Birthing in Finland

In this last episode of the podcast I share with you my postpartum experience with my son born in June 2023. I talk about how I prepared for it, who I invited into my space and what it did for me. Send me a DM on Instagram with the word "Prepped" to receive my "Prepped for Postpartum" ebook https://www.instagram.com/mothers_transition/ The Nest doulas https://www.doulacollective.fi/

In this episode I share with you the birth story of my son who was born in June 2023. I also share the news that my family and I are moving to The Netherlands and that this episode will be coming to an end. These episodes will always be available for listeners so you can keep recommending them as well as the other Nest Doulas. www.doulacollective.fi is where you can find more info about our Nest Doulas. www.motherstransition.com is where you can continue to follow my work as well as on IG @mothers_transition

On this episode I will be wrapping up the podcast for a few months as I go on my maternity leave. I share with you what I have been doing in the past few weeks to prepare for birth and postpartum as well as what I am hoping to feel and do in the last weeks of my pregnancy. The future of the podcast still remains unclear to me but I will be popping in and out, maybe surprising you with an episode here or there before I make any official announcements as to how it will continue. I want to thank each and every listener for being here on this journey! It has been an absolute pleasure! Please stay in touch with me and let me know your thoughts on those episodes through writing on my IG posts or in DMs. Links: Download the Asking for Help Guide at the bottom of this page https://www.motherstransition.com/ Nest Doulas website: https://www.doulacollective.fi/ My Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/mothers_transition/ Sign up for Positive Birth Helsinki meetup: https://mailchi.mp/648e302327d5/positivebirth Information about Motherhood Talks and other activities at LillaLuckan https://www.facebook.com/groups/1210503785696783 Aquarian Mother - Marie-Andree's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/am_lestudio/

On this episode of the podcast, I'm sharing with you Alma's birth story. In this episode Alma shares her challenging experience of dealing with a late diagnosis of preeclampsia which led into an induction and then to a cesarean birth. Alma so vulnerably shares how one of her biggest fears was having a cesarean and how throughout her pregnancy she didn't really deal with that fear. She also talked about the disappointing and difficult experience she had after the surgery where she was in the recovery ward separated from her baby. She talked about the really primal instinct and desire to see her baby, feeling confused and angry at the fact that they were not together. It was my honor to hold space for Alma to share this story on the podcast and to bring forward some parts of our conversation and her story. Thank you for being here with me today. Topics: Making a cesarean birth plan as well as a vaginal birth plan Facing our fears in pregnancy to prepare for labor Preeclampsia diagnosis at 39 weeks Induction story Cesarean birth experience Feeling angry and sad about being separated from the baby after cesarean birth Difficult experience in the cesarean recovery ward

Welcome to this episode of the podcast where we dive into Maria's birth stories. A first birth story which left Maria feeling broken and traumatized followed by a healing and empowering experience of birth with her second child. Maria talks about the importance of good support in healing from birth trauma as well as recognizing it as such in the first place. This episode is for anyone who has had a challenging first birth experience and maybe wants to hear that it's possible to birth with positivity in consecutive births. I hope this episode gives you hope and encouragement to understand the things that can make a big impact on your laboring experience to make sure that it is indeed a positive and empowering experience that leaves you feeling strong and capable as a woman and mother. Let's get started on this week's birth story with Maria. Thank you for being here. Links: Spinning Babies: https://www.spinningbabies.com/ Evidence Based Birth: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ The Positive Birth Company: https://thepositivebirthcompany.co.uk/ More info on Cholestasis: https://icpcare.org/ Podcast episode by Birth Kweens on healing from birth trauma https://www.birthkweens.com/birthkweens-ep71/ Healing After Birth: Navigating Your Emotions After A Difficult Childbirth Book by Jennifer Summerfeldt MACP https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/healing-after-birth-9781999497200 Birthing from Within: An Extra-ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation. Book by Pam England and Rob Horowitz https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/birthing-from-within-9780965987301

On this episode of the podcast I chat with Linda Tötterman, a midwife working at Lohja hospital. Linda used to work at Naistenkilinikka before Lohja and we got to chatting about some of the differences between these two hospitals. We touched upon the capacity, the amount of midwives there, the general approach and atmosphere, and much more. Linda shared her passion for physiologic birth and talked as well about the challenges that a midwife might experience due to the lack of continuity of care in the Finnish maternal care system - essentially supporting a woman whom she is meeting for the first time. In relation to this, Linda also mentioned how important and helpful it is for her when women have a birth plan to show and especially when that birth plan is visual. We talked about childbirth preparation and the importance this has on the birthing experience as well as the role of the doula vs the midwife at the birth. I hope you enjoy this really insightful episode with Linda and that maybe Lohja maternity ward could be for you. Thanks for listening to this episode, let's get started! Links: Visual birth plan https://www.positivebirthmovement.org/visualbirthplanicons/ More about Lohja maternity ward https://www.hus.fi/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/lohja-hospital/maternity-ward-lohja-hospital Lohja receiving the baby friendly hospital certificate https://www.hus.fi/ajankohtaista/lohjan-sairaala-uusi-baby-friendly-hospital-sertifikaattinsa Lohja maternity ward on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hus_lohjansynnytysosasto/?hl=en

Today's episode is all about water birth! Johanna Honkanen has been working as a midwife for 17 years. She has been in the hospital and now has her own private practice. She is one of the leading midwives in Finland about childbirth and has been involved in writing the water birth guidelines and recommendations that are used in hospitals all around Finland. She also trains midwives and doctors in hospitals around Finland to be able to support water birth better. In this episode you will find out what those guidelines are, why the training is so important and the impact it has had, as well as the benefits of water birth for the mother and the baby. If you've never considered the option of giving birth in the water, this episode will definitely give you some food for thought. Thank you for being here today and let's get started with Johanna. Links: Johanna's website: https://www.versojajuuret.fi/ Evidence on water birth from the Evidence Based Birth website https://evidencebasedbirth.com/waterbirth/

On today's episode you will hear another wonderful birth story from Mai who shares about the birth of her first daughter. We also got a bit into the birth of her second son and how those two were a bit different and of course connected. Mai talked about the importance of preparation and having a support person such as a doula for herself and for her partner just as much if not even more. We talked about the importance of the birth team and the atmosphere of the birthing room. Mai shared how much trust she gained in herself from this experience and how she still carries that with her in her daily motherhood experience. Links: Folkhalsan https://www.folkhalsan.fi/en/ LillaLuckan https://barnkultur.luckan.fi/ Activities for families at Luckan https://integration.luckan.fi/integratinginswedish/activities-for-families-with-infants-and-toddlers/ The Nest doulas https://www.doulacollective.fi/

Welcome to this episode of the podcast - a solo episode with your host Danielle Bensky. Today I share with you my feelings and thoughts about becoming a mom of two. In the moment of this recording I am 2 months away from giving birth and I wanted to share from the place that I am in right now just as I stand in front of the big unknown and this transitional moment. Listen to find out about my excitement, sadness, grief, anxiety. Find out what I'm hoping to use as my tools to support myself and how I hope to normalize these feelings for all of us by speaking about it on the podcast today. Links: Get the "Rites of Passage and Transitional webinar recording - https://fienta.com/rites-of-passage-and-life-transitions Follow Tori Milner on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tori_milner/ The Aware Parenting podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/27jy3YpTRlpmEuroVZqtTy?si=0b6b8b7e94df4ec2 The Aware Parenting Institute http://awareparenting.com/

On this episode my guest is Georg Macharey - a perinatologist working in the delivery ward of Naistenklinikka. Georg has written his PhD on the topic of breech presentation and is one of the experts in this field in Finland. In today's episode Georg explains the different breech positions that exist and their implications for the birth as well as how the position is discovered. We spoke about what makes vaginal breech birth different from cephalic and what are some criteria that the hospital follows when advising for vaginal vs. cesarean birth for a breech baby. We then also spoke a bit about twin births to understand how the birth experience could be different and what are some important things to know regarding the positions of the babies. Thank you for being here to listen to this episode. Just before we get started, I want to invite you to our month Positive Birth Helsinki meetup which will take place on Saturday April 15th 2023. So if you're listening to this episode as it airs you can use the link in the show notes to sign up. This month's topic is "my birth room" where we'll explore together in an intimate group setting what you can expect to find in a birth room in Finnish hospitals as well as the kind of environment that you might want to encourage to support the physiology of birth. Don't forget to sign up and I'm looking forward to having you there. Let's get started on this week's episode with my guest Georg Macharey. Topics: The different kinds of breech positions and how common they are. Frank, complete, and incomplete. How these positions are established, based on hips and knees position How is the presentation and position of baby discovered once we know it is breech? Criteria advised for vaginal breech birth vs. cesarean Twin birth and ideal position for babies Links: Sign up for the Positive Birth Helsinki meetup https://mailchi.mp/648e302327d5/positivebirth Episode with Chloe on baby's position https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RkCN9L4R3zOBC4lEb7v9y?si=3ymbHfIsTw6ZPtAWC8Cbrg Georg's PhD https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/handle/10138/231197/BREECHPR.pdf?sequence=1 All of Georg's research https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/fi/persons/georg-w-macharey/publications/

This episode of the podcast is all about the pelvic floor or as we've been calling it on the episode - the pelvic trampoline. Listen in to find out why my guest Mari Camut prefers this imagery to more accurately represent what this area of our body is all about. Mari talked a lot about what can happen to the pelvic floor or trampoline through the pregnancy and after birth. She also explained why having a check up with a physiotherapist can be so important and where to even find one here in Finland. We briefly touched on the Kegels which is what so many of us equate with pelvic floor health but by listening to this episode you will find out how there is so much more to it than just that. Mari offers such a holistic perspective about pelvic floor health which I think is what I valued most about her work and way of thinking. You can see that come through especially when she talks about some of the red lines to pay attention to as a new or expecting mother. Topics: What happens to the pelvic floor in pregnancy and after birth? What is a pelvic floor physiotherapist and what do they do? How can you find a physiotherapist pelvic floor in Finland? What are some red flags? When to seek help? And who to connect with? Where to go for group activities about this? Links: Pelvic floor physiotherapists association in Finland https://www.pelvicus.fi/lantionpohjan-fysioterapeutit/ Maternity physiotherapist association in Finland https://www.aitiysfysioterapia.fi/aitiysfysioterapeutit/ Baby and mom pilates or yoga classes https://tyovaenopisto.hel.fi/  Look for mother baby classes here https://ilmonet.fi/search?cgt=667&com=3&status=-10000&page=1&limits=16&list_type=30&sort=2500

Welcome to today's episode where you'll hear another birth story. This time it's from a second time mother who talks so beautifully about getting ready for labor using hypnobirthing, and learning to trust herself through understanding what it is she wants. Ana shared how relaxed she got in labor using hypnobirthing to the point that her husband thought that labor had actually stopped. Listen in to hear Ana's experience with being 10cm dilated and yet not ready to push and how this was something totally new for her. These birth stories remind me just how strong of a rite of passage they are, and how they teach us so much about the next stage of our life - which is motherhood. Times of transition and rites of passage can be new, unfamiliar, and sometimes scary for us and this is why I've created a webinar all about giving you tools and techniques that will support you to thrive through your rite of passage and transitional moment. This webinar will help you see your transition as a growth opportunity and will keep you grounded when you feel like the carpet has been pulled from under your feet. It's perfect for anyone who is preparing to give birth or is just a few weeks or months after. You can join me live on March 30th or sign up and receive the recording to watch as a companion to when you're resting up in bed in your final weeks of pregnancy or with your baby. I will leave the link in the show notes for you to find. And now, let's get into Ana's birth story! Topics: understanding birth better through reading the hypnobirthing book learning to trust yourself you are more likely to get what you want when you know what you want what Ana learned from her rite of passage being 10cm dilated doesn't mean you are ready to push Links: Sign up to my webinar on rites of passage https://fienta.com/rites-of-passage-and-life-transitions More info about birth doula Rosalia https://birth.fi/ Hypnobirthing book by Katharine Graves ⁠https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/the-hypnobirthing-book---childbirth-with-confidence-and-calm-9781911558040⁠ Mindful Hypnobirthing by Sophie Fletcher book https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/mindful-hypnobirthing-9781785043093 Positive Birth Company Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/thepositivebirthcompany/ Bridget Teyler YouTube account https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsqMRhkuuI5aiJAVxgUpgbQ Prenatal yoga at Purna Yoga Helsinki ⁠https://www.purnayoga.fi/en/

Welcome to this episode with Saskia who shared the birth story of her third child. Saskia gives us her experience of the challenges she faced as well as the non linear progression of her fast birth. Listen in to find out about some upcoming events this month of March 2023 and sign up with the links in the show notes! Topics: Saskia's third birth mental challenges during pregnancy a birth initiated by balloon induction and membrane rupture a fast labor going from 5cm to pushing within minutes the importance of upright positions and movement in labor labor is not linear and can be unpredictable receiving respect at the hospital as a birth giver and nurse the impact of knowing Finnish when giving birth Saskia's experience of having a Black partner and experiencing prejudice Staying at the Nest Hotel of Naistenklinikka Dealing with jaundice Anticipating that most mothers struggle with breastfeeding and do require help Links: "Thriving in postpartum: Postpartum guidance for expecting parents" - get on the waitlist for my online course https://www.subscribepage.com/postpartumcourse Sign up for the Positive Birth Helsinki meetup on March 25th 2023 https://mailchi.mp/648e302327d5/positivebirth Sign up to my webinar about rites of passage and times of transition on March 30th 2023 https://fienta.com/rites-of-passage-and-life-transitions

Welcome to the 45th episode of the podcast and to our one year anniversary! This is such a wonderful milestone of creating content for you that is relevant and helpful in navigating your way through giving birth in Finland, especially as a foreigner. Thank you for being with me on this journey and for coming back each week to listen to these episodes! On the podcast today, I have Anayte on to talk about her birth story which was also attended by her Nest doula Rosalia. Anayte shared how, already in her childhood, she was inspired by a book which spoke about birth as a marathon and how this book influenced her view of birth. She shared the impact that having a doula had on her, the process of facing her fears before the birth, and how useful it was to learn pain coping techniques in preparation. At the end of the episode I asked Anayte what she learned about being a mother from birthing her daughter. Stay tuned until the end to hear what she took away from this rite of passage. Speaking of rites of passage, I am hosting a very special webinar all about rites of passage and moments of transition in our life. Together with my friend Tori Milner, we will be giving you practical tools on how you can learn from one transition to support yourself in another. This webinar is for anyone in a rite of passage or before a rite of passage, wanting to support people who are going through transitional moments, or maybe have had challenging transitions in the past and want to change that for the better. If you are pregnant as you are listening to this, then the webinar is 100% for you! Join me there to get a closer look at preparing for the rite of passage and transition that birth is towards motherhood, also if it's your second or third or fourth child. You can join me on this webinar using the link in the show notes! And now, let's get into this week's birth story with Anayte. Links: To find out more about Rosalia (birth doula): https://birth.fi/ Sign up for my webinar "Connecting Our Rites of Passage to Support Life Transitions" https://fienta.com/rites-of-passage-and-life-transitions Topics: preparing for birth like a marathon the process of choosing a birth doula importance of facing your fears in birth preparation with a doula the impact that the pain coping techniques workshop Anayte took the pain coping technique that Anayte found useful in birth a birth that started with the water breaking a birth in Lohja the added value of having Rosalia as the birth doula the desire to be micro managed in the immediate postpartum Anayte's learning from the rite of passage of birthing her first daughter

On this episode of the podcast you will hear a birth story from the perspective of the partner! How did he experience the birth of his daughter, what effect did having a birth doula have on his experience and what are some things that were really touching and challenging for him. Johannes and his wife had Chloe (from The Nest) as their birth doula. You can find more information about Chloe in the show notes. Join Johannes and I as we explore the birth of his daughter. This episode will give you a nice point of view of what your own partner might feel like, and could be great to share with them or listen together! I hope you enjoy, and let's get started. Mentioned topics: how he felt with the doula at the house before going to the hospital deciding when to leave the home to the hospital how the car ride was he never felt like his wife was in pain - about the mindset. the reason why they went to the forest before going to the hospital the use of their visual birth plan the special connection between the partner and the birth doula doulas can be reassuring for the partner as well how doulas help you be prepared and safe More information about Chloe: https://www.ilmatardoula.fi/

On this episode we will hear Amelia's birth story of her son Phoenix. Together with Amelia, I have on the episode her birth doula Rosalia from whom you will find out how Amelia prepared for birth and what happened in the labor as well as in the moments after. Amelia's story is an unmedicated vaginal birth at Jorvi hospital with so many wonderful details from the car ride to the hospital to her baby's first poop while being born. Join us on this episode to hear what birthing in Finland was like for Amelia! More information about Rosalia: www.birth.fi

On this episode of the podcast I welcome Inka and Laura who work at a charity called Äimä. This is a charity aimed at dealing with perinatal mental health challenges while looking at the entire family unit as well as how to make change on a national political level. We talked about the kind of mental health challenges that the charity supports as well as how they are involved in making national impact. Laura talked about the challenges that face women when they try to receive help from the system and what she thinks needs to be changed. We touched on the reasons why the Western culture has a higher rate of postnatal depression for example and Inka spoke on the importance of peer support and prevention as well as treatment. We ended the episode by talking about the importance of Inka's project of educating healthcare professionals who come into contact with new mothers daily. In this episode we also invite you, as non-Finnish mothers, who may be interested in receiving more services from Äimä in English, to please reach out to Inka and Laura to express ask for that. Also, please share this episode with every mother you know. Spread the word about this organization. People need to know that this exists and that they are not alone. With that, let's get started and introduce you to Inka and Laura from Äimä. Topics: We get to know the charity organization from the perspective of Laura and Inka What kind of maternal mental health challenges does Äimä work with? You do not need a diagnosis to get help from Äimä The organization supports any family member affected by maternal mental health challenges The importance of having easy to access help How Finland support maternal mental health challenges and how Äimä is involved with that What makes it so that in Western culture we see more cases of maternal mental health challenges? Prevention and treatment of maternal mental health challenges at Äimä The importance of peer support groups in prevention and treatment Having realistic expectations of what you can expect from the system Äimä's efforts of educating social and healthcare professionals and perinatal diseases Links: Inka's email: inka.kansi@aima.fi Laura's email: laura.piirainen@aima.fi Äimä's website https://aima.fi/en/ Äimä on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/aima.ry/ Äimä on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/aiditirtisynnytysmasennuksestaAIMA/

On this episode of the podcast Soňa Jány-Louhivori explains the importance of caring for your birth scars. We dive into the emotions that our scars carry and how those emotions can be different depending on the birth story we experienced. Soňa shared her own story of healing her scar and how she noticed what she calls the "chaining effect" in which one scar can have a direct influence on other body areas. Soňa also explained how one can do their own scar massage and invites our listeners to a hands on in-person workshop happening on February 18th 2023 and on March 4th 2023 (choose the best date for you). For more info on the workshops check out https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWeF769sysLxckfJE3nlMFDyqnKB-QoNujWEo9h9fnHea4kA/viewform Topics: What exactly is a scar? The knowledge to treat and care for the scar is limited Difference of having stitches vs not having stitches Difference between scar of episiotomy or tearing How having a scar can impact your body The chain effect of the scar influencing the entire body The ways in which scar massage brings a relief Sona share's her own experience of scar healing How long does it take for the redness of the scar to go away and for you to be able to start massaging? How to do a self massage on your scar Is it ever too late to work on your scar? Who can attend Sona's workshop? Healing the trauma of the partner who doesn't have a scar Which other professionals can support the healing of your scar? I share my aha moment of listening to my body and boundaries Links: Register for Soňa's workshop https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWeF769sysLxckfJE3nlMFDyqnKB-QoNujWEo9h9fnHea4kA/viewform

On this episode of the podcast Rosalia and I speak about pregnancy loss. We touched on the emotional experience of families who are going through this, what are their needs and how a person like a bereavement doula can meet those needs. We talked about the terminology and the importance of the words we use, as well as the statistics on pregnancy loss. I had a real aha moment towards the end of the episode related to the experience of trying to conceive again following a loss. We finished the episode by talking about the Finnish system and what one can expect if something like this happens. Notes: Rosalia shares how she got into working as a bereavement doula Why the use of the term pregnancy loss is important The difference between miscarriage and still birth How the term miscarriage could unintentionally bring feelings of self-blame How we are afraid to speak about this topic The statistics of pregnancy loss How birth and death are being removed from the community into the hospital where it's isolated and clinical rather than community based What the emotions that families are dealing with in this time depending on the kind of experience What is the kind of support that families really need at this time What someone who has experienced multiple losses could be feeling Listen to the aha moment i had when talking about attaching ourselves to a new pregnancy at the early stages How a bereavement doula like Rosalia can help support and meet the needs of the grieving family The added benefit of having a birth doula from early on in pregnancy or before conception Similarities between birth and death Understanding what happens in the system in Finland to be able to make educated decisions about your experience The importance of educating yourself and asking for services to support your experience Links: Previous episodes with Rosalia on the Birthing in Finland podcast Episode #2: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vGTqCLYeVVoEzXvZV3x7Y?si=MYAMl-jZQwChaqKqPbbOzg Episode #32: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1P7XP8Z4wak1oraxZJpmzQ?si=KDQvr1F6Rmu5FTr7jySu5Q Birthing in Finland episode on mindfulness as a parenting superpower (episode #37) https://open.spotify.com/episode/67ac3x3hQddZ4OOLHYowaO?si=Jq3e_zv5Rxa3Vyz2p4cYww Rosalia's website on bereavement support https://birth.fi/full-spectrum-bereavement-doula/ Rosalia's IG account https://www.instagram.com/birthwisdomdoula/

Welcome back to this episode of the podcast with Laura Laitala, organizer and instructor at the Loru Leikkipuisto inside Oodi. Laura came on the podcast to introduce the concept of Leikkipuistos (playgrounds) to any foreign parent who doesn't know it. We spoke about the history of the playgrounds, what you can find there, why the instructors could be a great person of contact to have for any family issues or challenges, and why the playground itself is such a fantastic place for families to gather, meet, and spend their mornings. The playgrounds are wonderful places for families with children of different ages as the activities they provide really cater to a wide range. Have a listen and hopefully you'll find a service that will benefit you as well! All the services of the Leikkipuistos are for free and (most) do not require you to sign up. Thank you for being here and let's get started. Topics: The closure of playgrounds in Helsinki between Jan-May 2023 Easy to join activities at Loru playground The history of the playground activities that is unique to Helsinki The different types of activities that you can find at the playgrounds The playground staff can be an info center to help guide parents and a be a place to find resources How to spot the playgrounds in Helsinki even though it might look like a daycare Links: Leikkipuisto Loru website and schedule https://www.hel.fi/varhaiskasvatus/fi/leikkipuistotjaperhetalot/loru/loru A video presentation about playgrounds in Helsinki (with English subtitles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vT9-M3gZ0IU Search for a Leikkipuisto near you on the map https://palvelukartta.hel.fi/fi/search?q=leikkipuisto List of open and closed playgrounds in 2023 https://www.hel.fi/static/liitteet-2019/KasKo/vare/Leikkipuistot-vuodenvaihde-22-23.pdf Contact details of playground instructors by region https://www.hel.fi/varhaiskasvatus/fi/leikkipuistotjaperhetalot/johtavat-leikkipuisto-ohjaajat Playgrounds by alphabetical order (also mentions if open or closed in 2023) https://www.hel.fi/varhaiskasvatus/fi/leikkipuistotjaperhetalot/leikkipuistot General page about playgrounds in Helsinki (includes information about a Leikkipuisto app) https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/childhood-and-education/play/playgrounds/ List of activities that are available at the Leikkipuisto https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/childhood-and-education/play/families

Welcome to episode 38 of the podcast and the second episode in my mini-series of solo episodes about postpartum. This episode is dedicated to newborn mother and newborn baby needs and expectations. I'll be explaining what new mothers need and what is found across several traditions and cultures that is in common to postpartum care. You'll find out how you can plan your postpartum around those needs and why that can make a great foundation to a postpartum plan. The second part of the episode talks about the baby's biological expectations of life outside the womb in the fourth trimester and helps to normalize typical newborn behavior. When parents know and understand typical or expected behaviors and needs of newborn mothers and babies, they can rest assured in the normalcy of the experience without second guessing themselves or feeling that they are doing something wrong. This episode is here to encourage you and normalize your experience. Let's get started. Links: Book: The 4th Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/the-fourth-trimester-9781611804003 Book: Nourishing Newborn Mothers by Julia Jones https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/nourishing-newborn-mothers-9780648343103 Book: The First 40 Days by Heng Ou https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/the-first-forty-days-9781617691836 Meal Train https://www.mealtrain.com/ Postpartum Massages at your home with Soňa https://www.doulacollective.fi/sona-feelyourbirth/ Unina belly binding https://unina.com.au/product/bengkung/ Mentioned topics: The 5 universal postpartum needs How to prepare to meet those needs Examples of questions to ask yourself as you plan for postpartum The expectations of newborn babies, the biological needs of babies The ways in which newborn babies bond with an attachment figure Understanding the needs and expectations of newborn babies helps parents know what is typical behavior What parents can do to help the baby feel calmer and meet the biological expectations in the fourth trimester

In this episode of the podcast I talk about using mindfulness in parenting. This is the third and last episode in my mini-series of solo episodes that have focused on postpartum and parenting. Mindfulness has been a big teacher in my mothering and I love sharing that with other parents! I spoke about what mindfulness could look like at the different stages and phases of parenthood and how we could put them into practice. I shared about how my baby's sleep was a big opportunity for me to practice mindfulness and why I feel that it is exactly that, a practice. Join me on this episode to find out about this really important parenting tool, or superpower, that I believe plays a big part in enjoying your mothering and parenting. Mentioned topics: Mindfulness at each stage of the parenting journey How labor gives us the lessons we need to have for parenting Parenting as an ideal time to practice mindfulness Parenting invites you to be a child again, they invite us to join them in the present moment

Happy New Year to those listening just as this episode airs. We are just a few days into 2023 and that marks 1 year since I started working on this podcast full time. To mark this beautiful celebration I'm coming out with a mini series of 3 solo episodes dedicated to postpartum preparation and expectations. Think of it like your mini course with me on how to get ready for postpartum. This first episode will be all about preparing for postpartum in pregnancy where I'll be explaining about what can an expecting family start doing in order to help themselves have a supported postpartum experience. I also talk about why this can often feel overwhelming for couples, especially when it's the first child, and give ideas on small steps and actions you can take to start you off. Welcome to this 3 part mini series! Thank you for being here with me and let's get started on today's episode with yours truly. Show notes: Danielle's website www.motherstransition.com - download the Asking for Help guide at the bottom of the page Schedule a Discovery Call with Danielle https://www.motherstransition.com/contact The Fourth Trimester book https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/the-fourth-trimester-9781611804003 The First Forty Days book https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/the-first-forty-days-9781617691836 Seven Sisters for Seven Days book https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/seven-sisters-for-seven-days-the-mothers-manual-for-community-based-postpartum-care-9781939807892 Purna Yoga Childbirth Education course https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/main_enroll.asp?studioid=14837&tg=42&vt=1052&lvl=&stype=-8&view=week&trn=100000003&page=&catid=&prodid=&date=12%2f14%2f2022&classid=0&prodGroupId=&sSU=&optForwardingLink=&qParam=&justloggedin=&nLgIn=&pMode=0&loc=1 Purna Yoga classes https://www.purnayoga.fi/en/pregnancy-birth-and-postnatal/ Mentioned topics: Why is pregnancy the best time to start thinking about postpartum? Why can it feel strange and overwhelming? What can you do to start thinking about postpartum in pregnancy? Look for childbirth education courses that have a session about postpartum as well. Understanding that postpartum, as birth, can be unexpected.

On this week's episode we're having Anna Perälä back on the show to talk about her other passion - homeopathy. Anna is a homeopathic birth doula who introduces us to the world of homeopathy. In this episode we debunk some myths about this healing modality and I have to say that it made me curious! Anna explained the basics and origins, the importance of looking and treating the person as a whole, as well as how it can support each stage of the parenting journey from conception through to the postpartum. Anna gave us some of her favorite remedies and told us where you can buy them here in Finland. We touched upon the skepticism which some may have towards this modality and looked at some research findings as well. If you have a strong opinion about homeopathy but actually quite little knowledge, I warmly invite you to come with an open mind and get curious! I love adding more tools and learning about new ways to support myself and my family, and this is the reason I brought Anna to the show to talk about this topic! Before we get started, I wanted to share that this episode will be the last one before I take a little Christmas and New Years break. I will be back with new episodes on January 9th, 2023. If you haven't listened to the previous episodes of this show, this is your chance to catch up before the new content comes out! Go back and listen from the beginning because the guests here have really been special! So now, let's welcome Anna Perälä back on the show for this episode about homeopathy. Links: Pur kauppa https://pur-kauppa.fi/ Remedia https://www.remedia-homeopathy.com/shop/ Study from Switzerland about using homeopathy in public healthcare system https://www.narayana-verlag.com/Homeopathy-in-Healthcare-Gudrun-Bornhoeft-Peter-F-Matthiessen/b13068 Finnish Homeopath Association https://www.homeopaatit.net/ Nordic Homeopath Association http://www.homeopatiainfo.fi/homeopatiainfo-users-suomen-homeopaatit-ry Book a consultation with Anna https://en.doula-anna.com/homeopatia Topics mentioned: The basics of homeopathy and the origins of it The importance of treating the person as a whole when using homeopathy How homeopathy can support the parenting journey from conception to postpartum Anna's favorite remedies for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum Where to find homeopathic remedies What is inside the remedy and how it is made Evidence for homeopathy and efficacy How to understand and look at homeopathy research studies

Welcome to this episode all about baby's position in utero. Chloé and I spoke about the different positions that the baby could have during the pregnancy and especially at the end. We made the connection between your baby's position and the labor that you might have, recognizing the importance of the baby's position in that. We explained how the way that we move and sit during pregnancy is related to our baby's position and spoke about the importance of creating room for the baby in the front of our body rather than in the back. If this all sounds a bit confusing at this point, hold on one moment and we'll get started - everything is explained really clearly and slowly. We also give you examples of positions that you could get into that will help create that space in the front. We also talked about trusting our baby and body after we've done everything to invite them and created more space for them yet they still don't change their position, we spoke about belly mapping and the knowledge that it can give us about our own baby, as well as what the added benefit of seeing an osteopath might be for creating balance and alignment in our body. Let's get started. But just before we jump in, I have to tell you about the upcoming training that Maria Fernandez, our nest doula, is hosting on December 7th 2022 online. The workshop is called Getting Ready for Breastfeeding and it's for pregnant families who are interested to know more on breastfeeding and feel prepared for that adventure. I have taken this training before and as someone who has breastfed, I felt like it was so on point and touched on all of the challenges that I had as a newborn mom with a newborn baby. It's fantastic. If you want to sign up, visit Maria's IG page @eyogadoula. Show notes: Spinning Babies website https://www.spinningbabies.com/ Belly mapping https://www.spinningbabies.com/pregnancy-birth/baby-position/belly-mapping/ Rest Smart Spinning Babies https://www.spinningbabies.com/pregnancy-birth/techniques/rest-smart/ Episode with Nicola https://open.spotify.com/episode/6rJKe876SM7N3W5FYaSMsx?si=5yb4txXYTmCAD0Rnwm-xVQ Women's Cafe in English https://sornas.kvinnoforbundet.fi/sv/aktuellt/women_s_caf_in_english/ Maria Fernandez's IG account to sign up for breastfeeding training https://www.instagram.com/eyogadoula/ Mentioned topics: What do we mean by optimal position? What are the positions of our body that may encourage a less than optimal fetal position? What are the more recommended positions for us to be in to encourage baby into a more optimal fetal position? The use of the peanut ball in labor to help open the hips Belly mapping to help localize the position of the baby in the uterus The benefits of belly mapping There are sometimes reasons which we do not know for why the baby chooses to be in a certain position After inviting the baby to get into another position and making room, there is an element of trust to be had as well What can people do to encourage balance and invite baby into an optimal fetal position Why visiting an osteopath in pregnancy can be helpful for baby's position Recommended Spinning Babies exercises for labor There is sometimes a reason why our babies choose to stay in a certain position even though we have tried everything Great position for birthing that will create as much room as possible for the baby

This episode of the podcast starts the conversation about the baby's experience of birth and the way in which babies too want to tell their birth story. Heli shared the ways in which Zone Therapy can support the parenting journey from conception to postpartum as well as how it can help the babies after they are born. By helping the baby relax and ease tension in their body, Heli helps families who deal with belly aches, unexplained crying, sleep challenges, and more. We spoke about the patterns that Heli notices in the baby's body depending on the kind of pregnancy and birth experience that they have had. This is so fascinating to understand the impact that the birth has on our babies and actually on all of us. Zone therapy is a wonderful way to support the parents as well as the baby throughout the entire journey and this episode is here to guide you through how that is done. If you listen to this episode and feel called to have more guidance and support in listening to your baby's crying as they share their birth story, please schedule a Discovery Call with me through my website motherstransition.com. I work 1-1 with families and mothers to help my clients find their center so they can feel more prepared and capable to hold space for their child's emotions as I do for them. I look forward to hearing from you, and now let's get started on this episode with Heli about Emotional Zone Therapy. Show notes: Heli's website https://www.helinhoitohuone.fi/en/ Heli's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helinhoitohuone/ Integrative Baby Therapy http://matthew-appleton.co.uk/integrative-baby-therapy/ Schedule a Discovery Call with Danielle https://www.motherstransition.com/contact Topics: What is Zone Therapy? Zone Therapy for conception support The integration and connection between emotions and body The magical bond between pregnant person and baby Zone Therapy for pregnancy e.g. supporting the sleep, joint pain, baby's position, start of labor Zone Therapy for the postpartum Too often after birth, the mother is forgotten When we care for mothers, we care for families and for society The birth journey from the perspective of the baby How Zone Therapy can help with newborn baby challenges e.g. belly ache, sleep challenges, The kind of patterns Heli notices in baby's behavior depending on the way the pregnancy and birth was The non verbal memory that babies have about their birth and how it affects their life Babies have emotions that come with a sensory embodied memory

On today's episode Rosalia and I talk about preparing for birth with nutrition. We get into exactly why nutrition plays such an important part and what are some of the problems it can help you overcome or avoid. Rosalia explains the connection between the food we eat, suggesting that one thing influences the other and depends upon the other for smooth operation, which is why a holistic approach is often the one she prefers. She explains how she works with her clients and some of the amazing results that she notices from people who follow this process! I was amazed to find out some of the powers that Vitamin D has for example on pain coping! Have a listen to find out and contact Rosalia if you feel like nutritional preparation for labor is something that you want to know more about! Are you ready to start? Let's go. Show notes: Rosalia's website www.birth.fi Rosalia's email rosalia@birth.fi The Nest Doulas website www.doulacollective.fi Research on Vitamin D in pregnancy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3183324/ https://youtu.be/V-pv9c8biGA https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Vitamin-D-for-expecting-mothers--you-need-more-than-400iu-Happy-Mother-s-day--.html?soid=1101240076659&aid=yOD4SVfiIcI https://lilynicholsrdn.com/vitamin-d-pregnancy/ https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/vitamin-d/?fbclid=IwAR08XbSquYsf3RMITh4_oCONzSF9v9_7vcJeAGD3RU9IfPhgeCRNYJevRQI https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/infant-rsv-linked-to-vitamin-d-deficiency-study-1.1017896 Mentioned topics: Nutrition as preparation for labor We're given little info on what to eat and more about what you should avoid The connection between nutrition and need for artificial oxytocin Specific nutrition in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy in preparation for the labor and birth Nutrition is about helping your body function effectively Good level of vitamin D can help cope with pain The amazing benefits of the nutritional preparation and why it can be so important

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Anu Lampinen once again. Today's episode with Anu will focus on the postpartum time after birth. The 40 days after the birth where your body and mind go through so many changes and your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb. There is so much to say about the postpartum and in this episode we just scratch the surface. If you are pregnant, don't shy away from this episode as it is so important to start preparing for your postpartum recovery already now in pregnancy. Show notes: 1. Anu's website http://katilotalo.fi/anu-lampinen/ 2. Anu's email anu@katilotalo.fi 3. Anu's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/anu_katilo_akupunktio/ 4. Anu's Facebook https://www.facebook.com/katilotalo 5. Nurturing the Family book https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/nurturing-the-family-a-doulas-guide-to-supporting-new-parents-9781946665430 6. YouTube video "Why it's so Hard to Take a Shower With a Newborn" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQt90SHj6iY&t=3s 7. Motherhood Talks - a weekly support group for moms https://fb.me/e/3QcZe2UER 8. Imetys Tuki breastfeeding support in English https://imetys.fi/in-english/ 9. Anu and Gabriela's postpartum doula certificate training (currently only in Finnish) https://juurakonvoima.com/kurssit/postpartum-doula-sertifiointikoulutus/ 10. The mentioned article about breastfeeding in Finland: Hannula L. 2003. Imetysnäkemykset ja imetyksen toteutuminen. Suomalaisten synnyttäjien seurantatutkimus. Tohtorinväitöskirja. Turun yliopiston julkaisuja C 195. Yliopistopaino Helsinki. https://jyu.finna.fi/Record/jykdok.894402 Mentioned topics: What are the elements of a peaceful postpartum that facilitates healing? Following your own truth in postpartum The importance of not being alone in postpartum The huge identity change Rituals to mark rites of passage The mammalian baby instincts What is lacking for families in postpartum? How supportive presence can help someone learn to breastfeed How positive attitude of the partner towards breastfeeding can help sustain it Families lack of support and information How postpartum support in Finland can improve What are the needs of families in postpartum? The advantages of having baby brain How quickly a newborn baby changes The need for nutrition in postpartum Having deep listening to your birth story When we come to see a new baby we are also seeing a new mother Preparing for postpartum in pregnancy What might you include in your postpartum plan? Having a maid of honor and best man for the postpartum too like at a wedding Doing an online closing ceremony when your friends live abroad

Welcome back to the Birthing in Finland podcast and to today's episode with our nest doula Maria Fernandez! This episode will be all about breastfeeding in the early days of newborn life. You'll find out what a pregnancy person needs to know about breastfeeding, whether or not you should prepare the body for breastfeeding, prenatal colostrum expression, the most common issues in the first weeks, and how to know if the baby is getting enough milk. We then moved into talking about getting breastfeeding help in Finland and asked the question where can people find breastfeeding support and when should they ask for support. I asked Maria a few questions about her role as a lactation consultant as well such as how long does she work with families, and how does she help with supplementing if needed. We ended the conversation by making a connection between postpartum rest and breastfeeding. Listen until the end to find out what that connection is. Let's get started on this super interesting and important conversation! Show notes: 1. Maria's Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/eyogadoula/ 2. Maria's reel about IBCLCs https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cg2FFulqoQs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 3. Finland's breastfeeding peer support charity https://imetys.fi/ 4. Jack Newman's book https://www.adlibris.com/fi/kirja/dr-jack-newmans-guide-to-breastfeeding-9781780662305 Mentioned topics: What does a pregnant person need to know about breastfeeding? Should you prepare the body for breastfeeding in any way? Prenatal colostrum expression - should you do it? The first days of breastfeeding, what are the most common issues? Searching for the nipple and getting the search reflex How to know that the baby is getting enough milk How can someone get help with breastfeeding in finland? How does a lactation consultant help with supplementation? How a lactation aid works Hhen to ask for help How long can a lactation consultant help the family? The connection between resting in postpartum and breastfeeding

Welcome to this episode about Maria's postpartum story. In this episode Maria shares her experience of having Danielle Bensky (myself) as her postpartum doula. We spoke about what was meaningful to her, how preparing for postpartum assisted her and her partner in getting aligned on their expectations, allowed them to see their blind spots and feel more ready. Maria also spoke about the way in which having me as her postpartum doula helped her transition to motherhood in a more mindful and aware way. Maria mentioned that she felt more resourced and therefore felt more able to show up as her best self to her daughter. Listen to this episode to hear how a postpartum doula can support the transition to motherhood and why Maria enjoyed it so much! Show notes: 1. Danielle's website for postpartum doula care www.motherstransition.com 2. Schedule a Discovery Call with Danielle https://calendly.com/daniellebensky/discovery-call-mothers-transition 3. Episode 25 with Gabriela https://open.spotify.com/episode/60JyZluDAAfdBsCt1dbpYd?si=52edf9e7cc944f10

This episode introduces you to Ria Malva, a home birth midwife. I will be asking Ria all the questions that parents want to know when considering the option of a home birth in Finland. From worries about what happens if a transfer to the hospital is needed, to how much home birth might cost. We go into different worries and concerns that parents have including the mess at home, the safety of homebirth, the tools that Ria brings to the birth, having a backup midwife, and more… I hope that this episode helps you gain more information about this very legal and real choice that you have of a home birth. Mentioned topics: Common fears about childbirth and childbirth safety. Preparing for childbirth is more than just learning about physiology but also through body work, connecting with the body like dance and yoga European statistics around childbirth at home Talking about evidence based care and that not all of it is The fawning response in addition to fight, flight, freeze The criteria for being the client of a homebirth midwife The importance of baby's position Partner's support of a homebirth, how to support a partner who is hesitating What if you don't want to birth and home nor hospital? Other options. Show notes: 1. Ria's website https://www.rakkaudenkohtu.com/ 2. Ria's email address rakkaudenkohtu@gmail.com 3. Ria's website about homebirth safety and possible reasons for hospital transfer https://www.rakkaudenkohtu.com/kotisynnytyksen-turvallisuus.html 4. Evidence Based Birth https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ 5. Rachel Reed - Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage https://www.rachelreed.website/books 6. Spinning Babies https://www.spinningbabies.com/ 7. Synnytys Syli - birthing place http://synnytyssyli.fi/ 8. Synnytys Kota - birthing place http://www.synnytyskota.fi/

Welcome to another episode of birthing in Finland. On this episode I sat down with our nest doula Sona Jany Louhivuori, to have a really casual and fun conversation about how having sex and pooping can give us clues about the ideal environment to have a baby. Are you getting curious? Haha this is a great episode with many golden nuggets that im sure you'll enjoy. We spoke about how some of the birth preparation methods are also used when training for professional sports, and why we think that there's a really important lesson there. We got deeper into the big emotions of birth like feeling safe with the people around you. Feeling safe enough to be the most raw and vulnerable version of yourself, knowing that you will continue to be loved also after. We finished off the episode with some words about postpartum care as well, how important it is, and how preparation for postpartum during pregnancy is an important part of it! Show notes: 1. Sona's website https://sonajany.com/ 2. Sona's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/feelyourbirth/ 3. Positive Birth Helsinki - register here - https://mailchi.mp/648e302327d5/positivebirth 4. Motherhood Talks - moms group - https://fb.me/e/28VPvEvCL 5. Sona's and Rosalia's childbirth preparation course - https://bit.ly/childbirtheducationcourse

Welcome to my conversation with Hanna Grankvist. Hanna is a birth and postpartum doula as well as a babywearing instructor living right here in Finland. Hanna is also so gifted and talented that she weaves her own baby carriers made locally under the name of Tyykityy. In our chat we talk about the importance of choosing an ergonomic carrier and how to spot if it is indeed ergonomic, why you might need more than one carrier for your family, and how you can continue to wear your baby also through the harsh Finnish winters. Hanna then tells us in more detail about how she makes her very own carriers as well as about a babywearing association that holds gatherings where you can ask your babywearing questions and try out new carriers before purchasing - how convenient. Show notes: 1. Hanna's Instagram - Tyykityy https://www.instagram.com/tyykityy/ 2. Babywearing association "Kantoliinayhdistys" - supporting volunteers list - https://www.kantoliinayhdistys.fi/kantaminen/tukihenkilot-ja-kantovalinelainaamo/ 3. Facebook group - babywearers in Finland - look for upcoming dates of babywearing cafe - https://www.facebook.com/groups/kantoliinatjakantoreput/?ref=share 4. Sign up for Oct 15th Positive Birth Helsinki meetup - https://mailchi.mp/648e302327d5/positivebirth

On today's episode I share with you my conversation with Gabriela Ariana. Gabriela is an ecological artist, body therapist, ecosomatic practitioner, dancer and singer. She has been working with mothers and women on their feminine journey for over 20 years. Gabriela also trains postpartum doulas right here in Finland together with Anu Lampinen who has also been a guest on the podcast. In our conversation today we dive into the path of motherhood. We talk about the way motherhood is seen in our culture and society, the disconnection of that definition from our sexuality, why motherhood can be a gate towards self realization, and so many more amazing and mind opening pieces. It is a long episode but it's filled with many personal stories and examples, as well as deep issues and topics that are so fascinating for anyone interested in the path of motherhood and the identity shift that follows. Gabriela offers a really unique and deep perspective into the transformation to motherhood and I am so happy to bring this conversation to you today. Have a listen until the end to hear the beautiful poem that Gabriela shares - a poem which she wrote to her second child while still pregnant. Let's get started. Show notes: 1. Gabriela's email juurakonvoima@gmail.com 2. Gabriela's website https://juurakonvoima.com/en/gabriela-ariana-en/ 3. Gabriela's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gabrielaariana_juurakonvoima/ 4. Book: Reclaiming childbirth as a rite of passage by Rachel Reed https://g.co/kgs/KJvoDV

On today's episode I'll be chatting with Sari Tjurin-Zeiger. Sari is an acupuncturist specializing in gynecology, obstetrics, and reproductive medicine. In this episode you will find out what kinds of challenges Sari can help people with, why scientific research is so important to inform the working practice, and how it supports reproductive health including secondary subfertility. We spoke about how secondary infertility sometimes receives less attention and those who are experiencing it may feel marginalized. Sari is a great person to know for your entire parenting journey from conception to postpartum and beyond and that's why she's a guest on the podcast. Let's get started with this deep dive into acupuncture. Show notes: Schedule an appointment with Sari: https://www.eiransairaala.fi/fi/Asiantuntijat/Tjurin-Zeiger-Sari Scientific literature and references: 1. Allais G, Chiarle G, Sinigaglia S, et al. Acupuncture treatment of migraine, nausea, and vomiting in pregnancy. Neurol Sci. 2019;40(Suppl 1):213-215. doi:10.1007/s10072-019- 03799-2 2. Dehghani AS, Homayouni K, Kanannejad Z, Kanannejad Z. The effect of acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer on the in vitro fertilization outcomes: An RCT. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2020;18(3):209-214. doi:10.18502/ijrm.v18i3.6719 3. Bäumler P, Zhang W, Stübinger T, Irnich D. Acupuncture-related adverse events: systematic review and meta-analyses of prospective clinical studies. BMJ Open. 2021;11(9):e045961. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045961 4. Linde K, Allais G, Brinkhaus B, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of episodic migraine. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016;(6). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001218.pub3 5. Lokugamage AU, Eftime VAI, Porter D, Ahillan T, Ke SX. Birth preparation acupuncture for normalising birth: An analysis of NHS service routine data and proof of concept. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2020;40(8):1096-1101. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1694878 6. Park J, Sohn Y, White AR, Lee H. The safety of acupuncture during pregnancy: a systematic review. Acupunct Med. 2014;32(3):257-266. doi:10.1136/acupmed-2013- 010480 9. Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy. Fertility and Sterility. 2002;77(4):721-724. doi:10.1016/S0015-0282(01)03273-3 10. Hullender Rubin LE, Opsahl MS, Wiemer K, Mist SD, Caughey AB. Impact of Whole Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine on In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes. Reprod Biomed Online. 2015;30(6):602-612. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.02.005 11. Khorram N, Horton S, Sahakian V, Chacon R, Khorram O. Adjuvant acupuncture reduces first trimester pregnancy loss after IVF. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2012;02. doi:10.4236/ojog.2012.23059 Interesting to read: 12 FinnAcu. Akupunktion tietopaketti. Published 2021. Accessed September 26, 2022. https://finnacu.fi/akupunktion-tietopaketti/ 13. Rubin LH, DAOM, LAc, Medicine FA at OR, Studio PA. How Acupuncture Impacts IVF Success Rates. FertilityIQ. https://www.fertilityiq.com/topics/acupuncture-for- fertility/how-acupuncture-impacts-ivf-success-rates 14. Tjurin-Zeiger S. Akupunktio hedelmöityshoitojen ja raskauden tukena - Dextra Lapsettomuusklinikka. Published March 23, 2021. https://www.dextralapsettomuusklinikka.fi/blogi/2021/03/23/akupunktio- hedelm%C3%B6ityshoitojen-ja-raskauden-tukena/

Welcome back to the Birthing in Finland podcast! Today I am talking about a topic I love so much - conscious parenting. My guest is Clara Vazquez, a conscious parenting guide and psychologist who facilitates conscious parenting trainings right here in Finland. In this episode we explored how conscious parenting is actually much more about discovering who we are more than about our children, why it's a philosophy more than a method, how the way in which we were parented influences the way we parent, why emotions are a compass in our life. We explored together the question whether conscious parenting spoils your child and what that even means to begin with, how one of our most basic needs and kids and humans is unconditional love, as well as the importance of play in helping parents connect with their children's interests and internal world. We ended up also talking about the “witching hour” and giving it a slightly new perspective you may have not heard before so make sure you listen till the end to hear our take on it. If you find yourself interested, you can email or send a WhatsApp to Clara to get on the waiting list for the course. She will explain more about it in the episode. Are you ready to explore a perhaps new philosophy of parenting? To look deeper into yourself as a child and now parent? If anything comes up for you from listening to this, please send me a DM on IG and we can explore it more together. Let's get started on this episode about conscious parenting with Clara Vazquez. Show notes: 1. Clara's email: clara.vazquez@trapesa.com 2. Clara's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clara.work.1610 3. Clara's WhatsApp: +358 40 7295355 4. Clara's course for professionals: https://www.trapesa.com/tapahtumat/introduction-to-conscious-parenting/ 5. Clara's course for parents: https://www.instagram.com/consciousparentinginfinland/ 6. Aware Parenting instructor page http://www.awareparenting.com/instruct.htm 7. Books by Aletha Solter: http://www.awareparenting.com/books.htm 8. Dr Shefali website: https://www.drshefali.com/ 9. The Aware Parenting podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/27jy3YpTRlpmEuroVZqtTy 10. Book list from Clara: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AxbQ8xgoH0uPDUjzPj6wDRFK-O9jCS7mQn4_qpk6tao/edit?usp=sharing

Welcome back to the birthing in Finland podcast. This is another special episode that was recorded a little over one year ago to capture the special moment. Today I have Maria Fernandez with me again along with her then 4 week old newborn baby. We got to talking about baby brain in the immediate postpartum, the use of mantras or affirmations also for postpartum, what you can do to help support your baby brain, why the hormone oxytocin continues to be important also after birth, and why talking about “getting back to yourself” can be quite a misleading idea to keep in mind. At the end of the episode Maria mentioned that she would like to have a closing ceremony and indeed almost one year after the birth, the nest doulas gifted Maria with a beautiful loving caring ceremony that nurtured and gave her a boost of confidence. But now, let's get started with this episode about baby brain. Show notes: Maria's IG account: https://www.instagram.com/eyogadoula/

Hello and welcome back to the show. This episode with Maria Fernandez about birth brain is brought to you by the Positive Birth Helsinki meetups. Our free upcoming session will take place on Saturday September 10th at LillaLuckan near Kamppi from 10 to 12am. The topic of this meetup will be “induction”. When might you be offered one and how to know if your body is ready for it? Meet our Nest doulas there, get to know other expecting families, and learn more on this topic. If you have a toddler, they are welcome to join you. If you have a partner, they are also welcome to join you. To register, please visit thenestdoulas on ig and find the bio link or check out the show notes. So, on today's episode I have Maria Fernandez with me, a Nest doula, who was at the end of her pregnancy at the time of this recording in March 2021. Maria speaks from her perspective as a birth doula, yoga teacher and second time mom as she prepares her mind and body for the upcoming home birth of her second child. She shares her tips on how to create birth brain mode which is so lovely and delicious in helping you enter the birth zone as you come closer to the birth of your baby. We get into what “birth brain” is and why you would want to facilitate it. We speak about the continuum that exists between pregnancy, birth, and parenting, as well as about the experience of the birth partner in all of this. If you are at the end of your pregnancy as you are listening to this, boil yourself some water, make a tea, light a candle, sit back and enjoy! Show notes: 1. Register for Positive Birth Helsinki meetup on September 10th https://mailchi.mp/648e302327d5/positivebirth 2. Maria's Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/eyogadoula/?hl=en

On today's episode I'm bringing you my conversation with Anna Perälä, a doula, homeopath, reiki healer, clinical hypnotherapist and hypnobirthing practitioner. Anna lives in Seinäjoki and has been supporting both Finnish and international families. Anna has a lot of knowledge and expertise to share but for today, we've decided to dive deep into hypnobirthing. Today's episode is brought to you by Rosalia's Pihlajasaari's pain coping for labor 1hr workshop on Sep 1st 2022. This workshop will give you two proven techniques for pain coping, give tips to the partner, as well as much more. To find out more and register visit thenestdoulas on Instagram and send Rosalia a message. Now back to the episode with Anna. We start off by debunking some myths about hypnobirthing and move into speaking about why it's so important to practice the hypnobirthing techniques during pregnancy. Anna explained what these techniques may look like and why they are quite effective. We ended off the episode by speaking about the importance of being the subject of your birth rather than an object and what hypnobirthing has to do with that. In the episode i also briefly mentioned the work of midwife Johanna who was actually also a guest on the podcast on episode 17 so if you want to hear more of what we spoke about, definitely have a listen to that episode. For now, let's dive into this episode about hypnobirthing. Show notes: 1. Woman having a cesarean birth under hypnosis 2. Book: Babies are not Pizzas; They're Born not Delivered by Rebecca Dekker 3. Evidence Based Birth website by Rebecca Dekker 4. Marie Mongan Hypnobirthing book 5. Website for finding Hypnobirthing practitioners in Finland 6. Anna's website 7. Anna's email: annaperala@protonmail.com

On today's episode of Birthing In Finland I will be chatting with Clara Vazquez about her role as a family expert and psychologist with Mielen Portti. Clara facilitates and leads events and gatherings for families with immigrant background, with the focus of mental health and well being. In this episode, you'll hear more on what Mielen Portti has to offer your family and why Clara is such a fantastic person to know! We spoke about the challenges of foreign families living here and how having time for yourself as a parent with little family help can be very challenging. Just by listening to the challenges that Clara shares you might get a feeling of being understood and that you are not alone in it. In the episode Clara refers to 2 workshops that Giuliano is facilitating with Mielen Portti but we don't go into them in depth. If you are interested to hear more about those then go back and listen to episode 14 where I interviewed Giuliano exactly about these groups. In the episode Clara also mentions neighborhood mothers which you can also learn more about by listening to episode 9. Finally, Clara mentioned a conscious parenting course - and the upcoming one is actually starting really soon on September 21st 2022. You can sign up for that by emailing Clara. Let's get right into and dive into the interview i had on the podcast with Clara Vazquez. Show notes: 1. Clara's email address: clara.vazquez@trapesa.com 2. Moms/Dads in Finland with amazing kids (special needs) FB group 3. Trapesa website 4. Mielen Portti FB page 5. Filoksenia FB page 6. Filoksenia IG account 7. Clara's FB account

On this episode of Birthing in Finland I am going to tell you about a sweet little, almost secret oasis for parents at the heart of Helsinki. It's a place called Albert's Living Room and in this episode you'll get to meet the main coordinator of this space, Olavi Karvonen. Albert's Living Room is run by HelsinkiMissio, an organization with the mission to reduce loneliness. Olavi and I got to talking about the values of the place, how it started and how you can benefit from coming over there. We also talk about the importance and beauty of intergenerational interactions and why the volunteers there make it such a unique and special place to visit especially for foreign parents who may be living far away from grandparents. If you haven't heard of Alberts Living Room before, then I'm so happy for you that you now have this amazing place to hang out in. Sharing daily life with other parents and adults makes parenting so much more enjoyable. So let's get right into today's episode with Olavi talking all about Albert's Living Room. Show notes: 1. Albert's Living Room on Facebook 2. HelsinkiMissio website 3. Albert's Living Room website

On this episode of Birthing in Finalnd I will be speaking with the wonderful midwife Johanna Sarlio-Nieminen. Johanna has been working as a midwife for 25 years in the hospital as well as home birth setting. She is active in efforts to improve maternity services and is a passionate doctoral researcher. Before getting into the details of the episode i want to use this opportunity to share some exciting things that are happening. On Thursday I will be starting the August group of Milky Mornings - a supportive mothers group for moms and babies in Espoo in the comfort of a cozy living room space. It's for moms with babies under 1 year and we still have space for 2 more to join. You'll get a delicious breakfast, a chance to meet other moms, and talk about everything that's on your mind and heart regarding this massive experience of welcoming a new baby. If you want to find out more or to join us, then please send me an email to danielle@motherstransition.com As I started to mention, in this episode Johanna and I will take you on a trip down memory lane where you will hear more about the unfolding of the birthing culture in Finland over time. What was it like before most of the births were in the hospitals and before neuvola nurses and birthing midwives worked in separate places. Johanna will also share more on why she thinks there should be a rocking chair in every labor room, and why midwives should be speaking to pregnant people about breastfeeding already at 12 weeks gestation. We also invite you to imagine the hospital as a castle, listen until the end to find out why this is such a great metaphor. This was an incredible interview, I hope you will love it! Show notes: 1. Helsinki Group for Research on Birth and Childbearing 2. Johanna's email address: johanna.sarlio-nieminen@yebomama.fi

In today's episode I'm bringing you my conversation with Silja Seppänen, a midwife and childbirth educator. Silja discovered her passion for midwifery when she was just 9 years old and living in Kenya with her family. Our conversation today will take a deeper look into the topic of informed choice and informed consent of the birther and everything that comes with that. We spoke about informed choice as the building block for a positive birth experience, the difference between informed choice and consent, navigating risks and doing risk assessment in birth, as well as the relationship between informed choice and taking ownership or responsibility over your birth. We also talked about what you can do to make sure there is informed choice and consent at your birth, the partner's role at being the gatekeeper of informed choice, and the midwife's role in giving informed choice and asking for consent. Silja shared a great acronym which will help you make informed choices in the moment you are presented with options, the difference between planning for birth and preparing for birth, and why a seagull pooping on your windshield has everything to do with preparing for labor. This is a fantastic episode filled with so many gems and eye opening topics. Show notes: Silja's website Evidence Based Birth website The evidence on Strep B

On today's episode I'm chatting with Mirjam Solomon. Mirjam is a psychologist who has spent the last 6 years working in Terapeuttinen vauvaperhetyö which is a public service provided by the city municipality. Mirjam specializes in psychological therapy that helps parents who feel that they are struggling to build a bond with the baby in pregnancy and or afterwards. In this episode we speak about why it may be beneficial to apply for this kind of service already during pregnancy, how cultural background can influence parenting values, and how Mirjan has seen these differences play out for families here. At the end of the episode we go into some things you can do to facilitate a stronger bond with your baby during your pregnancy. Mirjam also has her own private practice where she welcomes foreigners and expats for a wide range of psychological therapy in English. Show notes: Mirjam's website General info about the service Terapeuttinen vauvaperhetyö in Helsinki municipality Register for webinar: Baby's position in utero - June 15th 2022

On today's episode I'm chatting with Giuliano Valentini about communication and vulnerability. Giuliano facilitates a peer support group and a workshop through the organization Mielen Portti. The peer group is called “Men Talk” and is a safe space for men to openly discuss their struggles, and the workshop is called “Communication Talk” and is centered around non-violent communication. In this episode Giuliano explains about these two initiatives in more detail. We get to talking about the reason why men also need a safe space to talk about their emotions, how this can be very important as a father as well, as well as how both parents can pass down things from their lineages. Giuliano explains the foundations of non-violent communication and why he thinks it's a way of life and not just a method. You'll find out how to register to these two free groups at the end of the episode so stay with us until then. Before we jump in, I want to mention that June 20th 2022 will be our last episode before a short summer break. As you've probably realized, July is a ghost town around here because everyone is out enjoying the 2 minutes of sun we have. Anyways, the next episode after that will be coming out on August 8th 2022. I'm waiting to welcome you back here with a whole bunch of amazing guests and episodes. If you are pregnant and want to have a chance to chat with me some more, join me and the nest doulas online for the June Positive Birth Helsinki meetup which will be about dads and birth partners. It will be on Saturday the 11th of June 2022 at 10-12am. You can sign up with the link in the show notes or through The Nest IG page bio link. Show notes: Men Talk Instagram Men Talk email: mentalk.contact@gmail.com Communication Talk Instagram Communication Talk Registration Form Register: Positive Birth Helsinki online meetup on June 11th 2022 (dads and birth partners) Brene Brown Netflix "Call to Courage" Trailer Brene Brown quote about white horse Brene Brown quote "Show me a woman..." Aware Parenting Conscious Parenting

On today's episode you will meet Anna-Riitta Kässi, a doula, owner of Doula Akatemia a center for doula training, as well as a sex educator and therapist. Our conversation focused on the topic of sex and sexuality along the journey of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Anna-Riitta goes into the sensitivities around sex and intimacy at each of these very different times in the relationship and in each one of the partners separately as well. We explore body image issues after birth, how a positive or a negative birth experience can influence your sexual desires, bust a few myths about sex in pregnancy, redefining sex to fit our needs and desires, and why birth itself is actually a sexual event! Let's get started. Show notes: Anna-Riitta's website Anna-Riitta's email address: anna-riitta@viekku.fi Anna-Riitta's Instagram account Mama Mojo podcast by Anna-Riitta

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Anu Lampinen, a seasoned midwife of over 30 years. Anu has worked as a hospital and home birth midwife throughout her career. She also has knowledge in Chinese medicine and acupuncture as well as breastfeeding consultancy and postpartum recovery. In this episode Anu and I talk about what a positive birth means for the birthing person, what kind of changes Anu has seen in the Finnish birth culture and what she still hopes will improve. We speak about the importance of continuity of care and why it can make such a difference in the birth experience as well as how midwives can help facilitate this positive birth experience. We then touched on physiological birth and what you can do to increase your oxytocin in childbirth as well as what happens when we remove the pain caused by the oxytocin. We finish the episode off by giving you pain coping techniques you can try and practice, so make sure you listen until the end. Show notes: Anu's website Anu's Instagram Books by Pam England Poem by Robert Frost Evidence for doulas from Evidence Based Birth Rachel Reed - Midwife Thinking Spinning Babies - Three Balances Kerstin Uvnäs Moberg - Oxytocin researcher Books by Michel Odent

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Brenda Miquiztli. When I asked Brenda how she would describe herself, she said “medicine woman”. In the first part of the episode you'll hear what this means to Brenda and why she chose this description. Brenda grew up in Mexico surrounded by natural remedies, witnessing the traditional care women receive especially in pregnancy and postpartum. When she moved to Finland in 2011, Brenda noticed the gaping hole that exists especially with postpartum support, and decided to share her wisdom with the people living here. Brenda supports families through the entire pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey using traditional Mexican ceremonies and rituals and we go into how these rituals are seen at those different stages of the parenting journey. Join us on this conversation as we dive deeper into Brenda's beautiful and special work here in Finland. Show notes: Brenda's website Brenda's Instagram page Brenda's Facebook page Brenda's email: brendaanleu15@gmail.com "7 sisters for 7 days" book by Michelle Peterson Evidence on doulas by Evidence Based Birth Register for the webinar "Pain as your birth ally" on May 18th 2022 Register for the Positive Birth Helsinki online meetup "The 4th Trimester" on May 21st 2022 Register to the Milky Mornings trial session on May 19th 2022 by emailing danielle@motherstransition.com

On today's episode I bring you my conversation with Chloe Bernard who is a birth and postpartum doula. In this episode we talk about the difference between the role of the birth doula and partner. We speak about the doula's job in bringing evidence based information to the family to help them make informed choices, the continuity of care that a doula provides, and why having a doula can be reassuring for the partner just as much. We also speak about what the birthing partner might feel and can expect from labor and birth, the unique aspects that the partner brings and which the doula cannot, the importance of the partner's participation in getting to know the doula during pregnancy, and how the doula's support can be great for the partner in postpartum as well. I also share a little bit about my own birth experience and 2 really key lessons I learned when I debriefed my birth with my doula. We ended this episode by giving really practical things that the partner can do to help the birthing person feel calm in the birth space so stay tuned until the end! Let's get started. Show notes: 1. Chloe's website 2. The Nest website 3. Chloe's FB page 4. Chloe's IG account 5. Evidence Based Birth 6. Brene Brown books 7. Dr Shefali Tsabary on Conscious Parenting 8. Dr Aletha Solter on Aware Parenting 9. To sign up for the Milky Mornings mothers group email danielle@motherstransition.com

Today I'm excited to share with you my conversation with Anna Lenkewitz who is the area coordinator for the Neighborhood Mothers activities in Helsinki. Neighborhood Mothers is a part of the charity organization Nicehearts and it provides a platform for and with women of migrant backgrounds. The organization encourages women to initiate community activities, share knowledge, as well as to become an active part of the Finnish society. Anna shares with us how this organization supports mothers and women on their parenting journey and what people can gain by joining their training and becoming a part of the community or “family” as she calls it. Tune in to this episode to find out more about this great place for you. Show notes: Nicehearts website - https://www.nicehearts.com/in-english/ Neighbrhood Mothers Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/naapuriaidit Anna's email: anna.lenkewitz@nicehearts.com

On today's episode of Birthing In Finland I will be chatting with Laura Merivirta about breastfeeding, baby massage, and reflexology. Laura owns a private neuvola practice where she helps with breastfeeding challenges, gives baby massages, and treats with reflexology. Laura is a qualified IBCLC which stands for International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. This means that she is well able to support unique and more challenging breastfeeding complications, and she has the most up to date information about breastfeeding research. In this episode, Laura and I talk about her journey to starting a private neuvola practice and how baby massage can help our little ones become more relaxed and feed more easily if their bodies are tense after the labor. Laura shares so many gems with us on this episode and she is such a great person to know! Show notes: Neuvola Nuppu website https://www.neuvolanuppu.fi/ Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/neuvolanuppu/ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/neuvolanuppu/ Sign up here for The Nest's webinar on April 28th 2022 about packing your birth bag