For many sex is a very different experience while pregnant and newly postpartum. From wondering if you might hurt your baby to the physical discomfort one may experience, a lot of questions come to mind. Today we're going to talk about sex during pregnancy and after baby. I gathered some of the students together from the prenatal and postnatal classes and asked what their questions were. Questions I heard included: concerns about sex during pregnancy and will it hurt the baby? If the vagina changes forever after birth? How postpartum hormones change sex? And what can you do if sex hurts?

So to have this conversation today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Sabrina Baxter, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in Pelvic Floor dysfunction. I love that she talks about individualized treatment because, while we're answering these questions in somewhat broad strokes, it is such an individualized experience what is going on with your body. I hope this just gives you some insight into your body and some curiosity about your body because you deserve to live a really wonderful quality of life and part of that is to have a healthy pelvic floor.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today we are going to talk about SLEEP: your sleep, your baby’s sleep, and how to help your baby get good sleep. We dive into the topic of sleep deprivation, its impact on maternal mental health and bonding with baby, and also the different types of sleep training methods. 

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Liza Kaplan Montanino. Liza is a dual-certified pediatric and special needs sleep consultant through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management and Institute for Pediatric Sleep & Parenting, respectively. She is also a graduate of the Sleep Health Intelligence Program, cofounder of the Westchester Mama & Child Wellness Expo, and sleep expert in The Indy Lab’s Parenting Center. She is also a sleep instructor with Virtual Village Parenting, a newborn care professional, and lactation educator.

It was a true pleasure having Liza on the show to talk about sleep. She’s an incredible resource filled with valuable insights! Not only will improving your own sleep enhance your wellbeing, but there are numerous benefits to helping your child learn to sleep independently. I hope you enjoy this episode!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today, we have a community birth story. I look at these stories as a wonderful chance to hear firsthand about the incredible experience of birth from someone in our very own community—an experience that deeply influences so much of what we do here at PYC!

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Fiamma. Fiamma was born in NYC grew up as a competitive equestrian show jumper where she would travel between Europe, the US and South America. She was also a competitive downhill skier. She took a break from competing and and teaching and spent time in Brazil all of 2023, right before getting pregnant. She currently lives on 180 acres in a 350 year old farmhouse in Virginia, and has been there for almost a year now with her 2 dogs and now perfect baby!

In this episode, Fiamma shares about her health challenges pre-pregnancy, her birth story, and the obstacles she faced during both her birth and postpartum journey… All with remarkable wisdom, grace, and vulnerability. Happy listening!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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If you are a new and expectant parent, I know that childcare is a subject that has crossed your mind before. Whether you’re going back to work full-time, or just need some assistance throughout the day, remember that you don't have to do it all on your own! As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” The right choice for your family will depend on your individual priorities, so let’s explore the options.

To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies is Elizabeth Narins. Elizabeth is a freelance writer who has previously held staff positions at Cosmo and Women's Health. Her work has appeared in Scary Mommy, What to Expect, The Bump, Parents, and many more! Currently, she is in the process of launching a parenting Substack, More than Mom, that explores identity, career, body image, along with all of the child-rearing questions that keep new parents up at night. Elizabeth is a mother of two.

In this episode, we’ll explore the main differences between daycare and hiring a nanny, how to spot potential red flags for both options, and the important questions to ask. Ultimately, choosing what's right for your family is a personal decision, and I bring you this episode in hopes of helping you navigate the journey!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today we’re diving into a topic that’s very close to my heart. Along with being a parent of a child often labeled as "difficult," I know that so many other children are unfairly pigeonholed because of their behavior. And I’ve come to realize: it’s not so much about the actual behavior as it is about understanding the root cause of that behavior.

To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies is Nina Essell. Nina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience as a school social worker supporting children and families. Nina holds a Master’s of Social Work from Columbia University and a Master’s of Science in Childhood General and Special Education from Bank Street College of Education. Nina is an advanced certified trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach as well as Kimochis, a social emotional learning curriculum. Currently, she is a parenting coach and consultant, providing 1-on-1 coaching, parenting workshops, and professional training.

In this episode, we explore how families can reframe challenging behaviors, the importance of parents finding their own grounding during moments of dysregulation, and practical tools children can use to identify big feelings- before they boil over. My hope is that we, as a society, can get to a place of understanding these kids without judgement. Enjoy this episode.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today we are diving into a topic near and dear to my heart: doulas. Tune in as we explore how to find a doula who best fits you and your unique needs!

Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Francie Webb. Francie is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and founder of Go Milk Yourself. She is a mom of 3, author and former middle school teacher. She’s worked with 1600+ parents and provided training to 2000+ professionals. Additionally, she has trained 40+ doulas and trained 40+ lactation professionals in her Go Milk Yourself Lactation Training.

In this episode, we discuss why identifying your priorities is crucial when selecting the right doula for you. We’ll cover key questions to ask potential doulas based on your priorities, and red flags to watch out for in interviews. Additionally, we go over where to find a doula, what to expect in terms of cost and on-call availability, and so much more. Enjoy this episode!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Join in as we embark on a topic that, I have to admit, I knew very little about until having this conversation! Today, we are talking about mastitis- what it is, the latest research, causes, symptoms, and much more.

Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Bella Masotti Rochford. Bella is an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and National Board-Certified & NYS licensed Occupational Therapist. She owns a private practice (Nurturing LIFT, LLC) that specializes in lactation and infant feeding therapy, and supports families navigating breast/chest feeding and bottle feeding.

Mastitis has historically been misunderstood, and Bella is here to provide clarity with her extensive knowledge. She’ll also share essential tips on what to do and what to avoid if you’re dealing with mastitis. I know this episode will resonate with many of you listening. Enjoy!

Additional mastitis resources:

- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (Protocol #36): https://www.bfmed.org/assets/ABM%20Protocol%20%2336.pdf

- Jeanette Mesite Frem's flange fitting services and resources 

babiesincommon.com

- Maya Bolman's "Breast Gymnastics" and the use of therapeutic lymphatic massage

https://player.vimeo.com/video/65196007

- Physician Guide to Breastfeeding website by Dr. Katrina Mitchell is a great guide for parents who are experiencing persistent mastitis-type episodes and may benefit from evidenced-based lab or imaging expertise 

https://physicianguidetobreastfeeding.org/category/mastitis/

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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There are countless reasons why I believe sharing and listening to birth stories is so valuable. One standout aspect is the many universal themes that emerge- whether between different births, throughout the journey from pregnancy to parenthood, or even within the individual birth stories themselves. While the societal conversation around birth can often evoke fear, a positive birth story has the power to shift that narrative.

Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Shing Yiing Ong. Shing is a Certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor and founder of her own company, Body Balance Lifestyle, that specializes in creating fun and short workout for busy entrepreneurs and moms. She is now a new mom to a beautiful 6 month old baby girl!

In today’s birth story, you’ll hear Shing reflect on how her birth plan changed and how she not only moved through it, but came out feeling empowered about it. She also candidly discusses challenges that come with new parenthood- identity struggles, lack of freedom, baby blues, and hormonal changes. Shing’s experience captures the broad spectrum of parenthood, highlighting both the highs and the lows, each of which holds great significance.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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My work revolves around women and birthing people, and naturally my guests on the podcast are mainly of that experience! However, today we are mixing things up a bit and exploring the transition to parenthood from a man’s perspective.

Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Dan Doty. Dan is a father of 3, a husband, an outdoorsman and a meditator. He is the co-founder of Fatherhood Ready and Fatherhood Unlocked. He was the co-founder of men's org EVRYMAN and the producer director of hit tv show MeatEater. He has been featured in the NYTimes, Men's Health, the Today Show and the Joe Rogan Experience.

In this episode, we dive into how fatherhood has evolved across generations and what it looks like for men today. Dan shares solid, practical tools for men on how to show up for their partners and children, and I know you’ll find this conversation incredibly valuable.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today we’re talking all about my favorite: The pelvic floor. From how the pelvic floor changes in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, to what the signs and symptoms to see a pelvic floor PT are, to what happens at an actual appointment… we cover it all.

Joining me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies for this conversation is Dr. Amy Stein. Amy is a premiere physical therapist and is at the forefront of treating pelvic floor disfunction and pelvic pain. In addition to being the founder of Beyond Basics PT, Amy has served as the President – and is currently on the advisory board – of the International Pelvic Pain Society. As an award-winning author, Amy has written books on pelvic pain (Heal Pelvic Pain) and endometriosis (Beating Endo: How to reclaim your life from Endometriosis) and created a video on pelvic pain (Healing Pelvic Pain and Abdominal Pain). Amy is also a co-editor of Healing in Urology as well as a featured author in many medical textbooks, including Pelvic Pain Management, Female Sexual Pain Disorders: Evaluation and Management, Management of Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women, and The Overactive Pelvic Floor.

Amy’s bio speaks for itself, and it goes without saying that she is the ideal person to have on for this discussion which I am so happy to bring you. Happy listening and happy learning!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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