To Birth and Beyond

In today’s episode, Anita is going to talk about the power of creating a cozy and calm birth space. So, whether you are planning to become pregnant, you are pregnant, or you work with pregnant clients, this episode will give you insights into things you may never have thought about before - because we aren’t usually thinking about the atmosphere, and how it can affect laboring, itself! So, whether you are having a home birth, hospital birth, or birth center birth, you will have tips and tricks to create this cozy and calm environment.

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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

• Episode 314: The Importance of Including a Doula on Your Birthing/Postpartum Team, with Samantha Garcia Gagnon
• Bump to Birth Course (self study): bumptobirthmethod.com

Show Notes

0:55 - What today’s episode is going to be all about!

1:47 - How Anita leads her clients through creating a cozy environment at home

4:48 - It could be helpful to write the information in today’s episode down! - Anita discusses her 1-page birthing template for her clients

6:00 - Sense #1: Sight (what could you visually do/see in your laboring space that could help your nervous system stay in relaxation?)

12:50 - Sense #2: Sound (what could you listen to that could help your body go into that rest and relaxation state?)

21:54 - Sense #3: Smell (incorporating scents for relaxation)

26:00 - Sense #4: Touch (what’s physically touching you, tools for the process, etc)

33:20 - IMPORTANT: Your Support Team

34:52 - Episode wrap up

In today’s episode, Jessie talks through her 2024 fitness priority. What it is, why she set it as her priority NOW, and why she’s changed how she approaches new year goal setting (especially 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

Show Notes

0:55 - Strong in 20 - Jessie’s free, on-demand workshop + workout

2:48 - Welcome to the new year!

4:25 - What we are talking about today!

5:09 - Last year’s fitness goal for Jessie - and where she got with it!

5:52 - The goal for 2024 is…

7:22 - In classic Jessie fashion, over the break, she ended up in the hospital!

14:21 - The reason why Jessie’s 2024 fitness priority came to her during this time in the hospital…

16:56 - Let’s go for it! (what does she MEAN?!)

18:02 - What Jessie’s intention REALLY is in this new year (and looking back to move forward)

19:04 - Let Jessie know on IG if you are feeling her vibe heading into 2024, as well!

In today’s episode, Jessie and Anita talk fitness marketing near year’s end, what it gets wrong, and how you can choose to approach the new year, free of dubious expectations!

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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

Show Notes

0:55 - Strong in 20 - Jessie’s free, on-demand workshop + workout

2:48 - What we are talking about, today!

3:53 - Does the end-of-year marketing impact us at all? (yes and no)

6:15 - The fitness industry messaging at this time of year, and reliance on motivation

11:01 - Anita walks us through her month-by-month review at the end of the year and her fresh look at goals

17:50 - We share our 2024 goals and things we are looking forward to

23:21 - Wrap up

In today’s episode, Anita and Jessie run down the top 8 podcast episodes of 2023. In no particular order, they discuss everything from mentally and physically preparing for birth, to exercise and recovery…and beyond!

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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

Show Notes

0:55 - Check out Anita’s self-paced Bump to Birth Method Course

2:48 - What today’s episode is all about

4:20 - Episode 307: 7 Steps to Mentally and Physically Prepare for Birth – Including Pelvic Floor Prep

5:45 - Episode 299: An Exercise Approach for Pregnancy & Postpartum After Eating Disorder Recovery

7:58 - Episode 293: 6 Movements to Include in Pre and Postnatal Workouts

9:15 - Episode 281: Informed Decision-Making During Birth with Mandy Irby

11:08 - Episode 278: From Bump to Birth Method to Recovery – Rachel’s Birth Story

12:00 - Episode 277: Black Motherhood and Breastfeeding in America, with Ashley Mitchell

13:23 - Episode 270: Understanding the Impacts of Weight and Size Stigma in Pregnancy

15:33 - Episode 267: Build A Pelvic Floor Symptoms Flare Up Plan

18:51 - Thank you for another amazing year with the podcast!

In today’s episode, Anita and Jessie run down the top 8 podcast episodes of 2023. In no particular order, they discuss everything from mentally and physically preparing for birth, to exercise and recovery…and beyond!

- - - - - - - - -

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

• Bump to Birth Method - self-paced course
• Episode 307: 7 Steps to Mentally and Physically Prepare for Birth – Including Pelvic Floor Prep
• Episode 299: An Exercise Approach for Pregnancy & Postpartum After Eating Disorder Recovery
• Episode 293: 6 Movements to Include in Pre and Postnatal Workouts
• Episode 281: Informed Decision-Making During Birth with Mandy Irby
• Episode 278: From Bump to Birth Method to Recovery – Rachel’s Birth Story
• Episode 277: Black Motherhood and Breastfeeding in America, with Ashley Mitchell
• Episode 270: Understanding the Impacts of Weight and Size Stigma in Pregnancy
• Episode 267: Build A Pelvic Floor Symptoms Flare Up Plan

Show Notes

0:55 - Check out Anita’s self-paced Bump to Birth Method Course

2:48 - What today’s episode is all about

4:20 - Episode 307: 7 Steps to Mentally and Physically Prepare for Birth – Including Pelvic Floor Prep

5:45 - Episode 299: An Exercise Approach for Pregnancy & Postpartum After Eating Disorder Recovery

7:58 - Episode 293: 6 Movements to Include in Pre and Postnatal Workouts

9:15 - Episode 281: Informed Decision-Making During Birth with Mandy Irby

11:08 - Episode 278: From Bump to Birth Method to Recovery – Rachel’s Birth Story

12:00 - Episode 277: Black Motherhood and Breastfeeding in America, with Ashley Mitchell

13:23 - Episode 270: Understanding the Impacts of Weight and Size Stigma in Pregnancy

15:33 - Episode 267: Build A Pelvic Floor Symptoms Flare Up Plan

18:51 - Thank you for another amazing year with the podcast!

In today’s replay of episode 156, Jessie and Anita discuss myths around squatting in pregnancy and postpartum, and offer tips to do so, safely!

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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

Bump to Birth Method - self-study: bumptobirthmethod.com

Show Notes +1:23

0:04 - Show Intro

0:41 - Anita’s Bump to Birth Method - self-study 

3:25 - What we are talking about today!

4:00 - Myth #1: Should you only squat with feet hip-width apart, toes facing forward, weight in your heels for exercise?

9:20 - Myth #2: Only squat to prepare for birth in the last few weeks of pregnancy

12:20 - Myth #3: Only use a perfect squat to pick things up

16:58 - Myth #4: Don’t squat if you have pelvic floor symptoms

21:30 - Cues to use in the moment #1: Using the breath

24:14 - Cues to use in the moment #2: W.A.I.T. acronym

25:33 - Cues to use in the moment #3: Spread the load

26:12 - Cues to use in the moment #4: Test and retest

27:14 - Wrap up

In today’s episode, Anita talks all about the power of the pelvic floor in pregnancy. There’s a misconception that your pelvic floor pushes your baby out, when actually, it’s your uterus that does. Meaning? Your pelvic floor needs to relax. We go over what they don’t teach you in school, how to do a flower bloom breath - and why!

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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 FREE Prenatal Pelvic Floor Masterclass: No longer available. Try her New on-demand class!: prenatalpelvicfloorworkshop.com
• Bump to Birth Method - self-paced course: bumptobirthmethod.com
• Episode 248: Preparing for an Unmedicated Birth - Katelyn’s Birth Story
• Episode 104: Birth Stories and Preparing for Labour with Jen Kuenzel

Show Notes

1:00 - What today’s episode is all about

1:32 - Where are your pelvic floor muscles?

2:58 - How your pelvic floor reacts to stress

5:05 - Symptom examples that may indicate that you have pelvic floor tension

5:34 - Let’s learn the flower bloom breath! (and when to use it)

8:20 - Where/when to practice the flower bloom breath

9:05 - Examples of using the floor bloom breath in birth

11:05 - If you are looking for more guidance with the flower bloom breath, or generally connecting to your pelvic floor in pregnancy…

12:11 - Episode wrap up

In today’s episode, Jessie invites Yumi Idomoto on to talk about her journey into pre and postnatal coaching, as well as how she spread the word about her business in Japan - even after moving around the world!

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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

Show Notes

0:55 - Beyond the Kegel ON DEMAND

1:50 - Welcome, and an introduction to our special guest, Yumi!

7:58 - What was it like for Yumi exercising through her pregnancy in Japan

10:54 - What the conversation around pelvic health is like in Japan

12:23 - How does Yumi work with clients in her business?

16:07 - How does Yumi market her business?

17:42 - Yumi tells us more about the certification she wants to build

18:26 - Before PFSA with Jessie, where was Yumi at in her education and business?

21:52 - Wrap up

In today’s replay of episode 158, Jessie and Anita discuss specific tips to keep exercise accessible to you even with morning sickness in pregnancy!

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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

Show Notes

0:55 - Strong in 20 promo

2:55 - What we are talking about today!

3:19 - Jessie and Anita’s personal experiences and some morning sickness caveats

5:04 - Why we chose to cover this subject, and considering the why behind your exercise

6:49 - Tip #1: Increase rest periods during workout time, itself

8:49 - Tip #2: Shorten the time length of the exercises or workouts you are doing

11:46 - Tip #3: Decrease exercise intensity

13:50 - Tip #4: If you can, choose the best time of day for your energy and sickness alleviation

15:21 - Tip #5: Shift your mindset around what a “good” workout is

17:20 - Tip #6: Consider if there are any beverages or foods that could help you along in the workout or look forward to afterwards

19:17 - Wrap up

In today’s episode, 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

• 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

0:58 - Bump to Birth Method, self-study, is open for enrolment!

2:52 - Introduction to our special guest: Samantha Garcia Gagnon!

5:20 - What is the role of a birth doula (and the difference between a midwife and doula)?

9:00 - On the doula’s role to bring a partner into the birthing process, not replace the partner in the process.

12:00 - Birth as a hands-on or hands-off process with a doula

14:10 - Benefits of hiring a doula

18:13 - Informed decision-making, advocating for practices, and evidence-based care: how a doula can help

26:36 - Some tips around the informed choice discussion

28:53 - How to choose a doula

34:50 - The role of a postpartum doula, and why to have one!

38:42 - On postpartum healing from a community-centered doula - and why Samantha operates her business in that way

43:59 - How to build the foundation to feel well getting back to movement, postpartum

46:17 - Episode wrap up (and how to find Samantha online)!