In this episode of The Lamaze Podcast, host Joy Skow, CD, LCCE, sits down with Jaclyn (Jaci) Bonnano and her client, Fendy Estévez, to explore the emotional journey of labor, focusing on how to support birth givers through doubt. Fendy’s story and choice of homebirth with midwives highlights the significance of working through doubt, as she vocalizes her struggles during labor but ultimately finds strength and joy in her experience. Her journey exemplifies how normal doubt is in labor and how overcoming it can empower birth givers. We also discuss the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices, including waiting for labor to begin on its own, changing positions, limiting unnecessary interventions, and following bodily urges, and how to manage doubt while following these practices. Tune in to hear this inspiring discussion on the power of intuition and support in childbirth.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | https://www.lamaze.org/Education-Resources/The-Lamaze-Podcast/Episode/season-4-episode-5-what-does-pelvic-floor-therapy-have-to-offer

In this episode, Tanya Cawthorne, LCCE, FACCE, interviews Larissa Leone, the founder of Homb. Homb is a postpartum hotel in Melbourne designed to support families during the critical fourth trimester. Inspired by its founder’s experience with postpartum depression, Homb provides a sanctuary for parents and their families to recover, connect, and feel nurtured. This innovative model, popular in Asia but new to Australia, addresses both physical recovery and mental well being, aiming to prevent postpartum depression and anxiety. With a mission to make perinatal mental health support accessible, Homb empowers mothers to navigate the postpartum period with clarity and confidence. Tune in to learn how Homb is transforming postpartum care and fostering family connections.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | https://homb.com.au/ | https://www.instagram.com/homb_postpartum/ | https://homb.com.au/podcast/

In this episode, Tanya Cawthorne, LCCE, FACCE, connects with filmmakers Eleanor Currie and Amanda Banks to discuss their new documentary “Born at Home”. The film highlights the factors contributing to a positive and transformative birth experience, focusing on home birth as a key option. Amanda, with a background in health science and maternity advocacy, brings her passion for women's healthcare and informed choices, and Eleanor, a photographer and videographer, brings her passion for storytelling to portray home birth. They discuss what needs to change for home birth to become more accessible to women, advocating for better education and healthcare policies that support informed birthing options.

Eleanor Currie is a documentary filmmaker, videographer, photographer, and mother of two beautiful children, one unplanned cesarean and one born at home. She has a passion for telling stories about the human experience.

Amanda Banks is a documentary filmmaker, producer, and mother of two children, both born at home. She is an acupuncturist based in Brisbane and has a passion for advocacy and education.

About the Film

The “Born at Home” documentary explores and uncovers the empowering journey of home birth, shedding light on the often overlooked and misunderstood option that has transformed lives. “Born at Home” dives into real stories of women navigating birth trauma and examines how a shift in environment and informed choices can reshape the birthing experience.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | https://bornathomefilm.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/bornathomefilm/

In this episode of The Lamaze Podcast, host Joy Skow, CD, LCCE, catches up with chiropractors Dr. Shane Becker and Dr. Nikki Capasso-Boland to explore the benefits of chiropractic care before, during, and after pregnancy. Discover why chiropractors can be a valuable part of a family’s birth team, supporting both parents and babies from delivery and beyond.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | www.icpa4kids.com

In this episode of The Lamaze Podcast, host Tanya Cawthorne, LCCE, FACCE, sits down with Dr. Hazel Keedle, Ph.D., a senior lecturer at Western Sydney University and a leading expert in midwifery. Dr. Keedle shares insights from over 20 years in the field, discussing her research on vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC), birth trauma, and maternity experiences. She talks about her journey to earning her Ph.D. and writing her book “Birth After Caesarean”, while offering accessible advice for women seeking VBAC. Dr. Keedle also shares her top three tips for a successful VBAC, which align with Lamaze’s Six Healthy Birth Practices.

Dr. Hazel Keedle, Ph.D., is a senior lecturer of midwifery at The School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University. Hazel has more than two decades of experience as a clinician in nursing and midwifery, educator, and researcher. Hazel’s research interests are vaginal birth after caesarean, birth trauma, and maternity experiences explored primarily using feminist mixed methodologies. Hazel's work is recognized nationally and internationally, with many invited conference and seminar presentations including academic publications and a book for women based on her Ph.D. findings “Birth After Caesarean”. Hazel is the lead researcher on Australia's largest maternity experiences survey, The Birth Experience Study.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | Birth After Caesarean: Your Journey to a Better Birth by Hazel Keedle | What Women Want If They Were to Have Another Baby: The Australian Birth Experience Study (BESt) Cross-sectional National Survey | Parliament of New South Wales — Select Committee on Birth Trauma | New South Wales. Parliament. Legislative Council. Select Committee on Birth Trauma. Report No. 1. (May, 2024)

Black Birthing Initiative

https://chcimpact.org/chc-black-birthing-initiative/ | Black Birthing Initiative Survey

In this episode of The Lamaze Podcast, host Joy Skow, CD, LCCE, talks with Dr. Amanda Heritage, PT, DPT, PRPC; and Dr. Becca Jones, PT, DPT, CSCS, about the vital role pelvic floor therapy plays during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery. They highlight how fostering curiosity about the pelvic floor can build confidence and discuss the benefits of practicing pelvic floor therapy to prepare the body for all stages of life. Additionally, they explore how following the body’s natural urges to push — one of the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices — aligns with pelvic floor therapy techniques. 

Dr. Amanda Heritage, PT, DPT, PRPC, is the Founder and Owner of Breathe Life PT & Wellness. Her goal is to meet each person where they are on their pelvic health journey. Support and education will empower one to feel and move better. Dr. Amanda believes knowledge can lead to confidence within oneself to fully breathe life.

Dr. Becca Jones, PT, DPT, CSCS, is a 2016 graduate of New York University as Doctor of Physical Therapy. Her passion for supporting people through their pregnancy and/or postpartum journey inspired her to specialize in pelvic health. Dr. Becca believes in providing holistic, individualized care in order to restore comfort and build confidence to get people back to doing what they love.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | https://www.breathelifept.com/ | https://breathelifept.podia.com/ | https://pelvicrehab.com/ | https://www.pelvicptrising.com/map | https://pelvicglobal.com/directory/ | The Lamaze Podcast: An Intro to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy for Pregnancy | The Lamaze Podcast: Pelvic Health

Black Birthing Initiative

https://chcimpact.org/chc-black-birthing-initiative/ | Black Birthing Initiative Survey

In this episode, host Robin Douthit, LCCE, CD(DONA), CLC, MA, follows up with Chantal Traub, a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, birth doula, wellness coach, and pelvic floor health expert for part 2 of their conversation surrounding “From Pregnancy to Menopause”. Here, Robin and Chantal explore how information is still lacking when it comes to menopause. Chantal defines the stages and phases of menopause, sharing how it is a “different kind of birth”. Also, Chantal discusses what leads to greater symptoms of menopause and highlights the importance of developing boundaries and healthy practices women can use at all stages of life as they approach menopause. 

Chantal Traub is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, birth doula, and wellness coach based in New York City. She speaks often on the subject of pelvic floor health and the importance of safe and effective pushing during childbirth. Her work in childbirth has recently expanded to serve the health needs of women of all ages, with a special focus on the menopausal years, from perimenopause through post-menopause. Connect with Chantal on Instagram or Facebook.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | http://www.chantaltraub.com/ | From Pregnancy to Menopause: Wisdom From a Women’s Health Coach, Part 1

Black Birthing Initiative

https://chcimpact.org/chc-black-birthing-initiative/ | Black Birthing Initiative Survey

In this special episode of the Lamaze Podcast, Lamaze International Executive Director Silvia Quevedo, CAE, sits down with Julie Gwaltney, vice president for TOMY International. Sil and Julie celebrate the 30-year relationship between Lamaze and TOMY, highlighting the importance and benefits of organizational partnerships. They also discuss the value of playing with purpose for both parents and children, noting some special friends from the Lamaze line of TOMY products.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | https://www.lamaze.org/shop-for-a-cause | https://us.tomy.com/brand/lamaze/

In this episode, host Robin Douthit, LCCE, CD(DONA), CLC, MA, sits down with Chantal Traub, a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, birth doula, and wellness coach. With over 20 years of experience, Chantal is a pelvic floor health expert and the mind behind an innovative Pushing Power method, which you will hear about more in this episode. Chantal has educated thousands of parents on minimizing trauma and increasing the birthing experience. Here, Chantal and Robin talk about pushing and birthing methods. Chantal’s knowledge serves to people both of childbirthing age and beyond.

Want to hear more from Chantal? Stick around for part two of Robin’s interview with Chantal, coming this season.

Chantal Traub is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, birth doula, and wellness coach based in New York City. She speaks often on the subject of pelvic floor health and the importance of safe and effective pushing during childbirth. Her work in childbirth has recently expanded to serve the health needs of women of all ages, with a special focus on the menopausal years, from perimenopause through post-menopause. Connect with Chantal on Instagram or Facebook.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE | http://www.chantaltraub.com/

In the first episode of season four, host Robin Douthit, LCCE, CD(DONA), CLC, MA, sits down with Esther Kimani, LCCE, CD(DONA), who is a childbirth educator living and working in Nairobi, Kenya. Esther also serves as the Lamaze International Membership Committee Chair. Robin and Esther discuss the value of childbirth education and the Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices in action in Kenya. Listen in to discover what global perspectives you can take away and apply to your own practice.

Esther Kimani, LCCE, CD(DONA), is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and doula trainer based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has been working in the field of maternal and infant health for over 15 years, working tirelessly to promote the importance of childbirth education in Africa, one family at a time. Connect with Esther on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X via @estherthedoula.

Episode Links

https://www.lamaze.org/ | https://learn.lamaze.org/ | https://www.lamaze.org/LCCE