The ARRIVE Trial and the Term Breech Trial reshaped modern birth practices in ways researchers never intended. From skyrocketing inductions to the loss of vaginal breech training, these studies reveal how even “gold-standard” science can miss the human side of birth.

Clara invites you to take a mindful pause: to look beyond the data, question how evidence gets translated into policy, get curious about how the research was designed, and remember that true evidence-based care must center the individual—not just the research.

You’ll Learn:

• What the ARRIVE Trial and the Term Breech Trial actually found (and what they didn’t)
• How these studies shifted policy, practice, and training worldwide
• Why over-reliance on “evidence” can erase skills, intuition, and personal choice
• How to bring mindfulness into your decision-making about induction, breech birth, or any medical recommendation
• Why traditional and holistic birth practices still matter—even if they’ve never been studied

Mindful Reflection

“Mindfulness isn’t about ignoring evidence—it’s about pausing long enough to ask, ‘Does this research apply to me, in my body, in this context?’
 True evidence-based care is a dialogue between research, clinician experience, and your own wisdom.”

Resources Mentioned

• Download Clara’s Free Birth Plan Template, used at over 5,000 births.
• Ready for an evidence based birth class? Check out A Path to A Powerful Birth
• The Birth Advocacy Toolkit is a great option for expectant parents who have already taken a class but want to make sure their preferences are heard and want evidence based information to help make their decisions. 
• Evidence Based Birth: Evidence on the ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks
• Evidence Based Birth: Evidence on Breech Birth
• Grobman WA, et al. Labor Induction versus Expectant Management in Low-Risk Nulliparous Women. NEJM, 2018.
• Evidence Based Birth: “Evidence on the ARRIVE Trial and Elective Induction at 39 Weeks.”
• Nethery E, et al. Obstet Gynecol, 2023. Post-ARRIVE induction impact study.
• Hannah ME, et al. Planned Cesarean vs Planned Vaginal Birth for Breech. Lancet, 2000.
• Kotaska A. BMJ, 2004. “Inappropriateness of RCTs for complex intrapartum phenomena.”
• Goffinet F, et al. PREMODA Study. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2006.
• RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 20b (2017).
• ACOG Committee Opinion No. 745 (2018).
• SOGC No. 384 (2019).

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

We’re exploring a topic that often sparks curiosity (and sometimes a little skepticism): placenta encapsulation. Our guest, Adwapa Asensio—doula, mother, and founder of DouDouKare—joins Clara to unpack the science, culture, and spirit behind this centuries-old practice. Adwapa describes birth as both sacred and messy, and her journey into placenta encapsulation grew from a deep desire to honor the body’s innate wisdom.

Together, we discuss:

• What placenta encapsulation actually is (and how it’s done)
• Reported benefits like mood balance, energy support, and milk production
• The cultural and historical roots of placenta use around the world
• Safety considerations, hygiene standards, and when encapsulation isn’t recommended
• How to find a reputable encapsulation specialist and what questions to ask

Whether you’re intrigued, skeptical, or somewhere in between, this episode invites you to approach the topic with curiosity—not judgment—and to remember that informed choice is always the goal.

Resources Mentioned:

• DouDouKare – Adwapa Asensio’s website
• Postpartum Support International
• CDC Placenta Safety Guidelines
• Evidence Based Birth® has a helpful article that gives an overview of the research on the topic. 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Birth isn’t something to be controlled—it’s something to be surrendered to. Through real stories, gentle wisdom, and practical reflection, we explore why control can actually hinder the birthing process—and how cultivating trust, presence, and self-compassion can open the door to a more empowered experience.

You’ll learn:

• Why “doing everything right” doesn’t guarantee a smooth birth
• How the myth of control creates tension and slows labor
• What surrender really means (and what it’s not)
• A client story that shows the power of letting go
• Simple ways to prepare for presence, not perfection
  
  

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that true power in birth comes not from force, but from flow.

✨ Mentioned in this episode:

• FREE Birth Plan Template
• Clara’s Birth Advocacy Toolkit 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Welcoming a baby is never just about the birth itself—it’s about preparing, learning, adapting, and building a strong foundation as partners. In this conversation, Clara sits down with Kim and Will Kneeland, parents to 14-month-old Lily, to explore how intentional preparation and community support shaped their pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey.

Whether you’re planning your first birth or supporting someone who is, Kim and Will’s story proves that knowledge, teamwork, and flexibility create a foundation for confidence—no matter how unpredictable birth may be.

You’ll Hear About:

• Intentional Partnership: The big conversations Kim and Will had before pregnancy to stay united as a team.
• Education with Flexibility: How they filtered endless advice into an empowering, evidence-based plan.
• Advocacy Without Conflict: How Will calmly and firmly protected Kim’s autonomy when staff dynamics got tricky.
• Postpartum Joy Through Teamwork: Practical strategies for rest, shared responsibilities, and accepting help that turned the fourth trimester into a season of connection.
   

Links & Resources

• Join Clara’s childbirth class A Path to a Powerful Birth: www.clearlightbirth.com/power
• Follow Clara on Instagram: @clearlightbirth
• Share this episode with a partner or friend preparing for birth!

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Uncertainty is one of life’s only constants. Whether you’re awaiting labor, navigating a breakup, or supporting a loved one through illness, not knowing what comes next can feel like freefall.

In this intimate solo episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I open up about the seasons of my own life that shook me to the core:

• the unraveling of my marriage,
• a complete career pivot, and
• my mother’s breast-cancer diagnosis.

These experiences became unexpected teachers—mirroring the mystery of pregnancy and birth.

You’ll hear about:

• Uncertainty as a portal – how the loss of old identities can spark profound transformation.
• The identity shift of birth – why giving birth is also a rebirth of the parent.
• Common pregnancy fears – and a practice to uncover the deeper truths beneath them.
• Building self-trust – simple ways to practice surrender and confidence before labor.
• Life transitions as rehearsal for birth – how divorce, illness, or career change can prepare you for parenthood.

If you’re preparing for birth—or moving through any life change—this episode will help you see uncertainty not as failure, but as an invitation to growth.

Resources Mentioned:

• Journaling prompts for uncovering core fears (see blog post)
• Daily reflection practices to strengthen self-trust
• Guided meditation ideas for transitions

Connect with Clara:

💌 [email protected]

📱 Instagram: @mindfulwombpodcast
✨ if you’re looking for a mindfulness based childbirth class that will support you in confronting the challenges of uncertainty around birth, check out A Path to A Powerful Birth at www.clearligthtbirth.com/classes 

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

In this tender, deeply affirming episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with Sam Byington—former private chef turned postpartum doula and certified lactation counselor—for a conversation every parent deserves to hear.

We go beyond diaper tips and freezer meals to talk about the real postpartum: the identity shifts, the relationship changes, the raw beauty, and the quiet grief no one warns you about. Sam shares her personal story of miscarriage, birth, and the messy, magical transformation into parenthood—and how it ultimately led her to become the support she once needed.

Whether you're expecting, newly postpartum, or holding space for someone who is, this episode is a balm.

We explore:

• How miscarriage shaped her postpartum calling
• The emotional and physical truths no one told her about postpartum recovery
• Breastfeeding struggles and the myths that set new parents up to feel like they're failing
• How babywearing and bed-sharing became tools of survival and connection
• What sleep deprivation really feels like
• Intimacy, identity shifts, and learning to speak your needs
• The power of slow, grounded postpartum care—and how Sam now provides it to others

Quotes to Remember:
💬 “The birth of my baby was also the death of a version of myself.”
💬 “Postpartum is not a problem to be solved. It’s a season to be supported.”
💬 “I’m not here to fix. I’m here to witness, nourish, and be with.”

Connect with Sam:
🌐 postpartumnurture.com
📸 @postpartumnurturecoach

Mentioned Resources:

• La Leche League & The Safe Sleep Seven
• Postpartum Support International
• Babywearing and biological norms
• IBCLC lactation guidance

✨ Know this: the postpartum experience is not a checklist—it's a rite of passage. This episode is here to honor it fully.

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🎁 Use discount code: CLEARLIGHTBIRTH

***If these topics light you up, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening.

After you review the show - snap a pic and upload it here - and I’ll send you 70 printable affirmation cards as a thank you.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Okay — let’s talk about sex. Yes, sex during pregnancy.
This is one of those topics that so many people wonder about, but few feel safe or comfortable asking out loud. In this episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, we’re breaking the silence and diving into the truth about intimacy, safety, and desire during pregnancy.

You’ll learn:

• What kinds of sex are generally safe during pregnancy
• When to check in with your provider before getting intimate
• How libido can shift trimester by trimester
• Non-traditional ways to experience intimacy (and why they count!)
• What positions actually feel good as your body changes
• Red flags to watch for — and when to get support
• How to navigate emotional changes, gender dysphoria, or disconnection

Whether you’re feeling more sensual than ever, or not into it at all, this conversation is here to affirm that your experience is valid, worthy, and absolutely normal.

Mentioned Episodes:
🎧 Ep 85 – Rebuilding Connection with Dr. Michelle Waldron
🎧 Ep 47 – Pain-Free Sex Postpartum with Lynn Schulte

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

In this powerful episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with Farida Graham—educator, leader, and proud parent to 14-month-old Tammy—for an unfiltered, heartfelt conversation about navigating a high-risk pregnancy, confronting systemic bias, and fiercely advocating for herself as a Black birthing person.

We cover:

• The unexpected shift to “high-risk” at 20 weeks and what that really felt like
• How Farida made the courageous decision to switch care providers
• Replacing exercise with nervous system regulation tools like massage and breathwork
• How race and data informed her care decisions
• Preparing for postpartum before the baby arrived
• Facing and treating postpartum anxiety with courage and support
• Leading by example in the workplace around parental leave
• And the mantra that grounded her through it all: “Trust your baby. Trust your body.”

This episode is full of practical wisdom, deep insight, and the kind of honesty our birth culture desperately needs more of.

Mentioned Resources:

• Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net 
• Episodes 47 & 85 for deeper dives into intimacy and postpartum care
  
  

Connect with Clara:
 📩 [email protected]
📱 IG: @mindfulwombpodcast

Get 20% off your first monthly subscription with NEEDED Vitamins 

🎁 Use discount code: CLEARLIGHTBIRTH

***If these topics light you up, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening.

After you review the show - snap a pic and upload it here - and I’ll send you 70 printable affirmation cards as a thank you.

Your feedback helps this podcast grow, and I am so grateful for your support!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Have “get the epidural” circled on your birth plan? Or maybe you’re curious but not sure if it’s for you? In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what epidurals really are, how they work, what they don’t do—and why preparation still matters deeply, even if you’re planning on pain meds.

We’ll explore:

• What epidurals actually do (and don’t do)
• How they’re administered, and what it feels like
• Common misconceptions that leave people unprepared
• Side effects and interventions that often come with them
• What to do if an epidural fails or doesn’t fully work
• Why birth prep is still crucial with or without meds
• The essential tools every birthing person needs—no matter the plan

If you're planning an epidural, undecided, or just open to options, this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and ready to advocate for the birth you deserve.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Path to a Powerful Birth – Clara’s childbirth course blending research, mindfulness, advocacy, and surrender.

Research Citations:

• Anim-Somuah, M., Smyth, R. M. D., & Cyna, A. M. (2018). Epidural versus non-epidural or no analgesia in labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (5), CD000331. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000331.pub4
  
  
• Sharma, S. K., & McGrady, E. (2014). Early versus late initiation of epidural analgesia for labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10), CD007238. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007238.pub3
  
  
• Pan, P. H., Bogard, T. D., & Owen, M. D. (2004). Incidence and characteristics of failed conversion of labor epidural analgesia to cesarean delivery anesthesia: A retrospective analysis of 19,259 deliveries. Anesthesiology, 100(4), 908–914. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000542-200404000-00014
  
  
• Torvaldsen, S., Roberts, C. L., Simpson, J. M., Thompson, J. F., & Ellwood, D. A. (2006). Intrapartum epidural analgesia and breastfeeding: A prospective cohort study. International Breastfeeding Journal, 1, 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-1-24
  
  
• Beilin, Y., Bodian, C. A., Weiser, J., Hossain, S., Arnold, I., Feierman, D. E., & Martin, G. (2005). Effect of labor analgesia with and without fentanyl on infant breastfeeding: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Anesthesiology, 103(6), 1211–1217. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000542-200512000-00018

Get 20% off your first monthly subscription with NEEDED Vitamins 

🎁 Use discount code: CLEARLIGHTBIRTH

***If these topics light you up, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.

In this powerful episode of The Mindful Womb Podcast, I sit down with pelvic floor physical therapist Mitali Mohanan (she/her) to explore one of the most overlooked pieces of reproductive health: the pelvic floor. Often dismissed until postpartum, this essential group of muscles plays a foundational role in fertility, hormone regulation, emotional well-being, and more.

From her own journey after birth trauma to becoming a passionate advocate for this work, Mitali walks us through the misunderstood world of pelvic floor therapy. We dive deep into how tension (not weakness!) is often the hidden root of issues, and why breath—not Kegels—is often the first step in healing.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why pelvic floor therapy matters before you conceive
• How tight muscles can impact your hormones and fertility
• Breathwork as a tool to restore safety and connection
• Red flags you might benefit from therapy—even if you’re not postpartum
• How pelvic floor therapy supports emotional healing and trauma recovery
• Simple at-home practices to get started today

Who This Episode Is For:
If you're trying to conceive, healing after birth, navigating pelvic pain, or simply curious about your body’s deeper rhythms—this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Mitali’s practice: Revitalize PT 
• Listen to Episode 82: Unlocking the Power of Your Menstrual Cycle with Julie Lipstadt
• Explore pelvic floor yoga, breathing techniques, and fertility charting resources
• The Path to a Powerful Birth – Clara’s childbirth course blending research, mindfulness, advocacy, and surrender.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized advice.