Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Elana’s Birth Stories - Surprise Breech

Episode Overview:

Join your host Sophia as she interviews Elana, who shares her two unique birth stories. From navigating the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) to managing a low-lying placenta, Elana’s journey takes a dramatic turn with the discovery of a surprise breech birth. Together, they discuss:

• Using the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) for family planning

• Managing a low-lying placenta during pregnancy

• Tools and strategies for addressing a hemorrhage

• The experience and emotions surrounding a surprise breech birth

Elana’s story highlights the resilience and strength of trusting the process, even when surprises arise.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)

• How Elana used FAM to plan her pregnancies and navigate her fertility journey.

2. Low-Lying Placenta

• The challenges and precautions she took with a low-lying placenta during pregnancy.

3. Hemorrhage Tools

• Insight into tools and techniques used to address hemorrhaging during her births.

4. Surprise Breech Birth

• Elana’s unexpected breech delivery and how her birth team managed it with confidence and care.

About Elana:

Elana lives in Sebastopol with her husband and two children. A former professional dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, she retired at 30 to pursue her passion for food and farming in Italy. Now, Elana combines her love for business and supporting entrepreneurs by running her own virtual bookkeeping business, Root to Rise Bookkeeping.

Elana’s Recommendations:

• Shiela (Midwife): https://comadresmidwifery.com/

• Kate Colleti: https://www.katecoletti.com/enlightenedbirth

• Jane Austin Yoga: https://janeaustinyoga.com/

• Dr. Stu’s Reteach Breech: http://www.birthinginstincts.com/reteach-breech

Connect with Elana:

• Website: https://roottorisebookkeeping.com/

• Instagram: @e__a__r

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

Elana’s journey from ballet to bookkeeping and her powerful birth stories showcase the strength of intuition and adaptability. Her surprise breech birth reminds us of the importance of a skilled and supportive birth team. Whether you’re preparing for birth or curious about unique birth experiences, this episode offers insight and inspiration.

Stay Wild 🌳

Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Ranting About Hospital Birth - A Doula’s Perspective on Newborn Care

Episode Overview:

Join your hosts Lea, Sophia, Aly, and Angela as they dive into a passionate discussion sparked by Lea’s recent experience as a doula at a hospital birth. The team shares their frustrations and insights into the treatment of the newborn and the overall hospital experience, exploring topics like:

• The implications of active management during labor

• The pressure surrounding inductions

• The impact of newborn routine procedures in the hospital setting

• Comparing emergency newborn support at home births versus hospitals

• The lasting effects of birth trauma on families

This episode offers a raw and honest look at the challenges doulas face in hospital settings and the importance of advocacy for birthing families.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Active Management of Labor

• How active management policies in hospitals can impact the birthing process and outcomes for both mother and baby.

2. Inductions

• The pressure to induce labor and its potential physical and emotional consequences for birthing parents.

3. Newborn Routine Procedures

• The routine interventions newborns often face in hospitals and how they differ from more holistic, individualized care approaches.

4. Emergency Newborn Support

• A comparison of how emergencies are handled at home births versus in hospitals, highlighting key differences in approach and outcomes.

5. Birth Trauma

• The emotional toll of birth trauma on families and how doulas and birth workers can help parents process and heal.

Final Thoughts:

This candid discussion sheds light on the systemic issues in hospital-based maternity care and reinforces the need for advocacy, education, and holistic support for birthing families. Whether you’re a doula, a parent, or someone interested in birth work, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating the complexities of modern maternity care.

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Call to Action:

Join the conversation as the hosts unpack the nuances of hospital birth from a doula’s perspective and explore how families and birth workers can advocate for better care.

Stay Wild 🌳

Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Stephanie’s Swim Safety Journey: Float, Swim, and Breath Holding Rhythm

Episode Overview:

Join your hosts Lea and Sophia as they interview Stephanie, a Certified Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) Instructor, to discuss the importance of swim safety and the transformative impact of the float, swim, and breath holding rhythm. Stephanie shares her personal journey to becoming an ISR instructor, driven by a near-tragic drowning accident involving her young daughter, and how ISR empowered her family to embrace water safety.

Topics include:

• The ISR safety protocols and teaching methods

• Understanding the float, swim, and breath holding rhythm

• The emotional journey of recovering from a non-fatal drowning accident

• The limitations of play-based swim lessons and the need for real water safety skills

• Stephanie’s favorite moments as an ISR instructor and how families can benefit from the program

This episode highlights the life-saving importance of early swim safety skills and the emotional resilience that families can gain through ISR.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Stephanie’s Journey to ISR

• Stephanie recounts how her daughter’s non-fatal drowning accident was a turning point that led her to discover ISR and its mission to prevent drowning.

2. Limitations of Play-Based Swim Lessons

• The risks of traditional swim lessons that focus on fun rather than safety and the false sense of security they can create.

3. Float, Swim, and Breath Holding Rhythm

• The core ISR method that teaches children to float independently, swim between floats, and maintain safety in the water.

4. Recovering from Trauma

• How Stephanie helped her daughter regain confidence in the water through the ISR program and the emotional process for the entire family.

5. Becoming an ISR Instructor

• Stephanie’s journey to becoming a Certified ISR Instructor and her passion for making water safety accessible in her community.

6. Parent Involvement and Progress

• Stephanie’s favorite part of ISR lessons: parents swimming with their children at the end of the program and witnessing the mastery of life-saving skills.

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is a Certified ISR Instructor who became passionate about water safety after her three-year-old daughter survived a non-fatal drowning accident. Since 2020, she has dedicated her work to teaching children the life-saving skills they need to stay safe in and around water. Stephanie is based in Santa Rosa, CA, where she provides ISR lessons to families in her community, helping children develop confidence, independence, and water safety skills.

Stephanie’s Resources:

• Santa Rosa ISR (Facebook): @SantaRosaISR

• Santa Rosa ISR Website: http://santarosaisr.com

• General ISR Information and Instructor Locator: InfantSwim.com

• Instagram: @santarosa_ISR

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

Stephanie’s story reminds us that drowning is preventable, and teaching children essential water safety skills can make all the difference. This episode offers insight into the ISR method and the powerful impact it can have on families, empowering children and parents alike to approach water safety with confidence and care.

Stay Wild 🌳

Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Katelyn’s Journey - From Conception Challenges to Empowering Birth

Episode Overview:

Join your host Sophia as she interviews Katelyn, a new mom with a powerful story of resilience and triumph. Katelyn shares her conception journey, navigating challenges such as birth control detox, miscarriages, IBS, lactose intolerance, and anemia. She reflects on her labor experience, describing it as, “It hurt like hell, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Topics include:

• Overcoming health challenges while trying to conceive

• The process of detoxing from birth control and preparing for pregnancy

• Managing IBS, lactose intolerance, and anemia during pregnancy

• Embracing the intensity of labor and finding joy in the process

Katelyn’s story is an inspiring example of perseverance, embracing the journey, and finding empowerment in birth.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Conception Journey and Birth Control Detox

• Katelyn’s experience transitioning off birth control and the steps she took to prepare her body for pregnancy.

2. Miscarriages and Emotional Healing

• Navigating the emotional and physical toll of pregnancy loss and finding hope to continue.

3. Managing Health Challenges During Pregnancy

• How Katelyn dealt with IBS, lactose intolerance, and anemia while maintaining her focus on a healthy pregnancy.

4. Labor and Birth Experience

• Katelyn’s perspective on labor, embracing the intensity, and finding joy in the pain.

About Katelyn:

Katelyn, 32, is a proud new mom to her daughter Evelyn. In her professional life, she manages and coaches at a gymnastics club and has been a lifelong athlete. Katelyn aspires to transition into being a stay-at-home mom, embracing this new chapter of her life with enthusiasm and dedication.

Katelyn’s Recommendations:

• Kelly Grey - Holistic Childbirth Education: www.ninemoonsdoula.com

• Dr. Wendy Staples Hicks, Chiropractor: https://drwendystapleshicks.weebly.com/

Connect with Katelyn:

• Instagram: @theothermrswatts

• Facebook: Katelyn Watts

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

Katelyn’s journey highlights the power of resilience, self-advocacy, and embracing the challenges of conception and birth. Her story will inspire listeners to find strength and joy in their own pregnancy and birthing experiences.

Stay Wild 🌳

Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Gemma’s Story - From Miscarriage to Home Birth and the Journey to a Rainbow Baby

Episode Overview:

Join your host Sophia as she interviews Gemma Niu, who shares her moving story of loss, healing, and transformation. Gemma opens up about her miscarriage, the emotional journey of her angel baby, and how she found her voice during her home birth experience.

They discuss:

• Transitioning from hospital support to home birth

• The unique challenges of birthing in small spaces

• Navigating interventions in a home birth setting

• The surprise of a breech birth

• Taking full responsibility for choices through risk assessment

• Preparing for her rainbow baby and embracing the art of midwifery

Gemma’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the empowerment that comes from taking control of your birth journey.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Miscarriage and Angel Baby

• Gemma reflects on her miscarriage, the grief of losing her angel baby, and the strength she found in the healing process.

2. Switching to Home Birth

• Her decision to transition from hospital care to home birth and the research that empowered her to make the choice.

3. Birthing in Small Spaces

• Tips and challenges of birthing at home in unconventional or smaller living spaces.

4. Interventions in Home Birth

• Balancing safety and autonomy during her home birth experience and learning to trust her midwife.

5. Surprise Breech Birth

• The unexpected breech presentation and how her birth team supported her through it.

6. Risk Assessment and Taking Responsibility

• Gemma’s journey of making informed decisions and owning her choices through the BRAIN framework:

• Benefits

• Risks

• Alternatives

• Intuition

• Need time/Do nothing

7. Welcoming a Rainbow Baby

• Gemma shares her excitement and preparation as she looks forward to welcoming her rainbow baby earthside.

About Gemma:

Gemma Niu is a mother, advocate, and lifelong learner on a journey to reclaim the art of midwifery and embrace the obstacles that come with creating the birth she envisions. Her story is one of resilience, empowerment, and finding joy in taking full responsibility for her choices.

• Instagram: @queen.gcoconut

Gemma’s Recommendations:

• BRAIN Decision-Making Framework: Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Need time/Do nothing

• The Business of Being Born Documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995061/plotsummary

• Dr. Ian Davis-Tremayne (Chiropractor): www.uppercervicalmarin.com

Related Episodes:

• Angela Chang - Midwife: Listen Here

• Jen Santos - Tongue and Lip Ties: Listen Here

• Chiropractic and Dynamic Body Balancing with Jen Santos: Listen Here

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

Gemma’s story is a beautiful journey of transformation, empowerment, and resilience. From loss to joy, her experience highlights the power of informed choices, advocacy, and trusting your intuition. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating their own unique path to birth and motherhood.

Stay Wild 🌳

Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Christina’s Birth Stories - From Hospital to Home, Unmedicated and Empowered

Episode Overview:

Join your host Sophia as she interviews Christina, a mom of three, about her unmedicated, vaginal birth experiences—two in the hospital and one at home. Christina shares her journey through preterm labor, prodromal labors, birth doulas, and her decision to have a home birth for her third baby.

Topics include:

• Coping with newborn reflux and tongue ties

• Managing postpartum depression and finding support

• The role of naturopathic doctors in her family’s health

• Christina’s conception journey and navigating miscarriages

• How the Covid pandemic influenced her birth and parenting experiences

Christina’s story is a testament to resilience, self-advocacy, and the beauty of embracing motherhood’s challenges and joys.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Unmedicated Births

• Christina shares her experiences with unmedicated births, highlighting the differences between her hospital and home birth journeys.

2. Preterm Labor and Prodromal Labors

• How she managed preterm labor and long, exhausting prodromal labors.

3. Newborn Reflux and Tongue Ties

• Coping with newborn reflux and addressing tongue ties in her babies.

4. Postpartum Depression

• Christina opens up about her postpartum depression and the tools and resources that helped her heal.

5. Conception Journey and Miscarriages

• The emotional and physical challenges she faced during her conception journey and pregnancy losses.

6. Homeschooling and Family Life

• How Christina and her husband have embraced homeschooling their three children and supporting their boys’ kart racing.

7. Spirit & Sage

• Christina’s spiritual wellness shop, which allows her to share her passion for spiritual self-care while raising her kids.

About Christina:

Christina is a mom of three—Riley (9), Jaxon (6), and Everly (8 months)—and has been married to her best friend for 11 years. She recently started homeschooling her children while balancing her love for spiritual wellness through her shop, Spirit & Sage. When she’s not busy with her family’s kart racing activities or running her business, Christina loves to relax with her kids and watch movies.

Christina’s Recommendations:

• Spirit & Sage Shop: www.spiritandsageshop.com

• Facebook and Instagram: @Nina Fuchs

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

Christina’s journey through three unmedicated births and her transition to homeschooling offers valuable insights and inspiration for parents navigating similar paths. Her story highlights the power of self-advocacy, community support, and finding joy in life’s challenges.

Stay Wild 🌳

Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Building a Business: Birth Work, Budgeting, and Delegation

Episode Overview:

Join your hosts Sophia, Lea, Clover, and Angela as they dive into the behind-the-scenes of running a birth work business. Sophia and Lea share how they initially set up their businesses separately and eventually merged their efforts into a collaborative venture. They also discuss:

• The process of delegating tasks to others

• Tips for budgeting money as business owners

• Sophia and Clover debrief a recent birth, offering insights into the challenges and lessons learned

This episode provides practical advice for birth workers and small business owners looking to streamline their operations while maintaining a personal touch in their services.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Starting a Birth Work Business

• How Sophia and Lea established their businesses independently and the challenges they faced in the early stages.

2. Collaboration and Merging Businesses

• The story behind how Sophia and Lea decided to collaborate and the benefits of pooling their strengths and resources.

3. Delegation

• What tasks they eventually delegated, including administrative duties, social media, and bookkeeping, and how outsourcing has improved their workflow.

4. Budgeting Money

• Tips for managing finances as a birth worker, from saving for big expenses to reinvesting in their business.

5. Birth Debrief with Sophia and Clover

• A candid discussion about a recent birth, highlighting the emotional, practical, and professional takeaways from the experience.

Final Thoughts:

This episode offers an honest and practical look at the challenges and joys of building a birth work business. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for ways to scale your business, the hosts share valuable lessons on collaboration, delegation, and financial planning.

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Call to Action:

Join the conversation and learn how to balance the art of birth work with the practicalities of running a thriving business.

Stay Wild 🌳

Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Viji Natarajan - Chief Ayurvedic Officer and Women’s Health Expert

Episode Overview:

In this episode, your hosts interview Viji Natarajan, the Founder and Chief Ayurvedic Officer of Divine Journey, an international wellness company dedicated to women’s health. Viji is a trailblazer in integrating ancient Ayurvedic practices with modern evidence-based approaches in neuroscience, pharmacology, and genetics. She shares her insights on addressing anxiety, depression, burnout, and reproductive health, as well as tips for navigating health concerns for children.

This conversation is packed with wisdom, practical advice, and a holistic perspective on wellness and healing for women and families.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science

• How Viji combines Ayurvedic practices with neuroscience, pharmacology, and genetics to create transformative health solutions.

2. Supporting Women’s Mental Health

• Tools and strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and burnout through Ayurveda and lifestyle changes.

3. Reproductive Health and Healing

• Ayurvedic approaches to addressing women’s reproductive health concerns and supporting natural cycles.

4. Navigating Children’s Health

• Insight into integrating holistic practices for children’s well-being and development.

5. The Role of Ayurveda in Modern Life

• Viji discusses how ancient practices can be adapted to suit the fast-paced, high-stress lives of modern women.

About Viji Natarajan:

Viji Natarajan is an expert in women’s health and the founder of Divine Journey, a wellness company that provides deep, therapeutic healing to women worldwide. By blending the ancient healing system of Ayurveda with modern scientific approaches, Viji empowers women to take charge of their health and find balance in their lives.

• Website: www.vijinatarajan.com

• Instagram: @divinejourneyllc

• Facebook: Divine Journey 108

• Yelp: Divine Journey Reviews

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

This episode with Viji Natarajan offers a unique blend of ancient and modern approaches to healing and wellness, providing listeners with actionable insights into improving their health and well-being.

Stay Wild 🌳

Join your hosts Sophia and Angela as they interview Maddy Thompson on her student midwife experience, advocacy as a student, Covid, regulated midwifery verse authentic midwifery, meconium, nuchal cords, and cesareans. Maddy is Midwife located currently in Nicaragua who believes intuition is one of the most powerful skills that we can develop as humans on this planet. For most of us, intuition is likely natural and unconscious. Maddy believes it actually takes great diligence, sensitivity and skill to harness and differentiate between anxious thoughts, ego and true intuition. In modern society we dismiss intuitive knowing as a form of authoritative knowledge and as a midwife she considers intuition the most valuable asset. Throughout her years of mentorship and onwards into practicing as a solo midwife she began to understand this deep intuitive knowing and she began to trust in it more and more. Maddy encourages her clients to do the same. Question the status quo, listen to your bodies, what is it telling you? How do you feel in this moment right NOW”? It is her goal to return every birth back to the hands of the birthing women, as she believes to stand in authentic power means they shouldn’t even need her there. Maddy knows women have the ability to transform and find herself in the reflection of her birth experience, and Maddy's job is to assist this transformation. Maddy is grateful to be able to lead with the heart, to trust her intuition and to not live in fear. She is reminded that everything that comes to an end is also the beginning of something new. She will live her life with integrity, transparency and kindness and she hopes this love emanates to you. 

Website - https://msha.ke/maddythompson/ 

Blog - https://maddyunmuted.squarespace.com/ 

Instagram handle @maddy.birth.consultant 

https://givesendgo.com/G2YXJ

Thea's Episode: https://anchor.fm/bornwild/episodes/Thea-Rabb---Naturopathic-Doctor---S2E5-e1i1apv

Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: Jen Santos - Tongue Ties, Spinning Babies, and Chiropractic Support

Episode Overview:

Join your hosts Sophia and Lea as they welcome back Dr. Jen Santos for another enlightening conversation. This time, they dive into a range of important topics related to pediatric and prenatal care, including:

• Tongue and lip ties and their impact on feeding and development

• The benefits of Spinning Babies techniques during pregnancy and labor

• The importance of pediatric chiropractic care and its role in supporting growing bodies

• Understanding the difference between folic acid and folate, and the impact of MTHFR mutations

• Exploring ultrasound risks and considerations for families

• How cranial sacral therapy supports babies and mothers

Dr. Jen shares her wealth of knowledge as a chiropractor specializing in perinatal and pediatric care, making this episode a must-listen for parents, birth workers, and health professionals.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Tongue and Lip Ties

• Understanding the signs of tongue and lip ties in newborns and how they affect feeding, speech, and development.

2. Spinning Babies Techniques

• How Spinning Babies supports optimal fetal positioning and eases the birthing process.

3. Pediatric Chiropractic Care

• The importance of chiropractic adjustments for infants and children, and how they support overall health.

4. Folic Acid vs. Folate and MTHFR Mutations

• The role of folate in pregnancy, why it’s better than folic acid for some people, and how MTHFR mutations affect absorption.

5. Ultrasound Risks

• A discussion on the risks and benefits of ultrasound and how families can make informed decisions.

6. Cranial Sacral Therapy

• The benefits of cranial sacral support for babies recovering from birth trauma and improving latch or feeding issues.

About Dr. Jen Santos:

Dr. Jen Santos, DC, CACCP, is a second-generation chiropractor and owner of Acorn Chiropractic Club with three locations. She specializes in pediatric and perinatal chiropractic care and is passionate about supporting families through holistic health practices. Dr. Jen is also an adjunct professor at Life Chiropractic College West and regularly teaches seminars for the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.

• Email: DrJen@AcornChiropracticClub

• Facebook: Jen Santos

• Instagram: @JenSantosDC

Related Episodes:

• Chiropractic and Dynamic Body Balancing with Dr. Jen Santos: Listen Here

Listen to the Episode:

• Podcast Link: Spotify

• Instagram:

• @sophiabirth

• @bayareahomebirth

• @bornwildmidwifery

• Facebook: Podcast Link

Final Thoughts:

Dr. Jen Santos brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to this conversation, providing valuable insights for parents and birth workers alike. This episode is packed with practical advice and empowering information about holistic support for pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

Stay Wild 🌳