Today’s episode is necessary listening for every prospective or current parent, grandparent, caretaker or even anyone who might be looking to add life-saving to their list of life skills! Because as me and Holly Choi - our wonderful and extremely knowledgeable guest on today’s podcast - conclude at the end of the episode, it's so important that everyone has some life saving skills for their family.

Holly Choi is the Co-Owner of Safe Beginning First Aid, a Lifesaving Society-Certified First Aid Instructor, a CPSAC-Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor, and dedicated mom to two daughters, ages 1 and 4. She shares with us her top four lessons parents need to know right off the bat. For example - did you know that even your newborn can roll themselves over (and off of a change table or bed)?

Every parent makes mistakes and that’s only human, but tune in to today’s podcast to dispel common misconceptions, learn ways to reduce the risk of accidents, and for recommendations on how to make the safest environment possible for your baby, including checking out some of the great resources we discuss, below.

Holly Choi | Co-Ownder + Instructor

• https://safebeginnings.ca/ 
• IG: @safebeginnings
• Promo code20% off online courses: shefoundhealth

Safer Sleep for My Baby: Helping Parents and Caregivers Create a Safe Sleep Plan

Safer Infant Sleep: A practice support tool for healthcare professionals

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Alicia Power is joined by Dr. Ellen Forbes, a board-certified urologist with a specialty in male fertility and reproductive health. Together, they dive deep into the often controversial topic of newborn penile circumcision, discussing the reasons for and against the procedure, the risks and benefits, and the factors parents should consider when making this important decision.

For more information, check-out this great resource: Circumcision of baby boys: Information for parents.

What do a pregnant person and an athlete have in common? A lot, according to perinatal therapist, athlete, and mama herself, Janette Yee!

Janette, who has a deep background in sports orthopedics and high-level rugby, shares her expertise on treating cesarean recovery akin to a season-ending - but not career ending - sports injury. She talks with Dr. Alicia about the importance of preparing mentally, physically, and your community for the chance (or certainty) of having a C-Section, including the importance of pre-surgery strength, mind preparation, realistic birth expectations, and building a supportive team.

A super helpful part of the process is seeing a physiotherapist, but that can often be prohibitively expensive and difficult to make the time for in the hectic period that is postpartum. Taking an online course like Janette's Cesarean Recovery Stage 1: Your Prenatal C-Section Preparation & Recovery Program is a fantastic, affordable, and accessible way to take recovery into your own hands, for just five minutes a day!

For more details, visit Janette's website or her many online channels @AskJanette on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube!

And don't forget to snag Your Complete C-Section Hospital Checklist, download the free PDF now!

Dr. Sarah Lea chats with Dr. Brie Budlovsky, an emergency medicine physician and aesthetic medicine practitioner based in Victoria, British Columbia. Together, they explore skincare during pregnancy, including product safety, common dermatological concerns, practical advice for expectant mothers, and not least of all, answer those burning questions we have around the safety of newer treatments such as botox, fillers, and more!

Be sure to check out Dr. Bri's Instagram, and the Canadian Cosmetic Hot List. 

Learn more about our Pregnancy to Parenthood Masterclass here!

In this informative episode, Dr. Alicia Power is joined by Dr. Megan O'Connell, an experienced anesthesiologist, to discuss various pain management strategies for labor and delivery. They delve deep into both non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods to help women manage labor pain effectively. 

Tune in to know what to expect when you're expecting, when it comes to pain management options!

Don't miss out on our Newborn Sleep 101 course where we share our experience supporting 1000's of families through this frequently challenging time - get better sleep today!

In this must-listen episode, Drs. Sarah and Alicia tackle the all-too-common challenge of morning sickness during pregnancy. Drawing on their experience as maternity doctors—and as moms who’ve been through it themselves—they dive into the numbers: how many women experience it and how long it usually sticks around.

They’ll guide you through the causes of morning sickness, why treatment is so important, and share a range of effective remedies, from simple lifestyle and diet adjustments to medication options. Whether you're in the thick of it or just preparing, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you manage nausea and vomiting with confidence!

Follow the these links for some recommended products to help you through:

• Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Acupressure Wristband
• Gravol Ginger - Nausea and Upset Stomach Relief
• B6 by Natural Factors - 90 tablets, 50 mg

You've likley heard the term "informed consent," but what does that mean in terms of navigating decisions in childbirth? In this episode, Drs. Sarah and Alicia dive deep into this crucial topic. They emphasize the power of being well-prepared through prenatal education, helping you feel confident and in control as you approach labor and delivery.

With real-world case studies on epidurals, postpartum hemorrhage, Cesarean sections, and the use of forceps and vacuum during delivery, they shed light on the complexities and potential conflicts that can arise between what's best for the pregnant person and the baby. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate childbirth with clarity and confidence!

To help you on this journey be sure to check out our online Pregnacy to Parenthood Masterclass and our free Birth Preferences guide.

Back to school is around the corner, and in that spirit we are revisiting some of our most listened to She Found Motherhood podcast episodes! Starting with this episode which originally aired in September of 2020, Drs. Sarah and Alicia answer your top 10 questions about early pregnancy, such as what bloodwork is needed, what does spotting mean, when to expect ultrasounds, and why you might be so gosh darn bloated!

Be sure to download our free Preparing for Pregnancy Guide, and check out these other episdes that dive a bit deeper into specific early pregnancy topics:

• Morning Sickness: The Low Down on Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy!
• Constipation & Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy | How to Manage at Home
• The Sad Truth about Miscarriage

You asked - we answered all of your burning questions about Cesarean Sections! Our discussion includes optimal time between pregnancies after a C-section, factors affecting type of wound closure post-C-section, and reasons why some people might choose an elective C-section even when not medically necessary. 

Consider downloading our Birth Preferences Guide or signing up for our free Birth Preferences Mini Course! For a deeper dive into all things pregnancy, birth & labor, postpartum and those first few weeks with your newborn, consider signing-up for our Pregnancy to Parenthood Masterclass, which includes 5 modules, bonus materials with subject matter experts, inside looks into birthing spaces, and so much more! 

And for bonus credit, here are the several other super informative episodes and guides we reference in relation to C-Sections!

• To TOLAC or not to TOLAC… That is the question!!!

• Twin Pregnancies! Double the fun and double the trouble!

• C-Section Scar Recovery with Janette Yee

• Top 5 Reasons for Cesarean Birth

• Silicone Scar Sheets

• Download our FREE Perineal Massage Guide!

Today’s birth story comes from Heather in Victoria, British Columbia and long-time She Found Motherhood Podcast listener!

Heather’s birth story starts off with a bit of a rocky pregnancy which lead to the preterm birth of her daughter and a rather long stay in the NICU. She describes the many challenges, and the small pieces of joy, she discovered on that journey. 

Part of the challenges she experienced included a significant amount of nausea in pregnancy. If you or anyone you know is suffering from nausea, DM us on Instagram or shoot us an email asking for our free Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy download!

And just as a reminder, if you love listening to these birth stories, share the link or screenshot the episode and spread the word! We’d so appreciate it.