Mindful Birth Peaceful Earth Podcast

In this episode, Karen Strange shares insight into the transition all humans make when they are born. She takes us through the baby’s journey during labor and birth and describes how each baby shares their story, once mom and baby are back together. Karen gives practical tips to slow ourselves to match the baby’s pace and tools to communicate with newborns. Sometimes births don’t go as planned. That’s part of life. Luckily, integration is embedded in the sequence of birth (or we wouldn’t have survived for millenia). Karen explains how to facilitate integration and repair, especially when things don’t go as planned. Resources:  Link for preview of my Teachable course  resuscitation-of-the-newborn.teachable.com/p/irn-peek https://karenstrange.com BIOS Being one of the longest practicing American Academy of Pediatrics/Neonatal Resuscitation Program instructors, Karen Strange is truly a neonatal resuscitation guru.  Karen Strange became a midwife in 1988 in Texas and a Certified Professional Midwife in 1996. She teaches what birth professionals need to know to help, assist, and respond to a baby who isn’t breathing or breathing well, regardless of equipment and location of birth, while providing care in the least traumatic way.  Having taught over 10,000 learners, worldwide, Karen has been featured at global conferences, courses, lectures and podcasts. She is the creator and instructor of the workshop, and now online course, Integrative Resuscitation of the Newborn. Karen specializes in debriefing with birth professionals after complications, like a resuscitation, giving her a bird’s eye view of what tends to go well and what gets missed when it comes to responding during an emergency.  Karen has a deep passion for sharing the baby’s experience of birth and teaching practical tools to birth professionals and parents that support bonding and connection, before, during and after birth. Karen’s unique ‘baby’s experience lens’ gives practitioners a brand new perspective, and enables them to make quick decisions and take appropriate actions, while providing trauma-free care.

In this episode, Teddy will be talking with us about  being a Full Spectrum Doula and how he came to be one. He will be discussing his journey so far as a Doula and also any unique challenges he has faced.  BIOS Timothy Gant, also known as Teddy, is a Full Spectrum Doula and Advocate. He recently started his path as a doula but is constantly growing every day. He first found his passion for birth work when his mother told him her birth story. Hearing her experience gave him a different outlook on life. It showed him how complex, yet beautiful pregnancy and birth can be. Every person on earth starts life this way, and he wants to be able to help as many birthers as he can have a safe and successful birth. After hearing everything about his mother’s experience, he felt a calling to dedicate his life to helping birthers have better experiences. Teddy’s passion for helping Birthing People has been there since he can remember.  Birthers bring new life into this world and deserve to be supported throughout the full journey. He can’t personally birth a child, but the next best thing is to help those who can. Birthing people hold a very special place in his heart,and he considers his duty to help each one have a safe, beautiful, and memorable birth experience.

 In this episode Staci discusses the importance of prenatal newborn care education. She describes her Newborn Care class and offers some helpful tips for caring for infants. Listeners will learn about creating a safe environment for growing children, and how and why to respect their baby from the very beginning.  BIOS Staci Knox is a certified Childbirth and Lactation Educator who teaches prenatal education in the Treasure Valley. In addition to teaching classes, which include childbirth and postpartum preparation, breastfeeding, newborn care, and more, she also creates placenta prints, provides postpartum visits, and jars herbal products for moms and babies, which she organically grows at home. Staci has a degree in Child Development with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education, and she is a certified Preschool Teacher. She has been working with children and families for 10 years in multiple settings. Staci’s passion for breastfeeding advocacy has led her to the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition, which she is an active member of. She strives to normalize breastfeeding, home birth, and gentle attachment parenting.

In this episode, Holly Lammer, co-host of the podcast, talks about the hormones of birth, how do we define physiologic birth, how do the hormones work from a reproductive physiologic standpoint, and how we can support the hormones no matter what happens during the birth process. References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4720867/ http://www.childbirthconnection.org/ http://www.childbirthconnection.org/maternity-care/role-of-hormones/

 In this episode, Jolene will discuss her experience with infertility, the toll it can take on your mental/physical health and relationships, and what its like to beat it.  Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples in the United States and is still considered taboo.  By sharing her story, Jolene hopes to bring light where there can be so much darkness.  Her experience led her down a lonely, confusing path for many years.  Feeling helpless, not knowing where to turn, left her mentally and physically unwell.  Now experiencing motherhood, she wants to share it all.  The good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful parts of infertility and what it’s like to be a mom. Resources:  Nancy’s Nook Endometriosis Education:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/NancysNookEndoEd/ Mental Health Hotline:  https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help Prenatal Class:  https://www.embryoga.com EnVie Fitness:  https://enviefitnessidaho.com Idaho Stork:  https://www.idahostork.com Idaho Center for Reproductive Medicine:  https://idahoreproductive.com BIOS: Jolene Grizzle is married to her high school sweetheart, a photographer of people, a lover of animals, and a homebody.  After years of pain, frustration, misdiagnosis, and infertility; she is overjoyed to be a new mom to a beautiful baby girl.

Today Soraya will be talking to us about the options for postpartum support in your neighborhood. As a society, we have lost our "villages" where we would receive the care and guidance from the matriarchs who were there to help us heal after birth. Postpartum doulas have grown in popularity as the emphasis has started to encompass not only birth, but that transformative period after birth as the family grows and strives to find their new normal. Postpartum doulas serve families in so many ways and provide the individualized care and attention that is so critical in the days, weeks and months following birth. Resources: First Forty Days:  https://www.amazon.com/First-Forty-Days-Essential-Nourishing/dp/1617691836/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30FK3419POL87&keywords=first+forty+days&qid=1583095007&sprefix=first+forty%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-1 The Wonder Weeks: https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Weeks-Stress-Free-Guide-Behavior/dp/168268427X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+wonder+weeks&qid=1583095151&sr=8-1 The Happiest Baby on the Block:  https://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Block-Revised-Updated-Second/dp/0553393235/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+happiest+baby+on+the+block&qid=1583095196&sr=8-1 Soraya Mazloomi is a certified labor and postpartum doula, placenta encapsulator and childbirth and postpartum educator. She is the owner of Boise Birth Services, a full spectrum doula agency that serves the Treasure Valley and surrounding areas. She is the Director of Education for Idaho Doula Associates and has been involved in and around the birth community for 8 years. She believes deeply that families deserve unconditional, unbiased support and works in her community both professionally and legislatively to protect and promote the rights of ALL families.

In this episode we talk to Dr. Sayida Pepra. She discusses  how studies have identified implicit bias and lack of culturally appropriate care as a contributor to maternal health disparities as well as share how to  construct support strategies and interventions for pregnant, birthing and postpartum individuals with a history of transgenerational trauma.  We also spend quite a bit of time sharing about how you can identify and assess personal implicit biases.  Resources: Sayida's Website: www.DrSayidaPeprah.com (http://sayidapeprah.synthasite.com)   Diversity Uplifts Website: www.DiversityUplifts.org (https://diversityuplifts.yolasite.com)   Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrSayida   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsayida/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drsayida.uplifts.3 Dr. Sayida Peprah is a licensed clinical psychologist and birth doula, with over 10 years of experience in both fields. She specializes in multicultural psychology, trauma, suicide prevention and maternal mental health. Dr. Sayida has a multi-faced career as a psychologist, diversity and cross-cultural educator, and community-based doula program director. Dr. Sayida is also the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization Diversity Uplifts, Inc., who's mission is “fostering diversity and supporting communities and the providers who serve them.”  An advocate for human rights in childbirth, Dr. Sayida is a member of the Black Women Birthing Justice Collective and a Collaborator with the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, promoting research, education and community-based services to positively transform the birthing experiences of black families. Dr. Sayida has served and continues to serve on advisory committees to improve maternal health including Perinatal Equity Initiative Committees, and formerly the California Maternal Suicide Review Committee and others aimed at identifying key risks and opportunities for quality improvement and prevention around disparities. 

In this episode, Tamara Rolan, a CNM discusses how she became interested in birthwork, the journey that brought her to Idaho, her philosophy and way of practicing with birthing families, and her experiences as a person of color in a predominantly white community.  Resources: https://www.stlukesonline.org/communities-and-locations/facilities/clinics/st-lukes-clinic-obstetrics-and-gynecology-meridian BIO: Tamara Rolan, CNM began her journey to midwifery as a volunteer doula at UNC hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC. Up until that point, she had no idea that midwives existed in the hospital setting. After a beautiful birth with a nurse-midwife, Tamara decided to pursue a career in midwifery. She attended nursing school at Winston Salem State University in North Carolina, and then midwifery school at Frontier Nursing University in Kentucky. A lifelong East Coast native, Tamara fell in love with Idaho and moved shortly afterwards to begin her midwifery career.  She currently attends births at a local hospital. Tamara believes that women should always be at the center of their own care, making informed decisions about their birth experiences.

In this episode, Dr. Jay Warren talks with us about  the vital role that dads play in pregnancy, the birth experience, and in parenting and postpartum support.  He gives practical advice and  tools on how they can bond with baby starting in pregnancy and continuing on through the early newborn period. He also discusses the importance of self care for dad during this time, and how differences in parenting styles between partners can enhance the family experience and how to deal with the changes that come with the transformative journey to fatherhood. Resources:  Website: www.DrJayWarren.com Podcasts: Healthy Births, Happy Babies The Dadhood Journey Free pdf eBook "40 Ways to Connect to Your Baby During Pregnancy": www.drjaywarren.com/40ways Online course for Pregnant women, "Connecting with Baby": www.drjaywarren.com/cwb BIO: Dr. Jay Warren has been a prenatal and pediatric chiropractor for 19 years. He is also the Wellness Care Coordinator at the CAP Wellness Center in San Diego, CA where 90% of his practice is pregnant or postpartum women and babies under one year old. Dr. Jay now serves as an instructor for the ICPA teaching an online course called “Prenatal Care: Baby Centered Birth”. Dr. Jay is the host of 2 popular podcasts “Healthy Births, Happy Babies”, interviewing experts on perinatal care issues and “The Dadhood Journey”, where he shares real-life lessons and practical tools to support new dads in navigating their parenthood experience.  Dr. Jay has also created an online program, “Connecting with Baby” which guides pregnant women through processes to strengthen maternal bonding in-utero so that she is more confident as a parent and better able to soothe and connect with baby when they arrive.

In this episode, Amy Haderer, founder of [M]otherboard Birth talks to us about how we can use technology to streamline childbirth education and informed choice, and how it can help families and providers build relationships.  She will be discussing the importance of autonomy, agency, support, and education during birth and how to avoid trauma by treating families with dignity and respect.  We will also be chatting about the pros and cons of building birth plans, new ways to look at communication and collaboration, and how to use birthplans as a framework for education and communication. BIO: Amy Haderer is a childbirth assistant (doula), artist, birth activist, mother of six, and founder of Motherboard Birth. Ever since the birth of her first daughter, Amy has been passionate about guiding families through the challenging landscape of their birth experience.For over a decade, Amy has provided hands-on support to hundreds of families during the childbearing year. Amy saw a need for better education and better communication between parents and their care team. She is passionate about helping parents understand their options and make decisions based on the best available information. Amy is passionate about creating environments where families feel respected and heard, and providers understand what’s most important to the families they serve. www.motherboardbirth.com

In this episode, Lynelle King, a Lactation Consultant and Cranio-Sacral therapist who will be speaking with us about breastfeeding relationships and how we each have an opportunity to play an influential role in supporting, promoting and protecting those relationships.  As current chair of the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition, she will be telling us about their 5 focus areas for the next couple of years to help increase breastfeeding in our state.  She will talk about the annual summit and how to get involved.  She will also tell us about her own private practice as a lactation consultant. BIO Lynnelle King is a private practice IBCLC and works out of her office in the Treasure Valley where she sees all ages of infants struggling with challenging breastfeeding concerns. Lynnelle also practices Craniosacral Therapy and regularly sees pediatric patients with a wide range of concerns including therapy for tongue and lip tie pre and post revision, plagiocephaly and torticollis.  Lynnelle holds a BS in Maternal Child Health, IBCLC, CLC, ALC, CLEC, CD(DONA) and is the mother of 8 children who were all breastfed.  She is serving as the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition (IBC) Chair for the 2019-2020 term and her vision for families is reflected in the statement, 'There are no obstacles to Breastfeeding in Idaho'. She would love to encourage Idaho families and professionals who support breastfeeding to get involved as members of the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition. There are 5 main focus areas of the coalition for the next 2 years and Lynnelle would love to add your perspective, experience and support to this exciting work.  RESOURCES:  https://www.facebook.com/idahobreastfeedingcoalition/ https://www.instagram.com/idahobreastfeeding/ Please join our breastfeeding photo shoots for the IBC by searching for the private FB group called:  IBC Summit Breastfeeding Project

In this episode, Lynelle King, a Lactation Consultant and Cranio-Sacral therapist who will be speaking with us about breastfeeding relationships and how we each have an opportunity to play an influential role in supporting, promoting and protecting those relationships.  As current chair of the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition, she will be telling us about their 5 focus areas for the next couple of years to help increase breastfeeding in our state.  She will talk about the annual summit and how to get involved.  She will also tell us about her own private practice as a lactation consultant. BIO Lynnelle King is a private practice IBCLC and works out of her office in the Treasure Valley where she sees all ages of infants struggling with challenging breastfeeding concerns. Lynnelle also practices Craniosacral Therapy and regularly sees pediatric patients with a wide range of concerns including therapy for tongue and lip tie pre and post revision, plagiocephaly and torticollis.  Lynnelle holds a BS in Maternal Child Health, IBCLC, CLC, ALC, CLEC, CD(DONA) and is the mother of 8 children who were all breastfed.  She is serving as the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition (IBC) Chair for the 2019-2020 term and her vision for families is reflected in the statement, 'There are no obstacles to Breastfeeding in Idaho'. She would love to encourage Idaho families and professionals who support breastfeeding to get involved as members of the Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition. There are 5 main focus areas of the coalition for the next 2 years and Lynnelle would love to add your perspective, experience and support to this exciting work.  RESOURCES:  https://www.facebook.com/idahobreastfeedingcoalition/ https://www.instagram.com/idahobreastfeeding/ Please join our breastfeeding photo shoots for the IBC by searching for the private FB group called:  IBC Summit Breastfeeding Project

Today Trista will be talking with us about paternal mental health and the importance of addressing the mental health of fathers during pregnancy and the postpartum time. Fathers are often left out of the perinatal process, yet they are one half of the parenting relationship. Trista will be talking about the prevalence of paternal mental health issues, risk factors, causes, symptoms and treatments, hormone implication gender bias and how children can be affected. Resources:  Saint Alphonsus Perinatal Mental Health Services   www.saintalphonsus.org/specialty/family-center Postpartum Support International  www.postpartum.net First Monday of the Month Call in for Dads Postpartum Stress Center www.postpartumstress.com Postpartum Progress  www.postpartumprogress.com Postpartum Men  www.postpartummen.comPostpartum Dads www.postpartumdads.org Bio: Trista Kovach, LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. After specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders in private practice for over 11 years, Trista joined Saint Alphonsus in Boise in 2019 and developed a perinatal mental health program to support women and families struggling with pregnancy/postpartum adjustment. Trista graduated from Boise State University in 2006 with a Master's degree in counseling and received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1993. Trista also has advanced clinical training from the Postpartum Stress Center in Philadelphia and through Postpartum Support International.

In this episode, Manasi and Poorak Mody talk with us about why a large percentage of couples report a decline in their relationship satisfaction after having  a baby. They will be talking with us about how postpartum does not make your relationship weaker or harder to connect but highlights the weaknesses that already existed. Being aware of these weaknesses and acquiring the right relationship skills and mindset, couples can go from surviving to thriving during the postpartum period. Having a postpartum relationship plan is critical not just for harmony and joy in the postpartum period but for long term stability and fulfillment, family stability and emotional health of children. Resources: http://www.themodys.com/ http://www.facebook.com/themodys/ https://www.instagram.com/connected_couples/ BIOS Manasi & Poorak Mody are Certified Empowered Couples Coaches, Parents, Speakers, and Entrepreneurs. They have been  together for 17 years and married for 10. They are blessed to be parents to two amazing boys. They experienced a major upheaval in their personal identities, reality, and especially in their relationship after the birth of their first son. Their first pregnancy was spent in so much elation and anticipation but nothing prepared them for the emotional labor, sleepless nights, a constant crying colicky infant, lack of physical and emotional intimacy that created immense distance between them postpartum. There were little to no resources present that talked or discussed the identity shifts partners go through and nothing prepares partners to transition smoothly to parenthood. Manasi and Poorak, are out to make it the norm for couples to seek out empowering relationship skills. Rather than the current norm and wait to seek out “help” re-actively.

Our discussion with Leslie Gunnerson, RN and perinatal loss specialist, focuses on pregnancy loss and infant death.  While sidestepping difficult conversations about death may often seem like a kindness, avoidance contributes to feelings of isolation, depression, and unresolved grief.  The loss of a baby at any gestation, or during the newborn period still includes a delivery experience and it is important to remember that this birth experience will remain with a family forever. We will discuss how a family can be supported in forming connections and cultivating healing and how to nurture the family unit even during times of intense emotional pain and into the days that follow. BIO:  Leslie Gunnerson, BSN-RN, CAPM has worked as an RN in Maternal-Child Health in the hospital setting since 1992.  She was a bedside nurse in the NICU for 22 years, and also worked providing maternal care and support in the outpatient setting with a focus on infant nutrition, staff and provider lactation education, family lactation support, and support of the refugee population.  Since 2018 Leslie has taken on the role of program manager for perinatal pailliative care, working to improve staff education, parent support, and alignment of services for families experiencing a life-threatening or life-limiting diagnosis during the perinatal period.  Leslie would love to have people join her private FB page, “St. Luke’s SHARE perinatal loss group.” gunnersl@slhs.org https://www.postpartum.net/get-help/loss-grief-in-prenancy-postpartum/ https://www.compassionatefriends.org/ https://www.marchofdimes.org/compications/loss-and-grief.aspx http://www.grieveoutloud.org/resources.html Video links: “How to Help a Grieving Friend” https://www.refugeingrief.com/2018/07/19/help-a-friend-video/ We don’t move on from grief . . . we move forward with it.  Ted talk by Nora Mcinerny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khkJkR-ipfw

From the words of Kerry Caldwell: “I am a burn survivor, domestic abuse survivor, and mother after infertility using donor eggs and IVF. I have been diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. During pregnancy I had multiple scars including a subchorionic hematoma and retro placental hematoma, early pre-eclampsia, and a growth restricted fetus. I spent many weeks on bedrest in both my first and third trimesters and I was also on pelvic rest and light duty for my entire pregnancy. After birth my placenta didn't deliver as normal and my OB had to literally scrape it out of me with his bare hands, tearing it into chunks while doing so. I was unable to ultimately have the natural birth I hoped for because of the pre-eclampsia and was induced at 38 weeks. I did end up having an epidural at the encouragement of one of my doulas to help control my skyrocketing blood pressure, however I was able to deliver vaginally. Luckily after the birth I have had no issues with breastfeeding and my son has never had to be supplemented with formula. I quit my job in the brewing industry to be a stay at home mom for the time being, with no long term plan as to how long I'll be out of work.” Resources: reddit infertility groups BIO: Kerry Caldwell lives in Boise Idaho with her husband and son. She is a burn survivor, domestic abuse survivor, and mother after infertility using donor eggs and IVF. Today she shares her long journey to becoming a mother. 

In this episode, Megan Kohler is back with us and will be talking about women’s mental health--specifically sex positivity, and body positivity related to women and those who are recently postpartum. Megan will address common issues that women face with sex and their bodies, how that can be amplified during postpartum, and how religion, culture, gender norms, lack of education around female sexuality and postpartum recovery play into these struggles. Bio:  Megan Koehler has a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Idaho. She is the owner of Koehler Counseling, a counseling practice that focuses on women’s mental health, sex positivity, body positivity, and trauma. Megan is passionate about the connection between the mind and body and utilizes many somatic therapy techniques to create deep meaningful healing in people’s lives. She has been in private practice since 2017.

In this episode, we have Dr. Stephanie Dueger, who is known as the “Attachment Doctor” back to talk about the importance of attachment and bonding for optimal human health.  She covers some basic information on the definition of attachment, the different attachment styles, and the difference between attachment and bonding. She discusses how parent’s own attachment styles will highly influence how they parent their child and the crucial importance of knowing your own attachment style so that you can work through and hopefully integrate any issues that you have as a parent before your baby is born. Many people are not even aware of how these things can have long term effects on their relationships, and through mindful awareness of our own patterns, we can transform and set a strong foundation of secure attachment for our children. Resources: www.drduegertherapy.com Bio: Dr. Stephanie Dueger, otherwise known as The Attachment Doctor, is a psychotherapist, parent coach, and educator, who works with expectant and new parents and their little ones. She helps individuals, couples, and families with young children heal relational challenges and resolve trauma using an attachment-based and somatically-informed background. Stephanie received an MA from Naropa University in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Wilderness Therapy. After meeting her husband in the same program and falling in love with their first-born daughter in 2007, Stephanie turned her focus to early somatic attachment work, training and assisting with The Brook Institute. She then earned her PhD from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with an emphasis in Somatic and Pre- and Perinatal Psychology in 2015, having a second, deeply-loved daughter along the way. Stephanie is the Editor-in-Chief of the academic Journal of Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health, as well as a writer. Her first book—the one she wishes she’d had for herself when first becoming a parent—is currently in the publishing process, and has a “due date” sometime in January, 2020. Tentatively titled Preparing for Parenthood: 55 Essential Conversations for Couples becoming Families, the book is filled with conversation-starters and helpful action items for couples to complete prior to becoming parents. These conversations and action items help couples transition into parenthood in ways that best align with their own beliefs and values, creating greater connection, understanding, and confidence for the new family. A lover of wilderness, travel, and all creatures, Stephanie spends most of her free time with her family outdoors. She lives in Boulder, CO with her husband and two daughters. 

In this episode, Holly and Jayme welcome a mother and daughter team to talk about perinatal and postpartum mental health and trauma.  Kellie, a Certified Nurse Midwife and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner with special training in Perinatal Mental Health discusses the challenges that pregnant women with mental health issues face. Her daughter, Jessica Northam MA, a registered drama therapist, talks about trauma therapy and PTSD as it relates to the birthing community - whether from a previous traumatic birth, or any previous trauma.  Resources:  https://www.boisebirthcenter.com/ https://www.nadta.org/ https://www.postpartum.net/ www.postpartum.net

In this episode, Angela Latta, a FNP and Kristi Rhodes, a CNM talk with us about common concerns during the third trimester of pregnancy.  The third trimester can be challenging! Bodies changing, preparing for birth, body aches, etc. They cover everything from headaches to vaginal discharge! Tons of great information on what is common, what is concerning and needs follow up, and most of all reassuring that you are not alone! These are things that almost every pregnant person is experiencing. Angela Latta, FNP  began her  nursing career in 1994 at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise, ID. The entire focus and passion of her  nursing career has been on the amazing process of caring for women in labor and delivery. Besides being at the bedside of thousands of women, she has  also worked as a member of the high risk maternal transport team and was the designated charge nurse for many years. In 2012 she graduated from Gonzaga University with her MSN as a family nurse practitioner. As a Nurse Practitioner she now has the opportunity to provide care for women far beyond her expertise in the birth process. She enjoys meeting women at all stages of life. She feels very fortunate to partner with the MD in her office  as his surgical assistant in the OR as well as in the office. Kristi Rhodes, CNM  has worked in maternal-child nursing since 2001. Her start in this career path was as a postpartum nurse in a high risk, high volume hospital in Boise, ID where she fell in love with birth and caring for families. Kristi journeyed into midwifery in 2010 to fulfill her desire to be an advocate and an educator for families, believing that birth is an empowering and transformative event in a family’s life. Kristi promotes physiologic birth and encourages women to be active participants in their care. She attends births at a local hospital where she strives to bring the true midwifery model in to the hospital setting, allowing women and families birth in a way that makes sense individually.

In this episode, Britta Bushnell will be sharing about the transformative journey from pregnancy to parenthood. From her recently published book, Transformed by Birth, Britta will share with us about some of the cultural ideals she has identified that impact how we prepare for birth and what each of us can do to help balance how these influence us consciously or unconsciously. Giving birth and becoming parents changes us, challenges us, and awakens us to a different identity. This journey is a rite of passage that alters our knowing of who we are. As such, it is normal to feel uncertain, anxious, or simply curious about traversing the unknown landscape of birth. There is much you can do to meet these normal changes, especially during challenging times. Resources:  http://www.brittabushnell.com/ http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/ http://www.birthstorymedicine.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Transformed-Birth-Cultivating-Resilience-Parenthood/dp/1683644069/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1585513190&sr=8-2#customerReviews https://www.audible.com/pd/Transformed-by-Birth-Audiobook/1683644506?qid=1585513387&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=7JZCSD4C8BCR62BVKQN4 Bio:  Dr. Britta Bushnell (she/her) is a wife and mother, author of Transformed by Birth, veteran childbirth educator, celebrated speaker, mythologist, and specialist in childbirth, relationship, and parenting. For over 20 years, Dr. Bushnell has worked with individuals and couples as they prepare for the life-changing experience of giving birth. Her work with parents has been enriched by her doctoral work in mythology and psychology, her years spent as a co-owner of Birthing From Within, as well as her dedicated study of solution-focused brief therapy, storytelling, embodiment, and relationship dynamics.  Britta is an engaging teacher, speaker, and presenter. Whether addressing a room of expectant parents, toddlers, or seasoned birth professionals, Britta has a way of captivating and inspiring them all. She has presented at conferences such as DONA International, MANA, ICEA, and Lamaze. Additionally, Britta has been featured on several popular podcasts including Informed Pregnancy, Birthful, Atomic Moms, and Insights at the Edge. Britta's new book, Transformed by Birth: Cultivating Openness, Resilience, and Strength for the Life-Changing Journey from Pregnancy to Parenthood, published by Sounds True, hit number one in new releases in both the Pregnancy and Childbirth as well as the Motherhood categories on Amazon. 

 In this episode - recorded during the 2019-2020 Coronavirus Pandemic, Holly and Jayme discuss the importance of mindfulness during stressful times.  Holly Lammer, creator of Embryoga-Intuitive Birth, a mindfulness-based birth education series and prenatal yoga series, talks about the science of mindfulness and how it works in the body.  She discusses how stress hormones are transmitted to the fetus through the placenta and how pregnant people can reduce the effects of stress on their growing babies and help prepare for labor, birth and parenting through mindfulness practices.  She gives practical advice in easy to understand terms about the what, why and how of practice, and some simple ways to incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life to help prime your baby for peace, love, joy, and connection.

In this episode, Lynne Shulte, a pelvic floor PT and founder of the Institute for Birth Healing talks about common issues in pregnancy and especially postpartum. She talks about her history for over 30 years as a pelvic floor PT and the common patterns that led her to create programs for birthing people and providers to help recognize and alleviate these problems so that they don’t cause further issues.  She discusses what an open birthing pattern is and what effect it has on a person’s body, what some of the other effects that birth can have on the body, and what birthers can do to help themselves recover better after birth. Bio: Lynn Schulte is a Women’s Health Physical Therapist for over 30 years and founder of the Institute for Birth Healing.   She has been helping moms heal from all the issues women experience after birth and is now teaching courses to bodyworkers to help them do the same.   She found a common birth pattern that shows up in the pelvis after birth and knows how to effectively release these patterns. Knowing we are more than just our bodies, Lynn works on all levels, physically, energetically, and spiritually with women to help them access their full potential.  She also teaches bodyworkers how to work with the energy of the body and how to access and use your intuition in your bodywork sessions. She offers a certification process to help birth professionals become Birth Healing Specialists.  Lynn holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from St. Louis University, St. Louis Missouri.

In this episode, we interview Jeane Rhodes, a long time active member of the Association for Pre and Perinatal Psychology.  She talks about the history of the organization, her involvement over the years. She shares the story of how she became interested in the topic of prenatal psychology and her work with children in her practice.  She was the first person to ever receive a PhD in the field of pre and perinatal psychology and talks about that journey. In addition she shares the story of the making of her book, the Birth of Hope, based on her experiences in the foster care system. Resources:   https://birthpsychology.com/ https://birthpsychology.com/person/jeane-rhodes http://www.drjeane.org/ http://www.thebirthofhope.com/ Bio: Jeane Rhodes is a licensed professional counselor in the State of Colorado, former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health (PPN) and former adjunct faculty (online) for SBGI and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, serving as chair or reader on for many dissertation candidates. Her PhD, the first ever awarded in prenatal and perinatal psychology, featured research into body language and birth memory. She has published numerous articles in the field of prenatal and perinatal psychology. Jeane worked in the foster care system for ten years in various capacities, including as a therapist for children in foster care and as executive director of a foster placement agency. She published a novel (The Birth of Hope) based on her experiences in the foster care system. The book also incorporates pre and perinatal psychology principles in this story of teen pregnancy in foster care. She has been active as a member and presenter at APPPAH Congresses since the early 90s, served on the Board of Directors for APPPAH for six years, and just recently chaired APPPAH’s 2019 International Congress. Once she completes her obligations as interim CFO for APPPAH at the end of this year, she will be focusing on her own research and writing. She resides in Lakewood, Colorado, USA, with her husband, Larry.

In this episode, Jen, a first time mom, talks to us about her decision to use assisted fertility and have a planned primary cesarean.  She talks about the experience of getting pregnant, planning for the birth experience, and how mindfulness and connection to her body and to her baby prepared her for a beautiful cesarean birth experience. Resources:   www.embryoga.com

In this episode, Megan will be talking to us about the concept of sex positivity, specifically how to raise sex positive kids. She will address strategies revolving around sex, consent, safety, body autonomy, and healthy relationships--whileeliminating shame, judgement, and negativity. Megan will address how this topic can be customized for families with children of any age, gender, sexuality, or personal family/religious value system. Resources:  www.koehlercounseling.com Bio:  Megan Koehler has a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Idaho. She is the owner of Koehler Counseling, a counseling practice that focuses on women’s mental health, sex positivity, body positivity, and trauma. Megan is passionate about the connection between the mind and body and utilizes many somatic therapy techniques to create deep meaningful healing in people’s lives. She has been in private practice since 2017.

In this second part of a 2 part interview, Emily Roper, a Neuro-Developmental Delay Therapist continues her talk about early brain development, risk factors to be aware of and hopefully avoid, and what to do if you are finding yourself concerned. Bio: Emily Roper is the owner and founder of Early Roots. She has an education background in psychology, midwifery, and neuro-developmental delay. Emily is a Certified Midwife’s assistant and a Neuro-Developmental Delay Therapist, she currently runs Early Roots, a therapy practice for children who have neurological delays. Resources:  http://www.earlyrootstherapy.com/ Miracle Children by Anna Buck A Journey of Hope by Anna Buck What Babies and Children Really Need by Sally Goddard Blythe  Reflexes Learning and Behavior by Sally Goddard Blythe

In this first of a 2 part series, we talk with Emily Roper, a neuro-developmental delay therapist. For the next 2 episodes, she will be talking to us about the importance of pregnancy and the birth process on brain development. The process of birth is the single most important event that helps the baby’s entire nervous system transition to life outside the womb, and helps set the foundation for all future brain development.  Events that occur during pregnancy, and especially during the birth itself can create patterns that might contribute to later developmental delays. Emily talks to us about the risk factors and events that can lead to future problems, how to be aware of these risk factors and hopefully make choices that help reduce risk, as well as things you can look for in your child that might indicate that they might need therapy. Resources:  http://www.earlyrootstherapy.com/ Miracle Children by Anna Buck A Journey of Hope by Anna Buck What Babies and Children Really Need by Sally Goddard Blythe  Reflexes Learning and Behavior by Sally Goddard Blythe Bio: Emily Roper is the owner and founder of Early Roots. She has an education background in psychology, midwifery, and neuro-developmental delay. Emily is a Certified Midwife’s assistant and a Neuro-Developmental Delay Therapist, she currently runs Early Roots, a therapy practice for children who have neurological delays.

In this episode, Dr. Kjersten Jones, a certified pediatric chiropractor talks about the role of chiropractic in pregnancy and infancy. During pregnancy, women experience many physical and chemical changes as the fetus develops that can lead to discomforts which can cause stress to mom growing and baby. Since many pregnant women are cautious about what they put into their bodies to help with the pain, chiropractic offers a safe, effective, and non-pharmacologic option.  Chiropractic adjustments improve biomechanics and the ability to send and receive neurologic messages from the brain. Dr. Jones will be discussing the benefits of chiropractic care for pregnant women and infants, as well as, address why you would bring your baby to a chiropractor. She discusses what to expect during a visit during pregnancy and postpartum, what to look for in a baby that might indicate the need for chiropractic care.  In addition, she talks about the importance of tummy time and crawling in infant development. Resources:    www.explorewellnessidaho.com www.icpa4kids.org www.pathwaystofamilywellness.org https://blog.brainbalancecenters.com/2014/09/retained-primitive-reflexes-sign-brain-imbalance

In this Episode, Dixie Weber, who is the National Director of Healthcare Programs for Family to Family Support Network talks about the work that she does educating teams about supporting unique families.  The Family to Family Support Network is a pro-education, non-profit organization that partners with healthcare professionals and community organizations to better serve families throughout pregnancy, delivery, and post-delivery. She talks about the types of families that might need extra support such as surrogacy families, adoption families and  incarcerated populations. She gives some practical tips for providers on how to serve these families, as well as simple ways that if you are one of these types of families, you can look for providers or facilities that will best serve you. Resources:   https://www.familytofamilysupport.org/ Bio: Dixie Weber is the National Director of Healthcare Programs for Family to Family Support Network, a non-profit based in Denver.  She is an expert in best practices in the care of Unique Perinatal Populations including, women making an adoption plan, families growing through surrogacy arrangements, the pregnant incarcerated population, women giving birth after sexual assault or domestic violence and socialyl complex families.  She has established expectations for healthcare in the delivery of comprehensive and high-quality medical care for these complex patients. She has developed numerous innovative programs and has spoken across the country on topics including Generational Workforce Management, Neutral Compassionate Care Models, Adoption and Surrogacy, Bioethics and Leadership Development.  For the past 20 years, Dixie has specialized in Maternal-Child Healthcare and has held numerous leadership and programmatic positions within the specialty. Dixie holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Management, as well as a post-graduate certificate in adult learning theory.

photo credit: Tiffany Hix Photography Jayme Crockett, (co-host of the podcast) talks about her 2 early pregnancy losses. Her first loss was her first pregnancy at 17 years old. Her last loss was after 8 healthy pregnancies. Jayme talks about how her losses were very similar, but how she grieved them very differently. Even if you haven’t experienced a loss, chances are you know someone who has. This episode has a lot of great information on how to support a friend through loss, and how it is so important to grieve a loss regardless of how early it was.

 In this episode, we talk to Bria and Katie of Birthfit Boise about the importance of the right kind of exercise in pregnancy and postpartum based on your individual  needs and realistic goals for postpartum recovery. ACOG suggests that pregnant women "engage in 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise on most, if not all, days of the week.", but many providers don’t discuss this with their patients.  They discuss recommended guidelines for exercise during pregnancy, how to prepare you body for labor, and how to ‘prehab’ your body for optimal recovery after delivery. The ‘athlete’ mentality is discussed and common sense advice on why and how to adjust your drive and goals during the pregnancy and postpartum period for long term body health and well-being. Bio: BIRTHFIT Boise is a flagship location for the BIRTHFIT movement that is working to change the way our society views birth and parenthood transition.Together Katie and Bria lead prenatal and postpartum fitness classes, postpartum rehabilitation series', and teach childbirth education -  all of which encompass BIRTHFIT's 4 pillars of fitness, nutrition, mindset, and connection. They believe that strong humans make strong babies and that those babies can change the world.   Bria co-owner of BIRTHFIT Boise, a DONA Certified Doula, Crossfit Level 1 trainer, mother of two spirited kids, and the wife of an Army Veteran. She is currently in school with plans to become a registered nurse. Her passion for fitness and birth are perfectly combined with her work as co-owner of BIRTHFIT Boise with Katie. Katie found her passion of helping families through the transition into parenthood during her own motherhood transition and after years of school, including a degree in chemistry, an MBA, and winemaking certificate. She is a Boise native, and also a birth doula, CrossFit Level 1 trainer, mama of 1 with another on the way, and co-owner of BIRTHFIT Boise with Bria. Resources:     https://boise.birthfit.com/ https://birthfit.com/

10 conversations to have before birth worksheetDownload In this second part of a two part series, Dr. Dueger is back with us sharing practical tips and tools on how to prepare for parenting examining the following extremely important conversation topics: Values (do you as a couple hold the same values and beliefs? If not, how can you compromise?) History (how were you raised, what were your experiences in the first years of life - because this will affect your parenting style) Pregnancy (how can you use the pregnancy time period to build a support network with other parents) Birth (what are the expectations for the birth experience: what is important to you as a couple for the experience) Postpartum (identifying support networks, what to expect in the first few weeks, how to communicate needs during this time). Bio: Dr. Stephanie Dueger, otherwise known as The Attachment Doctor, is a psychotherapist, parent coach, and educator, who works with expectant and new parents and their little ones. She helps individuals, couples, and families with young children heal relational challenges and resolve trauma using an attachment-based and somatically-informed background. Stephanie received an MA from Naropa University in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Wilderness Therapy. After meeting her husband in the same program and falling in love with their first-born daughter in 2007, Stephanie turned her focus to early somatic attachment work, training and assisting with The Brook Institute. She then earned her PhD from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with an emphasis in Somatic and Pre- and Perinatal Psychology in 2015, having a second, deeply-loved daughter along the way. Stephanie is the Editor-in-Chief of the academic Journal of Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health, as well as a writer. Her first book—the one she wishes she’d had for herself when first becoming a parent—is currently in the publishing process, and has a “due date” sometime in January, 2020. Tentatively titled Preparing for Parenthood: 55 Essential Conversations for Couples becoming Families, the book is filled with conversation-starters and helpful action items for couples to complete prior to becoming parents. These conversations and action items help couples transition into parenthood in ways that best align with their own beliefs and values, creating greater connection, understanding, and confidence for the new family. A lover of wilderness, travel, and all creatures, Stephanie spends most of her free time with her family outdoors. She lives in Boulder, CO with her husband and two daughters.

10 Conversations to prepare for postpartum worksheetDownload Bio: Dr. Stephanie Dueger, otherwise known as The Attachment Doctor, is a psychotherapist, parent coach, and educator, who works with expectant and new parents and their little ones. She helps individuals, couples, and families with young children heal relational challenges and resolve trauma using an attachment-based and somatically-informed background. Stephanie received an MA from Naropa University in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Wilderness Therapy. After meeting her husband in the same program and falling in love with their first-born daughter in 2007, Stephanie turned her focus to early somatic attachment work, training and assisting with The Brook Institute. She then earned her PhD from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with an emphasis in Somatic and Pre- and Perinatal Psychology in 2015, having a second, deeply-loved daughter along the way. Stephanie is the Editor-in-Chief of the academic Journal of Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and Health, as well as a writer. Her first book—the one she wishes she’d had for herself when first becoming a parent—is currently in the publishing process, and has a “due date” sometime in January, 2020. Tentatively titled Preparing for Parenthood: 55 Essential Conversations for Couples becoming Families, the book is filled with conversation-starters and helpful action items for couples to complete prior to becoming parents. These conversations and action items help couples transition into parenthood in ways that best align with their own beliefs and values, creating greater connection, understanding, and confidence for the new family. A lover of wilderness, travel, and all creatures, Stephanie spends most of her free time with her family outdoors. She lives in Boulder, CO with her husband and two daughters. Resources: www.drduegertherapy.com

Jennifer West has has been a licensed midwife since 1989, specializing in water birth, relaxation through hypnosis and using CranioSacral therapy during birth and with newborns.   In this episode, she tells the story of how she became a midwife after a career as a National Park Ranger and an EMT. She speaks about the benefits of waterbirth and how she facilitates empowering women to follow their own body’s signals during labor and birth and how this approach has led to positive birth experiences, decreased amount of traumatic birth and helps facilitate early bonding as a family. BIO: Jennifer L. West, LM,CPM,TBMP,CST,CH,IPE has been a practicing midwife since 1989, is the owner of Albuquerque Homebirth, a practice that specializes in waterbirth, hypnosis, Total Body Modification(TBM), CranioSacral (CST) care and various methods of complimentary & energy work. She also owns The Purple Thistle Tea Co., a local and mail-order business. Prior to becoming a midwife, she worked for the National Park Service as a park ranger. Five years of law enforcement, emergency medicine, structural and wildland firefighting proved to have been a great background for becoming a midwife, which also involves working with and educating the public on a daily basis. Jenny taught traditional childbirth classes at two local hospitals for five years, and continues to teach private childbirth preparation classes and infant CPR, has authored two books, and also presents birth/midwifery related topics at national workshops.  She is retired from being the Peer Review Coordinator for all New Mexico licensed midwives after 13 years, retired President and board member for the National College of Midwifery in Taos, as well as the NM State Midwifery Advisory Board. Currently a preceptor (teaching midwifery education programs for certification)  for the next generations of midwives.  In her spare time, hobbies include reading, camping, sleeping, and going to the beach! Resources:    https://karenstrange.com/ Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering, a book authored by Sarah Buckley Waterbirth International https://waterbirth.org/ Waterbirth in the 21st century, a video https://www.scarymommy.com/study-water-birth-safe/ http://www.albuquerquehomebirth.com/ABQHBjwest.html

Callie Blackwood, an acupuncturist and ceremony facilitator speaks with Shaundra Fontaine from Episode12 about the Mother’s Blessing ceremony that she did for Shaundra when she was pregnant.  “The term Blessingway derives from the Diné (Navaho) culture and language, but such rituals are germane to peoples all over the world.” (Romm, Aviva Jill. The Natural Pregnancy Book. New York: Celestial Arts, 2003) Callie was first introduced to the ceremony of the Blessingway in 2007.  She was immediately struck by the strength and healing power of the ritual. This episode is rich with details about the ceremony and the purpose and importance of ritual, how Callie tailored it to Shaundra’s unique desires and personality and how each detail was intentionally crafted. Shaundra tells how the ceremony affected her and how important it was to the positive birth experience that followed.  Callie understands the importance of holding the space for this kind of healing ceremony and is honored and blessed to be able to hold this sacred space for herself and for others. She desires to honor these times with healing ceremonies so that many are offered the opportunity to be honored and to heal the grief and reunite with the wisdom and strength from within while being able to honor those who have gone before us and bettering this world for all who will come after us. Resources:    www.radiantearthacupuncture.com Romm, Aviva Jill. The Natural Pregnancy Book Bio:  My journey to find Chinese Medicine was led by my personal healing journey to find some answers to my chronic physical ailments. I was also looking to find tangible ways to help protect and restore our Planet and humans to a healthy state. My undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering set me up to understand complex systems and methods in which to gather and compile information and apply pattern recognition to these systems. For me, Chinese medicine includes understanding these complex living structures and it offers intricate treatment principles to help restore balance to the mind and body. My studies of Classical Chinese Medicine are weaved with Dancing, Shamanic Studies and spiritual practices that blend together creating a unique style that I bring to the treatment room.  I graduated with a Master’s of Science in Oriental Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. During this time of study I was immersed in Classical Chinese Medicine, learning Qigong, Herbs, Acupuncture, Japanese meridian therapy, Taiji, 5-Element style acupuncture, Shamanic healing ceremonies, dancing and more. My areas of interest include the treatment of trauma, mental / emotional instabilities, pediatrics, chronic and difficult diseases, autoimmune disorders and acute / chronic pain. In the treatment room I draw upon my toolbox to incorporate acupuncture, shiatsu, craniosacral therapy, non-needle shonishin acupuncture tools, aromatherapy, cupping, sound, herbs, nutrition / lifestyle guidance, and more. Inspired to improve health and bring radiance into the lives of all and for the earth, I am excited to be offering services to the community of Boise. Please come see me and experience the power of these healing modalities and find yourself in a greater state of health and radiance!

Shaundra Fontaine, a midwife who has worked as a midwife in rural Africa and at a birth center in Boise, Idaho talks about how she prepared for her pregnancy and delivering using mindfulness and yoga. Shaundra was planning a home birth, but her baby had other plans! She talks with Holly about how even though her labor took her by surprise, (at 36 weeks and on vacation in a cabin!) it was perfect for her and her family! Bio: When my mother asked me as a 3-year old child, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I always replied,  "A Mother." This is the most honest & sincere answer I could provide today. I can't think of a better way that I would like to be introduced than a mother & teacher to the future generations. I have had many other experiences in my life which have lead me to this dream which include becoming a Midwife, which ultimately helped me to birth myself & other woman into becoming a mother. I have had the privilege to witness & guide woman in several different cultures in the pregnancy, birthing process, and now through the challenges of motherhood as a co-owner & teacher at a local preschool. Resources:   www.embryoga.com

Kathy Watkins talks about her history as a midwife, her view of mindful birth in a family birth center in her community, her philosophy as a provider, and how she and her OB partner, Dr Megan Kasper deliver respectful, mindful care for the pregnant woman and her family in the Treasure Valley. She explains the process of a successful implementation of a family friendly cesarean practice in the hospital where she works and how she and her physician partners work so well together. BIO Kathy Watkins Certified Nurse Midwife.  Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada – Masters of Science in Nursing –Midwifery from the University of Utah – Transformational Nurse Leadership Fellowship from Duke University 26 years practicing as a Certified Nurse Midwife with certifications in Midwifery Sonography, First Assist at C Section, Centering Pregnancy, Evidence Based Birth Instructor, WaterBirth International Currently, Full Scope CNM care with Saltzer OBGYN offering all pregnancy care inclusive of attendance at birth at St Luke’s Nampa Family Birth Center, well woman care, gynecology, contraception, menopause Interests include a fit clean healthy lifestyle, commitment to the Triple Aim initiative, team member of the family friendly c section movement

Dr Chelsea Beyers discusses the importance of a healthy pelvic floor from before conception through the postpartum period.  She emphasizes the importance of preparing your body for a healthy pregnancy, maintaining stability and strength throughout the pregnancy, pushing techniques during labor to help avoid trauma and weakness to the pelvic floor, and how to gently ease back into activity after delivery. She emphasizes the role of the energetic system, habitual responding and holding patterns in the body, and outlines what to look for as far as symptoms to help birthing people know when to seek out a pelvic floor specialist. Resources:    www.tvpelvichealth.com https://www.facebook.com/tvpelvichealth/ @tvpelvichealth on Instagram Find a pelvic health therapist near you at www.pelvicrehab.com

Cindi Faith Bennett, an RN and Lactation Consultant shares about her years of experience and education as a specialist in lactation.  She discusses some of the unique challenges of breastfeeding success if you choose to give birth in a hospital. She outlines how you can prepare yourself before birth, including considering a breastfeeding plan for the hospital and at home. She discusses the science of human milk and talks about the importance of skin to skin and the breast crawl for successful breastfeeding, and how to create an environment in the birthing room, especially during the golden hour to optimize the hormonal response that is necessary for bonding and breastfeeding.  Importance of maintaining this environment during your hospital stay and during the first few weeks at home is emphasized...as well as how to encourage friends and family to help support your plan. Cindi Faith Bennett, MN, RN, IBCLC BIO: Cindi Faith Bennett, MN, RN, International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) has her Master’s Degree in Nursing Population Health with a major focus on the breastfeeding population. She has spent her nursing career focused on the mother baby breastfeeding dyad populations.  She has extensive knowledge of the unique challenges faced by the high risk, preterm, late preterm and full-term breastfeeding dyads. She also spent several years working as a postpartum nurse. This combination of nursing skills gives her the knowledge and expertise to provide breastfeeding care from current evidence based practice in maternal care and breastfeeding care.  Her passion is to provide gold standard care helping families along the way with their breastfeeding journey. Cindi has had the opportunity to speak at conferences locally, internationally and professional webinars. She also has published manuscripts in medical journals. Cindi lives in Nampa, Idaho with her husband; they raised 5 children together and now are enjoying the wonderful gifts of 10 grandchildren Resources:   Dr. Jane Morton Videos out of Stanford Lucile Packard Children Hospital    https://med.stanford.edu/newborns/professional-education/breastfeeding/hand-expressing-milk.html  Breastfeeding in the First Hour  A Perfect Latch   Hand Expressing Milk   ABCs of Breastfeeding and other videos ·    https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/positioning-and-attachment-videos-including-baby-led-and-laid-back-breastfeeding o   Baby-led attachment (Breast Crawl) o   Laid back breastfeeding o   Breastfeeding video by Dr.Jack Newman o   Global Health Media BF videos ·     https://www.breastmilkcounts.com/docs/breastfeeding-plan.pdf Website https://proximitytelehealth.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Proximitytelehealth YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8qSNyyBiFnSIcBoBiS8eow https://proximitytelehealth.ck.page/e9b3738c27

Kyndal May, a DONA International Certified Birth Doula and birth doula trainer and creator of the Confident Birthing Childbirth Curriculum discusses how she became interested in birth work, her history with DONA, how she helps train doulas, and how doulas can be a resource of support for parents.  She talks about how the DONA International founders were pioneers in understanding the life of the newborn and the parent/baby dyad when most medical professionals did not support it.  She discusses the importance of knowing your options, making informed, evidence-based decisions, and how doulas can help navigate the sometimes complicated world of birth in this country. She talks about how parents can pick the right doula for them - what to look for when interviewing doulas, and valuable resources for parents who are considering doula support for their birth and/or postpartum experience and how doulas can help facilitate a positive birth experience that will reduce the likelihood of  trauma.  Kyndal May is DONA International Certified Birth Doula and birth doula trainer and creator of the Confident BirthingChildbirth Curriculum. With over 5000 hours of teaching experience, she is a master facilitator who was inducted as aFellow of the Lamaze International Academy of Certified Childbirth Educators in 2018. Her career as a birth professional began in 1995 in Seattle,Washington State and she has attended nearly 400 births ,both in and out of hospital, with over 60 different midwives and as many obstetricians in 8 free-standing birth centers and 12 different Pacific Northwest hospitals. An avid photographer, telling the story of birth through the lens of her camera, her photography has been featured in such publications as Birth Ambassadors: Doulas and the Re-Emergence of Woman-Supported Birth in America and TheEssential Home Birth Guide. She is currently the Chair of the Board of the newly formedIdaho State Chapter of Postpartum Support International. And in 2017, she was recognized with the Advanced Doula Designation from DONA International for major contributions to DONA International, to the doula profession, and in the maternal-child wellness field. Last fall, Kyndal was accepted into the Feldenkrais Training Academy, a 4-year somatic education program. She is excited to be returning to her roots in bodywork with the intention of helping both parents and professionals improve their lives through mindful movement and embodied Resources:    https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ https://doulamatch.net/ https://dona.org https://babybumpservices.com

1. The power of practicing Naam/Kabbalah of Birth techniques is that it will give your unborn child a clearer slate. A chance to be born into this world without as much influence from there 7 karmic influences. They get a chance to be born into this world being their true authentic self, to be that true creator and really know a sense of self.  2. The yogic science techniques used through Kabbalah of Birth will allow the mother to increase her confidence, be present, have peace of mind, and empower women to use there power in a constructive way to help their baby.   Bio: Asher countryman has always been on the journey of love. Life has given her many trials and yet she always finds herself to rise above the challenges. There are many tools she has learned to help her with those challenges such as; Shakti Naam Yoga, Harmonyum, Kabbalah of Birth (Pre/Post Natal Yoga), inner intuitive intelligence and soon to be a Holistic Health and Life Coach.   Asher now uses these skills to be of service to humanity around the globe.  Asher currently resides in Boise, Idaho as owner of Sacred Attunement (outreach wellness program) and co-owner of Eagles Nest Yoga and Wellness. Asher and her community of Healers are here to be of service to the Treasure Valley and beyond.  Resources: Ashers website - www.sacred-attunement.com Naam Yoga website - www.naamyoga.com  Dr Levry website - http://josephmichaellevry.com

Aislynn Bio: Aislynn and Mike married summer of 2012 and, two weeks later, moved to North Idaho. Shortly after finishing her Bachelor’s degree and he with his law degree, both at the University of Idaho, they returned to Boise summer of 2015. They became pregnant a month later, but sadly it ended by miscarriage at nine weeks. Their prayers were answered when on Christmas Eve 2016 they welcomed their son, Leo August, following a very arduous and medicalized 28 hour labor and hospital birth. After becoming pregnant a year and a half later, they changed from an OB-Gyn to a midwife and had a very different experience. It was only a 7 hour labor and she birthed their daughter, Nyah Averie, entirely natural in the hospital on March 6, 2019. Now, as a happy family of four, they spend their days running part of a local immigration law firm, Derden Law, in Meridian, getting out into the Idaho wilderness, and making memories with extended family and close friends as often as possible. Candace Bio: Candace Browne is a certified birth doula that grew up loving pregnancy and birth because of her own mom who gave birth to all four of her children at home. Candace grew up watching her mother work as a homebirth midwife, a childbirth educator and a doula… which helped her feel very prepared when she had her own 2 children. One thing she noticed during the birth of her own children – one at a hospital and one at a birth center – was that she really regretted not having a female birth partner. She felt educated and prepared but needed more support than what she felt her husband could provide for her. This realization compelled her to pursue her certification as a doula herself – hoping to be able to provide that support for other birthing women. Candace met Holly while accompanying clients to Holly’s Intuitive Birth class. She felt that Holly “spoke her language” and she loved the course topics. She began referring all of her clients to the Intuitive Birth class. They have been birth friends ever since and they love the connection that they’ve shared with several birthing families! At this time, Candace has stepped away from doula work to attend nursing school. Her goal is to work with mothers and babies in the hospital as a nurse, hopefully pursuing a certified nurse midwife degree eventually, but is just taking one step at a time at this point… Resources: Book: Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond by Nancy Bardacke

  Dr. Roger Olson Bio: Roger Olson, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist at St. Luke’s Center for Neurobehavioral Medicine in Boise, Idaho.  He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from George Fox University and completed his internship at the University of Utah Neuropsychiatric Institute.  He has been in practice for 20 years and enjoys helping children and families thrive from a strength-based perspective. In his spare time, he loves spending time in the outdoors (running, fishing, golfing, etc.). An author who inspires him is Viktor Frankl.  In his book “Man’s Search for Meaning.” He says, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” He teaches us that we have response-ability, the ability to choose our response rather than just react and take on a helpless stance.  He gives us a great example of resilience in the face of adversity. In this episode we talk about: How Roger got started in his work Details about the Strong Minds program that he put together Special success stories from his work with parents and families Book Recommendations: Biglan, A., Flay, B., Embry, D., & Sandler, I. (2012).  The critical role of nurturing environments for promoting human well-being.  American Psychologist, 67(4), 257-271.  Gottman, J. (1998). Raising an emotionally intelligent child. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. Hughes, D., & Baylin, J. (2012). Brain-based parenting: The neuroscience of caregiving for healthy attachment. New York, NY: Norton. Kabat-Zinn, J. & Kabat-Zinn, M. (1997). Everyday blessings: The inner work of mindful parenting. New York, NY: Hachette Books. Niemiec, R. (2014). Mindfulness and Character Strengths. Boston, MA: Hogrefe Publishing.   Seaward. B. (2007). Stand like mountain, flow like water: Reflections on stress and human spirituality. Dearfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc. Shaddix, C. & Duncan, L. (2016). Mindful parenting begins at the beginning. In  I. Ivtzan & T. Lomas (Eds.), Mindfulness in positive psychology: The science of meditation and wellbeing. New York, NY: Routledge.  Siegel, D., & Hartzell, M. (2003). Parenting from the inside out: How a deeper self- understanding can help you raise children who thrive. New York, NY: Tarcher/Penguin. Suskind, D., (2015). Thirty million words: Building a child’s brain. New York, NY: Dutton.   Websites https://developingchild.harvard.edu/ https://www.viacharacter.org/ https://www.stlukesonline.org/communities-and-locations/facilities/clinics/st-lukes-childrens-center-for-neurobehavioral-medicine

Episode 002 Kristi Rhodes CNM Kristi Rhodes has worked in maternal-child nursing since 2001. Her start in this career path was as a postpartum nurse in a high risk, high volume hospital in Boise, ID where she fell in love with birth and caring for families. Kristi journeyed into midwifery in 2010 to fulfill her desire to be an advocate and an educator for families, believing that birth is an empowering and transformative event in a family’s life. Kristi promotes physiologic birth and encourages women to be active participants in their care. She attends births at a local hospital where she strives to bring the true midwifery model in to the hospital setting, allowing women and families birth in a way that makes sense individually. In this episode we talk about: Kristi’s experience as an OB nurse, her passion for helping women and families, and her journey into midwifery. How Kristi and Holly met and their shared passion for supporting the hormonal physiology of birth no matter the circumstances: (home birth, birth center, hospital, complications, cesarean birth). How Mindfulness practice during pregnancy helps women connect to their bodies and their babies,supports the hormones of birth, helps decrease fear of the birth process, and helps women trust their bodies more. How Mindfulness-based birth education can help women deal with the ups and downs that occur during labor and help them let go of trying to control the process… thereby supporting hormonal physiology. Trusting the body’s ability to give birth and supporting the hormones of birth help women and families deal with any complications that may arise during labor and decreases any effects of trauma that may occur during the process. How mindfulness practice during pregnancy can help with early parenting and any issues that may arise with breastfeeding or early newborn care. Most births in the US occur in hospitals and it is possible to have a completely unmedicated hospital birth experience if women are prepared, empowered, and supported. How having her own mindfulness practice as a provider helps Kristi connect more authentically to women during labor and helps offset stress in her own busy life as a midwife and a mother. Resources:  https://www.idahostork.com/ https://www.rickhanson.net/books/buddhas-brain/ http://www.calmbirth.org/ https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Hospital-Birth-Best-Worlds/dp/1558328815 https://transform.childbirthconnection.org/reports/physiology

Episode 1: Holly & Jayme talk about their "Why" In the very first podcast episode, you will "meet" the hosts of the podcast; Holly & Jayme. They talk about how they met, and why each of them got into birth work. They also discuss the reasons they feel so strongly about spreading the message of "peace on earth begins before birth".  Holly and Jayme share how they want to present birthing families with all of the options they have regarding their parenting journey by interviewing guests from all different perspectives on pregnancy, birth and parenting. Their goal is to present lots of options so families can make the best informed choices for their unique family situations. Holly Lammer: BSN, RNC, RYT-500, RPYT, PPNE When I became pregnant with my first child my life changed forever. It was revealed to me like a lightning strike (seriously) that I needed to work with the miracle of birth.  Since then (nursing degree and several specialty certifications later), I have advocated for policy and practice change in the hospital to support physiologic, peaceful birth. I research, propose, lecture, develop educational modules and present to leadership, doctors, nurses... whoever will listen to me! This is why I consider myself an activist.  According to Webster’s dictionary, activism is “a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action especially in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue.”  Believe it or not, birth is a controversial issue. No matter where you live, the color of your skin, your income level, your gender or your religious affiliation, accurate information about the importance of gestation, birth and the first year of life can be difficult to find. Talk to ten different people and you will get ten different views on what is best to do for you and your baby during pregnancy and birth. It is an absolute fact that that the womb environment, birth, and early childhood experience plays a major role in lifelong health and wellbeing…  for many generations to come.   The combination of my experience watching thousands of women give birth;  noticing what worked and what didn't work so well, hours of research and study in physiologic birth; combined with my own mindfulness practice which has changed my life profoundly, has prompted me to develop something different for pregnant women and families. This journey has developed into a passion: researching the evidence and science behind the contemplative practices and how they support fetal growth, bonding, parenting and generally speaking a more peaceful world.  You can learn more about Holly here: www.embryoga.com Jayme Crockett: Birth Photographer, Doula & Student Midwife My love for all things birth began 23 years ago when I was pregnant with my 1st son. I was fascinated with the physiology of birth and read everything I could get my hands on during my pregnancy. I was so prepared for labor and delivery but no one explained to me how everything would change the minute they laid him in my arms. I was a mother! I was overcome with a love I had never experienced before.  I went on to birth 7 more babies in 3 different countries. I have had home-births, hospital-births and water-births. My passion for birth has grown with each pregnancy. I am in awe of the beauty and strength women possess during this season of life. I feel so strongly that every woman sees themselves as beautiful and strong too, that is why I have chosen to be a Birth Photographer!  When I was pregnant with my first son, I was lucky enough to have a super cool woman teach my birth class. I was so fascinated with the information she shared with me. I will forever be grateful that as a young, pregnant 17 year old she encouraged me to not fear birth, but to embrace it and be empowered by it.  I am so excited about this podcast because I think every woman deserves to know this truth. My hope is that we will walk together through this parenting journey, connecting and learning from each other and the knowledgeable guests we have planned. You can learn more about Jayme here: www.TribeBirth.com Sponsor: Kristi Rhodes from Idaho Stork talks about seafood safety in pregnancy Today’s episode was brought to you by Idaho Stork.  Idaho Stork’s health care team is small and dedicated. They support a choice in care models and believe that it's best to know their patients, attend their own deliveries, and provide care for their families for years to come. The Idaho Stork team is made up of Dr. Glen Lovelace, an Ob/GYN, Kristi Rhodes and Megan Kitterman, Certified Nurse-Midwives, and Angela Latta, a Nurse Practitioner. https://www.idahostork.com/