This episode of The POPPED Podcast, kicks off a five-part deep dive into baby sleep. Dr. Emily Muery reframes the way parents think about newborn rest, showing why short stretches, frequent waking, and contact naps aren’t problems to fix — they’re exactly how babies are designed to sleep. Instead of chasing impossible expectations, this episode helps parents understand what’s normal, what’s not, and how to find support through the intensity of the newborn stage.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why newborn sleep cycles are biologically short and fragmented.
• How REM sleep fuels brain growth and protects infants.
• What’s developmentally appropriate in the first 0–3 months.
• Why “independent sleep” is more cultural than biological.
• How to respond to outside pressure and reframe sleep “success.”
• Practical ways parents can find rest, support, and perspective.

This conversation is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself and start trusting that your baby’s sleep is working exactly as nature intended.

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery explores a critical — and often overlooked — moment in birth: when to cut the cord.

She unpacks the physiology behind delayed cord clamping, why those extra minutes matter, and what happens when we rush a process the body isn’t done with. From oxygenation to iron levels, stem cell transfer to emotional bonding, the umbilical cord is still hard at work after birth — and honoring that process can change everything about your baby’s transition to life.

Whether you're planning a hospital birth, home birth, or cesarean, this episode gives you the tools to ask better questions, build a birth plan that reflects your values, and understand the science behind one of the first decisions made after delivery.

You’ll also learn:

• What the cord actually does after birth (and why it keeps pulsing)
• How early clamping became routine in modern medicine
• What the research says about delayed clamping and long-term outcomes
• How to advocate for your preferences in different birth settings
• What to do if early clamping is necessary — and how to support your baby afterward
• Plus: Lotus birth, cord burning, and why this moment means more than we think

If you’ve never heard of delayed cord clamping — or thought it was just for “crunchy” parents — this episode will shift your perspective and leave you feeling informed, confident, and connected to your baby’s beginning.

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery dives into the power of visualization in preparing for labor and birth. Instead of a rigid checklist, she explores how visual birth plans can help expecting mothers connect with their bodies, their babies, and their desired birth experiences on a deeper level.

The conversation highlights:

• The science of visualization and why mental rehearsal matters
• How visual birth plans differ from traditional written plans
• The balance between holding a vision and releasing expectations of the journey
• Practical ways to create your own vision—through affirmations, playlists, imagery, and sensory anchors

This inspiring episode invites you to dream up your birth with intention while staying open to the unique path your labor may take.

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery breaks down the truth about pregnancy cravings — what they are, where they come from, and why they’re not as random as they might seem.

Cravings during pregnancy are often chalked up to hormones or quirky stereotypes, but there’s more happening behind the scenes. Dr. Muery explores how biology, hormonal shifts, gut changes, and emotional imprints all play a role in shaping what (and when) we crave.

From pickles to pastries, this episode dives into:

• Why some cravings are nutrient-driven… and some are nervous system-driven
• How hormonal changes can blur your hunger and fullness signals
• The surprising influence of your gut microbiome on what you want to eat
• The feedback loop that affects your cravings
• A breakdown of common cravings and what your body might actually be asking for

Whether you’re constantly craving carbs or wondering why ice suddenly sounds amazing, this episode will help you decode the signal behind the snack — and feel more empowered in the process.

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery unpacks the experience of sensory overload during pregnancy (and postpartum) — when smells, sounds, lights, textures, and even food can suddenly feel like too much.She breaks down the biological and nervous system shifts behind these changes and explains why your body becomes more reactive to everyday input. From the pregnant nose to visual clutter to the feeling of being “touched out,” this episode explores each sense individually and offers tangible tools to help regulate your system.You’ll learn:* Why your senses are heightened * How sensory input impacts your nervous system (and emotions)* Practical strategies to soothe overwhelm in each of the five senses* Why this isn’t about being dramatic — it’s about being wise and responsiveThis episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling overstimulated, under-supported, or simply craving more space in a world that doesn’t slow down when your body says “enough.”This episode is sponsored by The Final PunctuationVisit thefinalpunctuation.com

In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery shares the most overlooked (and totally free) tool for supporting your baby’s development: floor time. From reflex integration to sensory exploration, she explains why giving babies space to move on their own terms is essential for brain-body development — and how modern parenting culture often complicates what should be simple.

You’ll learn how movement wires the brain, what actually happens in baby gear like bouncers and loungers, and why floor time builds more than muscles — it builds focus, coordination, and confidence. Dr. Emily also debunks the myth that parents need to entertain their baby 24/7 and reframes independent play as a powerful step toward healthy development.

Whether you’re a new parent or a seasoned one, this episode will help you feel empowered, not overwhelmed — and remind you that the floor is enough.

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This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery explores what recovery can look like after common birth interventions like epidurals, Pitocin, C-sections, antibiotics, magnesium sulfate, and more. While these tools can be necessary and even life-saving, they also impact how your body heals after birth—and that part is rarely talked about. If you’ve been asking yourself:

• How do I recover from birth interventions?
• How do I recover from an epidural?
• How do I recover from Pitocin?
• How do I recover from my C-section?
• How do I recover from antibiotics?
• How do I recover from magnesium?
• How do I recover from tears?
• How do I recover from scar tissue?
• How do I recover from birth trauma?

THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU!

Dr. Emily walks you through what your nervous system, fascia, gut, and hormones might still be processing weeks or even months postpartum. She breaks down how birth interventions can influence pelvic alignment, scar tissue, lymphatic flow, and even baby’s adjustment to life outside the womb. You’ll learn how to support your healing through gentle, natural tools like chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy, breathwork, movement, nourishment, and rest—without the pressure to “bounce back.”

Whether you had one intervention or many, this episode reminds you that your recovery matters, that it’s never too late to start supporting your body, and that healing is always possible—with the right tools, the right awareness, and a whole lot of grace.

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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 this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery unpacks one of early parenthood’s most stressful (and misunderstood) challenges: the carseat meltdown.

From the lens of nervous system development and primal instincts, you'll learn why many infants struggle with containment and separation during car rides—and why it has nothing to do with being a “bad sleeper” or “fussy baby.” Dr. Emily explores how sensory processing, vestibular immaturity, and the innate need for proximity contribute to carseat distress, and she shares practical tools to help ease the tension for both baby and parent.

Whether you’re dreading your next road trip or simply looking for a little peace between errands, this episode will leave you feeling validated, informed, and empowered to navigate carseat chaos with confidence.

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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In this episode of The POPPED Podcast, Dr. Emily Muery gives a peek inside her doula bag and walks you through the go-to tools she brings to every birth so you can build your birth bag, hospital bag, or something in between! From hands-on comfort measures to energy-shifting items like affirmation cards and battery candles, Emily shares the what and—more importantly—the why behind each item.

You’ll also hear:

• Her must-haves for labor support
• How she personalizes her bag for each birth
• What partners can pack to feel prepared, confident, and supportive

Whether you're a doula-in-training, a birth partner getting ready for game day, or just love a good behind-the-scenes breakdown, this episode offers practical insights with heart.

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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In this episode of The POPPED Podcast Dr. Emily Muery breaks down a common — but often dismissed — source of pain in pregnancy: Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD).

She kicks things off with a Popped Quiz to help listeners recognize what’s normal versus what’s just common (and not okay to ignore). Then, she dives deep into what SPD actually is, why it happens, and how to tell the difference between “normal discomfort” and dysfunction.

From the anatomy of the pubic joint to the emotional toll pelvic pain can take, this episode is packed with validation, education, and practical tools. Whether you’re currently pregnant, supporting someone who is, or preparing for birth, you’ll walk away with insights that matter — and the reminder that you don’t have to suffer through pain just because it’s “part of the deal.”

This episode is sponsored by The Final Punctuation

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