Trying to clarify the questions about child spacing, Blyss & Dr. Stu discover nature is pretty wise. What are the medical recommendations and how do they compare? We review some of the guidelines and share our opinions. We discuss the rhythm of natural child spacing through ecological breastfeeding and contrast it with the rigidity of medical guidelines, advocating for a healthcare model that respects the unique journey of each mother.

We challenge the cultural obsession with the speed of labor and dissect the impact of our discussions by sharing the courageous decision of a labor and delivery nurse to switch to a home birth midwife. 

As we address the realities of postpartum depression, we stress the vital roles of healthcare providers in supporting new mothers. We question the effectiveness of the current medical model in addressing nutritional needs and mental health issues during the postpartum and interpregnancy periods, advocating for a healthcare model that ensures thorough diagnosis, effective treatment, and diligent follow-up. This episode is a call to action for a more compassionate and tailored approach to reproductive health. Blyss shares about a birth with low platelets and Dr. Stu has some daughter time.

Key highlights:

• Interpregnancy Interval and Natural Birth
• Debating Emergency Cesarean for Fetus' Heart
• Challenging Medical Practices and Recommendations
• Breastfeeding and Interpregnancy Intervals
• Women's Health and Postpartum Depression

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• ACOG article: Interpregnancy Care
• PubMed article: Re-evaluation of link between interpregnancy interval and adverse birth outcomes
• PubMed article: Interpregnancy Interval and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
• PubMed article: Effects of birth spacing on maternal, perinatal, infant, and child health
• PubMed article: Short interpregnancy interval: risk of uterine rupture and complications of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery
• PubMed article: Ecological breastfeeding and child spacing
• Book: Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing
• Article: Ecological Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing
• Ask Dr. Sears: Breastfeeding and Natural Childspacing
• Find a breech provider: breechwithoutborders.org/directory

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth course

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected] 
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Our guest today is "Birth Attendant", Jaymie Lewis who shares her insight into Hawaii's birthing world. Blyss & Dr. Stu chime in on the creeping blob that is the administrative state and wonder when the last time a regulation made things better.

About Jaymie Lewis:

Jaymie is a mother of three children all born at her residence In Hawaii. The birth of her 1st child brought her into birth work in 2010 when she began an apprenticeship with two different naturopathic physicians and a CPM. She started an independent midwifery practice in 2014 attending anywhere from 40-60 births per year. She joined several other midwives across the islands igniting strong activism regarding REAL choices in childbirth. In 2017 she helped create Hawaii Home Birth Collective which is an advocacy organization dedicated to expansion of midwifery care and to the preservation and integration of traditional and indigenous practices of the childbearing cycle. The long arm of the medical industrial complex swept in and deemed her a “birth attendant” in 2019 because she did not have any “formal” education” and as of last July has been pushed out of practice due to Hawaii’s restrictive midwifery law. Jaymie is a dreamer, a realistic optimist, and a lifetime learner, knowing that when there is compression, there is also an opportunity for infinite expansion.

Key highlights:

• Home Births and Midwifery Regulations
• Bureaucracy and Midwifery Laws
• Challenges and Barriers in Midwifery
• The Impact of Standardization on Midwifery
• Laws and Colonialism in Hawaii

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• hihbc.org
• pacificbirthcollective.org
• Article: ‘Medical colonialism’: midwives sue Hawaii over law regulating Native birth workers
• Article: U.S. home births hit 30-year high

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.
• Christian Hypnobirthing | Go to christianhypnobirthing.com/birthinginstincts to get 30% off Christian Hypnobirthing's Faith-Filled Childbirth course

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected] 
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Time seems to be on Blyss & Dr. Stu's mind and a moment of insight is a fortune. Should we redefine "Second Stage"? We address the medical data behind active coaching vs. laboring down and then apply some common sense.

We unravel the nuances of research in the birth field, advocating for a discerning approach to medical studies and the impact they have on birthing practices. From the spiritual undertones of bringing new life into the world to the complexities of client management, we touch on the transformative experiences that shape both caregivers and families.

We highlight the power of intuition in birth choices, sharing an inspiring testimonial from a listener who embraced a home birth. Throughout our conversation, we emphasize the importance of trusting the body's inherent knowledge and the challenges that the medical industry faces in supporting physiological birth. Whether you're a seasoned birth worker, an expectant parent, or simply fascinated by the miracle of life, this discussion offers valuable insights and encouragement to trust the natural journey of childbirth.

In our Patreon segment, we look at the confusion about progesterone supplementation.

Key highlights:

• Discussion on Laboring Down in Birth
• Value of Time and Support
• Pushing Techniques in Second Stage Labor
• Research on Pushing Practices in Labor
• Research, Academia, and VBAC Testimonials

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Stu's shirt: Merch | BI Podcast (birthinginstinctspodcast.com)
• Book: The Sabbath
• Article: Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth
• Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes With Early Compared With Delayed Pushing Among Nulliparous Women
• Instagram: @drjoelgator

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Old friend and midwife, Aleks Evanguelidi joins us to share her wisdom about healing our bodies naturally and restoring our innate bodily systems. 

As we swapped tales of unexpected birth work requests and the impact of dietary choices, Alex's holistic approach shines a light on the path to wellness. Her insights, grounded in her dual expertise, offers a refreshing perspective that stands in beautiful contrast to more traditional medical views on fertility and pregnancy health.

 We need to realign our priorities from the food and water we ingest to the habits we have formed to the craziness that surrounds us. Fertility isn't just a clinical concept—it's a tapestry woven from our lifestyles, from the sunlight we bathe in to the stress we release through laughter.

Blyss & Dr. Stu also share some thoughts and frustrations with record keeping, both vital and medical.

Key highlights:

• Nutrition and Fertility
• Diet and Health Awareness in America
• Focusing on Preconception Health and Wellness
• Vaccines, Gut Health, and Autism
• Hashimoto's and Functional Medicine
• Trust Body's Fever Response, Avoid Overheating
• Challenges in Women's Health Care

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• gapsdiet.com
• The Weston A. Price Foundation
• https://www.aleksandraevanguelidi.com/

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month at thisisneeded.com
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Aleks Evanguelidi:

• website: aleksandraevanguelidi.com
• Instagram: @thevitalwoman



Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Thinking out of the box and individualizing care should not be rare. Join our conversation as Blyss & Dr. Stu host midwife Lindsey Meehleis & Home Birth x 2, Diabetic Mom and Naturopathic Physician, Gina Cummins.

We unfold the layers of managing diabetes during pregnancy, where technology and personal determination intersect to create successful birth stories at home. Hear firsthand from Gina about her experiences with blood sugar control during the intensity of childbirth and the crucial role of cortisol in this process. Lindsey provides a professional backdrop, highlighting the evolution of diabetes management tools and the power of informed collaboration between healthcare providers and mothers-to-be.

Diabetes care and options have evolved much over the last 40 years. Have hospitals and doctors kept up?

Key highlights:

• Diabetes, Pregnancy, and Ultrasounds
• Home Birth for Type 1 Diabetic
• Naturopathic Medicine and Diabetes Pregnancy
• Blood Sugar Levels During Labor and Birth
• Heavy Metals and Health Impact
• Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy Surveillance
• Empowering Women's Autonomy in Medical Decisions

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Lindsey Meeheis’s Instagram: @lindseymeehleis
• Gina Cummins Instagram: @drginacummins

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month at thisisneeded.com
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Blyss is in a birth whirlwind and Dr. Stu shares some great breech stories. Dr. Stu is especially excited to talk with our guest, Dr. Whittaker, a NAPRO doctor specializing in the Creighton Method and restorative reproductive medicine. We have a fascinating conversation about her journey to understanding alternative ways of viewing the menstrual cycle, ovulation and fertility.

About Dr. Naomi Whittaker:

Dr. Naomi Whittaker is the founder of RRMAcademy.org and an OBGYN fertility surgeon focused on women's restorative reproductive medicine, compassionate healthcare, and education.

Dr. Whittaker is a board certified OBGYN and a fellowship trained surgeon who specializes in the Creighton Model FertilityCare System and NaProTechnology, which works cooperatively with a woman's body to treat the underlying cause of gynecologic issues and infertility, such as endometriosis and PCOS.

Dr. Whittaker helps women improve their gynecologic health, and avoid/achieve pregnancy in accordance with their natural fertility using the latest research, medicine, and surgery.

Key highlights:

• Q&A and Positive Birth Stories
• NaPro Technology Exploration
• Medical School Experience and Lack of Empathy
• Exploring Menstrual Irregularities and Reproductive Medicine
• Effective Treatment Options for Female Infertility
• Endometriosis and Its Impact on Fertility
• Alternative Approaches to Fertility Treatment

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Naomi Whittaker’s website: naomiwhittaker.com
• Instagram: @napro_fertility_surgeon
• Fearlessly Fertile Podcast
• Your Birth God's Way

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month at thisisneeded.com
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

ACOG states the hospital is the safest place to give birth and many families are convinced the hospital saved their baby. Sometimes it is true. Today Blyss and Dr. Stu talk about that and why much of the time it may not be and about the shaping of those perceptions. ACOG is still pushing untested jabs in pregnancy and do pediatricians take bonuses to do the same? Blyss has a birth to share and Dr. Stu returns from teaching breech & twin skills in Florida.

In 2015 the world was thrust into fear about the Zika Virus. In our Patreon segment Dr. Stu and Blyss discuss a chapter from the book "Crooked, Man Made Disease Explained" about the flawed science and thinking behind the paranoia.

Key highlights:

• RSV Prevention and Vaccination Challenges
• Debate on Vaccines and Medical Authority
• Cord Prolapse and Fetal Monitoring Misconceptions
• Hospital Interventions and Risks in Childbirth
• Home Birth vs Hospital Birth
• Vaccine Safety and the Zika Virus
• Toxins, Heavy Metals, and Vaccine Safety

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! com/birthinginstinctspodcast
• Are COVID-19 Vaccine Babies Toddling and Babbling Normally?
• Occurrence of placental abruption in relatives
• Book: Crooked: Man-Made Disease Explained: The incredible story of metal, microbes, and medicine - hidden within our faces
• Podcast: The Retrievals
• Podcast episode: Evidence Based Birth ep 298 - Overcoming Barriers to Breech Vaginal Birth with Dr. Emiliano Chavira, OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month at thisisneeded.com
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Question: How do obstetricians do in 10 minutes what midwives do in an hour? Answer: They don't! Blyss and Dr. Stu discuss the differences in models and share what a midwife prenatal visit looks like. 

We unpack the intricate layers of birthing options, from the empowering choice of vaginal breech delivery to the complex dance between a midwife's guidance and the birthing individual's instinct. Together, we navigate the challenging terrain of advocating for personal birth plans amidst the machinery of hospital protocols, and celebrate the strength of those who pursue supportive birthing environments with midwives. 

ACOG is at it again and some doctors and moms are going rogue. The courage to question the status quo in medicine leads us to fresh perspectives on patient care, education, and the pursuit of alternatives that may redefine the future of reproductive health. 

Dr. Stu is on the road again teaching breech and twin skills while Blyss is home waiting on babies.

Key highlights:

• HPV Vaccination Controversy and Alternative Approaches
• Pregnancy Symptoms, Supplements, Postpartum Plan
• Prenatal Visits and Midwifery Practices
• Managing a Transverse Lie in Labor
• Arm Presentation and Cesarean Section Risk

Episode resources:

• Join our Patreon! patreon.com/birthinginstinctspodcast. This week's extra bonus content: When a Cesarean Was Necesarean.

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month at thisisneeded.com
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected] 
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Today on the podcast, Blyss & Dr. Stu respond to fellow travelers' stories and take a hard look at a serious disorder.

This episode is a deep exploration of the complex and often urgent medical scenarios that can arise during childbirth, such as placental abruption and uterine rupture. From understanding the different classifications of placental abruption to recognizing the symptoms, we shed light on the critical importance of swift medical attention for the safety of both mother and child. 

Blyss shares our Patreon vision and Dr. Stu revisits some information on the cervix.

Key highlights:

• Routine Pelvic Examinations
• Placental Abruption and Uterine Rupture Risk
• Understanding Placental Abruption, Its Risk Factors, and Its Classifications
• Recognizing and Managing Placental Abruption
• Placenta Previa

Episode resources:

• Placental Abruption
• Routine Pelvic Examinations and the Ethics of Screening
• The “30-minute rule” for expedited delivery: fact or fiction?

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month at thisisneeded.com
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com

Blyss is back to discuss all things cervix and the lack of reverence for the birth process while Dr. Stu shares some silly rules from around the world. 

We raise our voices against the defensive jargon and standardized procedures that fail to honor each woman's unique journey through pregnancy and birth. We wade through a mother's right to personalized care, and the undercurrents of regulation that shape midwifery. 

As we explore the wonders of the cervix, from its role in Pap smears to its remarkable capacity to evolve during pregnancy and birth, our awe for the female body grows.

We introduce our new Patreon feature and respect for breech practitioners all.

Key highlights:

• Midwives for Women's Health Exams
• Cervical Insufficiency Treatment Options and Considerations
• Cervix Issues and Premature Membrane Rupture
• The Cervix and Labor Progression
• Downsides of Membrane Sweeps
• Understanding Cervical Dilation and Labor Progress

Episode resources:

• Article: Cerclage for the Management of Cervical Insufficiency
• Book:The HPV Vaccine On Trial: Seeking Justice For A Generation Betrayed
• Website: informedpregnancy.com/heads-up
• Birthing Instincts Patreon: patreon.com/BirthingInstinctsPodcast

This show is supported by:

• LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack with every order
• Needed | Use code BIRTHINGINSTINCTS for 20% off your first month or first 3 months of a one-month subscription at thisisneeded.com.
• BIRTHFIT | Go to birthfit.com and use the code INSTINCTS1 for a discount on the Basics Prenatal program, or INSTINCTS2 for a discount on the Basics Postpartum program.

Connect with Dr. Stu & Blyss:

• Instagram: @birthinginstincts / @birthingblyss
• Website: birthinginstincts.com / birthingblyss.com
• Email: [email protected] 
• Call-in line: 805-399-0439
• Podcast webpage: birthinginstinctspodcast.com