The Birth Ease Podcast

This time of year can bring a sense of magic and joy and at the same time, the holidays can also bring feelings of overwhelm and stress.  Michelle airs this special holiday relaxation each year session which is designed to help release the stress and strain you may be feeling and gain a sense of clarity regarding what you value in your life as you prepare to enter the New Year.  As a gentle reminder: this guided relaxation recording audio is for just that, relaxation purposes only. It does not constitute medical or mental health advice or treatment, nor does it imply a specific outcome during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or beyond. Please avoid listening to this guided relaxation while engaging in an activity that requires your full attention. Please stop the podcast and return to it when you can be safely seated or reclining in a supported position. Unless you are the passenger listening to this guided relaxation with headphones on, for everyone's safety never listen to it while driving or riding in a vehicle.Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com 

Natasha Solovieff and Michelle discuss Natasha's signature strategy which helps parents to stay engaged with their children and each other. Her L.O.V.V.E. Way invites families to begin Listening, Om-ing (centering yourself), Voicing, Visioning, and Exploring  in order to unwind any difficult feelings, emotions, and situations and determine what is of value to them as a family. The L.O.V.V.E. Way creates a solid path in this time of uncertainty and provides relationship and self-reflection tools that are extremely vital, and yet, rarely taught.  {replay of episode 38}"What I wanted to give parents is a default way of moving out of our snappy moments and those things that come up in parenting that are really heightened right now that cause us to disengage with our children and to disengage with ourselves, and our partner. Relationships are this dance being engaged, being disengaged, and bringing ourselves back into engagement and that's a skill." —  Natasha SolovieffAbout Natasha:With a BSN and M.Ed., she has 25+ years as a Maternal Child Health clinical and public health nurse. She is the author of “The Dance of Parenting: Finding Your Inner Choreographer” a book that invites you to energize and strengthen your parenting dance by using your parenting L.O.V.V.E. skills. And she also writes heartfelt and intriguing science-for-parents blogs at OMGparenting.com. Connect with Natasha:OMG Parenting FB link - https://www.facebook.com/OMGParenting/?ref=bookmarksOMG Parenting Twitter handle - @OParentingWebsite - OMGparenting.com = https://omgparenting.com/ Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com   Thanks for listening!

Natasha Solovieff and Michelle explore the ways that parenting can be compared to an ongoing dance with your child and the importance of acknowledging the needs of both parent and child. Natasha explains the ways you can decrease your stress, filter through all the information and opinions, and connect more fully with your children, your partner, and your own inner wisdom. Natasha shares her L.O.V.V.E. process: Listening, Om-ing (centering yourself), Voicing, Visualizing, and Exploring. Her tools are invaluable when planning a pregnancy, during pregnancy, while communicating with medical providers, throughout your parenting years, and even once your children are adults. {replay of episode 14} You can hear more of Natasha's wisdom in episode 38.“The challenge of all of this is we don't live in a listening culture and we haven't been taught how to listen, let alone, what it is to be listened to. But we  have to listen to ourselves and ask to be listened to. ... I can say for certain about that process [of listening to and voicing your thoughts and feelings] is when it's coming up in you & you hear anything judgy or critical, you know that is not the voice you want to listen to. Because our voice around of all this is the loving voice that we want to be hearing."—Natasha Solovieff About Natasha:Natasha is a mom, now to a beautiful twenty something. With a BSN and M.Ed., she has 25+ years as a Maternal Child Health clinical and public health nurse. She is the author of The Dance of Parenting - Finding Your Inner Choreographer, a book that invites you to energize and strengthen your parenting dance by using your parenting L.O.V.V.E. skills. And she also writes heartfelt and intriguing science-for-parents blogs at OMGparenting.com. She gets tickled by her dogs wagging tail, a good hike, deep conversations, a hearty glass of wine, and the so many wonders of life.   Connect with Natasha:OMG Parenting FB link - https://www.facebook.com/OMGParenting/?ref=bookmarksOMG Parenting Twitter handle - @OParentingWebsite - OMGparenting.com = https://omgparenting.com/ Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com    

If and when your water might break in labor is often confusing and stressful for expecting parents. Michelle explains when this can happen, what to expect, what to look for, and a helpful acronym to remember- MTACOS, Movement of baby, Time, Amount, Color, Odor, and Status of Group B Strep. Michelle recommends also listening to episode 132 featuring Heidi Snyderburn of Birth Story podcast regarding some recent research on rupture of membranes and labor.  Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  

Each October, Michelle honors Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month on the podcast. This year she shares an episode from her Birth Ease Loss Support Podcast featuring samples of the Calm Birth meditations for perinatal loss. "The loss of a pregnancy or infant is an incredibly common heartbreak. Yet, we are given so few opportunities to grieve a loss that is often invisible to those around us. Calm Birth for Pregnancy and Infant Loss presents an opportunity to move through emotions and to send life on its way with love. If someone you know has lost a pregnancy or infant, this can be a beautiful way of supporting them through this journey. If you lost a pregnancy or infant recently, or in the past, please use these audioguides for healing and moving about life changed but still whole."—Calm BirthResources:To Purchase the Calm Birth Meditations for Pregnancy Loss  https://www.calmbirth.org/audioguidesProgressive Relaxation for Grief: https://www.futurity.org/grief-progressive-muscle-relaxation-2617232TONGLEN MEDITATION by Pema Chödrön: https://youtu.be/QwqlurCvXuM Connect with Michelle:Website:  BirthEaseServices.com /loss-supportFacebook:   Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:   @birtheaselossssupportLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithPodcast: Birth Ease Loss SupportThank you for listening!

The Calm Birth prenatal meditation program now has an app for easier access to the meditations. Michelle shares samples of the meditations for listeners to experience. You can learn more about Calm Birth and the practices in episodes 76-80 and about the similarities and differences between Hypnobirthing and Calm Birth in episode 86.  Michelle includes the introduction for each meditation beginning with this 7-minute version of Womb Breathing or Breather as it is named on the App. She also provides a sample of Rest based on the Practice of Opening and Healing based on the practice of compassionate breathing. The app also includes affirmations for pregnancy and birth which parents find extremely valuable. You can listen to the full audio for the Calm Parents meditation breath feeding for nursing in episode 140. The app includes versions of this meditation for parents that are bottle feeding, pumping, and chestfeeding. Michelle also includes the Calm Parents meditation Bond which can be helpful when caring for a crying baby. Please note that there are versions of the Calm Birth meditations for parents planning a cesarean birth, as well.  Please find a safe and comfortable spot to relax and enjoy these samples of the Calm Birth Meditations.  GO to the App Store for the Calm Birth App.  Reach out at Michelle@birtheaseservices.com for Calm Birth childbirth classes or the meditations for parents planning a cesarean birth or at www.calmbirth.org. Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com   Thank You  for Listening!! 

Michelle and Keshia Lockett are celebrating the release of Keshia's book, Birth Undisturbed: How to Have an Undisturbed Unmedicated Hospital Birth, on Amazon and the success of her Black Doula Tour as well the release of Calm Birth's new meditation app for pregnancy, birth, and parenting which features Michelle's voice in the audios. Keshia shares all about The Black Doula Tour and her book. Together, they discuss the sacredness and sanctity of birth and why knowledge, education, and choosing a provider that reflects your values for your pregnancy and birth are vital.  "And that's what The Black Doula Tour is really, really all about. It's about connecting with people. It's about finding your soul drive. It's about getting education that you need during pregnancy. It's just about so, so much. Every tour we aim to have different speakers that can come and share their knowledge. So every tour will be absolutely different with different faces. You won't get the same thing out of each tour." —Keshia LockettGrab a  copy of Keshia's book on Amazon: Birth Undisturbed: How to Have an Undisturbed Unmedicated Hospital BirthGet your tickets for The Black Doula Tour About Keshia:Keshia Lockett is a certified birth and postpartum doula, certified breastfeeding counselor, childbirth educator, author, and podcaster. She has a passion for childbirth, empowering birthing people, and fighting racial disparities in the medical field that started from a very young age. She realized black women giving birth are at a major disadvantage, and so she made it her mission to change that! Connect with  Keshia:Website: https://www.embraceyourbirthdoula.com/Instagram: @empoweredblackdoula, @embraceyourbirthdoula_Facebook: @Empowered Black Doula, @Embrace YourBirth DoulaPodcast: Empowered Black Doula Connect with Michelle:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-educationFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com Thank you for listening! 

Michelle is incredibly honored to have midwife Jennie Joseph share what is in her heart and on her mind- holding space for families following the birth of their baby.  Jennie explains why the United States is dismal in regard to postpartum care practices and support. Jennie stresses that we must listen and hold space for families and each other as birth professionals. We must learn and understand how to do it well so that we are helping and not adding to any potential pain and trauma to what they are already carrying. Jennie clarifies that holding space is simply that. Just be quiet and encourage them to feel comfortable, to feel like they can trust you. And show that trust by listening with respect, maintaining that dignity, and not centering yourself in the sharing. Jennie shares why we must bring into conversations racism, classism, gender discrimination, injustice, and the historically institutional way of being because those are the actual causes of the disparity. Everyone is impacted when we are not supported to be in our humanity. Commonsense Childbirth Inc.'s guiding statement is "We are building a movement to birth a more just and loving world." "So when we really want to get to the bottom line, it is hard to go there because we don't want to face what we really have, but what we have is capitalism, classism, sexism, racism. We are wicked-mean to marginalized people on purpose.  We have no capacity on a large level of addressing everybody's needs- recognizing those needs and having the respect and dignity to address them. We do not like to work from the perspective of justice. But that is what this is about. This is about justice."—Jennie Joseph, Midwife About Jennie Joseph:Jennie Joseph is a British-trained midwife who fights to ensure every person has their healthiest possible pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience with dignity and support. Jennie created The JJ Way® which is an evidence-based, maternity care model delivering readily-accessible, patient-centered, culturally-congruent care to women in areas that she terms 'materno-toxic zones'. Her focus and drive is to ensure that Black women and other marginalized people remain safe and empowered inside broken and inequitable maternity health systems that have become dangerous and all too often, lethal.She is the Executive Director of her own non-profit corporation Commonsense Childbirth Inc. which operates a training institute, health clinics and a birthing center in Orlando, Florida, and is also the founder of the National Perinatal Task Force, a grassroots organization whose mission is the elimination of racial disparities in maternal child health in the USA. In July 2020 her school, Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery became the first and only privately-owned, nationally accredited midwifery school owned by a Black woman in the United States. Jennie is the founder and a proud member of The Council of Midwifery Elders, she serves on the Advisory Council for the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus, is a Fellow of The Aspen Institute, and has been recognized as a TIME Woman of The Year 2022 for her work in promoting perinatal equity. Time Magazine Women of the Year Jennie Joseph  Connect with Jennie Joseph:To make a donation visit: https://www.commonsensechildbirth.orgInstagram: @iamjenniejosephFacebook: Jennie Joseph - MidwifeTwitter: @JennieJosephThe Birth Place: www.TheBirthPlace.orgEasy Access Women's Clinic: www.EasyAccessClinic.com Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com   Thank you for listening!

Michelle provides an overview of the 4 stages of labor. She shares that the first stage of labor involves contractions that get longer, stronger, and closer together and that it is divided into 3 phases: early labor, active labor, and transition. Michelle also explains Braxton-Hicks contractions and labor contractions and  the different ways in which laboring moms may experience their contractions or surges, especially if they are using hypnobirthing. Michelle also shares the story of how she explained the parallels between natural birth and getting a large tattoo to her client that said, "So get real, what is labor really like?"  "Like with labor, it's a mind game just like with the tattoo. You have to dig deep. Go within. 'I can finish this. I can do this work.'"—Michelle Smith Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  

World Breastfeeding Week 2022 is August 1-7 and to celebrate Michelle shares the Calm Birth prenatal meditation childbirth program's Calm Parents Meditation for breastfeeding.  This  meditation is a part of the Calm Parent's collection of postpartum meditations which  includes versions of this Breath Feeding meditation- whether that is breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding, or chestfeeding. Feeding a new baby can have its joys and its challenges. Breath Feeding helps parents appreciate that they have everything they need to nourish their child. Even if things aren't going by the book, this meditation reminds parents that they have so much more than food to sustain their baby: you have limitless, life-giving energy, and a warm, nurturing body that their baby needs. Focusing on your breath relaxes you and relaxes your baby.  The Calm Parent's collection of meditations also includes Energy Breathing- to help center and restore energy; Calm Parent- a progressive relaxation for rest, sleep, and restoration; Calm with Baby- to bond with your baby, especially useful after a stressful time such as when your baby has been crying relentlessly; and Practice of Healing- compassionate breathing for postpartum healing.  You can find out more about Calm Parents in Episode 80 of this podcast. You can purchase the Calm Birth and Calm Parents Meditations at www.calmbirth.orgConnect with Calm Birth: Facebook: @CalmBirthMethodInstagram: @calm.birth (Calm Birth Meditation)  Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithThank you for listening!

Michelle and Sunni VonMutius continue their conversation from S2 E1 The Grief and Loss of Placing a Child for Adoption on the Birth Ease Loss podcast. Sunni courageously shares how the circumstances, trauma, fear, and shame  from her first child's birth impacted the birth of her second child 20 years later and her experience of postpartum depression.  Together they discuss the importance of trauma-informed care, exploring unconscious biases, the mind-body connection, informed consent, understanding trauma triggers, creating a postpartum care plan, self-care versus soul-care, and why the cultural conversation around adoption and placing a child for adoption must change."On the outside, I look like a pretty decent human being and on the inside, I feel like a total piece of poop when I talk about the fact that I gave my child up for adoption. And that is because of the way that society treats birth moms after the fact. … there's all sorts of judgments that come with it. I am so proud of the choice I made and when I talk about it, there's a part of me that feels like scum. That is not a viable solution in our society. If we are going to make that the only option for women, we have got to change the way we talk about adoption. We have got to change the way we treat birth moms…. There's a lot of conversation about adoption being this super easy solution and I just want to make it really clear, it is NOT simple. It is NOT easy. … Do not put it on the table like it is some sort of easy solution to a pregnancy. Because it, just like a lot of other solutions, will live with us for the rest of our lives. And, I think that's important to acknowledge" — Sunni VonMutius Notes: Michelle's episode with Sunni's Midwife Elena Rosa is 118 Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy. Sunni mentioned The Natural Pregnancy Book by Aviva Romm.  Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Michelle chats with Barbara Decker, one of the pioneers in the childbirth education movement. With a half-century of experience, Barbara shares her journey, including being one of the firsts to certify as a Lamaze instructor (before it was even called Lamaze) and certify as a doula with Penny Simpkin. Barbara is a long-time HypnoBirthing® Instructor and expert in prenatal & perinatal psychology.  She provides a simple breathing technique to help calm and settle our nervous system. Something we, and our babies, can all use during these stressful times. Barbara explains that babies are looking for a trusting relationship with their parent. A parent's job is to respond to their baby. Babies need a healthy attachment figure to be able to build a healthy psychological and emotional journey. Barbara shares that almost half of all pregnancies are unplanned or unwanted. Yet, parents can repair the relationship with their baby at any point in pregnancy.  Barbara shares fascinating information regarding babies' awareness and consciousness in the womb. (This episode is a replay of episodes 49 & 50)"This [early nurture period] is critically, critically important for society as a whole and the health and the humanity that we are trying to bring into the world. When parenting in the womb becomes a normal phase, a part of, having a baby, we can change society as a whole."—Barbara Decker"When the mother is included in the decision making, the end result is not traumatization after the birth. It can prevent having an effect on the mother as long as she's part of that decision making. ...It's vital. And then our mothers are not going to have the challenges. We don't want mothers going to the birth, to the labor room, in fear that they are gonna have to do battle. We want them to know that they are going to be treated with respect."—Barbara DeckerAbout Barbara Decker:Barbara has been a childbirth educator for 50 years. She's a doula,  a HypnoBirthing ®Practitioner, PALS supporter and Mentor, PALS Northwest Hospital Ambassador, and an avid supporter of APPPAH as membership and Mentor for the PPNE course.What brought Barbara to the field of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology was the knowledge she received after reading The Secret Life of the Unborn Child by Thomas Verny. That was almost 11 years ago and since that time has received certificates as a Prenatal Bonding Facilitator with B.O.N.D. The Greatest Pregnancy Ever.com program, trained for two and a half years, with Dr. Gerhard Schroth in the Prenatal Bonding (BA) Program (Only 12 trained to facilitate in the US.), and was one of the first graduates of the APPPAH PPNE Program. Her passion for educating parents on the importance of the preconception/gestational period led her to write a new paradigm in childbirth education - EmpoweringPregnancy.com. She has lectured throughout the United States, in India, and in Mexico on the need to teach these classes. It is imperative that we educate our birthing families on the intelligence of the baby growing in the womb. Our babies need to feel loved during the pregnancy, mothers need to manage their stressors in a safe way, and this program offers the tools to build a healthy relationship for the whole family. Parents that have attended the program feel that they are better prepared for their pregnancy, more bonded and attuned to the baby inside, plan for more natural births, an improved relationship with their partners, and feel more prepared for the postpartum experience. When you parent a baby in the womb, you know how to parent when the baby arrives. Attachment improves with a more conscious awareness of the needs of our babies for healthy minds and bodies. Pregnancy complications are lessened and parents make more informed choices in birthing facilities, practitioners, and interventions. It is time to empower our families with the knowledge that Emotional Intelligence is formed from conception through the nine months after the birth. Let's put the brakes on the violence in this country and “Build Babies, Not Jails”. (Article written by Dr. Thomas Verny, JOPPPAH 2011)Connect With Barbara Decker:douladecker@gmail.comwww.soulofbirthing.comwww.empoweringpregnancy.com Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Often there is so much focus on the pregnancy and the birth, families may find themselves woefully unprepared for the realities that having a new baby can bring to their lives. Having a new baby can feel overwhelming and isolating for many families and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the stress families may feel. Michelle explains helpful self-care tips for new parents and provides an overview of what the postpartum experience can be like.  She distinguishes between baby blues and postpartum depression, gives an overview of maternal mood disorders, and provides resources for families here in the show notes. Michelle ends this information-packed episode with a brief guided meditation.  (replay of episode 36) Resources:Edinburgh Postnatal Depression ScalePostpartum Support InternationalThe Blue Dot ProjectAnd Baby Makes 3: The Gottman InstituteThe Conversation: Managing postpartum depression: New Moms isolated by coronavirus pandemicMotherly: Eight Ways to Reduce Anxiety for Mothers Baby Care Resources:Dunstan Baby LanguageHappiest Baby on the BlockAll Babies CryNo Cry Solution Resources in Central Florida:Orlando Health Winnie Palmer: Mothers Matter Support GroupLife Counseling SolutionsPerinatal Wellness & Psychological ServicesTotal Life CounselingFlorida Chapter of Postpartum Support InternationalMotherhood Support Group  Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Adam Angel, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, explains the importance of inclusion and  recognition for fathers as the baby's parent, as the support person for their partner or spouse, as well as a  separate individual by medical professionals and birth professionals. Adam and Michelle discuss that 10% of men can experience perinatal mood disorders such as depression and anxiety and how that can manifest in fathers. Adam also shares the online parenting workshops that he founded and co-facilitates for fathers. His Dads With Wisdom workshop groups seek to build on men's knowledge, skills, and instincts of fatherhood by placing men into teams of potential or current fathers where they can connect, share and receive support from each other and Dad's With Wisdom staff with the goal of becoming wiser dads. The group workshops are structured with 1 or 2 topics per workshop. The workshops are interactive and promote discussion between members so everyone is able to share their experience and wisdom. There are workshops for soon-to-be dads,  first-time dads (newborn - 1 year),  and dads with toddlers ages 1-3."I think that a lot of the experience that men have is that unfortunately, and this was my experience too, a lot of our medical professionals aren't supporting the partner in the room with the intention of supporting the birthing partner, which they should in giving them focused attention at those prenatal appointments, they end up pretty clearly ignoring the dad. It's just an experience that feels very shared across many men."— Adam Angel  About Adam Angel, LCSW-C, LICSW:Adam is a clinical social worker with 15 years of experience working with youth, adults, and families. Adam is a licensed social worker and his specializations include postpartum mood and anxiety disorders and developmental trauma. Adam completed his undergraduate at the University of MD and obtained his MSW at Howard University before working in the nonprofit world where he facilitated a number of groups including groups for men. Adam lives in Silver Spring with his wife, two kids, and their dog. Connect with Adam:Website: https://www.adamangeltherapy.com/Dad With Wisdom:Website:  https://www.dadswithwisdomInstagram: @dadswithwisdomFacebook: Dads With Wisdom Connect with MichelleVirtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, Facebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.comThanks for listening!

Kinsey Phifer, doula and the author of  Variations of Normal: The Labors of Love, and Michelle explore the complex feelings and emotions that having a breech baby can bring. They discuss the barriers to breech birth access, the difficulties that come with finding a VBAC friendly hospital- especially when the baby is breech, the unhelpful things people say and how damaging they can be, and why it isn't as simple as doing “all the right things to turn a breech baby" or “just give birth at home”. “Yes, exactly. And I can tell you I've heard that, so often. [Healthy mom. Healthy baby. That is all that matters.] And it's really invalidating. It makes people not want to share their experiences, which is unfortunate because so many of us feel very similarly. And, I think in order to process these experiences and start our journey to healing, we have to start by talking about it.”—Kinsey Phifer About Kinsey:Kinsey Phifer is the author of  Variations of Normal-The Labors of Love. She is a certified birth and bereavement doula and has a passion for VBAC, breech babies, and parents' rights during childbirth. Kinsey lives in a small town in Iowa with her husband and two children.Connect with Kinsey:Breech Baby StoriesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/breechbabystoriesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/breechbabystories/The Hygge Doula Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehyggedoulaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehyggedoula/Website: www.thehyggedoula.com Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.comThank you for listening!

A birth plan is a way for you to communicate your wishes to your health care team during your labor and after the birth of your baby. Each birth is a unique experience. Creating a birth plan empowers you to become informed of all your options during labor and Michelle provides helpful tips to consider when writing a birth plan.  Connect with Michelle:For birth plan examples, please email me: Michelle@birtheaseservices.comVirtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Beth Sandlin, NCPT explains the Pilates method and its benefits during pregnancy,  postpartum, and parenthood. She emphasizes maintaining a flexible routine and restorative movements and exercises, especially when recovering after birth and caring for a new baby and small children. Beth also explains the similarities and differences between pilates and yoga. Michelle and Beth discuss her Trauma Informed Pilates Approach (TIPA) program for Pilates teachers worldwide who want to use a Trauma Informed Care framework when teaching the Pilates method. Together, they stress the importance of taking time to heal and recover after giving birth and letting go of external pressures to bounce back immediately. "The first few years, our sleep pattern is disrupted as well. We have more stress. We may be nursing as well. … Our sleep can affect if our body is willing to change and adapt. Our stress levels are also impacted by sleep. There's all these different circumstances. It took us 9 months to prepare for the birth, and just allowing our bodies the time to heal and recover."—Beth Sandlin About Beth: Beth Sandlin, NCPT has been teaching Pilates since 2004 with a background in health education, yoga, mind-body fitness and trauma. As a mom of two and a cancer survivor, her mission is to provide uplifting, effective and accessible Pilates classes and education. She's the founder of Trifecta Pilates offering online Pilates mat classes on YouTube and through her online studio (aka Membership Program). Beth is also the founder and educator of the Trauma Informed Pilates Approach (TIPA), working with Pilates teachers worldwide who want to use a Trauma Informed Care framework when teaching the Pilates method. Off the mat, she enjoys hiking, reading, and baking.  Connect with Beth Sandlin: Website: https://trifectapilates.com/YouTube: Trifecta PilatesInstagram: @trifectapilates Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Michelle shares one of her favorite episodes of the Doula Diaries podcast hosted by Heidi Snyderburn. In her episode,  Heidi digs into expectant management (aka doing nothing) and induction when you experience PROM-Premature Rupture Of the Membranes (water breaking). Heidi shares her doula advice partnered with the Hanah et al TERM PROM trial and the data. So, want to know what Heidi would tell you do if she was your doula and you experienced PROM? Take a listen. There are also some scripts you could use if this happens to you and how to navigate pressure at the hospital for an induction before 24 hours post-rupture.  About Heidi Snyderburn:Heidi Snyderburn is the host of the Birth Story podcast, Certified Birth Doula (DONA), a Certified HypnoBabies™ Doula, the entrepreneurial guru behind Birth Story Media™, a former pharmaceutical and medical device consultant, a mom with a passion for writing and storytelling, and the author of Birth Story: Pregnancy Guidebook and Journal. She felt “called” to her practice as a doula early on in life—in fact at age 12, Heidi supported a mom through her birth. Since then, Heidi has attended hundreds of births throughout her 17-year doula career and is currently on-call. She is actively practicing today with up close and personal doula services in Charlotte, NC and virtual doula services around the world with her company MyDoulaHeidi. Heidi differentiates her services by offering holistic, evidenced-based care for her clients and their partners. She absolutely believes in partnering with the medical team and empowering moms to navigate the journey of pregnancy and childbirth with as much information as possible. Connect with Heidi:Instagram: @birthstorypodcast Looking for a Virtual Doula to create a custom birthing experience and guide you through your journey to parenthood in the United States? Contact Heidi at www.mydoulaheidi.comFor additional free birth education resources and to purchase Heidi's book, Birth Story: Pregnancy Guidebook + Journal, visit www.birthstory.comHeidi would love to be your virtual doula at Birth Story Academy. Join for comprehensive childbirth education about hospital birthing and navigating the hospital policies and procedures. Self-paced. Easy, fun, and entertaining modules. BirthStory.com and use code BIRTHSTORYFRIEND for $20 OFF. Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

With 60 years of combined experience between them, Michelle and Kathy Bradley, IBCLC discuss the key things for parents to consider when hiring a doula. Doulas provide non-medical educational and emotional support to birthing families. Doulas can help navigate information overload and differing opinions that expectant parents often face. Kathy and Michelle suggest exploring: What do I want for my birth experience and who is going to help me to get that? How do I want to give birth? Are there any fears (mine or others) that are influencing my decisions for my pregnancy and birth? What a doula is and isn't? (check out episode 117 with Kathy) What are my expectations for my birth when hiring a doula? What am I hoping a doula will do for us? How will hiring a doula impact my birth experience? Do I need more prenatal or postpartum visits or care?  Are these expectations realistic or unrealistic? List out ten things that are important to you for your baby's birth. Narrow it down to your top 5.  Some questions to ask when interviewing a doula: What's your philosophy of birth?What motivated you to get into this field? How long have you been practicing and where do you see yourself now? Do you feel comfortable in the location I will be giving birth in? Are you a solo practitioner or do you work as a team with another doula? What can I expect as far as the call schedule if you have a doula partner? Who is your back up? May I meet them beforehand? How often have you needed back up?What is your specialty, if any? What is your style of advocating for clients?  Ask yourself when interviewing: Is the doula addressing them my top 5 important things?Do I resonate with them? Do I feel peace of mind in their presence? About Kathy Bradley:Spanning a 30+ year career in the maternal health field, Kathy is the visionary behind Childbirth Concierge. She holds a degree in Communication and Public Relations, and is a Certified Childbirth Consultant as well as a Board Certified Lactation Consultant.Kathy's focus over the years has been providing education and support to women of all income levels. She worked for 14 years in Maternal Health at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida. As the founder and executive director of the former Childbirth Enhancement Foundation, she developed partnerships and training programs for community-based doula programs with 14 hospitals. Kathy developed the Community Outreach Perinatal Educator Program for Commonsense Childbirth, Inc.- a nonprofit institution dedicated to eliminating racial and class disparities in perinatal health and improving birth outcomes for all.She is strongly motivated to support women no matter how they choose to birth or feed their babies. As a mother of 5, she truly understands the challenges families face preparing for birth and caring for their newborns. A born educator, she is in her element teaching new parents and health professionals. Connect with Kathy Bradley:  Website: http://childbirthconcierge.com/Instagram:  @childbirthconciergeFacebook: childbirthconcierge Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes, Sessions, and Doula Services with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.comThank you for listening!

March is birth psychology month. Michelle and Sarah Dickey, Pre & Perinatal Psychology Educator and fellow Calm Birth Teacher, discuss the consciousness of babies. Together they explore the importance of prenatal bonding to help babies in the womb feel welcome, loved, and safe, especially when as a parent you may be feeling stressed or overwhelmed. "It can just be as simple as if you have had a day that is overwhelming, that you just pause and maybe place your hand on your abdomen. Connect to your womb and just say, "Baby, I feel you.  And I just want you to know today has been really overwhelming.  I have felt really overwhelmed. But I want you to know that you are safe and I've got you.  And, you don't need to worry about a thing. You're welcome.  I love you." Like, that dialogue. How powerful that seemingly simple connection can be, but really helps prevent that stress response from being activated." —Sarah Dickey Learn more about APPPAH and Birth Psychology: https://birthpsychology.com/Sign up for APPPAH's Birth Psychology Summit FILM FESTIVAL March 2022: https://birthpsychologymonth.com/ About Sarah Dickey:Hi friends, it's Sarah. I seek to create sacred, intuitive space for other women to embrace the evolution that life is. My hope is, the breakthroughs you experience are missing stepping stones to guide you gently through life's unique journey.My specialties have been developed over the last 10 years working with those looking to heal and grow. The variety of specialties I have pursued allows me a vast selection of resources I can pull from to provide the guidance women need to heal and grow, no matter what stage of life they are in.My Specialties: Pre & Perinatal Support, Birth Psychology, SSP Practitioner, IVF & Pregnancy Loss, Personal Transformation Sessions, Grief, Birth Imprints, Personal Birth Empowerment Sessions, Calm Birth Meditation for Pregnancy & Childbirth Support, Advanced Heart Centered Hypnosis, SSP Practitioner, Educational Seminars, and Workshops.Feedback from women who have been in a session with me seems to always include that they were offered a chance to experience something new about themselves—a deeper sense of connection to their knowledge, of slowing down enough to feel what needs to be felt, and discernment to inhabit their lives in new and empowered ways. This feedback guides my practice and encourages growth in myself continuously. I love supporting the evolving woman at every stage of her journey. From birthing a new life to birthing a baby, it is a joy to be on this journey! Big Love- Sarah  Connect with Sarah:Email: Sarah@sarahldickey.comWebsite:  www.sarahldickey.comInstagram:  @sarahsouldoulaSarah's Books:  Ode to Love,  Sweetly Seeking, Seasons: 31 Heart Offerings, Holding: The Conscious Art of Embracing Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for listening!

Becoming quiet, going within, eliciting the relaxation response, and accessing inner peace is even more crucial during these stressful times we are in. Multiple studies have the benefits of meditation and the relaxation response. This response reduces the impacts of stress and inflammation within the body, and reducing stress is one of the recommended actions to take to help strengthen your immune system. In this special replay episode, Michelle has created this guided imagery meditation to help you mitigate the stress and fatigue that most all of us are under, reconnect with your own inner wisdom, and return to love. This meditation is more spiritual than religious in nature. In order to help each person listening find space for their own belief structure as it relates to their personal relationship with their higher power, Michelle refers to the Divine as God, as Creator of All That Is, as Source… What is comforting to one, may not be for another. Michelle encourages you to please use the name for God or Creator that resonates for you while listening to the meditation.“There is a part of you that is your inner knowing, your own inner wisdom. This wisdom comes from the Creator and has been within you always. Often we forget to listen to it, or even how to listen to it. The beauty is you can remember how to listen. You can learn to trust yourself once again. One way to do that is to go within… relaxing the body… quieting the mind…. The mind doesn't have to be perfectly still, it is simply listening for the voice that speaks to you with compassion, with love instead of fear or consternation or judgment… You can find that compassionate voice, you can remember the love that is there for you,  and you can return to who you really are.” —Michelle SmithAs a gentle reminder, this guided relaxation recording audio is for just that, relaxation purposes only. It does not constitute medical or mental health advice or treatment, nor does it imply a specific outcome during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or beyond. Please avoid listening to this guided meditation while engaging in an activity that requires your full attention. Please stop the podcast and return to it when you can be safely seated or reclining in a supported position. Unless you are the passenger listening to this guided meditation with headphones on, for everyone's safety never listen to it while driving or riding in a vehicle. Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com 

Having a student doula that is completing their required number of births for certification can be a great option for families looking for additional education and support that doulas bring to expecting families. However, Michelle cautions parents against paying a student doula for their certifying births—especially if they have little to no experience attending births or caring for postpartum families—at the same rate as a seasoned certified doula. "A certifying doula has much to learn about birth itself; supporting families; advocating; attending births in different settings: hospitals, birth center, or home;  navigating horizontal violence; disparities and inequities in birth; secondary posttraumatic stress; pregnancy and infant loss; postpartum mood disorders; and doing their own self-work. It just isn't as easy as, 'Hey, I did my doula training, and even though I have attended 0, 1, 2, 3 births'... They can't bring the same value as someone that has been in this profession consistently and actively attending births or supporting families postpartum for 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 years. It just isn't possible."—Michelle Smith Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Michelle chats with Gina Alemán about being a doula, providing postpartum support and education to new families, and the Dancing For Birth program. Together, they discuss the benefits of movement and dance for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, babies, and  healing trauma. Gina shares how Dancing For Birth helps birth partners to feel better equipped for labor, as well.  "A big part of the time that I spend with the participants and my clients in these classes, the Dancing For Birth classes, is 'How can you reconnect to your instincts and how can you awaken your instincts?'... You start to be more connected to your body. You start to understand what feels good and what does not. And, you start to understand that you can trust your body."— Gina Alemán About Gina:Gina Alemán is the heart and hands behind perinatal care company New Blossom Maternity Services. Gina is a former K to Adult educator of more than 14 years and shares relevant and evidence-based information with her clients through childbirth education, Dancing For Birth classes, birth support, lactation counseling, and postpartum coaching care. She is most motivated by watching her clients flourish in the postpartum period-- feeling supported, equipped, and strong. Her own flourishing family includes her artistic and witty husband of ten years and their two bright young children. Her favorite activities outside of her work with families are dancing, yoga, water activities, eating yummy food, and being social.Connect with Gina:Website: https://www.newblossommaternity.com/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/newblossommaternity/Instagram:  @newblossommaternity  Dancing For Birth: https://www.dancingforbirth.com Connect with Michelle:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for listening!

Michelle discusses how she has observed that the hormonal surges in pregnancy can impact a pregnant person's emotional state at pivotal points in pregnancy, especially at 35-36 weeks.  "And part of this phenomenon too, instead of it being a physical nesting, it is a more mental-emotional nesting. And so, part of that overwhelm can also be how am I going to balance going back to work and having a new baby? How am I going to balance caring for 2 children or 3 children? And it's like everything hits." —MichelleHelpful Links:https://www.livescience.com/51043-pregnancy-emotions.html Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for listening!

Michelle shares encouraging positive affirmations for parenthood that begin with focusing upon your breath and connecting heart to heart with your child. To learn more about affirmations and how to best work with them, please listen to episode 106 Birth Affirmations.Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com ,  birtheasehypnobirth.comThank you for listening!

Juliet Michaels shares insights with Michelle into the multiple advantages that chiropractic care brings to babies and their mothers during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum year. Juliet explains how gentle the chiropractic adjustments are for expecting mothers, babies, and children and how this care differs from that a non-pregnant adult would receive. Juliet provides guidance regarding signs to look for in your newborn that signal that your baby, and you, would benefit from chiropractic care.  {This episode is a replay of episode 020.}“Statistically, women who [receive chiropractic care and] get adjusted throughout pregnancy and during labor have faster and, what they report as easier, labors than those who don't."  — Juliet Michaels About Juliet Michaels:Juliet is a Chiropractic Physician. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University and her Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic. She has published research on the benefits of chiropractic care and its efficacy in many pediatric and pregnancy-related issues. Juliet very is passionate about helping Central Florida families achieve their pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and neonatal goals. Connect with Juliet Michaels, DC:Facebook: Juliet Michaels, DCWebsite: Integrated Chiropractic Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.comThank you for listening!

Amy Gendron. AP shares with Michelle the ways in which Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture support families during postpartum recovery. Amy explains the vital importance of nutrition to nourish, support, and rebuild the body after birth and the role placenta encapsulation can play in that. Together they stress cultivating community and putting a plan in place to receive non-judgemental help and support after the baby is born. {This episode originally aired as episode  64.}"There's a few different mechanisms that they can demonstrate with western research what acupuncture does and it releases endorphins, it boosts the immune system, and it regulates inflammation. … In particular postpartum, what mother doesn't want immune system supported, what mother doesn't want her inflammation, you know, her healing mechanisms to be working, and what mother does not want feel-good hormones floating through her? It's really great at regulating everything."—Amy GendronAbout Amy Gendron: Amy began her journey in holistic health as a personal trainer, mentored by a black belt martial artist. Amy specializes in sports medicine, cosmetic acupuncture, and women's health. She has trained as a doula, and in 2013 she traveled to China to complete an externship which included herbal medicine for women's health with nationally renowned Dr. Shui. Last year, Amy was one of the few American physicians invited to attend a Physiological Regulating Medicine program in Milan, Italy. Amy's approach to healing empowers her patients to live with vitality, by integrating the best wellness and medical practices. She works as a specialty physician in Winter Park and Tampa, Florida. Connect with Amy Gendron:Website: www.amygendron.comInstagram: @acu_amy_gFacebook: Amy Gendron, AP Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for listening!

Michelle talks with Amy Gendron about the incredible advantages Oriental medicine can provide throughout a woman's lifetime. Oriental medicine's very tenet it seeks to maintain health and treat the whole person versus focusing on just a set of symptoms. Michelle and Amy discuss the ways that Oriental medicine is a powerful adjunct to a woman and her partner when they are ready to conceive a child, throughout each trimester of pregnancy, during labor, postpartum, and beyond. Amy explains how acupuncture can help bring a woman into balance by addressing blood quality, stress levels, and stimulating the immune system. Stress is a major contributor to pregnancy complications. Oriental medicine helps mitigate pregnancy symptoms and ease the transition into motherhood. It supports the recovery and replenishment of a woman in all aspects from the many depleting factors of pregnancy and birth. {This episode originally aired as episode 10.}"Most women have a strange relationship with their menstrual cycle, and that is the foundation, the backbone... If you can tell me what your menstrual cycle is like, I know everything about you because it is a very transparent window that can give us a lot of information about a woman's mind and body." —  Amy Gendron About Amy Gendron: Amy began her journey in holistic health as a personal trainer, mentored by a black belt martial artist. Amy specializes in sports medicine, cosmetic acupuncture, and women's health. She has trained as a doula, and in 2013 she traveled to China to complete an externship which included herbal medicine for women's health with nationally renowned Dr. Shui. Last year, Amy was one of the few American physicians invited to attend a Physiological Regulating Medicine program in Milan, Italy. Amy's approach to healing empowers her patients to live with vitality, by integrating the best wellness and medical practices. She works as a specialty physician in Winter Park and Tampa, Florida. Connect with Amy Gendron:Website: www.amygendron.comInstagram: @acu_amy_gFacebook: Amy Gendron, AP Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for Listening!

April Dawn shares with Michelle the benefits of bodywork: massage, reflexology, acupressure, healing touch for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Their conversation explores the ways that our body stores memory and emotion within our very cells and how trauma can be released through bodywork. April also shares the powerful stories that brought her to birthwork. Together they discuss the selfless gift that adoption brings to families.  {This episode originally aired as episode 15}“That experience [of giving birth for the first time] left me feeling like I never want another human being to experience this level of terror, this level of pain. Because bringing a baby earthside should be a beautiful thing. It should be an act of love.”—April DawnAbout April Dawn:April has been attending pregnant, laboring, and newly born families for over 30 years. Having attended her first birth while still in high school, she felt ignited by the calling to support families as they bring their babies Earthside. In this spirit, she has dedicated her life to the study of all things health —nutrition, healing-touch modalities, and the human microbiome — working actively in the naturopathic, chiropractic, and nutritional health arenas. She is a Licensed Massage Therapist, a Food-Healing Instructor, and Master of Culinary Arts. April is a true birth guardian, having worked as both a midwifery birth Assistant, as well as a doula in the home, hospital, and birthing center setting. Connect with April Dawn:Website: https://www.themotheredmomma.comFacebook: The Mothered MommaInstagram: @themotheredmomma Connect with Michelle Smith:  Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleWebsite: BirthEaseServices.comFacebook: Birth Ease, The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:@ birtheasemichellesmithYoutube: Birth Ease Thank you for listening. 

Michelle has a conversation with Stephanie Smith, E-RYT, PRYT regarding the benefits of yoga for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond in this special replay episode. Stephanie explains how yoga not only prepares the physical body for the stress and rigors of birth but the emotional body as well. She explains the connection between our breath and the reduction of the flight/flight stress response. Stephanie shares how her yoga practice helped her to set healthy boundaries with others during her pregnancy and keep a sense of ease and calm when her plans for her daughter's birth did not go as she had envisioned. Together, they discuss how yoga can prepare, protect, and enhance the healing of our pelvic floor during the childbearing year. She also shares the benefits of a Yoga Nidra practice, which is especially vital after the baby's birth as it invokes the relaxation response and turns on the parasympathetic nervous system—the rest and restore part of our nervous system.“That is what the beauty of that yoga practice is, that deeper connection within, where you can just feel the experience, there's no thinking at all that is required.”  — Stephanie SmithIf you enjoyed this interview,  and want to hear more from Stephanie please go to episode 86  and learn more about breath and meditation, please go to my series on Calm Birth episodes 76- 80. Stephanie's and my episode is number 86. Also, I am also so excited to share that the pelvic health specialist that I refer to in this episode as we discuss the connection between our voice and our pelvic floor is Susan Clinton. I was honored to have Susan as a guest on the podcast. Our episode is number 69 and it is a part of my series on pelvic floor health. If you haven't listened to this series, 68- 75 I highly encourage you to check out episodes.  This information is invaluable. So much of what we are told is a normal part of pregnancy and postpartum is not normal.  It is simply common and there is help for leaking urine, low back pain, painful sex, a weakened core, and a too tight or too weak pelvic floor.  Stephanie offers private virtual yoga classes, so please find her information here in the show notes to work with her no matter where you are listening to this podcast from in the world.  About Stephanie Smith, E-RYT, PRYT:Stephanie is an Orlando based Yoga Instructor specializing in Pre and Postnatal Yoga. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Central Florida and is an E-RYT, PRYT Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance. Her love of Yoga and travel has taken her to Thailand numerous times where she has had the privilege of studying Yoga extensively at Centered Yoga. As a mother herself, Stephanie has an understanding of how the Yoga practice evolves both during pregnancy and postpartum. She strives to create an environment of support for fellow Mothers to know that they are not alone on the beautiful, yet sometimes rocky, journey that is Motherhood.  Connect with Stephanie Smith:  Instagram: @thetravelingyoginiFacebook: Stephanie Smith https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003339931011 Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com 

This time of year can bring a sense of magic and joy and at the same time, the holidays can also bring feelings of overwhelm and stress.  2020 was such an intense year, and this prompted Michelle to begin an annual tradition of re-airing her guided relaxation session for the holidays.  This session is designed to help release the stress and strain you may be feeling and gain a sense of clarity regarding what you value in your life as you prepare to enter the New Year. As a gentle reminder: This guided relaxation recording audio is for just that, relaxation purposes only. It does not constitute medical or mental health advice or treatment, nor does it imply a specific outcome during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or beyond. Please avoid listening to this guided relaxation while engaging in an activity that requires your full attention. Please stop the podcast and return to it when you can be safely seated or reclining in a supported position. Unless you are the passenger listening to this guided relaxation with headphones on, for everyone's safety never listen to it while driving or riding in a vehicle. Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Midwife Elena Rosa shares with Michelle the history and benefits of Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy in this special replay episode. Together they discuss how each person's reproductive journey is their own, how the state of fight or flight affects the body, the connection between the heart and the uterus, deep healing, and following the lead of your heart.   "And just thinking about the grief and what we're told how we're supposed to be as women, what we're supposed to accept, what we're supposed to receive, what we're not allowed to stand up for, what we're not allowed to make boundaries for. You know, what we allow to happen to us because we feel like we're powerless. … But just processing what boundaries we're encouraged to have, but we're not encouraged to have. Like we're not allowed to speak up for ourselves. Like what we allow into our space, what is forced into our space. What is what we're allowed to grieve over. You know, there's so many things that we hold onto in our bodies."—Elena RosaAbout Elena Rosa:Elena is a practicing licensed midwife, an Advanced Arvigo Practitioner, and a retired licensed massage therapist based in Central Florida. As a woman of Puerto Rican descent who has lived throughout the Northeast and Southern regions of the US, Elena sees herself as a US citizen by birth, but a global citizen by responsibility.Elena feels there is no more profound challenge than the mastery of self. The pursuit of the limitless is one of personal growth and spirituality…cultivating self-care, self-awareness, and self-love. Elena had an interest in indigenous medicine since childhood. Elena has sought out personal mentors from North and South American traditions and Tibetan Buddhism. Having participated in countless prayer and meditation ceremonies and her own deep work has provided humility, depth, space for healing herself and others, and an ongoing practice of peacemaking.Most of all, she is the proud mother of a sweet girl who has taught her more about what her body and her heart are capable of than anyone she has ever met. Pregnancy, labor, and motherhood have brought no shortage of lessons in accepting all expected and unexpected challenges. What these experiences taught her is that she is an informed woman who knows her body, and she has all the information she needs to make the right decision for her and her child. This affirming gift is Elena's wish for every family she serves. Connect with Elena Rosa:Website:  https://mykindredmidwife.com/Tree Of Life Birth Center: https://www.tolbirth.com/Facebook:   Elena RosaResources:https://arvigotherapy.com/

In this replay episode, Michelle is incredibly honored to feature one of her mentors in the birth field, Kathy Bradley. With 50 years of combined experience between them, Michelle and Kathy discuss the ways that a doula can reduce stress and fear during the childbearing year. Kathy explains what a doula is, the history of the profession, and the continuity of care doulas provide. She stresses the importance of taking into consideration a doula's birth philosophy as it compares to your desires for your birth, as well as the value her years of experience can bring to you. Kathy shares a powerful technique to help release any negative and limiting beliefs someone may have regarding their ability to give birth. “There is so much fear and so much unrest. And I believe we are in process of women recognizing that through the ages somewhere our voice has been diminished. Our ability to believe in ourselves has been stolen. And so we are working to reclaim that we are powerful human beings. That we can choose powerfully. That we know what our body needs... Because our ability to believe in ourselves and our ability to give birth has been stolen from us. We are in the process of reclaiming that back.”  —Kathy Bradley About Kathy Bradley:Spanning a 30 year career in the maternal health field, Kathy is the visionary behind Childbirth Concierge. She holds a degree in Communication and Public Relations and is a Certified Childbirth Consultant as well as a Board Certified Lactation Consultant.Kathy's focus over the years has been providing education and support to women of all income levels. She worked for 14 years in Maternal Health at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida. As the founder and executive director of the former Childbirth Enhancement Foundation, she developed partnerships and training programs for community-based doula programs with 14 hospitals. Kathy developed the Community Outreach Perinatal Educator Program for Commonsense Childbirth, Inc.- a nonprofit institution dedicated to eliminating racial and class disparities in perinatal health and improving birth outcomes for all.She is strongly motivated to support women no matter how they choose to birth or feed their babies. As a mother of 5, she truly understands the challenges families face preparing for birth and caring for their newborns. A born educator, she is in her element teaching new parents and health professionals. Connect with Kathy Bradley, IBCLC:  Website: http://childbirthconcierge.com/Instagram: @childbirthconciergeFacebook: childbirthconcierge Connect with Michelle Smith: Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com ,  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for listening!

In this special replay episode,  Michelle and  Lyndsey Sutherland, DNP, ARNP discuss the beauty of integrating both Eastern and Western medical practices when caring for our children, and how this holistic approach looks for the root of the problem versus simply treating the systems. In this proactive practice model, the provider is treating the whole child and supporting the whole family. Lyndsey shares what to look for when choosing a pediatric provider for your child. Together they stress the importance of finding a caregiver that creates an environment that promotes mutual communication, safety, and trust. "If you don't feel safe [with your provider] and if you don't feel comfortable, it is important to keep looking. It's a long journey. And to not feel safe and comfortable with someone, that's way too long to be holding hands with someone. And we are talking about your precious family, and so to me, it only makes sense to find the right person who will come along side you in this journey." —Lyndsey SutherlandAbout Dr. Lyndsey Sutherland,  DNP, ARNP:Lyndsey is a passionate mother and advocate for healthy families. She is both a professor at the University of Central Florida and an entrepreneur working hard to empower families on their journey to live happy and full lives. Lyndsey is a Family Nurse Practitioner who received her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Central Florida with honors. In her practice, she focuses on prevention and education, which are the building blocks to maintain and establish health. She works closely with a network of medical professionals to find the root cause of illness for her patients and not just treat their symptoms. Lyndsey believes in you. She believes in your children. She knows you were made for this and that together we will not just survive parenthood, but thrive as mothers and fathers of the children we love so much.Connect with Dr. Lyndsey Sutherland, DNP, ARNP:Website: http://www.lyndseysutherland.com/Facebook:  @LyndseySutherlandDNP Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for listening! 

Michelle shares her guest spot on Susan Danscenzi's podcast, Kick Your Buts. In this foundational interview for expecting parents, Susan and Michelle touch on what trauma is, explain how stress during pregnancy and birth can have an impact on the child, define trauma within birth, the importance of finding tools to mitigate stress, and practices to help support a new family. "There is a sad statistic 35-50% of women experience birth trauma, 2.5%-9% will experience birth-related PTSD, and many pre and perinatal psychologists feel that the birth trauma for babies is epidemic right now. That sets the stage. How are you treated the very moment that you take your [first] breath?" —  Michelle SmithTo learn more about trauma in childbirth, please listen to episodes 116, 025, and 026. Susan L. Dascenzi is a Licensed Psychotherapist, Life and Business Coach, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, and the Health and Fitness Category Director for Podcast Magazine. She has invested the last 29 years in guiding her clients in recognizing how their past negative conditioning creates their present and future and stops them from stepping into their infinite possibilities. As a highly regarded human behavior and emotions expert, also known as “The Possibilities Curator,” she co-authored an Amazon Ranked #1 International Best-Selling book alongside Neale Donald Walsch and Marci Shimoff, with her own book set to release  in 2022. Connect with Susan:Shows: Kick Your Buts podcast, The Spiritually Expressed HumanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdascenziTwitter: https://twitter.com/susandascenziInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdascenzi1/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susandascenzi/ Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Nazli Tezcur openly shares her story of motherhood, the trauma she endured from her cesareans with the medicalized births of her boys, and the grief of her miscarriages. As a linguist, Nazli reflects with Michelle upon how the language and culture around women's bodies strip women of their power creating guilt, shame, self-blame, silencing, and the accompanying loneliness that so many women experience. Together they discuss transformative power and the personal nature of birth, loss, motherhood, and the exploration of our emotions as women. "It is very existential, and it lives and breathes through our own daily experiences because we are reproducing what is exerted over us. If we take all this power exerted over us as women, we keep on re-experiencing everything. We are reproducing what has been exerted over us. So if we want to break that cycle, I think we can switch the game. Maybe take ourselves out of that frame or take our own being out of that circle that we have been put into. … Experiencing something else, something that can make us feel liberated and free. And, which will allow us to talk a different language in a sense, instead of the language that was exerted over us. That was imposed on us and we keep on saying the same thing, "I failed. I am a failure.' "— Nazli TezcurAbout Nazli: Nazli Tezcur is a TESOL professional and language tutor with a special interest in identity, race, and translanguaging. As a polyglot, she likes to utilize languaging as a remedial way to express and interpret her experiences beyond categories and across borders. Connect with Michelle:Classes or Sessions with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for listening! 

Cristen  Pascucci and Michelle continue their conversation regarding human rights in childbirth in part two of this replay episode. They delve into the fact that everyone brings their own background, biases, and trauma with them to the birth room. Cristen sagely points out that it is irrelevant whether or not birth is safe. If anything, the riskier it is, the more imperative that is that a person's autonomy is retained. Cristen shares why the environment in which someone decides to give birth is a huge determining factor in how the birth actually unfolds. "Your rights are only as good as you make them. … You own your body and you are the legal authority. ... You don't have to point to any law. ... Don't assume someone has rights over you. Just don't make that assumption ever.  Make the assumption that you own your body and act as if you do. And, it will really change the orientation of how you approach everything including your communication with the people that are there to support you, and how you select those people, and the decisions that you make." —Cristen Pascucci About Cristen Pascucci:A former communications strategist at a top public affairs firm in Baltimore, Maryland, Cristen Pascucci is the founder of Birth Monopoly and Birth Monopoly's Doula Power group, co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project, and, from 2012 to 2016, vice president of national advocacy organization Improving Birth. She has run an emergency hotline for women facing threats to their legal rights in childbirth, created a viral consumer campaign to “Break the Silence” on trauma and abuse in childbirth, and helped put obstetric violence and the maternity care crisis in national media.  Today, she is a leading voice for women giving birth, speaking around the country, and consulting privately for consumers and professionals on issues related to birth rights and options.  Cristen is also the host of Birth Allowed Radio as well as executive producer of a documentary film planned for release in 2020 to start a national conversation on obstetric violence, birth trauma, and women's rights in birth. Connect with Cristen Pascucci:Website: https://birthmonopoly.com/Facebook:  facebook.com/birthmonopolyInstagram:instagram.com/birthmonopoly Please, if the nature of this conversation is triggering for you, stop the podcast. You can return to it later if you feel led to. Take some deep breaths, move and walk around, wash your hands and your face, take a shower, and call a trusted friend or caregiver. The meditation in episode 108 can be very helpful if your baby and you had a difficult or traumatic birth.For additional support you can connect with Cristin, Susan, or myself: Susan Dascenzi:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sdascenziTwitter:  https://twitter.com/susandascenziInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdascenzi1/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susandascenzi/ Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle Smith

Have you ever wondered what your rights are during pregnancy and birth? Listen in to part one of this replay episode as Cristen Pascucci, founder of Birth Monopoly shares with Michelle how the experience of her son's birth provided the impetus that led her to become a leading voice for human rights in childbirth.  “There is that perception that in some situations, your consent doesn't matter. As a woman, when it comes to sex and reproduction there are some situations where you no longer own your body. Someone else has the authority over your body. That is really powerful. And that is what continually surprises me that people don't get more upset about it in the realm of childbirth. That really that people aren't taking to the streets to say, “My basic civil rights are not only violated as an individual but widely disrespected in policy and practice all across the country in hundreds of facilities.” —Cristen Pascucci About Cristen Pascucci:A former communications strategist at a top public affairs firm in Baltimore, Maryland, Cristen Pascucci is the founder of Birth Monopoly and Birth Monopoly's Doula Power group, co-creator of the Exposing the Silence Project, and, from 2012 to 2016, vice president of national advocacy organization Improving Birth. She has run an emergency hotline for women facing threats to their legal rights in childbirth, created a viral consumer campaign to “Break the Silence” on trauma and abuse in childbirth, and helped put obstetric violence and the maternity care crisis in national media.  Today, she is a leading voice for women giving birth, speaking around the country, and consulting privately for consumers and professionals on issues related to birth rights and options.  Cristen is also the host of Birth Allowed Radio as well as executive producer of a documentary film planned for release in 2020 to start a national conversation on obstetric violence, birth trauma, and women's rights in birth. Connect with Cristen Pascucci:Website: https://birthmonopoly.com/Facebook:  facebook.com/birthmonopolyInstagram:instagram.com/birthmonopoly Please, if the nature of this conversation is triggering for you, stop the podcast. You can return to it later if you feel led to. Take some deep breaths, move and walk around, wash your hands and your face, take a shower, and call a trusted friend or caregiver. The meditation in episode 108 can be very helpful if your baby and you had a difficult or traumatic birth.For Additional Support you can connect with Cristin, Susan, or myself: Susan Dascenzi:Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sdascenziTwitter:  https://twitter.com/susandascenziInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sdascenzi1/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susandascenzi/ Connect with Michelle Smith:Virtual classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle Smith

In this very special replay episode, Michelle has a candid and vital conversation with Meg Folsom, a fellow birth guardian, about the importance of choosing your caregiver and place of birth as an expectant family. Meg shares her personal birth stories and how those experiences shaped her journey as a birth professional. Together, they want women to understand they have options in their maternity care, as well as rights and autonomy over their bodies and their babies. Meg stresses the importance of asking questions and requesting the pros and cons of a protocol or medical procedure. She counsels women to stop frightening and judging one another. People need to respect everyone's right to choose what is best for their own family, regardless of their own preferences. The journey into motherhood forever changes a woman. Meg and Michelle advise women to learn to listen to and trust their babies, their bodies, and themselves."It is all about being informed. But there are so many other things to take into consideration with birth. Women that have had sexual trauma. Women who have experienced sexual abuse, rape. It is a whole different ball game for them. And, for those women, they need that extra level of care and understanding. Unless you've been in that position, you can't know how that woman is feeling. And if you can't empathize with her, then you owe to that woman to at least listen." —  Meg FolsomAbout Meg Folsom:Meg has been protecting the sanctity of birth as a doula, midwifery birth assistant, childbirth educator, lactation counselor, and placenta encapsulation specialist for over 20 years. The depth of Meg's knowledge, insight, and her compassionate heart has touched the lives of hundreds of families in Central Florida. Connect with Meg Folsom:Facebook: mommeg Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.comThank you for listening!  

In this special episode, Michelle honors Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month and October 15th: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. She has created a guided relaxation recording geared towards parents grieving the loss of a baby or a child. However, it can be helpful for anyone walking through the journey of grief especially since so many have lost someone they know due to the COVID pandemic. The intention is to help release some of the heaviness of our grief and to provide an opportunity to feel the love and connection that we have with our beloved child or loved one. If you would like a copy of this guided relaxation session or a version geared towards the loss of any loved one, please simply contact us through the website. We would be honored to send it to you.“In these times of COVID with so many people losing their loved ones, my heart just wants to share this meditation once again. It is my sincerest wish that you find this guided relaxation soothing and healing.” —  Michelle SmithAs a gentle reminder, this guided relaxation recording audio is for just that, relaxation purposes only. It does not constitute medical or mental health advice or treatment, nor does it imply a specific outcome during bereavement or beyond. Please avoid listening to this guided relaxation recording while engaged in an activity that requires your full attention. Please stop the podcast and return to it when you can be safely seated or reclining in a supported position. Unless you are a passenger listening to this guided relaxation with headphones on, for everyone's safety never listen to it while driving or riding in a vehicle. Thank you for listening. Remember, you are not alone in your grief. 

Listen in as Michelle chats with Toni Harman award-winning documentary filmmaker, author, and digital course creator. Her documentary film, MICROBIRTH has helped parents and professionals around the world understand the infant microbiome. Toni explains what the microbiome is, how it relates to the immune system, and what can be done to protect a baby's microbiome during pregnancy, birth, and early infancy. Together they discuss such things as how a cesarean birth, water birth, a baby born en caul (without the water breaking), breastfeeding, and formula feeding impact the baby's microbiome. Toni also shares how breastmilk is designed to seed and feed the baby's gut microbiome. "So it's this beautiful, fantastic processes, so like a seed and feed process. So birth provides the seeding of the infant microbiome and then breastmilk provides feeding of the infant microbiome. So the feeding with these special sugars. So seed and feed, and that sets up the immune system and that helps protect a baby's health for life."—Toni HarmanAbout Toni Harman:Toni Harman is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, author, and digital course creator. Her documentary MICROBIRTH has been broadcast around the world and her books have been translated into multiple languages. To help childbirth educators better understand the infant microbiome, Toni has created an online school called MICROBIOME COURSES, now with over 35,000 health professionals enrolled as students. Toni has also created MICROBIOME BABY, a new ready-to-use toolkit of evidence-based resources childbirth educators can use to explain the infant microbiome to parents. Connect with Toni Harman:Microbiome Courses: Microbiomecourses.comTo teach the science to parents: Microbiomebaby.com Social media links: @microbiomecoursesFACEBOOK (please join us!): https://www.facebook.com/groups/473121803401844/INSTAGRAM (please show some love!): https://www.instagram.com/microbiomecourses/PINTEREST (please save the pin!): https://www.pinterest.co.uk/MicrobiomeCourses/LINKEDIN (please connect with me): https://www.linkedin.com/in/toniharman/ Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.comTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

In this replay of episode 03, Michelle discusses ways to mitigate stress such as creating a strong support network of friends and family, counseling, journaling, and meditation. She also explains what the relaxation response is and the benefits it provides.  This episode includes a bonus guided relaxation session (with updated background music) that helps to create a healing relational field between a parent and their child(ren) that enhances connection and bonding—no matter the age of their baby and/or child(ren).  “If parents counteract the effects of stress by utilizing the relaxation response daily, their babies receive the benefit as well, especially babies in the womb. The baby's experience of conception through the first year of life forms a template for life. Pre and perinatal psychologists recommend connecting and bonding with your baby while in the womb as a vital way to help protect babies from stress and the rigors of birth.”  —  Michelle SmithAs a gentle reminder: This guided relaxation recording audio is for just that, relaxation purposes only. It does not constitute medical or mental health advice or treatment, nor does it imply a specific outcome during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or beyond. Please avoid listening to this guided relaxation while engaging in an activity that requires your full attention. Please stop the podcast and return to it when you can be safely seated or reclining in a supported position. Unless you are the passenger listening to this guided relaxation with headphones on, for everyone's safety never listen to it while driving or riding in a vehicle.Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease PodcastInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmithYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.comTHANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

Michelle is celebrating the 2 year anniversary of the Birth Ease Podcast! With all of the stress the Coronavirus pandemic is bringing, she reairs episode 2 to once again set the foundation of what she means by "noise" in the podcast introduction, as well as exactly what stress is and the impacts it has. Michelle shares how stress can affect our ability to conceive a child, as well as cause pregnancy complications and preterm birth. If a mother is experiencing chronic or intense acute stress, then it will actually interfere with the wiring of the unborn baby's brain. During birth, stress and fear can cause labor to slow or stall. Michelle shares measures to help make the transition from the womb into the world less stressful for the baby. Stressful life events can be a factor in developing postpartum depression, as well.Michelle reassures listeners that women undergoing acute or chronic stress can have healthy pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies, but it is vital to reduce our stress as much as possible and find coping skills and techniques to help. Please check out the next episode. Michelle will replay episode 3, in which she shares  ways to mitigate stress and elicit the relaxation response. It will include a bonus guided relaxation session that is valuable for anyone that has a child or children in their life, no matter the age of the child.  “Stress can impact us, our relationships, and our bodies. There is help in the form of resources, techniques, and coping skills.”  —  Michelle Smith Connect with Michelle Smith:  Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsites:  BirthEaseServices.com,  birtheasehypnobirth.com Episode References:https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170529090530  University of Zurich. "Too much stress for the mother affects the baby through amniotic fluid."  ScienceDaily, 29 May 2017https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/stress-and-pregnancy.aspxhttps://www.webmd.com/baby/features/stress-marks#1https://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/womens-health/articles/2010/08/27/cant-get-pregnant-how-stress-may-be-causing-your-infertilityhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6016043/ The relationship between stress and fertilityhttp://www.child-encyclopedia.com/stress-and-pregnancy-prenatal-and-perinatal/according-experts/effects-prenatal-stress-childhttps://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-symptoms-effects_of-stress-on-the-body#2Interview with Thomas Verny,  MD on the 2019 Better Birth 360 Summit hosted by Nicholas OlowNewsweek Special Edition: Your Baby's Brain 2015  "Keep Calm and Carry On"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5290058/  “The Effect of Stressful Life Events on Postpartum Depression: Findings from the 2009–2011 Mississippi Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System”https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/postpartum-depression.aspxhttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/postpartum-depression-facts/index.shtml

Michelle shares the benefits of birth affirmations and provides tips on how to use them during pregnancy. She also discusses the possibility of certain birth affirmations unintentionally creating trauma for someone if the birth doesn't go as planned. Michelle then concludes the episode with recorded birth affirmations that can be used during pregnancy to prepare for birth and parenthood. "There is a part of us that does hold wisdom. Our body has a wisdom.  And unfortunately, we have been taught through our culture essentially not to trust ourself, not to listen to our body. That there is an outside authority that knows more than you. … But there is a wisdom within our body, within ourselves that we can return to."—Michelle Smith   Resources:https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/toxic-positivity#riskshttps://positivepsychology.com/daily-affirmations/ Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Heidi Snyderburn, host of Birth Story Podcast, shares with Michelle the incredible story of the birth of Birth Story Media™ and her book, Birth Story: Pregnancy Guidebook + Journal, which provides education through storytelling. Week-by-week, this pregnancy book guides future parents through pregnancy with engaging educational material designed to empower and prepare them for this journey. Journaling prompts invite the reader to document and memorialize their birth stories. Each week begins with a “Postcard from the Womb.” Finally, Heidi shares some of her favorite real-life birth stories, filled with educational tidbits and explanations of important medical terms."I wrote that book! I wrote that dang book in 3 months. Through grief! And I wrote it for...every person on a journey to parenthood, I wrote it with them in mind. And, it was very much God-led. God gave me every word in that book. So, I took the collection of birth stories that I had from all of my clients, and I made a book about education through storytelling."— Heidi Snyderburn About Heidi Snyderburn:Heidi Snyderburn is the host of the Birth Story podcast, Certified Birth Doula (DONA), a Certified HypnoBabies™ Doula, the entrepreneurial guru behind Birth Story Media™, a former pharmaceutical and medical device consultant, a mom with a passion for writing and storytelling, and the author of Birth Story: Pregnancy Guidebook and Journal. She felt “called” to her practice as a doula early on in life—in fact at age 12, Heidi supported a mom through her birth. Since then, Heidi has attended hundreds of births throughout her 17-year doula career and is currently on-call. She is actively practicing today with up close and personal doula services in Charlotte, NC and virtual doula services around the world with her company MyDoulaHeidi. Heidi differentiates her services by offering holistic, evidenced-based care for her clients and their partners. She absolutely believes in partnering with the medical team and empowering moms to navigate the journey of pregnancy and childbirth with as much information as possible. Connect with Heidi:Looking for a Virtual Doula to create a custom birthing experience and guide you through your journey to parenthood in the United States? Contact Heidi at www.mydoulaheidi.comFor additional free birth education resources and to purchase Heidi's book, Birth Story: Pregnancy Guidebook + Journal, visit www.birthstory.comInstagram: @birthstorypodcast  Resources:https://www.med.unc.edu/obgyn/horizons/directory/john-thorp-jr-md/https://www.med.unc.edu/obgyn/horizons/https://kidronvalleyministries.wordpress.com/ Thanks, It's the Trauma Podcast:Website: https://thanksitsthetrauma.wordpress.com/Facebook: @ThanksItsTheTraumaInstagram: @thanksitsthetraumapodcastPodcast: Thanks It's the Trauma Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank You For Listening!

Michelle and Donna Seegers Abler, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Pregnancy & Newborn Consultant, and Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology Educator, discuss the awareness and consciousness of babies. Donna shares amazing stories from her experience with babies in NICU. Together they explore how birth can impact babies and the implications of some of the protocols and practices within the medical system. Donna provides suggestions for parents to help support their baby in the NICU. Donna also shares about her new book, "Love me In: A Sacred Pregnancy Journal" which reflects leading-edge principles from the field of prenatal and perinatal psychology. It is a beautifully written and illustrated journal that guides expecting parents inward on a conscious journey through reflection, meditation, and heart-based practices. It is intended to empower self-connection to grow and nurture a healthy womb environment, giving babies their best start."As expecting parents, we have the power to go back to our innate spiritual selves and be a part of this bringing babies in, in a more complete way." —Donna Seegers AblerNotes:"In a different paper published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (or RCOG, the United Kingdom's equivalent of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or ACOG), they stated that it is possible induction may decrease the risk of stillbirth in older women. Using data from the United Kingdom, the authors estimated that if all pregnant people in the U.K. age 40 and older were induced at 39 weeks instead of 41 weeks, it would prevent 17 stillbirths per year. It would take 9,350 inductions at 39 weeks to prevent one stillbirth, and 4,750 inductions at 40 weeks to prevent seven stillbirths. (RCOG, 2013)."  Evidence Based Birthhttps://evidencebasedbirth.com/advanced-maternal-age/ About Donna Seegers Abler:Donna Seegers Abler, OTR/L, PPNE, earned a BS in occupational therapy from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, WI in 1984.  She graduated from APPPAH Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology Certification Program in June 2019.  She is a prenatal and perinatal psychology educator and is a trained instructor in Calm Birth Childbirth Program.She has a background in preterm neonatal intensive care unit experience and infant development and combines years of researched-based medical background in sensory integration, reflex integration, neurodevelopment, infant massage, and Healing Touch for Babies with leading-edge prenatal and perinatal psychology,  heart rhythm meditation, and healing practices.Donna has been shaped through her own in utero experience and birth story; through consciously conceiving, carrying and miscarrying a baby; through raising three beautiful and thriving young adult daughters; through an expansive professional career; and through a rich life journey as a daughter, sister, aunt, mother, wife, soul sister, guide, teacher and friend to many. Connect with Donna Seegers Abler:Website: https://www.donnaseegersabler.com/Facebook: @Donna Seegers AblerInstagram:   @donnaseegersablerConnect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com Thank you for listening!

In this replay for Breastfeeding Awareness Month, Annette Leary, IBCLC, RN, BSN shares with Michelle the multitude of ways that craniosacral therapy benefits people of all ages and stages in life;  especially as it relates to fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and infant feeding. CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University."For newborns, those are the kinda things we look at: digestion, feeding, being able to self-soothe, being able to sleep- really disruptive sleep patterns with the babies. I'll also see situations where you know maybe the baby is a week or two old and I'll hear, "Oh, he is so strong. He is standing up." Hmm… babies aren't supposed to stand up at two weeks or arch their head back." —Annette Leary About Annette Leary, IBCLC, RN, BSN:Annette has been working with families for over 30 years as a pediatric/postpartum nurse, childbirth educator, and international board-certified lactation consultant. She enjoys working with the whole family to improve their state of wellness and to educate them on how to seek knowledge on managing their health. This commitment to families led Annette to become Upledger trained in Craniosacral Therapy. Connect with Annette Leary:Website: https://www.iahp.com/Annette-Leary/Facebook:  @Annette Leary,   @Annette's Natural Approach to Health and Wellness Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.comThank you for listening!!!

In this replay for Breastfeeding Awareness Month, Michelle asks Kathy Bradley, IBCLC to discuss an increasing concern for parents:  tongue and lip ties in newborns. Kathy explains what a tongue or lip-tie is, the different types of ties, the potential signs of a tongue-tie, and when a surgical revision may be necessary. Kathy also shares what parents may want to look for in a provider if a tongue-tie revision is advised, as well as concerns regarding the MTHFR gene mutation and the formation of tongue-ties. "So, the rule of thumb is just because we see that something looks like it might be tight, it doesn't mean it's an automatic revision. ... I really look at functionality. l look at mom's  pain level [during breastfeeding], how much [milk] baby's transferring, what's going on."—Kathy Bradley Resources: Oral Motor Therapy: https://www.beckmanoralmotor.com/Tongue Tie Revision: Dr. Bertot:  https://www.ibrushteeth.com/https://www.facebook.com/TongueTieBabies/https://mthfrgenesupport.com About Kathy Bradley. IBCLC:Spanning a 30 year career in the maternal health field, Kathy is the visionary behind Childbirth Concierge. She holds a degree in Communication and Public Relations, and is a Certified Childbirth Consultant as well as a Board Certified Lactation Consultant.Kathy's focus over the years has been providing education and support to women of all income levels. She worked for 14 years in Maternal Health at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida. As the founder and executive director of the former Childbirth Enhancement Foundation, she developed partnerships and training programs for community based doula programs with 14 hospitals. Kathy developed the Community Outreach Perinatal Educator Program for Commonsense Childbirth, Inc.- a nonprofit institution dedicated eliminating racial and class disparities in perinatal health and improve birth outcomes for all.She is strongly motivated to support women no matter how they choose to birth or feed their babies. As a mother of 5, she truly understands the challenges families face preparing for birth and caring for their newborns. A born educator, she is in her element teaching new parents and health professionals.Connect with Kathy Bradley, IBCLC:  Website: http://childbirthconcierge.com/Instagram: @childbirthconciergeFacebook: childbirthconcierge Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.comThank you for listening!  

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, Michelle re-airs her conversation with Kathy Bradley, IBCLC in which they explore the sources of fear and stress that can create doubts surrounding the ability to breastfeed our babies and trust ourselves as parents. “We are getting the messages in our culture that breastfeeding is best, but it's not being modeled. So in an unconscious, non-verbal way we are getting two different messages that we are diabolically opposed.” — Kathy Bradley About Kathy Bradley,  IBCLC:Spanning a 30-year career in the maternal health field, Kathy is the visionary behind Childbirth Concierge. She holds a degree in Communication and Public Relations, and is a Certified Childbirth Consultant as well as a Board Certified Lactation Consultant.Kathy's focus over the years has been providing education and support to women of all income levels. She worked for 14 years in Maternal Health at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida. As the founder and executive director of the former Childbirth Enhancement Foundation, she developed partnerships and training programs for community-based doula programs with 14 hospitals. Kathy developed the Community Outreach Perinatal Educator Program for Commonsense Childbirth, Inc.- a nonprofit institution dedicated to eliminating racial and class disparities in perinatal health and improve birth outcomes for all.She is strongly motivated to support women no matter how they choose to birth or feed their babies. As a mother of 5, she truly understands the challenges families face preparing for birth and caring for their newborns. A born educator, she is in her element teaching new parents and health professionals. Connect with Kathy Bradley, IBCLC:  Website: http://childbirthconcierge.com/Instagram: @childbirthconciergeFacebook: childbirthconcierge Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

In celebration of the 100th episode of the podcast, Michelle and Isa Gucciardi discuss her new book, The New Return to the Great Mother: Birth, Initiation and the Sacred Feminine. Isa shares about her experience of meeting the Great Mother while giving birth to her child and how she became an early advocate for birthing women. Isa's passion is to help women understand that birth is one of many biological initiations that she goes through over the course of her life. These initiations include our own birth, puberty, menses, the first sexual experience with another person, giving birth, menopause, and death. Birth is the movement of the seen and the unseen and the Great Mother mediates all creative processes. Isa explains how everyone can connect with and perceive the Great Mother as this source of wisdom, creative intelligence, nurturing, and healing and bring this awareness into everyday life. An excerpt from the book: “Open. Open. Open. This is the clarion call of the midwife to the birthing mother as she is encouraged to surrender to the new life moving through her. Childbirth is a sacred initiation that requires our full participation—mind, body, and spirit. We will meet ourselves completely—the parts we like and those we try to hide away in the shadows. But we are far from powerless to this process. In fact, there is a deep and unbroken source of power we can align to for support: the power of the Great Mother.”—Isa GucciardiAbout Isa Gucciardi, PhD:Isa Gucciardi is the Founding Director and lead teacher of the Foundation of the Sacred Stream. The workshops and training programs of the Foundation are part of her larger vision for helping people who are interested in stepping into greater consciousness and leading happier lives. Her primary focus is on teaching, writing, and curriculum development. Isa is also the creator of the groundbreaking therapeutic model Depth Hypnosis, and the author of Coming to Peace  and The New Return to the Great Mother: Birth, Initiation and the Sacred Feminine.GET YOUR FREE COPY OF THE GREAT MOTHER MEDITATION:The code for the downloadable meditation is "BIRTHEASE". Connect with Dr. Isa Gucciardi:Website: https://www.sacredstream.org/Email: info@sacredstream.orgFacebook:  @sacredstreamInstagram: @sacredstreamPurchase the book: https://www.sacredstream.org/product/the-new-return-to-the-great-mother-pre-order/Listen on Audible: The Return to the Great Mother Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com

Michelle shares her guest appearance on the Empowered Black Doula Podcast with host Keshia Locket. In the episode, Michelle shares her 20+ year journey as a birth professional, how her work has evolved over the years, and some of the insights she has received along the way. Together they discuss the nature of birth work, the impacts of stress and trauma,  and the experience of being a doula.  Michelle also shares the events that lead her to become a bereavement doula and Certified Grief Counseling Specialist in order to more fully support families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss. "Find a caregiver that reflects what your values and wishes are for your baby's birth. ...  Because you only get one birth with this baby, and it's yours and it's precious. And you deserve to be listened to and heard and honored. And if you have a caregiver that is bullying you, shaming you, being condescending: run. Run and muster the courage to switch [providers].”—Michelle Smith  As mentioned in the episode introduction, for those wishing to listen to the conversation yet need to skip over the discussion of perinatal loss, those time markers are: 6:30-12:00,  36:27-36:51, 40:01-40:23, and 44:16-45:21.Thank you for listening to the 100th episode of The Birth Ease Podcast!  Connect with Keshia Lockett:Website: https://www.embraceyourbirthdoula.com/Instagram: @empoweredblackdoula, @embraceyourbirthdoula_Facebook: @Empowered Black Doula, @Embrace YourBirth DoulaPodcast: Empowered Black Doula Connect with Michelle Smith:Classes with Michelle: birtheaseservices.com/birth-ease-childbirth-education, birtheasehypnobirth.com/hypnobirthing-classes-orlando-michelleFacebook:   Birth Ease,   The Birth Ease Podcast,  Birth Ease Baby Loss SupportInstagram:    @birtheasemichellesmith,  @birtheaselossssupportYouTube:    Birth EaseLinkedIn:  Birth Ease Michelle SmithWebsite:  BirthEaseServices.com  birtheasehypnobirth.com