The Birth Class Podcast

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Not your typical childbirth education. The knowledge is power approach to better birth experiences. Teaching moms how to take back their births to have the positive and powerful birth experiences they deserve. Hosted by Lizzie Bolliger, fierce birth advocate and creator of Unmedicated Academy.

Lizzie Bolliger


    • May 27, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 219 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Birth Class Podcast

    191 | Want to avoid cesarean? Do this.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 15:40


    ✨Mini-Series: What the Unmedicated Girlie Needs to know about Cesarean ✨ part 3Push play for 6 clear, simple strategies to reduce your risk of an unnecessary cesarean. If your plan is an unmedicated or vaginal birth, these strategies will inform you on how to protect your birth plan before labor even starts.---The best time to start Unmedicated Academy is around 24 weeks. Learn more at unmedicatedgirlies.com

    190 | When is a cesarean really necessary?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 37:30


    ✨Mini-Series: What the Unmedicated Girlie Needs to know about Cesarean ✨ part 2Not every cesarean is a true emergency.In fact, many are performed out of fear, hospital policy, or convenience, aka they're not always necessary.In this episode, we're digging into the top 10 reasons cesareans are performed and calling out the ones that are overused and not always necessary.----Join us inside Unmedicated Academy

    189 | 10cm and still a Cesarean

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2025 21:39


    April was Cesarean Awareness Month — but the truth is, we need to be having this conversation all year long. Why? Because 1 in 3 births in the U.S. end in cesarean… and many of them happen after a mom has already labored unmedicated all the way to 10 cm.In this episode, we're talking about a trend I'm seeing more and more:

    188 | Circumcision Deep Dive: What to know before you decide

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 49:34


    187 | The Informed Consent Crisis: Hear from the experts inside the hospital

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 37:56


    What's really happening with informed consent in hospitals? In this episode, I sit down with experienced doulas and birth educators to uncover the truth about what moms are facing during labor and birth.

    186 | Going all in: Audie's fifth and final birth story

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 40:01


    Fifth times a charm. ✨ After four very different birth experiences Audie knew she wanted her last birth to be exactly what she envisioned. Audie is sharing what she learned from each birth, and how she went all in with pregnancy five.Catch up on the Forever Informed Series ⬇️184 | Why mom advice is so confusing, modern motherhood vs. physiology185 | Defining Informed Consent, here's what your not being told__Go all in with Unmedicated Academy

    185 | Defining informed consent, here's what you're not being told

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 26:11


    Informed consent is much more than just a signature on a form—it's a conversation, a right, and a crucial part of making empowered decisions about your birth. But here's the truth: hospitals rarely provide true informed consent. They give you a watered-down version, leaving you with only the options they prefer.In this episode, we're breaking down:

    184 | Why Mom Advice is So Confusing: Modern Motherhood vs. Physiology

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 27:29


    One mom says to trust your instincts. Another tells you to sleep train by 8 weeks. The breastfeeding book you read says you should breastfeed for up to 2 years, but your pediatrician hands you a formula sample at your baby's first appointment. The contradictions in motherhood are everywhere—and it's no wonder moms feel overwhelmed.In this episode, we're breaking down why so much of the advice you hear about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and infant care are totally... opposite.Note: In the episode I said "scheduled cesarean" when I meant to say "elective cesarean." Yes we get juicy, y'all.Join us inside the U|G birth program that is ALWAYS based in physiology for the mom birthing in the modern world.https://unmedicatedgirlies.com/or DM me "enroll" over on IG

    183 | Hospital birth is a system (and here's how it works against you)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 31:32


    Have you ever heard a doula or birth worker call hospital birth “the system”? That's because it is—and it wasn't designed with you in mind. From standardized routines to liability concerns, efficiency protocols, and financial incentives, every part of hospital birth is structured for the hospital's benefit.Empowerment ahead ➡️ You can opt out of the system's default routine. You just need to know how it works and how to advocate for yourself.Tune in to learn:

    182 | Kicked out of the birth center: Vanessa's medicated, no-epidural birth story

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 47:04


    What happens when one high blood pressure reading gets you kicked out of the birth center? For Vanessa, it meant signing an AMA form, switching to a hospital birth, and watching her birth plan go out the window. In this episode, Vanessa, the creator ofBirth to Boob, and one our very own Unmedicated Academy Ambassadors, shares the story of her first birth—a medicated, no-epidural hospital birth that wasnothing like she planned.And this time? She's doing it all differently. Tune in to hear how she's taking back control for baby #2 and why she's choosing thesecret third option: hiring a birthkeeper.Follow Vanessa @birthtoboob on IG:https://www.instagram.com/birthtoboobEnroll inBirth to Boob to get Unmedicated Academy & Breastfeeding Support

    181 | Every intervention except the epidural: The untold story of my 'natural' births (part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 34:29


    In part 2 , I'm taking you back to my waters breaking (again?!) on New Year's Eve, I was told to stay in the hospital bed, Pitocin was pushed at shift change, and—something I've never shared before—I was talked into fentanyl (spoiler: there's a good learning point here). Add in a cervical lip being manually pushed back, and coached pushing so intense I popped every blood vessel in my face... and it's the "perfect" no-epidural hospital birth. __ Have a better hospital birth, join us inside of Unmedicated Academy ⬇️ unmedicatedgirlies.com OR DM me "enroll" on Instagram

    180 | Every intervention except the epidural: The untold story of my 'natural' births (part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 30:35


    AKA the ONLY thing unmedicated about it was that I didn't have an epidural. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my first birth experience and sharing the details of what I used to call an “unmedicated” birth. Spoiler alert: while I didn't have an epidural, my birth was still FULL of interventions. I'll also share how this birth taught me valuable lessons and set the stage for my journey into birth work. Whether you're planning your own birth or just love a good story, tune in to hear the truth about hospital births, interventions, and what I wish I'd known back then. _

    179 | The Hospital's Birth Plan: Cascade of Interventions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 25:37


    When you walk into the hospital for birth, are you stepping into their birth plan? In this episode, we're breaking down the cascade of interventions and how it's more than just a snowball effect—it's often a prearranged set of interventions that makes up the typical hospital birth experience. Learn how common interventions like continuous fetal monitoring, pitocin, and epidurals fit into this plan, why it matters, and what it takes to have a better birth. Join the unmedicated girlies: unmedicatedgirlies.com DM "enroll" for the link on IG Grab the free class for Unmedicated Pregnancy: fiercelizzie.com/birthprepclass DM "free" for the link on IG Learn more about getting your colors done! https://www.instagram.com/thecolorkey_ DM "colorkey" for the link on IG

    178 | Which birth interventions are really necessary? What you need to know to get informed for birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 15:17


    "How do I know which interventions are really needed?" In this episode, I'm answering a listener question, and the truth is—it's not one-size-fits-all. But what works every single time, for every mom and every intervention, is getting informed. Tune in to learn how to make decisions based on you, your baby, and your birth goals so you can have a truly empowered birth. Get informed with the Unmedicated Girlies

    177 | She refused to have another unnecessary cesarean, Nina's unmedicated VBAC in the hospital

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 43:49


    Nina went from being terrified of birth to a typical cascade of intervention experience with her twins—leading to an unnecessary C-section—to achieving the unmedicated VBAC she was 100% committed to. With her husband stepping up as her biggest advocate and her own stubborn streak driving her forward, she got her unmedicated VBAC. Join Unmedicated Academy

    176 | Epidural Diaries: Why your bestie got an epidural and how to be more prepared

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 26:20


    How many of your friends wanted a natural birth but ended up getting an epidural?? We're breaking down why many moms say “yes” to the epidural, what makes it so tempting, and how you can be more prepared to stay on track with your unmedicated birth plan. From long labors and Pitocin contractions to the hospital environment itself, we'll dive into the top reasons moms opt for pain relief and share the tools, strategies, and mindset shifts you need to manage labor without an epidural. Episode 132 | Get informed on the epidural Download the U|G toolkit Get all the strategy & HOW TO for having a natural hospital birth

    175 | Behind the birth video, what you need to know if you're having a baby in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 25:53


    "I wish my birth looked like that" Here is the truth behind those birth videos on IG. When you see a mom so proud of her birth she is posting it on social, it's usually because of the work she put in before that video. Let's talk about what it takes to feel powerful, be empowered, get informed and have your best birth in 2025. Feeling empowered vs BEING empowered Grab the moving sale before it's gone!

    174 | Steal the U|G's unmedicated toolkit, the importance of having different coping tools in labor

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 13:52


    The truth about unmedicated birth is it will be the most challenging, powerful, life changing thing you'll ever do. And it won't be easy. You'll need and want a variety of tools to help get you through to the end without an epidural. And having a variety of tools is even MORE important for hospital birth moms because the epidural is the hospital's tool of choice. To avoid the epidural for longer, the unmedicated girlies bring their own tools. Download the toolkit Last chance to save $$$ with the moving sale

    173 | Why you haven't heard of nitrous oxide (and why you should ask your hospital for it)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 26:52


    Does your hospital offer nitrous oxide? AKA laughing gas, or sometimes gas & air. Unmedicated girlies love having nitrous oxide as an option because out of all of the medicated options, nitrous oxide supports physiology the most. Dig into the pros and cons of using nitrous oxide if your plan is to have an unmedicated birth. Access the moving sale - Save up to $150 on U|A Get on the list for the mompreneur sale Get informed on the epidural

    172 | DO this, NOT that: Birth Class Edition, Don't make these 6 birth prep mistakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 14:56


    Consider this the "most common mistakes" in getting educated, informed, and empowered for your birth. This is the DOs and DON'Ts for the unmedicated girlie who wants to do her birth differently. Share with us over ⁠@THEUNMEDICATEDGIRLIES⁠ which DON'T you are swapping out. ⁠Follow us for the 30 days of birth prep⁠ ⁠Check out the moving sale now!⁠

    171 | A second unmedicated birth with her husband as her doula, Juliana's birth story

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 49:37


    When Juliana prepared for her first birth she did it all, including hiring a doula. What she wasn't prepared for was her doula being denied access to the hospital with COVID policy changes in 2021. Even with a successful unmedicated birth with her first, she knew she could do birth even better and with her second pregnancy, she decided to prepare her husband to be her doula. Juliana's birth story starts with a spontaneous trip to the tattoo shop, Easter service at Church on Sunday morning, to catching her own baby (yes in the hospital!) on April Fool's Day. Get empowered and prepared with Juliana and the other unmedicated girlies inside Unmedicated Academy.

    170 | 2 reasons the unmedicated girlies decline glucola

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 22:28


    Did you hear that they took the BVO out of the orange drink, aka glucola?!! That's great, but we're still going to ask for an alternative, and here's why… In this episode, you'll learn: The 2 main reasons why women are declining glucola for their gestational diabetes screening. What a provider might say to you when you ask for alternatives to the glucose tolerance test How a GD diagnosis follows you through your pregnancy and can affect your birth plan Download the playlist & binge your birth ed Go all in the with unmedicated girlies in the Academy

    169 | 3 tips for LESS overwhelming birth education

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 19:14


    You need to fit in your birth prep, you want to be an informed unmedicated girlie, but you don't have the time and just getting started is overwhelming. Get ready to go all in because today we are talking about three ways to get started (or go deeper into your birth education) without overwhelm.  Unmedicated Girlie Playlist Birth books on Amazon Get started with the easiest way to get informed

    168 | The famous birth binder, Grace's Christmas birth story featuring Elinor

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 44:51


    This is a must listen birth story! Academy mom Grace was due on Christmas day with baby 2 and was pressured to induce many times in her prenatal care. This drove her to practice her new advocacy skills, prepare her husband, and take assessing her risk into her own hands. She shares the differences between her first and second birth and how she was able to have a more empowered birth by taking her prep into her own hands. Take Grace's advice and let's work together!

    167 | You had an amazing birth.. now what? Jumping into birth work

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 27:46


    You had your amazing unbelievable birth experience. Maybe it was at home maybe it was in the car maybe it was in the hospital. It doesn't matter where. It was truly the most amazing transformative experience you've ever had. You're not ready to give birth again, but you're not ready to leave this birth bubble... here is the quickest (and easiest) way to start a birth business from home with your baby. In this episode, I discuss... Being a type A girlie and owning it. Why you should plan out your month and quarter today. Why I see my 75 Hard "failure" as a win and how it makes me mentally tough. Becoming an Academy Ambassador and how you can help more moms have better births and change the world. Download the U|G Playlist and binge the most informative episodes now. Learn more about the Ambassador Program, then send me a DM @fiercelizzie

    166 | If you're due in December... LISTEN TO THIS!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 22:19


    Here is why you need to start your birth prep now instead of waiting til next month. Four reasons to get a head start on your birth education for all moms, but especially for November, December and January moms because of the higher rate of inductions around the holidays. In this episode you'll learn... The time frame it takes to get truly informed to have a boss birth your way and why that is necessary in the hospital setting. How your prenatal care can change in the final weeks compared to the early weeks of pregnancy where you hear "everything looks perfect, mama!" How to be prepared for the holiday induction. Join the other December moms and get educated, informed, and empowered to do birth your way.

    165 | The most unexpected parts of unmedicated birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2024 24:53


    "First time mom here! What are the most surprising parts of an unmedicated birth?" From butt explosions to cervical checks gone wrong to the most amazing feeling EVER that makes natural birth addicting (and why we all keep coming back to it)... this episode has it all! Everything you need to know about unmedicated hospital birth Follow @theunmedicatedgirlies on Instagram

    164 | MUST HAVES for your unmedicated VBAC

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 31:05


    For the fourth year in a row the cesarean rate in the US has increased. And the greatest influence on if you have a vaginal birth is policy and rules put on birth. Here is what you need to know if you are planning an unmedicated VBAC (or for any mom planning for a vaginal birth!). You'll learn: A little history around the fluctuations in cesarean rate, why it was so high in 2009 and again in 2023. The four must haves as you plan for an unmedicated VBAC to increase your chances of a vaginal birth after cesarean. A comparison on using intermittent auscultation versus continuous fetal monitoring for a hospital VBAC. ⁠Get your MUST HAVES for birth⁠

    163 | 4 steps to your BOSS birth, how to have an unmedicated hospital birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 28:03


    Hundreds of women have used the boss birth method to have the unmedicated birth of their dreams. First time moms, second time moms, even fifth time moms!! YOu can have a powerful birth where you feel prepared, informed, and empowered to birth YOUR WAY even in the hospital. And here are the four things you need to know to get your dream birth too. You'll learn… The most challenging part of having an unmedicated hospital birth and how the level of support can vary greatly from hospital to hospital. How the basic birth prep is not enough for the typical hospital birth mom, and my story of getting lucky with my first birth. Skip the trial and error of birth and instead prepare for your next birth to be the best it can be. The four steps to having a boss birth, exactly what you need to know and prepare to have an unmedicated hospital birth

    162 | Physiologic birth from start to finish, avoid all the interventions that come once you feel pushy too

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 20:09


    In my experience hospital staff tend to be more supporting of a natural, hands off birth in the first stage of labor. They may still push for pitocin or cervical checks, but they still tend to leave you to labor on your own. And all that changes once a mom hits transition or starts to feel pushy, then even the most hans off birth may turn intervention heavy. You'll learn: What it means to support physiology and how walking into the hospital disrupts natural labor. The stages of labor and the difference between interventions from beginning to end. The three things you must know to support physiology at any stage or birth. ---- Join the unmedicated girlies and get informed with Unmedicated Academy

    161 | How the hospital will sabotage your birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 29:44


    Look it's not you, it's the hospital. The hospital routine medicalizes your birth and makes it really hard to support physiology. Which means it's really hard to have an unmedicated birth in the hospital. And the epidural rate proves it. The good news is, there is a way to have a hospital birth where you support physiology and you avoid unnecessary interventions. You'll learn: What really happens when you go with the flow is that you hand your birth over to the hospital's routine which usually includes an induction, pitocin, epidural, amniotomy, coached pushing, etc. How the hospital birth looks like birth because you meet your baby, but in reality it is not a physiologic birth at all. Statistics on inductions and statistics when you avoid an induction too. How birth education can improve birth for first time moms, second time moms, hospital birth moms, and moms with a doula. ----- Grab the last October spot inside the Academy

    160 | Your body (and baby) wants an unmedicated birth, the benefits of natural birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 23:37


    Your baby & body want an unmedicated birth, even if you are scared, even if you have a low pain tolerance, even if you aren't having a peaceful water birth in your living room. And that's because there are a ton of benefits that come with physiologic, unmedicated birth. You'll learn... How a recent client ended up with an unmedicated birth even though that wasn't her goal, and no her birth wasn't fast or easy. The cascade of interventions vs the overflow of positive outcomes and how unmedicated birth has benefits to you and your baby. The reason so many moms chose natural birth over and over again, even though it's the hardest thing they have ever done. Ready to go all in with your birth prep? Join the Academy Enter the photo contest and show off how the unmedicated girlies do it

    159 | The LIE behind a low lying placenta

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2024 26:04


    Today's episode is inspired by the fact that I have had too many mom in my DMs concerned about their low lying placentas. A low lying placenta is totally normal at 20 weeks, so why are so many women worrying about it?? In this episode, I discuss: The difference between a low lying placenta and placenta previa, and what it means for your birth prep. The overuse of technology causing doubt in our pregnancies. How our maternity care system infantilizes women by giving us minimal information and making decisions for women instead of giving them options. ____ Enter the photo contest and tag me @theunmedicatedgirlies and #theunmedicatedgirlies Join Unmedicated Academy to get informed and make your own decisions.

    158 | Margot Robbie is pregnant, will she get informed? How the hospital takes away your power

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 22:31


    Margot Robbie is pregnant. Will she invest in getting informed? Will she hired a doula? Will she invest in a physiologic birth at home? Celebrities have all the resources available to them, and very often they are opting for the most detached version of birth, elective cesarean or even worse, surrogacy. Join me in this rabbit hole of celebrity hospital births. In this episode I discuss: How Queen Elizabeth had her power taken away during her first three births and how she demanded different for her fourth. The hospital is the hospital and it can and will take control if you let it, regardless of how rich, famous, and powerful a woman is outside of the hospital. The average rate of cesarean in the United States in 2022 is 32.1% and the World Health Organization's statement that cesarean rates over 20% lead to worse outcomes for moms and babies. Los Angeles hospital, Cedars-Sinai Hospital, does not disclose their rate of cesarean and that is likely due to a higher than average rate. What it costs for a bougie maternity suite at Cedars-Sinai, Lenox Hill, and Mount Sinai. And did Beyonce really rent out the maternity ward for $1.3 million??

    157 | Postpartum bleeding is physiologic, was it really a pph?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 34:27


    Let's get informed on postpartum hemorrhage, so you can make the best decision in the third stage of your birth. Bleeding is a completely normal part of the birth process, but how much is too much?? Hospital providers are terrified of PPH and are treating every single woman preventatively, even when she just had a physiologic birth and there is no reason to assume this stage of birth needs help as well. In this episode I discuss: The current definition of PPH versus the older definition that labels a normal amount of blood loss as concerning. How PPH is assessed and what can cause a hemorrhage in postpartum. If you birth in the hospital, you will have PPH actively managed. Know the difference between active vs expectant management. All of your options and how to avoid PPH ---- Start the 5 Day Empowerment Challenge Get informed on all the stages of hospital birth (and how to support physiology instead) inside Unmedicated Academy

    156 | Get obsessed with your birth, the best way to get prepared for birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 27:13


    Allow yourself to get obsessed with your birth. Go all in. Instead of hoping for an unmedicated birth, be committed to having your best birth. Going all in with your birth education can only help you to be more confident and more prepared for walking into the hospital to birth your way. In this episode I discuss: Many hospital birth moms have births that don't go as planned. The typical birth outcomes IS a birth that doesn't go to plan so if you want to plan for something different, you have to do things differently. The difference between hoping for an unmedicated birth and being committed to an unmedicated birth. And how you can become obsessed with birth to have a more positive birth experience. If you want a different hospital birth, you are going to have to tell someone no. To do birth differently you are going to have to inconvenience someone at best and piss them off at worst.  Get obsessed with doing birth your way inside Unmedicated Academy.

    155 | Bobbie caused their own formula shortage! Bobbie tanks your supply, then tanks theirs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 26:54


    Have you experienced the Bobbie formula shortage? This mom-founded and-led infant formula company appears to be pro mother-baby, when in fact all they are good at is marketing and making profits off of how you feed your baby. They are a multi million dollar corporation that has used predatory marketing tactics to grow a "cult like" following that has created more demand then they can keep up with. In this episode, I discuss: The new age predatory Marketing tactics that Bobbie formula has pioneered and abused to get moms hooked on their product. Bobbie falsely claims that their organic formula is a solution to mothers' mental health struggles, and now these moms are more stressed than ever as they struggle to feed their babies. The new push towards combo-feeding that enables Bobbie to gain more customers as they directly compete with breastfeeding. One mom's story in choosing Bobbie, what she did during the shortage to feed her baby, and how Bobbie responded to her outrage. Listen to the episode with the Radical Moms Union: Episode 114 We Crashed a Formula Marketing Meeting Join Unmedicated Academy and get access to the BONUS breastfeeding module

    154 | You have more control with unmedicated birth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 14:53


    There are many reasons women choose unmedicated birth. One of those reasons is that they feel more in control when they support physiology. And feeling more in control, instead of chaotic, results in a more positive birth experience. In this episode, I discuss: How supporting physiology puts your body in control, not the hospital routine, not prescription drugs, and that can help you feel more in charge of your birth. You have more options in your birth when you stick with your unmedicated birth plan. When you walk into birth prepared, there is less anxiety, less fear, we can take control of our births now by doing the right birth prep. Full immersion into your birth prep can get you so prepared that you know what to do automatically when things like interventions, slow labor, transition, etc. come up

    153 | Will cervical exams change my birth? A risk and benefit analysis of cervical checks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 34:32


    How are cervical checks going to affect my labor? I know something as small and simple as a cervical exam doesn't seem like much of an interruption to the labor process, but it actually is. When we introduce pain, tension, or fear into labor it can cause labor to stall and make it harder for you to access your coping tools. And let's flip the script, I actually would love for you to think of cervical exams as small and insignificant in actually helping labor, because there are truly no benefits to including multiple cervical checks in birth. In this episode I discuss: A risk and benefit analysis of using cervical checks in labor so you can make an informed choice on if you want to include them in your birth or not. In home births we don't typically see cervical exams unless the mother requests them, and how requesting a cervical exam shows some doubt in your body's ability to birth. The story of a mom who dilated from 2 to 10 cm in an hour and the mom who stayed dilated to 5 cm for a whole week. When to expect cervical exams as part of your prenatal care and exactly when ones you can decline. --- Join Unmedicated Academy to learn all about physiologic pushing!

    152 | Pitocin almost always leads to an epidural

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 19:45


    Saying yes to an induction, or pitocin, is like saying yes to an epidural. Once you start pitocin your birth is medicalized and that includes a higher chance of wanting the epidural. In this episode, I discuss: How pitocin and oxytocin are the same chemical compound but work very very differently in or bodies. If you had pitocin in the past and it felt like your birth was out of control, it was. Pitocin means your birth is being control outside your body. Starting pitocin can mean that your coping skills are less accessible which can lead to an unwanted epidural. ---- Download the free Birth Prep Class Get your NORA - restock this week! Join the Academy Moms in learning how to support the birth plan YOU want

    151 | Why doulas don't want to be certified

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 27:39


    Just like with all things birth we are talking about the risks and benefits, pros and cons of doula certification, and insurance reimbursement today. This is a must listen if you are a doula, or thinking of becoming one, or if you are a mom wanting to hire a doula. In this episode, I discuss: Recent posts from Elite Doula Training on new legislatures from Texas and Ohio that are trying to control doulas and that can have a big impact on how your doula can support you. The motives behind certification agencies, lawmakers and hospital systems work together, and it's not to benefit you. Examples of rules and regulations that doula certification programs and insurance companies put on doulas, and the parallels to how the medical system stole midwifery. What you can do as a doula and as a mom to opt out of doula regulations from your state or hospital. Episodes you'll love: 70 | Doula certifications suck 100 | Becoming a self taught doula 134 | How to find and hire a doula 133 | What doulas do for you 124 | Biased doulas for biased moms ---- Listen to the new business podcast for moms and follow along on instagram @micromombiz Enroll in Unmedicated Academy for the confidence to tell your hospital no. 

    150 | My hospital seems supportive of natural birth, be prepared for everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024 24:56


    Thinking, hoping, and assuming your hospital is going to be supportive of your natural birth is not enough. And thankfully there is a lot that you can do to take control of the situation so that you are prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. In this episode, I discuss: The two ends of the spectrum, a hospital that is 100% on board with your birth plan, no questions asked versus the most coercive and manipulative of hospitals. How being informed and educated on birth and your rights will change your birth experience in hospitals with varying levels of support. How being empowered means you do not let anyone tell you want to do, including me! An amazing hospital birth story of a positive induction of labor without an epidural. Enroll in Unmedicated Academy and join our community call this week Restock your NORA tea Download the FREE Birth Prep Class

    149 | You need to know the stages of labor

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 13:08


    Yes, this is important knowledge to have and you need to understand the stages of labor on a deeper level than just centimeters dilated. Knowing the stages of labor is even more important for hospital birth moms and can help you take control of your labor in severals ways. In this episode I discuss: The idea of surrender versus taking control and how that balance can change based on where you are giving birth. Understanding the stages of labor can help you to avoid cervical checks. The knowledge is power approach included knowing the stages of labor in depth and it has many benefits for the mom wanting an unmedicated birth. ___ Ready to start your birth prep? Birth Prep Class: This 30 minute class will teach you what you can do now to help prepare your mind and body for an unmedicated birth. It's FREE ️ Want to work with me? Unmedicated Academy: The signature program for moms who want to be the boss of their unmedicated birth and be educated, informed and empowered. We will chat each week and you'll be blown away by how much support is inside. Join the empowered mom club

    148 | Fear mongering, what it looks like and doesn't look like

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2024 15:50


    The term fear mongering comes up often in the discussion of our medical system, and our maternity care is no different. Knowing what it is and isn't is helpful in being able to identify the red flags and stand up to fear mongering if it happens to you. In this episode I discuss: The definition of fear mongering and what it can look like in your maternity care. The red flags of fear mongering and what the opposite of fear mongering, which is the informed consent process. Fear isn't a bad thing and can actually be helpful as you prepare for birth. How the knowledge is power approach can help you feel confident, even when faced with fear mongering. Mentioned on the show: Get NORA notifications for the upcoming restock. Grab the replay for Home Birth in the Hospital - limited time only! Enroll in Unmedicated Academy and work with me each week

    147 | The role of your OB, Midwife, MFM and understanding informed consent

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 18:25


    Have you ever said, "the hospital won't let me..."? Then you need to learn more about the role of your OB, midwife, MFM or really any medical provider because they hold no power over you. Tune in to learn more about informed consent and evidence based care and how you are the actual boss of your medical care. In this episode, I discuss: Informed consent is a discussion that includes getting fully informed so you can make the final decision. Why I think the term shared decision making actually is making the power dynamic worse for mothers. The three components to evidence based care. Birth is a physiologic event that doesn't typically need intervention. Ready to start your birth prep? Birth Prep Class: This 30 minute class will teach you what you can do now to help prepare your mind and body for an unmedicated birth. It's FREE ️ Want to work with me? Unmedicated Academy: The signature program for moms who want to be the boss of their unmedicated birth and be educated, informed and empowered. We will chat each week and you'll be blown away by how much support is inside. Join the empowered mom club Submit a question or testimonial for the show: Leave me a voice message

    146 | Wild pregnancy, prenatal care outside of the regulated medical system, Katherine Sigblad

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 60:55


    What is WILD pregnancy? We have one of our good friends from the Moms off the Record podcast, Kat Sigblad, sharing about her current pregnancy with baby number two. With her first birth, Kat thought she prepared the right way, from firing her provider and switching to home birth to being educated on all things natural birth, but what she learned is even home birth midwives can be captured by the system. Not wanting her next birth to be sabotaged as well, Kat did everything differently, starting before conception and by doing her own prenatal care and having a truly autonomous pregnancy. In this episode, Kat gives all the juicy details on her wild pregnancy, including: The scare tactics and manipulation from her home birth midwives that ultimately led her to having a 72 hour induction and failure to descend leading to an unnecessary cesarean. Her promise to not outsource her intuition to someone bound by rules and regulations and the experts she is turning to instead. The typical mindset and belief that more technology and more experts equals a safer birth, and the fallacy of having technology in the birth space. The downsides of the prenatal routine and exactly what Kat will be opting out of and including in her prenatal care, including gestational diabetes screen, blood pressure monitoring, ultrasounds, gbs and fetal monitoring. More resources for wild pregnancy: Kat's Substack - coming soon! Moms off the Record Podcast Follow MOTR on IG Anisa Woodall - Holistic fertility & nutrition Free Birth Society Podcast

    145 | What I wish I knew as a first time pregnant mom

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 20:43


    The ONE thing I wish someone had told me when I was pregnant with my first. Here I am telling it to you if you haven't heard me say it already. In this episode I discuss: The 7Bs of attachment parenting and the intuitive way to parent your baby. In 2013, I read food blogs when I should have been finding the home birth corner on the web. The gaps in our prenatal care, specifically the lack of options and informed consent that come with the typical hospital prenatal. Subscribe to Launch Your Micro Mom Business - NOW on Apple and Spotify Grab a spot in Home Birth in the Hospital on May 23 at 6pm Download the FREE Birth Prep Class Get educated, informed, and empowered with Unmedicated Academy

    144 | "You're the only one who can do this," 31 hours of back labor without an epidural, with Katie Nichols

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2024 72:06


    This is an incredible birth story that you won't want to miss. Katie shares her amazing journey from finding the online birth community in pre-conception to her long, tough back labor in the hospital, completely unmedicated. Katie's favorite part of her story, was reaching down to catch her own baby. She calls it the best gift she's ever received. In this episode, Katie shares: What she did to prepare for her natural hospital birth, and all the mindset work behind believe she could do it. Why she chose to birth in the hospital, even though she wanted a home birth. How preparing her husband with Unmedicated Academy helped him to trust birth too. All 31 hours, starting a home with losing her mucous plug, to her doula walking in to help, to leaving for the hospital to use their birth tubs, to finally catching her baby. The feeling of empowerment that came with her birth, and how she feels like she can do anything now. Grab a spot inside Home Birth in the Hospital Due in August? Enroll now in Unmedicated Academy

    143 | The ONE question to ask your OB

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 20:22


    Why do I have a consult appointment with my oral surgeon but not my OB? Home birth midwives generally do free consults as well. Want a more home birth like hospital birth? Run your own consultation and ask the right questions to see if your provider is the right fit for what you want in your birth. And if you are currently seeing an OB or a practice with OBs do not skip this ONE question. More questions to ask in the episode on Finding Your Unicorn OB Grab a spot inside Home Birth in the Hospital Ready to join Unmedicated Academy? The program is a combination of birth prep, planning and education using what I call the birth immersion protocol that will turn you into a birth expert just in time for your due date. Join the empowered moms club.

    142 | 5 things to make hospital birth feel more like home birth

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 28:40


    If you can't have a home birth, for whatever reason, I get it. That was me too. That is why my area of expertise is helping moms have hospital births that feels more liek home births. Why? Because moms who birth are home are more likely to feel supported, have lower risk outcomes, have fewer interventions, and they always hit their goal of an unmedicated birth. The hospital is nothing like a home birth but there are some home birth practices that we can bring in to our hospital births. In this episode I discuss five things to plan for if your goal is an unmedicated hosptial birth. Sign up for Home Birth in the Hospital Use code FIERCELIZZIE on your next Just Ingredients order Order NORA Ready to enroll in Unmedicated Academy? This program is my signature method for moms who want to be the boss of their unmedicated birth and be educated, informed and empowered. We will chat each week and you'll be blown away by how much support is inside. Join the empowered mom club

    141 | A first time mom's birth plan, 11 years later

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 40:56


    Travel back in time with me as I go line by line through the birth plan I wrote as a first time mom in 2013. Back before there was a birth side of instagram and no one was listening to podcasts (or at least, I wasn't). In the episode I discuss each request from my birth plan, the biggest mistake I made, and if I actually got what I wanted. More episodes you'll love: 49: Using my super simple birth plan template 71: Hypnobirthing didn't work for me 105 | Home births don't need birth plans, hospital births need more than a birth plan 116 | 3 things that will sabotage your birth plan Ready for an advocacy based birth program where you get support from me each week from now through the day your baby is born?  Join the empowered mom club

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