Beyond Beautiful Birth

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin. Ferritin+™ is a breakthrough plant-based Iron supplement with unparalleled bioavailability, clinically proven to increase ferritin iron levels without irritation or constipation. Visit www.florahealth.com and use code ECOPARENT15 to save 15% off Ferritin+™.

About the Episode
Join us as we talk to Molly about full spectrum midwifery care. We dig deep here, addressing the myriad of reproductive experiences including miscarriage and abortion. We discuss the benefits of keeping these experiences close to home if possible, the medical and procedural options available, the benefits of herbal medicine, how to find the help that you need and how to support a loved one who may be experiencing loss.

Guest Bio & Links
Molly Dutton-Kenny is a Registered Midwife in Ontario practicing in the GTA. She was trained as a midwife in the United States and West Africa, and now makes her home with her family in Canada. She has a particular passion for supporting midwifery and public education, and in supporting a broad spectrum of pregnancy outcomes, including pregnancy loss and abortion. She advocates for a shift in the way we approach pregnancy loss and abortion from the midwifery perspective and model of care, looking to support holistic experiences and robust wrap-around care.

http://www.mollyduttonkenny.com/
PILSC - https://pilsc.org/
Natural Liberty - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/559a971ee4b02838d134f030/t/5fd2af9876399c18c889aa7e/1607643038169/%5BSage-Femme_Collective%5D_Natural_Liberty_Rediscove%28BookZZ.org%29+%281%29.pdf
Cervical Softeners - http://www.mollyduttonkenny.com/blog-mdk/natural-cervical-softeners

Host Bio & Links
Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at http://www.familynaturopathy.cahttp://www.instagram.com/mamadollhttp://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network
The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:
Editing and audio magic on this episode were performed by Carlay Ream-Neal.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts
This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin. Ferritin+™ is a breakthrough plant-based Iron supplement with unparalleled bioavailability, clinically proven to increase ferritin iron levels without irritation or constipation. Visit www.florahealth.com and use code ECOPARENT15 to save 15% off Ferritin+™.
About the Episode
Join us as we talk to Marisa about her co-authored book “Nine Golden Months” and just a handful of the ideas contained within it’s pages. We discuss the five “treasures” that can guide a person to an enlivened, empowered pregnancy and birth. We focus most of our time talking about the first treasure; “The Gift of Stillness”, including how to say “no”, how to find rest in your pregnancy and how to connect with your baby when they are wombside. We ask the question “what is self-trust and why is it so important to activate during pregnancy and throughout the motherhood journey?” We go a little deeper to examine the power of making and keeping small promises to yourself, the importance of prioritizing your own needs and cultivating and listening to your own intuition. This is a must listen for all new parents.
Guest Bio & Links
Marisa Belger is a life coach specializing in the motherhood journey as well as a women's group facilitator. She is co-author of a series of books for mothers including The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother, the bestselling guide to women-centric care in the early weeks of motherhood and Nine Golden Months: The Essential Art of Nurturing the Mother-to-Be. Her happy place is helping women click into the wisdom of their inner knowing so they can make choices that support their evolution.
https://www.marisabelger.com

Host Bio & Links
Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at
http://www.familynaturopathy.ca
http://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
http://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network
The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:
Audio magic on this episode was performed by Carlay Ream-Neal. This episode was edited by Emily Groleau.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin. Ferritin+™ is a breakthrough plant-based Iron supplement with unparalleled bioavailability, clinically proven to increase ferritin iron levels without irritation or constipation. Visit www.florahealth.com and use code ECOPARENT15 to save 15% off Ferritin+™.

About the Episode

Hear how Dr Melanie was impressively able to take a traumatic birth experience, where she felt as low as she ever has, and turn it into her life’s work - her mission to reclaim the postnatal experience and support other families in doing the same. We discuss how important early breastfeeding education is during the prenatal period and how to adequately prepare. We talk about how vital the first 6 hours - 4 days is, and what all three of us suggest as non-negotiables to set families up for success during that incredibly important early postpartum period. We go through some of the breastfeeding misinformation out there - hint - it’s not supposed to hurt! We go over how important the nervous system is in allowing us to breastfeed and then promoting a sense of calm and wellbeing once the breastfeeding relationship is solidly established. Lastly we have a thorough discussion on Tongue Ties, why they’re so prevalent and how to deal with them.

Guest Bio & Links

Dr Melanie Jacobson is a Naturopathic Doctor and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (ND/ IBCLC) and focuses on supporting families from preganacy to throughout their breastfeeding journey with prenatal education and hands-on lactation support from newborn to weaning.

She began working with breastfeeding families after her challenging start to motherhood. She is passionate about supporting families with their individual breastfeeding goals and believes that prenatal education and early hands-on support can allow for a smooth transition into breastfeeding.

Melanie holds degrees from the University of Toronto and the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. She gained valuable international experience in the UK and Australia. She is also a busy mom of 2 amazing kids and enjoys gardening and exploring the outdoors with her family and puppy.

https://melaniejacobsonnd.com/

To access OHIP covered lactation support with Dr Melanie https://ontariobreastfeedingclinic.ca/melanie-jacobson

Host Bio & Links

Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at http://www.familynaturopathy.ca
http://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
http://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND


Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network

The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:

Audio magic on this episode was performed by Carlay Ream-Neal. This episode was edited by Emily Groleau.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin. Ferritin+™ is a breakthrough plant-based Iron supplement with unparalleled bioavailability, clinically proven to increase ferritin iron levels without irritation or constipation. Visit www.florahealth.com and use code ECOPARENT15 to save 15% off Ferritin+™.

About the Episode:

Join us as we go back and relive each of our birth stories, one by one. We reflect on how different each birth is and how we always learn something new at every birth we are fortunate enough to be present for. We cover home births and surgical birth, we go through all the feelings and all the memories. Birth stories can be empowering and connecting. As Birth Workers, we NEVER tire of dissecting and honouring every birth story.The telling and retelling is a powerful tool of connection and understanding. Come along for the ride!

Host Bio & Links:

Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at http://www.familynaturopathy.ca
http://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
http://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at
http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network:

The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:

Audio magic on this episode was performed by Carlay Ream-Neal.

This episode was edited by Emily Groleau.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin. Ferritin+™ is a breakthrough plant-based Iron supplement with unparalleled bioavailability, clinically proven to increase ferritin iron levels without irritation or constipation. Visit www.florahealth.com and use code ECOPARENT15 to save 15% off Ferritin+™.

About the Episode:

In this episode we learn about the logistics and beauty of surrogacy-who is eligible to be a surrogate, who are “intended parents” and how surrogacy agencies help families through the surrogacy process. We address legality in both Canada and the U.S. as well as the more complex issues of commercial (compensation) and altruistic (reimbursement) arrangements. Nici discusses her work as a birth doula and how this transitioned to surrogacy work and eventually how she created an agency of her own. Nici is the founder of Hive Surrogacy, an agency that helps single parents, families struggling with infertility, cancer survivors, and those from the LGBTQ+ community to grow their families. Most importantly, in this episode, we have the honour of hearing Nici’s own beautiful surrogacy journey.

Guest Bio & Links:

Nici Shipway is the founder and a senior consultant at Hive Surrogacy. She is a mother of two and an experienced surrogate. Surrogacy gave Nici the opportunity to show her children how selfless acts can change lives and that family isn't defined by blood. Nici's passion for birth work is what brought her into the surrogacy field. Nici has worked as a program director and CCO at two other surrogacy agencies in Canada. She has spoken at international surrogacy conferences as well as planned and executed events around the world for both intended parents and surrogates. Earlier in 2020, Nici took part in Health Canada's round table discussions, having input into the proposed Assisted Human Reproductive Act. These experiences along with supporting hundreds of people through the process has given Nici the time to shape her care in a way that she feels will be most beneficial for the families and surrogates going through the process with her.
[email protected]
https://www.hivesurrogacy.com
https://www.instagram.com/hivesurr


Host Bio & Links:

Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at http://www.familynaturopathy.ca
http://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
http://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at
http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network:

The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:

Audio magic on this episode was performed by Carlay Ream-Neal.

This episode was edited by Emily Groleau.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin. Ferritin+™ is a breakthrough plant-based Iron supplement with unparalleled bioavailability, clinically proven to increase ferritin iron levels without irritation or constipation. Visit www.florahealth.com and use code ECOPARENT15 to save 15% off Ferritin+™.

About the Episode
If you are pregnant in Canada or the USA, you will be tested for Group B Strep/GBS. If you are in the UK, you may not be. What’s the difference? Join Dr Dori, Midwife Natalie and our guest Dr Stephanie as we discuss the risk factors, potential risks, protocols and all the most current research and developments surrounding this common bacteria. Deep dive with us into the mysterious and magnificent microbiome, where we go over practical advice to support the diversity and health of your own flora.

Guest Bio & Links:
Dr. Stephanie Peltz, ND is a naturopathic doctor and certified yoga instructor with a family naturopathic practice. Her arena of authority is in fertility, pregnancy, and pediatrics. She is also certified in nutrient injection therapy, prescription medicine, and is trained in craniosacral therapy through the Upledger Institute.

Dr. Stephanie Peltz is licensed in both BC and Ontario and has a virtual practice for her BC patients, and a hybrid virtual and in person practice for her Ontario patients.

Website: Dr.Stephanie Peltz N.D.
Instagram: @stephpeltznd

Host Bio & Links:

Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at http://www.familynaturopathy.ca
http://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
http://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at
http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network:

The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:

Audio magic on this episode was performed by Carlay Ream-Neal.

This episode was edited by Emily Groleau.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

This episode was generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://florahealth.com/products/ferritin

About the Episode
Our guest Sarah Forbes, an anthropologist and former curator of the Museum of Sex in New York City, introduces us to the word matrescence, an anthropological term to describe the physical, psychological and emotional changes (akin to adolescence) that marks the “birth of a mother.” We discuss why the word is known to so few of us and how to prepare and honour this time in a person’s life. We discuss the “mental load of motherhood” and consider the effect of a “village” on “motherwhelm” and the problem with the idea of “bouncing back.”

We talk about navigating the terrain of pregnancy and birth, setting your birth intentions and the challenge of choosing your care providers when access is low.

Our guest discusses her experience of having conversations about sexuality in her home as well as what she has learned so far with her research for her new book “Mamasex” including postpartum changes to a birthing person’s body and the emotional effect of the transition to parenthood that can impact maternal sexuality.

Guest Bio & Links:
Sarah Forbes is a curator + sexual culturalist + author + personal ethnographer. Dubbed a "sexpert supreme" by Cosmopolitan Magazine, her memoir, "Sex in the Museum: My Unlikely Career At New York's Most Provocative Museum," is based on her decade as the Curator of the Museum of Sex. Unafraid of tackling taboo social topics, Sarah is currently writing her second book, "Mama Sex," an anthropological look at motherhood and sexuality.

Web: https://www.mamasexbook.com/
IG: @mamasexbook

Host Bio & Links:

Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at https://www.familynaturopathy.ca
https://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
https://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at https://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network:

The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:

Audio magic on this episode was performed by Carlay Ream-Neal.

This episode was edited by Emily Groleau.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

This episode is generously sponsored by Ferritin+ by Flora Health: https://ca-en.florahealth.com/pages/ferritin

About the Episode:
In this episode Dr Ashley Girard, ND shares with us her intense, empowering, remarkable birth stories. Natalie and Dr Dori join in sharing all of our experiences with Pelvic Girdle Pain and Symphysis Pubis Discomfort, including practical tips on how to cope with the debilitating pain that can accompany these diagnoses. We delve into the difference between pain and suffering, how trauma can deeply affect the birth process and how to thrive through it. How to know when to pivot from the plan and really surrender to the birth process. We discuss the BRAIN decision making tool and how to apply it to all kinds of situations.

Then we go deep into the topic of Breech Babies - you may be shocked to learn that if your baby is not head down by the end of your pregnancy it doesn’t necessarily mean an automatic planned Caesarean section delivery. How one randomized control trial managed to obliterate the essential practice of delivering breech babies vaginally, a practice that was very successful for eons and is now a lost art. Finally, we reflect on the stress response, closure and completion when it comes to birth traumas and experiences. The one thing we all really want you to take away from this episode is the question that you should never stop asking - Is there another option? We hope you gain something from this episode, please let us know your thoughts.


Guest Bio & Links:
Dr. Ashley Girard is a registered Naturopathic Doctor and an associate member of the Canadian Urological Association. Dr. Girard's clinical focus is on female urinary conditions such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, chronic and recurrent urinary tract infections, and other pelvic pain conditions. Her clinic Holistic Bladder Care provides telemedicine to patients throughout Ontario and focuses on getting to the root causes of these conditions. Dr. Girard lives in the country north of Barrie, Ontario and is working on becoming a homesteader with her loving husband Paul, 4 year old daughter Josephine and 15 month old son Archer.

Web: www.bladdercare.ca www.girardnd.com

Host Bio & Links:
Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at http://www.familynaturopathy.ca
http://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
http://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at
http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network:
The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:

Audio magic on this episode was performed by Carlay Ream-Neal.

This episode was edited by Emily Groleau.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

About the Episode:
In this episode, we hear April’s birth story. We discuss the importance of choosing your birth team, how to make informed choices in labour, how to pivot when things don’t go as planned, healing from birth trauma, and the importance of creating a community for yourself postpartum.

Guest Bio & Links:
April Miranda is a Toronto-based Reiki Master and yoga teacher. She has been teaching movement for more than 18 years. April uses different healing modalities to support her clients' healing from the inside out. Her kinesiology degree, performing arts background, along with other healing modalities, allow her to help her clients feel lighter physically, mentally, emotionally, and energetically. April was voted in the Top 50 Fitness Expert Entrepreneurs in the Greater Toronto Area with Sweat Equity Magazine. She is currently writing her first book: "MOVE with LOVE - Your Innovative Guide to Master Unblocking Your Chakras and Liberate the Real You." April has also been featured in HOLR magazine and been interviewed on different podcasts, and eventually started her own podcast, "MOVE with LOVE Podcast with April Miranda." She lives downtown Toronto with her husband Chris, their daughter Bella Luna, and their puppy, House.

If you would like to find out more about April Miranda follow her on Instagram @aprilmiranda or get your free healing meditation, book a Reiki session, get Reiki training, and inspiration, please visit aprilmiranda.com.

Host Bio & Links:
Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at http://www.familynaturopathy.ca
http://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
http://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at
http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network:
The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:
Audio magic on this episode was performed by the incredible Kattie Laur.

This pilot episode was made possible with support from Ontario Creates.

Beyond Beautiful Birth is a part of the EcoParent Podcast Network: https://www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

About the Episode

Join us as we talk to the incredible Kimberly Seals Allers about American exceptionalism - the only industrialized nation in the world that doesn’t have parental leave?? What’s up with that!? Why are mothers both priceless and valueless in our capitalist world? We discuss the idea that HOW we birth matters - the healthy mother, healthy baby mantra can be a disservice to processing our birth experiences. Kimberly tells us how she discovered through her own journey to parenthood how impactful racism and ingrained social structures are on the Black experience of birth and breastfeeding. We delve into the shady big business of infant formula companies, the issues with the Breast is Best movement and the illusion of choice. Kimberly tells us how connecting with her son helped her create the groundbreaking Irth app and we talk about what we’re looking forward to in the birthing space and beyond.

Guest Bio & Links:

Kimberly Seals Allers is a powerhouse with a vision, on a mission to transform the experience of motherhood for all and to eradicate racial disparities in birth and breastfeeding. Kimberly is an award winning journalist, a writer of 5 books, including The Mocha Manual Series, an award winning pregnancy and parenting guide for African Americans. Her fifth book, The Big Let Down — How Medicine, Big Business and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding is working to shift the narrative of maternal and child health issues by activating our collective power as women and reframing breastfeeding as a biological right, as opposed to a choice.

Kimberly is an internationally renowned speaker, a strategist and a fierce advocate for maternal and infant health. She is a leading commentator on birth, breastfeeding and motherhood and the intersection of race, policy, and culture. She is a femtech founder of the Irth App - spelled like Birth, but dropping the B for Bias - a Yelp-like app developed to address racism & bias in maternity & infant care. Kimberly is an advocate, a mama of 2 on a mission to question, challenge, disrupt and reimagine how we talk about birth and breastfeeding and then breaking down the many structural barriers women face in these areas.

Web: https://kimberlysealsallers.com/
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/iamksealsallers/
App: https://apps.apple.com/us/story/id1595967978

Host Bio & Links:

Dr Dori Skye Engel is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Birth Doula practicing family medicine in Toronto with a special interest in Pregnancy, Pediatrics and Perimenopause. Mama to three wonderful, intense and dramatically different boys, she believes strongly in the innate wisdom of the human body and our powerful ability to heal. She can be found at http://www.familynaturopathy.ca
http://www.instagram.com/mamadoll
http://www.facebook.com/DrDoriND

Natalie Tregaskiss is a Registered Midwife, a Labour and Delivery Nurse and a Board Certified Lactation Consultant who has been supporting families for over 17 years. She has three amazing children whom she is constantly learning from. Through her unique breadth of experience she helps parents birth with autonomy and transition to authentic parenthood. She can be found at
http://www.instagram.com/tregaskiss1

About the EcoParent Podcast Network:

The EcoParent Podcast Network helps busy families live a healthier, greener lifestyle. Our host experts are imperfect, real, busy parents just like you who share ways to lower our collective carbon footprint and practical strategies that make a difference to your family’s health, the planet and to our children’s future. We offer raw, honest conversations and actionable advice across our six podcasts: pregnancy & birth, pediatric wellness, kids’ nutrition, green beauty, healthy home, and raising greener teens. Join us and get inspired to live a more sustainable, healthy life! www.ecoparent.ca/podcasts

Partnerships:

Audio magic on this episode was performed by the incredible Kattie Laur.

This pilot episode was made possible with support from Ontario Creates.