If you could choose between a functional efficient labor or a dysfunctional and inefficient labor, I’m guessing you would choose functional and efficient labor. I have been to many births as a doula and I’ve had 2 kids of my own. While the body may need time to open to let the baby descend and rotate, it can be a lot on the parents and support team to go through the experience of a long labor!

Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have midwife Gail Tully of Spinning Babies back on the podcast. This is her 3rd episode with us and I have to say I absolutely adore speaking with Gail. Today, we talk about how to use Spinning Babies for a smoother, more balanced, more efficient birth. Gail offers us techniques and methodologies to help babies navigate more seamlessly through the pelvis. She talks a lot about the different parts of the pelvis and different techniques to utilize to help the baby through, depending on where the baby is in the pelvis. 

You’re going to get so much out of this conversation, Gail’s a delight to chat with. We’re very aligned in our birth philosophies and I have been using the Spinning Babies methodology for years. I’m currently working on the Spinning Babies Parent Educator Training (which was a fantastic 3 days in person followed by online training that I’m working my way through). You’re going to want to take notes on the techniques Gail shares at the end – and if you’re getting ready for birth, this is a great episode to share with your birth partner!

Spinning Babies: For comfort in pregnancy and preparation for an easier birth join me and Spinning Babies Worldwide Virtual Conference! Go to spinningbabiesconference.com

Additional Resources:

Spinning Babies: The 3 Principles In Pregnancy

Spinning Babies: Daily Activities

Yoga| Birth| Babies: Birth Flow and Balance with Gail Tully

Yoga| Birth| Babies: Spinning Babies Founder Gail Tully

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today we have a remarkable and empowering community birth story.

Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Amber Hogue. Amber is a proud mom of two boys, Finn and Wally, and lives in the Bay Area with her family. She works in clinical research with a focus on patient engagement, leveraging her expertise to create meaningful connections and improve healthcare outcomes. A yoga teacher for over 10 years, Amber has spent the last 3 years specializing in prenatal yoga, blending childbirth education with mindful movement, and is a graduate of the PYC teacher training!

As you listen to this episode, it will become clear how Amber took ownership of her birth and advocated for herself, her wants, and her needs. I hope you enjoy listening to her story as much as I did.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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A few months ago, before teaching my postnatal class, my students were sitting in a circle sharing their experiences about postpartum and all the surprises this phase brought. In other words, they were discussing all the things no one had told them about postpartum. 

Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Tina Goldstein. Tina facilitates the New Parent Support Group at PYC, and is a postpartum doula, certified breastfeeding counselor and pediatric sleep consultant. Tina provides one-on-one care and education to new parents during the 4th trimester (and beyond), supporting each family’s choices without judgement. She has also taught perinatal yoga for the last 11 years helping birthing people connect to their breath, strengthen their physical bodies, and heal from or prepare for labor. 

In this episode, we speak on hormonal changes, night sweats, hair loss, breastfeeding, feeding schedules, sleep schedules, and more. My hope is that this conversation leaves you feeling more informed and empowered to seek support when needed. Here’s to lessening the shock and getting ahead of the game!

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 book titled Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser. This collection of essays captures the journey of being the go-to person for everyone’s needs while quietly struggling. It explores the idea of being “happy to help”… even when you shouldn’t be. The essays are hilariously relatable, and what I love most is the author’s raw vulnerability and personal storytelling.

Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have the author of this book, Amy Wilson. Amy is the author of the memoir When Did I Get Like This? and her latest book, Happy to Help. Since 2016 she has been the co-host of the Webby-honored podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood. Amy is also an actor who appeared on Broadway and as a series regular on TV sitcoms. She lives with her family in New York City, and also happens to be a PYC alum!

It was such a joy to chat with Amy about her book and a topic so many of us can relate to. We explore people-pleasing, productivity, multitasking, and so much more. 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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Many parents experience significant pressure and responsibility when it comes to feeding their new child, particularly around breastfeeding. This is especially true for the individual providing nourishment and nutrition through breastfeeding.

Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Chana Topek Diamond. Chana is a licensed clinical social worker, doula, lactation/feeding counselor and childbirth educator. She earned Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University and worked for many years in both clinical and administrative roles at NY’s largest health and human service agency. Chana works with Helping Hands Psychotherapy, a group psychotherapy practice based on Long Island that specializes in working with folks in the perinatal community.

With her multifaceted background in social work, lactation consulting, and doula services, Chana brings a unique and holistic perspective to this conversation. Her insights, affirmations, and empathy are incredibly valuable for anyone navigating the challenges of feeding a new baby. If you’re feeling the mental load and overwhelm that often accompany this stage, remember—you’re not alone!

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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If you’re a parent, or have simply spent time around children, you know the how hard it can be to stay calm when a child is whining. I’m almost 14 years into parenthood and still, I find myself hungrily looking for expert advice on this issue! In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Dr. Laura Markham on this valuable subject.

Dr. Laura Markham is the author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How To Stop Yelling and Start Connecting, Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How To Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life, and now her latest book, The Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook: Using mindfulness and connection to raise resilient, joyful children and rediscover your love of parenting.

Dr. Laura earned her PhD in clinical psychology at Columbia University and has worked as a parenting coach with countless families across the world. Her aspiration is to change the world, one child at a time, by supporting parents. The proud mother of two thriving young adults who were raised with her peaceful parenting approach, she lives with her husband in New York.

In this episode, we cover how to talk to your child when they are in states of activation so that they listen, what you can expect from children based on their stage of development, and what’s behind the behavior of a tantrum! Why are they whining? For parents of children of all ages, this episode has amazing takeaways that will help defuse challenging moments.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Community birth stories are, for me, some of the most important episodes to share on this podcast. Oftentimes, we’re overwhelmed with negative birth narratives, which can impact one’s confidence in their ability to birth. I feel passionate about hearing, and sharing, stories where individuals acknowledge their birthing anxieties but ultimately overcome them.

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Jessie Valentine. Jessie is a registered dietitian who specializes in fertility and perinatal nutrition, a registered prenatal yoga teacher (and PYC teacher training grad!), and a postpartum doula servicing Nassau and Suffolk counties of NY. She is now a mom of two (a two year old son and 4 month old daughter)!

During her time studying at PYC for teacher training, Jessie became pregnant and started taking classes as a student. After her birth, she shared with me how she achieved the VBAC she had desired so deeply, dedicating time and effort into preparing for it. I’m honored that she agreed to come on the podcast and share her story—one filled with support, vision, research, and commitment. Jessie’s journey is incredibly inspiring, and I can't wait for you to hear it!

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 prenatal chiropractic work and how it can help you have a smoother birth and more comfortable pregnancy. I love the idea of chiropractics because it all goes back to alignment. And as a studio owner, yoga teacher and former doula, I am confident in saying that when the pregnant body is aligned, it not only feels better for the pregnant person but also helps their birth!

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Robert Shire. Dr. Shire became a chiropractor in 1999 after graduating cum laude from Life University in Georgia. He also completed a fellowship with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and became certified in the Webster Technique. Although Dr. Shire cares for patients of all ages, he has a particular interest in prenatal chiropractic to help parents-to-be experience the healthy and happy pregnancy they deserve.

If you are interested in understanding the nervous system and the function of your body during pregnancy, this episode is for you. Additionally, we expound on the Webster technique which is especially helpful in the case of a breech baby. There are so many golden nuggets of information packed into this episode, and I am so excited for you to listen to this conversation.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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Today, we're exploring a topic that has impacted so many people around the world, including some of my closest friends and students. I'll admit that I didn't know much about IVF, as I haven’t had personal experience with it, so I set out to learn more. Interestingly, my cousin is an expert on the subject, and one day shared with me about the the history of IVF and the globalization and the technology behind it. From that point on, I knew I had to have her on the podcast!

Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Donna J. Drucker. Donna is the assistant director of scholarship and research development at the Columbia University School of Nursing. She has a master of library science degree and a PhD in history, both from Indiana University. She is the author of four books and many articles and shorter publications, and has a fifth book on abortion under contract.

While many of us know the outcome that we're hoping for with IVF, and perhaps a bit about the procedures involved, Donna shares insight on aspects such as the donors, the surrogacy, the laws, and so much more. We also talk about how race and appearance generally factor into decision-making, along with many other things I had not thought about. I am really excited for you to hear Donna’s perspective on IVF as a researcher in this field.

To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center

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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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