternity leave to new parents. Support for new families varies from the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act, which offers job protection and mandates 12 weeks of unpaid leave, to private companies who provide paid leave maternity and paternity leave. In NY State, as of January 1, 2018, parents who work for private companies are eligible for 8 weeks of partial payment.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with employment litigator and founder of Berke-Weiss Law’s Pregnancy Project, Alex Berke. Alex breaks down benefits and entitlements for parental leave and how to discus your pregnancy with your employer. She also provides guidance for how to negotiate surprise hospital bills with your insurance company. Alex evens gives insight in becoming someone’s employer should you hire a nanny. Alex seamlessly delivers information that may be overwhelming and offers it in a very digestible way!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The shift from pregnancy to postpartum is unlike any chasm one will ever experience. And while there is often much care and attention being paid to the pregnant person’s well being, the new parent that emerges on the other side, is often left to wade through the turkey waters of parenthood with limited help. In our current culture, many people have lost the community that gathers to take care of the new parent. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with author of the book, The Fourth Trimester: A Postpartum Guide to Healing Your Body, Balancing Your Emotions and Restoring Your Vitality, Kimberly Ann Johnson. Kimberly discusses her challenging postpartum experience and how she resolved massive pelvic floor and abdominal diastisis. She also shares valuable postpartum rituals and philosophies from other cultures and how we can adopt some of those ideas to better serve our postpartum people.  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL- stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBBFor FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit family-album.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's possible you've never heard of “tongue tie,” but 5% of babies are born with this condition. If your little one has a tongue tie you likely understand how it impacts feeding your baby, from the bottle or breast. And if undiagnosed, it can affect speech development. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with author of the book, Latch: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage IBCLC, Robin Kaplan. Robin explains what tongue tie is, how to identify it, and ways to resolve it. She also discusses therapeutic tummy time, something I had not ever heard of before this!  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL- stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is it that so many pregnant people wait until 12 weeks to share the news of their pregnancy? This silence retreat may be comforting for some, but isolating for the 1 in 4 people who do not see their pregnancy go past the first trimester. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with the creator of the #IHadAMiscarriage campaign, psychologist Dr. Jessica Zucker. Dr Zucker opens up about her own pregnancy loss at 16 weeks and what inspired her to break down the shame and stigma of miscarriage. She also shares how one may start to regain trust again in their body. This honest, heart felt conversation is helpful for anyone who is supporting someone through loss or has experienced loss.  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL- stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit family-album.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pregnancy and the transition to parenthood can bring up painful triggers and emotions from one’s past. But, for some, can also serve as a gateway to healing In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Prenatal Yoga Center community member, Christina Profita. Christina opens up about how needing a cesarean birth due to her breech baby unexpectedly brought up issues from her past as a person who has recovered from an eating disorder. She also discussed how motherhood can be both an overwhelming transition but also a transition of healing and growth. Please enjoy this honest and touching community birth story.  SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL- stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit family-album.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How would you react upon finding out you were carrying twins? Shock? Excitement? A bit nervous? A combination of all three? If are one of the 3.35% of parent having twins you may be looking for some support and guidance as you welcome your new expanded family. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with author of the book, What To Do When You're Having Two and founder of Twiniversity, Natalie Diaz. Natalie skillfully and humorously breaks down the reality of life with two. She offers solid go-to advice and tips for navigating life with twins. Whether you are a new parent of one or two, you can gain supportive and practical information to help ease the transition into parenthood.  Support Our Sponsors: For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit https://family-album.com Support Yoga | Birth | Babies: Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most commonly used phrases in exercise and yoga is “engage your core.” But what does that even mean? What muscles are being asked to work and is it really helpful or healthy to have an engaged core?  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with pelvic floor yoga specialist Shannon Crow. Shannon dispels some commonly believed myths about what the core is and how it should be used. She also discusses how the understanding of diastisis recti has shifted over the years and how that relates to healing and rehabbing core muscles. This episode is valuable for both new and expectant parents as well as yoga teachers. Enjoy!  Support Our Sponsors: For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit https://family-album.com Support Yoga | Birth | Babies: Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nobody ever enters parenthood and thinks having a baby would land them in the psych ward. But that is exactly what happened with Lisa Abramson. On this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with executive coach, mindfulness teacher, best selling author, and mom of two girls, Lisa Abramson.  Lisa is also a survivor of postpartum psychosis, a rare and severe maternal mental health condition. In this deep and honest conversation, Lisa shares her story and paths to recovery with postpartum psychosis. This important episode helps shed the stigma of mental health issues.  Support Our Sponsors: For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit https://family-album.com Esembly is a reusable diapering system that equips families with everything they need to diaper sustainably. From diapers to skincare and laundry, Diaperkind does the laundry for you and delivers fresh clean cotton diapers to your doorstep every week! Learn more at esemblybaby.com and diaperkind.com And use code PrenatalPodcast10 for 10% off your first order Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birth plans have gotten a bad name. How can you possibly plan a birth since they rarely go as planned? However, investing time, thought, and energy into what areas of the birth are important to the birthing person can be invaluable. By making their wishes known, it can help the birthing person feel supported, heard and seen, especially when things move away from the preconceived vision of birth.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with childbirth educator and labor support doula, Terry Richmond. In Terry’s 17 years of practice as a doula she has attended over 800 births and continues to be one of NYC’s most sought after and respected doulas. Terry talks about how to approach a birth plan, what you may want to include, topics to leave off, and how to get a practice with multiple doctors to honor the individual's birth preferences.  Support Our Sponsors: Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit https://family-album.com Esembly is a reusable diapering system that equips families with everything they need to diaper sustainably. From diapers to skincare and laundry, Diaperkind does the laundry for you and delivers fresh clean cotton diapers to your doorstep every week! Learn more at esemblybaby.com and diaperkind.com And use code PrenatalPodcast10 for 10% off your first order Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The role and practice of a midwife is often misunderstood. Many think this is someone who simply assists medical doctors, or they confuse the offerings of labor support doula with a midwife, assuming this person has limited medical training and authority or just catches babies. (None of those assumptions are correct!) So what does a midwife REALLY do? In today’s episode of Yoga |Birth|Babies, I speak with certified nurse midwife, Tanya Wills. Tanya debunks some of the misconception of what midwives offer and thoroughly explains the different credentials midwives can earn. She also gives some helpful hints about getting your midwifery care covered by insurance! Support Our Sponsors: Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit https://family-album.com Esembly is a reusable diapering system that equips families with everything they need to diaper sustainably. From diapers to skincare and laundry, Diaperkind does the laundry for you and delivers fresh clean cotton diapers to your doorstep every week! Learn more at esemblybaby.com and diaperkind.com And use code PrenatalPodcast10 for 10% off your first order Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laurel Beversdorf has always been a teacher and practitioner who embodies the philosophy of svadyaya (self study) so, it was no surprise when Laurel started to deviate from a traditional yoga practice and began to explore adding resistance bands into her practice. She approaches asana based on her studies of anatomy and biomechanics of the body and seeks to explore functional ways the body can move in a playful manner. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with international yoga educator, the creator of Yoga with Resistance Bands, Laurel Beversdorf. Laurel talks about how healing her own personal injuries lead her to explore beyond traditional asana. She also shares how her life and career has changed since she had her baby. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL- stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB For FREE and EASY photo sharing with friend and family, visit family-album.com Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One Wednesday morning, during circle time, a student bravely spoke up about an experience she had at her last prenatal appointment. Her doctor told her she had gained too much weight between visits. The woman left her appointment upset, ashamed and confused about what to do next. Upon hearing, I too was confused and had no answer to give her other than weight gain is not linear and not be so hard on herself. That conversation inspired this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies with Jen McLellan. Jen is a certified childbirth educator, published author, speaker, founder of Plus Size Birth and host of the popular Plus Mommy Podcast. Jen shares insight and advise communicating with your care provider about weight and offers evidence based information about assumed health risks for plus size bodies. No matter what size body you live in, this is an important episode to hear. Support our sponsor: Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL- stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC community: instagram & facebook @prenatalyogacenter YouTube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is very possible that you never thought much about your cervix until you became pregnant. Once you're hovering around your due date, it can become a prime concern. At each weekly exam, you may be wondering, “How dilated am I?”, “Does that mean labor might start soon, or do I still have a ways to go?” Depending on the results of a cervical exam you may be in a tailspin of excitement, disappoint, or simply confused by what you heard. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with the hosts of the podcast Birth Kweens, midwife and hormone specialist, Karly Nuttall and birth and postpartum doula, Ali Feroah about all things cervixes! Karly and Ali breakdown why and when a cervical exam may be considered and what the information gathered from an exam means. One thing you will learn is, your cervix is not a crystal ball- it does not hold all the answers. Support our sponsor: Go to stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB and get an extra 25% off when you keep everything in your box! And as a bonus, Stitch Fix will waive the $20 styling fee when you use this shows special URL- stitchfix.com/KIDS/YBB Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC community: instagram & facebook @prenatalyogacenter YouTube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You sneeze, you pee. You run, you pee. You cough, you pee. What do all three of these problems have in common? They are all likely being prescribes the same solution, Kegels. However, for many people, simply Kegeling themselves to happiness can actually worsen the problem. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with internationally-acclaimed yoga educator and pelvic floor specialist, Leslie Howard. We speak about understanding the different states the pelvic floor and how one blanket remedy for pelvic floor issues is not appropriate. Leslie also explains the importance of a healthy pelvic floor and how things such as constantly tightening the pelvic floor and abdomen can be detrimental. Everyone deserves a healthy, functional body and Leslie’s insight into creating balance in the pelvis is remarkable. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga | Birth | Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC community: instagram & facebook @prenatalyogacenter YouTube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the reality of parenthood doesn’t match the expectations, dreams and hopes? It can sometimes leave someone feeling regretful of their new situation and questions their choices. And often, with this regret, one feels shame, embarrassment and alone. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Marissa Zwetow, who is licensed therapist who specializes in prenatal and postpartum counseling. She talks about the 12 Taboo Postpartum Truths: What you may need to know, but probably haven't been told. Marissa blows the lib off of hidden thoughts and feelings so many new parents feel but are embarrassed to admit. This episode is a must for any new or expectant parent or support person! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com  If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth| Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC community: instagram & facebook @prenatalyogacenter YouTube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I would like a deep, painful tear of my perineum” said NOBODY! Pretty much in every movie or TV show where birth is being portrayed, we see the birthing person flat on her back, legs spread wide and people are yelling at her to “PUSH!” It’s no wonder that is how people think they should approach birth. But let’s pull back the curtain a bit of after effects of pushing in such a way. Have you ever thought what might happen to someone’s perineum if they are pushing a baby through a taught, overly stretched pelvic floor? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with midwife, author and Senior Lecturer and Discipline Leader in Midwifery at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia, Dr. Rachel Reed. Rachel talks about best practices to protect a very important part of your body, your perineum. She explains which pushing positions are less likely to create tears and dispels the myth that supporting the perineum or massaging it during crowning lead to better outcomes. She also explains why informed consent is a vital part of the care provider/ birthing person relationship. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga | Birth Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC community: instagram & facebook @prenatalyogacenter YouTube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is it like for a birth doula, childbirth educator, and prenatal yoga teacher to experience birth with so much knowledge and experience coloring her lens of labor? Many may think it, with all the preparation and knowledge, it would be smooth sailing. Well, life and birth unfolds in it’s own wild ride no matter who you are and what you bring to the table. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with certified yoga instructor, birth doula, and childbirth educator, Sage Caprice Abowitt. Caprice opens up about what she calls her “Brutal, Amazing, and Magical Birth” and how sometimes shifting the mindset from the supporter to the one who needs support may be a challenge. She also honestly talks about her struggles with breastfeeding and the support she was fortunate to have that helped her get past the issues. Caprice is a delight to chat with, I am sure pregnant people, new parents and birth workers will enjoy hearing her story. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: https://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/a-brutal-amazing-and-magical-birth/ If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/yoga-birth-babies/id1096416947?mt=2) To connect with Deb and the PYC community: instagram & facebook @prenatalyogacenter YouTube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not long ago, I had the pleasure of being a guest on the Yoked podcast with Kelly Sunrose. During the conversation which started off mainly talking about prenatal yoga, Kelly and I started to discus the impact of yoga on pregnancy and birth. I was not surprised to hear of the challenging labor, birth and postpartum that Kelly, a very experienced yoga practitioner endured. Kelly’s story, like my own, carried similarities that I had heard from many, many other yoga teachers. Was there a correlation between an advanced practice and a challenging birth? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, yoga and meditation teacher and host of the podcast Yoked Kelly Sunrose and I discuss our own journeys through pregnancy and the role yoga played. We dive into the challenge of relinquishing a very nurtured yoga practice and coming to peace with accepting a practice and life style. For anyone who as ever found it challenging to surrender, this podcast is for you! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga | Birth| Babies on Apple Podcasts To connect with Deb and the PYC community: instagram @prenatalyogacenter facebook @prenatalyogacenter  Youtube Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with labor and delivery nurse, doula, Lamaze Childbirth educator and author, Debby Amis. Debby breaks down this new study to highlight areas of inconsistent interpretation and emphasizes the lack of focus on the increase in 3rd and 4th degrees tears that have been noted with this new recommended guideline. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: https://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/laboring-down-study-yay-or-nay/ If you love what you have been listening to, please leave a rating and review! If you want to connect with Deb and the PYC community, connect here; Facebook, Instagram, & Youtube: @prenatalyogacenter Visit our sponsor: Midtown Chiropractor 57th St Chiropractic, Dr Gregg Rubinstein Live Life Without Limits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few experiences in life create such a sudden shift on so many deep levels like entering parenthood. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with writer, women’s mentor, doula and founder of MotherSHIFT, Jessie Harrold about embodying the rite of passage into motherhood. Jessie helps guide women through the transition into parenthood through her program MotherSHIFT. She thoughtfully explores this massive identity shift and helps you makes sense of the you are now; mother, partner, person. In our discussion Jessie offers solid insight to these gates of transition and listeners will walk away with solid tools to help navigate this maze like experience. For the full show notes and how you can connect with Jessie go to prenatalyogacenter.com  Visit our sponsor: Midtown Chiropractor 57th St Chiropractic, Dr Gregg Rubinstein Live Life Without Limits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not often during an interview I have such a major a shift in perspective on the topic of discussion. But that is exactly what occurred during my talk with author and RIE method teacher Janet Lansbury. The RIE method floated around in a distant hemisphere somewhere in my awareness. I had heard of an RIE class near me when my children were very little but never really invested much time in discovering what it was. One of my friends made a snide remark it was the “fight club” of parenting philosophies. After my talk with Janet, I regret not further exploring the opportunity to participate in these classes. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, Janet explains the RIE method in great detail and the benefits it can have for both parent and child. How the seeds of a trusting and respectful relationship are laid and how doing less can reap so much more. For more one this episode and how you can connect with Janet visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I reached out to Hannah Sarah Faich Dini to be a guest on Yoga | Birth | Babiesbecause chatting with her and simply knowing her is a true delight. I also, in my many years of working with the pregnant population, have not encountered three pregnancies quite like hers. For all three pregnancies, Hannah Sarah had breech babies. And for all three pregnancies she faced the possibility that her births would unfold differently than she had envisioned. In our open and honest conversation, Hannah Sarah talks about finding peace with unknown factors like, will my baby go head down? And if so, will the baby stay there? Hannah Sarah also bravely discussed facing disappointment with herself during labor and embracing her labor experience. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stepping onto the yoga mat may feel very vulnerable for many people. It’s a time to be present with body, mind and breath and that can be challenging, especially if you have suffered through any type of traumatic experience. According to Sidran Institute, an estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States have experienced a traumatic event at least once in their lives. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Tara Tonini, yoga and mediation teacher, birth doula, and Master Reiki Healer. Tara also leads teacher training with Exhale to Inhale that focus on trauma informed yoga. In our discussion Tara talks about how yoga can be a healing modality for those who have suffered from trauma and how trauma informed yoga can support the pregnant student during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Given the number of people who have encountered trauma in their lifetime, this is a must listen to episode. For the full show notes including how to connect with Tara click Here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're a parent, or simply have been around children, you know the how hard it can be to stay calm when a child is whining. I'm almost 8 years into parenthood and still, I find myself hungrily looking for expert advice on this issue! In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Clinical Psychologist and founding editor of AhaParenting.com, Dr. Laura Markham. Dr. Laura breaks down many of the reason why children whine and “get sassy” and offers solid tools for how to best relate to your child during this uncomfortable and (let’s face it- sometimes infuriating!) time. For parents of children of all ages, this episode has amazing takeaways that will help defuse challenging moments. (P. S. I've already used some of these tactics and they REALLY work!) For more information and how you can connect with Dr. Laura visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year 10-15 percent of babies born in America spend some time in the NICU. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Evelyn Gama, a licensed mental health therapist and mother to a NICU baby. Evelyn’s son was born at 26 weeks old and spent several months in the NICU. Evelyn opens up about that challenging time and how she reorganized life to straddle the world of being fully available for her new baby and still being the mother to a toddler at home. This episode is so important for the unexpected turns labor can bring or to support a friend or loved one in the midst of this experience. For the complete show notes including the resources mentioned in this episode, click HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Spinning Babies Trainer and home birth midwife, Nicole Morales. Nicole offers insight to why a baby may be breech and methods to help baby navigate it’s way head down. Her empathic approach to her work will also provide comfort for those who may need to accept and surrender to a new and different birth experience than planned. This valuable episode will not only serve the pregnant person but birth workers and birthing partners as well. Enjoy! For the complete show notes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The number one reason for first time birthing people to have a cesarean is “failure to progress”. Failure to progress is defined as a labor lasting 20 hours or more for first time parents. However, labor is not always linear and can have variations. Back in the 1940’s the Friedman Curve was introduced in hospitals as a means to determine how quickly a laboring person should progress in labor, approximately 1 cm per hour. Research now supports the importance of disregarding that estimation and recognizing other factors like, epidural use, fetal position and emotional components, can prolonging labor. For those who wish to avoid an unplanned cesarean due to being labeled “failure to progress” this episode will resonate with you. I speak with certified professional midwife (CPM), the co-founder and director of Healthy Mother Sanctum Natural Birth Center, and the leading official Lamaze-certified childbirth educator, Dr. Vijaya Krishnan. Vijaya offers solid advice and tools for how to handle a slow labor, factors that can be causing an arrested labor and options to help move the labor along. For the full show notes including how to connect with Dr. Vijaya and resources mentioned in this episode visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all met those people we start chatting with and instantly decide, I want to know more about you. As Krisitn and I casually talked during the breaks of Prenatal Yoga Center's Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training, (which she was enrolled in) I started to realized how our personal paths mirrored one another and even intertwined at times. I loved hearing her open and honest experience of her two very different births and was delighted to “talk shop” about yoga “back in the day!” I discovered we even studied with the same teacher, Cyndi Lee at the former OM Yoga Center. This episode of Yoga|Birth|Babiescaptures a fun, honest, and open chat between two yogis, mothers and teachers. Kristen talks about the evolution of her yoga teaching and practice that has spanned more then two decades and how she manages life and 3 kids under 4 years old! Please enjoy! For the full show notes and to connect with Kristin visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to part two of the Birthing From Withinfocused podcasts. Recently, I embarked on the path to becoming a Birthing From Within Mentor. The process to becoming a mentor is multilayered but starts with a weekend intensive course called Crossing the Threshold. Right after attended the weekend course, I recorded last week’s podcast with Koyuki Smith, one of the weekend mentors. So I thought it only appropriate to pull out of the archives my conversation with the founder and creator of the Birthing From Within Method, Pam England. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Pam England, author of Birthing From Withinand Ancient Map for Modern Birth. This lively conversation covers quite a bit of ground- Pam and I discuss how Birthing From Withinwas born, how the philosophy and approach differs from more traditional methods and her work with Birth Story Medicineand her latest book, Ancient Map for Modern Birth. To connect with Pam and read the full show notes visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If only there was a way to script out your “ideal” birth and be guaranteed the experience unfolds in that exact manner. Unfortunately, that’s impossible. However, many of us try to overly plan and seldom allow ourselves to relinquish the illusion of control over the wild nature of birth. In this episode of Yoga|Birth |Babies, I speak with birth doula and Birthing From Within Mentor, Koyuki Smith. Koyuki and I talk about the Birthing From Within Method and how grasping at information may lead to disappointment and can not assure you the perfect birth. She talks about surrendering to the unexpected and the importance of leaning into personal fears around the perception of birth. This conversation is sure to spark curiosity and inspiration for pregnant people, birth partners and birth workers. For the full show notes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all heard “It take a village to raise a child.” And while it sounds like a cliche or catch phrase, those of us who've been through or witnessed the transition from maiden to motherhood can understand the incredible importance of a supportive community. In this episode of Yoga|Birth| Babies, I speak with the director of event programming & operations at Motherly, Jessica Pallay. Jessica and I have a lively conversation about how community has shifted from past generations, the impact of online parenting, and how to find your “posse” during this transitional time. The Beatles were absolutely right, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” For the complete show notes visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that 20% of the population has a unique brain trait called Sensory Processing Sensitivity aka the “highly sensitive person”? And of course, this is not limited to only adults. Babies and children can also exhibit these traits and are unfortunately are often misunderstood and characterized as “colicky” or “overactive” or “anxious”. In the episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with licensed psychotherapist, global HSP consultant, and leader in the field of high sensitivity, Julie Bjelland. She explains 15 common traits of the HS person and strategies to help parents best support their highly sensitive child. Julie also offers very solid and practical advise to help the highly sensitive parent handle the demands of new parenthood. For the full show notes including resources mentioned in today's episode visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I was recently sorting through old pictures of me “pre-children” and noted how cute and put together I was back then. My hair was cut regularly, my clothes were fun and fashionable and I had a very respectable handbag collection that never contained random lego pieces or pink hair bows. Why did becoming a mother lead to abandoning my fashion sense and falling into the “mom rut” of mainly sporting Lululemon pants, a (mostly) clean top and my hair in a messy top knot? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with fashionista, blogger/writer and founder of Stroller in the City, Brianne Manz. This fun and breezy conversation offers tips and ideas to find fashion within function and reembody your personal style in all stages of motherhood. To connect with Brianne and learn more about Stroller In the City visit the show notes: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I wish I could say I have a very loving and peaceful relationship with my body and body image; unfortunately, I do not. However, with awareness of this personal flaw, I've made great efforts to be mindful of what I say about my appearance and any comments about the physicality of others in front of my children. As my all time favorite composer said so perfectly, “Careful the things you say, children will listen. Careful the things you do, children will see and learn.” In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with founders of The Full Bloom Project, Zoe Bisbing, LCSW and Leslie Bloch, LCSW about how to raise children from a perspective of Body Positive Parenting. If you carry some of your own baggage or simply wish to lay a positive body relationship for your child, this conversation will inspire you.  Visit prenatalyogacenter.com for the full show notes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know about the common physical issues of pregnancy and postpartum, an achy back, sore shoulders and tight hips. But what about the other issues that are often kept quiet, hidden in confusion and shame. Incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, finding some sense of connection to the postpartum core! These are huge physical barriers that can have an effect on the quality of one’s life. And while they are common, they are not a “normal” part of pregnancy and postpartum. And the individual suffering through these problems deserves an explanation help. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Registered Pelvic Health and Orthopaedic Physiotherapist, Anita Lambert. She dispels some common misconceptions about the popular “kegel” exercise and thoughtfully explains many pelvic floor and core problems pregnant and postpartum people regularly experience. Whether you are a pregnant person, new parent or birth worker, you will walk away from this episode with empowering and digestible information. To learn more about Anita visit the show notes HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when your birth goes in a completely different direction than expected? How do you recover, find peace, and prepare for the birth of another baby? What happens if your second birth also has a dramatic turn of events? This is the experience of this week’s guest. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with dance artist, yoga teacher, and mom of two, Erin Cairns Cella. She bravely opens up about her two complicated births, how she was able to surrender to the experience, and find her way to find ease. Erin’s honesty and insight may offer support and comfort for those who also underwent a challenging birth. To learn more about Erin or connect with her visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the field of genetic testing grows, so do the options for parents to learn more about their baby prior to birth. However, the choices and information from these tests can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. “Which test to take? What do the results mean? I am over 35 years old, will I need more testing and then what do I do with the results?” These are just some of the myriad of questions that come up around genetic testing. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with board certified licensed genetic counselor, Ushta Davar Canteenwalla. Ushta helps demystify these daunting questions and bring clarity to genetic testing. For anyone thinking of conceiving soon or undergoing tests currently, this episode can bring ease and comfort around the subject of genetic testing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of my favorite parts of early motherhood was listening to the scrumptious babble of my new baby. That was, until a level of frustration grew from our inability to communicate effectively. My son was often trying to share his needs and it much of the time, it just went over my head. If you are experiencing a similar predicament or want to avoid it as much as possible, you may consider learning baby sign language. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with music therapist, teacher of the Deaf, and founder of Baby Fingers, Lora Heller. Lora explains how sign language can help increase vocabulary, improve child/care giver communication and increase bonding. I thoroughly enjoyed my talk with Lora and hope you do to! For the full show notes and more info on Baby Fingers click HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ll admit, I got a bit of zig when my husband and I went shopping to fill our baby registry. It was thrilling to see all the baby gear start to arrive. That is until we realized that our small one bedroom was not equipped to accommodate all the equipment baby’s require! Soon bottles, bibs and baby clothes started to take ownership of our home.  If you can relate to the feeling of being controlled by the stuff you own, this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies will help you embrace the decluttering process. I speak with Cassidy Nesello, a professional organizer, certified in the KonMari Method. She offers solid tools and support for anyone who may face having more “stuff” than they know how to handle and how to let it go.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people who recently birthed a baby experience some level of trying to reignite a relationship with their core muscles. Some people feel a huge disconnect and have little understanding of why their abdomen remains soft even after the rest of their body has started to regain some semblance of it’s former self. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with physical therapist and Franklin Method Educator, Solange Ross and occupational therapist and founder and owner of The Functional Pelvis, Lindsey Vestal. We dive into a deep discussion about diastasis recti, the linea alba and what types of movement can support a healthy core. Plus, at the end I have a quick BONUS conversation with Solange about how postnatal yoga teachers can apply their knowledge of supporting a healthy core function in group classes. This talk is perfect for anyone interested in understanding their abdomen, pelvic floor and back and loves to geek out on anatomy! Visit prenatalyogacenter.com for the full show notes including the images mentioned in the episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How amazing is it that the documentary, #Period. End of Sentence, a film about menstruation just won an Academy Award! For years talking about periods was a closed subject. But now tides are turning and many people consider menstruation the “5th Vital Sign.” Disruptions in one’s cycle can predict potential health issues, give us insight to optimal fertility and a deeper understanding and appreciation of our own bodies. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak certified Fertility Awareness Educator and Holistic Reproductive Health Practitioner, Lisa Hendrickson-Jack about menstruation, fertility, ovulation. For those who want to better understand their cycles, this podcast is a must! For the complete show notes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself facing a completely different scenario in life then you were expecting? At 7 months pregnant, writer and yoga teacher Anna Gannon, found herself unexpectantly unemployed and depressed. To her complete surprise, she stumbled into meditation which became passion and career. In the episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Anna and I share a deeply honest and vulnerable conversation about life’s twists and unexpected findings. Anna opens up about a very challenging time in her life, her path to joy and exploring fears surrounding her upcoming birth.  For the complete shownotes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga |Birth |Babies, please enjoy this community birth story from Hedy as she explains what she faced when trying to have the birth she envisioned and some surprises of postpartum. For full show notes click HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The pushing stage of labor rarely looks as it does in the movies! Did you know there are so many other options to birth a baby then flat on your back with you legs thrown up to the ceiling and pushing like your face is going to burst? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with doula, childbirth educator, mother and creator of Pushing Power, Chantal Traub. She breaks down some myths about pushing, introduces why a well aligned pelvis can help facilitate a more functional birth and how to talk to your care provider about birthing options. Enjoy!   For more on Chantal and the full shownotes click HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between 25 and 34 per cent of women report that their births were traumatic. Given this staggering number, how many of these people have the support or tools to safely heal and recover from their birth experience? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with childbirth educator, doula and author, Jennifer Summerfeldt. Jennifer and I dive deeply into the impact of birth trauma on the postpartum experience, the relationship of postpartum depression to birth trauma and finally tools to recovery if you experienced birth trauma. This meaty, powerful conversation may help put words and understanding to unrealized trauma. For the full show notes visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Child Passenger Safety Technician and founder of NY Metro CPR, Jason Mundy. He breaks down some of the most common mistakes parents make when installing a car seat, when to transition to a front facing position, and stroller safety. Want to know more? Join us Saturday, February 16th for “Common Misuses with Car Seats” from 1:30-3:00pm Click HERE to register For the full show notes and links mentioned in the episode click HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For those who have been caught with out their breast pump or expectantly separated from your baby, you may have turned to hand expression as a last resort. But did you know, that hand expression of breast milk can boost milk supply and often reduce sore nipples and engorgement and it can save you time- no parts to have to clean! In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with birth doula and founder of TheMilkinMama, Francie Webb. Francie shares why hand expression is breastfeeding’s best kept secret and why every lactating person should be armed with the skills and confidence to know how to hand express. Enjoy! For full shownotes including the links mentioned in this talk head over to: prenatalyogacenter.com *ALSO- Shout out to my friend, Francesca Cervero and her online course – Science of the Private Lesson Online Training! Get $50 OFF with the code = DEB50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bringing home a newborn baby for the first time is perhaps one of the most daunting tasks many people face in their life. I clearly remember the moment my husband and I were alone with our new baby. All we could think about was, “when is our postpartum doula going to arrive and could help us navigate this new path.” In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and a Labor Support Doula, Ayelet Kaznelson. She offers practical tips and advice that new parents can utilize during this huge transition. We’re also delighted to be welcoming Ayelet to the PYC teaching community and excited to learn a bit about her. For more on Ayelet view the full show notes HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The headline “The ARRIVE Trial: Induction at 39 weeks leads to lower cesarean rate” may have caught your eye in the last few months. It may have also left you confused, wondering what to do with these new findings and what does all this mean for pregnancy, due dates and physiological births. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with childbirth educator, Labor Support Doula, Doula Trainer and Breastfeeding Counselor, Bonu deCaires. Bonu and I unpack the findings of the ARRIVE study and carefully examine how to approach these results and how this may unfold in current day obstetrics. If you are a pregnant person or a birth worker, this rich discussion will shed some light on interpreting this new study and how that may effect the expectations of labor and induction. For more on Bonu and the ARRIVE Study visit: prenatalyogacenter.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever felt like you don’t understand your changing pregnant body? Perhaps you no longer feel like you can find good, supportive posture, or take a satisfyingly deep breath? If so, then this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies will help you understand how your inner structure, what Jill Miller, yoga teacher and co-founder of Tune Up Fitness Worldwide, calls the “inner baby carriage” can help create ease and comfort in your ever changing pregnant or postpartum body. This podcast is a rich conversation about anatomy, yoga, and the importance of self care massage. For more information on Jill and how you can connect with her visit our show notes: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Approximately 10-25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. With such a high percentage of pregnancies naturally terminating, why is this subject often talked about in whispers behind closed doors? When any personal loss is experienced, support is often desired and needed and subsequent pregnancies may be approached with more apprehension then joy. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with PYC community member and children’s yoga teacher, Jessica Mougis. Jessica opens up about the loss of her twins and how she personally recovered from that experience. Jessica also shares how her current pregnancy with her “rainbow child” differs from the easeful, innocence of her first pregnancy. For more on Jessica visit the show notes at prenatalyogacenter.com     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I had the pleasure of speaking with world renowned author and birth authority, Penny Simkin. We spoke of the important topic of pain versus suffering, how women’s satisfaction and memory of their birth has a direct correspondence to how they perceive being treated during their birth, emotional trauma that can ensue from an unsupported birth experience for the mother and partner and how women can best prepare for birth- especially is she has a history of trauma and abuse or just fear surrounding childbirth. Please enjoy this very rich and moving conversation.   For more on Penny visit our full show notes: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the three pillars of Prenatal Yoga Center methodology is community, also knows as sangha. Feeling part of community, especially in such a transitional time like pregnancy and parenthood, can help assuage fears, feel supported and find a general camaraderie. In an effort to deepen our community connection, Yoga |Birth |Babies continues to share conversations and personal stories from our community members. In this episode of Yoga| Birth |Babies, we get to know one of our community members, Yali Szulanski. Yali bravely shares her personal struggles with a serious eating disorder and how she was able to keep it in check during her two pregnancies and postpartum. For anyone who is or has faced body image issues or if you are supporting someone through this challenging experience, this episode will speak to you. For more on Yali, visit the show notes: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Failure to progress is the number one reason first time mothers end up having an unplanned cesarean birth. Many times the cause of the cervix failing to open is related to the baby’s position and how is it rotating through the pelvis and applying pressure onto the cervix. While some misalignments may not be able to be corrected, learning how to create balance in the birthing person’s bony pelvis and soft muscle tissue can best support baby’s chance of finding an easier exit. In today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have the pleasure of speaking with Gail Tully, certified professional midwife (CPM) and birth doula (DONA), and founder of www.SpinningBabies.com. Gail and I discus the principals of Spinning Babies and the how the position of the baby and the balance in the birthing person’s body plays a vital role in the ease and functionality of birth. For expectant mothers, partners and birth workers, the podcast will offer take a tips to help prepare the body for birth. For more on Gail visit the show notes: https://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/spinning-babies-founder-gail-tully/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the myriad of nursery decor, strollers and baby gadgets, it is not surprising the amount of time and effort new parents spend on preparing for the arrival of their new family member. Unfortunately, the check list of preparation rarely makes it to setting up support for the new parents postpartum. With the current rate of PMAD, Perinatal Mood and Anxiety disorder, hovering around 20%, clearly this is an area that needs heavy consideration and attention. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Evelyn Gama, LCSW who specializes in perinatal mental health. Evelyn discusses the steps to take to set up a postpartum mental health check in. She offers very solid and manageable ideas to help the whole family best support the new birthing parent. Unfortunately, these very important steps of postpartum preparation are often neglected. Please enjoy this episode for either yourself or someone you support. To connect with Evelyn or get the links mentioned in the podcast visit: https://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/plan-to-support-yourself-the-necessity-of-a-postpartum-mental-health-check-in/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever had a friend or family member you suspected was suffering from a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety disorder and just didn’t know if or how to approach them? With more then 20% of new parents suffering from Perinatal Mood and Anxiety disorder it is important to have the tools and language to help. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I welcome back licensed social worker and program director of the Motherhood Center, Paige Bellenbaum. Paige discusses how to approach a person you suspect may be suffering from Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder. She offers a way to gently converse with the parent without making them feel probed and awkward. This is a very important episode for birth workers and those supporting a new parent. To connect with page and see the full show notes visit: https://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/when-you-suspect-a-friend-or-loved-one-is-suffering-from-pmad/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the Center of Disease Control. gestational diabetes affects up to 10% of pregnancies each year. For those diagnosed with this endocrine disorder, their pregnancy will be much monitored and take a different path then their counter parts. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, researcher, and author, Lily Nichols. Lily clearly and effectively breakdown the risks, symptoms and management of gestational diabetes. For those who are working to manage their gestational diabetes or simply want to learn more about it, this episode is for you!   For more on this episode or to connect with Lily visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You had a baby! Great! Now what?? There are so many things to consider when planning for postpartum. What kind of support do you need? Who is giving you that support? Are you breastfeeding, bottle feeding or both? Where is your baby sleeping? How do you set boundaries with family and guest and so, so, so much more to consider! In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with New York City based Childbirth Educator, Birth and Postpartum doula, lactation counselor and midwive’s assistant, Grace Veras Sealy. Grace graciously gives you the low down on what to expect after baby arrives. Go grab your pen and paper and get ready to take down some notes during this informationally packed episode! To connect with Grace and learn more about her visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When taking a Childbirth Education class, you may assume that all the information you are receiving is given in hopes of best supporting you, the birthing person. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Depending on where you take your class, the information may not be based on best care practices for the birthing person, instead you may be hearing a curriculum aimed more at supporting hospital rules, policies and protocols. In this mini-sode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I talk about the reasons you may want to consider taking a Childbirth Education class outside a hospital setting if it is available to you. Please enjoy this episode! For more on this episode visit the show notes: https://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/where-to-take-childbirth-education/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder why at all of your prenatal visits with your care provider you have your blood pressure checked and often leave urine sample? It’s because your care provider is checking for a serious condition called preeclampsia. Never heard of it? No worries! In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with community education & engagement manger of the Preeclampsia Foundation, Rebecca Britt. Rebecca uncovers all of the signs and symptoms and gives a helpful explanation of preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. By the time you finish listening to this episode, you can move forward with confidence and ease.   For more information and the full show notes visit prenatalyogacenter.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An article from Midwifery Today sited a study concluding “Participants who read positive, empowering birth stories reported an average of 33% less fear about their upcoming birth.” That great increase in personal confidence was the reason I decided to continue to share positive community birth stories on Yoga | Birth | Babies. In this episode I speak with second time community member, Lauren Seidman. Lauren opens up about her two very different pregnancies and birth and what she did to prepare herself, mentally and physically for birth and motherhood. She also explains what lead her to switching to a new care provider for her second birth. Please enjoy our talk! For more on this episode head over to the show notes: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The current US cesarean rates hover around 33%. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the cesarean rate should fluctuate between 10-15%. They even state “Cesarean section rates higher than 10% are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates” and that “every effort should be made to provide caesarean sections to women in need, rather than striving to achieve a specific rate”. Clearly there is need to further exams why cesareans are performed at such a high rate and what can be done to lower them.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak OB/GYN, Dr. Neel Shah. Dr Shah has been recognized for his work to help reduced unnecessary caesarean births in our country. In this podcast, we explore why in the past 40 years, cesareans have increased 500% without seeing better results for moms and babies! He also explains where you give birth can be one of the biggest factors in the risk of having a cesarean birth. This episode is so important for any women who may become pregnant, expectant mothers and partners. Please enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the Listening to Mothers iii Survey, 41% of the people indicated that their care provider tried to induce their labor, with three out of four of those women (74%) indicating that it did start labor, resulting in an overall rate of medically induced labor of 30%. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with midwife, writer and presenter, Dr Rachel Reed. She speaks very candidly about medical induction and augmentation of labor. Dr Reed explains why and how a medical induction is performed and the precautions of pitocin. For any pregnant mother, birth worker or support person, this episode will give you a lot to ponder. In this episode: What brought Rachel to practicing midwifery. The process and hormones of a spontaneous physiological birth and how that differs from a medical induction The definition of medically necessary induction Medically justified reasons for an induction “Suspected big baby” and going post date- How a mother advocate for herself care if she is feeling pressured to be induced for these reasons The process of beginning medical induction from scratch The role pitocin should play in labor Statistics for how often pitocin is involved in labor Side effects of pitocin – are women given informed consent to these side effects The cascade of interventions and the relationship of induction to the necessity of other interventions Option for a mother facing medical induction Is there such a thing as “natural induction” “DIY” induction methods What Dr Reed is up to now with her blog and book! For more about Dr. Reed and ways to connect with her, please visit the full show notes over at prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“All birthing people will face a crisis of confidence at some point during a physiological labor.” This one powerful discussion point still sticks out in my mind from my juicy conversation with childbirth educator, doula and counsellor, Rhea Dempsey. In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, Rhea and I dive deep into the world of birth, ways to truly prepare for birth, and embracing functional pain as part of the process. She also reveals what a crisis of confidence is during birth and how to get to the other side. Please enjoy this lively and informational conversation! In this episode: What brought Rhea to birth work. The 3 Cs – control, comfort, convenient. How the 3 Cs come into daily life and how they may or may not support birth. Functional pain and how that is different then pathological pain. How working with pain, not suffering, can benefit the laboring person. Embracing functional physiological pain when many people demonize labor pain or pity the laboring person for going through it. How to support people during labor. How to not be scared of big sensations and the experience one is going through. Recognizing the affect of the support team’s attitude about birth and pain. Preparation for physiological birth. The three preparations for labor. Social conditioning to responding to pain in labor. What is pain dynamic ? Explanation of “Crisis of confidence” Preparing to get past a crisis of confidence The “3 attitudes of birth” among birthing people Finding Rhea’s work! About Rhea Dempsey: Rhea Dempsey is an Independent Birth Educator, Birth Attendant (Doula), Trainer, Counsellor and Author. She is a highly sought after childbirth educator, speaker, counselor and birth attendant (doula) with experience at over 1000 births. With adult daughters and grandchildren of her own, Rhea’s understanding of birth has been gained over four decades of working with pregnant women, their partners, support people, midwives and medical practitioners, in home and hospital settings. She is recognized as an insightful commentator on the difficulties women, who have a yearning for normal physiological birth, face in navigating the present birth culture. She is also respected as one of Australia’s foremost thinkers on the topic of working with pain in childbirth and its connection to normal physiological birth. Her book, Birth with Confidence: savvy choices for normal birth, as well as giving a clear account of the challenges faced by contemporary birthing women, also maps out a path to powerful birthing experiences.   Connect with Rhea:  [email protected] www.birthingwisdom.com.au www.facebook.com/birthingwisdom www.twitter.com/RheaDempsey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Navigating a satisfying sex life with your partner during pregnancy and postpartum can be a bit challenging for many. Fear of hurting the baby, working through body image issues and share logistics can create a gap in a sexual relationship. In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies, I speak with New York City based sex and relationship expert, Alexandria Ross from the V Club, a new wellness center in NYC focused on relationships, motherhood, and sexual wellness. They both share valuable advice about finding your pregnant and postpartum sexiness as well as dispelling myths and fears around sex during pregnancy. And of course, we sneak in a bit of pelvic floor health and how it can add to better sex! In this episode: What brought Courtney and Alexandra to this work and a bit about themselves. Common fears and concerns from both partners points of view about sex during pregnancy. How the different trimesters affects the ebb and flow of sex during pregnancy. Challenges of sex during pregnancy. Reasons might someone need to abstain from sex during pregnancy. Postpartum sex- what women should expect during this time. A discussion about the experience of a decreased sex drive, fatigue, feeling sexy in your new body and the feeling of over being “over touched.” How to reconnect to your partner. The relationship between a healthy pelvic floor, orgasm, and sex. Healing after a traumatic birth and finding comfort and reconnection with your body and partner. Advice for new and expectant parents. The V Club!   About Alexandria: Alexandria Ross Alexandria leads the motherhood effort at The V. Club . She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and former Navy nurse with a diverse nursing background across the maternal child health spectrum. Alexandria has over ten years of experience guiding, supporting, and empowering women through pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and motherhood by helping women tap into their inner power and intuition. Connect with Alexandria: thevclub.com Instagram + Facebook: @thevclubnyc Did you enjoy this episode? Click Subscribe, while you’re there give us a rating too! Namaste Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not every entrance into parenthood is easy and joyful with a soundtrack of birds singing blissfully as you walk carefree through the park. You may even mutter under your breath, “This is really f**king hard, what have I done?” In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak openly with co-founder of Soul Camp and Soul Camp Creative, Michelle Goldblum. In this refreshing conversation Michelle honestly opens up about the challenges she faced the first few months of her son’s life and how she found her way to enjoying and embracing motherhood. Friendship and connection were a major support for Michelle as she found her stride in motherhood. Many new parents will be able to relate to Michelle’s struggles and perhaps feel comforted in knowing they are not feeling alone with these feelings. “Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another, “What! You too?” I thought I was the only one.” C.S Lewis In this episode:  A little about Michelle and how she got started to get into the health and wellness world. Defining self care and the role it plays in her life. Finding the balance of work and family .  Michelle talks about her pregnancy, birth and transition into motherhood. The bumps of the first few months and how she navigated through them. How the reality of motherhood matched with the ideas she grew up with. Michelle’s favorite part of parenthood. Advice she wishes someone had told her before becoming a parent. What is Soul Camp? Want to attend Soul Camp? Get an extra $100 off your ticket by following this link!  https://my.soul.camp/prenatal-yoga-center About Michelle : Michelle Goldblum is the co-founder of Soul Camp and Soul Camp Creative. Soul Camp is a completely transformative sleep away camp for adults, and Soul Camp Creative is a full-service Marketing Agency devoted to working with conscious companies and brands that are positively impacting the planet. Michelle and her companies have been featured in Oprah Magazine, Travel and Leisure, Fitness, Women’s Health, Good Morning America, ABC News,  Parents, Fortune, Inc., and Forbes. Michelle is the new mama of 3-month old Ryker Bear, an avid Flywheel spinner (she rode at 9 months pregnant!) and a member of the PYC. She believes that the new mama group at the PYC was one of the things that saved her those first few weeks of motherhood, and is an avid advocate of mamas, and all of us really, being whole & well first – and that comes by taking care of ourselv Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matrescence, a seldom heard word that names the shift into motherhood, stemming from on the word, adolescence. Funny that the metamorphosis into adolescence is socially viewed with compassion, support and a general understanding of tremendous and uncontrollable change while the same slide into motherhood is often met with high expectations of “maternal instincts” and an innate understanding of how to seamlessly take on this new role and identity. In this episode, I speak with Clinical Psychologist, faculty member, and co-founder of the Sexuality, Women & Gender Project at Teachers College, Columbia University, Aurelie Athan, Ph.D about this massive transition in a new mother’s life. Aurelie shares her insights, some of her research, and teachings on this incredibly important and under discussed topic. This conversation is vital for a new parents and her support system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day your child is born, you assume a completely new persona and identity. Many grapple with this shift from maiden to motherhood and embracing this new title and responsibility can be challenging. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Dr. Britta Bushnell discusses working through the bumps of the 4th trimester and maintaining a sense of self while adjusting to this new role. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reducing stress and depression, increasing self awareness and happiness are just some of the amazing benefits of mediation. In this episode of Yoga | Birth |Babies, I speak with Vedic Meditation teacher and founder of The Spring Meditation, Arden Martin. Our deep and lively talk reveals what brought Arden to her meditation practice and how it has shaped her life and pregnancy. Her calm and assuring manner will inspire you to remove any hesitation and venture into your own mediation practice! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once the dust settles on the new expansion to your family, plans may need to be considered about child care and extra support. There are several options, day care, family help or hiring an in home nanny. In this episode, I speak with Christa Nader, founder of Kith and Kin Household Staffing Agency. Christa goes through the do’s and don’ts of hiring a full-time or part-time nanny, the scope of work, paid vacations and much more. This conversation can help ease anxiety about transitioning back to work or just finding the right fit for a date night sitter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An epidural is a very familiar term for most, but how much knowledge do people have about it? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with anesthesiologist and yoga teacher, Claire Sandberg. Claire breaks down common myths and misconceptions about epidural anesthesia and clearly present the facts about epidurals so listeners can make an educated, informed choice. If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe, rate & review us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Within the hustle and bustle of NYC, it is essential to find community and support, especially for a new parent. In this week’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with devoted yogini and mother, Kristina Podsiadly. Kristina’s natural optimism and easy going nature was what helped her adjust when her original birth plan had to quickly change. Listen and get inspired by Kristina’s pregnancy, birth story and transition into motherhood. In this episode: A little about Kristina’s life and move to NYC! Kristina’s pregnancy and surprises she wasn’t expecting. Preparing for birth. Finding community during and after pregnancy. The difference between what birth Kristina envisioned and the birth experience that unfolded. The importance of strong labor support. Transitioning into motherhood and how to prepare for that. Why maintaining a yoga practice is vital for Kristina’s self care. Advice and tips Kristina wish someone had told her before. getting pregnant or having a baby that would have been helpful. Getting through challenging moments. Advice or wisdom for new parents as they approach this transition. About Kristina: Kristina Podsiadly was born and raised in Rochester, NY where she met her husband in 8th grade and has been together ever since. They moved to NYC right after college when he started his first job and Kristina began grad school at Columbia University. She been a science teacher in NYC for the last 6 years, although is currently taking some time off now to raise my son. He is almost 5 months old and Kristina absolutely love being a stay-at-home mom here on the Upper West Side! Kristina is a active and faithful member in the PYC community with a daily yoga practice. When not here in class at PYC or wondering through the UWS, Kristina loves to cook and travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Stephanie Heintzeler, midwife, doula, and IBCLC. Stephanie’s vast experience as a birth worker ranges from delivering babies as a midwife in Germany to supporting women as a board certified lactation consultant. Stephanie and I talk about getting the medical support you desire and key differences between the midwifery model of care and more traditional obstetrics. She also explains how the role of a doula can enhance a birthing person’s experience and the scope of practice of a doula one can expect. For the full show notes or to connect with Stephanie visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baby stuff everywhere! Why does it feel like having a baby comes with so much equipment and accessories? Have you ever stopped to think about what is truly necessary and what is just really good marketing? In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Adriane Stare, owner and founder of the Brooklyn eco-friendly maternity, baby and lifestyle store, Wild Was Mama. Adriane and I break down what are true “must haves” from day one and how to build a registry that is not overwhelming and or superfluous. In this episode : Adriane’s background and her journey from opening Caribou Baby to rebranding Wild Was Mama Creating a functional registry of the “must have” items Systematically purchasing necessary items How to handle of the “stuff overload” in a NYC apartment The items new parents are always running into the store days or weeks after giving birth to get. Gems of advice for new parents What’s next for Adriane and Wild Was Mama About Adriane: Adriane Stare is a mother to two young boys, and the Owner and Founder of Wild Was Mama – an eco-friendly maternity, baby and lifestyle store in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Adriane is a certified Babywearing Educator, Lactation Counselor and a Postpartum Doula, who stocks her shop full of carefully-curated products for natural-minded urbanites and offers a full schedule of inspiring classes for pregnancy, birth preparation and parenting. Wild Was Mama specializes in babywearing, and has quickly become the tri-state area’s go-to spot for new parents learning how to use and choose a baby carrier. In addition to training a team of compassionate staff to help new families in their journeys, you will find Adriane fitting moms for nursing bras, teaching classes on babywearing, cloth diapering, and helping families-to-be create meaningful, minimal registries. Wild Was Mama  Facebook & Instagram @wildwasmama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I speak with IBCLC, Lori Isenstadt, from the podcast, All About Breastfeeding. Lori breaks down some of the misconceptions about the first few days of breastfeeding and offers honest and practical information for anyone looking to breastfeeding their newborn. She also discusses the role of a lactation consultant and what one can expect from this working relationship. For the full show notes including how to connect with Lori and resources mentioned in this episode visit: prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode I speak with accomplished author, health psychologist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Dr. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett. We dive deeply into an important and timely discussion about racial disparity and the effects of breastfeeding and infant mortality. Black babies are more then three to four times likely to die then a white baby from pregnancy related causes. According to a recent NY Times article, black women in NYC are 12 times as likely to die due pregnancy related caused compared to white women. These staggering numbers are frightening and simply unfair. With years of research behind her, Dr Kendall-Tackett sheds some light on why these there is such disparity in women and baby health care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with the founder of VBAC Facts, Jen Kamel. Jen and I go deep into myths and misconceptions about VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and ways to advocate for the birth you want. This episode is will bring fire and confidence to any person unsure of the facts of VBAC and may help in selecting a care provider who can support the choice of VBAC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with author and Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Nany Mohrbacher about how to support breastfeeding women at work and help them navigate pumping. For any person facing the end of maternity leave and wondering about they will be able to manage keeping their supply and breastfeeding routine going outside the home, this episode will offer solid tips and guidance. Please enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Yoga| Birth|Babies I speak with PYC community member, Emeline Foster. Emeline is a second time mother who openly shares her struggles with deciding if she should have a second cesarean or explore a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Emeline is open and honest about her experience and the challenges she faced along with adjusting to life as her family expanded with the birth of her son. Being a French citizen, she also gives some humorous insight on the cultural differences  between birth and parenthood in the US compared to her home country. Please enjoy our talk! In this Episode: A little bit about Emeline and what brought her to NYC. Life as a mother of two! How her two pregnancies differed. Her decision process in choosing to have a VBAC or another cesarean. Her search for the right care provider. The different experiences she had in her first and second birth. The differences she noticed between parenting and birth in France compared to the US. Tips for the PYC community. About Emeline: Emeline Foster is a French citizen who’s been living in NY for the past 6 years. As a native of Bordeaux, France, Emeline first worked and lived in Paris where she met her American husband. Moving to New York in 2011, Emeline became the Chief of Staff to the Consul General of France, a position she held for four years before she became in 2017 the Executive Director of The French-American Foundation in New York.  She is the happy mother of a wonderful five-year-old little girl, Lily and the new mum to Marcel, 2 and a half weeks old. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I have the pleasure of speaking with Jeanne Faulkner R.N. Jeanne initially wrote for FitPregnancy, penning the column “Ask a Labor Nurse.” She has since written 2 books, Common Sense Pregnancy and The Complete Illustrated Birthing Companion. She hosts 3 podcasts Common Sense Pregnancy (she had me as a guest too, check out ep #106), CARE Action!, and Activists on the Line! Today we talk about her experiences in the labor and delivery room and how that led to her foreign assistance lobbying. We also cover how care during pregnancy is affected when we come from a place of fear instead of wellness. In this episode: How Jeanne went from L&D nursing to foreign assistance lobbying and podcasting. What Jeanne thinks of the current state of maternal healthcare in the US. What role does feminism play in changing maternal healthcare in the US? What’s the difference between a fear-based pregnancy and a well-based pregnancy? About Jeanne:  Jeanne Faulkner is a writer, podcaster, registered nurse, speaker, mother and maternal health advocate. After almost 20 years work as a labor and delivery nurse, Jeanne branched into writing for magazines, newspapers and websites about topics ranging from asthma to Zen meditation with a heavy focus on women’s health, politics, parenting and feminism. She’s the author of two books, The Complete Illustrated Birthing Companion and Common Sense Pregnancy, which inspired her podcast, Common Sense Pregnancy and Parenting. She also writes and hosts two podcasts for CARE, the global humanitarian organization and she’s the co-founder of Civics for Cynics, workshops that raise advocates from the ground up. Jeanne lives in Oregon with her family. Connect with Jeanne:https://www.jeannefaulkner.com @commonsensepregnancy on instagram @jeannefaulkner on twitter @commonsensepregnancyandparenthood of facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with licensed social worker and Program Director of the Motherhood Center of New York, Paige Bellenbaum. This deeply honest and moving discussion needs to be heard and discussed with all expectant women, partners and support people. It is reported that 1 in 5 women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. It’s important to note that this statistic is only based on reported cases and that many more women will suffer in silence. Many professionals feel a more accurate statistic is 1 in 3 people. Paige bravely discusses her own debilitating experience with postpartum depression and anxiety and her commitment to supporting those experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. In this episode:  What brought Paige to this work and her own experience with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. How common perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are for women Seeing and understanding the symptoms of PMADs Do PMADs go away on their own? What OBGYNs, midwives and pediatricians are doing in regards to PMADs The difficulty many women face telling anyone they are struggling How a friend, partner or family member can tell someone if they think their loved one is suffering from a PMAD Do PMADs only happen after the birth of your first child Who is at greater risk for a PMAD Places someone suffering from PDAD can seek help   About Paige: Paige started her social work career working at a homeless shelter for families in San Francisco, where she built a $4 million Housing and Aftercare Program for families transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. She then moved to New York City in 2000 to get her Masters of Social Work at Columbia University. After she graduated, she worked for an organization called the Center for Family Life located in Sunset Park Brooklyn as a Community Developer, where she was responsible for community outreach and relations for the organization. She also oversaw a food pantry and advocacy clinic. Paige then worked as the Director of Advocacy and Community Outreach for Habitat for Humanity – New York City for many years. While at Habitat, she had her first child – Max. After Max was born, Paige suffered from severe postpartum depression that almost cost her her own life. Once she began to heal, she became committed to fighting for education, screening and treatment for postpartum depression so that no more women would have to suffer silently. She drafted legislation in New York State that was championed by State Senator Liz Krueger, mandating education and strongly encouraging screening of all new and expecting mothers that was signed into law in 2014. Paige has been an outspoken advocate on the issue of postpartum depression, and uses her own story as a tool for change. She has appeared on the Today Show, NPR, PBS Newshour and in Women’s Health Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and several other print publications. Paige left her post as Director of Community Programs at Settlement Housing Fund to help open The Motherhood Center, where she oversaw a portfolio of programs ranging from a homeless shelter for families, transitional housing, a state of the art computer lab, and an alternative to incarceration program for young adults. Paige is currently on the steering committee of the NYC Maternal Depression Collaborative that is responsible for implementing the First Lady’s commitment to screening every new and expecting mother for postpartum depression. She also is a Board Member of a non-profit called Refoundry that trains formerly incarcerated people to repurpose discarded materials into home furnishings, and incubates participan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with founder of the CrunchyRadish.com, registered dietitian, and natural foods chef Miranda Hammer. We discuss nutrition, food preferences and aversions during pregnancy, and how to get optimal nutrition for mom and baby. We also talk about the reality of finding a balanced and healthy diet during the exhausting “4th trimester.” Miranda shares some insightful tips that will be sure to help any tired and busy new or expectant parent. Enjoy and Bon appetite!   In this episode:    What brought Miranda to the study of nutrition. The start of CrunchyRadish.com How her approach to nutrition and food changed during pregnancy. How to maintain a balanced diet. How she creates her delicious recipes! How Miranda’s personal eating habits changed as a new mom. Dealing with the battle between knowing what is good for your body and baby and how to realistically eat that way. Quick and delicious “go to” snacks or meals for a busy, tired new mom. What Miranda refers to as “One Handed Eating.” How life has changed since baby came. The biggest changes both personally and professional as a new mom. The biggest surprise Miranda has experienced as a new mother. Take away tips for pregnant women and new moms to find ease and flavor in snacks and meals.   About Miranda: Miranda Hammer, MS, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian, natural foods chef and founder of the website crunchyradish.com. Miranda primarily focuses on plant-based nutrition, as well as recipe and content development. She received her Master’s Degree from the Clinical Nutrition Program at New York University and completed her clinical rotations at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Additionally, Miranda attended the Chef’s Training Program at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts. Past work experience includes serving as a Clinical Dietitian at Montefiore Medical Center and running her own private practice in New York City. Her work has been featured in Vogue, mindbodygreen, Well + Good, and food52. She is currently the resident RD for superfood company Navitas Organics.   Connect with Miranda on instagram @thecrunchyradish   “Yoga | Birth | Babies” is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/YBB to support the show and see if you qualify.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies,” I speak with anthropologist, Dr. Meredith Small, about how our biology, culture and history influence how we parent our children. In this fun, lively conversation, Meredith and I discus and compare different cultures and their approach to child raring. Some of the way we care for our children come from the societal rules and cultural acceptance and others from the biology of our bodies and connection to our babies. Visit prenatalyogacenter.com for the full show notes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies,” I take off my interviewer hat and become the guest speaker! For the past 17 years I have had the joy and honor of leading group yoga classes as well as teacher trainings. In this podcast, I breakdown the principles from which I teach and train other teachers. For those who are new to teaching or just students who want to better understand my methodology, I hope you enjoy! In this episode, I cover:  The importance of seeing your students! Learning from your best teachers, your students. The pros and cons of demonstrating. Know your demographic: who you are teaching and how they best learn. Don’t be afraid to correct and adjust a student Hand on adjustments- does everyone need to be adjusted? Know why you are touching a student – your hands should be giving information as to how to stabilize or go deeper in a pose. Don’t ignore the student who needs the most attention because you are overwhelmed by their poses. My personal pet peeve- massage or little creepy adjustments. Teach! Don’t just recite memorized cues – or shout out poses. Intelligent sequencing – how do poses relate to one another. Using music- it should add to the underlying flow and drive of the rhythm About Deb : Deb is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music with a degree in Musical Theater. She has spent most of her life performing and was introduced to yoga through a choreographer in 1997. After several years as a yoga student, she decided to continue her education and became certified as a Bikram Yoga instructor. In 2001 Deb headed out to Seattle to study with renowned prenatal yoga teacher Colette Crawford, R.N., at the Seattle Holistic Center. Deb has received certification for Vinyasa Yoga from Shiva Rea as well as completed the OM Yoga advanced teacher training with Cyndi Lee in 2004. Deb has also studied the Maternal Fitness Method with Julie Tupler. Deb currently studies with Cyndi Lee, Genevieve Kapular, and Carrie Owerko. After being witness to several “typical” hospital births, Deb felt it was important to move beyond the yoga room and be present in the birthing room. In 2003, Deb attended her first birth as a DONA certified labor support doula. In that short period of time, Deb has attended about 100 births. She is continuously in awe of the beauty and brilliance of birth. In 2006, Deb received her certification as a Lamaze® Certified Childbirth Educator. In September of 2007, Deb completed a Midwife Assistant Program with Ina May Gaskin, Pamela Hunt and many of the other Farm Midwives at The Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee. Drawing on her experience as a prenatal yoga teacher, labor support doula, childbirth educator and mother, Deb looks to establish a safe, effective and empowering class for pregnancy and beyond. In April 2016, Deb had the honor of being a presenter at the Yoga Journal Live New York Conference. Deb is the proud (and tired!) mother of her son Shay and daughter Sage. Click here for Deb’s teaching schedule, her teacher trainings, and her upcoming events! “Yoga | Birth | Babies” is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/YBB</ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies,” I speak with neonatologist and social worker, Dr Sue Hall about navigating the Neonatal Intensive Care unit (NICU). Having a child in the NICU can be overwhelming and a great emotional strain. Dr Hall has dedicated much of her career to the psycho-social support of NICU parents. Our discussion sheds some light on what parents may expect, how they can advocate for themselves and their child and how to find support during this turbulent time. For the full show notes visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies” we’re sharing an inspirational birth story from our community. Today’s guest Bridget Tichar had a great birth and we want to share her experience to provide some inspiration and comfort for our expectant Mamas! Bridget was an active member of the Prenatal Yoga Center community throughout her pregnancy coming to class 5 times a week, though she previously was not a fan of yoga. Bridget has always led an active lifestyle and was able to maintain this through her pregnancy. Stay tuned to hear all about her birth experience; how she coped with waiting in the waiting room, surrendered to help from a loving partner, found the humor in labor and birth, and brought her son Teddy into this world! “I want to do this, I am doing this, this is not hard.” About Bridget: Bridget is a first-time mom to 6-month old son, Teddy. She holds a master’s degree in communications and currently works part-time from home as the director of a non-profit charity she created 5 years ago. Previous to the birth of her son, she worked as a retail manager and played women’s beach volleyball competitively. She is a vegetarian and enjoys running daily while listening to podcasts and audiobooks. Bridget lives on the upper west side of Manhattan with her husband, Joe.   “Yoga | Birth | Babies” is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/YBB to support the show and see if you qualify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies” Dr. Michelle Canarick and I have an intimate discussion of loss, as we explore what is was like to move through and forward after a miscarriage. Touching on our personal experiences and Michelle’s professional experience as a psychologist she offers comfort and advice for grieving mothers and their partners. In this episode: Michelle and Deb discuss their miscarriage experiences. Medical options a woman has to deal with an incomplete miscarriage. Advice for the woman who has had the miscarriage and has to face colleagues and friends who are pregnant, support can she find. How often miscarriage happens. Things to consider before trying again. Fostering confidence in your body’s ability to carry a pregnancy full term. Partners may process the experience differently, some ways to help the couple get through this experience together. How to have an open a conversation with your partner so the mother doesn’t feel isolated by the experience. How do partners grieve differently than the mother. Who to tell you’re pregnant & when, an emotional perspective. To read Michelle’s blog post referenced in this episode: https://prenatalyogacenter.com/blog/life-after-loss-a-story-of-miscarriage-and-moving-forward/ About Michelle: Michelle Canarick is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the mother of two young children. As a psychotherapist and a mother, she empathizes with the experience of building a family and provides individual and group therapy to mothers, children, and adolescents through her private practice, NYC Mom Support, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Her approach is grounded in the concept of empathy and providing practical techniques to help individuals and families thrive. Dr. Canarick has made multiple appearances on Good Morning America and speaks to parents with children of all ages on topics ranging from sleep training to setting limits with social media. Her other experiences include Bellevue Hospital, the Hallowell Center, the JCC of Manhattan, and the Ethical Culture/Fieldston School Connect with Michelle at http://michellecanarickphd.com or at http://nycmomsupport.com “Yoga | Birth | Babies” is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/YBB to support the show and see if you qualify.         Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know it will cost a middle-income couple slightly more than $245,000 to raise a child born in 2013 to the age of 18?! On this episode of “Yoga| Birth | Babies,” I speak with financial advisor, Amy Brackett. She and I discuss the daunting task of getting personal finances in order for the transition into parenthood. For anyone who is not already a financial advisor, this podcast will help demystify how much childhood really costs and how to best plan and prepare for it! In this episode: Some of the biggest mistakes new parents make in terms of their finances. Planning financial goals post baby: areas new parents should consider and focus on. How to pay for childcare: planning and budgeting for the early years before full days of school. Is there a rule of thumb for how much to save? The best way for a parent or guardian to go about saving for college. Planning retirement and college funds a the same time! How much to have in an emergency fund. Tips for estate planning and wills. About Amy:  Amy Brackett, CFA, is a Senior Vice President at The Solaris Group, a specialized wealth management and investment consulting firm which manages money for individuals, families and non-profit institutions. Amy is involved in all aspects of the client relationship including asset allocation and manager selection, and is a member of the Solaris Investment Committee. Amy serves on several Boards and Finance Committees including the Board of Bowery Babes, a group for moms living in downtown NYC.” She also writes articles on personal finance topics relating to families at Savvy-Parents.com. Amy lives in Manhattan with her husband and two children. You can contact Amy at [email protected] or 917-566-3811. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies,” I speak with 5th Vital Sign’s co-founders, Emily Varnam and Kelsey Knight. This conversation is circling around the importance of understanding your body to understanding your fertility. We dive deep into reproductive health and signs of peak fertility and meet up on the other side with postpartum fertility. Hope you enjoy! In this episode:  What drew Kelsey and Emily to this line of work. What is the 5th vital sign and how they originated the idea? The reproductive health climate Emily and Kelsey are seeing in their classes and at speaking events. The base of knowledge the average person already has about their own reproductive health. When to start to look for their “normal.” Important observations people can start to look for and learn about their body in preparing for trying to conceive. Lifestyle changes to consider when trying to conceive. Signs of Prime fertility. Paper or app- what is the best way to chart basil body temperature. How conscious breathing can benefit the whole body including fertility. Breastfeeding as birth control. What the 5th vital sign up to now and where can people find Emily and Kelsey A resource for people who are experiencing infertility: https://www.fruitfulfertility.org/. “Your Best Fertility Ally, Fellow Fertility Warriors:” http://www.5thvitalsign.com/blog/2017/8/24/your-best-fertility-ally-fellow-fertility-warriors. About Emily and Kelsey: Emily Varnam is a birth and postpartum doula, midwive’s assistant, birth control doula, placenta encapsulation specialist, and holds a degree in counseling and mentoring. She has been working with newborns and families since age seven and her goal is to be able to take people’s hands during puberty and walk with them through every stage of reproductive health. Kelsey Knight is a registered nurse specializing in labor and delivery, a childbirth educator, and lactation consultant in New York City. In college, she worked as a birth doula, which opened her eyes to the imperatives of informed consent and health as a human right. She co-founded The Fifth Vital Sign to address systems’ wide gaps in reproductive health education.   Connect with Emily & Kelsey:  Facebook: @5thvitalsign Instagram: @thefifthvitalsign website: 5thvitalsign.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of “Yoga| Birth|Babies,” I speak with founder of Birth Monopoly and co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project, Cristen Pascucci. Cristen and I have a lively conversation about informed consent and implied consent in maternity care. This episode reveals what your rights are as a pregnant and birthing woman. Did you know you can refuse routine interventions and ask for more clarification on the risks and benefits of these interventions? Feeling more involved in the decision making of one’s birth experience has shown to leave the mother feeling more positive about her birth. Please take the time to listen to this talk to better support yourself and your family. In this episode:  What brought Cristen to moving away from working in a PR firm to starting Birth Monopoly? What does implied consent mean in maternity care? The difference between informed consent and implied consent? What are women’s rights in labor and birth once they have been admitted to the hospital and signed a general consent form? Reviewing the ACOG’s statement: “That informed consent is ‘the willing acceptance of a medical intervention by a patient after adequate disclosure by the physician of the nature of the intervention with its risks and benefits and of the alternatives with their risks and benefits.’”  How and when to encourage this conversation to take place since the middle of labor or facing a time crunch for a suggested procedure may be difficult to comprehend these things. The importance of aligning with care provider supporting your rights of refusal and supporting your birth vision. Is there anything a woman cannot refuse during labor and birth? Language to use to help a woman or her birth posse advocate for themselves without becoming adversarial or being labeled “the problem patient” and still creating a friendly, human connection. Is there ever a bottom line that if the mother is refusing treatment but the medical staff believes the mother and/or the baby are in danger they have a right to override her right to refuse treatment? Why are women’s rights to make decisions and autonomy in birth being violated? Visible improvements in maternity care with the rise of more mainstream birth activism. What else Cristen is up to and where to find her! About Cristen: Cristen Pascucci is A former communications strategist at a top public affairs firm in Baltimore, Maryland, Cristen Pascucci is the founder of Birth Monopoly and Birth Monopoly’s Doula Power group, co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project, and, from 2012 to 2016, vice president of national advocacy organization Improving Birth. She has run an emergency hotline for women facing threats to their legal rights in childbirth, created a viral consumer campaign to “Break the Silence” on trauma and abuse in childbirth, and helped put obstetric violence and the maternity care crisis in national media. Today, she is a leading voice for women giving birth, speaking around the country and consulting privately for consumers and professionals on issues related to birth rights and options.  Cristen is also the host of Birth Allowed Radio as well as executive producer of a documentary film planned for release in 2019 to start a national conversation on obstetric violence, birth trauma, and women’s rights in birth. Cristen’s Projects: birthmonopoly.com http://www.exposingthesilenceproject.com Birth Allowed Radio   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Perinatal Quality Improvement, Dr Debra Bingham. Recently in the news there have been articles discussing the study “Nurses’ Knowledge and Teaching of Possible Postpartum Complications” highlighting the wide range (often lack) of knowledge postpartum nurses have about maternal mortality rates in the US and what is appropriate instructions to be sending new mothers home with from the hospital or birth center. Dr Bingham was one of the authors of this study. She discusses the findings of her work as well as life saving information women can learn to take charge of their own health postpartum. Topics discussed: A deeper discussion about the study, “American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing: Nurses’ Knowledge and Teaching of Possible Postpartum Complications.” The current infant and maternal mortality rate and how it compares to other industrialized countries The most vulnerable period for a mother postpartum. The leading causes and trends in pregnancy related morbidity and mortality. Specific warning and urgent emergency signs a woman and her partner should know. Who is responsible for medical support for mom and baby before she is discharged from the hospital or birth center? The process before a woman is discharged and the lack of a medical and psychological set standard to examine to before discharge. The typical education women receive at discharge. What other cultures are doing that we can learn from to better support our new mothers. Places a woman can find further information and education and get comprehensive information to best find support. Improving Postbirth Dishcharge Education About Potential Complications: http://www.perinatalqi.org/page/PPDischargeEdu   About Dr. Bingham: Dr. Debra Bingham has over 30 years experience in Maternal Child Health Nursing, a master’s degree in perinatal nursing from Columbia University, and a doctorate in Public Health from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Most of Debra’s career has been spent working in hospital leadership positions at the front lines of healthcare. For example, she has held the positions of Director of Maternal Child Health Nursing for 2 union hospitals in New York City, Manager of a large referral Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in New York City, a stand-alone birthing center in a small community hospital, and a fetal evaluation unit. Debra has expertise in Quality Improvement (QI), health care safety, and implementation science. Her dissertation was on how to improve front-line clinician’s quality improvement implementation effectiveness. In addition, she has led numerous QI inter-disciplinary initiatives designed to improve the safety of healthcare. She is an author of numerous articles published in peer reviewed journals and of implementation toolkits. Debra was the Vice President of Research, Education, and Practice for the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) where she led the development and launch of the Postpartum Hemorrhage Project, the Women’s Health and Perinatal Nursing Care Quality Measures, and the Maternal Fetal Triage Index. Dr. Bingham was the first Executive Director of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative where she helped form the collaborative and the California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (CA-PAMR) committee, co-authored the Ob Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies,” I speak with pediatrician and author of the bestselling book, The Happiest Baby On The Block, Dr. Harvey Karp. This conversation is for any new or expectant parent who desires to have well refined techniques to help calm a fussy baby and get some more sleep! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on “Yoga | Birth | Babies,” I speak with internationally recognized coach, author, speaker and educator, Carrie Contey. Carrie and I have a lively and enlightening discussion about why understanding your child’s brain will help you become a better parent. A helpful episode for parents and caregivers looking for more tools to better understand your child’s behavior and defuse “meltdowns.” Enjoy! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Reproductive Endocrinologist and Fertility Specialist, Dr Pavna Brahma. Dr Brahma and I discus the often emotionally charged topic of infertility, finding support and different options for having the family you want. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with journalist and author of the book, The Big Let Down– How Medicine, Big Business and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding. Kimberly and I discus the role of big pharmaceutical companies and the push for baby formula in doctor’s offices and hospitals and how they undermine a woman’s confidence in her ability to breastfeed. She also reveals shocking information like who really backs research studies and is formula FDA approved? Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with new mother and yoga teacher, Chantal Eder. We discus the the challenges and joys of pregnancy and new motherhood. Chantal also opens up about her surprisingly unique birth and processing the experience. New and expectant mothers will enjoy Chantal’s candor and relate to the journey through pregnancy and motherhood. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Yoga | Birth | Babies” I wanted to talk to you about preparing for birth. As a speaker and teacher I’m frequently asked, “What tips would you give expectant parents?” Well based on my experience and what I see in my students, as expectant parents we spend hours choosing the right, stroller, car seat, and basinet but not that much time thinking about ourselves. I have to say I had a lot of fun shopping for my stroller but remember you are more important than any product you’re buying your baby. Today I’m asking you to do a little homework, dig deep and answer the following questions. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies,” I speak with author of the book, “Does This Pregnancy Make Me Look Fat?” and executive director of the National Eating Disorder Association, Claire Mysko. Claire and I talk openly about the struggles many women face with body image issues before, during and after pregnancy. If you or anyone you know has been challenged by eating disorders or body image issues, this episode will offer help and support. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Yoga | Birth | Babies,” I speak with world-renowned medical anthropologist, international speaker and researcher in transformational models in childbirth, midwifery and obstetric, Robbie Davis-Floyd PhD. She and I dive into a lively conversation about her work and what she defines technocratic birth and the three paradigms of care in childbirth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with owner and founder of the The Functional Pelvis, occupational therapist, Lindsey Vestal. This is Lindsey’s second time on the podcast and it is always such a joy to geek out with her as we discuss women’s health issues with the pelvic floor. Today we focus on belly binding. What is it? Why do it? And what are the harms that can come from it? This episode is important for new and expectant mothers and birth workers. Hope you enjoy! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with acclaimed yoga educator, founder of Sequencology, and mother of 2 Lori McAlister. We talk about how Lori’s practice has evolved over time, how she was able to use yoga to deal with unexpected pregnancy complications, and how she uses the tools of her practice in parenting. Whether you’re a yogi or a parent you’ll enjoy our discussion. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with author and 5th Trimester Movement founder, Lauren Smith Brody. Lauren and I have a lively conversations about the challenges and struggles many mothers face when heading back to work after the birth of their baby. Enjoy some incredibly useful tips on how to make this transition a little easier. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Bebo Mia founders, Bianca Sprague and Natasha Marchand. Bianca, Natasha and I discuss the misconceptions and assumptions women of size face when entering motherhood. We talk openly about “fat shaming” and how plus size moms can find support and embrace and trust their bodies. With average size American women being a size 16, this is an episode not to miss! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with founder and creator of You Plus 2 Parenting, Rachel Cedar, MSW. For any parent facing the daunting task of adding a new baby to your family dynamics, Rachel offers insight and practical tips to help ease this transition. This episode is wonderful for parents, grandparents, friends and caregivers to give you tools to adjusting to this wonderful family growth! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with founder of the The New York Milk Bank, Julie Bouchet-Horwitz, FNP, IBCLC. Julie explains how milk banks work, how those who want to donate can, and how babies who need for breastmilk can receive it. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with fertility specialist and executive director of the Domar Center for Mind/Body Health, Alice Domar, PhD. Dr. Domar takes the time to explain how stress impacts fertility, pregnancy and motherhood. She offers some wonderful tips for stress relief for those facing fertility issues and discusses how to integrate her new app FertiCalm for awkward social moments when trying to conceive! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with author and Lamaze Program Co-Director, Dr. Judith Lothian. We explore the idea of pain for a purpose in childbirth. Dr Lothian offers her insight as to how women can use the pain of labor to inform their body how to move, moan and get lost in “nature’s narcotic,” Please enjoy! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Lamaze Teacher, labor support doula, and international speaker Sharon Muza. No labor is exactly alike, but sometimes there are variations beyond what one would consider “typical.” Sharon and I discus prodromal labor, back labor, as well as a quick and wild precipitous birth. Sharon offers insightful tips and coping strategies for expectant mothers, partners, and doulas. Enjoy! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hi Everyone! In today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I revisit a blog I wrote a few years ago “7 Steps to Surviving Early Motherhood.” With some additional time and an additional baby I’ve added two more steps to help you ease into this new phase of your life with sanity, grace, and love. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the episode of  Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Tamara Hawkins, FNP, RN, IBCLE, LCCE, CHHC, Director of Stork and Cradle. We talk about everything an expectant and new mother needs to know. We cover a wide range of topics from breastfeeding in the first few days of baby’s arrival to what to do during pregnancy to prepare for breastfeeding, and how to find a lactation consultant. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with renowned yoga teacher and mother Paula Lynch Liberis. Paula and I have a very open and candid talk about shifting from high profile yoga teacher to mother of (almost) 3 children. Paula’s honesty and humbleness will surely speak to those who have ever faced a major shift in job or body. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I had the pleasure of speaking with licensed acupuncturist, Frances Goodwin. Frances helps demystify how Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help with fertility, pregnancy, induction, breech and postpartum. Hope you enjoy! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I interview award-winning medical writer and internationally known speaker, Henci Goer. Henci and I discus the new ACOG (The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) statement “Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth.” Expectant mothers and birth workers will find this conversation enlightening and important. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with well known Physical Therapist, Isa Herrera. Our discussion is centered primarily around diastisis, a healthy balanced pelvic floor and how to make intelligent decisions about what type of activities to continue during pregnancy. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Dr. Sonia Gidwani. “Dr. G”, as she is lovingly called, is a long time UWS pediatrician who’s caring approach has drawn thousands of children to her practice. (In full discloser- she was the pediatrician to my two children until we moved out of NYC). Dr. Gidwani discusses a wide array of topics expectant and new parents will sure to be interested in! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with nutritionist and founder of Middleberg Nutrition, Stephanie Middleberg. We cover how to best support the pregnant and postnatal woman’s nutritional needs to dealing with a fussy eater. I am confident everyone will get some juicey tidbit to take away! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a doula, I’ve heard this lament time and time again: “I received the name of my doctor from a friend, and if I had known what to ask, I probably would have switched doctors a long time ago. Now I feel it is too late to change!” Ideally, it’s best to have a very important conversation with your doctor at the beginning of your pregnancy to make sure that the way he or she practices medicine matches up with the way you want to birth. If you’re already into your pregnancy and a relationship with your doctor, be sure to ask these key questions at your next appointment! When you’re in labor, it isn’t a good time to start negotiating your labor and delivery wishes. It’s essential that you feel heard, supported and respected long before the big day!    for the full list of questions click HERE Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Postpartum doula, Meema Spadola. Meema dives deeply into the the profession of the postpartum doula and all the amazing support they offer. New and expectant moms, this podcast will be invaluable! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with renowned breastfeeding expert, Dr. Jack Newman. My goal of this podcast is for women to make informed, educated choices about why they may or may not choose to breastfeed. We focus specifically on how to hep the mother who chooses to breastfeed get a good start in the first 48 hours of baby’s life. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I had the pleasure of speaking with Aviva Romm, MD. A Yale-trained, board-certified MD, midwife, and herbalist with a specialty in women’s health, Aviva and I talked about her new book, The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution. She explained how thyroid issues affect fertility, pregnancy and postpartum moms and the impact it has on breastfeeding. Enjoy this important and informational conversation! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with my long time teacher, Cyndi Lee. Cyndi and I explore what brought her to yoga and creating OM Yoga Center. She and I also openly talk about the state of yoga in our county and the changes it has seen as well as the wide range of yoga teacher trainings. I truly enjoyed my time speaking with Cyndi, I hope you enjoy our conversation! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with Gene DeClercq about labor induction and all the ups and downs involved. Many women would like to avoid labor induction and Gene offers so tips to do so as well as dispel common reasons women are being induced under medical pretense. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I had the opportunity to speak with microbiome scientist and mom, Anne M Estes, Phd. She enlightened me about the incredible world of microbiomes in relationship to a healthy pregnancy, birth and your newborn baby. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s conversation was inspired by a webinar I did with the Birth Institute, originally intended for birth workers. However I found the community discussion we had to be very inspiring and believe that expectant parents and birth workers alike will enjoy this episode. When it comes to supporting women in labor, doulas have a very specific scope of practice. As professional doulas, it is important for us to remember which activities are appropriate for us to engage in with clients, and which are not. In this talk, I share how we can use good judgement to ensure that we create a positive discourse with other care providers, and ensure that the value of doulas continues to be respected. I review the “Do’s and Don’ts” of the doula, outlining exactly what falls within the doula’s scope of practice, providing examples of when a doula is stepping beyond her role, and giving ideas for how to tactfully hold those boundaries. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with internationally recognized expert on water birth and gentle birth and author of Gentle Birth Choices, Barbara Harper. Barbara explains what drew her to embracing and advocating for water birth and demystifies some of the misconceptions of water birth and explains the values and benefits to both mother and baby. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we bring back Dr. Michelle Canarick to discus childproofing your marriage! While starting a family is incredibly exciting for many, the addition of this new family member can greatly shift the status quo for the relationship of the existing couple. Today we are talking with Michelle Canarick Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the mother of two young children about Childproofing Your Marriage. Michelle has worked with hundreds of couples and led workshops about how to adjust expectations, roles and responsibilities and still continue to secure and build the foundation of the family, the relationship between the parents. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, Dr Mark Sloan talks all things umbilical cord! He thoughtfully and thoroughly discusses everything from delayed cord clamping, to the controversial subject of cord blood banking to a nuchal cord and it’s occurrence rate. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle La Due about placenta medicine. In this conversation, Michelle draws on her 13 years experience specializing in women’s health as a Licensed Acupuncturist in New York State, a Nationally Board Certified Chinese Herbalist, Birth Doula and faculty member at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in New York City. Michelle covers a range of topics from: What are the benefits, why would one consume their own placenta? What is the process to encapsulate a placenta? The different methods of placenta encapsulation? Are there any known side effects to placental encapsulation? How do you get the placenta home if you had a hospital birth? Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I speak with the very experienced, compassionate and knowledge, NYC obstetrician Dr. George Mussalli. The reason I sought out Dr Mussalli for this podcast was for listeners to hear an OB speak about interventions, care practices, and maternal age among some other topics. Many women only get to speak with their care provider for a very short time during office visits and often leave not fully understanding what they may encounter during their birth or even simply how the current birth trends may directly affect their birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I have the chance to catch up the very busy and incredibly fun Tara Stiles! When I interviewed Tara, she was about 27 weeks pregnant. She openly talks about adjusting her yoga practice through pregnancy, food cravings and the needing to let go and accept her new changing body. She also explains the origins and foundation of Strala yoga, it’s philosophy of ease and conservation of energy (this will be very helpful for labor!) and the need to trust and discover your own intuition. For any pregnant mom or soon to be pregnant yogini- this episode is perfect for you! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With one third of babies being born via cesarean, it is important to understand the process of a cesarean birth. However, there are ways to make a surgical birth less “surgical” feeling and shift the focus to a softer, gentler birth, a family centered cesarean, also called a “gentle cesarean.” This week on Yoga | Birth | Babies we cover the topic of Family Centered Cesarean with Narchi Jovic and Suzanne Chesney, the co-leaders of the NYC chapter of The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN) Narchi and Suzanne seamlessly discuss this topic through offering personal accounts of a gentle cesarean along with stories of supporting women who have experienced a gentle cesarean.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we discuss the hotly debated topic, Sleep Training. I often feel there is a lot of comparison and judgement around sleep training but it is very personal and has effects on the whole family. Jess and I discuss why someone would want to begin sleep training and when it is appropriate to begin. We also talk about the various methods of sleep training and what you can do to set your little one and yourself up for a great night of sleep. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For those of us as parents who find ourselves struggling to react calmly to our children’s myriad of behaviors and feel by the end of the day, we are overwhelmingly exhausted, this podcast is for you! Today’s guest is a Mindful Mama Mentor and creator of the podcast The Yoga Story Project, Hunter Clarke-Field. She and I dive deep into the subject of Mindful Parenting. Personally, this conversation with Hunter inspired me to start my own 30 Day Mindful Parenting Challenge, which has forced me to take more responsibility for my actions and intentions as a parent. I have found the experience transformative! For those interested in this, checkout our social media on Facebook and Instagram under the hashtag #pycmindfulparenting. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re curious about how your Great Grandmother’s birth may have differed from yours, this is the episode for you. In today’s episode Deb interviews Tina Cassidy author of Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born. Ms. Cassidy became curious about birth when she realized how different her expectations of birth were from her mother, and grandmother. In her book she examines the changing landscape of birth from the Egyptian Siwa, to the Midwives in France’s Auvergne region, to current the current relationship between midwifery and obstetrics. So tune in to hear about changes in hospital protocols, pain relief, midwives, and more! You can decide for yourself, how much change we have made in childbirth and what changes we may still need to make! For the full show notes and to connect with Tina visit prenatalyogacenter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For today’s podcast Deb has invited Dr. Canarick to speak about Postpartum depression. She and Deb discuss ways you can recognize PPD and how to find loving support in your community.  Michelle Canarick is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the mother of two young children. As a psychotherapist and a mother, she empathizes with the experience of building a family and provides individual and group therapy to mothers, children, and adolescents through her private practice, NYC Mom Support, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Her approach is grounded in the concept of empathy and providing practical techniques to help individuals and families thrive. Dr. Canarick has made multiple appearances on Good Morning America and speaks to parents with children of all ages on topics ranging from sleep training to setting limits with social media. Her other experiences include Bellevue Hospital, the Hallowell Center, the JCC of Manhattan, and the Ethical Culture/Fieldston School. rtumWhere to find support and help if you are suffering from postpartum depressionFacts Up to 1 in 7 women experience PPD (approximately 13% of postpartum women)For half of women diagnosed with PPD, this is their first episode of depressionAbout half of women who are later diagnosed with PPD may have begun experiencing symptoms during pregnancy- important to seek help early!Postpartum depression can occur at any time after birth, but it most commonly starts 1-3 weeks after delivery.To contact Dr. Canarick visit http://nycmomsupport.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode I have the pleasure of talking to Dr. Randi Jaffe, who is known as the “Best Prenatal Chiropractor” in Manhattan. We discuss the benefits of chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy, as well as correcting misalignment which could lead to a longer, dysfunctional birth. Dr. Jaffee’s knowledge and suggestions for how to best align the pelvis and uterus are worth tuning into! So, stay tuned and you’ll learn why to go to a chiropractor, when it is recommended to start chiropractic adjustments, what intrauterine constraint is, why it’s important the uterus is NOT constrained, and all about the Webster Technique and it’s benefits to your birth. Dr Jaffe also offers great tips for expectant moms for daily use. To get in touch with Dr. Jaffe visit: http://www.drrandijaffe.com/index.html *The cushion Dr. Jaffe uses: https://www.amazon.com/Aylio-Orthopedic-Comfort-Tailbone-Sciatica/dp/B00AE9V3WQ/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469735526&sr=8-2&keywords=aylio+support+cushion *The lower back support belt recommends: https://www.amazon.com/Loving-Comfort-Maternity-Support-Small/dp/B000CED5G0/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469735864&sr=8-1&keywords=loving+comfort+maternity+support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Should I practice yoga during my 1st trimester?” is a question that I am asked quite frequently. Like so many pregnancy topics, you’ll come across a variety of opinions and ideas, many of which conflict. In today’s podcast I explore the hormonal and physiological changes that occur in the body during pregnancy and how this can affect your yoga practice. I also review poses you may want to stay clear of! To read more on the topic check out my blog: http://prenatalyogacenter.org/blog/yoga-in-the-first-trimester/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are delighted to welcome Terry Richmond back to the podcast! Terry is one of the most sought after doulas in NYC and Deb’s doula mentor. Listeners may remember her previous episode “How to Navigate the Hospital System and Have an Empowered Birth.” Today we are focusing on Doulas. This episode is geared toward women considering hiring a doula as well as new doulas. Terry talks about her role as a doula and the support she offers. Additionally she talks about how she balances life with her doula work and what she does to avoid burn out. It is a joy to hear the wise words of this amazing birth worker. For more information on Terry please visit laborlove.org or connect on Facebook Terry teaches Childbirth Education at the Prenatal Yoga Center for more on this visit http://prenatalyogacenter.org/childbirth-education/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Deb talks to Dr Sarah Buckley. She’s a family physician (GP) with training in family physician obstetrics, and author of the internationally best-selling book Gentle Birth. Gentle Mothering, (Celestial Arts/Penguin Random House, 2009). We discuss Undisturbed Birth- how the hormones of birth need to be in balance and well supported to facilitate a functional birth. Sarah has amazing insight on how a woman can find deep satisfaction and reward with her birth. Sarah also offers suggestions for women to honor the physiological response of her body in labor when she may be facing common disturbances of a hospital setting or pressure to stay within a certain schedule. She also reveals other practical tips for the laboring mother to keep her physical and mental space undisturbed.  Sarah discusses the impact she has seen since the publication of  “Hormonal Physiology of Childbearing” has made with the general practice of obstetrics.  Please enjoy this powerful episode!   For more about Sarah and her work see www.sarahbuckley.com and her membership website www.gentlenaturalbirth.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Deb speaks to renowned Midwife Deborah Flowers R.N., C.P.M. Deborah has 30 years of experience at The Farm Midwifery Center in training and service attending over 1,000 births. In addition to working at the farm Deborah served as the lab director and director of midwifery and childbirth education at Plenty International. She has served on the board of Midwife International and regularly leads trainings for midwives specializing in IV therapy and neonatal resuscitation.   Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve heard about Orgasmic Birth then you’re familiar with today’s guest Debra Pascali Bonaro B.Ed., LCCE, PDT/BDT(DONA). On this episode, Deb speaks with Debra about the Pain to Power philosophy and how she applies it to her work with her doula clients and inspires others to see birth as a transformative and empowering experience. Debra also discusses the need for women to take time and ownership of their education of birth to help ensure satisfaction and agency over their birth experience. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve seen her photographs on the Today Show and Huffington Post, stunning black and white images of mothers baring their bodies and stories. Today, we are so pleased to share Deb’s interview with Ashlee Dean Wells of the 4th Trimester Bodies Project. Deb talks to Ashlee about her inspiration to start the project, what a session with Ashlee and Laura is like, and how the project has grown (it now includes a gorgeous book and conference Body, Breast, Baby). “You are strong, you are beautiful, and you are not alone.” Ashlee Dean Wells Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working out while pregnant can be great for you and your baby, boosting your mood and helping you get a better night of sleep. In today’s episode Deb delves deeper into the pros and cons of various workouts and the effect they can have on the pregnant body and your birth. “Embrace pregnancy as a time to slow down, deeply listen the needs of your baby and body and surrender to the transition of motherhood.” Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lindsey Vestal, M.S. OTR/L owner of The Functional Pelvis demystifies the muscles of the core and pelvic floor. Deb talks to her about the issues women commonly experience and various ways to care for rehabilitate the pre and postnatal body. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deb talks to Andrea Syms-Brown IBCLC, RLC, CIMI about breast feeding in the age of the internet. Can the internet solve your breastfeeding problems? Probably not, but it can connect you to the support you need. Andrea asks us to remember, breastfeeding is a choice. She reminds us not to let anyone guilt you about that choice, and that if you choose to breast feed embrace it and stay hydrated! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Deb as she talks to Prenatal Yoga Center’s Caprice Abowitt. Caprice talks about her journey from dancing to becoming a yoga instructor and the very personal reason she was drawn to the prenatal community. Caprice also talks about the joys of teaching yoga to children. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home birth midwife, Tanya Wills openly talks about why one may want to choose a birth outside the hospital setting, the difference between the medical model of care and the midwifery model, as well as the need for midwives to unite on their approach to care. Tanya’s passion for her craft and the belief women should have agency over their own body will inspire all pregnant women and support members. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How a mother chooses to birth is very personal. While I was pregnant, I kept my birth choices private. I am a prenatal yoga teacher, labor support doula and Lamaze teacher; I didn’t want my students to feel I disapproved of their birth plans based on the fact that I was preparing for a home birth. I came to my decision rather organically from attending hospital births for over ten years. I witnessed what hospitals had to offer to a low-risk woman and I did not want fight to have the birth I envisioned. Home birth is not for everyone. But it is an option for many. My hope for you, dear listener, is that your baby’s birth is infused with your voice. Although my two home births were challenging and forced me to dive to depths I did not know I had, I am grateful for having had the opportunity. I felt supported, heard, loved, and seen. I hope all birthing mothers can feel the same — no matter where they choose to birth. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deb discusses the effects of fear on labor, and the importance of taking some time to uncover your personal fears around your upcoming birth. Join us as we learn how to dance with the fear. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s podcast I had the privilege of interviewing Kelley Potter, ballerina for American Ballet Theater. Kelley openly talks about balancing life and career as a professional ballerina and the struggles she has faced. Kelley’s honesty and candor is sure to inspire you! For more about Kelley visit ABT.org Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Deb interviews her doula mentor, former Broadway actress and singer Terry Richmond. Currently, Terry is one of NYC’s most sought after Doulas and Childbirth Educators. She has attended 100s of births here in NYC assisting new Moms with a wide variety of birth choices and experiences. Drawing from these experiences Terry talks to Deb about navigating the hospital system so that you can have an empowered birth! Terry teaches Childbirth Education at the Prenatal Yoga Center for more on this visit http://prenatalyogacenter.org/childbirth-education/ Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prenatal Yoga Instructor, childbirth educator, and Mother of 2 Clare Friedrich talks to Deb about Maternity care in the US, the role of doulas, and her own pregnanciesIn this episode Clare talks about the newly released report “Overdue: Medicaid and Private Insurance Coverage of Doula Care to Strengthen Maternal and Infant Health” and the changes she would like to see in our current health care system regarding maternity care. She also discusses her birth experience and the personal changes she’s made in self care during her second pregnancy while offering some very helpful tips for women birthing in the hospital setting. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am so excited to announce the birth of my podcast Yoga | Birth | Babies! If you’re curious about what sparked the creation of the Prenatal Yoga Center then this first episode is for you. I share my journey from Godspell to creating a community of Birth Goddesses! Please share, subscribe, and rate us. We have a some amazing guest interviews coming up discussing yoga, birth, babies, and everything in between. You won’t want to miss the wisdom these women have to share. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices