The Tracy Donegan Podcast

Hayley Cava, a pelvic floor physical therapist and postural restoration certified provider, shares her experiences using GentleBirth for her second pregnancy and birth. She discusses the importance of movement throughout pregnancy and the benefits of being in a balanced state. Hayley also describes her journey into pelvic floor health and her passion for improving care for women postnatally and perinatally. She emphasizes the role of mindset and mindfulness in birth and the power of making informed choices. Hayley shares her own birth story, including the importance of vocalizing and feeling in control during labor. She also discusses her postpartum recovery, the impact of meaningful rehabilitation and why she chose to train as a GentleBirth Childbirth Educator.

In this episode, Tracy Donegan speaks with Grainne Byrne, Founder of Feel Norma, an online resource for women experiencing intimate health challenges such as vaginismus, pelvic floor issues, menopause, and painful sex. They discuss the need for holistic, intimate education and support for women and girls around the world. The conversation highlights the lack of education and support for women's sexual well-being, the importance of addressing psychosexual issues, and the impact of conditions like ADHD on sexual functioning.

In this conversation, Tracy Donegan speaks with Mamastefit Founder Gina Connolly about myths and misinformation surrounding exercise during pregnancy. They discuss the benefits of exercise, common fears and concerns, and the importance of listening to your body. Gina shares her journey of starting Mamastefit and the development of her programs and brand new book - Training for Two.

In this conversation, Tracy Donegan and Dr. Crystal Frazee discuss the importance of using mind-body practices to reduce burnout and navigate the challenges of being successful as a woman in today's society.

They explore the concept of the 'perfection paradox' and how societal expectations can lead to stress and burnout. They also emphasize the importance of listening to our body's wisdom and using it as a guide in decision-making. The conversation highlights the signs of burnout and provides suggestions for women to corral their time, set boundaries, and reduce overwhelm. They also touch on the impact of the 'good woman narrative' and the need to challenge unrealistic expectations. The conversation explores the concept of outside-in thinking and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. It emphasizes the importance of inside-out decision making and being true to oneself. The discussion also delves into the significance of emotion regulation and the impact it has on burnout. The practice of bottom-up regulation is highlighted as a way to connect with the body and mitigate stress.

This episode's conversation explores Maria Velo Higueras recent research on women's experiences of freebirth/unassisted birth and the reasons behind their decision. It highlights the need for trust-building between women and healthcare providers and the importance of offering services that women will accept.

Dr. Sarah Buckley discusses oxytocin and its role in birth and breastfeeding. Synthetic oxytocin, used in medical interventions during birth, is chemically identical to natural oxytocin. However, it is unclear whether synthetic oxytocin crosses the blood-brain barrier and affects mental health. In this conversation, Dr. Sarah Buckley shares the effects of synthetic oxytocin and epidurals on labor and birth. They clarify that oxytocin does not cross the blood-brain barrier or the placenta in significant amounts, debunking the myth that synthetic oxytocin can harm babies directly.

However, we acknowledge that synthetic oxytocin can cause indirect harm by increasing stress levels and overriding the body's natural pain relief systems. We also explore the concept of hormonal gaps and discuss the importance of skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding in filling these gaps and promoting bonding between mother and baby.

Rosemary Noonan shares her experiences with maternity services in Ireland and how storytelling through her art helped her navigate pregnancy loss and trauma. She discusses her journey to a VBAC and the challenges she faced, including difficulty accessing an ECV and a breach of confidentiality. Rosemary also talks about her passion for art and how it has been a healing resource for her and other women. She recently held an exhibition that focused on women's mental health and shared stories of infertility, pregnancy trauma, and work-life balance.

In this episode, Tracy Donegan speaks with Caoimhe Whelan, an IBCLC, about her recently published research - Mothers' Emotional Experiences of Breastfeeding with Primary Low Milk Supply. The research highlights the emotional challenges faced by mothers and the importance of accurate information and compassionate support. The conversation covers topics such as the prevalence of primary low milk supply, the need for better education and support for breastfeeding difficulties, and the profound impact of breastfeeding experiences on mothers' identities and mental health.

In this episode, Tracy Donegan interviews Alex Heath about the impact of birth trauma on women's health and the recent UK government's birth trauma report. The report, prompted by an MP's experience, aimed to understand why 30% of parents in the UK describe their birth as traumatic.

However, the report failed to address key issues such as obstetric violence and the high rates of induction of labor. The conversation also highlights the medicalization of birth, the fear of litigation, and the lack of evidence-based care in maternity services. The conversation explores the need for more honest conversations about the realities of birth and the importance of supporting parents who have experienced trauma. It highlights the anxieties and vulnerabilities that parents face, especially those who have had fertility issues or previous miscarriages. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-compassion and mindfulness practices to navigate the challenges of parenting and to recover from birth trauma. Alex discusses her work in training professionals in trauma-informed listening techniques and her efforts to provide support for parents who have experienced perinatal trauma.