In this episode, Gina sits down with Heather Helton, a certified nurse midwife in North Carolina.  Heather uses social media to educate patients on pre-conception, conception, pregnancy, and more, as everyone deserves the same access to care and education to make informed decisions on their own experiences.  She shares how you can optimize your time with your OB provider, especially if you have limited time at your appointments with them, and how you can use other resources to provide you the general information about pregnancy and birth.  Heather shares how you can weed through misinformation on social media (and also how to figure out if your provider is not the best option for you).  

In This Episode: 

00:00 Introduction to the MamasteFit Podcast

02:00 Meet the Midwife, Heather

02:28 Heather's Journey and Philosophy as a Midwife

03:06 The Importance of Individualized Birth Experiences

04:00 Challenges in Clinical and Hospital Settings

05:01 The Importance of Birth Education and Advocacy

06:54 The Role of Doulas in Birth

07:59 The Collective Team in Pregnancy, Labor, and Birth

09:06 The Importance of Birth Location and Provider Choice

17:23 The Role of Social Media in Birth Education

19:39 The Importance of Evidence-Based Information

26:16 The Role of Research in Birth Preparation

36:01 Advice for Birth Professionals Using Social Media

42:41 Conclusion and Resources

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Heather’s Links: 

Heather Helton, CNM, MSN, began working in obstetrics in 2001.  As a Certified Nurse Midwife, Heather enjoys working in Triangle Physicians for Women’s positive, collaborative and open-minded clinic environment.

Originally from Iowa, Heather earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at the University of Wisconsin and has practiced at hospitals in Iowa and Illinois before coming east to North Carolina.  As a top graduate from East Carolina University’s Masters in Nurse Midwifery program, Heather provides full-scope midwifery care to low and moderately high-risk women. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and Golden Key honor societies and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega service organization.

Her professional interests include non-pharmacological therapies, deep-relaxation labor techniques, postpartum depression, and teen pregnancy. When not caring for women, Heather enjoys time at the beach, crafts, coaching her daughter’s softball team, and spending time with her husband and two active children.

https://www.instagram.com/amodernmidwife/?hl=en

Or her educational content being created during her doctorate program here:

https://www.instagram.com/amodernmidwifemama/

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This podcast is sponsored by Needed, a nutrition company focused on optimal nourishment for your perinatal journey. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Use code MAMASTEPOD for 20% off your first order or three months of subscription.⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠