Best Birthcenter Podcasts (2024)

1
Is Any Amount of Alcohol Safe During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding? 29:30

5h ago29:30

29:30

There are many common questions about alcohol when trying to conceive, during pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Does drinking alcohol make it more challenging to get pregnant? Can you drink any alcohol during your pregnancy? Does it affect your baby? How much is okay? Can you pump and dump if you drink while breastfeeding? Doctors and midwives usually …

1
Episode 140: Doula Availability 59:59

9h ago59:59

59:59

Doula availability is a topic that can cause some anxiety. Being on-call 24/7 is a significant challenge, and adapting to this lifestyle requires careful planning and boundary-setting. Your phone is an essential lifeline to both your family and your clients. Feeling overwhelmed by the need to be available at a moment's notice is common, but there a…

1
How Much Caffeine Is Safe During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding? 30:08

12h ago30:08

30:08

Caffeine is a psychoactive drug because it changes brain function and results in alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant found naturally in the seeds, nuts, and leaves of over 60 species of plants. This stimulant is commonly in coffee, tea, and energy drinks and is the most widely consumed d…

1
Effective Treatments for Constipation During Pregnancy 25:45

11d ago25:45

25:45

You may be completely regular as far as going to the bathroom before getting pregnant, and then suddenly, you are stopped up and have issues when you need to go #2. If you are constipated, you have difficult or infrequent bowel movements, your stools are hard, and you may have pain or discomfort in your stomach. The prevalence of constipation is 40…

1
Episode 139: Managing Money 1:24:44

8d ago1:24:44

1:24:44

Managing money is an essential skill for doulas, yet many need time, patience, and effort to develop this skill. Doulas must practice setting aside money for taxes to avoid being caught off guard during tax season. When that tax bill hits, it can hit hard. The unpredictable nature of birth work also requires budgeting your income. Without a budget …

1
The Top Reasons Birth Plans Fail 34:04

28d ago34:04

34:04

A birth plan is much more than a piece of paper you hand to your care provider. A birth plan is a process you go through to prepare for the birth experience you want. This process will lay the foundation for you to be prepared for the scenario in which everything goes as intended and for what should happen if things do not go as planned. While pare…

1
Episode 138: Working with Independent Contractors 1:01:20

23d ago1:01:20

1:01:20

Navigating the challenges of working with independent contractors as an agency owner is no small feat. Your agency's reputation, especially your own, hinges on contractors doing their jobs well. Many owners feel compelled to control contractor performance to ensure the work meets their high standards. However, regulations for independent contractor…

1
Your Partner’s Role in Supporting You in Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond 33:09

28d ago33:09

33:09

Most aspects of having a baby rest solely on the mother. One of the biggest things I hear from partners during pregnancy, labor, and after their baby arrives is that they don't know what to do. They feel useless and like they can't help. Or they feel like there is nothing for them to do. There are many things partners and dads can do to support mom…

1
Preventing and Treating Bug Bites During Pregnancy 32:56

1M ago32:56

32:56

With warmer weather comes more insects and the potential for bug bites. As with any topic, pregnancy adds an additional layer of concern about bug bites. When you are pregnant, increased skin sensitivity can make itchy or painful bug bites more bothersome. Some illnesses spread by insects, like the Zika virus, pose additional dangers during pregnan…

1
196 Let's Write Your Birth Story with writing coach Ashley Schein 47:23

1M ago47:23

47:23

Ashley Schein is a mother, a writer, and a writing workshop facilitator. She leads workshops, both in person and over zoom. In this episode she talks about the benefits of writing and sharing your birth story in a safe space, and gives some guidance on how to get started so that your story can unfold naturally and beautifully on the page. Ashley al…

1
Episode 137: Doula Musings 1:07:27

1M ago1:07:27

1:07:27

In this episode, we discuss recent events that have come to our attention and give our thoughts and feedback. A recent case that has gained national traction involves the passing of a mother and baby. What can we do as doulas if we are in a situation where we don't see a provider meeting the standards of care? Speaking up can be difficult, yet help…

1
Overcoming Fear and Anxiety to Go into Birth with Confidence 26:57

1M ago26:57

26:57

All expectant mothers experience some level of anxiety or fear about the unpredictability of labor. Not only can it be stressful to have anxiety about giving birth, but research shows fear of birth can negatively impact your birth experience. There will always be unknowns about how your labor will unfold. The good news is that there are many strate…

1
Choosing the Best Pediatrician for Your Baby 28:15

2M ago28:15

28:15

A pediatrician is the primary care provider for your child from birth through early adulthood. They offer crucial support in monitoring growth, administering immunizations, and diagnosing illnesses. A pediatrician also provides guidance on health and development and will assist you in navigating caring for your child. There are many factors to cons…

1
Episode 136: Navigating the Unexpected 1:08:34

2M ago1:08:34

1:08:34

As a doula, navigating unexpected situations will become a part of our work. Perhaps a client who has a premature baby. Or those whose labors begin and progress too quickly to get to their chosen birth location. Thinking on our feet and embracing the unexpected will inevitably become a part of our work. When navigating these unexpected situations, …

1
Tips to Advocate for Yourself with Your Doctor or Midwife 38:40

2M ago38:40

38:40

Fifty years ago, you went to the doctor, and whatever they told you was the correct answer. They were the experts and the gatekeepers of information. Today, doctors are still experts, but access to information is widely available to patients. There has been a major shift in patients being informed, especially concerning pregnancy and birth. Ideally…

1
Happy Mother's Day 3:20

2M ago3:20

3:20

Happy Mother’s Day! Whether you are expecting your first baby, already have kids, or listen to this podcast because you help support new moms, I hope you feel celebrated today. I want to thank you for being a part of this podcast and for the honor of allowing me to be with you on your journey to motherhood. To celebrate Mother’s Day, you can get 50…

1
5 Tips to Maximize Every Prenatal Appointment 31:06

2M ago31:06

31:06

You see a midwife or OBGYN because they are the experts in prenatal care, pregnancy, and birth. They are trained to identify risks, ensure you and your baby are healthy, and assist you in navigating pregnancy and childbirth. In the nine months you are pregnant, you can expect to have around 14 prenatal appointments. Each appointment allows your car…

1
Episode 135: Transitions in Birth Work 48:41

2M ago48:41

48:41

For many birth workers, where they enter this work is not the same place where they wind up. For example, some may enter this work providing labor support. Yet they may find once they have their own children, that postpartum work is a better fit. Others may enter into the field via postpartum support. Then, life leads them into childbirth or newbor…

1
195 Jenna Slot is back! Baby #4 with a L&D nurse from the busiest L&D unit in the USA 1:01:09

2M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

This is a follow up birth story with baby #4 with Jenna Slot of the oh so popular episode 41 where we discuss her surprise PFO diagnosis. That episode was republished just before this one in Episode 194. In Jenna's words: "We'll talk about my 4th birth story, which started with my water breaking in the elevator at work (work for me is as a labor an…

1
194 Jenna Slot's PFO mid pregnancy and ocular stroke birth story REPLAY 1:17:28

2M ago1:17:28

1:17:28

This is a replay of Episode 41! Stick around because Jenna and I met up 4 years after this episode and recorded her most recent birth story! It is wild. So start here, and continue to episode 195 for the follow up story! XOXO- Heidi Jenna is an experienced Labor and Delivery nurse established in one of the busiest L&D hospitals in the country. Tune…

1
Choosing (or Changing) Your Doctor or Midwife 32:12

3M ago32:12

32:12

Your care provider is the cornerstone of your prenatal care and birth experience. You will work with this expert resource throughout pregnancy to make critical decisions. Choosing your care provider is more nuanced than having a midwife for a home birth or an OB/GYN for a birth at a hospital. Your comfort and trust in your care provider is more imp…

1
193 How to LITERALLY Have a safer childbirth with attorney Gina Mundy 1:01:59

2M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

Today I chat with Gina Mundy about having a safe childbirth in a hospital. Pitocin should have their feelings hurt right now. Trigger warning as we discuss the stuff no one wants to think about, but that we all need to think about. Maternal and Fetal demise mentioned. Birth injuries mentioned. In her own words: I am an attorney specializing in chil…

1
10 Steps to Craft Your Birth Plan 36:06

3M ago36:06

36:06

A birth plan is a document that outlines your preferences for labor and what happens directly following the birth of your baby. A birth plan is much more than a piece of paper you hand to your care provider. It is the process you go through to prepare for your desired birth experience. This process will lay the foundation for preparing you for the …

1
Episode 134: Fear of Birth 1:11:04

3M ago1:11:04

1:11:04

As doulas, it's not uncommon to encounter individuals with a fear of birth. This fear can be rooted in many sources. First, the way in which TV represents birth. Second, the stories our friends and family share; and third, an individual's lived experiences. The media often portrays birth as a dramatic process. The water breaks and the camera cuts t…

1
Pros and Cons of Erythromycin Eye Ointment for Your Newborn 21:44

3M ago21:44

21:44

Administering erythromycin eye ointment to newborns is a standard procedure in the United States to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. Ophthalmia neonatorum is a newborn eye infection that affects 1-2% of newborns in the United States. This infection can be caused by sexually transmitted infections, viruses, and bacteria. As with any intervention, ther…

1
192 Stem cells, placenta cells, cord tissue cells OH MY! How and why to privately bank with ANJA HEALTH CEO, Kathryn Cross 43:12

3M ago43:12

43:12

We will cover Kathryn’s “Founder’s Story” about why she founded Anja Health - after a near-drowning accident, her brother was left with cerebral palsy and umbilical cord blood stem cells could’ve helped save his life. Since they’re mixed race, they were unable to find a match in public banks, which inspired Kathryn to create an affordable private s…

1
Benefits and Risks of Vitamin K for Newborns 25:12

3M ago25:12

25:12

Newborns naturally have low levels of vitamin K at birth. The danger of low vitamin K levels is the risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding. This is a rare but severe complication. You can decrease the risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding by giving your baby a vitamin K shot shortly after birth. Administering vitamin K to newborns is standard in the…

1
Episode 133: Doula Mistakes 1:24:08

3M ago1:24:08

1:24:08

Doula mistakes come in all shapes and sizes. We're human, so it's understandable that mistakes will happen. Some mistakes will be unavoidable and only discovered through trial and error. Others can be avoided. Common mistakes include a lack of effective communication, such as being slow or failing to follow up on inquiries or client communications.…

1
Options To Make a Cesarean More Mom- And Baby-Friendly 30:20

4M ago30:20

30:20

In the United States, one in three babies is born via cesarean. Every expecting mother should be knowledgeable about cesarean birth, even if that is not your primary birth plan. As cesarean births have become more common, options have expanded to make the procedure more mom- and baby-friendly. In recent years, the idea of a gentle cesarean has emer…

1
What to Expect in a Cesarean Birth 36:34

4M ago36:34

36:34

A cesarean section, also known as a C-section, is a surgical procedure to deliver a baby through incisions in the mother's abdomen and uterus. You and your doctor may plan a cesarean birth if you have a complication that would make a vaginal delivery difficult. Every expecting mother should be knowledgeable about cesarean birth, even if that is not…

1
Episode 132: Doula Beginnings 1:11:06

4M ago1:11:06

1:11:06

One of the most common questions we hear is, "How do we navigate the question of how many clients we have supported when we first start out?" The question "How many births have you attended?" Or "How many families have you supported postpartum?" is not uncommon. Certain personality types are more inclined to ask these types of questions. For them, …

1
Optimal Labor Positions for a Shorter and Easier Birth 32:06

4M ago32:06

32:06

For most of human history, a mother in labor was free to move around and change positions at will, with the most common positions being upright. In the mid-1600s, obstetricians started putting mothers on their backs. Thankfully, in recent years, more evidence has supported allowing a mother to choose the positions in which she labors. How your body…

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