April 30, 2025

#314 | April Q&A: Epidurals, Pushing Too Soon, Castor Oil Risks, Parental Coping, Gestational Diabetes & Big Babies; How Tall Is Arnold Schwarzenegger

45 minutes

Welcome to the April Q&A episode! Today's episode begins with your answers to our question: How do you cope when you are at your breaking point in parenting? If you are looking for some creative ideas, you will find them here! And someone, please tell us where one Mississippi, two Mississippi came from?

Next, we get down to birth and answer the following questions:

Why do some women choose unmedicated, physiological births despite societal pressures and perceived difficulties? Why not just get the epidural?
Is it ok to push if you are not fully dilated? How dangerous is this and what is the risk with early pushing?
My friend had to have an emergency cesarean when her baby was already in the vaginal canal. They pushed the baby back up and caused severe damage to her vaginal tissue. Was this necessary or were her providers just impatient?

In the extended version of today's episode, which you can hear by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or joining any of our Patreon tiers, we answer these additional questions:

What are the risks of using castor oil to induce labor?
If I had a big baby in my first pregnancy, does it mean I will have gestational diabetes in my next pregnancy? Does it even mean I had gestational diabetes in my first? My doctors put this in my records with no evidence beyond a big, healthy baby.
How do I gently night wean?

In quickies, we discuss tongue ties and white tongues, hemorrhage and C-section, breath work resources for labor, retained placentas, protein for breastfeeding, decreasing milk supply, risk of infection with broken water, windmilling the placenta, and lastly, if you would only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Plus, don't miss today's long and hilarious outtake.

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

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Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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By Cynthia Overgard & Trisha Ludwig

4.8

546546 ratings