Orgasmic Birth

Ep 114 Description: 

“We can't make birth better unless we understand what makes birth good.” —Dr. Elisabeth Bolaza 

Pleasure is not just a nice-to-have in birth - it's a vital sign of a healthy, empowered experience. Yet for too long, our culture has suppressed and shamed the very idea of pleasure during one of life's most transformative moments.

However, the groundbreaking research of Dr. Elisabeth Balaza is changing that narrative. Dr. Elisabeth is a reproductive anthropologist and the Principal Investigator of The Birth Pleasure Study. As the founder of Sorada Research & Consulting, she is committed to disrupting the status quo and making her work on pleasure, sexuality, and reproductive justice useful to everyday birthing people and their families.

Join this week’s conversation as Debra and Dr. Elisabeth share how prioritizing pleasure, joy, and bodily autonomy at birth can transform the maternity care system, why pleasure is a fundamental part of birth justice, the 5 different forms of pleasure, how the environment and support system around the birthing person greatly impacts their ability to access pleasure and physiologic birth, an important call-to-action for medical provider, and why developing a "birth pleasure management plan" can help birthing people feel empowered and in control. 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

03:15 A Discussion About the Birthing Body

10:48 Reframing Our Thinking About Enjoyment and Pleasure 

17:22 The Role of Providers  

22:58 Focus on Feeling Good, Not Alleviating Bad

29:11 Trust Your Birthing Body

Ep 113 Description: 

“Anytime you're being pressured or coerced into something, you're not giving true informed consent, and that is a form in itself, of obstetric violence.” —Rebecca Dekker

Too often, pregnancy and birth are shrouded in fear, misinformation, and outdated practices not supported by research. Many people are told their bodies are incapable, their pain is inevitable, and their choices are limited. But this couldn't be further from the truth. By challenging outdated assumptions and accessing the latest, most reliable research, families can make informed decisions that honor their unique needs and preferences. 

Rebecca Dekker is the founder and CEO of Evidence Based Birth® and the author of “Babies Are Not Pizzas: They’re Born, Not Delivered!” As a nurse, researcher, and passionate advocate, she is dedicated to making the latest, most reliable research on childbirth freely and publicly accessible to empower families to make informed decisions about their care.

Join in as Debra and Rebecca demystify alternative birthing positions and their benefits and list five red flags that you might want to switch to a different provider for your birth, 3 tips for preparing for childbirth and reducing anxiety about childbirth, what to know before scheduling an elective labor induction. 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

03:30 Birth Practices: Beneficial or Not

07:55 Watch Out for the Red Flags

15:13 Elective Labor Induction 

18:44 Different Birthing Positions and Their Benefits 

26:04 What Makes the Difference

Ep 112 Description: 

 “It is our birthright. Birth is not this something to get through and suffer through.” —Rebecca Rivers Ellisor 

Birth is a sacred, transformative journey that can unlock profound ecstasy and pleasure. This is birth as it was meant to be— a rite of passage infused with joy, wonder, and the electric thrill of new life entering the world. 

Rebecca Rivers Ellisor is a passionate advocate for pleasurable, empowered childbirth experiences. As a quantum hypnotherapist, full-spectrum doula, and founder of Born in Ecstasy, she supports women in cultivating the optimal internal and external environment for ecstatic birth and a sacred, nourishing transition into parenthood.

This week, Debra and Rebecca discuss the power of preparation in building a deep bond between the mother and her baby during pregnancy, the value of community support in creating a sacred and nurturing birthing environment, the benefits of shifting fear to empowerment, and tips for balancing motherhood with self-care. 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

04:02 Birth as a Peak Experience

09:04 Making Way for a New Being to Thrive 

12:38 Positive Birth Despite an Unplanned Pregnancy 

17:40 Who to Bring Into Your Birth Support Team 

21:46 Meeting Your Baby Beyond Form

27:10 Loving the Whole Journey of Birth 

30:04 Birth Deserves Our Care and Attention

Ep 111 Description: 

“We still plan our weddings; we still plan traveling, we know that they're not going to go according to plan, but we plan them. A birth plan is no different. It's what makes us feel most safe.” —Kerry Burke

We are the architects of a bold new narrative around childbirth— one that celebrates our innate power, reclaims our pleasure, and empowers us as active participants in this profound rite of passage.

At Peace Birth and Wellness owner, Kerry Burke is a doula and childbirth educator who found empowerment in her own unmedicated birth experience, despite a history of anxiety and panic disorder. Drawing on her personal journey, Kerry now guides expectant families to have informed, autonomous, and fulfilling birth experiences. 

Listen in as Debra and Kerry discuss how Kerry's history of anxiety and panic disorder served her in labor, what to do in between the sweet moments of labor, the importance of normalizing yourself to the process, Kerry’s vision for changing societal views on birth, the factors that helped her surrender to the sensations, and her transformative experience becoming an Orgasmic Birth Practitioner. 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

02:22 “My Body Can Do This!” 

10:16 The 5-1-1

13:41 We are Active Participants of Our Birth Stories

18:44 What To Do During the Sweet Moments of Labor 

20:13 Normalize Yourself with the Process

Ep 110 Description: 

“Not only do people deserve a safe birth and a respectful birth, but every person deserves a day that brings you joy.” —Debra Pascali-Bonaro

Tragically, pleasure has long been a missing piece in the modern birthing experience. Too often, birthing people are made to feel that expressing or even acknowledging their sexual or pleasurable feelings during labor is taboo or inappropriate. This harmful mindset not only robs individuals of the profound joy and empowerment that can arise during birth but also contributes to a culture of disrespect and trauma surrounding one of life's most sacred events. 

Therefore, this week's reflection is centered on the importance of reclaiming pleasure as a fundamental aspect of the birthing experience. Tune in as Debra shares her passionate insights on challenging the societal taboos around sexuality and sensuality in birth and her vision for a radical transformation of maternity care that prioritizes the holistic well-being of birthing individuals. Plus, discover resources that can help you celebrate your body, your baby, and your birth. 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

02:32 Doula Skills are Life Skills 

06:09 Peaceful Birth, Peaceful World 

10:01 The Problem with the Current Birthing Model 

14:50 What Can Harm You

18:18 Stay Tuned for Exciting Updates!

Ep 109 Description: 

“Children who know the correct words for their body parts also have a lower risk of being sexually abused. So it helps keep your child safe, in addition to giving them that sense of ownership over their bodies that they'll hopefully carry their whole lives.” —Dorian Solot

The topic of sex and sexuality is still widely considered taboo when it comes to discussing it with children. Many parents feel uncomfortable or ill-equipped to have open, age-appropriate conversations about these sensitive subjects. And there is also a pervasive cultural narrative that children should be "protected" from knowledge about their own bodies and sexuality. 

Dorian Solot is a mom, author, and sexuality educator who is passionate about empowering others especially young children to understand and celebrate their bodies. Through her work, including her two new children's books, Dorian aims to break the cycle of avoidance around sex and sexuality education. By normalizing discussions about anatomy, boundaries, and pleasure, Dorian's mission is to foster greater self-awareness, confidence, and safety in the next generation.

In this episode, Debra and Dorian share tips and wisdom on how parents can raise children who love their bodies. Tune in as they discuss the importance of parents using correct anatomical terms with young children, avoiding shame, and having ongoing conversations about sexuality rather than a single "big talk", why this step is necessary for helping kids build awareness and cultivate a positive relationship with their bodies, how this can safeguard children from sexual abuse, and more.  

Check Out Dorian’s New Books: All About Penises and All About Vulvas & Vaginas at: https://learningaboutbodies.com/

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

02:36 Starting at Home 

08:24 Taking the Birth Wisdom to Practice

14:38 How Parents Can Teach Their Kids About Their Bodies

19:07 Befriend Your Body

21:27 How to Succeed with “The Talk” 

Ep 108 Description: 

“Pregnancy and new parenthood are not for the faint of heart. But it's okay to feel a little out of sorts. It's okay to feel overwhelmed. That doesn't mean you're a bad person or bad parent— it means you're human. Softening towards yourself is important.” —Olivia Bergeron

Postpartum is a time of immense change and adjustment. New mothers are navigating physical and emotional recovery from childbirth while also learning to care for a newborn. It can be an overwhelming experience made more difficult by a lack of support and self-care. 

Olivia Bergeron is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist who founded Mommy Groove Therapy and Parent Coaching to help moms and dads through empathy, connection, and self-care. She teaches postpartum doula workshops and provides virtual parent coaching to support new parents' mental health and ease the challenges of postpartum.

Don’t miss this week’s episode as Debra and Olivia dive into the importance of validating the challenges of postpartum, giving time for self-care, especially for new mothers, the power of challenging negative thoughts and self-criticism, and the benefits of preparing for postpartum care early on. 

Grab Olivia’s Gift for Parents: https://rebrand.ly/qs4parents 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

02:47 A Focus on Postpartum Care

10:04 Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety

14:14 Cultivation Positivity During Challenging Times

18:59 Preparing for Parenthood

Ep 107 Description: 

“We don't get to choose our labor; we get to choose how we respond.” —Tamara Walker

While birth plans aim to prepare us for what's to come, the reality is that labor does not always go according to plan. Tamara Walker's story is a powerful example of just how quickly things can change. With her first birth, she felt in control as labor progressed gradually over many hours. However, her second showed her how unpredictable it can be.

Tamara is a childbirth educator and doula. With over 20 years of experience in nursing and birth work, she is passionate about empowering birthing people through education. Tamara teaches childbirth classes through Birth Bootcamp and offers doula services to help clients achieve their desired birth experiences.

Listen in as Tamara talks about the stark differences she observed between a hospital birth and one at a birthing center as well as insights from her own labors— one a long but gradual process, and the other taking an unexpected turn requiring intervention on the side of a highway.

Debra and Tamara also discuss how the unexpected can occur in labor and the importance of listening to your body's cues, the importance of open communication and emotional support, the role of education and trust in creating positive birth experiences, the need to choose the right birth support team, and the importance of processing emotions after birth even when the outcome was positive.

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

03:30 The Importance of Preparation  

09:09 Powerful Birth Stories

14:52 Navigating Unexpected Birth Experiences

20:40 Birthing in a Car!

25:13 Preparation for a Positive Birth Experience 

Ep 106 Description: 

“We shouldn't underestimate our emotions and what that can do to us as we are carrying the child and giving birth.”  —Ma Ananda Sarita

Tantra offers powerful tools to prepare the mind, body, and spirit for birth. As birth approaches, Tantra encourages transcending cultural conditioning of pain to rediscover birth as a natural, ecstatic process. With regular practice, its methods support relaxing into birth's unfolding rather than resisting it through fear. 

This week, Debra sits with world-renowned Tantra Master, Ma Ananda Sarita to discuss conscious conception, conscious pregnancy, and conscious birth. As a master healer, she guides students on the spiritual path of self-realization through Tantra, meditation, and healing past psychological issues.

Listen in as Debra and Ma Ananda talk about the spiritual essence of Tantra, exploring its application to meditation, love, and devotion, cultural conditioning and past experiences that hinder women's potential, the importance of deconditioning and trusting the body's natural abilities, the connection between meditation, conscious conception, and pleasure in motherhood and birth, as well as the transformative potential of this approach. 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

04:34 Sexuality and Motherhood  

11:26 The Importance of Pre-Conception Care

18:53 Deconditioning From Pain

24:10 Tantra for Sexual Healing and Ecstasy 

32:01 Spirituality and Birth Practices

Ep 105 Description: 

“Fear is a natural response, but it doesn't have to control your birth experience. With the right preparation, support, and mindset. You can transform that fear into confidence and have a powerful, empowering positive birth.” —Debra Pascali-Bonaro

While fear is a natural human response, cultural and medical environment factors appear to be exacerbating childbirth fears rather than alleviating concerns for many. This not only leads to physical, emotional, and psychological trauma for the mother but also undermines the bonding experience between mother and child during the critical early period.  

In this episode, Debra outlines several thought-provoking reasons for increasing fear levels plus 8 tips to help women face their worries and embrace labor as a personal journey of strength, connection, and empowerment. Tune in!

If you are a doula, nurse, midwife, or birth worker who would like to expand your practice with pleasure and Orgasmic Birth - Learn more at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/orgasmic-birth-practitioner-training/ 

Debra also has a class on positively preparing for a cesarean or a VBAC vaginal birth after cesarean https://orgasmicbirth.thinkific.com/courses/cesarean-vbac 

Connect with Debra!

Website: https://www.orgasmicbirth.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orgasmicbirth

X: https://twitter.com/OrgasmicBirth 

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/OrgasmicBirth1 

Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@orgasmicbirth 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-pascali-bonaro-1093471 

Episode Highlights:

00:50 Fear of Childbirth Increasing Trend

04:49 The Need for Safety and Privacy    

10:44 Key Ingredients: Right Preparation, Support, and Mindset 

15:37 Reclaim Your Birth