Aligned Birth

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Creating a vision board is fun, creative, and beneficial in helping you create your goals for your life, your work, and even your birth. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Dr. Shannon’s vision board events (past and present)
• What is a vision board?
• Why do people create vision boards?
• How to create a vision board? Hint, there is no right or wrong way!
• The benefits of implementing visualization and manifestation for the things you want
• How creating a vision board for your birth can be beneficial.

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Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

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Did you know cold symptoms can be exacerbated or last longer during pregnancy?  This is because your immune system is working at a slightly lower function and your changing body may not be able to deal with cold symptoms as effectively (like chest congestion). In this episode, Doula Rachael shares a regiment to boost immunity and reduce the length and severity of cold symptoms during pregnancy.  What supplements are safe and what is safe to try at home. This episode covers it all!

Vitamin D Reference

Vitamin C Reference

Probiotics Reference

Echinacea Reference

Zinc Reference

Elderberry Reference

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

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Today Dr. Shannon chats with Mazi Robinson founder and director of Cultivate: a counseling center with community gatherings which aims to encourage women to cultivate joy, courage, and freedom in their lives as they pursue emotional, relational, and spiritual health.  They discuss the identity changes that come with motherhood and how that impacts our friendships, as well as lots of other topics:

• life stages and themes and how those impact our friendships
• the expectation of friendships and managing those expectations 
• our attachment style - how it impacts our friendships and can we change our style
• we're all so tired as mothers - how do we find the time for friendships
• how to handle friendships that fade during motherhood 

Resources:
Episode 79: embracing the imperfections of motherhood, turning anxiety into awakening
Gathering discussion at Cultivate
Cultivate - website
Cultivate - Instagram

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

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If you are pregnant and due around the holidays, this episode is for you. When it comes to navigating the end of pregnancy, there are several mixed feelings and emotions and likely some degree of discomfort and eagerness to meet your baby and for the pregnancy to be over.  Every path is unique for each birthing person.

What works for one person may not work for you and what works for you may not work for someone else. The goal is for you to feel as confident and prepared for this time of pregnancy and that you’ve had conversations withs with your provider leading up to your birth to fully understand how they support letting labor begin on its own and this includes going beyond your due date and learning about medical and non-medical reasons a provider may recommend an induction. 

In this episode, we will discuss:

• What is the “estimated due date” and how to know what is normal, safe, and healthy for the length of pregnancy. 
• Rates of inductions and birth surrounding major holidays
• Avoiding the unnecessary induction
• Informed and shared decision making
• Why it’s important to let labor begin on its own
• Navigating the final weeks of pregnancy

Episodes mentioned in this podcast:

• Ep 26: Due Dates and Holidays
• Ep 40: Lamaze 6 Healthy Birth Practices
• Ep 54: Navigating Final Weeks of Pregnancy
• Ep 65: Gentle Induction
• Ep 71: All About Prenatal Massage Therapy with Tara Thompson
• Ep 77: Informed and Shared Decision Making

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

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There’s power in writing your thoughts, in putting pen to paper, and processing feelings/emotions.  In today’s episode Dr. Shannon talks about creating a pregnancy journal to document this important and transformative time in your life.  From just writing down what you’re feeling, to using specific journal prompts to help you dig even deeper into your thoughts, journaling has the potential to change your brain, mindset, and energy.  Documenting your pregnancy through a journal can turn into a beautiful keep-sake.  But you can also reflect on birth affirmations in your journal which can become a tool you can use during labor and birth. 

Resources:
inside look with homebirth midwife Rachel Hart  episode 15
Re-defining self - centered with Rachel Hart episode 16
Permission to re-invent yourself - Dr. Shannon interview on Reconnect to Life podcast

Birth Affirmations
She births bravely 
North Atlanta Birth Services

Mental health episodes
turning anxiety into awakening with Dr. Meghan Toups - episode 79
Playtime therapy and perinatal mental health with Ashley Lingerfelt - episode 105

Other episodes
Prenatal Movement  - episode 128
Building Resiliency - episode 110

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

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Today’s interview is with Jana Birdseye from Lactation Consultants of Atlanta .  From ties, to latch issues, to constipation and digestive issues, to pumping support, and feeding schedules, having a successful nursing experience can take work and support.  

In this episode, they chat about essential support that lactation consultants provide and:

• What is an IBCLC and the education process
• When to see a lactation consultant
• The types of issues she commonly sees 
• Signs your baby is showing 
• How a successful nursing journey is more than a “good latch”
• How chiropractic care for infants can improve nursing outcomes

Resources:

Episode 95 - how the birthing process can impact infant feeding

Episode 69 - benefits of pediatric chiropractic care

Episode 63 - breastfeeding tips and resources 

Episode 57 - pediatric chiropractic care and cranial adjustments with Dr. Martin Rosen 

Episode 31 - why is nursing posture important 

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

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We’ve talked a lot about how movement and exercise are important during pregnancy.  It helps with sleep, digestion, cramping, bloating, energy levels, back pain, and lots more.  But if fitness hasn’t been a part of your life before pregnancy, it can be daunting to figure out what to do.  And sometimes the hard part also is figuring out how to fit it in.  In this episode we chat about:

• Focusing on your mindset with exercise
• Scheduling time to find movement
• Types of exercise/movement/activities to do
• A sample routine of how to fit movement in 

Resources mentioned:
Episode 96 - prenatal yoga
Episode 70 - tips for movement during pregnancy
Episode 22 - prenatal fitness (running)
Fit4Mom
Birth Fit

1. Practice 4-7-8 breathing 
2. Standing PSOAS 
3. Calf Stretch - 5 deep breaths on each side (if you can do 4 inhale, 7 hold, 8 exhale, that would be optimal or adjust to what feels good to you aiming for a longer exhale than inhale).
4. Kneeling PSOAS release 
5. Dim the lights and then do the hip opener (laying down option if you can...otherwise do the seated one) 
6. Lastly, lay flat on your back (so long as you are comfortable - it is safe for brief moments of time) - stretch your arms above your head, pinch your shoulder blades together and flare your ribs - think of something that brings you lots of joy and take 5 long inhales and exhales.

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

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The time immediately following birth, where you can snuggle skin-to-skin with your baby is often called the golden hour.  It’s an important time because having uninterrupted close contact with your baby can lead to better stress response of mom and baby, better immune function for baby, promotes bonding of mom and baby, can help with uterine contractions, and so much more.  But, if you are birthing in a hospital, it can take some effort and planning on your part and conversations with your provider in order to achieve your desired golden hour experience.  

That first hour alone with your baby is golden!  Check out this episode to learn more about why it’s important and how to advocate for yourself in what you want that golden hour experience to look and feel like. 

Resources mentioned:

Episode 11:  Birth Plan

Episode 102: Newborn terms ep

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

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Birth has a way of transforming us.  Bringing forth new life requires us to dig deep, to find a part of ourselves that is bigger than ourselves, that you may not even know you have, that asks you to surrender and turn inward and trust. 
This episode is loosely based on a Pathways to Family Wellness Article - titled The Treasure Box.  Where a midwife discusses with a client how transformative birth can be.

Dr. Shannon and Doula Rachael share their own birth stories and how they tapped into their mental reserves during birth, and they share advice from clients and patients.  Some call it the treasure box, this beautiful gift we’re given that shows us how strong and capable we truly are.  Others call it the pain cave, this mental place we go to when things are hard, when we want to stop, when we want to give up.  Whatever you call it, you do have it, and during pregnancy it can be helpful to reflect on your thoughts, fears, emotions, and feelings surrounding birth.
Resources mentioned:
Transformed by Birth
Episode 103: Processing the emotions of pregnancy and birth
Episode 89: Ultramarathons and birth 

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.  

Send us Fan Mail

During labor, there’s this beautiful dance between oxytocin/endorphins and adrenaline/cortisol.  The innate wisdom of the body craves calmness and peace and safety and security during labor.  When those feelings are achieved, labor has an easier time progressing and the hormones dance more efficiently.  

Sometimes the sights, sounds, and smells of hospitals can interrupt the flow of your birth hormones and it can be harder to get into the right headspace or “labor land” where you feel safe, comfortable, and private. 

There are many things you can do for a home or hospital birth to create a peaceful and safe space to birth…one where birth flows freely and efficiently. In this episode, Dr. Shannon and Doula Rachael discuss several ways you can promote an environment during your birth that supports the hormones of labor - be sure to grab a pen and make some notes!

Resources mentioned:

Episode 35: Essential oils for pregnancy, labor, and birth 

Support the show

Want to show your support? Want to help us continue doing this important and impactful work: Support the Show (we greatly appreciate it!)

Don't miss new episodes: Join the Aligned Birth Community

Instagram: Aligned Birth

Email: [email protected]

Find us online:
Sunrise Chiropractic and Wellness
North Atlanta Birth Services

Editing: Godfrey Sound
Music: "Freedom” by Roa

Disclaimer: The information shared, obtained, and discussed in this podcast is not intended as medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional consultation with a qualified healthcare provider familiar with your individual medical needs. By listening to this podcast you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others.  Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having.  This disclaimer includes  all guests or contributors to the podcast.