The Birth Ease Podcast

Adrienne Bergthold returns to explain the foundational practice of Calm Birth: Womb Breathing. She shares her serendipitous journey of how Calm Birth found her. Adrienne elaborates on the history of Womb Breathing and what distinguishes Calm Birth from other birth meditation practices. She clarifies the benefits of meditation and the ways in which Womb Breathing can assist us to recognize fear when it shows up without identifying with it. She stresses the importance of differentiating mind from awareness. Together they discuss why the practice of Womb Breathing is invaluable for parent and child, and how the practice embodies true self-care.

Anna Humphreys shares her journey to becoming the director of Calm Birth and the altruistic vision behind it. Calm Birth is based in advanced meditation traditions of the Tibetan Nyingma lineage. The Calm Birth practices are evidence-based, non-religious, and rooted in ancient wisdom. These practices are grounded in time-tested techniques perfect for these modern times. Together, these practices teach parents to breathe completely, rest deeply, deepen their bond with their baby, and heal themselves and the world. Anna explains two of these foundational Calm Birth practices: Practice of Opening and Giving & Receiving.

Michelle chats again with Calm Birth Teacher-Trainer Adrienne Bergthold from last week's episode on breath, Naima Bond Teacher-Trainer, and Anna Humphreys the Director of Calm Birth. Together they share the long-established history of Calm Birth, the medical science behind it, and what the practice has brought to each of them and the families they serve.

Adrienne Bergthold shares with Michelle ways in which to have a better relationship with breathing and improve the quality of our breath. She explains the ways in which our breath can become interrupted or restricted, why softening the tension and rigidity within the body is so vital for breath, and why focusing strictly on belly breathing can cause issues.

Michelle talks with Midwife Robyn Mattox and Pelvic Physical Therapist Melissa Schubert about pelvic floor health and our deep core system in pregnancy. Together they discuss how the pelvis floor can impact bowel function in pregnancy, pubic symphysis dysfunction, and the importance of a trusting relationship with one's care providers, especially when there is a history of trauma. Robyn explains the role of the deep core system in keeping babies tucked, flexed, and in the right position for labor and birth.

Lindsey Kaupp, Occupational Therapist explains what painful sex is, what can be done to alleviate or change that, and what is normal versus common and what that difference really is. Together they stress why creating psychological safety is the very first step of addressing painful sex. Lindsey shares red flags to look for that alert someone when to seek out the help of a pelvic floor therapist.

Lindsey Kaupp, OT shares the whole person approach that a pelvic health occupational therapist takes. Together they discuss stigmas that surround mental health, pain, sex, and pelvic health, as well as the documented correlation between depression &/or anxiety and pelvic floor function. Lindsey explains the five functions of the pelvic floor, how the pelvic floor is a factor in lower back pain, and the impacts of chronic pelvic pain, especially as it impacts our ability to function as a mother.

Melissa Schubert, PT shares with Michelle the wisdom and energy of our pelvic bowl. Melissa explains how emotions, traumas, and limiting beliefs get stored in our tissues, as well as the mapping system within our pelvic bowl that allows for the release of the energy and emotions held there. She explains that when the flow of birth is interrupted it can create a disrupted birthing pattern that the tissues can be holding onto.

Melissa Schubert, PT further explains our deep core system, especially as it relates to the pelvic floor and our breath. She also answers all of Michelle's many long-time questions regarding kegel exercises and the pelvic floor. Melissa shares why it can be difficult to teach kegel exercises in a generic versus individualized manner and why learning to relax the pelvic floor is just as important, if not more so, than building strength.

Melissa Schubert, physical therapist, shares the evolution of pelvic floor physical therapy for women's health and the ways in which it can be of benefit after giving birth. She explains how our posture, our deep core system, our breath, and our emotions affect our pelvic floor. Together they also discuss how trauma can be held within the tissues and cells of the body. Melissa explains what the experience of receiving pelvic floor therapy can involve,  as well as symptoms that new moms may be experiencing that indicate that they would benefit from seeing a pelvic floor therapist.