Is childbirth education really necessary? Why does your birth experience matter beyond having a "healthy baby"? Dr. Chris Stroud sits down with renowned childbirth educator and doula Hallie Greider from Birth Matters to discuss everything expecting parents need to know about birth planning, childbirth education, and preparing for labor.

In This Episode:

✅ Why your birth experience stays with you for 20+ years (and why "healthy baby" isn't enough)

✅ The truth about hospital childbirth classes vs. independent education

✅ How to use the BRAIN method for informed consent and better decision-making

✅ Why EVERY family needs education—whether you're planning a natural birth, epidural, home birth, or C-section

✅ The partner's crucial role in labor (and how to prepare emotionally, not just physically)

✅ Understanding "pain with a purpose" and coping techniques that actually work

✅ How to choose your birth team and who should (and shouldn't) be in the delivery room

✅ What "labor land" means and why it matters for partners to understand

✅ How to communicate with your care provider during labor

✅ The difference between informing yourself and truly preparing for birth

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

1. Birth Matters: https://www.birthmatters.com/
2. Penny Simkin research on birth memory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKqPklpTDYE
3. VBAC Facts https://vbacfacts.com/

RELATED VIDEOS:

All Things Breastfeeding with Hallie Greider https://youtu.be/IK8wJhUue-Y?si=F7-LpNkc1pPB5zk7

How Birth Happens at Holy Family Birth Center https://youtu.be/KQnY1qbXw7E?si=AjLanqcyYSQSCGor

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Dr. Chris Stroud talks to urologist Dr. Jim Dupree about all things men's hormones, how they impact daily life, signs they might be out of optimal range, and what to do to fix them.

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The contraception industry is a booming women's health business, and research and development continues to grow the methods and varieties available to women. But for those of us who are pro-life, does contraception fit with what we believe about when life begins and the respect unborn babies deserve? Dr. Chris Stroud hosted a live presentation and Q&A digging into the complexities of the topic.

Questions include:

How do contraceptives work?

Do emergency contraceptives work differently from other types of birth control?

Does taking progesterone always act as a contraceptive?

If the pill fails, there's a back up to prevent implantation?

What about birth control use to treat other illnesses?

If you're taking bio-identical progesterone, should you only take it post-ovulation?

Can the pill cause PCOS?

When in my cycle should I take progesterone to prevent miscarriage?

What are some pro-life alternatives to birth control for preventing pregnancies?

How to talk to a doctor who isn't supportive of birth-control alternatives?To what extent should discussions about contraception be a priority for pro-life people?

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Disclaimer: For educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be regarded as specific medical advice or replace the advice of your physician

Dr. Chris Stroud talks with Anne Koehl, director of Women's Care Center Fort Wayne, about her decades of work supporting moms and children in need. Anne shares the story of how she got involved in pro-life work as a young nurse and began working with Women's Care Center. Then Dr. Stroud and Anne take a deep dive into the incredible work of the centers, highlighting the free ultrasounds, counseling, assistance getting medical care, and ongoing parenting classes that make it possible for 98% of their clients to choose life and care for their children.

https://www.womenscarecenter.org/

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Dr. Stroud talks to bioethicist Fr. Ryan McCarthy about the tragic case of Adriana Smith, a Georgia woman declared brain dead in February 2025 but controversially kept on life-support while her unborn baby continued to grow until he was able to live outside his mother's womb. Fr. McCarthy and Dr. Stroud unpack the truth behind the controversy, including brain death, patient autonomy, abortion, and what the media narrative gets wrong in the whole discussion.

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Many doctors don't have the training or skills to effectively diagnose and treat endometriosis. That leaves patients confused, frustrated, and sick. You can start by learning more for yourself.

During this Q&A, Dr. Chris Stroud answered questions from viewers all about endometriosis including how it's diagnosed and treated, why birth control is not adequate, best chances for getting pregnant, surgical treatment methods, and more.

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Dr. Chris Stroud talks to dentist Dr. Aaron Light who specializes in treating tongue and lip ties, particularly in infants. They talk about why tongue and lip ties are often overlooked by healthcare providers, the breastfeeding and sleeping impacts ties can have for infants and moms, what parents can be looking for, treatment options, and some long term impacts that might surprise you!

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Dr. Chris Stroud talks with clinical counselor Edward Luersman about the complexities of grief, especially when it comes from infertility and pregnancy loss. They delve into how men and women experience these losses, how to recognize and understand your own feelings, and share coping strategies and pathways to healing.

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More resources for couples:

Springs in the Desert - Catholic infertility support ministry. Blog, podcast, online resources, retreats, virtual events, and more.

Catholic Infertility Resources- (@catholic.infertility.coaching) with information, resources, encouragement, and community for Catholics with infertility

Blessed Are They Grief Counseling LLC’s blog articles and podcast episodes- our free educational and supportive content about navigating infertility and baby loss.

Books

When Expecting Hasn’t Happened (Dr. Marie Meaney)

Under the Laurel Tree (Dr. Nicole Roccas)

Twelve Stripes Deep (Mary Bruno).

Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support

Red Bird Ministries- Catholic child loss support ministry. Virtual and in-person support, grief support app, grief education, small groups, spiritual direction, podcast, blog, etc.

The School of Grief Support Group- Hosted by Red Bird Ministries and co-facilitated by Edward Luersman, this online 8-week educational peer support group will meet starting June 3, 2025 to assist parents who have lost a child at any stage of life.

Back In His Arms Again (Columbus, OH) and Morgan’s Place Cemetery (Sidney, OH)- burial and funeral assistance for baby loss, memorial and burial sites, peer support, and financial assistance.

Books

Empty Arms (Pam Vredevelt)

Hiding in the Upper Room (Kelly Breaux)

A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss (Abigail Jorgensen)

The Grief of Dads (Patrick O’Hearn and Bryan Feger).

Join me and physical therapist, Nicole Bobay as we discuss the problems associated with pelvic misalignment and her invention to treat it. Introducing the stability stick...stabilitystick.com

Join me and Marianne Stroud, CNM for a discussion on the basics of giving birth at the Holy Family Birth Center.