This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, makers of luxuriously soft bamboo sheets, blankets, and sleep essentials. Because your rest matters, mamas. Cozy Earth makes it easier to get the cozy, breathable sleep your body (and your little one) deserve. Use code HEHE at https://cozyearth.com/ for 20% off your order and treat yourself to the sleep you’ve been dreaming of.

Join HeHe in this re-aired episode as she dives into a super important topic: preeclampsia. She sits down with High-Risk OB/GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist, Dr. Lexi Hill, to break down what preeclampsia really is, how it can show up after 20 weeks, and the signs to watch for—high blood pressure, persistent headaches, swelling, or proteins in your urine. Dr. Lexi shares practical guidance on monitoring yourself, key risk factors, questions to ask your provider, and the medical options you might be offered if preeclampsia arises—giving you clarity, confidence, and tools to advocate for your health and your baby’s.

Dr. Lexi Hill obtained her BS in Nutritional Sciences with a minor in Spanish from Texas A&M University. After taking a year to volunteer abroad in Costa Rica, substitute teach, and work as a Medical Assistant, she attended medical school at Texas A&M followed by an OB/GYN residency in Phoenix, Arizona. The native Texan returned to Galveston, Texas to complete a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch where she received multiple teaching awards for her involvement with medical students and residents. Dr. Lexi Hill is licensed in over 20 states and practices telemedicine full-time to underserved communities. She is extensively involved with the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine to help advocate for maternal health care at both the state and national level. She has traveled extensively and enjoys incorporating her study of the Spanish language into her daily clinical practice. Her commitment to teaching self-advocacy skills to patients, as well as physicians, led her to start her own business based on the three pillars of EXPANDING knowledge, DEVELOPING skills, IMPACTING lives (E.D.I). With this concept, Dr. Lexi Hill shares data driven pregnancy information through social media, YouTube videos, and her podcast. She also offers virtual concierge consultations which require no referral or delays due to insurance. She truly has a passion to help individuals experience a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Connect with Dr. Lexi: https://www.drlexihill.com/

Resources from Dr. Lexi:

www.drlexihill.com/aspirin

www.drlexihill.com/fetaltesting

https://www.drlexihill.com/advocate

Link to purchase a module or book a consultation with Dr. Lexi

https://www.drlexihill.com/pregnancy-advocacy

Connect with HeHe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/

Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education and more resources like this that prepare you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!

Check out the original episode here. 

Feeling exhausted, foggy, short of breath, or just not like yourself during pregnancy and being told “that’s normal”? This episode is for you.

In Episode 417 of The Birth Lounge, HeHe sits down with OB/GYN PA and public health expert Kristy Goodman to talk about anemia in pregnancy and why it’s so often overlooked, minimized, or brushed off until it becomes a much bigger issue. Together, they break down what anemia actually is, how and when it should be screened for, and why catching it early can completely change how you feel during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

They explore how untreated anemia can impact energy levels, labor stamina, recovery, and overall well-being, and more importantly, what becomes possible when it’s properly identified and treated with intention. Think more clarity, more strength, better healing, and the confidence to advocate for yourself instead of second-guessing your symptoms.

Kristy brings an evidence-based, patient-centered lens to this conversation, helping listeners understand what labs matter, what questions to ask their provider, and how to push back when concerns are dismissed as “just part of pregnancy.”

This episode is grounding, empowering, and deeply validating. If you’ve ever felt brushed off, unsure whether what you’re feeling is normal, or just want to feel stronger and more supported in your body, this conversation will give you real tools and real answers.

🎧 Tune in to learn how understanding anemia can help you reclaim your energy, protect your recovery, and walk into birth feeling informed and capable, not depleted.

Guest Bio:

Kristy received a Master of Science in PA Studies and a Master of Public Health in Health Education and Behavioral Science from Rutgers University. She completed a postgraduate residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and has worked as an OB/GYN PA for over 10 years. She is an advocate for evidence-based, patient-centered care and has worked in a variety of women's health settings with a particular focus on preconception care.

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Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way

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This episode is brought to you by our Newborn Sleep Solutions Guide, because newborn sleep doesn’t need fixing, it needs understanding.

Newborn sleep can feel like one of those things everyone has opinions on… and somehow none of them actually help at 3am. In this episode of The Birth Lounge, HeHe breaks down what newborn sleep really looks like and why daytime sleep matters way more than most parents are ever told.

This conversation focuses on biology, not bootcamp sleep rules. HeHe explains how supporting daytime rest sets the stage for better nights, what wake windows actually mean for a brand-new baby, and how simple tools like swaddling, white noise, and a full belly can make a big difference. No rigid schedules. No “cry it out.” Just realistic, nervous-system-friendly support for brand-new humans and the parents learning alongside them.

You’ll also hear HeHe’s go-to tips for creating a sleep environment that works with your baby’s circadian rhythm (hello, darkness and sound), plus gear recommendations that are actually useful, not just trendy. She wraps it all up with resources like the Newborn Sleep Solutions Guide for parents who want clarity without overwhelm.

If you’re wondering whether your baby’s sleep is normal, or you just want a calmer, more intuitive way to approach those early weeks, this episode is your exhale.

Timestamps

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Grab your copy of the Newborn Sleep Solution here! 

If pregnancy sleep has you staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., running through every thought you’ve ever had… you’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong.

In this episode, HeHe sits down with licensed midwife, educator, and Milk Trails podcast host Hayley Oakes to unpack why sleep can feel so hard during pregnancy and what actually helps. From first-trimester hormone shifts to third-trimester heartburn, nighttime anxiety, and the pressure to “sleep perfectly,” this conversation is equal parts evidence-based and deeply reassuring.

Hayley brings over a decade of experience attending births in home, birth center, and hospital settings, plus her lived experience as a mom. Together, they break down how nutrition, blood sugar balance, movement, mental load, and sleep environment all play a role in night waking. They also tackle common fears around sleep positions (yes, including back sleeping), strategies for middle-of-the-night wakeups, and why self-care and nervous system support matter just as much as sleep hacks.

This is not a “just relax” conversation. It’s practical, grounded, and designed to help you feel more confident in your body and your choices.

If you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this episode will leave you feeling calmer, more informed, and way less alone in the sleep struggle.

Guest Bio:

Hayley Oakes is a licensed midwife based in the Central Coast of California. She has been attending births since 2010 as a doula, midwife assistant, apprentice and midwife, witnessing and supporting birth in all settings: home, birth center and hospital. Hayley is the host and creator of Milk Trails -- a podcast dedicated to the out-of-hospital birthing experience. In February 2019, Hayley became a mother herself and welcomed her second child in January 2022. She currently offers private consultations for expectant mothers planning hospital births who desire holistic medical support. As a midwife, educator and mother, she is committed to supporting women in having a safe and satisfying pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience to help grow healthy, happy babies.

Connect with Hayley: www.hayleyoakes.com

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This is one of those conversations that pulls the curtain all the way back.

In this powerful episode of The Birth Lounge, HeHe sits down with traditional birth companion and educator Billie Harrigan for an honest, unfiltered look at the modern medicalized birth system and how it impacts families. Together, they explore how maternity care has shifted away from physiology and toward control, efficiency, and liability, often at the expense of autonomy, trust, and emotional safety.

Billie brings decades of lived experience and deep systems-level insight to this conversation, naming the ways many parents feel silenced, rushed, or traumatized within institutional birth settings. They talk openly about birth trauma, why so many families are opting out of the system altogether, and what it actually looks like to center consent, choice, and community support in birth.

This episode is not about telling you what kind of birth to have. It’s about understanding the system you’re navigating so you can make informed, intentional decisions that align with your values. From the rise of free birth and traditional birth companionship to trauma-informed care and restoring birth wisdom to families, this conversation invites you to question what you’ve been told and reconnect with your own inner authority.

If you’ve ever felt unsettled by how birth is handled, curious about alternatives, or hungry for a deeper understanding of how we got here, this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

Guest Bio:

Billie Harrigan is a Traditional Birth Companion and owner of Birth Trauma Ontario in Canada who has been serving families for over 40 years. With extensive international experience, Billie understands the complexities of modern maternity services and the pervasive issues that contribute to birth-related trauma and negative outcomes. Today’s conversation will challenge your assumptions of the medical system and push you to expand the perspectives in which you see the delivery of healthcare in the US & Canada by discussing common tactics used by cults and the resemblance of hospital care. We dive into the impact of non-trauma-informed care on patients’ short-term and long-term well-being. Buckle up because this episode is like nothing else you’ve ever experienced!

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Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way

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Billie’s Traditional Birth Companion Program: https://billieharrigan.com/becoming-a-traditional-birth-companion 

Is hospital care actually evidence based? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3241518/

The System Isn’t Broken: https://billieharrigan.com/blog/2019/11/6/the-system-isnt-broken-but-its-people-are

Here is the link to the original episode: https://podcast.thebirthlounge.com/e/ep-218-hospital-culture-or-cult-behavior-with-billie-harrigan/

This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth, one of HeHe’s favorite things to have on hand for a comfy pregnancy and postpartum period! They’re also a great way to detox your home! Use code HEHE for 20% off the softest PJ’s, loungewear, or even new sheets to make your pregnancy and postpartum feel a little more luxurious: https://cozyearth.com/

In this episode, HeHe sits down with pelvic floor expert Nikki to talk about the part of birth that somehow never gets explained until someone is telling you to “push.” Yep. That part.

They break down how the pelvic floor actually works in labor, what truly helps reduce tearing, and how to push in a way that works with your body instead of against it. No fear tactics. No vague advice. Just clear, physiology-first education you should’ve been given way earlier.

Nikki shares practical, evidence-based strategies you can actually use, from breathing and positioning to perineal prep and postpartum rehab. They also get into advocacy, provider skill, and why your autonomy in birth matters just as much as any technique or tool.

This conversation is empowering, grounded, and full of “ohhhh, that makes sense” moments, whether you’re pregnant, postpartum, or supporting birthing families in any capacity.

If you want to understand your pelvic floor, protect your perineum, and walk into birth feeling informed and confident instead of guessing and hoping for the best, this episode is for you.

Guest Bio:

Nikki Bergen is a globally recognized Pilates expert, women’s pelvic health advocate, and founder of The Belle Method. With over 20 years of experience, she’s helped thousands worldwide build strength, restore function, and thrive through every life stage - through pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and beyond.

Learn from Nikki

The Core Restore Course: https://thebellemethod.com/core-restore/ 

The Push Prep Course: https://thebellemethod.com/push-prep/

Connect with HeHe on Instagram 

Connect with Nikki on IG 

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way

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Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection

In this powerful episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, HeHe sits down with Rajia, the founder of InvisaWear, to talk about a reality far too many women know all too well: moving through the world while constantly calculating risk.

Rajia shares the terrifying experience she had in college that sparked the creation of InvisaWear and why “just be more careful” is not, and has never been, an actual solution. Together, they unpack the deeply unsettling statistics around violence against women, where current safety systems fail us, and what real, practical protection can look like.

You’ll learn how InvisaWear discreetly weaves safety technology into everyday accessories like necklaces, bracelets, and even scrunchies, allowing you to alert trusted contacts or emergency services with the press of a button, without escalating a situation or drawing attention. The conversation also dives into self-defense strategies, rideshare safety, hiking alone, and the emotional toll of living on high alert.

They also explore the bigger picture: why legislative change, community accountability, and shifting the responsibility off women’s behavior and onto systems that actually protect us matters more than ever.

This episode is equal parts validating, infuriating, and empowering. If you’ve ever gripped your keys a little tighter, shared your location “just in case,” or wished you had an extra layer of protection, this conversation is for you.

Guest Bio:

Rajia Abdelaziz started one of the fastest-growing companies in America when she was just 21 years old. Today, she is an award-winning entrepreneur revolutionizing the personal safety industry.

Rajia is the Founder & CEO of invisaWear, a company that creates safety devices disguised as jewelry and accessories. With just two clicks, users can instantly alert friends, family, and-optionally-police.

Her work has earned national acclaim. She's been featured on the cover of Forbes 30 Under 30 in the Social Impact category, named one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe, and recognized on both the Inc. Female Founders 250 list and Inc Fastest Growing Companies list.

Rajia raised $3 million to develop invisaWear's technology, scaled the company to over $20 million in sales, and secured powerhouse partnerships with ADT and TELUS Communications, two of the most respected names in the security industry.

With over 3 million social media followers, Rajia isn't just building a company — she’s building a global movement to make safety accessible to all.

In 2023, she launched Smart Alert Holdings, a company focused on acquiring businesses that share the same mission of creating a safer world. Their first acquisition was Flare Safety, invisaWear’s only competitor.

Her companies have been featured on Good Morning America, ABC News, CBS, WBZ, TODAY, and more. They’ve also earned prestigious accolades, including TIME Magazine's Best Inventions, Fast Company's Innovation by Design Award, and the New England Innovation Award.

Connect with HeHe on Instagram 

Connect with Rajia and InvisaWear on IG 

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way

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Get 10% off InvisaWear with code HEHE

If you’re over peeing on sticks, overthinking charts, or trying to take your temp at the same time every morning, Tempdrop does the work for you while you sleep. Grab a discount with code AFHEHE at tempdrop.com/discount/AFHEHE.

In this episode, HeHe is joined by Dr. O’Daniel to break down the real tools and procedures used in labor and delivery, the ones no one explains until they’re suddenly happening to your body. Together, they unpack what tests like the ROM actually tell us about water breaking, when internal monitors like an IUPC are used, and what patients deserve to know before anything is placed inside their body.

They also dive into operative vaginal deliveries, including vacuums and forceps, how clinical decision-making works in those moments, and why true informed consent matters so much when things move quickly. Dr. O’Daniel explains newer innovations like the Traxi for safer C-sections in larger bodies and the Life Bubble, a game-changing tool for supporting NICU babies.

This conversation is evidence-based, honest, and incredibly empowering, especially if you want to walk into birth understanding the tools, not fearing them. Knowledge is advocacy, and this episode gives you plenty of both.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Tori O’Daniel is a Board-Certified OB/GYN whom has been practicing for 14 years. For the past 11 years she has been an OB/GYN Hospitalist at Mercy Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Dr. O’Daniel is the Medical Director of the OB/GYN Hospitalist program and the Department Chair of the OB/GYN Department in her facility. She also instructs educational classes and facilitates the OB Emergency Simulations for the nurses and physicians within her department.

She has been actively involved in the Society of OB/GYN Hospitalists (SOGH) for the past several years. She currently sits on the SOGH Board of Directors.

Dr. O’Daniel is passionate about education, and she actively teaches in multiple venues. She is a master trainer for Kiwi vacuum assisted deliveries; she travels across the globe to train residents and attending physicians in the 5-Step Vacca Method.

laborie.com

Check out the tools Dr. O’Daniel shared about here: https://www.laborie.com/products/obstetrics-gynecology/

Connect with HeHe on Instagram 

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Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way

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In this episode, HeHe sits down with Fahti, the powerhouse creator behind the Nella Speculum, to talk about something long overdue in women’s healthcare… a speculum that doesn’t feel like a medieval torture device. Yes, finally.

Fahti shares the story behind redesigning one of the most dreaded tools in gynecology and turning it into something that’s temperature-neutral, gentler, and actually built with patient comfort in mind. They dive into the real issues facing people during pelvic exams, how advocacy is reshaping the landscape, and why we should all expect better tools and better treatment.

You’ll hear about the design process, clinical feedback from both patients and providers, and how the Nella Comfort Kit is giving folks the option to bring their own speculum into appointments. They also unpack the recent TikTok controversy that highlighted major trust issues in women’s health care — and how innovations like the Nella can help rebuild that trust.

If you’ve ever braced yourself during an exam or wished the system cared more about your comfort, this conversation is going to feel refreshing, validating, and deeply empowering. Tune in to learn how the Nella Speculum is changing the future of gynecological care, one thoughtful design choice at a time.

Guest Bio:

Fahti is the Founder of Ceek Women's Health - the first company to develop and launch a modern comfortable speculum for women.

Learn more about the Nell and Ceek Women’s Health here: https://www.nellaspec.com/

Connect with HeHe on Instagram 

Check out Nella Speculum on Instagram

Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way

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You can see the inappropriate reel Hehe was talking about here.

In this episode, HeHe sits down with Dr. Sophia Johnson to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood topics in postpartum recovery: placentophagy. Together, they dig into the science, the cultural traditions, and the ancient wisdom behind consuming the placenta… a practice that’s been normalized around the world long before Western medicine ever tried to dismiss it.

Dr. Sophia breaks down what we actually know about placenta encapsulation, why so many parents report better mood, energy, and hormonal balance, and how oxytocin and postpartum hormone shifts come into play. You’ll also hear practical tips for handling and preparing placenta safely, plus a look at why these rituals hold such deep meaning across cultures — and why the traditional medical system still struggles to acknowledge the value of them.

If you’re curious about the real role the placenta plays in healing after birth, this conversation is rich, grounding, and packed with the kind of nuance you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in and let this episode expand what you thought you knew about postpartum recovery.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Sophia Johnson studied human medicine at the University of Witten/Herdecke. During her studies, she expanded my training and took part in the university curriculum for Chinese medicine and Anthroposophic medicine. Since 2014, she has been working as a researcher and completed my doctorate at the Placenta Laboratory at Jena University Hospital.She works in an outpatient practice specializing in integrative women's medicine.

Connect with Dr. Sophia:

https://sophia-johnson.de/en/

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Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way

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