To Birth and Beyond

In today’s episode, Anita and Jessie discuss C-Section Shelves. Jessie has been getting so many posts shared with her about it, and folks reaching out scared about the look and functionality of the area where it is. We are going over what they are, why they exist, and some tips if you are concerned about yours!

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Jessie’s mini core and pelvic floor coaching course: How to Coach the Pregnant and Postpartum Core and Pelvic Floor

Show Notes 

0:55 - 48-hour deal on Jessie’s mini core and pelvic floor coaching course!

2:22 - Jessie introduces today’s topic, and Anita defines a c-section shelf

3:35 - Jessie describes her experience with the c-section shelf

4:20 - Is something wrong with your core and pelvic floor if you have a c-section shelf?

6:17 - Is the shelf more pronounced if someone has had multiple c-sections?

7:54 - The aesthetic concern of it all: is there anything people can do to decrease the appearance of the shelf?

9:39 - Episode wrap up

In today’s episode, Jessie invites special guest, friend, and colleague Lauren Smiley to the show! 

We chat about her experience with fitness coaching for clients in pregnancy, postpartum, and pelvic health clients, and the unique and impactful way she goes about her coaching in a body neutral, fat-positive, and anti-diet culture way (while living a full life that includes homeschooling 3 children!).

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• www.thisisneeded.com - save 20% with code: BIRTHANDBEYOND
• Jessie’s Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy (PFSA) is open for enrolment!
• Lauren Smiley (Pre/postnatal personal trainer) (@thestrongmamatribe)
• www.laurensmileyfitness.com

Show Notes 

0:55 - Jessie’s Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy (PFSA) is open for enrolment!

2:15 - Jessie introduces today’s special guest: Lauren Smiley!

2:56 - Lauren shares what she does professionally, and how her work fits in with her life

8:20 - Lauren details how she started integrating pregnancy and postpartum education and modalities into her coaching practice

14:09 - On the importance of simplifying education for resourcing and impact (which is what Jessie does inside PFSA)

15:26 - Learn about Needed: Nutrition for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and women’s health (sponsored ad)

18:07 - Lauren shares how she builds her business while homeschooling 3 kids

21:37 - Lauren details what coaching does for her on a personal level, and why it’s important for her to continue to work on her business, even with so much going on in her world

25:28 - Lauren shares how she’s brought her own values into her coaching

29:35 - If you are on the fence about joining PFSA, Lauren has something to say to you!

30:50 - Where we can find Lauren online, and episode wrap up!

Today’s bonus episode is the audio of Jessie’s recent Beyond the Kegel - core and pelvic floor coaching workshop! In this workshop, Jessie is speaking to fitness and health professionals, but the information can be used by those who are thinking of making a career change, considering pregnancy, and/or are passionate about supporting someone through pregnancy or postpartum. Stick around as Jessie shares additional information about her Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy (PFSA), and how it can enrich your life and business!

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• www.thisisneeded.com - save 20% with code: BIRTHANDBEYOND
• Jessie’s Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy (PFSA) is open for enrolment!

Show Notes 

0:55 - Jessie’s Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy (PFSA) is open for enrolment!

3:01 - Jessie introduces today’s Beyond the Kegel workshop, and how we will be tackling today’s subject!

7:24 - Jessie introduces herself to those who may be new to the podcast and community

10:52 - Jessie gives a little core and pelvic floor 101 (the Core 4)

15:17 - Core and pelvic floor training for pregnancy

18:33 - Diastasis recti - what it is, and it’s time to calm fears around it

20:49 - Core and pelvic floor training for postpartum

28:58 - Learn about Needed: Nutrition for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and women’s health (sponsored ad)

31:38 - On the significance of customization in pregnancy and postpartum training 

34:29 - Your opportunity for significant impact is so great in working with pregnant and postpartum populations

35:30 - Jessie shares a bit more about her PFSA certification - and who it’s for!

39:10 - Jessie breaks down what you will see inside of the comprehensive PFSA education course (and how everything you are wondering is likely in this course)

46:04 - Jessie shares about the expert guest lecturers from multiple fields you will hear from in PFSA for a well-rounded education

51:41 - Jessie goes over the SALE on PFSA, payment plans, and bonuses

56:05 - Episode wrap up

In today’s replay of episode 314, Anita welcomes special guest, Samantha Garcia Gagnon, who will be chatting all about the role of a birth doula and postpartum doula. Since having her own kids, Anita uses and shares doula information in combination with physiotherapy expertise in her physical practice and Bump to Birth Method, while encouraging folks to have the support of a doula as part of their birth prep (and recovery) team.

Samantha Garcia Gagnon is a birth worker, specialized as a home birth doula and childbirth educator. “I am here to help un-complicate it all for you. With my experience both as a parent myself and as a doula in our community, I bring to your pregnancy and birth the knowledge and understanding to help you experience a deeply connected physiologic birth at home. This journey isn't just about birthing a baby, but also about birthing new parents.”

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• www.thisisneeded.com - save 20% with code: BIRTHANDBEYOND
• Bump to Birth Method - self-study: bumptobirthmethod.com
• Bellies inc. (Use code ANITA to receive 10% off )
• Bellies Inc Instagram
• Samantha’s doula and birth educator website: https://www.samanthagagnon.com/

Show Notes 

0:55 - Bump to Birth Method, self-study, is open for enrolment!

2:48 - Anita introduces today’s podcast replay

3:56 - Anita welcomes special guest: Samantha Garcia Gagnon!

6:24 - What is the role of a birth doula (and the difference between a midwife and doula)?

10:04 - On the doula’s role to bring a partner into the birthing process, not replace the partner in the process.

13:04 - Birth as a hands-on or hands-off process with a doula

15:14 - Benefits of hiring a doula

19:16 - Learn about Needed: Nutrition for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and women’s health (sponsored ad)

21:56 - Informed decision-making, advocating for practices, and evidence-based care: how a doula can help

30:19 - Some tips around the informed choice discussion

32:36 - How to choose a doula

38:33 - The role of a postpartum doula, and why to have one!

42:25 - On postpartum healing from a community-centered doula - and why Samantha operates her business in that way

47:42 - How to build the foundation to feel well getting back to movement, postpartum

50:00 - Episode wrap up (and how to find Samantha online)!

In today’s episode, Jessie sits down with Registered Dietician Megan Wallace to talk anti-diet culture nutrition and eating in pregnancy. Eating for pregnancy can be difficult enough with all of the changes to our bodies and lives that come with pregnancy - add on top of it the pervasive layers of body image issues, poor relationship to eating, disordered eating behaviors, and more. How can we eat in pregnancy to take care of ourselves and the fetus we are growing? How can we not get caught up in so many nutritional rules or go down a dangerous path back to disordered eating habits during pregnancy? Listen in - because today’s episode has all of that AND more (including tips for advocating for yourself in any sized body)!

This is a portion of a larger interview that can be found inside Jessie’s Prenatal Fitness Specialist Academy program.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Sign up for Jessie’s LIVE Beyond the Kegel webinar
• www.thisisneeded.com - save 20% with code: BIRTHANDBEYOND
• Megan Wallace, of Sprout Nutrition: https://www.sproutnutrition.ca/
• Find Megan on Instagram! 

Show Notes 

0:57 - Sign up for Jessie’s upcoming LIVE Beyond the Kegel webinar!

2:53 - Jessie introduces today’s special guest and topic

5:42 - Megan gives us a high-level overview on what folks need to feed themselves well in pregnancy, and why nutrition demands change while pregnant

10:29 - The pressures on pregnant folks to “do nutrition” in specific ways, and follow weight gain guidelines in pregnancy - and how it leads to overwhelm for many (it’s not just you!)

13:05 - Megan talks necessary nutrients for pregnancy!

17:32 - Folic acid vs Folate supplementation (and being aware of baseless claims on the internet)

19:34 - What are Megan’s hard NOs for pregnancy nutrition? (and the nuance of it all)

25:13 - Learn about Needed: Nutrition for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and women’s health (sponsored ad)

27:56 - On diet culture and anti-fatness in pregnancy 

29:34 - Megan shares how diet culture and anti-fatness comes up in her practice with pregnant folks 

35:31 - Megan shares how she works with people in larger/fat bodies whose providers are putting pressure on them to not gain “so much” (pssst - it’s no different from how she works with everyone else - give it a listen for advice on advocating for your needs as well!)

40:05 - On empowering folks to advocate for their needs, honest conversations with clients, and episode wrap up

In today’s replay of episode 243, Anita talks with Kristin Brown about everything from prenatal vitamins, to protein, vitamin D, and meal trains - all in support of YOU in pregnancy and postpartum!

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Anita’s Bump to Birth Method - self study course: bumptobirthmethod.com
• www.thisisneeded.com - for 20% off your first order, use code: BIRTHANDBEYOND

Show Notes 

0:57 - Anita’s Bump to Birth Method - self study

2:53 - Introduction to our special guest: Kristin Brown!

3:52 - What does it look like working with a dietician in pregnancy?

5:55 - What should someone look for in a prenatal vitamin, and when should they start taking them?

11:30 - Why would a prenatal vitamin contribute to nausea?

14:10 - Any recommendations re: iron?

16:18 - What are some myths around food in pregnancy?

20:03 - How can people get some of these nutrients in other ways - if they don’t eat eggs or fish?

25:10 - Tips so everything doesn’t go out the window in postpartum

27:37 - Learn about Needed: Nutrition for fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and women’s health (sponsored ad)

30:17 - Nutrients we haven’t covered that are important in pregnancy and postpartum

32:58 - Vitamin D guidelines for birthing parents and babies

35:47 - Why focus on magnesium?

39:24 - What on the nutritional side could help people manage nausea?

43:40 - What does Kristin suggest re: protein powders?

47:32 - What are some of Kristin’s favorite tips and recipes to think ahead, for those who are pregnant?

52:32 - Kristin shares from her birth experience to help others birthing twins

56:35 - How can people work with Kristin?

In today’s episode, Anita and Jessie get into the nitty gritty of initial healing for a cesarean scar, post-birth. This can be helpful if you are planning a cesarean, as well as if you aren’t (some considerations can be made for the unplanned). They cover Anita’s experience as a physiotherapist, as well as Jessie’s experience with both planned and unplanned cesareans.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Creatine Supplement from Legion - use code: JESSIEMLEGION

Show Notes 

0:55 - Jessie promotes her favorite creatine supplement: Legion!

3:36 - Anita explains what we are covering on the podcast today!

4:39 - Jessie shares the information she was given, specifically regarding her scar, prior to being released from the hospital

5:33 - Anita shares the story of a recent client experience with possible infection

7:35 - Jessie recalls her cesarean scar infection story - and how partners can help

13:01 - Jessie shares what she used to keep her scar/infection clean and dry 

14:28 - Anita details some common things you will see and feel with a scar, and explains the process of desensitization, as well as tools and strategy for desensitization

15:57 - Jessie shares what the most shocking thing was for her after the first c-section

16:45 - The argument for learning about caesarean birth recovery - no matter what type of birth you are planning for

17:17 - Additional scar recovery tactics and tools starting at 6-weeks postpartum

20:21 - Jessie and Anita share what techniques they use for scar massage

24:13 - Jessie recalls the bizarre feelings in the body - and the average amount of time it takes to heal

25:28 - Episode wrap up

In today’s episode, Jessie and Anita are answering a very specific question from a client of Jessie’s that came in recently, regarding how to reduce prolapse symptoms when you don’t have much downtime. Anita and Jessie will share their top 5 suggestions that can be implemented immediately, can take you 5 minutes or less, and will hopefully have a big impact on the reduction of those prolapse symptoms.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Creatine Supplement from Legion - use code: JESSIEMLEGION

Show Notes 

0:55 - Jessie promotes her favorite creatine supplement: Legion!

3:36 - Jessie explains what we are covering on the podcast today!

4:51 - Tip #1: Give yourself a pep talk (listen - we elaborate )

7:54 - Tip #2: Take a few s l o w , deep breaths

11:55 - Tip #3: Physically shake your body out

13:00 - Tip #4: Do a couple of mobility or strength-focused exercises (with examples)

13:40 - Tip #5: If you can get your hips elevated for a few minutes, do it! (with examples)

15:22 - Episode review and wrap up!

In today’s episode, Jessie talks with Elsa Isaac, personal wardrobe stylist for ambitious women, all about styling our changing bodies! We discuss everything from Elsa’s journey into wardrobe styling, her methodology to take the guesswork out of styling, and how to style for an ever-changing body (immediate postpartum and beyond). Elsa even shares what has changed in her personal style as a postpartum person in her 40s! So, strap in for today’s episode - you are in for a treat!

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• To Pregnancy and Beyond - Open for Enrolment (August 20-27) - https://programs.jessiemundell.com/to-pregnancy-and-beyond/
• Elsa’s FREE Body Shape Calculator
• Get Styled Podcast with Elsa Isaac
• https://elsaisaac.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/elsaisaac/

Show Notes 

0:55 - To Pregnancy and Beyond is open for enrolment!

2:52 - Jessie introduces today’s special guest, Elsa Isaac!

4:17 - Elsa tells the story of her accidental journey into becoming a stylist

8:30 - Elsa shares what made her shift from celebrity styling, to styling for ambitious women

13:05 - For the postpartum people who are listening right now, thinking “the clothes don’t feel good on my body” - where do they even start? (Elsa details the methodology she uses to take the wild guesswork out of styling)

18:58 - Jessie and Elsa discuss the surprising dramatic shifts and changes that happen postpartum, and how moving forward with curiosity and fun can help in these self-discovery situations

21:16 - How do we handle body and style as our bodies continually change throughout our lives?

26:01 - On the all-or-nothing approach of: I will update my wardrobe when I lose weight…

28:32 - What has changed in Elsa’s own personal style as a postpartum person in her 40s? (and Elsa shares about approaching style as play)

34:03 - How can people work with Elsa, and where can they find her online?

35:15 - Episode wrap up

In today’s episode, Jessie talks with Jenna - dance teacher, personal trainer, and previous participant of To Pregnancy and Beyond - about her experience rebuilding her strength, postpartum.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• To Pregnancy and Beyond - Open for Enrolment (August 20-27) - https://programs.jessiemundell.com/to-pregnancy-and-beyond/

Show Notes 

0:55 - To Pregnancy and Beyond is open for enrolment!

2:56 - Jessie introduces us to what we are talking about - and with whom - today!

3:39 - Jenna introduces herself

5:00 - On feeling pushed into the deep end with pregnancy

6:15 - What was the conversation in Jenna’s mind around whether this pregnancy was right for her? And how was the first trimester?

8:54 - What was Jenna’s physical experience like from her 2nd trimester through the end of pregnancy?

10:53 - Why did Jenna choose To Pregnancy and Beyond?

12:45 - What was Jenna’s experience like exercising throughout the whole pregnancy?

18:02 - On being wary of mom groups - and where we’ve found community

24:37 - Gratitude for one another, for TPAB, and wrap up!