Podcast appearances and mentions of christine sterling

We're talking about pregnancy, fitness, and mental health!   Joining me is Dr. Megan Roche. Megan received her medical degree from Stanford University, is the co-founder of the running coaching group Some Work All Play, and is currently pregnant with her second child.   In this episode, we explore:   Navigating Confusing Guidelines: We tackle the often confusing and sometimes scary guidelines around pregnancy and exercise. Megan demystifies the do's and don'ts and emphasizes the importance of balancing science with your own intuition to help you make the best decisions for your health.   Mental Health and Exercise: Understand the profound connection between mental health and physical activity during pregnancy and throughout parenthood.   Practical Movement Strategies: Realistic and relatable tips for incorporating movement into your busy life, especially for parents who often find themselves at the bottom of their own priority list.   Community and Support Systems: Discover the value of having a supportive community, whether through social media, local groups, or friends and family, to help maintain motivation and accountability.   Join us for this inspiring and informative episode that blends scientific research with deeply personal stories, all aimed at empowering you to stay active, healthy, and happy during pregnancy and well into parenthood!       LEARN MORE ABOUT MEGAN: Megan Roche   LEARN MORE ABOUT SOME WORK ALL PLAY: https://swaprunning.com/   LISTEN TO MEGAN'S PODCAST, SOME WORK ALL PLAY: https://swaprunning.com/podcast     DOWNLOAD MY FREE POSTPARTUM MENTAL HEALTH CHECKLIST: ➡️ Interactive workbook to create your personalized mental health checklist   CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL RELATED EPISODES:

Trigger Warning: This episode involves topics related to postpartum psychosis, suicide, and infanticide.   In this eye-opening conversation, one mother is sharing her raw and unfiltered story of navigating a postpartum psychosis diagnosis, shedding light on this often misunderstood and stigmatized perinatal mood and anxiety disorder.   After the birth of her second son, Chelsea battled with intense challenges with postpartum depression, which eventually snowballed into postpartum psychosis.   As we delve into Chelsea's story, we aim to foster a space of empathy, understanding, and support. I hope her openness invites you to connect with the human side of maternal mental health struggles, acknowledging that each tale contributes to the larger call to action for early intervention and better support for women in healthcare.       RESOURCES FOR PERINATAL MOOD AND ANXIETY DISORDERS (PMADs) SUPPORT: Postpartum Support International The Motherhood Center in New York   If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 988 in the US and Canada.   SECURELY ATTACHED PODCAST EPISODES ABOUT PMADs: A breakdown of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders How PMADs can affect new fathers Shining a light on postpartum psychosis with Paige Bellenbaum Addressing the crushing weight of parenthood with Dr. Christine Sterling     ADVOCATING FOR CHANGES TO MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTHCARE: Chamber of Mothers Canadian Perinatal Mental Health Collaborative (CPMHC) Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance (MMHLA)

In this episode of the Balancing Chaos podcast, host Kelley Nemiro dives into the emotional journey of pregnancy and postpartum. Reflecting on her own experience with Dr. Christine Sterling, she realizes the importance of addressing the anxieties and worries that come with pregnancy, as well as preparing new parents for the realities of postpartum and caring for a newborn. Dr. Christine is a board-certified ObGyn, mom-of-three and founder of the Sterling Life Membership. Her career was found on the volume of information (and opinions) about what you should and shouldn't do in pregnancy and how overwhelming it is. So many women spend their pregnancies worrying, stressed, and overwhelmed by the pressure to do everything "right." Dr. Sterling believes this isn't fair and you deserve better.In today's episode, Kelley and Dr. Sterling go through the entire timeline from prenatal, through pregnancy and into the postpartum period and cover what truly is normal at each milestone. They discuss common anxieties that come up between fertility, waiting for test results and how you should feel in the postpartum period. The two get into how to control what you can in order to alleviate anxiety, the impact of stress on a pregnancy and how to advocate for your needs in a medical setting. Tune in for an insightful episode on all things mamahood! To join Kelley's January Break Free from Self Sabotage and Create Consistency Program click HERETo connect with Kelley click HERETo connect with Dr. Christine Sterling click HERE 

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling sits down with Dr. Lara Morgan, MD to dive into how our current healthcare system serves mothers and how an athletic training approach could completely change the game.Lara Morgan Lee, MD is a board-certified Sports Medicine Physician and former professional team doctor who after her own pregnancy and postpartum journey realized traditional medical care was simply put, failing mothers. Leveraging her career experience with athletes she turned her focus to providing the education and empowerment one needs from expecting to years after baby. The vision is clear: bridge the gap to elevate the traditional way medicine is delivered for mothers the same way we care for athletes.Dr. Sterling & Dr. Morgan share the same mission; when you invest in mothers, you can change the world. Don't miss this impactful conversation!Resources:Follow on social media @sportsdrmorgan on Instagram, TikTokwww.sportsdrmorgan.comSterling Parents MembershipHost: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents MembershipMusic:Good For You by THBD https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultanCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2PgU6MuMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ

Becoming Moms is back with a mini series answering your burning questions. If you want to hear the “in-the-know” truths, the real story behind all the restrictions in pregnancy, and specifically the 3 ones asked about the most– sushi, hot baths, caffeine etc this episode is for you. Dr. Sterling shares: where the restrictions come from as well as the restrictions she followed, and the ones she didn't in her own pregnancies. This is the true story… of 3 pregnancy restrictions… find out what happens when an ObGyn stops being polite… and starts getting real.Resources:Sterling Parents Membership - Sterling ParentsHost: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents MembershipMusic:Good For You by THBD https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultanCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2PgU6MuMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ

Do you feel the pressure to get everything “right”? We know the scientifically proven effects stress has on parents. And what's more, how this parental stress can negatively impact our children. And yet, we still lack proper support systems for caregivers and families.   Joining me today is Dr. Christine Sterling, a board-certified OB/GYN who has made it her mission to provide comprehensive support to people undergoing the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy and postpartum.   We'll talk about the mental load of pregnancy and parenthood, strategies moms and dads can use to combat burnout and stress, share stories of our own experiences with symptoms of postpartum anxiety, and offer tips for how you can lean into your own personal strengths to help you more fully enjoy your parenting journey.      I want to hear from you! Send me a topic you want me to cover or a question you want answered on the show! ✨ DM me on Instagram at @securelyattachedpodcast or @drsarahbren ✨ Send an email to info@drsarahbren.com ✨ And check out drsarahbren.com for more parenting resources 

Did you know millennials tend to be more likely to have high blood pressure during pregnancy than previous generations? So why is it that millennials are having such a hard time as parents? Today's podcast is for all those that were born between 1981-996 and let's even say a little beyond, (we're going to dip into Gen-Z a bit too). So I'm talking to you, the millennial, about why pregnancy and parenthood is so difficult for your generation. My guest to have this conversation on Yoga| Birth| Babies is Dr. Christine Sterling, and she has what she calls the “millennial problem. ” Dr. Sterling is a board certified ObGyn, mother, and founder of Sterling Parents. She explains what she calls the millennial problem, how we resolve it, and some of the underlying reasons for this millennial problem. We talk about all sorts of things from social media, to stress levels, to comparison, to the overwhelm of information at your fingertips. Dr. Sterling gives concise tips to help you digest all of this information overwhelm. What I find really beautiful about this conversation is that it's so heartfelt. Dr. Sterling truly wants to offer support and help people that are feeling that strain and stress of navigating pregnancy and parenthood, she's offering some really grounding solutions.  It's a wonderful talk. I found myself riveted as I was listening to Dr. Sterling offer such thought provoking information. I think you too will get a lot out of this. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don't forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you've been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify! To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's so hard to believe that 2022 is coming to a close. Today is our last episode of the year! We have had so many inspiring guests on the podcast in 2022 and are so thankful to all of our listeners. No topic is off-limits in today's Q&A episode. Dr. Christine Sterling is a board-certified OBGYN and founder of Sterling Parents. Meagan is here today asking Dr. Sterling questions sent in by our listeners. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of interviewing multiple providers, researching evidence-based information, and paying attention to how YOU feel about their responses! Additional LinksDr. Sterling's Instagram: @drsterlingobgynSterling ParentsBebo Mia's WebinarHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode DetailsFull Transcript Meagan: Turn your love of babies and bellies into cash. If you love babies and bellies and want to provide care and support to families, then Bebo Mia's webinar is the right place for you. Get answers to those burning questions like how to be the voice you wish you had at your birth and how babies and families can be supported by doulas. Learn all about the different kinds of doulas. You can work in fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, or just enjoy working with those squishy babies. Supporting families by becoming a birth worker, aka doula, is perhaps an option that hasn't even crossed your mind. That's why we want you to join this webinar. You can have great earning potential while doing something you love. Bebo Mia is the one-stop shop for education, community, and mentorship. Reserve your spot today at bebomia.com/freewebinar. Meagan: Hello, hello. You guys, this is our last episode of the year. 2022 has come and gone and I cannot believe it. So many things have changed this year as you know. Julie has left the company and I've been solo for a little bit. That was a big, big change for us, but I am doing one of our first, I should say one of my first, episodes with a birth professional Dr. Christine Sterling. I cannot wait for this episode to be aired because it's going to be amazing. Dr. Sterling is a board-certified OBGYN and a founder of Sterling Parents which is a membership that provides the heart-felt support, expert advice, and timeless wisdom people deserve as they grow their families. After becoming a mother herself, she discovered first-hand how little support Western medicine offers to women moving through the life-altering transition into motherhood. Amen to that. It makes me sad. It breaks my heart how little support there is. So now as a mom, she is on a mission and dedicated to ensuring women get the maternal care and support they deserve. Dr. Sterling has developed a signature body, mind, and heart model of care combining cutting-edge science and ancient wisdom with her years of patient care, thousands of births, and long-standing meditation practice. So, Dr. Sterling, we are so happy that you're here. I am so happy. I still say we. We as in The VBAC Link. I don't know if you know, but I used to have a partner named Julie. We had been together for years and years and she has just recently left, so I just can't get out of the ‘I' and the ‘we'. I'm always going to be a ‘we'. Dr. Sterling: You know what? In medicine, we always talk about the ‘we' when you are part of a team, so I will oftentimes always use the ‘we'. Meagan: Yes, yes. Thank you so much. Is there anything else that you would like to share that I did not cover, all of the amazing things that you do? Dr. Sterling: I think we will get all into it, but that is the long and short of it. Meagan: The long and short of it. There's so much because you are so amazing. Okay well then, we will just dive right in. Dr. Sterling: Let's do it. Meagan: As we were getting questions, a lot of people asked very similar questions. One of the number one questions that people are asking is how do you truly advocate for yourself? What is the best way to advocate for yourself? As a VBAC mom, you can feel very much against the world when you are entering a birth space, and sometimes when you are entering a birth space where there's an on-call provider like you said, when you work in a team and you don't know that person and you haven't really established the relationship of them knowing what you want, it can be hard and with different nurses and all the things. So what would you say is one of the best ways to advocate for yourself as a patient? Dr. Sterling: Yeah, so I think that sometimes the word ‘advocate' can sometimes put a lot of pressure onto the individual that, “I need to advocate.” Meagan: “I need to be strong.” Dr. Sterling: Yes, exactly and it feels like this really heavy weight. There's a mental weight to this, “I have to advocate to get what I need.” I completely understand where that comes from especially when you are wanting a VBAC. It can feel like there are policies going against you and that people aren't working with you, so I think that the first thing is to hopefully get into a therapeutic relationship with a midwife, a doctor, or a practice of doctors in which there is a collaborative relationship in which advocating isn't so heavy. It's a conversation. It is a discussion that you are having with each other. For me, I think that oftentimes physicians and patients are communicating to each other on different levels. We are not really understanding where the other party is coming from and we don't understand what's the tape that's playing in their mind. As a patient, you may be playing this tape of, “They're trying to get me to have a C-section and the odds are against me and I've got to fight my way through it.” And as a physician, you have a whole other tape playing. One of the things I encourage with my members is really, I share the behind the scenes and the thought process that is going on for their OBGYN when they're having that conversation so that the patient can show up with a perspective and in the space that creates that really strong, collaborative environment. I can go through some of the things that I typically talk to my members about with that, but I like to tell my members, “This is not about you having to advocate so hard for yourself, but rather to invite your provider into a collaborative relationship with you and there are ways that individuals can do that.” I want to caveat that with I wish that it wasn't something that patients had to do so much. I wish it was something that as physicians, we showed up in that space. A lot of physicians do, but not everybody does. I like to think of it as it's not the problem of each healthcare provider being, “Oh, you're bad and you should be showing up and collaborating with patients better.” It is a system problem very much. We have burnt-out physicians. We have hospitals that are coming down on them so we have a system that does not foster a collaborative relationship between patients and there are things that individual patients can do to invite their providers to have a more collaborative relationship. I wish patients didn't have to do that, but I do think that it can be beneficial. Meagan: For sure. I think sometimes too as a patient coming in, we do know that our providers are burning out a lot of the time. They don't have a ton of time, so you have a lot that you want to bring to the table, but at the same time, you hold back and restrict that because you don't want to drill your provider with a million questions. Sometimes the provider, although they really want to answer, they don't have time to have that conversation. Dr. Sterling: 100% yes. Meagan: It's not even that they don't want to, it's that they can't because they are seeing 60 patients that day. Dr. Sterling: Oh trust me, we would much rather, much rather—when physicians leave and stop taking insurance and go and do a private practice that is just cash-based, which that's how some physicians solve the burnout issue is, “You know what? I'm exiting the insurance realm,” because what do they do? They have longer appointments with their patients. They take fewer appointments. That's what we want. You only want to see 10 patients a day and give each patient 45 minutes. 100%. But you can't if you take insurance. We are locked into this system that makes us not able to have the type of therapeutic relationship with our patients that all of us at our core want. Some of us have awakened to the fact that the patients aren't the problem, the system is the problem. Some physicians will say, “Oh, the patient Is asking too many questions and I'm annoyed at the appointment.” But they're not saying, “You're not annoyed at the patient,” but that patient was paying whatever amount of money for that appointment and if you had a whole hour with them, you would be so happy to show up and educate. Meagan: Yes, yes. Well then and sometimes too on the patient side of things, we can see it as, “Oh, well my doctor is not supportive. My provider is not supportive because they don't even want to listen to me or they are very quick to answer.” From a VBAC standpoint, a lot of the time when we're coming into these providers to ask them these questions, we really want a heartfelt answer. Dr. Sterling: Of course you do. Meagan: We don't just want to hear ‘yes' or ‘no',  so that's another one of the questions that a lot of people have asked is what are some of the signs or red flags I should be watching out for that maybe my provider although probably wonderful, may not be the best provider for me or for that patient, right? How can someone decipher through that and try to understand that that provider doesn't have a lot of time as well? There's this happy medium. What are some red flags or signs that you would say, “That might not be a good provider for you”? Dr. Sterling: Perfect, so there are two main issues here. One, how do we have a conversation about VBAC when we have so little time? I want to address that. The first question though is, what are the red flags? How do you know if you have the right provider to support you in having a VBAC? This is actually really, really simple and very easy to do. What you're going to do is you're going to go to your provider and you're going to say, “What do you think about VBAC?” You're going to be quiet. You're not going to lead them to that you want a VBAC. Nothing. And just let them talk. If you have a provider who is like, “You know, VBACs makes me really nervous. I'll do them but they make me really nervous and I've been burned. I've had some bad experiences.” Or if you have someone who's like, “I love VBAC. When I get a pregnant person who has a quote-on-quote ‘successful VBAC', it makes me happy. It makes my day.” Those are very different people, right? It's not that somebody who has that more negative view of VBAC can't provide you with appropriate medical care, but it's that whole extra level of your experience. Do you know what I mean? If you are going for a VBAC and you feel like your provider already has the scalpel in your hand, it puts extra stress and extra pressure on you to advocate for yourself whereas the person who is in a relationship with someone who loves a VBAC is like, “We're doing it together. We're collaborating.” Also, when that provider who loves VBAC and who is gungho with you says, “You know what? We've got to call it. Let's do it.” You come to that from a place of, “You know what? I trust this person. I know she wanted this for me and I trust that what she's telling me right now that I really do need—” Meagan: It is best. Dr. Sterling: It is best. That's why I think you just ask a question. Stay very quiet. Don't let them know how you feel about VBAC or that you want a VBAC and you just let them tell you their perspective. Both providers can provide excellent medical care, but you want to be in an environment with someone who's into it and who's excited about VBAC. Meagan: Yeah, who's just going to create that extra level of experience because like you said, this provider over here may be more hesitant and is quote-on-quote going to let you ‘try' but may not have that extra oomph, energy, and positivity in your experience but you still might get your VBAC with that provider. That doesn't mean that they're not totally unsupportive. We talk about tolerance and stuff like that, but yeah. This other provider over here may be the perfect provider for your experience. Dr. Sterling: Exactly. There are really great physicians who have attempted VBACs themselves and had bad experiences. The reality is that physicians are human beings and we bring our experiences to the table. Too, ideally, we would maybe do a little less than that but that's just the reality of human beings. We are bringing our experiences to the table. If we've been burned, it can be hard to work past that. Meagan: Well and just like you were saying at the beginning, that provider might be playing a different tape in their head and that was based on their experience, right? Okay, I love that. Anything else you want to touch on with that? Dr. Sterling: Oh, so in terms of the VBAC, how do you have this conversation with your provider about VBAC? I want us to look at having the conversation about VBAC over an entire pregnancy. Please do not try to fit it in—it is okay to start talking about VBAC at maybe not your first appointment because there's so much going on with all of that, but it's okay to start talking about it in the first trimester. I'm a big proponent of that. I'm a big proponent of and I believe that a lot of pregnant people are carrying around this mental weight of uncertainty and unanswered questions and concerns and worries. For me, part of having the VBAC discussion early is let's start relieving some of that weight. So that's really important is if it's on your mind and if your provider is saying, “You know, we'll talk about that closer,” just say, “You know what? I get it. I'm so far away from my VBAC. I totally get it but it's on my mind and I think that it would really help with my stress levels and with my quality of life if I can start having some of these questions answered now so I don't have to carry them around for my whole pregnancy.” Meagan: Right, yeah. Something that one of our followers asked was about—I'm sure you've heard of it—bait and switch where they seem supportive and then at that last minute where you really start talking about it, they kind of shift their gears. Sometimes I feel like if we can do what you said and start talking about it in the first trimester then we may recognize earlier on whether that provider and you are a good match or not because the bait and switch a lot of times feels like it comes at the end where they're like, “Yeah. Yeah, we're supportive,” but they're never having that full conversation. There are so many questions but like you said, there's a whole pregnancy so we can keep asking these questions at each visit taking a little time that a provider does have and having that to avoid that final trimester, the last few weeks, feeling like your provider just switched on you. So I don't know if there's anything that you want to talk about with bait and switch. It seems very negative to talk about people doing a bait and switch but it does happen where providers shift their gears and it sucks to be in that spot at the end. Dr. Sterling: Yeah, so the parting line of the OBGYNS—if you're in the United States and you're an OBGYN, ACOG encourages VBAC. We want people to VBAC. We want people to VBAC. So what it often is is that you're kind of getting the parting line at the beginning of pregnancy because it's far off and it's like, “Yeah, yeah. We support VBAC. You can do a VBAC,” whatever. And then push comes to shove and you do understand that “Oh, this provider has some more nuance to their support for VBAC.” You know? I think it's again, it is about talking to them about and asking very—sometimes you want to hear what you want to hear. Sometimes we have to ask the hard questions and ask in a non-leading way because human beings and all of us to some degree are people pleasers. It's just a natural human behavior thing. So if you can just say, if you can ask more-detailed questions like, “Is there anything about me and what happened to me last time and my personal, medical, and obstetric history that makes you more nervous or reticent to recommending a VBAC?”Understanding that what you're getting at there is yes, you're getting at their medical assessment of what kind of candidate you are for a trial of labor after a C-section, but also, you're getting an idea of what are they going to bring up at the end of pregnancy? Is there anything that I can address now? And really, it is okay to evaluate your provider as you move through and make sure that you are on the same page. Meagan: Yeah, for sure. I love that. I love that question. Write that down, listeners. Write that down. Okay, so one of the questions is, of the VBACs that you have seen, what are some of the things that have stood out to you about TOLAC and about people who go for a VBAC? Is there anything good and bad that you're like, “Okay, this is something that stood out to me in a positive way or this is something that I never knew about and then I saw this and now I'm watching for this for the future births”? Dr. Sterling: Yeah, so I talk about this thing with my members all of the time. The thing that I have found to be most important when we're thinking about the mode of birth is to understand that the most important thing is that regardless if you end up with a repeat C-section or you end up with a successful vaginal birth after a C-section, what we want is somebody who had as empowering of an experience as possible. Hopefully, it was also a beautiful, empowering experience. You can have a beautiful birth experience by having a C-section and have it with a vaginal birth. What I have my members do is have them come up with their birth values. We usually stick to three or five. What are your birth values? And understand the why behind it. “I want a vaginal birth because—” what's my why? And underneath that, there's oftentimes some really good stuff, and if you can bring that to the surface, those values. “I want to feel present in my birth. I want to feel that I have autonomy over my body.” It's different for everybody, but these values come up and what's important is that we talk about how you can honor those values and those deep desires regardless of the mode of birth so that if we set up, “I want a vaginal birth and that is the success for me and if I don't get that, I have failed. The birth has failed” if you can fail at giving birth. What we want to do is to work towards a vaginal birth while also acknowledging that at the core, even if the vaginal birth doesn't happen, we want these values to be honored. Let's talk through how we can honor these values in a C-section. What can we do to prepare you for a C-section that is beautiful and I will tell you, some of the births that really stick out in my mind from experiences I've had with patients were the most beautiful belly births. I mean, really beautiful experiences and experiences that still bring tears to my eyes. I think a lot of times we act like the only time birth can be beautiful is if it's vaginal. Meagan: Is if it's vaginal, yeah. It's not true. Dr. Sterling: It's not true. Oh my gosh. The births actually that I think about the most in terms of a beautiful birth experience was a belly birth. That was me as a provider. That's not me as my personal birth experiences but they can be really, really beautiful birth experiences. Meagan: Yeah, with my second it was undesired. I didn't want a second Cesarean, but it was a beautiful experience and I will cherish it forever. It helped me grow and it helped me heal from my first one too. Okay, I love that. The next question is about induction and VBAC. At what weeks would you suggest induction for VBAC in general and I know further down in the questions there is when would you suggest induction for VBAC with gestational diabetes? Maybe they're the same. Maybe they differ, but yeah. That's one of the questions. Induction and VBAC are also controversial depending on the provider. Dr. Sterling: So the issue with induction with VBAC is that two things are true. This is the part that really trips people up. We have some data that an induction at 39-40 weeks with a VBAC may increase your chances of a vaginal delivery. We also have data that people who go into labor on their own have a higher chance of having a VBAC with a trial of labor so both things are true. If we had a crystal ball and knew that you were going into labor on your due date with a VBAC, we would not induce you before that because that would be best for you to go into labor on your own. However, if we had a crystal ball and we knew that you were not going to go into labor and you would need to be induced at 41 weeks and 5 days, we would have wished that we had induced you at 39 weeks. There is no right answer here. I'm a huge believer in membrane sweeps for people who really want a vaginal birth. Ideally, around 39 weeks, I've had many membrane sweeps myself. They are not necessarily the most pleasant experience. Meagan: And sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Dr. Sterling: Sometimes they don't. So membrane sweeps reduce the chance that you will need a formal induction of labor. They are kind of considered a method of induction so we usually don't do them too early. They reduce the chance that you will need a formal induction of labor. On average, they are going to shorten your pregnancy by about four days. They don't always work to put you into labor, but with a VBAC, we also want to think about how much medication we have to give you if we do need to induce you. We would like to reduce the amount of medication we give you so that may help your cervix just be a little bit more ripe, ready, and primed for labor. We don't have data to support this so that's why I'm saying this. It may be helpful to reduce the amount of Pitocin we need to use for your induction. That's why I'm a big proponent of membrane sweeps in the right patient and with informed consent. That is very, very critical because unfortunately, that does not always happen and that's absolutely not acceptable for someone to undergo a membrane sweep without informed consent. Meagan: Right, going over anything. Yeah, I love that. Like you said, it's so hard because there's no crystal ball. You have to go through and look at where you're at and what's best for you and your situation. Another question about induction is, are there any methods you will or will not use? We do know through the history of Cesarean, there are certain things like Cytotec that we really don't use but then there are random providers out there who you will hear give Cytotec and things like that. Dr. Sterling: And your other question about gestational diabetes, when you are induced for gestational diabetes depends on how well your glucose is being controlled, if it's requiring medications, and oftentimes, your provider is going to prioritize the recommendations for your gestational diabetes induction especially if you are on insulin or say your fasting glucose is not where we want it because with some types of gestational diabetes and with certain levels of control, there is that increased risk of stillbirth, that is typically where they will put the priority. So if your glucose is poorly controlled, even if it might be the best thing for your potential VBAC to be induced at 38 weeks, if you have poorly controlled glucose and we are looking at an increased risk of stillbirth because gestational diabetes is mostly a risk when the glucose isn't well-controlled, then your provider is going to say, “Yeah. It might not be the best thing for a VBAC situation,” but for the health of the pregnancy, this is going to be our recommendation. I just wanted to answer the gestational diabetes question. Meagan: Yes, so let's go back into induction methods and what you've seen. We talked a little bit about membrane sweeping and I am going to quickly run. My daughter is sick and screaming for me so keep talking. I'm going to block my screen out for a second and I'll be right back, but if you want to talk about induction methods. And maybe too, what you've seen work better and maybe also where the cervix is or not. Does that make sense? If you're not dilated at all, how can you induce and all of those things? Dr. Sterling: There is a bit of a question mark when it comes to induction with a trial of labor after a C-section. There are medications that most OBGYNS are not going to use. Cytotec is one of those medications that when we are inducing labor at term, we don't like to use because there is some data that it has a higher risk of uterine rupture which is when the scar of the uterus breaks open. We really, really want to do everything we can to avoid that. That's the complication that we are most concerned about with  We really, really want to do everything we can to avoid that. That's the complication that we are most concerned about with a TOLAC. Some providers won't do any kind of medication for an induction. They'll only do mechanical, so membrane sweeping, the Foley balloon or a Cook balloon. They'll do ruptured membranes, but once it comes to any medication, that will be a hard stop for them. The reason why some providers don't use Pitocin is that we don't have enough data to say that this level of Pitocin is a-okay but once you get to this level, that's where we see the increased risk. We know that using Pitocin can increase the risk of rupture, but we don't know where the line is. So some providers are like, “Okay. In that setting with that doubt, I'm just going to say no to Pitocin altogether,” whereas other providers will say, “You know what? We will use a lower dose protocol for our people who are undergoing a trial of labor and inform the that we are going to use Pitocin.” It does slightly increase the risk of rupture, but it's not unreasonable to use Pitocin. It isn't, but the person has to be informed that this may increase the risk of rupture. We're going to use a lower-risk protocol to try to mitigate that risk, but we don't actually have the data to say, “This amount is okay. This amount isn't okay.” And so this is where it comes to how different providers land when there's nuance and when there's gray. Some providers are going land in the, “No. I don't want to do anything that could increase your risk of rupture,” and other providers are saying, “Hey, if you're aware of this risk and you're okay with it, I'm okay doing Pitocin.” It just depends. Meagan: Yeah. I know it's such a hard one because there are different providers. With my second, I was begging for Pitocin. First of all, who begs for Pitocin? Not normal, not a lot of people, but I was begging for it. He was like, “No, no, no, no,” but then I was a doula and I started working and I was like, “Wait. There are all of these providers doing Pitocin, but then there are also providers that won't.” It's like you said, “Okay, I'll a Foley or a Cook, or I'll break your water. And sometimes I'll use Pitocin if we have an IUPC and we can monitor the strength.” So it's just so hard. Again, it's one of those questions where there are two answers. Dr. Sterling: That's the thing is that there are some things in medicine and some things in obstetrics where you will get clear answers. That's always really comforting as a patient to be like, “Oh. Everybody agrees on this. Okay. I feel comfortable.” But then when you get to the situations where there is a gray zone and there is nuance and you see some providers doing something this way. Where I trained, they gave Pitocin for vaginal births. That was my standard practice. I left residency and I joined a practice and they were like, “No. We as a group do not do Pitocin for TOLAC.” And so it was like, “Oh, okay. This is different.” Patients would ask me what my perspective is and I'm like, “My perspective is that I'm used to doing this and I think that it can be done safely, but I'm part of a practice where that is a no-go.” Meagan: That is restricted. Dr. Sterling: We're restricted. So you know, one physician could feel a certain way about what they do but then be in a setting where this is not how it's done. Meagan: And that's hard too because a lot of time, they would be viewed as unsupportive, but it's actually not that they're unsupportive but that they're restricted. From a patient's point of view, we have to remember that sometimes it's not that the provider doesn't want to, it's that they can't within the practice that they're in. And again, that's where it's like, “Okay, well maybe that practice isn't the right practice for you.” Dr. Sterling: Exactly. Even if you were with me and you loved me, you're like, “I love Dr. Sterling. We get along so well,” but her practice and some physicians are their own bosses. A lot of physicians are employed and they are dealing with an employed physician that has a group that says, “We don't do this and you are an employee and not an owner of the practice.” Then you're like, “I love her, but she can't offer me Pitocin so I may have to go with someone else, and maybe I don't have the rapport that I had.” So it's unfortunately with physicians, oftentimes you're compromising on something. The question is what do I need? What are my non-negotiables within the practice? Stay firm on those. Your non-negotiables are your non-negotiables. Be clear. Some people may say, “You know what? I don't like that they don't offer Pitocin but the rapport is more important to me.” Other people may say, “You know what? I need to go somewhere that's willing to induce me if that's what I need with Pitocin.” Meagan: Yeah, with my third, I really wanted a VBAC again and I had a super supportive provider. He was top-notch supportive and known in Utah as one of the most supportive providers, but in the end and at the end of things, I was just feeling like I shouldn't be there. Everyone was like, “Why? You have the most supportive provider,” and I'm like, “Because I know that he's going to be restricted. I don't want to have that restriction although there are other providers who just don't have restrictions but not as many,” so I changed. I had a VBAC after two Cesareans and it was beautiful and amazing. Maybe I would have with that provider but I don't know knowing my birth story. I think he would have been cut off. He wouldn't have wanted to but he would have been cut off. Okay, so one of the questions was is a C-section always safer than a vacuum or a forceps delivery? So if you're coming to the point where you're pushing and you're about to get this VBAC and you're so close, but you might need an extra little bit of assistance, do you feel like a Cesarean is quote-on-quote “safer” or a better route than those other assisted delivery methods? Again, everybody has a different perspective and their history of using these things might come into play. But just share some of your thoughts. Dr: Sterling: You can't make a blanket statement that a Cesarean is always safer than a vacuum delivery or a vacuum is always better than a Cesarean. It really is each individual situation. What I can tell you is that if the vacuum is successful, if the forceps are successful and you have a vaginal birth and baby is okay and you're okay, then yeah. That was a better decision than going for a C-section in the second stage of labor. C-sections in the second stage of labor are not risk-free. As we know, there are a lot of risks to that too. The thing that becomes the more unsafe situation is when you have a failed vacuum or a failed forceps and then you go to a C-section. Meagan: That's what I was going to ask. Dr. Sterling: That situation, we want to avoid because that's the highest risk situation. Failed vacuum, failed forceps, then go to a C-section. If we knew that was going to happen, it would have been way better to go straight to a C-section than to attempt a vacuum. So I think that what I would want if I was in that situation, I was going through a trial of labor and my provider offered me a forceps or a vacuum. I would want to know their confidence level with that.  I would not want to be the one pushing, “Can we try a vacuum? Can we try a forceps?” I would want the other person on the end of the table saying, “I think we've got this. I think if I just put a vacuum on real quick, we're going to pop that baby out and we're going to be good. We're going to have a baby.” I want that level of confidence. I want somebody who's like, “Let's do this. I have no problem. I think we've got it.” I do not want somebody who's like, “Mmm, we could.” Meagan: We could, we could. Dr. Sterling: If it was me at the other end of the table, somebody saying, “We could,” is like are you feeling good about this? Meagan: Are you confident? Dr. Sterling: Yeah, when you're about to do a vacuum, I've never done forceps. On the West coast, very few people do forceps. On the East coast, a lot more people are still doing forceps. West coast, we have them on labor and delivery, but not something that we did. It was some reasons for that and some of it is medically legal, just the lawsuits from forceps, departments are like, “We don't do forceps anymore. We're not doing that.” There are patients where I've been like, “Let's do a vacuum. I think with a few pulls, this baby's going to come out,” and then there are vacuums where it's like, “Listen, I could do this. There's a shot,” but I didn't feel really good about it and in that setting, I was always super honest with patients that if they were highly, highly motivated for that vaginal birth, they might be willing to take that risk of, “I'm thinking there's a 50/50 shot here,” but me personally, I would want a provider to feel really good that it's going to work. Meagan: It's going to be [inaudible]. Yeah. That makes sense. Another question, we're just drilling out the questions here. This person had felt during her VBAC, and she did have a VBAC, but she felt burning sensations around her previous incision. She wants to know what that could have been. Could it have been scar tissue? Could it have just been that baby was passing through and stretching out that weakened uterine spot? I will admit, I had that a couple of times with my VBAC where it felt like a muscle being strained. Dr. Sterling: That's how my first labor felt was burning— Meagan: In your abdominal cavity. Dr. Sterling: Yep and I've had other patients where that's how they described contractions was this burning, stretching pain. My thought is that I can't answer that question specifically, but that could have nothing to do with the fact that you had a scar in you because that was my first labor experience. It felt like that, but then with my other labor experiences, the contraction pain felt different. People experience contraction pain differently and depending on the baby. My contractions when I had a baby who was sunny-side up when he was occiput posterior, they felt different than the contractions that I had with my other kids. It could have something to do with the scar, but also, it could just have been how your contractions felt. Meagan: Yeah, yeah. Mine seemed like it was a variant. Right before I started pushing. Maybe baby was just descending and the wider part was stretching. I don't even know. I don't know the details as far as her labor. She just said that she had it. Could it have been scar tissue or what could it have been? Dr. Sterling: It's always so difficult to point out what the cause is of a bodily sensation, but I think that there are a lot of different possibilities of what it could be. Some of them are related to a scar and some of them have nothing to do with a scar. Meagan: Yeah. There was another one in regard to talking uterine scar and VBAC. She said that after her first C-section, she was told that the lower uterine segment was thinner, so she was saying, “Could I still VBAC? Is this a total hard no, I absolutely shouldn't VBAC?” What are your thoughts on that? Dr. Sterling: It's an area of active research. It's an area of active research looking at, can we on ultrasound or even MRI measure the lower uterine segment and thus determine the risk of rupture and successful VBAC? It's still a question mark here, but if you do have an extremely thin lower uterine segment, sometimes we open people up after they've had a C-section and there's a window, right? Meagan: Yeah, that's another one of the questions. They said they had a window. I've actually had a window as well. Dr. Sterling: Yeah. So the window depends. Some of the research didn't really define what is a uterine rupture. Is a uterine rupture only when you get in and you open up the belly and the tissue is bleeding and it's clear that it's just ruptured and this was previously tissue that was together? Or what if you open up the abdomen and you look and there's this separation but it looks like it had been there for a while? Is that a uterine rupture or a uterine window? Not all of the research and the data have clearly said, “This is what we consider a uterine rupture. This is what we consider a uterine window.” Meagan: Or dehiscence. Dr. Sterling: Or a dehiscence, exactly. There are all of these different terms. There's a window, dehiscence, and rupture. Meagan: But sometimes it goes to rupture. Dr. Sterling: Yeah, so I think that personally in this gray zone of where the cut-off is for how many millimeters we want to see the lower uterine segment, it's hard for me to separate that from my own personal experiences having patients have uterine ruptures and have them go through these long labors and then open them up and they've got a window. I think that I would lean more towards if my physician was telling me, “Hey, you have a really thin lower uterine segment,” I personally would probably lean more towards a repeat C-section in that setting because to me, if I'm thinking about being in labor and also having the weight of, “What if my uterus ruptures?” If that weight is too heavy, I feel like that's not what I want to feel and that fear. Meagan: That constant questioning. Dr. Sterling: That constant questioning, and “Oh, they said it was thin. Am I making the wrong choice?” That to me would be very heavy. That isn't necessarily how another person would feel. What I think is important to think through for you as an individual is, “Is that fact that you have been told that you have this thin lower uterine segment? Is that going to be really prominent and heavy for you when you are in labor or do you still feel light? Does your body still feel light and you still feel like that's the right choice moving forward, that's the right path?” With my members, when I take them through—we have our confidence in VBAC path—when I take them through that, I have them ask their body. Ask your body, “Is this a yes and a no?” You have to figure out, “What does a yes feel like in your body? What does a no feel like in your body?” Ask your body, “Does this feel good or does this not feel good?” And then that's part of making a confident decision about whether you go forward with a repeat C-section or a trial of labor. That doesn't make the decision for you because you still get to ask your mind and you still get to ask your emotions and you still get to have a collaborative relationship with your provider, but you need to know how your body feels about the decision. Meagan: Yeah, we talk about intuition all of the time and digging deep into what is that saying. What is that intuition saying? A lot of times, that's the first thing where it's like, “I shouldn't have a C-section,” or “I want a C-section”, but then it's like, “Oh, there's this VBAC thing. Maybe.” But our initial gut was saying, “I think I should have a C-section,” or vice versa, “I want a VBAC.” Dr. Sterling: 100%. Meagan: I think that's such a good thing, talking to your body, asking your body. I love that. Okay. I know we don't have a ton of time left over, but a few more questions we have. Would you suggest an ECV for frank breech wanting to VBAC or would you just say C-section or would you say maybe find a provider if there is one in your area that could support that? Dr. Sterling: Yeah, okay. Meagan: Breech is a whole other podcast. Dr. Sterling: Breech is a whole other thing and it's so funny. For me, when people talk about breech vaginal delivery, all OBGYNs have birth trauma themselves. It's called the second victim. We all carry. I don't know a single OBGYN out in the world who doesn't have their own trauma from birth. One of my traumas is breech. Of course, this is an unplanned breech so it's different. I have to always calm myself when breech vaginal birth is brought up because I want to talk about it in an impartial way. An ECV, an external cephalic version, when we do a procedure to turn baby from a non-cephalic, non-head presenting position down into the head presenting position is going to increase your chances of having a vaginal birth. We know that. It also has some risks to it. Some of the risk is that your water breaks. We cause a placental abruption. We cause the placenta to separate. We injure the fetus. That would be super rare, but it's always something that we educate people about. I've never seen it but it could certainly happen. One of the things is that we typically do an external cephalic version before 39 weeks because we know it's more successful. We typically do them around 37 weeks. If your water does break at 37 weeks because you had an ECV, then we've got to do a C-section at 37 weeks and that's a higher-risk situation for your baby. We want babies to get to 39 weeks if we can. There is that risk of an earlier delivery or an emergency C-section because something happened, but it does increase your chances of vaginal birth. To me, it's how confident is your provider that they can turn the baby? It depends. There are different characteristics of a person and of how good of a candidate they are for ECV. If you have a provider who's like, “I'm super confident.” Sometimes I'd be ultrasounding patients and I'm like, “I feel like I could in the office, I'm not going to do it, but I feel like I could push this baby down. There's a lot of laxity to the uterus. Baby seems to be letting me move them.” So sometimes, it's like this is a very clear yes. Sometimes it's a very clear no. Meagan: Then there's all of the gray. Dr. Sterling: Yeah and then there's everything in the middle. So what risk do you feel comfortable with? If you want to be able at the end of the day to say, “I did absolutely everything to get that vaginal birth,” then yeah. ECV may be the way to go for you. Most of the time, even if it doesn't work, everybody's fine. But there's that 1% of the time where we're running back to the OR because baby is having a heart rate deceleration and not recovering. I have certainly been in that situation more than once so it happens. It's not common, but I don't classify it as rare. Meagan: But also not that it doesn't happen. Yeah. It's just less common. Dr. Sterling: Yeah. To me, rare things are things that I may never see but if I see them every year I'm doing it, to me, that is not rare. Meagan: Right. Right. Someone asked if you've ever seen VBAC after multiple Cesareans. ACOG says VBAC after two Cesareans is reasonable for VBAC, but it really kind of falls of the ledge after that. VBAC after three, four, all of the things and we know they happen. They're out there, but there is very little research. So someone just said, “What about a VBAC after three C-sections?” What would you say and again, I think it's important to note that it depends on every certain person that you're with and it also depends on your whole history and the reasons and all of those things, but anything that you would like to bring to the table for VBAC after 3+ Cesareans? Dr. Sterling: After more than two C-sections, yeah. At the end of the day, you have to consent to a Cesarean. You have to consent to a Cesarean. A Cesarean cannot be performed on you without your consent unless you were unconscious and you were brought into the ER and we needed to perform a Cesarean to save your life or you are not medically capable of making your own medical decisions. Meagan: Usually then, they have someone else too. Dr. Sterling: Sometimes. I trained at the place where we got most of the data on VBAC. I trained at LA County Hospital, USC. That's where back in the heyday of 1% of the US population was born there. It was such a maternity ward that we got the data on VBAC because we couldn't get those patients back to the OR. They were giving birth in the halls. So a lot of the VBAC data, the initial VBAC data comes from where I trained. Where I trained, we had a lot of people who would come in and give birth and they were very unfortunate stories and circumstances with drug abuse, homelessness, and mental illness. They would not know how many C-sections they had had. They would be coming in and they would give birth and sometimes after they gave birth, we would dig in through the charts looking for who this person could be and we found out that person had had four Cesareans before. Meagan: Wow. Dr. Sterling: I have been part of that. I have never had a patient who had three C-sections where we did that intentionally. I want to be upfront about that, but I think that it's all about what had happened. Let's say your first birth was a C-section for breech and then you go on to have a vaginal birth and then you had another C-section for breech and then you had another vaginal. If you've had multiple vaginal births, then you've had three C-sections, then I'm like, yeah. You are at increased risk of rupture. You've got three scars on your uterus for sure, but that's a very different situation than somebody who's had three C-sections in a row for failure to progress and then you're like, “You haven't had a vaginal birth. We are just putting you at a lot of risk with very little prospective of it being successful.” I have never been in a situation where somebody has had three C-sections and we've made the decision to proceed despite the risk with vaginal birth, but I have been part of deliveries where they had had multiple C-sections and we didn't know because they were actively giving birth and were not able to communicate how many C-sections they had to us. Meagan: That's an interesting thing to me in my mind. In so many ways, I wonder. Like you said, you didn't know. But if you would have known, would care have changed? Dr. Sterling: Yeah, it probably would have. We would have made a different recommendation because-- Meagan: Because of what you knew. Dr. Sterling: To us, getting up to a 2% risk of rupture or higher, it's a difference of perspective on percentages in a risk. As a physician, 2% is a lot of freaking people. That's 2 out of every 100 and when you're doing hundreds of deliveries a year, that 2% with a potentially very dire outcome, that 2% weighs much more heavily than somebody who's like, “Well, 2% is so small.” There's a whole different weight to that 2%. Meagan: Well, and we talk about that. We talk about how you have to decide what percentage is enough for you. If 2% is fine, then go find that provider that is supportive in that because it might not be like you said, a 2% from your standpoint is a lot but then to someone else, it might not be a lot. Dr. Sterling: Exactly, exactly. Meagan: It's interesting, yeah. Okay well, that's good to know. That's just so interesting. I wouldn't have even thought of that. You don't even know the history and you have to go find out who that person is. Wow, I'm sure that was an experience. Dr. Sterling: Unfortunately, I had that experience quite a bit. Meagan: Oh my goodness, yeah. Crazy. Okay well, last question. This one is what can cause a swollen cervix and what would you suggest if anything to help get that unswollen? Is there anything from an OB standpoint that you can do to help the swelling? This is something that a lot of people are like, “Oh, well I went in and I was 8 centimeters dilated and then all of a sudden, I was a 5.” It's not that you are literally going backward, but swelling can happen based on a lot of things like disruptions of checks and heads and babies' heads and all of these things, but yeah. Anything you would like to speak to about swollen cervix? Dr. Sterling: Yeah, we don't necessarily know why sometimes the cervix swells. It's a really unfortunate situation. What I have seen anecdotally in my experience is oftentimes when a cervix swells and then I have ended up doing a C-section not just for cervical swelling because that's not an indication for a C-section, but if that person did not progress after that is oftentimes, we have found that baby is not in the optimal position to move down the birth canal. That is something I have experienced personally and it's very frustrating because when you're in labor and when you're giving birth, you feel like it's all you and your body. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. I want to remind people that you are only half of the equation at birth and babies can be cooperative and they can be very uncooperative. I have had an uncooperative baby and it was really, really hard. We can try things like Benadryl. We can try. Sometimes, it's like, if everything is safe, if you're on Pitocin, maybe we turn it down. We just give it a little break. We can try some Benadryl. We can try some Tylenol. These are things that are aimed at anti-inflammatory. Meagan: Do you take that orally, I assume? Dr. Sterling: You can, or you can give it intravenously if somebody is not tolerating oral. There are some mixed data out there about Tylenol and about Benadryl and their use in labor. But fixing the swelling once it's occurred doesn't always happen. Sometimes you can dilate past it. You certainly can dilate past it and I have seen that many times, but I think that the important thing to keep in mind is that it's not something that you have done wrong. We don't necessarily know why sometimes that happens. It may be that baby's just not in the ideal position because really, baby is dilating your cervix. It's this nice feedback loop whereas baby descends into the birth canal, it sends signals into your brain to release oxytocin. It's a collaborative process between you and baby. I have had three births and in my first birth, I pushed four contractions and baby was out, phenomenal. Then all of a sudden, my third birth, I was pushing for an hour and nothing. Not a budge. Not a budge. We thought that maybe he was sunny-side up, but we also knew that he was big. He was essentially 11 pounds when he was born, so he was big. I was so down on myself. I was like, “I shouldn't have pushed the epidural button the last time. Why did I forget how to push?” Meagan: You blamed yourself. Dr. Sterling: Oh my gosh and I know better, but I did. I was blaming myself like, “Why can't I do this? How did I forget to push?” OB comes in and she's like, “Yeah, I agree with you. I think he's OP. I can try a manual rotation.” I looked at her and I was like, “Girl, just do it.” Meagan: That's another one of the questions by the way. Dr. Sterling: So she goes in and she does. Listen, she was better at manual rotation than I am. I have not had as much success. The fact that this manual rotation worked was a little bit of a surprise to me because in my experience it has always been really hard to do. She went in. She pushed him up. She turned him down and he came out. I didn't even have to push. The whole time, I'm thinking, “I'm not pushing correctly. How did I forget how to push?” putting all of the pressure on myself. There we go. It wasn't me. It wasn't me. Meagan: I love that. That just gave me the chills. Dr. Sterling: I didn't even have to push. I had to push past my perineum but he came all the way to crowning once he was in the proper position and that was a huge eye-opening moment for me. I instantly felt bad for all of the patients who I had coached and tried to get to push correctly. I was like, “What?” Meagan: Yeah. Dr. Sterling: Yeah, yeah. Meagan: We really do as a society. We need to stop not just in birth but in all things. Motherhood, so many things like, “I'm a bad mom because I did this” or “Oh, this happened.” We put so much pressure and going right back to the very beginning of this whole conversation is being an advocate saying that we have to advocate for ourselves, it puts all of this extra pressure because not only are we saying that you have to go into labor. You have to dilate. You have to efface. You have to bring your baby down in the right position. Then you have to push the baby out. Then you have to nurse the baby. All of these things, right? So it's like, why are we adding all of this extra pressure onto ourselves where you were doing all of the right things? You were doing everything but it was just this little factor that you needed to change and it was out of your control. You were trying to do everything you possibly could. Dr. Sterling: Exactly. Meagan: I love it. And going back, I said the last question but that was one of the questions. Can you as an OB help if I have a posterior baby? I've seen it as a doula. I've seen the same thing. This provider who I think is amazing goes in. He did the same thing. Goes up and I could just see him. He closes his eyes and he does this whole thing with the head and he's like, “Okay, we're good.” It's like okay! That is a thing. The very, very last question is how as a patient if you're like, “I think my baby is OP” or your doula, or your nurse, or your doctor is saying, “I think this baby is OP,” how can you as a patient ask? If we say, “Can you help me rotate this baby? I'm having a hard time doing it with pushing.” Dr. Sterling: Yeah. You do have to be completely dilated. You have to be completely dilated and I find that it can be really difficult to perform, but in the right patient, it is a wonderful tool to have in your toolkit. But there are some providers who are so good at it and there are some providers who haven't done it as much. I was really impressed by this OB. She was a newer graduate. She had just graduated that year from residency and I actually have some friends in common. She had trained where I had friends do their fellowship, so I texted them after and I was like, “She was so good at that manual rotation.” They were like, “Yeah. That program really pushed manual rotation. They do a ton of it so they come out really well trained in that.” I was like, “That's so awesome,” because I feel like in our training, that wasn't something that we did a ton of but I always was like, “Yeah, I can do it” and I would try and once in a while, I would have succeeded but I didn't feel super confident in that skill. That's the thing. Where you train really depends on the skills that you pick up. But anyway, so yeah. I think that if you think that your baby is OP and your provider really does have to feel like they're OP because they don't want to turn a baby that is OA. You don't want to turn it the opposite way. But you can say, “Hey, if we think this baby is OP, can we do a manual rotation and try to get him head down?” I think it's important to ask what the risks are and communicate to your provider if that is something you want. You have to say, “Yeah, I'm okay with those risks,” and then you put your provider in a place of comfort. We get uncomfortable when patients, for me, when a patient is signaling to me that they don't understand the risk or they don't believe the risk is possible, that's when you put your provider into a nervous situation. Meagan: Right, yes. I love that when your patient is confident, it helps you. Yeah. That makes so much sense. Dr. Sterling: If they're like, “Well, I don't think that would happen,” then you're like, “I need you to understand that this very much could happen.” Meagan: Yes, it could happen. This one provider that I was talking to about how there was one time where he was going the way that you would normally go and he was like, “Nope. This baby has to go the other way.” I was like, “What?” And seriously, just rotated it and was like, “All right, now it's good.” Sometimes too, talk to your provider and say, “Can we try one more time?” or “I understand that it's not working. Can we take a little break and try again?” Or whatever, assessing. Dr. Sterling: And asking questions. I think it's really good to just ask questions. If somebody is saying no, it's okay to say, “Can you walk me through your reasoning?” Meagan: Yeah, I love that. Can you tell me why? Dr. Sterling: It's totally okay. It's totally okay to ask that and sometimes when they walk you through your reasoning, you may say, “You know what? I'm actually okay with that risk” or when they walk you through your reasoning, you might be like, “Yeah. I feel you there. I feel much more confident about this decision. It's not the outcome that I wanted, but I am resonating with your thought process and thus I feel more comfortable with this decision,” so that a month later after this birth, I'm not thinking back on that situation and wondering, “Should I have pushed just a little bit harder?” Even if you're not getting the birth outcome that you had envisioned, it's important for you to understand the why-- for many people, I should say, it's important to understand the why so that your birth story becomes part of your story. I don't want people to always be questioning, “Should I have done this? Should I have done that?” I think a lot of the time because we feel uncomfortable asking for more explanation and we're not necessarily always given the explanation then we have all of these questions that we carry with us for literally years. Women who gave birth 20 years ago will comment in my DM's and be asking questions about that and it breaks my heart that they've been carrying that weight for so many years. Meagan: Yeah. I think that is such a great spot to end on is ask questions. It's okay. It's okay to ask those questions. It's okay to have that doubt too. It's okay to have that doubt and have that question because sometimes it's like, “Oh, well it's a stupid question,” but it's not a stupid question because it's a question that you want to know. Dr. Sterling: It's a question you have and there really is no such thing as stupid questions. There really is no such thing. Meagan: Well, thank you so much for taking the time. I know that so many people are going to be just waiting so patiently for this episode to air because we had so many questions we didn't even get to. Again, thank you so much. Dr. Sterling: Oh, you're welcome. It was an honor. Meagan: Can you tell everyone where to find you on social media and maybe talk a little bit more about your program? Dr. Sterling: Yeah, yes. I'm @drsterlingobgyn on TikTok and on Instagram and then I have a membership where I support people through trying to conceive, pregnancy, postpartum, and the whole journey and that's sterlingparents.com. We have a beautiful curriculum that we put people through to help support them through the physical and emotional challenges of the whole journey. We have a really lovely database that I'm really proud of that really can replace all of the internet searches and Google. That database all has three E verifications so all of our information is evidence-based, expert-based, and experience-based so we like to talk about things and with people who have had that experience themselves. Meagan: Yeah, I love it. Awesome. We'll make sure to drop all of those links in the show notes, so listeners, check out the show notes. We'll also have you on our social media today and we'll have everything tagged as well. If you're not knowing how to do it in the show notes, go to our Instagram. Thank you again, so much. Dr. Sterling: Oh you're so welcome. Thanks for having me.ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling continues the conversation of knowing when you are "ready" to grow your family. We often believe readiness is an achievement you can unlock by doing certain things. The reality is, even seasoned moms will have days they do not feel ready for motherhood. Tune in for this shortened episode and take time to explore the thoughts, emotions and questions that arise for you.Resources:Sterling Parents Membership - Sterling ParentsHost: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents MembershipMusic:Good For You by THBD https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultanCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2PgU6MuMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ

Have you ever said, "I'll start trying to conceive once we buy a house." or "Let's start trying to conceive once I change jobs."? In this episode, Dr. Sterling breaks down the internal and external reasons we grapple with when planning to grow our family. Often times, external reasons represent an internal feeling. If you are ready to explore the question of "Am I ready to start trying to conceive?", tune in to this episode for tips on navigating this decision. We rarely arrive to decisions with 100% certainty without taking the time to listen to ourselves. Dr. Sterling is here to guide you and reduce your mental load. Resources:Sterling Parents Membership - Sterling ParentsHost: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents MembershipMusic:Good For You by THBD https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultanCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2PgU6MuMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ

In this episode, Dr. Sterling shares an expert from a discussion inside the Sterling Parents membership. As she prepared for her final postpartum experience, she sat down with members for a powerful conversation about what it takes to move through postpartum and the skills that can support you through such a vulnerable time. There is no better time to prepare for postpartum, then during pregnancy. Tune in to learn valuable tips from parents who've navigated the ins and outs of postpartum and get a sneak peek inside the membership experience!Resources:Sterling Parents Membership - Sterling ParentsHost: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents MembershipMusic:Good For You by THBD https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultanCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2PgU6MuMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ

In this episode, Dr. Sterling discusses the concerns that weigh on us during pregnancy and the decision of when to call our Ob providers. If you've ever hesitated calling your Ob because you didn't want to be a bother - this episode is for you! It's time we let go of the mental load we burden ourselves with and learn a better way to manage our worries. In her newest class she will teach a better way of researching your questions to reduce the mental load AND how to take your worries and turn them into a simple plan. Check it out at drsterlingclass.com.Resources:My New Class! - drsterlingclass.comSterling Parents Membership - Sterling ParentsHost: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents MembershipMusic:Good For You by THBD https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultanCreative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0Free Download / Stream: http://bit.ly/2PgU6MuMusic promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ

Dr. Sterling is back to shed light on the mental load of pregnancy! In this episode, she breaks down the weight of the mental load throughout the reproductive journey. You might be surprised that this dynamic starts well before parenting and feeling like the "default" parent. Of course, when Dr. Sterling brings a problem to your attention, she always shows up with a solution. Her newest class is aimed at reducing the stress associated with the mental load of pregnancy. Check it out at https://www.drsterlingclass.com/ (drsterlingclass.com). Resources: My New Class! - https://www.drsterlingclass.com/ (drsterlingclass.com) Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

EP237. Dr. Christine Sterling is an OBGYN, mom of three, and the founder of Sterling Parents. In this episode, Renee and Dr. Sterling chat about the standard of healthcare and how it can be improved, midwives and OBGYNs, the mental load of being uncertain, how to be confident as a parent, and so much more! Oh, and they're both married to physicians so, of course that topic came up. RENEE REINA www.themomroom.com Instagram: @themomroompodcast | @reneereina_ TikTok: @reneereina_ Facebook Community Youtube: Renee Reina- The Mom Room Podcast DR. CHRISTINE STERLING Instagram: @drsterlingobgyn SPONSORS Pull-Ups. MixSupps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Christine Sterling is a board-certified ObGyn and founder of Sterling Parents, a membership that provides the heartfelt support, expert advice, and timeless wisdom people deserve as they grow their families. After becoming a mother herself, she discovered firsthand how little support western medicine offers to women moving through the life-altering transition into motherhood. Now a ‘mom on a mission' dedicated to ensuring women get the maternal care and support they deserve, Dr. Sterling has developed a signature Body, Mind & Heart model of care, combining cutting-edge science and ancient wisdom with her years of patient care, thousands of births, and long-standing meditation practice. Join her community at sterlingparents.com, follow her daily stories on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Sterling introduces "The Sterling Birth Method". Five years in the making, this birth method will revolutionize how people plan, navigate and process birth. Even with all the knowledge of an ObGyn, after the birth of her daughter, she realized traditional birth preparation was not enough. It's time to take "the perfect birth" off a pedestal and prepare birthing people for all possible outcomes. Tune in to hear the framework for The Sterling Birth Method and check out https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) for more on the upcoming workshops. Resources: A Better Birth Workshop - https://www.drsterlingclass.com (drsterlingclass.com) Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode, Dr. Sterling shares her advice for preventing and preparing for postpartum depression and anxiety. While there has been great work done to de-stigmatize mental health conditions in postpartum - it's time to talk prevention. Her three pillars in preventing PPD and PPA are important steps all pregnant people should take. Whether you have experienced depression or anxiety in the past, or simply want to be prepared for all possible postpartum experiences, this episode is one you won't want to miss. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling is joined by Kayleigh Summers, licensed clinical social worker and creator of https://www.instagram.com/thebirthtrauma_mama/ (@thebirthtrauma_mama). They sit down for an incredible conversation about preventing and navigating birth trauma -both coming from vastly different birth trauma experiences of their own. Birth trauma is not always preventable and does not rest solely on the individual to manage. They talk about the many aspects that can contribute to trauma at birth and the steps we can take to empower birthing people. Kayleigh is passionate about the ways in which early treatment of birth trauma can change the trajectory of healing for an individual and their entire family. Check out her resources on both her instagram and website! Resources: https://thebirthtraumamama.com (The Birth Trauma Mama) https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents Membership) https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode, Dr. Sterling shares her top tips for traveling while pregnant. Even the most seasoned travelers need to make adjustments during pregnancy. Whether you are navigating a difficult pregnancy or feel up to new adventures, there are many things to consider throughout each trimester when traveling. Tune in for an ObGyn's list of important things to consider before catching that next flight! Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode, Dr. Sterling shares how best to prepare for the unexpected. She breaks down her 4 pillars of birth preparation and how understanding what it looks like during an emergency plays a very important role. Whether you have navigated an emergency in labor before or want to prepare for your first labor experience, this is a MUST listen for all pregnant people. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode, Dr. Sterling shares a valuable perspective shift for managing miscarriage fears. If you have ever worried about miscarriage and felt like you couldn't celebrate a pregnancy, this episode is for you. A fear of pregnancy loss is normal. You deserve support throughout your pregnancy to manage these fears. Stay tuned through the end to hear my favorite mantra for navigating miscarriage fears. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling is joined by Blessing Adesiyan, CEO of Mother Honestly; an incredible platform that propels women forward in motherhood, work and life. When she struggled to balance family responsibilities and work, Blessing had the realization that she can't be the only one feeling this way. As her community grew larger, it was evident that we so often push ourselves to our limits in an attempt to "have it all". If you are navigating growing your family and changing responsibilities, this episode is full of pearls of wisdom that you won't want to miss. Resources: Motherly Honestly - https://motherhonestly.com/toolkits/ (Toolkits) Blessing Adesiyan - https://www.instagram.com/blessing.adesiyan/ (@blessing.adesiyan) https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents Membership) https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling sits down with Ashley Iaconetti from The Bachelor franchise to chat about her not-so-enjoyable pregnancy experience. Many people in the entertainment industry put up a front on social media, but Ashley keeps it real with her unfiltered day to day life. To her, trying to conceive and pregnancy wasn't any different than sharing her usual ups and downs. While TV and movies can make pregnancy look glamorous, her experience was far from that. If you have ever been miserable during pregnancy, you are not alone! Tune in to this conversation to hear what she has learned from her personal experience and the advice she now gives to all her friends. Resources: Ashley Iaconetti Haibon - https://www.instagram.com/ashley_iaconetti/?hl=en (@ashley_iaconetti) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents Membership) https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

S5E24 Nancy sits on the other side of the mic when Christine Sterling interviews Nancy about life in the world of interior design. Some of her answers will surprise you. Here are some of the questions Christine asked Nancy: How old were you when you decided to get into interior design? What is the challenging part of being a designer? If you had a time machine, what year would you go back to and why? What motivates you? This podcast sponsored by Monogram Appliances Studio 41 email comments & questions to Nancy@NancyHugo.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/homedesignchat-with-nancy/support

In this episode and the final installment of her pregnancy diary, Dr. Sterling shares her unexpected birth story and the big lesson she took away from the experience. After navigating three vastly different births of her own and those of her patients, she has her top "musts" when preparing for birth. It might surprise you to hear that even an experienced provider had to advocate for herself while making medical decisions. Tune in to find out why! Resources: The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://www.drsterlingclass.com/ (drsterlingclass.com) Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling has an important conversation with Erika Davis of Whole Body Pregnancy (https://www.instagram.com/_wholebodypregnancy_/ (@_wholebodypregnancy_)) about her experience as a Black woman and birth worker. Erika's willingness to share her personal experience navigating the health care system and what brought her into the world of birth work makes this a truly incredible episode! Every year Erika offers her services, classes, workshops and doula work free of charge for Black, POC and queer families who are without means. She does this work because she knows how important it is for marginalized people, specifically Black people who give birth, to have the support they need. You can support her work by donating here: Venmo: @erika-davis-22 Paypal: paypal.me/wholebodypregnancy CashApp: wholebodypregnancy Resources: Erika Davis - Whole Body Pregnancy (https://www.wholebodypregnancy.com/childbirtheducation (Childbirth Education for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC people) & https://www.wholebodypregnancy.com/whole-body-pregnancy-childbirth-education-training (Childbirth Educator Training)) Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 35. She shares her experience navigating birth fears and why it's so important to treat ourselves with compassion before such a life changing event. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling sits down with Peloton instructor, Anna Greenberg, to chat all things yoga, pregnancy and work-life balance. As a prominent instructor in NYC who emphasizes the importance of the mind body connection, Anna shares how a background in yoga and meditation has helped her navigate her current pregnancy. People so often tune out of their body's signals and needs until pregnancy brings it to the forefront. Anna's willingness to share her personal experience and wisdom make's this discussion one you won't want to miss! Resources: https://www.onepeloton.com/instructors/yoga/agreenberg (Peloton - Anna Greenberg ) & Instagram https://www.instagram.com/annagreenberg/?hl=en (@annagreenberg) https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents Membership) https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (The Best FREE Pregnancy Class) https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 31. She shares her experience with pubic symphysis discomfort and breech presentation. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling sits down with Dr. Sahar Martinez Psy.D, LMFT to dive into the question of knowing when your family is complete. Their conversation leads to topics that many aren't used to hearing talked about. This incredibly valuable discussion can guide you through the process of deciding if you want more children, how to navigate the conversation with a partner and how to let go of the guilt - especially when there are factors out of your control. This might just be the most powerful episode yet. You won't want to miss it! Resources: https://www.instagram.com/drsaharmartinez/?hl=en (@drsaharmartinez) https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents Membership) https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (The Best FREE Pregnancy Class) https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 29. She shares her experience with monitoring fetal movement and reviews the best practices for fetal kick counting and why it can be so important after 28 weeks. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode, Dr. Sterling lets loose with a rant about why she hates the 6 week postpartum appointment. If you've been following her on instagram (@drsterlingobgyn), you've heard an impassioned discussion or two about the care people receive in postpartum. As she navigates her own postpartum journey, she's been thinking a lot about the lack of postpartum care and what drove her to leave her practice and start SterlingParents.com. At a time when people need the most support, why does the medical system go silent? Tune in to hear why the 6 week appointment is bullish!t and ways we can fight for change. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 27. She shares her experience with sleep during pregnancy, why it can often become more difficult throughout your pregnancy and all the ways you can maximize your restorative sleep. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling sits down with authors, Amy Beacom and Sue Campbell, to discuss their book - The Parental Leave Playbook. Their unique, evidence-based approach to the parental leave transition helps new parents navigate leave and return, like pro's. They cover everything from when to start planning for your leave (it's sooner than you might think!) to dealing with an employer that just doesn't "get it". Whether you are currently pregnant and preparing for your leave or navigating the transition from a "working person" to a "working parent" this conversation is a must listen! "The Parental Leave Playbook helps parents take control of their leave and make the most of what's considered a career time-out, but is actually a vital “time-in” for your life. If you're an expecting or new parent concerned about how your leave and return plans will affect your visibility, candidacy for promotion, work relationships, and performance (not to mention your identity and home life), this book will guide you into the smoothest transition possible. Most importantly, this book will help you as you grow and strengthen yourself and your family while remaining a professional." - Center for Parental Leave Leadership Resources: https://cplleadership.com/book/ (The Parental Leave Playbook - Center for Parental Leave Leadership (cplleadership.com)) https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents Membership) https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (The Best FREE Pregnancy Class) https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode, Dr. Sterling breaks down the overwhelming need to search for the 'right answer' that leads us down a google spiral. During pregnancy, of course you want the best for your baby. But when you pair this desire with endless information, you are left with a vicious cycle and feel more lost than when you began. It's time to end this cycle and learn how to find the answers you need without adding more stress into your life. You won't want to miss this one! Sterling Parents - head to your membership resource library for more support on processing your stress and for all the evidenced based answers to your questions. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 25. She shares her experience with "failing" the 1 hr glucose test for gestational diabetes and what that really means. If you've ever not passed a glucose test or are preparing for an upcoming one - don't miss this episode! Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of Suicidal Thoughts In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling discusses nausea in pregnancy - one of the most debilitating symptoms. As both an ObGyn and mom who has been there, who better to break down the treatment options with realistic expectations? From ginger chews and sea bands to prescription medications, tune in to learn about the potential side effects of each option and how to navigate finding the treatment that is right for you. If you've experienced nausea in the past or are currently navigating it, you are not alone. Sterling Parents - listen over on the private podcast to hear a deep dive into the prescription medication, Zofran. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

CONTENT WARNING: Pregnancy Loss In this episode, Dr. Sterling answers the most common questions she is asked about early pregnancy loss. So often when we experience a pregnancy loss, we are not in the mindset to ask our provider questions. You should never be left in the dark about your medical care, treatment options or what to expect. If you are currently navigating a loss or have in the past, you are not alone. Dr. Sterling is here to walk you through the types of early pregnancy loss, the available medications and procedures, and what to expect before, during and after a loss. We hope you can find comfort in being informed and understanding your options. Sterling Parents - head to your membership resource library for more support with a pregnancy loss and join our monthly support group. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 23. She shares her experience with contracting Covid while pregnant and how she plans to manage the symptoms. It can often feel like when one pregnancy symptom disappears, another one pops up. Might this unpredictable nature of pregnancy prepare you for parenthood? Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling sits down with Dr. Anna Grant, DPT (https://www.instagram.com/annagrantdpt/ (@annagrantdpt)) to discuss how to prepare your pelvic floor for labor. She shares her valuable wisdom about pelvic floor health and how awareness of your connection to your pelvic floor can promote wellness through postpartum. Not only does she provide tips to reduce tearing, but a guide for when to reach out to a pelvic floor physical therapist. Don't wait until there is a problem to address pelvic floor wellness - tune in now for prevention! Sterling Parents - head to SterlingParents.com to view our other resources on pelvic floor health from Dr. Anna Grant and more!. Resources: Dr. Anna Grant - https://www.instagram.com/annagrantdpt/ (https://www.instagram.com/annagrantdpt/ ) Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode, Dr. Sterling dismantles the outdated rule of waiting until the 2nd trimester to share your pregnancy news. She explains how to make the decision that is right for YOU and why it might not be same some for every person or even every pregnancy. The difficulty of your pregnancy, your personality, your job and more all factor into making a decision that is best for you. Dr. Sterling is here to guide you along your journey! Sterling Parents - head to your membership resource library for more support on when to share your pregnancy news and all the aspects to consider! Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 19. She shares how her symptoms have improved but definitely doesn't feel that boost of energy people often talk about. Is it possible that your experience during pregnancy can help you prepare for the unpredictable nature of parenting? Tune in to hear why Dr. Sterling believes it does. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling sits down with the incredible Dr. Cassidy Freitas, MFT (@drcassidy) to discuss all things boundaries. There are times in our lives that boundaries can be more difficult and pregnancy is definitely one of them. Listen in to learn how to set and enforce boundaries in your life in a simple and relatable way. You won't want to miss Dr. Cassidy's life changing advice that can enhance your relationships and quality of life. Sterling Parents - listen on the private podcast to hear advice on the guilt that comes with setting boundaries during the newborn phase and during infertility and pregnancy loss. Resources: Dr. Cassidy Freitas - www.drcassidymft.com/ Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this episode, Dr. Sterling breaks down self care. You might think you know all about the buzzword, but what she shares in this episode will redefine how you view self care. In a time when your energy is lacking - hello pregnancy - it's so important you prioritize activities that refuel you rather than drain you. Tune in to learn about why self care is crucial in pregnancy & parenting and the elements to creating a sustainable routine that is right for you! Sterling Parents - listen on the private podcast to hear Dr. Sterling's definition of "anti-self care" and how to identify activities that are numbing rather than refueling. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 17. She shares how she has managed her nausea up until this point and the importance of staying in tune with your body. Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

Exhaustion in pregnancy is no joke. You feel like you need to read all the books and prepare all the things, but your energy is going towards growing a human. What happens when we decrease the energy available to us AND add more to our plate? In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling breaks down this vicious cycle and what we can do about it. Stress is not our fault but how we manage it is within our control. Tune in to start questioning the messages that keep us stuck in this cycle and learn concrete ways to work your way out. Sterling Parents - listen on the private podcast to hear Dr. Sterling's tips to ways you can get back more time and energy starting today! Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

Dr. Christine Sterling, a board-certified OBGYN, joins the Plus Mommy Podcast to discuss how the healthcare system fails patients and providers. She shares tips on how to advocate for yourself and addresses fat-phobia in the medical community.

In this episode of Becoming Moms, Dr. Sterling shares a conversation she had with childbirth educator, Jen McLellan, on having an empowered plus size pregnancy. She is a wealth of knowledge to help question fatphobia in our culture and learn how it impacts prenatal care. Her mission to raise awareness and create change is as simple as it is profound; we need more compassion in our care for pregnant people in larger bodies. Listen in to learn about what aspects of the medical system needs to change and how to currently navigate a broken system when you have a plus size pregnancy. Your body is just as incredible in pregnancy as anyone else. Follow Jen on Instagram to learn more! @plussizebirth Resources: www.plussizebirth.com Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

In this bonus episode, Dr. Sterling shares a look inside her personal pregnancy journey. This pregnancy diary will give you a glimpse into her mental and physical state as she shares her true experiences and raw emotions. If you are pregnant, know that you are not alone. This is week 15. She shares a dizzy spell that forced her to address the physical limitations of her current pregnancy and why self care is so important. If you are feeling drained from pregnancy, you'll definitely relate to her experience! Resources: Sterling Parents Membership - https://sterlingparents.com/ (Sterling Parents) The Best FREE Pregnancy Class - https://thebestpregnancyclass.com/ (4 Ways EW Registration Page (thebestpregnancyclass.com)) Selfcare Rituals for Pregnancy Guide - https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare (https://www.thesterlinglife.com/pregnancyselfcare ) Host: Dr. Christine Sterling, Board Certified ObGyn & Founder of Sterling Parents Membership Music: Good For You by THBDhttps://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan ( https://soundcloud.com/thbdsultan) Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream:http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu ( http://bit.ly/2PgU6Mu) Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ ( https://youtu.be/-K_YSjqKgvQ)

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, but it's not always an enjoyable experience for everyone. Many different symptoms can happen; heartburn, morning sickness, back pain, stress, and more. But thankfully, there are some tips that can help you get through. We have Dr. Christine Sterling, board-certified ObGyn and mom of three, as our special guest, and she is sharing her tips on how to make your pregnancy easier and healthier. Dr. Sterling is on a mission is to provide comprehensive support for the physical and emotional challenges of pregnancy. With so much information about what you should and shouldn't do during pregnancy, it's easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure it all out. That's why Dr. Sterling is doing her part and started Sterling Parents and her courses. Today, Dr. Sterling is answering all of our questions, including handling stress during pregnancy and sharing the importance of nourishing ourselves during pregnancy and beyond. We're honored to have her as our guest and hear her expert recommendations. We know you'll leave this episode feeling more prepared and empowered for your pregnancy!