Today on the show, Dr. Stu and Blyss are joined by their former patient and good friend, Desiree Doan. Desiree shares the details of all three of her birth stories: A hospital transfer, a successful VBAC, and how she navigated placenta accreta spectrum or, as Desi says, “That time my placenta went wild!”. Her story of self-advocacy is both awe-inspiring and informative…It’s amazing what a determined baby and mother are capable of accomplishing.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• The Physicians for Informed Consent lawsuit against the Medical Board of California
• The contrast between Desiree’s first two birth stories
• What happened with Desiree’s placenta during her third pregnancy?
• Some alarming statistics on the historical prevalence of Placenta accreta spectrum  

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack!

Doctors Mentioned:

• Dr. Vineet K. Shrivastava
• Emiliano Chavira, MD, MPH, FACOG

Connect with Desiree:

• Instagram: @foxandthetravelinggypsy
• Email: [email protected]

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Blyss and Stu host Julie Hewett, a Clinical Psychologist and mother of two based in Santa Monica. Julie is passionate about helping people who have felt silenced to empower their voices to be heard. This took on very personal meaning to her this past year when she struggled with a fear-based medical system to deliver her breech baby on her own terms. Blyss, Stu, and Julie share their sympathies for those subjected to the broken medical system and strive to empower patients to demand the care they deserve.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• Unpacking the birth culture in Santa Barbara 
• Questions to ask your birth care provider (early on)
• The placenta birthing process
• Julie’s experience with the medical system
• Critiquing medical professionals’ note-taking process
• Dealing with your own trauma as a trauma-informed professional
• The psychosocial problems at the root of many of our cultural systems  

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack!

Connect with Julie:

• Instagram: @psykodrjulie
• Website: drjuliehewett.com

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

In today’s episode, Dr. Stu and Blyss get fed up after more listener letters continue to demonstrate the pervasiveness of medical professionals gaslighting their clients. On the contrary, one woman’s successful VBAC ripples through her community and empowers its women. The two also comment on the ethics of censorship and the importance of speaking your truth.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• The ripple effect of one successful VBAC 
• Apple’s censorship of SADS news
• Why is there a 40% death increase amongst 18-64 yr olds?
• Predictions for the future of licensed vs unlicensed birth workers

This show is supported by:

• Bamboobies | Go to INSTINCTS to get 25% off your first order!
• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack!

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today on the show, Dr. Stu and Blyss chat with documentary filmmakers, Ricki Lake & Abby Epstein. The two share their wisdom and passion in a timeless discussion about two of their most prominent documentaries, The Business of Being Born & Business of Birth Control. Although the former was released in 2008, many of the themes within the film still ring true today. Recognizing that younger generations are more conscious about what they put into their bodies, and that they often question the motives of the medical establishment, Ricki and Abby feel poised that the impact of their work will sustain for years to come.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• The genesis of “The Business of Being Born”
• The inspiration behind “Business of Birth Control”
• How Stu’s practices have developed over time
• A bit about their documentary “Weed the People”
• Why it’s important that women be informed about all hormonal side effects of birth control

This show is supported by:

• Bamboobies | Go to INSTINCTS to get 25% off your first order!
• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack!

Resources:

• Abby & Ricki’s Film/Masterclass Discount Code: INSTINCTS50

Connect with Abby & Ricki:

• Website: thebusinessof.life
• Instagram: @thebusinessofbirthcontrol
• Abby’s Instagram: @abbyepsteinxoxo
• Ricki’s Instagram: @rickilake
• Twitter: @TheBizOfFilms
• Facebook: The Business of Birth Control 

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

As listeners continue to share their stories with Blyss and Dr. Stu, the fact that so many OBs & MFMs continue to dis-empower women, to the point of them doubting their bodies, only becomes more and more puzzling. Why does this keep happening? Sometimes, it can appear as if the days of vaginal birth, VBAC or not, are limited. Women possess the magical, innate, ability to successfully grow human beings. They also possess the ability to birth them, instinctually, under a wide variety of circumstances. In this episode, we hear many women’s stories about their struggles with finding supportive care. We also hear of some triumphs, which bless Dr. Stu and Blyss with a sense of pride and purpose for the impact they continue to make on mothers around the world.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• Responding to Cottage Hospital’s VBAC announcement 
• Women’s difficulties with getting support for VBACs
• The ease of honesty and difficulty of deceit 

This show is supported by:

• Bamboobies | Go to INSTINCTS to get 25% off your first order!
• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack!

Resources:

• National Advocacy Group Responds to Cottage Hospital’s VBAC announcement
• On the Management of Maternal Pushing During the Second Stage of Labor

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Today, Blyss and Stu touch on a variety of topics, including proper language towards women who’ve endured miscarriages or abortions, Diethylstilbestrol syndrome (DES syndrome) and v@ccines. Dr. Stu Tells also the tales of two VBA3C moms and shares #ReteachBreech gratitude for his latest seminar in Sedona, AZ.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• Stu’s latest birth developments
• Unpacking a listeners’ stories
• Blyss considering being an unlicensed midwife
• Being considerate of women who have had miscarriages or abortions
• Reviewing an Epoch Times article about the impacts of v@accines 
• A brief history on Diethylstilbestrol syndrome (DES syndrome)

This show is supported by:

• Bamboobies | Go to INSTINCTS to get 25% off your first order!
• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack!

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Acclaimed birth worker, Lindsey Meehleis, joins Dr. Stu and Blyss for a passionate conversation about their profession. Lindsey is a mom and traditional spiritual midwife who has been serving childbearing women through birth, lactation and emotionally through trauma release work since 2004. She works in Southern California and has had the pure honor of witnessing over 1300 births. She believes that “great grandma wisdom” is one of the most essential rememberings to tap back into during each rite of passage that we weave through as women in our lifetimes.

Today on the show, Dr. Stu, Blyss and Lindsey talk about their shared mission of creating a space and culture where birth workers can talk about their profession without fear of prosecution, and their desire to aid mothers in welcoming babies into the world in the most peaceful way they know possible—at home.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• The increase in probability of chronic disease since 1989
• Attempting to foster better relationships between midwives and hospitals
• How formal medical training is designed to beat people down
• Lindsey’s path into midwifery
• Reminiscing on the births Lindsay and Stu were at together
• Lindsey’s remedy for preventing preterm labor

This show is supported by:

• Bamboobies | Go to INSTINCTS to get 25% off your first order!
• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack with your order!

Connect with Lindsey:

• Website: orangecountymidwifery.com
• Instagram: @lindseymeehleis

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

In today’s episode, Blyss and Stu share their thoughts on listeners’ letters and questions and also take some time to discuss the recent passing of an icon. By example, language, and compassion we are changing the discussion. May our efforts create a better experience for our daughters and their daughters too. We invite you to give your gift, whatever it may be, as boldly and as passionately as you can. Our gift, truth and love are all we have to offer one another.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• Boycotting the term “dysfunctional labor”
• Protecting Independent Midwifery
• The status of v@ccines for babies 
• A story about shoulder dystocia 
• To or to not be concerned for offending those with medicalized births?
• Discussing the process “acceptance”
• Remembering Dr. Zelenko

This show is supported by:

• Bamboobies | Go to INSTINCTS to get 25% off your first order!
• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack!

Show Resources:

• Mickey Willis Tribute Video to Dr. Zelenko: plandemicseries.com

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Blyss shares the story of her most recent great birth and chimes in as Dr. Stu gets passionate while discussing the FDA’s recent authorization to begin jabbing babies as young as six months, and the fallacy of continuous electronic fetal monitoring. 

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• Catching up on their latest birth stories
• The presence of spike protein in donor milk

• Exampling the effectiveness of continuous electronic fetal heart rate monitoring
• The change in public perception of the medical industrial complex 

This show is supported by:

• Bamboobies | Go to INSTINCTS to get 25% off your first order!
• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack!

Resources:

• They Are Going to Vaccinate Your 6-Month-Old (Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D)
• Category II Intrapartum Fetal Heart Rate Patterns Unassociated With Recognized Sentinel Events (Steven Clark, MD)

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions

Dr. Stu returns from Oahu and joins Blyss and a live audience in her new community in Santa Barbara, California to answer questions and discuss C-sections, VBACs, breech, vaginal steaming and more.

In this episode of Birthing Instincts:

• Recapping Stu’s latest travels
• Discussing the c-section problem
• Why we need more home births
• How hospitals have stripped women of their power to birth naturally
• What is vaginal steaming?
• Why all doctors delivering twins should be trained in breech

This show is supported by:

• Bamboobies | Go to INSTINCTS to get 25% off your first order!
• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts  to get a free sample pack!

Connect with Dr. Stu:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts
• Website: birthinginstincts.com

Connect with Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthingblyss
• Website: birthingblyss.com

This show is produced by Soulfire Productions