Podcasts about vaginal

Whether you're preparing for birth or in the thick of postpartum recovery, this episode is packed with real talk and practical advice. We're joined by Liesel from Mommy Labor Nurse (@mommy.labornurse) to answer some of the most common questions about labor, C-sections, vaginal delivery, and what actually happens after the baby is born. We cover: How to advocate for yourself during labor (without conflict) Must-have items for C-section and vaginal birth recovery How to care for stitches and prevent infection What no one tells you about postpartum bleeding Pain management tips and why you shouldn't try to be a hero Why stool softeners are your best friend (seriously) From grabber tools to emotional resilience, this is the kind of candid postpartum prep we all deserve. Want more? Enjoy the full episode at PedsDocTalk.com 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Preview 00:46 – Advocating for Yourself During Labor 03:04 – C-Section Recovery Must-Haves 05:28 – Postpartum Tips for Vaginal Deliveries 07:12 – How to Care for Stitches (C-Section & Vaginal) 10:28 – One Thing I Wish I Knew Postpartum 13:47 – Why the First 24 Hours Postpartum Are Wild 14:22 – Surprised by Postpartum Bleeding? You're Not Alone 15:16 – Wrap Up & Takeaways We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

About Ciara Foy: Ciara Foy is a 47-year-old Nutritionist, Author, and Women's Health & Hormone Specialist. But she's not your average nutritionist. As a former corporate world insider turned entrepreneur, she intimately understands the health challenges faced by high achievers and hustlers. She's been there – battling mid-afternoon crashes from quick lunch fixes and foggy mornings after that “relaxing” glass of wine. Her mission is to help ambitious individuals like you transform their health and lives by revealing the direct connection between self-care and peak performance – not just at work, but in every aspect of life. If you're prepared to discover how GOOD it feels to revolutionize your approach to health, hustle, and mindset, Ciara is your girl. Let's redefine what it means to be a high achiever   What We Discuss In This Episode:   Perimenopause Symptoms and Challenges Over 100 potential symptoms, many lesser-known: Frozen shoulder due to low estrogen and increased inflammation Pain syndromes affecting 75% of women (recent 2023 study) Vaginal dryness, increased UTI risk, and pain during Anxiety and mood changes due to progesterone decline Dry eyes, skin, and hair Changes in microbiome affecting body composition and immune function Sleep disturbances   Hormonal Shifts and Their Impact  Progesterone typically declines first, leading to anxiety and stress sensitivity Estrogen fluctuates, eventually declining, causing various symptoms Cortisol (stress hormone) often increases, affecting overall hormonal balance Thyroid function can be impacted, potentially leading to autoimmune issues like Hashimoto's   Strategies for Managing Perimenopause   Focus on controllable factors: sleep, nutrition, stress management   Maintain steady blood sugar to reduce inflammation and mood swings   Prioritize self-care and set boundaries   Develop a growth mindset and believe in the possibility of improvement   Seek education to advocate for oneself with healthcare providers   The Importance of Mindset and Self-Advocacy Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth Recognize that the body is always trying to help, not work against you Get curious about symptoms and what the body is communicating Educate oneself to have informed conversations with healthcare provide   Resources from Ciara Foy: Ready to Heal Your Hormones, Balance Stress & Become Unstoppable? Grab A Free eCopy Of Ciara's Book Now! Learn how stress reduction = weight loss and increased fertility Finally, start to crave foods that make you feel fabulous Discover how to fuel your body to stay at peak performance Conquer PMS and heal burnout! https://ciara-foy.mykajabi.com/free-ebook-opt-in Metabolic Mastery for Women Over 40: https://ciara-foy.mykajabi.com/metabolic-mastery   Connect With Ciara Foy: Website: https://www.ciarafoy.com   Connect with Lynne: If you're looking for a community of like-minded women on a journey - just like you are - to improved health and wellness, overall balance, and increased confidence, check out Lynne's private community in The Energized Healthy Women's Club. It's a supportive and collaborative community where the women in this group share tips and solutions for a healthy and holistic lifestyle. (Discussions include things like weight management, eliminating belly bloat, balancing hormones, wrangling sugar gremlins,  overcoming fatigue, recipes, strategies, perimenopause & menopause, and much more ... so women can feel energized, healthy, and lighter, with a new sense of purpose. Website:  https://holistic-healthandwellness.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holistichealthandwellnessllc The Energized Healthy Women's Club:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/energized.healthy.women Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnewadsworth LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnewadsworth   Free Resources from Lynne Wadsworth: ✨ Ready to Thrive in Midlife? Let's Make It Happen!

Keywordsentrepreneurship, wellness, intuition, business growth, community impact, marketing strategies, Thrive, self-care, alternative medicine, personal development, health advocacy, incontinence treatments, vaginal rejuvenation, men's health, mental health, ExoMind, community wellness, self-care, Thrive, innovative treatmentsSummaryIn this episode of the Ask Yourself Why Not podcast, hosts Jayla and Shaye welcome Jessica Barclay, CEO and founder of Thrive, a wellness spa. They discuss the importance of intuition in decision-making, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the evolution of Thrive's services. Jessica shares her experiences in building her businesses, the impact of community, and effective marketing strategies for new concepts. The conversation highlights the significance of self-care and innovative wellness solutions in today's society. In this conversation, Jayla and Shaye discuss the importance of being an advocate for personal health, emphasizing the need for individuals to research and question medical practices. She introduces innovative treatments for incontinence, including a fully clothed service that utilizes a Kegel throne. The discussion then shifts to vaginal rejuvenation and men's health solutions, highlighting the use of PRP injections for enhancing sexual wellness. Jayla also shares insights on ExoMind, a new mental health treatment, and concludes with a vision for community wellness and the importance of prioritizing self-care.TakeawaysYour word is your wand, speak positivity into existence.Act in spite of fear and keep going.Listening to your intuition is crucial for decision-making.The journey of entrepreneurship often starts accidentally.Community connection is vital for business success.Marketing requires portraying value to potential customers.Self-care is essential for personal and professional growth.There are always early adopters for new concepts.The pain of regret outweighs the fear of failure.Innovative wellness solutions can transform lives. You have to be your own advocate in health matters.Safety should always come first in medical treatments.Innovative treatments can address various types of incontinence.Vaginal rejuvenation can enhance comfort and wellness.Men's health solutions are evolving with new technologies.ExoMind offers promising results for mental health issues.Community wellness initiatives can inspire local growth.Self-care is essential for overall well-being.Investing in personal health can lead to better outcomes.Collaboration among local businesses fosters community support.Empowering Your Journey: The Ask Yourself Why Not PodcastIntuition and Entrepreneurship: A Conversation with Jessica BarclayBuilding Thrive: A Wellness RevolutionThe Power of Community in Business GrowthMarketing Wellness: Strategies for Success"Your word is your wand.""Act in spite of fear and keep going.""We make it look easy, but it's not.""If something good can happen, it will.""You do have to be your own advocate.""We always put safety first.""It's a fully clothed service.""It's so important. Foundational.""We can tighten the vaginal canal.""It's a more comfortable version of TMS."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest03:06 The Power of Intuition and Decision Making05:55J ourney of Entrepreneurship and Business Growth09:09 The Evolution of Thrive and Its Services11:48 Community Impact and Personal Connection to Wheeling15:02 Marketing Strategies for New Concepts17:51 Popular Services and Future Directions21:07 Innovative Wellness Solutions and Their Importance26:11 Advocating for Personal Health30:20 Innovative Treatments for Incontinence31:46 Vaginal Rejuvenation and Men's Health Solutions34:57 Exploring ExoMind and Mental Health Innovations41:07 Building a Community and Future Vision49:38 Prioritizing Self-Care and Wellness

Keywordsentrepreneurship, wellness, intuition, business growth, community impact, marketing strategies, Thrive, self-care, alternative medicine, personal development, health advocacy, incontinence treatments, vaginal rejuvenation, men's health, mental health, ExoMind, community wellness, self-care, Thrive, innovative treatmentsSummaryIn this episode of the Ask Yourself Why Not podcast, hosts Jayla and Shaye welcome Jessica Barclay, CEO and founder of Thrive, a wellness spa. They discuss the importance of intuition in decision-making, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the evolution of Thrive's services. Jessica shares her experiences in building her businesses, the impact of community, and effective marketing strategies for new concepts. The conversation highlights the significance of self-care and innovative wellness solutions in today's society. In this conversation, Jayla and Shaye discuss the importance of being an advocate for personal health, emphasizing the need for individuals to research and question medical practices. She introduces innovative treatments for incontinence, including a fully clothed service that utilizes a Kegel throne. The discussion then shifts to vaginal rejuvenation and men's health solutions, highlighting the use of PRP injections for enhancing sexual wellness. Jayla also shares insights on ExoMind, a new mental health treatment, and concludes with a vision for community wellness and the importance of prioritizing self-care.TakeawaysYour word is your wand, speak positivity into existence.Act in spite of fear and keep going.Listening to your intuition is crucial for decision-making.The journey of entrepreneurship often starts accidentally.Community connection is vital for business success.Marketing requires portraying value to potential customers.Self-care is essential for personal and professional growth.There are always early adopters for new concepts.The pain of regret outweighs the fear of failure.Innovative wellness solutions can transform lives. You have to be your own advocate in health matters.Safety should always come first in medical treatments.Innovative treatments can address various types of incontinence.Vaginal rejuvenation can enhance comfort and wellness.Men's health solutions are evolving with new technologies.ExoMind offers promising results for mental health issues.Community wellness initiatives can inspire local growth.Self-care is essential for overall well-being.Investing in personal health can lead to better outcomes.Collaboration among local businesses fosters community support.Empowering Your Journey: The Ask Yourself Why Not PodcastIntuition and Entrepreneurship: A Conversation with Jessica BarclayBuilding Thrive: A Wellness RevolutionThe Power of Community in Business GrowthMarketing Wellness: Strategies for Success"Your word is your wand.""Act in spite of fear and keep going.""We make it look easy, but it's not.""If something good can happen, it will.""You do have to be your own advocate.""We always put safety first.""It's a fully clothed service.""It's so important. Foundational.""We can tighten the vaginal canal.""It's a more comfortable version of TMS."Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest03:06 The Power of Intuition and Decision Making05:55J ourney of Entrepreneurship and Business Growth09:09 The Evolution of Thrive and Its Services11:48 Community Impact and Personal Connection to Wheeling15:02 Marketing Strategies for New Concepts17:51 Popular Services and Future Directions21:07 Innovative Wellness Solutions and Their Importance26:11 Advocating for Personal Health30:20 Innovative Treatments for Incontinence31:46 Vaginal Rejuvenation and Men's Health Solutions34:57 Exploring ExoMind and Mental Health Innovations41:07 Building a Community and Future Vision49:38 Prioritizing Self-Care and Wellness

Send Kiona a Text Message!Support the showThank you so much for tuning in to this episode! If you like this podcast, don't hesitate to share it and leave a review so it can bring the podcast to the attention of others. If you want to share your own birth story or experience on the Birth As We Know It™️ Podcast, head over to https://birthasweknowitpodcast.com/ or fill out this Guest Request Form. Support the podcast and become a part of the BAWKI™️ Community by becoming a Patron on the Birth As We Know It Patreon Page! And don't forget to join in on the fun in the Private Facebook Group!

In today's episode, I explore the vaginal microbiome with Ara Katz, co-founder of Seed Health. We discuss the scientific understanding of microbiomes in the vagina and its critical role in reproductive and overall health. Ara shares her personal journey in microbial science, explains the importance of maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome, and shares how various factors can disrupt this delicate ecosystem and the potential impact it can have on fertility and reproductive health. Episode Highlights: Ara Katz background in science and passion for understanding the human microbiome Her mother's pancreatic cancer sparked her interest in science and understanding the human body The concept of the microbiome and the complexity and importance of understanding microbes in our body How the vaginal microbiome differs from the gut microbiome Learn about the various factors that can disrupt the vaginal microbiome Explore the connection between vaginal microbiome and fertility, including how antibiotics and other treatments can impact reproductive health Insights on proper vaginal hygiene If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below. PLUS FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM PAGE HERE FOR BITE SIZED TTC TIPS! Related Links: Sign up for Private Fertility Coaching with Nora here and get access to Vaginal Microbiome testing and a personalized treatment plan Discount code for 25% off your first month of VS-01, DS-01, or PDS-08 on www.seed.com  is “TTC25” For full show notes and guest related links: https://www.naturallynora.ca/blog/140 Grab Your FREE Resources: Just starting your TTC journey? Download my Eat To Get Pregnant Guide  Having trouble getting and staying pregnant? Download my Top 3 Things To Do When You're Not Getting Pregnant Wondering what supplements to take to help you conceive? Download my Fertility Foundations Supplement Guide   Please Note: The contents of this podcast are for educational and informational purposes only. The information is not to be interpreted as, or mistaken for, clinical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.  

Connect with the Hosts! Dr. Charlie Website Instagram Membership  Nurse Lauren Website Instagram Email List Amazon StoreFront Membership E-Book on Natural Remedies Check out our website: https://www.redpillyourhealthcast.com/ Welcome back to Red Pill Your Healthcast! Dr. Charlie Fagenholz and Nurse Lauren Johnson are tackling listener-submitted health questions. This week, we dive into: Nasal Polyps Vaginal Itchiness Parasite Cleansing During Pregnancy Chronic Constipation What's Best for MTHFR? Mentioned Supplements & Tools: Shop VerVita Supplements Shop Supreme Supplements Lauren's Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/naturalnursemomma Dr. Charlie's Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/cfagenholz Nasal Polyps Xlear Nasal Spray (Found in Fullscript) Bee Propolis: Shop Here Nurse Lauren's Allergy Shop in Amazon: Shop Here Golden Thread Supreme: Shop Here Usnea Supreme: Shop Here Japanese Knotweed: Shop Here Find Nasal Ozone Near You Vaginal Itchy: Fringe Pelvic Wand: Shop Here (Use code CHARLIE10 for 10% off) Parasite Cleanse while Pregnant  Illicium Supreme: Shop Here Vital Guard Supreme: Shop Here Reishi Supreme: Shop Here Scutellaria Supreme: Shop Here (tincture also available) Olive Leaf Supreme: Shop Here VerVita Black Cumin Oil: Shop Here VerVita Klenz + : Shop Here Chronic Constipation: Magnesium Citrate:  (Found in Fullscript)  VerVita Gastro Digest: Shop Here VerVita Black Walnut: Shop Here What is best to take for MTHFR VerVita RegenerZyme Heart: Shop Here Search full library of our favorite supplements -   Lauren's Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/naturalnursemomma   Dr. Charlie's Fullscript: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/cfagenholz Thanks for listening y'all!

To start off the new season we're getting into the science of one of the most controversial and taboo sex topics around. Squirting! For some people, it's a major sex goal — but for others, it's a source of major embarrassment. And it turns out that people have been writing or talking about squirting and female ejaculation for CENTURIES. So in this episode, we're going to find out: what IS squirting (like, what is this fluid??), how common is it, and if you want to start doing it … how can you? We'll hear from Sex Educator and World Record Holder, Lola Jean. As well as Professor Caroline Pukall, Dr. Nan Wise, Professor Helen O'Connell, and Dr. Samuel Salama.  Find our transcript here: bit.ly/4iIVQcc In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome to Cirque du Squirt (08:26) History of female ejaculation (13:18) Suspect 1: Vaginal lubrication (15:55) Suspect 2: Pee (24:41) Suspect 3: Chemical X? (29:47) Female prostate (36:00) Why does it feel like that? (39:26) What about penises? (42:03) Can you learn to squirt? Credits: This episode was produced by Ekedi Fausther-Keeys, with help from Blythe Terrell, Wendy Zukerman, Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, and Rose Rimler. We're edited by Blythe Terrell. Video editing, audio mix and graphics by Bobby Lord. Graphics help from Michelle Dang. Illustrations by Scarlette Baccini. Fact checking by Eva Dasher. Music by Bobby Lord, Peter Leonard, Bumi Hidaka, and So Wylie. Interpreting by Kana Hatakeyama, translation help from Ben Milam.  Thanks also to Dr. Devon Hensel, and Dr. Leslie Rickey. Recording and logistics help from Michelle Kitchen, Spencer Howard and Nick Johnson. Recording help from Abi McNeil. Special thanks to Roland Campos. Thanks to Cameron Silzle and Arsonhouse Entertainment. Thanks to Lola Jean and everyone who spoke to us at Cirque du Squirt. Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's been a lot of craze on social media about making your vagina smell and taste good. Some creators have made claims that pineapple juice can significantly help with vaginal odor and taste. In this episode, we're exploring if that's really true.We will break down, on a cellular level, the self-cleaning organism of the vagina. We explain good bacteria, bad bacteria, and what foods may actually lead to any effects.Learn how to simplify your routine to help with any vaginal odor or recurrent infections. We will talk through what TO do and what NOT to do. Lastly, we will be closing our giveaway on April 1st! If you haven't entered a question to our Q&A for our 1 year celebration episode be sure to get those in ASAP. Click here to submit your question and enter!//We're opening our FIRST EVER Q&A forum in anticipation of celebrating one year of the podcast!

Johanna is a girl mama joining us today from Canada. She had an unplanned C-section with her first, an HBAC with her second, and was pregnant with her third at the time of recording! Johanna reflects on her experiences with both supportive and unsupportive care during her pregnancies. Meagan and Johanna dive into your options surrounding PROM,  the significance of intuition in decision-making, the impact of provider choices on birth outcomes, and the nuances of VBAC postpartum recovery.The VBAC Link Blog: Home Birth VBACEverything You Need for Your HBACSupportive Providers10 Signs to Switch Your ProviderWhat to Do When Your Water BreaksLabor GuideCoterie Diapers - Use code VBAC20 for 20% offHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: Hello, Women of Strength. We have our friend Johanna with us from Canada today, and she's going to be sharing her HBAC story. So for those who may be , new to the VBAC world, or just all of the acronyms that the VBAC world has, HBAC is pronounced home birth after Cesarean. So if you are one of those who really wants to look into all of your options for birthing locations, which I encourage everyone to do, definitely listen up here. We're going to be talking about a lot of really great things including picking a provider and PROM knowing that you maybe had a provider that wasn't ideal the first time and more about HBAC. So we are going to be diving into a lot of really, really great, juicy topics. But in place our review today, Johanna and I are actually going to talk a little bit more about picking the right provider. So, Johanna, welcome to the show.Johanna: Thank you.Meagan: I am so excited for you to be with us today and so grateful that you are here to talk about this topic. Because like I was saying before we pressed record, I see daily in our community, every single day, and not even just our community, in other VBAC communities or this is weird, but people's statuses, like my friends and family's statuses on Facebook, where you type like, "Hey, I'm looking for this," or "I'm feeling very frustrated," or "I need prayers." People will seriously say, "I don't know what to do, you guys. Has anybody ever heard of VBAC?" on their own status? But especially in the VBAC groups, I see people and I just want to yell, "Hey, you over there. You're with the wrong provider" or, "Hey, you should move." That's a really hard thing because especially when I type that it can be like, oh my gosh, who is this broad telling me that I'm with the wrong provider and that I chose wrong? I'm not trying to say that. I'm not trying to say you chose wrong. Like, how dare you choose wrong? It's just like, hey, what you're telling us in this community is screaming, you're the wrong provider. So, Johanna, you , mentioned before we press record that you realized after your first birth that you were with the wrong provider. What made you realize that you were with the wrong provider? And were there signs during pregnancy that you recognized and maybe pushed away? Or was it really not something that you recognized until after? Because I know really, it can go both ways.Johanna: Yeah, I think that there were signs during the pregnancy. I mean, one of them, and I just didn't listen to my gut because you don't know what you don't know. I put too much blind faith that it was all gonna work out. But I never felt comfortable with her. I didn't have a good connection with her. I was asking a lot of questions about what I can be doing because my first birth, I really wanted to be a home birth. She basically just didn't give me very much information about what I can be doing. She sent me to your generic birth course through the hospital. Yeah. I didn't really feel like she was really invested in the outcome of my birth. I was just like another one of her patients. So I didn't feel great about that. And then when push came to shove with my birth and things weren't going great, she threw her hands up in the air and just took a step back and didn't really advocate for me or try and help me through things. So I was left with a pretty unpleasant taste in my mouth.Meagan: Yeah, I mean, exactly what you said just a minute ago. You didn't feel that she was invested in the outcome of your birth. And then it proved. It proved to be true when she just threw her arms up. So you had that experience, and you're not alone. There are so many of us out there. Me too, me included and a lot of people on The VBAC Link team included. We have all been in a similar situation where our providers, threw our hands up, weren't invested in our birth and our experience and had to go out there and seek that support that we deserved. So if there's anything we talk about on The VBAC Link, and I'm sure you've heard it, is find the right provider. I mean, seriously, you guys, I say it daily, every single day. If I'm not typing it, if I'm not voice memo-ing it, if I'm not saying it in my mind, it's find the right provider. Johanna, what would you give for tips for our listeners to find that right provider? And how did you find that right provider?Johanna: So I found my midwife that I used for my second birth and I'm actually using again for my third birth because I am 31 weeks pregnant today.Meagan: Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Yay.Johanna: I found her actually because when I got pregnant for the second time, the first thing I did was get a doula.Meagan: Uh-huh.Johanna: I asked her for recommendations on a VBAC friendly midwife. She had recommended this midwife. So immediately I was like, yes, I would like to meet her. When I met her, instantly, I felt so much more at ease.So I would say going with your gut. If something doesn't feel right, even if it's the tiniest thing, just look for a new provider. Just find someone where it feels right.Meagan: Yeah. I can relate to that so much because that's how I was feeling. I was searching, I was searching, I was searching. I mean, it was insane. I interviewed a lot of providers, but that's what I was searching for is that immediate like, oh, I'm in the right place. You are my person. And it took me a long time. And that sucks. It sucks that it took so long. I know that in some areas they're really rural and it's almost impossible to find that feeling. But I agree. So just as a reminder for those looking, before we get into the story, I wanted to make sure that you know to ask open-ended questions. Do not say, "Do you support VBAC? Yes or no?" Do not say, "Do you support me to go to 40 weeks? Yes or no?"Let's ask open ended questions. "How do you feel if I approach my due date and I haven't had a baby yet? How do you feel about VBAC? What is your experience with VBAC? How do you support your VBAC clients to make sure patients get the birth that they want? How do you advocate for them?"Asking these big open ended questions and then like Johanna said, diving deep. What is your heart and your gut feeling and saying? If at any point you are questioning, which I think is when people come out on social media, that is when I think they comment and they're writing, "Hey, I'm, feeling defeated. Hey, this is what my provider said." It's because they're doubting. They're questioning. That's their intuition. If that even comes into play at all, it's time to switch. It is time to switch. And first-time parents, if you are out there listening, this applies to you too, right? We have to avoid these unnecessary Cesareans which are happening all over the world. We have to follow our intuition. So that's another thing we talk about until we're blue in the face-- intuition. So follow that intuition. Ask open ended questions. Really dive in deep because your provider really can make an impact.And really, really quickly, we're going to just barely skim the surface on PROM. PROM is premature rupture of membranes. Johanna and I have both experienced it. She's two for two. I'm three for three. Maybe you won't be three for three girl. I don't know. I'm hoping you're not. Johanna: Fingers crossed. Meagan: I'm hoping you won't. But if you are, we know that it's okay. Vaginal birth still happen. But talking about providers, if you have PROM, which means your water breaks before labor begins, and just to let you know, it can take hours, even days for your body to turn over into labor after your water breaks. But if you have PROM and you don't have a supportive provider, that is right there the beginning of a fight. It shouldn't have to be a fight, but that can impact things because they want to get things going. Some providers won't even induce labor or touch you or 12 hours later they're like, "Nope, you haven't had a baby. You have to have a C-section." So yeah. So really quick Johanna, do you have any tips for our listeners who might have had PROM or may have PROM?Johanna: Yeah, it's difficult because especially when I experienced it, I mean, I experienced it for both births and the second time I really felt anxious because I was like, oh no, I'm on a ticking time-clock again.Meagan: Yeah, yeah. Because that's how you were treated.Johanna: Yes. I was lucky that I have a super supportive provider. And she was like, "Baby's fine, you're fine, everything's fine. We're just going to wait it out."Yeah, I mean crucial to have the right provider that is going to give you that grace and give you that time and that space, but just know the facts. Just arm yourself with information that as long as the fluid is clear, as long as you have no signs of infection-- at least here they make you come in for non-stress tests like every, I don't know if it's 12 hours or 24 hours when your water has broken. As long as everything's looking okay, you can wait, I think, up to 72 hours.Meagan: I've actually even had a client wait five days. Johanna: Holy smokes. Meagan: Five days. Close monitoring you guys, really close monitoring. But it was nothing that said a baby needed to be born. So five days is maybe abnormal. This was a home birth transfer to hospital. Even with five days rupture of membranes, the hospital did not "make" her, as I'm putting quotes up, have a Cesarean or do anything different because she advocated for herself. But it really can. 72 hours. It really can happen. So okay, we are going to stop talking about this, you guys. We're going to have links in the show notes to dive deeper into questions for your provider. What about premature rupture of membranes and things like that. So we're going to have those in the show notes if you want to dive more into that. You can dive in. But we're going to take one quick break for the intro, and then turn the time over to Johanna. Okay girl, thank you so much for chatting with me about that. I really do think it's so important.Johanna: I think knowledge about everything is your best friend when you're planning for any birth, but especially a VBAC.Meagan: Right. I know. It does suck that VBAC has to be so much more intense in our prep and our research and all these things because we're just moms going in to have vaginal births. That's all we are. But, but unfortunately that's not how it's viewed. That's just not how it's viewed in most areas of the world. So yeah, all right. Let's talk about that first birth.Johanna: Okay. So I got pregnant with my first daughter Mila in the summer of 2020. So heavy, COVID times. So that was scary enough. Because of COVID and the shift in culture towards socialization and going into hospitals and stuff like that, me and my husband decided to look into home birth which was not really on my radar before, but the more that I looked into it, I was like, oh, this is super beautiful, and I love the idea of birthing my baby at home in the piece and quiet of our own space.Meagan: Yeah. And a lot safer than a lot of people think.Johanna: Yeah. Yeah, for sure. The more I looked into it, the more I was like, okay. This is a totally viable option for us. I had a pretty uneventful pregnancy. I was very lucky. I had very minimal symptoms. Everything went well. I didn't have anything scary happened during the pregnancy. I will say that I didn't take the best care of myself. I am usually a pretty active person and I totally just didn't do much exercise or working out. I think in the back of my mind, I was scared that something bad was going to happen if I overdid it. It was just a lot of first-time mom anxieties.Meagan: Totally get it.Johanna: Yep. I didn't eat the best. I didn't take the best care of myself. I didn't do a whole lot to prep for the birth other than your typical childbirthing classes, bringing baby home through the hospital, generic courses that I think a lot of first-time moms, that's what they do, right? I read a couple of books. I read the What to Expect books, and I think I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.Meagan: Great book.Johanna: Yep. But I had no idea what to expect. When it came to labor and birth, I really was going in blind. I will say, I just put my faith in that my provider was going to hold my hand through it. That was a mistake. So yeah, I mean, it was a pretty uneventful pregnancy. There wasn't a whole lot to say other than it was COVID and everything was scary and didn't really know what was going on. When I was 41-ish weeks, my water ended up breaking. It was the middle of the night, and I didn't really know what happened. It was just like a little squirt and went back to bed. And in the morning, it was like when you move a position and a little bit comes out and you move a position and a little bit. It was one of those. And then I lost my mucus plug. So I was like, oh, I better call my midwife. So I gave her a call, and she totally brushed me off. She was like, "No, I think it's probably just discharge. I wouldn't worry about it." So that was another red flag was her just totally brushing off my feelings and what I believed was going on. So I hung up the phone and I was like, well, I don't really know what to do now. I'm fairly certain that my water's broken. So I waited a couple of hours, and it continued to trickle out. I eventually called her again and she was like, "Okay, okay, you can come in. You can come in and I'll check, but I'm pretty sure it's just discharge." So I went in and sure enough, she was like, "Oh, your water did break and it's amniotic fluids. Look at that."Meagan: Interesting.Johanna: Yeah, I could have told you that. So I was like, "Well, what do we do now?" And she was like, "Well, we can wait up to 72 hours as long as everything's healthy. That's fine, so we'll keep monitoring things." She sent me home and told me to just relax. She said, "If labor doesn't pick up today, go to bed and in the morning, do a castor oil induction." I did that. When I woke up the next morning and nothing had happened, I did do the castor oil induction. I will say that I will never do that again because it was horrible. Sorry for the TMI, but it just gave me severe diarrhea, and then nothing happened, and I was super uncomfortable. So that wasn't fun. That wasn't fun. That didn't work.I went in for a non-stress test that afternoon. She decided to check me, and I had made zero progress. I was not dilated at all. I had zero effacement or anything like that, so no progress. I felt super discouraged. My water has been broken for however long at this point-- 36 hours, I think, probably. I've made no progress. The castor oil induction and failed. I had barely slept the night before, so I was tired and I was just stressed. I was like, when is this going to happen?Meagan: But at this point you weren't really thriving with contractions. Nothing was too intense to be telling you that there should be progress, right?Johanna: Literally not a single contraction or anything. Nothing was happening.Meagan: True PROM, and so your defeating feeling is super normal because in our minds we were told our water breaks, we should be having a baby. But if we have PROM, don't expect to be dilated. Right?Johanna: Yes.Meagan: I did too. I expected to be way dilated and I wasn't.Johanna: So I felt super defeated. And like I said, I wasn't sleeping. I barely got any sleep the night before because I was just anxious for birth to get going. I ended up crying in her office about how stressed I was to end up in a C-section because my sister had a long, pretty terrible labor that ended in a C-section. It was just not a great experience for her. I don't exactly remember what my midwife said, but I did not feel reassured leaving that appointment. But we did end up deciding that if I didn't go into labor that night, I was going to be induced the next morning because I was just not sleeping well. I was not able to rest and relax because I was just anxious. So I was like, okay. I guess my home birth plan is out the window, but at least there's a plan. I ended up going home. We had dinner, and I started getting contractions just after dinner which was exciting.Meagan: Yeah.Johanna: But then they petered off after, like, I don't know, an hour or two. So we went to bed, had the hospital bags packed and everything ready to go for an induction the next morning. Labor started around 2:00 AM. It started on its own around 2:00 AM.Meagan: How many total hours is this until labor comes?Johanna: I think it was about 48 hours after my water broke that I had the rupture of membranes that my labor actually started. I will say, it was pretty intense right off the hob. I hear a lot of women say that their early labor is like, "Oh, I took my other kids for a walk. I baked a cake. I did this. I did that to distract myself." My labors are not like that. My labors are intense right out the gate. I tried to eat something for breakfast. A few hours after that, I woke my husband up. We tried to eat breakfast. I got in the bathtub to try and relieve some of the discomfort. I hung out in there for a while. We had rented a birth tub. My husband got that set up. I called my midwife. She came probably around 11:00 AM, so at that point, I'd probably been laboring for like, I don't know, eight or nine hours. I was not coping well. It was very intense and I was not coping well with the pain. She checked me, and I was a 3. I was like, dang it. In my mind, what I know now is that it's not a linear thing and that it's not going to take another 18 hours to go from a 3 to 9. But in my mind then I was like, oh no, I can't do this for however many more hours because I'm already not coping well and I'm only at a 3. So I told her I was totally deflated and I told her, "I want to go to the hospital and get an epidural." She was like, "Okay, if that's what you want to do, that's fine." So I think between the time that she checked me and I was at a 3 and the time that I got the epidural, it was about two hours. That car ride to the hospital, wow, was not fun. But yes. So, in that two hours that it took between her checking me and me getting the epidural, she checked me again right as soon as it kicked in and I was at a 9.Meagan: Whoa.Johanna: Yeah. Meagan: 0 to 100. Johanna: Yeah, when I say that car ride, it was ripping through me.Meagan: Yeah, you were in transition at that point.Johanna: Yeah. When we were in the hospital waiting for the anesthesiologist to come in and do the epidural, my midwife and husband are joking around trying to make me laugh. I'm like, "This is not where are at right now." I was not having it because, obviously, I was in transition, and it just was not where I was at. So yeah, she was like, "Okay, well you're at a 9 now, that's great. So rest for an hour and then we'll probably be pushing." The epidural was heavy. I felt nothing from my ribs down. So an hour went by and she's like, "Hey, you're complete. Start pushing." I felt nothing. I'm trying to push, and she's telling me that I'm doing a pretty good job considering I have an epidural, but baby was still high. And then all of a sudden, I think I'd pushed a couple of times and all of a sudden, all of these doctors and nurses and bunch of people just start run into the room and they're all speaking French because it's a French speaking hospital.Meagan: Oh my gosh.Johanna: So I have no idea what's going on. Nobody is telling me anything. They're all speaking a different language. And I was just like, "Can somebody please tell me in English what's going on?" They told me that she was having late decal every time that I was pushing.Meagan: Okay.Johanna: So between pushes she was fine, but every time I'd push, her heart rate would go down and then have trouble recovering. At no point did anybody recommend maybe trying a position change or anything like that. Like maybe her cord was being pinched in that position. If only I knew now or knew then what I know now.Meagan: Yeah, like hydration, movement, doing something, pushing in a different position.Johanna: Yeah, yeah no. So like I said, my midwife threw her hands up and stepped back and let the OB take over and didn't say anything to me after that. The OB basically let me push three times and then was like, "Nope, this is going to take too long. We need to have a C-section," and she called a C-section.Meagan: Wow. Do you remember how low your baby's heart rate was getting?Johanna: No, I have no idea.Meagan: Okay, interesting. I mean late deceleration are less ideal, right? We don't want them to happen late. We want that to be the recovery period.But yeah, there could have been some things done.Johanna: Yeah, and looking back, it's frustrating to know that maybe if one little thing had been changed, the outcome could have been totally different.Yeah, but you can't blame yourself for that either. It's hard to look back and be like, the what if's. But yes, you did whatever you did in the moment with the information you were given.Johanna: Exactly. So I went in for the C-section. It went fine. There were no complications, but being strapped down to a table in a really cold room and having the shakes and not feeling that, not being the person to get to hold your baby. I mean, everyone listening to this podcast pretty much knows what thats like and how it was demoralizing and traumatizing for sure. But it went fine. She was born healthy. I didn't have any complications. But yeah, the emotional trauma was real and not just for me, but for my husband too. We got discharged about 24 hours after the C-section and going home and seeing the birth tub still set up in our living room was a very emotional experience. We both ended up breaking down crying.Meagan: Yeah.Johanna: So I had to do a lot of emotional recovery from that birth as well as physical recovery because the physical recovery from C-section was also extremely rough. I remember every time I would have to get up out of bed, it felt like I was being ripped in half. It's rough, but I knew right from the moment she was born that I would be VBACing my next baby because we had always planned on having a few kids.Meagan: I want to point out to everyone, too, the importance of postpartum support and postpartum help and planning. We never know the outcomes of birth. I didn't know the outcomes. I didn't realize that it was going to take me 15 minutes to walk 10 stairs up to my bedroom. I didn't realize it was going to take me 15 minutes to walk down the stairs. I couldn't be holding anything. I didn't realize how exhausting it was going to be to get out of bed to go to the restroom let alone taking care of a newborn baby and also thriving as an individual. So it's really important to really try not to ignore the postpartum period. I think it's easy to do because we're so focused on the birth. Especially with VBAC, I think we're so hyper, hyper focused on that VBAC, that outcome, and that experience which I do not shame anyone for being. I just want to plug it in. Don't forget about your postpartum because whether it's physical or emotional.You came back to this space of seeing a plan that didn't unfold the way you wanted it to. That can be very emotional, very traumatic even in some ways. So yeah, having some resources for postpartum as well. I just want to plug that in.Johanna: Yeah, that's a really good point. I did no prep for postpartum for my first birth.Meagan: Me either.Johanna: It wasn't even something that like dawned on me to think about. When I was in postpartum, I was like, wow, this is really intense. Like the sleep deprivation, the recovery, the breastfeeding, everything. It;s super intense. So for sure, don't neglect postpartum plans and getting the support that you need.Meagan: Yeah.Johanna: So anyway, I think from a couple weeks postpartum with Mila, I ended up finding your podcast and absolutely just binging it and trying to intake any knowledge I could get about VBAC natural childbirth-- just anything I could get my hands on, I was consuming because I knew that I was going to VBAC. I knew that I wanted to have a birth that was as intervention-free as possible for my second. So I ended up getting pregnant with my second daughter Bailey in the summer of 2022. The very first thing I did was I hired a doula. I already knew what doula I wanted before we even got pregnant because we had interviewed a few, and the doula that I found was actually a VBAC mom herself. And she just had a beautiful calming energy about her. I was like yep, that's who I want. So with that test, the lines turned pink, and I was already getting her on board. I ended up hiring the midwife that she recommended as well. I was intent on doing everything that I could this second pregnancy to set myself up for a successful VBAC that I could possibly do because I knew that if I did everything that I could possibly do and it still ended up in a C-section, then I don't have to have any lingering questions of well, what if I had done this? So it was like, I was going to do everything I could to set myself up for success. I was super diligent with eating well, exercising, and chiropractic care. I did all of the Spinning Babies' exercises, walking, and yoga. I did a HypnoBirthing course which I really, really liked, and I'm doing again for this pregnancy. I put up my birth affirmations. I did all the things You name it, I did it. My husband was super, super amazing and supportive and he was there with me every step of the way through every appointment and did all the coursework with me and everything like that. I'm very lucky to have a super supportive husband. I had another pretty uneventful easy going pregnancy. Other than a little bit more morning sickness and some SPD, it was pretty easy. I will say there's one thing that they make you do here, and I don't know if you guys have to do it in the US but if you're planning for a VBAC you have to see an OB around 36-37 weeks. Do you guys have to do that as well?Meagan: Yeah, so not if you're out-of-hospital. You don't have to do it. Some midwives still out-of- hospital will be like, "Hey, I want you to consult with a partnering physician," as in, "Hey, this is someone we would transfer to.: I went a consult with them, but with the midwives in hospital they require them to do a VBAC consult, and it's pretty much a visit where the OB is like, "Hey, this is what you're doing. Here is your risk. Do you comply?"Yeah.Johanna: Yes. So I ended up having to do that, and I knew it was going to be a negative experience. I knew it was just going to be fear-mongering and throwing scary statistics out. So I already had my guard up for that. And then it was also at the hospital where I had my C-section, so even just walking into that environment was very triggering.Meagan: Yeah. So I went to that and I was right. She told me, "As soon as you go into labor, you need to go to the hospital and you should have continual monitoring and and epidural just in case," and all of these things where I'm just like, no, that so goes against everything that I believe will lead to like a healthy, happy birth.I definitely didn't tell her about my plans. I actually was hoping this would end up in a home birth. I didn't actually mention this. My plan-- I didn't want to commit to a home birth. I was a little bit anxious because of my first birth ending up transferring to hospital, that I would end up having to do that again and then have that crushing disappointment that it didn't work out again. So my plan with my midwife was that I was going to labor at home as long as possible, and we were going to play it by ear. As long as everything was going well, then I would potentially have her at home. But I just didn't want to have that pressure that I needed to stay home because this was going to be a home birth. Do you know what I mean?Meagan: No, I totally do. I mean, when I was planning my, it wasn't a HBAC, it was a birth center birth. It's like a downplayed HBAC. I mean, I was in a different home. Right. I totally do. I know exactly what you mean.Johanna: Yeah.Meagan: Yeah, yeah.Johanna: So yeah, I definitely did not tell the OB that my plan was to have a home birth because I just did not even did not want to get into that. So I nodded my head and was like, "Yes, sure. Okay, great."Meagan: Yep.Johanna: At one point, also during my midwifery care for the second pregnancy, my midwife was like, "It's standard for you. The hospital wants you to sign a release form with a backup C-section date."Meagan: What?Johanna: And I was just like, "Yeah, I will also not be doing that." And she was like, "That is totally fine. Just sign that you won't do that." Meagan: I do not consent. Yeah, I do not consent in doing this.Johanna: Yeah, yeah. I was like, I don't need that to clock above my head.Meagan: No.Johanna: So again, my due date arrived and passed. I ended up getting a couple membrane sweeps to try and move things along, but they were unsuccessful. And wow, they are very, very painful.Meagan: So can I super quick touch on that?Johanna: Yes.Meagan: Membrane sweeps-- that's a really big question we see as well. And when you talk about them being painful, that's actually a sign that the cervix wasn't ready. Like it wasn't forward. It wasn't open. If a membrane sweep is painful, it's a real big sign-- it's not a guarantee, but it's a real big sign that your cervix isn't ready. So quick rule of thumb, if you are dilated 2+ centimeters, 3 or more is more ideal. Your cervix is really forward, meaning they don't have to reach back and in, and you are effaced at least 75-80%, that's a little bit more ideal and less painful. But if they are going back, a lot of the times is because they have to reach back and in. And so that is, that is that. And then it can cause pain, prodromal labor, things like that and, and frustration because you're wanting it to work and it's not working.Johanna: Yes. So yeah, they didn't work for me, but my midwife did tell me that I was actually 3 centimeters and she could stretch me to 3. Meagan: Great. So you were at least dilated.Johanna: Yes. So despite the fact that it was super painful and didn't work, I was still feeling very encouraged to know that my body was doing something good. Meagan: YesJohanna: Because you'll remember my first birth, I was completely closed and nothing was happening after my water broke. So I was feeling pretty good about that. At about 40 weeks and 4 days, my water broke again before labor started. It was another one of those slow trickles, and it was the middle of the afternoon, so I called my midwife, and she was like, "Okay, come meet me." She asked if the fluid was clear and I said, "Yes." And she said, "Okay, come meet me at the office later, and we'll do the non-stress test and check you out and make sure everything's dandy." So I went and everything was fine. We were just waiting again for labor to start. I felt okay because I had been through this before, and I knew my body would go into labor, but at the back of my mind I was a little bit stressing out because I was like, okay, I'm on a clock again. I went home. Nothing happened. I woke up the next day and tried to get things going with the breast pump. That got contractions going, but they never stuck around. I ended up confiding with my doula about how stressed I was feeling that I was on a clock and feeling like why can't my body just go into labor? She was extremely reassuring. She came over, and we just talked for a bit, and I felt a lot better after that. That was in the evening, the day after my water broke, and I was supposed to go in for a non-stress test. So I went and met my midwife for a non-stress test that night. It was 36-ish hours after my water had broke. Still, everything was looking good. Baby was good. She was happy. I was fine. There was no need to rush into an induction or anything like that. But she could tell I was stressed. My midwife could tell that I was a bit stressed and she was like, "It's fine. We've got lots of time. You don't need distress.: And she's like, "But I can give you these tinctures or whatever if you want to try them." It was like the blue or black. Meagan: Cohosh.Johanna: Cohosh, yes. I was like "Sure, I'll do anything at this point. I'll try anything. I don't care. So they almost look like tiny, tiny little white beads. I don't know if they're always in the same form.Meagan: Yeah, sometimes they're in drops like tincture drops or almost like you said, a pill-like bead type. Johanna: So she was like, "Okay, let's give you one now." She wanted me to take four doses an hour apart.Meagan: Did you put them under your tongue?Johanna: Yeah. So she got me to take one when I arrived for the non-stress test and then when the non-stress test was over, it had been about an hour, so she gave me a second dose, and then she sent me home with two more. So we went home, and then I took one an hour after the previous dose and it was probably 10:30 at night at that point. Contractions started going after I took the third dose and I was like okay, they're probably going to peter out again because that's what they've been doing all day. I'm tired and I want to go to bed and I don't feel like staying up another hour to take the fourth dose. So me and my husband both took a gravel because my midwife told me to take a gravel and go to sleep.Meagan: What's a gravel?Johanna: A gravel is like an anti-nausea medication, but it makes you sleepy.Meagan: I did not know that. I've never heard of that. I don't think I've never heard it.Johanna: Yeah. Interesting.Meagan: Cool. I love learning. A gravel.Johanna: Gravel.Meagan: Yeah. Okay.Johanna: So yeah, she told me to take one and go to sleep because it makes you drowsy. So I think we had fallen asleep for maybe an hour and a half and I was woken up again with very intense contractions. And this time I was like okay, this is it for real. And like I said, with both my labors, contractions were intense straight out of the gate. So I woke my husband up. Taking the gravel was a mistake because we were both super drowsy. I woke him up and I was like, "I think you need to call the doula because this is definitely happening." And so he called her over and I labored in bed. I did my HypnoBirthing tracks. I did a lot of breathing through the contractions and the HypnoBirthing was super, super helpful, I will say that. We hung out for a while and just did that. My husband tried his best to stay awake despite how tired he was. Eventually, I think I waited maybe a bit longer than I probably should have to call my midwife because I was so determined to stay at home as long as possible. I didn't want her to come and be like oh, you're a 3, right?Meagan: See? Your mind. Even in labor we trigger back. We process things as they're happening from how they happened before, and it's really hard to let go. But your mind was doing it too, right? You're like no, I can't do this because I can't be that.Johanna: Yes. So what we waited, I think it was, I don't know. I have no concept of time. But we waited a couple hours or a few hours and my doula was like, "I think we should call the midwife." I was like, "Okay, can you call her?" So we called her and shortly after we called her, I was having contractions so intense that I was having an out-of-body experience. Like very, very intense. I was getting the shakes and hot and cold lashes. In my mind I was like, I'm going through transition. For sure, for sure. I'm going through transition. My midwife was not there yet and she would not arrive for probably like another hour.Meagan: You progress quickly from history.Johanna: Yes. So, by the time she arrived, she ran upstairs to my room. She checked me and she's like, "Okay, you're at an 8, so if you want to do a hospital transfer, if you want to go, we've got to go now." And I was like, "No, that ship has sailed. We're doing this here. As long as Bailey's healthy and I'm healthy, I'd like to stay here." So she was like, "Okay, we're doing this here." And she called over the other midwife because she wasn't actually sure that it was going to be a home birth, so she didn't have the other midwife with her, so she had to call the secondary midwife to show up. It was all very hectic. This time around, I plan on calling them much more ahead of time so that it's not so hectic when they arrived because lights got turned on, equipment was shuffled around and set up and definitely took away from the vibe a little bit. But yeah. So shortly after she arrived, I was complete and I had that very stereotypical moment where you feel like you got a poo.Meagan: And sometimes you just hold back because you're like, oh crap, wait. Do I need go poo first or should I have? Wait, what should I do? I don't know. I want to have the baby, but I don't want to poop.Johanna: Exactly. So I was like, "Oh my gosh, I feel like I have to poo." My midwife's like, "It's okay. This is normal. You're good." She was just encouraging me to just do what I felt like I needed to do. I ended up pushing for probably an hour, give or take, in a sumo squat position with my midwife on one side and my doula on the other side and then my husband would switch out for the midwife supporting me on either side. And yeah, I only had to push for maybe an hour, give or take. Her head got a little bit squeezed at one point when she was coming out, so when she came out, she was in a bit of shock. Because of where I was in my room, and the equipment was on the other side, my midwife had to make the decision to clamp and cut her cord and take her over to their equipment to give her a little bit of help which was very scary. She didn't end up needing oxygen, but they thought that she might. So she ended up being okay, but it was definitely a scary couple of minutes where I didn't know what was going on. But yeah, she ended up being okay. The only thing I was a little bit disappointed in was the second time around, not being the one who gets to be the one to hold my baby and bring her to my chest and missing out on that experience again.Meagan: Yeah.Johanna: But obviously I was amazed that I had done it. I had gotten my home birth, I had gotten my VBAC. I was in shock.Meagan: I can so relate. Sometimes you're so focused on pushing that baby coming out, and then it happens and you're like, am I dreaming that this happen? And you're looking around and you're like blinking and you're like, no, I'm awake. I just did this. I just did this. And you're so excited.Johanna: I was still in La La Land because I had labored so hard for eight hours and yeah, you're out of it and just in disbelief.Meagan: Yeah. Yeah.Johanna: Like, did this really just happen?Meagan: But it did. It just happened.Johanna: Yeah. So that was a really good feeling. Recovery was like night and day. I could immediately just go and have a nice shower and walk back to my bed and crawl into my bed. It was comfortable and I wasn't in pain. I had mobility, and I could lift my baby up. It was a good feeling. Although I will say that without the epidural, the fundal massage was a really unpleasant experience.Meagan: Yes. So for everyone that doesn't maybe know, fundal massage is something that they do after labor and delivery, they essentially put their hand, sometimes fist. Now it's not like they punch you, but think about a fist. Look at the bottom of your fist. They put the bottom of their fist along your uterus, the top of your uterus. They push down and massage. They push down and they massage. And sometimes they do it three or so times. You take a deep breath, they do it. You take a deep breath, they do it. And why they're doing that is because they're checking to one, make sure your uterus is clamping back down to its normal size right after birth and the placenta is out. It starts doing its job and going boop boop, boop, right back down to its normal size. But sometimes it can get a little boggy or bleeding can occur. So yeah, you want to make sure that. Now, really quick tip. If for some reason your uterus is still staying boggy and not clamping down as much, something you can try to do if you are able is urinate. Go to the restroom. That's a really big thing to help the uterus clamp back down. And even if you have an epidural, sometimes you have to get a straight cath. And if you can't go to the bathroom, sometimes you can get a straight cath to release. But yeah, that is not as friendly when you're unmedicated. But take deep breaths. If you can, get that baby on your chest or hold someone's hand-- your doula, your partner, your midwife, anybody's hand and just take really deep breaths and know that it's okay. It's okay. It doesn't last too long. But yeah.Johanna: So going back to our chat about postpartum.Meagan: Yeah.Johanna: So the recovery of vaginal versus C-section night and day for sure. But I will say that my postpartum with Bailey was way harder than with my first. It had nothing to do with the birth. I think she was asynclitic in my uterus. And so when she came out, she had a pretty bad case of torticollis and a tongue tie which made breastfeeding very difficult. I got mastitis twice in the first four weeks, like a really bad case twice in the first four weeks. I ended up with a bad case of food poisoning at three weeks postpartum.Meagan: Oh no.Johanna: And I had some prolapse symptoms as well. I will say that there were a lot of things happening in the first month, month and a half of my postpartum that I didn't expect and were very intense and difficult. I mean, just for breastfeeding, I was in so much pain that there were many times that I wanted to just give up and be like, nope, never mind. Forget this.So having good lactation support was really crucial.Meagan: Oh yes. And get lactation support before you have your baby. It sounds weird. It sounds really strange to connect with someone about breastfeeding before your baby is born. But oh my gosh, you guys, it's so impactful. I mean, we've talked about it before with The Lactation Network and other IBCLC supports. It's so important. I had similar. So my baby was born be a Cesarean. So in a Cesarean, a baby can also develop torticollis too with the way they are and the way they come out. But my baby had torticollis and she had a tongue tie. So very, very difficult. Challenging for sure and frustrating.It can impact things like mastitis and yeah, I love that you pointed that out. My was recovery all around better, but that doesn't mean my experience was all sunshine and butterflies. I really want to just highlight that one more time, you guys. Vaginal birth doesn't mean your postpartum journey is going to be the easiest. Mine wasn't. My VBAC after two Cesarean birth was not the easiest. It just wasn't. So again, get those resources beforehand. Right?Johanna: Yeah. And I will say, I don't know what I would have done if I wasn't with midwifery care and having them on call for the six-week postpartum because I swear, I called them every second day about something that was going on.Meagan: Well, and that's more unique to home birth too because even with the hospital birth midwives, it's not the same. They usually say, "Oh, I'll see you in six weeks," and you can call. You can call any OB or midwife. You can call any provider, but there's a different level of care and follow-up in that postpartum stage and it's very impactful. It's very, very impactful.Johanna: Oh for sure. Yeah.Meagan: Yeah. Oh my gosh. I love everything and I love all these tips. There are so many tips and nuggets along the way. Is there anything else that you would like to drop here for the listeners in regards to home birth or preparing or postpartum or any words of encouragement that you may have?Johanna: I mean, I think that, like I mentioned at the start, just arming yourself with as much knowledge as you can is going to be your best bet to get the outcome that you want and just feel empowered throughout your pregnancy and your birth. So just arming yourself with as much knowledge as you can get your hands on and yeah, getting a good provider, trusting yourself, believing in your body, and setting yourself up for postpartum too because that's an important thing when you're so focused on getting your VBAC is letting the postpartum stuff fall to the wayside.Meagan: Yeah.Meagan: Taking care of yourself afterwards too is important.Meagan: Yes. Taking care of yourself. We don't. We don't take care of ourselves enough, you guys. Really pamper yourself. If that means you have your postpartum doula. If that means you hire a house cleaner to come in every other week. If that means you hire or have family come in to help, just whatever. Light house cleaning or holding baby or playing with toddler. Johanna, she's going to have two, you guys. She's almost on her third, and it's another baby girl.Johanna: Oh, yes. Yes. That's three for three.Meagan: So three baby girls. I mean, you've got your hands full in your postpartum experience.Right. So really do it. I don't want to stereotype women, but sometimes we get into this space of,  we can do it and we don't need to spend money on ourselves and things like that, but this stage of life is so important to invest in yourself. Really, truly invest in yourself because you deserve it. And your sleep and your experience and your mental health, it all matters so much. So yes, you might hire a cleaner and you might be spending that money, but guess what? That's okay. Do it. Johanna: And when you're taken care of, then you're a better mom to your kids.Meagan: Yes, yes. My husband always says, "When mom is happy, everyone else is happy." But really, really, you deserve it. Women of Strength, you deserve to be pampered and loved and supported. So Johanna, thank you so much again for such a powerful episode. I'm so grateful for you. And please keep us posted on this baby number three.By the time this episode comes out, you will have had this little baby girl.Johanna: Yes. I'm due January 4th, so I will definitely be sending you a message when she makes her entrance.Meagan: Please do. Please do. Okay well, thank you so much.Johanna: Thank you.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.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

No Brasil a recomendação médica em casos de parto pélvico é a cesárea. Renata, ginecologista obstetra sabe bem isso. Porém, ao perceber que a sua filha permanecia sentada, ela se escutou e sentiu o parto vaginal era o melhor caminho para ela e a Maia. Como se preparar para um parto vaginal pélvico quando o país na sua grande maioria faz cesárea? Como enfrentar o medo da sua própria escolha? Assumir a responsabilidade do seu parto foi determinante : “a minha filha nasceu sentada e eu virei de ponta cabeça”, disse Renata. Hoje ela é uma outra médica, não é mais a médica que decide sozinha, que detém todo saber e sim aquela que convida a paciente a refletir sobre os seus desejos e a se responsabilizar diante da sua saúde. Assim como o psicanalista, Renata entendeu que a verdadeira cura vem do paciente.Com Renata falamos de autocuidado, da autonomia da mulher, do puerpério com dois bebês, e da leveza que a maternidade trouxe na sua prática.

A short story on a woman contemplating a VBAC after two Cesarean Deliveries.  Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) after two cesarean deliveries (VBAC-2) is considered a viable option for many women, though it carries certain risks.   The success rate for VBAC-2 is approximately 71.1%, which is slightly lower than the success rate for VBAC after one cesarean (VBAC-1). The risk of uterine rupture in VBAC-2 is 1.36%, which is higher compared to VBAC-1 (0.72%). Additionally, the hysterectomy rate for VBAC-2 is 0.55%, compared to 0.19% for VBAC-1.   The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) supports offering VBAC-2 to women who are appropriate candidates, emphasizing the importance of individualized counseling regarding the risks and benefits.   A retrospective study found that VBAC-2 had a success rate of 76.1%, with no significant differences in neonatal outcomes compared to elective repeat cesarean delivery  VBAC-2 is a viable option with a success rate of around 71.1%, but it carries a higher risk of uterine rupture and other complications compared to VBAC-1. Proper counseling and careful selection of candidates are crucial to optimizing outcomes.   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/maternalresources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maternalresoruces/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeOB Thank you for being part of our community, and until next time, let's continue to support, uplift, and celebrate the incredible journey of working moms and parenthood. Together, we can create a more equitable and nurturing world for all. Shop our book!  The NatureBack Method for Birth https://naturebackbook.myshopify.com/

Schildbach, Linda www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Fazit

Schildbach, Linda www.deutschlandfunk.de, Corso

Schildbach, Linda www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de, Studio 9

MENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY, Part 2, with Dr. Rebecka Hoppins, ND, March 18, 2025   There is a large body of accumulated scientific research to support the thesis that Sexual Pleasure and Health are inextricably linked!   In Part 2, Dr. Becky, a Naturopathic Physician, and Dr. Diana a Sex Therapist, continued their conversation from January 28th. In Part 1, menopause myths were debunked, and menopausal women with low libido were offered some solutions.   Dr. Diana asked Dr. Becky How do you optimize a woman's sexual health with the techniques of natural medicine?   Dr. Becky takes a broad, naturalistic, evolutionary overview of sex. She reminds us that in nature, sex is for reproduction, the survival of species. So broadly speaking, it makes sense that our bodies are wired to like it. Of course, that's not the case for everyone – especially for many perimenopausal and menopausal women. She advises that when we feel healthy, balanced, safe and have resources, this is a good environment for offspring to survive/thrive. If we are stressed, malnourished, unsafe, etc., hormones shift to survival mode. Then the woman's body is favoring the production of cortisol and adrenaline at the cost of the sex hormones progesterone, estrogen, DHEA, and testosterone. Fascinating fact: we literally make cortisol out of progesterone. What happens to highly stressed pregnant women? They are at a higher risk of miscarriage. After all, their progesterone is supposed to maintain the placenta and firmly hold the baby in the uterus, and this declines when cortisol goes up.   Stress may affect women even more when their sex/reproductive hormones decline. Blood flow diminishes. Vaginal health is often a problem, etc.   What does Dr. Becky look at? She addresses fatigue (adrenal function and other medical causes­), blood sugar/nutrition, physical causes of anxiety, and sleep health – to name just a few.      The fascinating case of “Rachel”: her negative body image and her weight had led to obsessive negative self-talk. Dr. Becky's Sage Clinic administers the GLP-1 (weight-loss) injections. Rachel's mind became quiet – the chatter had stopped – as soon as it took effect!   There is so much more information in this podcast: Polarity Theory, the partnership environment, vasopressin vs oxytocin, inherited behaviors, sex demands from the male partner, narcissism and more!   You have to claim great sex, again and again, over the course of your life. It won't grow and blossom without your long-term commitment. You need good information, the kind you will find in this podcast. Great sex is a natural outgrowth of great health, and the two flourish in tandem!  If you have problems in either realm, seek out the help of Dr. Becky Hoppins at the Sage Integrative Medical Clinic in Edmonds, WA. She is brilliant, well informed, and approachable. Listen to both shows and you will be convinced!

Send Kiona a Text Message!Mackenzie was saddened when she had to get an induction with her first son Jack due to low amniotic fluid levels, but was very surprised when the induction went faster than anyone had expected. Her first birth inspired her to birth with midwives for her second son Teddy. The way that birth unfolded was more than she could have ever imagined. birthasweknowitpodcast.com/81  Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only with no intention of giving or replacing any medical advice. I, Kiona Nessenbaum, am not a licensed medical professional. All advice that is given on the podcast is from the personal experience of the storytellers. All medical or health-related questions should be directed to your licensed provider.  Hear what it was like for Anni to birth in Japan due to her husband being stationed there.54 Anni Denzel-2 Births-Termination-Cesarean-VBAC-Military Birth TalkResources:Perinatal Support of Washington: https://perinatalsupport.org/ Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.netThe Miles Circuit: http://www.milescircuit.com/ The Positive Birth Company: https://thepositivebirthcompany.com/  Definitions:“Nuchal Hand” PresentationAmniotic Fluid indexMembrane /Cervical SweepProdromal LaborHypnobirthing Support the showThank you so much for tuning in to this episode! If you like this podcast, don't hesitate to share it and leave a review so it can bring the podcast to the attention of others. If you want to share your own birth story or experience on the Birth As We Know It™️ Podcast, head over to https://birthasweknowitpodcast.com/ or fill out this Guest Request Form. Support the podcast and become a part of the BAWKI™️ Community by becoming a Patron on the Birth As We Know It Patreon Page! And don't forget to join in on the fun in the Private Facebook Group!

Dr. Moira Bradfield Strydom (PhD) is the founder of Intimate Ecology clinical and education services. She is an Australian Naturopath, educator and researcher with over 24 years clinical experience who has a passion for helping people experience optimal health. Clinically, she has a niche interest in recurrent vaginal infections, optimal vaginal and genitourinary health, hormones and the genitourinary microbiomes (vagina, bladder, seminal and penile).Moira completed a PhD through Griffith University which focussed on the vaginal microbiome in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (recurrent thrush). She also holds a Bachelor of Naturopathy and a Masters degree in Acupuncture from Southern Cross University.In addition to her role as a Naturopath, Moira has lectured extensively at a tertiary level and in the area of holistic genitourinary health, educating her fellow practitioners to offer support in an often-overlooked area.  www.intimateecology.com.auhttps://www.facebook.com/intimateecologyhttps://www.instagram.com/intimateecology/_______________________________________________________________________________________Moisturize Your Vagina with Feel Amazing Vaginal Moisturizer https://www.feel-amazing.com/?ref=vaginacoachJoin the Buff Muff Method and get a free 28 day challenge https://go.buffmuff.com/method?utm_source=cf-redirect&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organicThank you so much for listening! I use fitness and movement to help women prevent and overcome pelvic floor challenges like incontinence and organ prolapse. There is help for women in all life stages! Every Woman Needs A Vagina Coach! Please make sure to LEAVE A REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE to the show for the best fitness and wellness advice south of your belly button. *******************I recommend checking out my comprehensive pelvic health education and fitness programs on my Buff Muff AppYou can also join my next 28 Day Buff Muff Challenge https://www.vaginacoach.com/buffmuffIf you are feeling social you can connect with me… On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/VagCoachOn Instagram https://www.instagram.com/vaginacoach/On Twitter https://twitter.com/VaginaCoachOn The Web www.vaginacoach.comGet your Feel Amazing Vaginal Moisturizer Here

Antonia Roberts and Howard Herrell review several new articles: • Epifoam for postpartum pain lacks evidence of effectiveness compared to simple ice packs while costing nearly $100 per unit• AMH levels above 5.39 are associated with PCOS diagnosis, providing a specific threshold for clinical use• External aortic compression demonstrated as a life-saving technique during severe obstetric hemorrhage• Vaginal estrogen in breast cancer survivors shows no increased risk of cancer recurrence or mortality• Delayed cord clamping in preterm twins reduces mortality by 30% and significantly decreases transfusion needsThen they discuss new birth control options while questioning the value of expensive pharmaceutical products compared to established, less costly alternatives.• New birth control options like Balcoltra ($280/month), FemLyv ($215/month), and Nextstellis ($250/month) offer minimal innovation over generic alternatives costing $10-15/month• Marketing terms like "bioidentical" and "plant-based" are often misleading as all hormonal contraceptives are synthesized from plant precursors• Progestin-only pills like Slynd provide only marginal DVT risk reduction (5 vs 4 per 100,000 person-years) compared to low-dose combined pillsCheck our Instagram for more information and join us again in two weeks for our next episode.00:00:00 Introduction and Epifoam Discussion00:06:27 Financial Impact of Unnecessary Treatments00:11:09 AMH Levels for PCOS Diagnosis00:15:11 External Aortic Compression for Hemorrhage00:20:22 Vaginal Estrogen and Delayed Cord Clamping00:21:51 New Birth Control Products Overview00:31:05 Analyzing Dissolvable Birth Control Pills00:34:22 Slynd: Drosperinone-Only Pill Evaluation00:42:09 Nextstellis and "Bioidentical" Estrogen Claims00:56:37 History of Birth Control DevelopmentFollow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

Great news for breast cancer survivors! A new study published in The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology(March 2025) affirms that vaginal estrogen use is not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence, breast cancer-specific mortality, or overall mortality. This research provides reassurance for those struggling with genitourinary symptoms after treatment.*****This is not direct medical advice, but for educational purposes only.To schedule an appointment at Sky Women's Health:817-915-9803skywomenshealth.com

High Yield Placenta Previa & Placental Abruption (abruptio placentae) ReviewReview for your PANCE, PANRE, Eor's, Physician Assistant exams, Medical, USMLE, Nursing Exams.Merchandise Link: https://cram-the-pance.creator-spring.com/►Paypal Donation Link: https://bit.ly/3dxmTql (Thank you!)Included in review: Placental abruption Abruptio placentae Placenta previa Third trimester bleeding Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy Abdominal pain in pregnancy Pregnancy risk factors High-yield OB/GYN review Clinical manifestations Ultrasound diagnosis Maternal hemorrhage Retroplacental hematoma Emergency obstetrics Fetal distress OB/GYN board review Placental disorders Pregnancy emergencies Hypertension in pregnancy Smoking and pregnancy risks Medical mnemonics for examsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cram-the-pance--5520744/support.

One day, you're cruising along like usual, and the next… everything feels off. Your mood's all over the place, sleep is a struggle, and let's not even talk about the sudden weight changes. Sound familiar? In this episode, my daughter Amira joins me again as we unpack what's really happening during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause—when it starts, what to expect, and how to handle the rollercoaster of symptoms. We're getting real about everything from hormone therapy to natural ways to feel better, plus the surprising links between menopause, bone health, and heart health. And if your sex drive isn't what it used to be, you're not alone—we'll talk about why that happens and what you can do about it. This conversation is all about getting answers to the questions so many of us have but don't always talk about. If you've ever wondered, is this normal?—this episode is for you. Also, if you're feeling drained, moody, or just off, I have to tell you about Mighty Maca Plus. It's my go-to for balancing hormones naturally, and so many women swear by it for better energy, mood, and fewer hot flashes. It's easy, it works, and it's made a real difference in my life too. Check it out at dranna.com/drinkmaca and see for yourself!   Key Timestamps: [00:00:00] Introduction. [00:02:48] Perimenopause timeline and symptoms. [00:05:42] Weight gain during perimenopause. [00:08:24] Feelings of anxiety in perimenopause. [00:10:00] Sleep problems in perimenopause. [00:11:21] Sex drive changes in perimenopause. [00:12:24] Hormone therapy during perimenopause. [00:14:27] Brain fog and memory issues in perimenopause. [00:16:26] How do you know you've entered menopause? [00:18:10] Persistent hot flashes and solutions. [00:21:03] Weight gain in the midsection and insulin resistance. [00:24:05] Vaginal health and aging. [00:29:08] Menopause and bone health. [00:32:06] Pros and cons of HRT. [00:33:28] How long do menopause symptoms last? [00:35:19] Heart health post-menopause. [00:37:17] Losing your sex drive after menopause. [00:39:07] Natural alternatives to hormone therapy. [00:40:30] Mental health during post menopause. [00:44:37] Supplements for optimal health. [00:47:54] Improving your energy levels. [00:49:08] Brain health and wellness risks.   Memorable Quotes: "While menopause is natural and mandatory, suffering is optional." [00:04:31] – Dr. Anna Cabeca "Vaginal health is necessary for life and really part of optimal health, because if that isn't healthy, then we're going to have some issues." [00:25:23] – Dr. Anna Cabeca   Links Mentioned: Mighty Maca Plus: http://dranna.com/drinkmaca Submit your questions to us through this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAxR1oPFFM7hGaipAEwUCGhl8q79G8MawUxxXMaeuZX_c_WA/viewform   Connect with Dr. Anna Cabeca: Website: https://drannacabeca.com/pages/show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlfrienddoctor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thegirlfrienddoctor TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drannacabeca   Produced by Evolved Podcasting: www.evolvedpodcasting.com

Send us a textJoin us this week as we welcome Dr. Susannah Unsworth, a women's health expert and menopause specialist, to shed light on the ins and outs of HRT. Whether you're currently using hormone replacement therapy, considering it, or are searching for alternatives after breast cancer, this episode offers valuable insights for you. We dive into various topics including the benefits and safety of HRT, managing menopausal symptoms, personalized treatment options, and the role of lifestyle in navigating menopause. Plus, we discuss whether testosterone is right for you and why some women may struggle with progesterone. Dr. Unsworth provides essential guidance for anyone thinking about HRT. As always, thanks for tuning in, and see you next time! I think you find this conversation reassuring, empowering and educational..Topics we cover . . .Understanding menopause and HRTNavigating breast cancer and HRTCommon menopausal symptoms Vaginal healthy and urinary issuesPersonalising HRT treatmentSafety of HRT - can you use it beyond 5 years?Understanding HRT and breast cancer riskHow long should you take HRT?Alternatives to HRT and ageing well without hormonesThe importance of lifestyle in menopauseExploring testosterone - do you need it?Why some women don't tolerate progesteroneNavigating HRT prescriptions and the role of body identical HRTKey advice for women considering HRT For more information about Dr. Unsworth, visit her at https://cambridgewomenshealth.co.uk/https://cambridgewomenshealth.co.uk/contacthttps://cambridgewomenshealth.co.uk/aboutAmanda Ryder Registered Nutritional Therapist ~ Author of Feel good for Menopause @amandarydernutritionhello@amandaryder.co.ukwww.amandaryder.co.uk

Infants born by vaginal birth are exposed to maternal vaginal bacteria, which are one of the contributing influences on the subsequent development of the infant's microbiome. This process is altered by cesarean delivery, which changes the initial microbiome of the neonate. It is theorized that infants born by cesarean delivery have an increased risk of chronic inflammatory conditions due to altered early-life microbiome colonization, with associated aberrant immune and metabolic development. Vaginal seeding is the practice of inoculating an infant born by cesarean section with a sampling of fluid, with the use of a guaze, from the vagina of the mother over the child's face, mouth, and nares. This is performed to introduce the neonate to the mother's vaginal flora for presumed better health outcomes. Although cautionary statements have been published about this practice, it remains very popular. In Feb 2025, a “viewpoint” was published in JAMA Pediatrics which has brough vaginal seeding back into the limelight. Does this work? What are the official statements about this from the ACOG and AAP? Is there a way to do this “safely”? We will cover this new publication, review the official professional society's statements….and more, in this episode.

Sexual vitality isn't just about desire—it's about strength, awareness, and control. In this episode, Susan Morgan Taylor, MA, returns to dive deep into Pompoir—also known as vaginal gymnastics—and how this ancient practice can transform your intimate life, increase pleasure, and even improve overall well-being.With over 25 years of experience in somatic sex therapy, Susan is the creator of the Pleasure Keys Process, a framework that helps couples cultivate deep intimacy. She also hosts The Sex Talk Café Podcast and leads transformative couples retreats designed to help people reconnect in their relationships.What We Cover in This Episode:

durée : 00:06:46 - La Terre au carré - par : Mathieu Vidard - Aujourd'hui à la Une des sciences Olivier Monod, journaliste à Libération, parle du microbiote vaginal et vos messages laissés sur le répondeur de l'émission.

En este episodio, Frank explica las causas y soluciones de la infección vaginal.

In this episode of The VBAC Link Podcast, join Julie as she sits down with Ambrosia to discuss her journey from a teen pregnancy to achieving a VBAC after two C-sections. Ambrosia shares her unique experiences, the challenges she faced, and the importance of advocating for herself in the medical system. Julie and Ambrosia give insights into the myth of a small pelvis and preeclampsia. How is a small pelvis really diagnosed? Does preeclampsia always mean a medically necessary C-section? Listen to find out!The VBAC Link Blog: Overuse of the CPD DiagnosisCoterie Diapers - Use Code VBAC20 for 20% offHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Julie: All right, Good morning, good morning, good morning. It is Julie here today with The VBAC Link Podcast, and I'm really excited about our story today. I have with me Ambrosia. Is Ambrosia how you say it?Ambrosia: Yes.Julie: Okay, good. I didn't want to go the whole episode without saying your name wrong. Okay, we have it. Ambrosia. I'm really excited because today we have a VBAC after two C-section story. I love especially these stories. Her first pregnancy was a teen pregnancy, and I am really interested in hearing her experience about that because I know that it's a very unique circumstance and a very different journey as a teenager, and there are unique challenges associated with that. So I'm excited to hear more about that and about all of her journey through all of her births. But before I do that, I'm going to share a Review of the Week. This one is a throwback to 2020. I was looking through our spreadsheet and saw that we haven't done that one yet, so I'm going to throw all the way back almost four years ago. This review was on Apple Podcasts, and it says "Meagan and Julie and the women sharing their birth stories are amazing. They share real life stories of all kinds of births and helpful, useful, practical information that has really helped me feel prepared for my VBAC which I hope will happen very soon. I highly recommend listening to this podcast to be informed and encouraged. I also highly recommend their online VBAC course. It's self-paced and offers so much valuable information and good resources. It has really helped me feel ready and empowered to birth my baby. Thank you for all you awesome ladies do for women and the birth world."I will say thank you so much for sharing a review. If you haven't already, take some time, pause the podcast right now. Go ahead and leave us review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, and we might just be reading your review on the podcast one day.All right, let's get back to it. I'm really excited to meet Ambrosia today and hear her stories. Ambrosia is a 27-year-old mother of three boys. Boy Mom, that's super exciting. They are ages 11, 5, and 1 month. I'm really excited to hear, especially, about a fresh VBAC after two C-section story. She is from El Paso, Texas, and she is very excited to share her story with us today. So, Ambrosia, why don't you go ahead and share your journey to a VBAC after two C sections with us?Ambrosia: Cool. I'll start off with my first pregnancy. I got pregnant at about 16. And with that, I just wanted to mention that I wasn't really raised by my mom. I had my grandma in my life most of my life since I was two. So with her, I had a lot of freedom with her, in a sense. I did fall pregnant very, very young. But she did support me in so many ways. She helped me out through all of my pregnancy, but it was more providing shelter and food and stuff like that. When it came down to me knowing what to do, that wasn't really a thing. I found myself watching YouTube a lot and getting my information from the Internet, but still, I was just completely naive to what birth was and all of that. I just went straight off of what my doctor would tell me.Once I did find out that I was pregnant, I chose a doctor and didn't really do any research with that. I just chose a female because that's who I was more comfortable with. But little did I know, the doctor that I did choose, she was, from what I've heard around El Paso from other women and their experiences and doctors too, they were like, "Oh, she's really good at C-sections. She's one of the top ladies that you would want to have to do your C-section because she's really good at it." That was later on that I figured that out. But at the time I was just like, however my baby comes out is how it comes out, but I did want to have like a vaginal birth. I didn't want to do no surgeries or nothing because I've never even broke a bone in my body, so just the thought of surgery kind of scared me. My first visit with her was good, but she automatically told me, "Your pelvis is too narrow. You won't be able to push your baby out. There's a chance that he could get stuck," and this and that. I had my grandma with me, so we just gave each other that look of like, "Oh well, whatever is best." I ended up having a C-section with him, and she schedules the C-section. Then on that day that I got it, after everything was done, she mentioned to me, "You want more kids, right?" I told her, "Of course." She told me, "Well, if you wait a couple years, at least one to two or two-and-a-half years, then you could have a vaginal birth if you would still want that."Julie: That is so funny. Hold on. Can I interrupt for a second?Ambrosia: Yeah, of course.Julie: I'm so sorry. I think it's so funny that she told you that after she told you your pelvis was too small.Ambrosia: Exactly.Julie: Isn't that silly? Anyway, we're gonna talk more about that at the end of the episode, but I just had to call attention to that. Anyway. Sorry. Keep going. Thank you. Ambrosia: You're okay. Yeah. I thought that was weird, too, because knowing what I know now, I know that a lot of doctors get more money, in a sense, out of the C-sections rather than a vaginal birth. So I'm like, yeah, that's probably why. And not necessarily that, but it's more convenient for them. They don't have to really wait around and whatnot. And then with my second pregnancy, my son was already about 5-6 years old. And so I was like, well, of course I can. I was pretty excited. I did want to push for vaginal birth, but I did end up going back to her for that pregnancy. I should have known better. But honestly, I didn't know really how to advocate for myself still because I was 21. I feel like I just wasn't adamant enough. I didn't have that confidence yet be like, no, this is what I want. I don't want another C-section. This is what I want. I would mention it to her that at almost every appointment. With the first initial appointment, I told her, "I do want to try for a VBAC." And she's like, "Well, yeah. We can talk about that in your next appointments." As I kept going back for my appointments, she was just kind of like, "It's just an in-and-out type of thing and transactional experiences trying to see if you're healthy and whatnot." I started noticing at around 20 weeks pregnant that my hands would feel pretty weird. They would feel kind of stiff and a little swollen. I started getting very, very swollen. I worked full-time. I'm a nail technician, and so I work at a spa full time, or I did at that time too. I thought, maybe it's just stress from work or normal pregnancy symptoms. But I started feeling very noticeably swollen. I would see a lot of flashes and little stars just floating and bad headaches. Toward the end of my pregnancy, I would start feeling indigestion depending on what I ate. I thought it just wasn't sitting right in my stomach, and sometimes I would end up vomiting. But at the time I just thought, oh, this is just normal pregnancy symptoms or whatever. But knowing what I know now, I'm like, no, that was definitely signs of preeclampsia. But the thing is at every doctor's appointment that I would go in for, my blood pressure was always normal. So it was pretty weird that I had that. I would tell my doctor, I'd be like, "Hey, girl." I'm pretty swollen, and I don't really feel like myself." Obviously you're not gonna feel like yourself with pregnancy, but I felt not what I felt with my first pregnancy. It didn't feel good at all. So she looks at me, and she goes, "Oh, no. I mean, you're swollen, but you're also very slim," because I am very skinny naturally. But she's like, "Maybe your family isn't used to seeing you pregnant, you know?" So I was like, "I don't think that's what it is, but okay." Again, me being not very adamant about sticking up for myself in a sense like, no, I don't think this is. So I just told her. I was like, "Okay, we'll keep seeing." I kept going for my appointments and at 38 weeks, I had one of my appointments, and then I was feeling super bad. That's when I was just like, "No, I really don't feel good. I'm very swollen." She told me during that appointment, "Yeah, I mean, you look a little more swollen than usual. I'll have you go across to the hospital to get some bloodwork done." So I was like, "Okay." So I went. I remember telling my grandma at the time, "She wants me to go do some blood work." She just gave me that looks like, "I don't know," like she knew something. I was blindsided too. So I was like, "Yeah, yeah, I'm just gonna go get this bloodwork done real quick." I took my son with me, and then she ended up having to come pick him up again because I had to be admitted. They wanted to monitor me. She came and picked up my son, and then I went and got the bloodwork done. They took a urine sample, and then a couple of hours later, they're like, "Oh, yeah, you have preeclampsia." I was like, "Oh, no." I kind of knew it was that because I did a little bit of research, but at the same time, I didn't want to self-diagnose myself either. I was like, I don't want to say this is what it is when it really isn't, but I did a little bit of research and every symptom was matching up to that. So when they told me that, I was like, hey, I knew it in a sense, but I didn't really advocate for myself. I was just like, no, maybe it's normal. They did find protein in the urine too. So with that, since she found out, she was like, "Oh, no, we have to do the C-section tonight. There's no way." It was around 4:00 or 5:00 when I went in, and then that around 11:00 or 12:00 at night. That's when they started the C-section. But I was like, "Oh my god." When they did the ultrasound, my baby's head was down, so I was like, "Oh, I wanted to go through with a vaginal," and I was already a centimeter dilated too. I should mention that. I did want to do a vaginal, but she just kept saying, "No, since you have preeclampsia, there's no way we can do a natural delivery. You can start having seizures and your body's already under stress. We just need to get your baby out now." So I was like, "Okay." I ended up having to do another repeat C-section, but I felt like she just put the blame on the preeclampsia for the C-section, and then she has the audacity to say, "Oh it's a good thing I caught this right away. It's a good thing I caught this," and I'm like, "Oh my gosh, yes."Julie: You were trying to tell her almost the whole pregnancy, "I don't feel good. This is not really normal." Ambrosia: And then right when I finally told her again, that's when she was like, "Oh, I'm so glad I caught this." I was like, "Girl, no. If I wouldn't have told you, who knows how the rest of the pregnancy would have gone?" But it was wild to me. That really struck me right there. So I was just like, if I ever got pregnant again, I would not go back to her. Thankfully, my son was good. He was born and healthy. He did have to do a little NICU stay for a while just because he was under stress. And once he was born, like they said, he was grunting a little and having trouble breathing. He did go into the NICU for a little bit, like four or five days. But that whole experience was hard. It was really hard to go through with the NICU stay having a C-section, and then walking back and forth to the NICU. It was also my first time breastfeeding because when I was 16, I didn't have any guidance really. My grandma never breastfed. My great-grandma had never breastfed. My mom didn't breastfeed. I was just new to the whole experience. I didn't have a lot of people to help me out with that. My mother-in-law did breastfeed. She tried to help me, but it was new for me, so I was like, I don't even know. I was still shy in a sense. I was like, oh, people seeing every aspect of me was just weird. But I ended up breastfeeding my second for up to three years. That was the one thing that I took from all of that. It was a super nice bonding experience. But at the time, learning how to do it under the stress from having the C-section and all of that was just so much, but I stuck through that. I was really proud of myself at that time because I had really no guidance or anything with my first. I mean, I did want to breastfeed, but I just didn't know. I thought they were born, and they already knew how to latch and all that.Julie: I know. Sometimes it's hard work, for sure.Ambrosia: Yeah. I didn't know it was a learning experience for the baby and mom to breastfeed and stuff. So that, I missed out with on my first and a lot of other things. So it was nice. But that's what happened with my second. From that point on, I was like, no. If I get pregnant again, I'm going to have a vaginal birth. There's no way that my pelvis is too small. I already knew in the back of my mind that all that was just noise to me. It wasn't anything. I already knew that VBACs were possible just because my mom ended up having a C-section with my brother, and then with me and my sister, she had us vaginally. So I knew it was possible and that people can do it, but it's just finding the right provider that actually wants to take that on and support you through every step of the way. It was another thing, especially from where I am from here in El Paso, because most of the hospitals, will push and push. So this time around, when I did get pregnant, I was like, okay. We're not doing that again. I'm not going back to her. I did all my research and even spoke to some of my clients because 2024 was a really weird year where it seemed like everyone was pregnant in a sense. I was like, oh my god. A lot of my friends were pregnant. My clients and celebrities that I would even see, I'm like, okay, yeah. Everyone is pregnant around here. I would even ask some of my clients who their doctor was and what they were doing in a sense as far as birth with a natural birth or a C-section.One of them just like, "Oh, I had all of my babies as C-sections, and that's what I'm gonna keep doing." I guess it was more convenient for her. So I was like, "Oh yeah, that's that's good for you, but that's not what I want." Another one was telling me that she also wanted a VBAC too because she had a C-section with her first, and then for her second, she was going to Texas Tech University. I guess it's a hospital where they also have the students there, too. Texas Tech. So she said she was going there and that they had OB/GYN and midwives there, too. She was like, "One of the midwives who I'm seeing is totally on board with me having a VBAC." And she was like, "You should go to her." I was like, "Okay," but I don't know what happened with the scheduling. I didn't get her midwife. I ended up getting scheduled with OB/GYN. When I went to that first appointment, she did an exam and everything, and she was like, "Oh, no. Your pelvis is too narrow." I was like, oh my god. I wasn't going to find anybody who was VBAC-supportive.Again, I felt a little bit more comfortable just with a female, so I was limiting my search in a sense. I was just looking for female doctors or midwives who would do VBAC. And then I searched around birth centers, but the idea of that did freak me out because I was looking at one of them. They don't necessarily let you get an epidural. It's totally natural. I was like, I don't know if I could do all that. It just kind of freaked me out. So I was like, I don't know if I can do that. What if I'm in so much pain? That was not an option for me at the time. I ended up just Googling "VBAC", and then a doctor in my area did pop up. When I clicked on the website, it was blasted all over his site, like, "VBAC. Vaginal birth after Cesarean is possible." It was just really positive.Yeah. He had a really good success rate of VBACs and even VBACs after two C-sections because after two C-sections, doctors are a little bit more timid, in a sense, if they want to take that on or not. So I found him, but I was also like, oh, but it's a guy. I don't know how this is going to work or anything.But me just being so adamant in wanting the vaginal birth, because I knew in my heart, I can do this. I'm not too narrow or small. I'm a petite woman, but I'm not tiny. I knew I could do it. I ended up just trying him out. I went to my first appointment with him, and then everything was pretty good. He wasn't invasive either. He just looked at me. He was like, "What are you wanting for this birth?" And I told him a VBAC. And he was like, "Okay. And you've had two previous C-sections?" I was like, "Yep, two C-sections." And then he was like, "And the reason for the C-sections?" I was like, "The first one, basically no reason at all. It was just because the doctor thought my pelvis is too narrow. He chuckled. He was like, "Oh, okay. And the second one?" I was like, "She blamed it on preeclampsia, in a sense," which I feel like she really did. But who knows? I mean, maybe. I know it has its risks and all that doing a vaginal with preeclampsia, but she just wasn't willing to take those in a sense. So I told him, and he was like, "Okay." And then he just was like, "Yeah." He measured my stomach and all that. He didn't do those the pap smears or anything. He wasn't invasive. He's like, "There's no need for me to check and see and all that." That's what the doctor over there at Texas Tech did. Right away, she stuck her fingers in me and she's like, "Oh, no. You're too narrow." I'm like, oh my god. He didn't do none of that. He just looked at me. He's like, "Yeah, you're good. I mean, you're not tiny. I think it's possible." He gave me a lot of reassurance in a sense. I just kept going back and back, and every visit was really fast and simple. He didn't really didn't say much. My pregnancy was pretty healthy. No preeclampsia this time which was really good because I was scared that would happen again and that would be another cause for concern and then end in a C-section or something. There were a couple of little scares. Once I saw my baby here, I was like, no, it was literally just a bunch of scares for no reason, but they have to monitor stuff. But one of them was with the ultrasound, they found an EIF in his heart. I didn't know what the heck that was, so that scared me. But his heartbeat was real strong, so they were like, No, that's nothing to be concerned about or anything. Once he's here the pediatricians will check him out and everything, but it's nothing to be concerned about." So that they found that. And then in another ultrasound, they were telling me that the lower extremities weren't matching up with the upper extremities. So that scared the poop out of me. I was like, oh my god. My baby has these two things. So I was real scared that he was going to have something wrong with him. He told me, and I would ask a lot of questions. I'd be like, "Whoa, what are these things that you found? And what could that mean?" He's like, "Honestly, it's really nothing to worry about. We're just going to keep monitoring you." He had sent me to a specialist, so I would go get my ultrasounds with them. And then also they were like, "You're really small. There's not a lot of room in there for him," because they were seeing that his foot was really squished. They were afraid that he was going to be born with a club foot or something. It was just a bunch of little scares where I was like, oh my god. This is crazy. They always reassured me, "Don't worry if anything comes out," not wrong, but if he does come out with that, it could be corrected and always reassuring me as well. So those were just the only little scares that we really had. But overall, my pregnancy was pretty healthy. No high blood pressure, nothing. None of that. And then when it came closer to my due date, which was September 28th, he was asking me again, "Okay, so you still want to go through with the VBAC?" I was like, "Of course I do."And then he's like, "Do you want to wait for your body to kind of go into labor on its own, or do you want me to induce you?" I just wanted to go through all that naturally and let my body do its thing because I know my body can do it. But my son was just comfortable in there, in a sense. I don't know. I know a lot of women go to labor a little bit early, around 38 weeks. So at 38 weeks, I was just like, okay, you can come out now. I was getting really uncomfortable. Everything was aching. So I was just like, I really don't want to be induced though, because I also knew from my research, because I did a lot of research. I listened to this podcast, too, so much. At the time, I felt like if I can go into labor naturally, I'll have better success with having my VBAC. I know I could do it. The induction part scared me because I was like, I don't want anything to counteract with each other, like the Pitocin and then the epidural and all that. I was being not negative in a sense, but weighing the risks out in my own head. I was kind of overthinking it, too, in a sense. But when that time came, he was like, "All right." Toward the end, he would do cervical exams to see if I was dilated or not. At 38 weeks, I was a centimeter dilated. I stayed like that until 39 weeks. I think maybe even at 37 weeks, I was already a centimeter. I was hoping I could dilate even more and by the time my due date comes, which was the 28th of September, maybe I'll be ready to go. But no, like I said, he was just really comfortable in there. So by the 27th, I was the 27th of September. I had my last doctor's appointment, and he was like, "All right, if you want me to induce you, I can induce you." But I forgot what he said. He was like, "If you want to wait for your body to go into labor naturally, I'm going to be out of town." I was so disappointed. Like, what do you mean you're going to be out of town? That type of thing. He was like, "If you do wait for your body to go into labor naturally, then there's a chance. You'll have the doctor here at one of the local hospitals. It's Del Sol. You'll have one of those doctors, but your chances of having a C-section, like go up higher because it's not me." He stated again, "I have a 95% rate of VBAC success." So I was thinking and thinking, but he told me, "Go ahead and think it over. Talk with your family about it and just let me know what you want to do. Give us a call, but I do want you to go and be monitored." He didn't really mention why for me to go to the hospital to be monitored. He wanted me to get a sonogram and then I forgot what else it was, but he wanted me to go into the hospital to get monitored. I was like, "Okay." I think it was for the next day. So I think it was actually the 26th that my appointment was. And then on the 27th, I had to go to the hospital to be monitored either way. They made it a point to me. They were like, "You need to go to the hospital for that sonogram or whatever." And I was like, okay. I thought it was kind of weird, but I was nervous, too. I was like, okay, whatever. I'm going to go. I end up going. I got myself admitted and everything. They hooked me up to the machines. They checked me with a cervical exam. I was still at a centimeter. The baby's heartbeat was doing good. They came in and did the ultrasound, and then they were like, "Oh, you're having contractions. You don't feel them?" I was like, "No, not really." I really didn't feel them because I guess I had been feeling them for weeks on end. My stomach would tighten. Again, I didn't know what they felt like really just because with my past, I had C-sections, so I was like, no, this is all new to me. I don't even know what contractions even feel like. I just thought the tightening of the stomach-- obviously I knew it was something, but I thought it was like, oh, those are Braxton Hicks contractions. They're fine. They're fine. I guess they were coming on pretty strong, but they were just like that for a long time. They didn't hurt or anything. My stomach was super tight. So, with every contraction, they'd be like, "Oh, you didn't feel that? You didn't feel that? Okay." Well, they ended up telling me, "We are going to keep you overnight just because you are contracting a lot. The doctor sent you in because he wanted us to check your amniotic fluid." He didn't have a lot of amniotic fluid in there, so that's why they wanted me to go in. I ended up staying the night. And then the next day, that's when they were like, "Okay, so do you want us to induce you?" Actually, I think it was on the 27th. I did go in because I ended up staying the night. And then the next day, that's when they were asking me. And I mean, I was just like, "Okay." I guess, honestly, a lot of factors played into that. My mom was coming in from out of town, from California over here, my mom and my sister, and I wanted them to be here. If I would have waited, my thing was if I wait to go into labor naturally and my mom and sister come down and nothing happens, they have to go back, and they would miss a whole birth and everything, and they wouldn't be able to see my son. So I was weighing out all the options, and I ended up agreeing to be induced. Around 11:00 on the 28th, that's when they started Pitocin. And then another thing that I thought was he didn't really mention this to me, or I probably should have asked, too, that when he was doing the induction, it's one of his policies that he has that he would prefer to just have the epidural put. Because I had it in my mind that I want to try it without the epidural, but I wanted it to be there too. Like, if I do end up giving in and being like, oh well, this is a little bit too much pain for my comfort, I have that option if I wanted to get it or not. But my doctor had mentioned before, "You can have the epidural put in, but none of the medicine." I was like, okay. So when the time came, they were like, "Oh well, we can't start the Pitocin without the epidural placed in first." I guess it was for that reason just because if anything were to go wrong or anything and I would need an emergency C-section, that was already placed so they wouldn't have to put me out completely, and I would miss the whole birth." So I was like, "Okay, all right, you guys can place it." Once they did, they're like, "No, we're going to have to run at least just a little bit of the epidural." And I was like, "What the heck? I thought no medicine had to go through or anything." And they're like, "Well yeah, we kind of do. Just because if we don't, there's a chance for it to be a clot, and then we would have to place it all over again." And they were like, "I don't necessarily think that's exactly what you want." I'm like, "Honestly, no, but okay." It was just a little shock to me. I was like, oh, okay. That's not what I wanted. I wanted to be able to get up and walk around to push through the labor in that sense and the contractions because I feel like they would have been more tolerable if I was able to move around. But once the Pitocin started kicking in and the contractions came on, at first they were okay. I was laughing with my mom and my sister because they did come in. They had just gotten there. We were just talking, and my husband was there too. We were all just laughing. It was a nice little beginning to the labor and filled with a lot of laughs. But once I wasn't able to laugh through nothing, I just wanted to focus and for everyone to not even talk. I was like, oh, this is intense. I would have preferred to be up and moving around and stuff, but that was not the case, which I kind of expected before I had went in. You can't really plan for things to go your way because there's always going to be something that ends up not going your way. So I was just going with the flow type of thing. Whatever happens, happens. It's for a reason. So the Pitocin was definitely kicking in, and I was contracting, and then I wasn't really dilating, fast. They didn't really want to do cervical checks a lot because of bacteria. My water wasn't broken yet, so I think I was at a 1 still. They checked and they were like, "Oh, you're at 2." And then., "Oh, you're at 2 still." The doctor ended up coming in himself, and then he ended up breaking my water. He didn't really necessarily, ask or anything. It was just the type of, "Okay, I'm gonna check you," and then, "Okay, we're gonna break the water." I was like, "Oh my god. What the heck do you mean? Like, break my water right here, right now?" It was kind of shocking, too, but I was just kind of like, okay, if this is what's needed to progress the labor, then I'll just go with it, in a sense. Nobody even asked me. That was rude and not really, but I was just like, that's so weird that he came in and just broke my water. And then after that, honestly, things started getting more intense. The contractions were very intense, and I wasn't able to get up or anything. I could feel them because I didn't want them to pump any more than three-- I don't know if it's milliliters or whatever of the epidural. I wasn't pressing that button or anything. I just wanted to do it without it as much as possible, but I could really feel everything. So once the water was broke, I was just like, okay, this is really it. There was a peanut ball there. So I was like, "Get the peanut ball. Let's try to put it in between my legs, and let's see if it does anything." We did that, and it really, really made things worse for me just because it was not comfortable at all. The pain was bad, but it ended up dilating me more and pretty fast too. But it was very, very uncomfortable. I would have to switch positions and just kind of lay on one side and then lay on my other side. I felt all the contraction pain just in my back towards my butt, in a sense. It just felt intense. I'm just grateful I was even able to experience that just because I didn't feel anything with my other ones. You feel just cold in comparison to the C-section and tugging and pulling. It was a weird experience with them. They weren't really traumatic or anything for me, thank God, but it just wasn't what I wanted. So to even be feeling all of the labor pains and all that, I was just grateful to even be there and experiencing that as a woman. It was pretty exciting for me. But like I said, things didn't really necessarily play out the way I was envisioning or how I wanted it to a T, but I was able to experience all of the other things. And then they would do cervical exams. Once I was at an 8 or whatever, that's when I was like, okay, I'm getting closer because I was afraid that I wasn't even going to dilate and I would just have to end up getting a C-section. But I was dilating. And then once he came in, because I guess the nurses were like, "No, yeah, baby's talking to me. He's letting us know that he's moving down and he's gonna come out." One of the nurses was like, "He's going be out by the end of my shift. Watch, guys." We were just looking at her like, "Okay, if you say that, let's see." Eventually, I want to say it was around 5:00 or 5:30, that's when I finally reached 10 centimeters. That's when the doctors came in. They started getting everything ready. And then I was like, oh, my god, I think it's time to push. My body felt like I needed to go to the restroom and I needed to poop. So I was like, oh, my god. I feel like that. They told me before, "If you feel like you need to poop, then you need to push. Let us know." And then I was like, "Yeah, I do." My husband calls them and he's like, "Yeah, she said she feels like she needs to poop". And then they're like, "Okay, yeah." That's when he came in and all the nurses too. They started getting everything ready. I want to say I started pushing and he told me he's like, "It's literally going to feel like you have to use the restroom, so don't hold back or anything. Just push." So I was like, okay. I think after four or five times of pushing my son, I could feel him come out. The head first came out and then finally, the rest of the body. I had that huge relief of like, oh my god. I cannot even believe that I just did that. I did it. Even though all these doctors would tell me like, "No, you're too small. There's no way," I actually did it. I didn't even have any lacerations, no nothing. I didn't tear or anything. It was just unbelievable because I had the biggest fear too, that I was going to tear into two holes. There was no way I was going to not tear at all. But I didn't end up tearing or anything which was good because I know that's an additional recovery in a sense. But after a couple of pushes, he was out. I was just so happy. I was crying. My mom was crying because she was in the room with me, and my sister was in the room with me holding one leg. My husband was holding the other one, and there was just tears. Tears everywhere. It was really, really nice to actually experience that for this birth. I feel like a lot of women, too, can relate. Once you finally do that after people saying, "No, you can't," or not even giving you a chance to try, it was very, very rewarding and a completely different experience to a C-section. I'm just very grateful that I found this doctor and that he actually took me on and was like, "Oh yeah, you'll be fine. We'll do this. You can do this." It was really nice. So my son was born. He was only 6 pounds, 8 ounces. And so he wasn't a really big baby either. But still, I was a petite woman myself, so I thought it was gonna be challenging, but it was good. I didn't have any problems. No, nothing. He was born very, very healthy. Even all the nurses, too were really excited. They're like, "Oh my god, she's a VBAC. She actually did it." I kept hearing that over the course of my stay. They were just like, "You did a VBAC. That's so amazing. Congratulations." It was just so nice to hear. And the recovery, oh my god, was so much better than a C-section, just 100 times better because I was able to get up after the epidural had worn off. I was able to get up because after those contractions started getting really intense, I was pressing that button. I was like, you know what? I need more of the epidural. There's no way. Those Pitocin contractions were just more intense than natural contractions and they really were. So I did only bump up myself from three milliliters to six, I think. I didn't really feel so much pain, but I could still feel things. After the epidural wore off, I was able to get up and walk, and it was nice. It was really nice to get up and do things and not have to have that pain of a C-section and leave the hospital after just a day, the very next day. We were able to leave by like 5-6:00. I was able to go home and was just enjoying my baby. That was pretty much it. But I was very grateful for the experience.Julie: I love that story. That's such an incredible and inspiring story. There are so many things that I could talk about, but we're running a little short on time, so I want to talk about two things. The myth of the small pelvis and preeclampsia. First, I know that preeclampsia is really tricky because the induction is necessary. Preeclampsia is one of the things where you need to get the baby out sooner rather than later. It's a medically indicated thing. If you have a doctor telling you that, you don't have to question it or worry about it because it's really important to get that baby here quickly. However, there are instances where an induction may be appropriate compared to just going straight to a C-section. And again, provider preference is going to play a huge deal into that. But also, as long as your blood pressure is holding steady through an induction and you're progressing well and mom and baby are doing fine, then an induction can be a safe option as well for preeclampsia. So the biggest thing they're just going to make sure is the stress of the induction is not too much on your body because sometimes your blood pressure will go up just naturally with labor because it's a lot of work. But as long as you keep an eye on that, I know that it's a reasonable option at times. So don't think that having preeclampsia just means you automatically have to go to a C-section. But again, talk about your options with your provider. If your provider is not telling you something that you feel comfortable with, question it. Seek out another opinion. But definitely trust your intuition and lean into that. I think that if you've been around with us for long enough, you will know how we feel about the idea of somebody's pelvis being too small. Now, I think it's really sad. I think maybe sad's not the right word, but I feel like with teenage pregnancies, these teenagers who arguably need more help than most because teenage pregnancies are oftentimes unplanned and unexpected. They are in a very vulnerable situation. They need more help and more guidance. But I feel like oftentimes a system will take advantage of that vulnerability, maybe probably even unknowingly. But I feel like it's very easy for teenagers in a hospital system to get railroaded more because they haven't gone through a lot of the experiences that we do later on in life and learn how to navigate through trickier situations and stand up for ourselves and advocate. It's harder and more challenging. And so I'm really sorry that happened to and your provider used her vaginal exam to determine your pelvis is too small. Now let me tell you, there's only one way to determine an actual pelvis size and that's with a pelvic telemetry scan. It's kind of like an X-ray. Vaginal exams are not evidence based. And not only that, we know there's so much more that goes into a pelvis being too small because pelvises move and flex as the baby's being born. Our baby's head squeezes and molds in order to fit through the pelvis, so even a pelvis that might be "too small" before pregnancy can change and shift and expand and grow through the pregnancy, but especially as labor happens. So it's very, very rare for a pelvis to be actually too small or deformed, and usually that happens when mother grows up either incredibly malnourished and their bones are not able to grow properly or through a traumatic injury to the pelvic area. Those are usually the biggest or the most likely times where you'll see a pelvis that is truly too small. A lot of times, it's failure to wait. Maybe the body is just not ready for maybe a too-early induction and things like that. So I would encourage you to ask questions, ask questions, and trust your intuition. We do have a blog al' about CPD which is cephalopelvic disproportion that we're going to link into the show notes. And that just basically means it's fancy words saying your pelvis is too small or maybe your baby's too big to fit through the size of your pelvis as it is. But I'm so glad that Ambrosia was able to stand up for herself and find a provider who would support her in getting a VBAC after two C-sections. So I'm very proud of you and thank you so much for joining me on the podcast today.Ambrosia: Thank you so much. 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.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

In this episode, Dr. Carolyn Moyers dives into groundbreaking research published in The New England Journal of Medicine (March 6, 2025), shedding new light on bacterial vaginosis (BV) management. A randomized controlled trial from Australia, involving 164 couples, found that treating male partners significantly reduced BV recurrence rates by half over 12 weeks.This study challenges conventional treatment approaches and suggests BV may function more like a sexually transmitted infection (STI) than previously thought. Dr. Moyers discusses the implications for clinical practice, the ongoing challenges in managing persistent and recurrent BV, and the broader health risks associated with bacterial vaginosis.

Send Kiona a Text Message!Carly and Jonathan experienced two very different births with their daughters. Their first daughter Kinsley was an induction at the hospital and the birth of their second daughter Raelynn was an unplanned unassisted water birth at home. Carly trusted her body and listened to her intuition throughout both experiences. Jonathan had some advantages since he was in medical school at the time both of them were born. Tune in to learn why and how this was helpful. birthasweknowitpodcast.com/80 Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only with no intention of giving or replacing any medical advice. I, Kiona Nessenbaum, am not a licensed medical professional. All advice that is given on the podcast is from the personal experience of the storytellers. All medical or health-related questions should be directed to your licensed provider.  Tune in to Jonathan's sister's episodes as well: 16-Sarah Ziroll-3 Births-Cesarean-VBAC-Birth Made Mindful47-Christina Packard-Miscarriage-6 Cesarean Births-Made Mindful-Etenelle, Avalinne, Olivier, Azazael, Yvette,& EamesResources:Made Mindful: https://www.birthmademindful.com/ 30% off made mindful birth and 4th trimester courses code: BirthAsWeKnowItPerinatal Support of Washington: https://perinatalsupport.org/ Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.netI Was Promised A Baby-Carlos Puga : https://g.co/kgs/zXrLwuR You Make Me Brave-Lauren Daigle: https://youtu.be/AEbhCEks2Jo?si=4BuctLLUBIii4lcd  Definitions:Threatened Miscarriage Nuchal cordSubchorionic Hemorrhage Ferguson / Fetal Ejection Reflex (FER)Support the showThank you so much for tuning in to this episode! If you like this podcast, don't hesitate to share it and leave a review so it can bring the podcast to the attention of others. If you want to share your own birth story or experience on the Birth As We Know It™️ Podcast, head over to https://birthasweknowitpodcast.com/ or fill out this Guest Request Form. Support the podcast and become a part of the BAWKI™️ Community by becoming a Patron on the Birth As We Know It Patreon Page! And don't forget to join in on the fun in the Private Facebook Group!

We discuss the pressing issues surrounding operative vaginal deliveries, including trends in their usage and the disparities impacting delivery outcomes. Join us as we navigate these critical insights with expert guests Jamie Perry and Howard Herrell, revealing the complexities and nuances surrounding forceps and vacuum deliveries.• Examining the historical context of operative vaginal deliveries • Analyzing the decline in forceps and vacuum usage since the 1990s • Discussing the rise of cesarean deliveries as an alternative • Revealing racial disparities adjacent to delivery practices • Outlining effective techniques for both forceps and vacuum-assisted deliveries Learn more about this pressing topic and gain valuable insights by listening to our episode.00:00:00 ntroduction and Overview of the Episode00:01:18 The Decline in Operative Vaginal Deliveries00:05:24 Forceps00:24:21 Vacuums00:49:30 Advice For Trainees00:55:38 Four Tips for Forceps and VacuumsFollow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

Vaginal, penile, and other words that make Elliot laugh.

Woman in Scotland rushes to the hospital to find out that she was pregnant. Krystle used the deposit and withdrawal method for not getting pregnant. A girl born without a vaginal opening was shocked to learn she was with child. 

Woman in Scotland rushes to the hospital to find out that she was pregnant. Krystle used the deposit and withdrawal method for not getting pregnant. A girl born without a vaginal opening was shocked to learn she was with child. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Sara Kostant returns to Healthful Woman to discuss the early stages of recovery for new mothers after vaginal and cesarean delivery. In this episode, she and Dr. Fox explain what patients and their loved ones can expect immediately after delivery until the first postpartum visit. This includes care if the patient tears, symptoms like swelling, breastfeeding a newborn, and more.

Send Eve a text, question, or suggestion! Sex should be pleasurable, but for many women, pain during intercourse is a common yet rarely discussed issue. In this episode, Eve breaks down the causes of painful sex, including dyspareunia and vaginismus, and shares practical solutions to help you reclaim pleasure. From understanding pelvic floor health to the role of hormones, lubrication, and foreplay, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate this sensitive but important topic.What You'll Learn in This Episode:

This week, the girls don't hold back in this uncensored chat about ejaculating in the vagina and the ass! From the drip to the taboo nature to the benefits of being fluid bonded with a partner, listen in for some x-rated and deep reflections on cream pies. Elle's “perfect porn pussy” and toilet paper mishaps. (00:40)Cream Pies: Vee and Elle's first times and experience level with it. (5:18)Dripping semen: a sexy naughty reminder of a hot scene or a gross gush in the middle of the workday? (9:15)Fucking on your period, and cream pies mixing with period blood. (11:12)Mess on our own terms: do you prefer cumming inside or outside the pussy? (17:23)What we like about cream pies. (20:04)Getting the cum out after sex. (23:43)Eating cream pies out of pussies. (29:43)Friends' stories: hot wife, sloppy seconds. (32:21)Anal cream pies. (38:12)Friends' stories: cream pie before a first date. (41:58)Friends' stories: hot positions. (44:41)Considerations before having sex without a condom. (46:28)Friends' stories: taking a new partner's cum, dirty talk. (50:17)Pussy aftercare: recommendations from Dr. Sexy! Elle is a holistic health practitioner with her own practice, and gives advice for keeping your vaginal microbiome balanced and healthy pre- and post- play time. (54:55)Where to find us, and how you can support us:Instagram: @girlsgonedeeppod Merch: girlsgonedeep.com/shopContact: girlsgonedeep@gmail.comWHOREible Life: Get 10% off your deck with code GONEDEEP at whoreiblelife.com Instagram: @wlthegameWoo More Play Affiliate Link: Support us while you shop!

Cette semaine dans Tout sur elles, Anna Roy nous parle de microbiote vaginal, de bactéries lactiques et de pertes… Des mots qui peuvent faire peur, par leur allure complexe, mais qu'il est pourtant important de comprendre: le microbiote est essentiel à l'hygiène du vagin et en parler permet de déconstruire les complexes et préjugés. Anna Roy évoque notamment les pertes vaginales, dont l'odeur et la couleur permettent de juger de l'état de santé du microbiote.Alors à quoi sert ce microbiote vaginal? Est-ce grave d'avoir des pertes odorantes? (non, mais il faut consulter) Et comment réaliser une bonne toilette intime? Notre sage-femme préférée vous dit tout dans cet épisode.Anna Roy est sage-femme depuis plus de dix ans, chroniqueuse aux «Maternelles» et autrice d'une quinzaine d'ouvrages de vulgarisation scientifique autour de la santé des femmes, celles des jeunes, des vieilles, des ados, des mères. Le podcast Tout sur elles est un moyen de partager le savoir académique qu'elle a acquis et le savoir qu'elle a reçu des femmes dont elle a croisé la route. Et quand un sujet lui est moins familier, Tout sur elles n'hésite pas à tendre le micro à d'autres spécialistes.Tout sur elles est un podcast d'Anna Roy, présenté par Nina Pareja, produit par Slate Podcasts.Direction éditoriale: Christophe CarronProduction éditoriale: Nina ParejaMontage et réalisation: Marius SortMusique: Victor Benhamou et Johanna LalondeSuivez-nous sur Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook et Twitter. Hébergé par Audion. Visitez https://www.audion.fm/fr/privacy-policy pour plus d'informations.

Vaginal dryness isn't just a menopause problem—women in their 30s and 40s are experiencing it more than ever. Stress, birth control, and hormone imbalances can all play a role. In this episode, we break down the real causes, how gut health and stress impact vaginal moisture, and the best natural remedies and hormone therapy options. Plus, we cover the best lubricants and vaginal creams—what works and what to avoid. If you're dealing with painful sex, UTIs, or low libido, tune in now for real solutions! ***

Today's episode features the amazing Dr. Kelly Casperson, host of the podcast You Are Not Broken. Dr. Casperson, a trained urologist, has had a fascinating journey that led her to become an expert in sex and women's health, and we're diving into how that transformation unfolded. We'll explore the concept of genitourinary syndrome of menopause, the benefits of vaginal estrogen for bladder and sexual health, and discuss important topics like brain fog and the role of hormone therapy in supporting women's well-being during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Casperson's insights on managing menopause symptoms with preventative care, understanding hormone replacement, and debunking common myths are incredibly valuable. So, let's get into this informative conversation!Access more information about the podcast and additional expert health tips by visiting SHE MD Podcast and Ovii. SPONSORS:Visit OneSkin.co/SHEMD and use code SHEMD at checkout for 15% off your first purchase.Hero Bread is offering listeners 10% off your order. Go to hero.co and use code SHEMD at checkout. Go to livemomentous.com and try it today for 20% off with code SHEMD, and start living on purpose. Go to Cymbiotikia.com/SHEMD for 20% off your order + free shipping today. As a ZOE member, you'll get an at home test kit and personalized nutrition program to help make smarter food choices that support your gut. Thats ZOE.com and use code SHEMD10 to get 10% off your membership. Listeners of She MD can claim an exclusive three-month free trial, with no credit required at www.YNAB.com/shemd IN THIS EPISODE: [:00] Dr. Aliabadi shares exciting news about Ovii[2:05] Dr. Casperson shares her career journey[6:47] Why podcasts discussing menopause, hormone therapy and vaginal dryness are necessary[18:34] Lubrication is essential, painful sex and testosterone usage for women[29:27] Vaginal estrogen treatments and brain fog [38:35] The benefits of hormone therapyDR. KELLY CASPERSON TAKEAWAYS:Vaginal estrogen isn't just for treating symptoms; it helps prevent recurrent UTIs, bladder issues, and tissue atrophy. It's a game-changer for long-term vaginal and urinary health.Vaginal dryness is a common but treatable symptom of menopause. Lubricants and vaginal estrogen can help maintain comfort and intimacy. Don't suffer in silence, solutions exist!Your pleasure and sexual wellness matter. Don't let outdated myths or stigma hold you back. Advocate for yourself, seek the proper care, and take control of your intimacy.Hormones are not miracle workers, and while hormone therapy can be incredibly beneficial, it's not a cure-all. A holistic approach, nutrition, exercise, and stress management, works alongside hormones for optimal health.Your Health Is Not Static, You're in Control – Menopause and aging bring changes, but you can make informed choices. From hormone therapy to lifestyle shifts, you can take charge of your well-being.RESOURCES:Dr. Kelly Casperson InstagramYou Are Not Broken PodcastKelly Casperson MD WebsiteYou Are Not Broken YouTubeYou Are Not Broken BookGUEST BIOGRAPHY:Dr. Kelly Casperson is a board-certified urologic surgeon, renowned public speaker, sex educator, and host of the top-ranking podcast You Are Not Broken. Dedicated to empowering women, Dr. Kelly blends humor, candor, and science to demystify sexual health, intimacy, and midlife wellness. Through her podcast and online courses, she tackles myths about desire and normalizes conversations around healthy, fulfilling sex. Her work also provides essential education on hormones and midlife health. Connect with Dr. Kelly on Instagram (@kellycaspersonmd) or visit kellycaspersonmd.com.Connect with SHE MD: Welcome to SHE MD, the podcast where medicine, wellness, and real-life experiences intersect. Hosted by Dr. Thais Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney, they educate listeners on topics like menopause, perimenopause, PCOS, fertility, and more! Visit our website here SHE MD Podcast and visit Ovii. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn, a naturopathic physician and menopause Society certified practitioner. Together, we delve into perimenopause and menopause, addressing hormonal changes, symptoms, and treatments. We discuss the importance of understanding these transitions, tracking periods, and the potential role of hormone therapy. Brittany also emphasizes the significance of lifestyle changes and nutritional support for managing symptoms and improving overall health. Let's dive in! Thank you for joining us today. If you could rate, review & subscribe, it would mean the world to me! While you're at it, take a screenshot and tag me @jennpike to share on Instagram – I'll re-share that baby out to the community & once a month I'll be doing a draw from those re-shares and send the winner something special! Click here to listen: Apple Podcasts – CLICK HERESpotify – CLICK HERE Connect with Guest - Instagram | @drbritschamerhorn.nd Facebook | @drbritschamerhorn.nd Website | www.drbrittanyschamerhorn.com   This episode is sponsored by: withinUs | Use the code JENNPIKE20 at withinus.ca for a limited time to save 20% off your order St. Francis Herb Farm | Go to stfrancisherbfarm.com and save 15% off every order with code JENNPIKE15 Skin Essence Organics | Go to skinessence.ca and save 15% off your first order with code JENNPIKE15 /// Save 10% off every order with code JENNPIKE10 Eversio Wellness | Go to eversiowellness.com/discount/jennpike15 and save 15% off every order with code JENNPIKE15 /// not available for “subscribe & save” option Free Resources: Free Perimenopause Support Guide | jennpike.com/perimenopausesupport Free Blood Work Guide | jennpike.com/bloodworkguide The Simplicity Sessions Podcast | jennpike.com/podcast Programs: The Perimenopause Project | jennpike.com/theperimenopauseproject The Hormone Project Academy | jennpike.com/thehormoneproject Synced Virtual Fitness Studio | jennpike.com/synced The Simplicity Women's Wellness Clinic | jennpike.com/wellnessclinic The Audacious Woman Mentorship | jennpike.com/theaudaciouswoman Connect with Jenn: Instagram | @jennpike Facebook | @thesimplicityproject YouTube | Simplicity TV Website | The Simplicity Project Inc. Have a question? Send it over to hello@jennpike.com and I'll do my best to share helpful insights, thoughts and advice.

In this episode of the You Are Not Broken podcast, Dr. Kelly Casperson interviews Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald, a urogynecologist specializing in pelvic floor disorders. They discuss the importance of open conversations about women's health, particularly regarding prolapse and the misconceptions surrounding childbirth. Dr. Fitzgerald shares her journey into social media advocacy, the challenges women face in understanding their health, and the need for better education and separate specialties in women's health. The conversation highlights the systemic issues in healthcare that affect women's treatment and the importance of empowering women with knowledge about their bodies. In this conversation, Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald and Dr. Kelly Casperson discuss the complexities of women's health, particularly focusing on menopause, the role of healthcare providers, and the challenges faced in the healthcare system. They emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary approach to women's health, the importance of vaginal health, and the radical nature of urogynecology as a feminist act. The discussion also touches on the future of OB-GYN, reproductive rights, and the necessity for women to take action in advocating for their health. Takeaways Prolapse is often misunderstood and not openly discussed. Education can reduce anxiety about childbirth and its consequences. Women often feel ashamed or broken due to health issues post-childbirth. IUD placement pain is often inadequately addressed in women's health. Obstetrics and gynecology should be separate specialties for better care. The healthcare system often undervalues women's health procedures. Women need to be informed about the risks associated with childbirth. Empowering women with knowledge can lead to better health outcomes. Ob-Gyns often lack knowledge about menopause-related issues. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for women's health. The healthcare system can be toxic and burdensome for providers. Urogynecology plays a crucial role in women's health post-childbirth. Vaginal estrogen is vital for maintaining vaginal health. Incontinence is a leading cause of nursing home admissions. Reproductive rights are under threat and require advocacy. Reliable male birth control could change societal dynamics. https://www.instagram.com/jjfitzgeraldmd/ Sedona in October: https://www.ascendretreats.com/menopause-and-sexual-health-2025 Order my book "You Are Not Broken: Stop "Should-ing" All Over You Sex Life" Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class: My Website Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Starts 2025. Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance. Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care. https://www.joinmidi.com Thanks to our sponsor Sprout Pharmaceuticals. To find out if Addyi is right for you, go to addyi.com/notbroken and use code NOTBROKEN for a $10 telemedicine appointment. See Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including Boxed Warning for severe low blood pressure and fainting in certain settings at addyi.com/pi To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com for 30% off your first purchase of any product, automatically applied at checkout. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join the Calm Mama Membership: labornursemama.com/cmsLeave a review and include your Instagram username for a chance to win our monthly raffle!Who's afraid of vaginal tearing during birth? Um...none of us want to tear our lady bits! We hear this all the time over on IG. We know this fear is filling your brain right now. So Trish is breaking it down today.Vaginas are made to stretch and accommodate your baby. A vaginal tear is your body's natural response to a need for more room for the baby your body built.I want to help you arm yourself with knowledge. Knowledge is power. Knowledge combats fear. We love to disarm fears around here.Fear and birth are a terrible mix.Trish will break it all down in her particular unorthodox view of birth and all the fear surrounding it. Listen in, and let's talk about what vaginal tearing is, why it happens, who it happens to, and what you can do to TRY to prevent it.More from this episode:Get the tearing book here!Full Article about tearing:Link to Sitz BathResources: First Trimester Secret PodcastGrab a Free Pregnancy/Postpartum Checklist BundleConnect w/ Trish: On InstagramOn FacebookOn YouTubeOn Pinterest On TikTokFor more pregnancy & birth education, subscribe to The Birth Experience on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Produced and Edited by Vaden Podcast ServicesNext Steps with LNM:If you are ready to invest in your pregnancy & postpartum journey, you are in the right place. I would love to take your hand and support you in your virtual labor room!If you are ready to dive into a birth class and have your best and most powerful birth story, then Calm Labor Confident Birth or The VBAC Lab is your next step.If you have a scheduled cesarean, take our Belly Birth Masterclass and own that experience. If you are a newly pregnant mama or just had the babe, you want to join our private pregnancy and postpartum membership, Calm Mama Society.Remember, my advice is

EP. 193: On this episode, I'm sitting down with my friend Cynthia Thurlow—a nurse practitioner, intermittent fasting expert, and leading voice in perimenopause and menopause. We set out to talk about intermittent fasting—and we absolutely did—but our conversation went so much deeper. We covered bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), perimenopause, menopause, and the key strategies women need to thrive in midlife. If you're navigating hormonal shifts, metabolic changes, or just want to optimize your health as you age, this episode is packed with practical, no-nonsense insights. Cynthia and I are completely aligned in our mission to support women through these transitions—without the fluff, confusion, or outdated advice. In this episode, we cover: How Cynthia transitioned from cardiology to intermittent fasting The serious risks of a broken hip as we age (and how to prevent them) Why giving your gut a break is crucial for longevity The impact of chronic stress on your metabolism and hormones Vaginal health and why vaginal estrogen is a game-changer Chronic health issues in older women and the different types of HRT How to find the right doctor for hormone therapy and longevity medicine What it really means to age gracefully (hint: it's not about “anti-aging”) How fasting strategies should evolve in perimenopause and beyond The importance of metabolic flexibility and adapting nutrition over time This is a must-listen for any woman who wants to take control of her health, feel strong, and make middle age look easy. Tune in now! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction  00:03:01 - From cardiology to intermittent fasting  00:11:02 - Health risks of a broken hip  00:13:30 - You need to rest your gut  00:17:34 - Be aware of stressors  00:22:43 - Vaginal health  00:27:40 - Vaginal estrogen  00:32:26 - Chronic health issues in older women  00:35:33 - Different types of HRT 00:38:35 - Finding the right doctor 00:40:01 - Aging gracefully  00:48:39 - Fasting at different ages  00:55:51 - Flexible nutrition  Show Links:  How To Find A Good Doc Further Listening: Hormones Playlist Sponsored By: KION - Use my link to save 20% at getkion.com/drtyna Sundays - As a Listener of The Dr Tyna Show, you can Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to sundaysfordogs.com/DRTYNA and use code DRTYNA at checkout. Maui Nui - Use code DRTYNA for 20% off at mauinuivenison.com Lumen - lumen.me/DRTYNA to get 20% off your Lumen. Manukora - Head to manukora.com/DRTYNA to get $25 off the Starter Kit, which comes with an MGO 850+ Manuka Honey jar,  BIOptimizers - For an exclusive offer go to bioptimizers.com/drtyna and use promo code DRTYNA Check Out Cynthia: Website Instagram Podcast Books More Cynthia Disclaimer: Information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided in this podcast for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided in this blog/podcast and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Tyna Moore. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Hey Lady! Have you ever wondered what the status of your pelvic floor is? If you know how to kegel correctly? Or maybe if you have tightness and kegels could make things worse? Or if you have prolapse that you should be keeping an eye on? These are all things that I am checking for as a pelvic floor PT during the internal assessment, among many other things! However, I find that these are things most women have never been told because their pap smears or other pelvic assessments done by a Gynecologist are not looking or assessing the function of your pelvic floor. While they may inform you of prolapse or atrophy in your muscles, they are mostly looking for infection, healing, abnormal tissue and bigger red flags.  This is why many women come to me and are so amazed by what they learn from the internal vaginal assessment and many times we are finding and explaining the cause of their pain or symptoms for the first time.    This is why I believe every woman should get an internal vaginal assessment so they can better understand the basic status of their pelvic floor and so they can compare throughout their life.  It isn't always easy to get into a pelvic floor PT and so I also think it can be very valuable to know how to perform your own self- assessment periodically, especially if you notice symptoms showing up or getting worse.  While doing an internal assessment on yourself isn't as thorough as getting one by a Pelvic Floor PT, it is so much better than nothing! Just reconnecting and becoming aware of the sensitivity, tightness or level of strength that you can feel at the vaginal opening and perineum can be a game changer! That is why I also help my Restore members perform and interpret their own self-vaginal assessments!   RESTORE is my first 8 wk online signature program hosted inside my new platform that will be an APP soon Pelvic Floor, Core & More! Inside that program I walk you through the basics of healing, restoring your breathing, posture, core function and overall strength and return to impact and intensity.  All with the guidance of me, a Pelvic Floor PT, in your pocket making sure that you are getting individualized support and feedback through the program during our weekly group coaching calls! This option is great for those that can't afford a one-on-one session for $200-$240, those that don't have access to a pelvic floor PT in person or those that want to have a structured organized program with support as they are phasing out of acute therapy treatments and working more independently.    

In this episode of Stuff Your Doctor Should Know, I sit down with Kim Vopni, The Vagina Coach, to discuss the importance of pelvic floor health—whether you've had children, never plan to, or are simply looking to prevent issues as you age.Stuff Your Doctor Should Know is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We dive into:

In this episode of The Art of Being Well, Dr. Will Cole sits down with Dr. Anna Cabeca, a leading expert in women's health, fertility, and hormone balance. Dr. Cabeca shares the latest research on fertility trends, how to be proactive with hormone testing, and the labs that can impact fertility. She explains the importance of understanding hormone fluctuations and shares her favorite botanicals and micronutrients to support fertility and overall wellness. Dr. Cabeca also reveals her cyclical approach to progesterone therapy and the role of nutrition in hormone health. In this episode, we also dive into how keto and fasting affect women's hormones, how to reduce environmental toxin exposure, and the importance of maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiome. Dr. Cabeca provides actionable advice for anyone looking to support their fertility and hormone health naturally. For all links mentioned in this episode, visit www.drwillcole.com/podcast.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Sponsors:Right now, you get an amazing 20% off, or if you choose their already discounted subscription, you get almost a third off the price! Only available when you visit my exclusive URL Puori.com/WILLCOLE and use my promo code WILLCOLE. Or save 20% off when you make a one-time purchase – still such great savings. Take your food to the next level with Graza Olive Oil. Visit https://graza.co/WILLCOLE and use promo code WILLCOLE today for 10% off your first order. Get better sleep, hair and skin with Blissy and use WILLCOLE to get an additional 30% off at blissy.com/WILLCOLE.You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/WILLCOLE and using code WILLCOLE at checkout. Go to fromourplace.com and enter my code WILLCOLE at checkout to receive 10% off site wide.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In episode 301 of the You're Not Broken podcast, Dr. Kelly Casperson discusses 15 things she wishes would change in women's health, focusing on hormonal health, the healthcare system, sexual health, and education. She emphasizes the importance of choice regarding hormone therapy after breast cancer, the need for better sex education, and the challenges posed by the current healthcare system. Dr. Casperson also shares her aspirations for future clinics and the importance of addressing orgasmic inequality and healthcare costs. Takeaways Hormones after breast cancer should be a choice. There is a need for FDA-approved female-dosed testosterone products. Healthcare costs are a significant barrier to accessing care. Sex education in the U.S. is inadequate and needs reform. Orgasmic inequality is prevalent, particularly in heterosexual relationships. Vaginal estrogen is safe and should not carry a cancer warning. Healthcare providers need better work-life balance to prevent burnout. Education is key to improving sexual health and understanding. The healthcare system should prioritize patient care over profits. Future clinics are needed to support women's health and hormonal optimization. [M] Factor Screening in Seattle Jan 29 that Kelly is hosting a Q&A for after the documentary https://hotpausehealth.com/the-m-factor-screening/ So Hot Right Now in Sydney, March 1: https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/talks-and-ideas/so-hot-right-now Sedona in October: https://www.ascendretreats.com/menopause-and-sexual-health-2025 Mastering Menopause & Beyond 16th & 17th Kelly is hosting a retreat with Dr. Lauren Streicher and Dr. Ellen Gendler in Arizona https://itineraries.duffleandcompass.com/Curious-Interested-Women/1326349104644622166 Order my book "You Are Not Broken: Stop "Should-ing" All Over You Sex Life" Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed Take my Adult Sex Ed Master Class: My Website Interested in my sexual health and hormone clinic? Starts 2025. Thanks to our sponsor Midi Women's Health. Designed by midlife experts, delivered by experienced clinicians, covered by insurance. Midi is the first virtual care clinic made exclusively for women 40+. Evidence-based treatments. Personalized midlife care. https://www.joinmidi.com Thanks to our sponsor Sprout Pharmaceuticals. To find out if Addyi is right for you, go to addyi.com/notbroken and use code NOTBROKEN for a $10 telemedicine appointment. See Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including Boxed Warning for severe low blood pressure and fainting in certain settings at addyi.com/pi To learn more about Via vaginal moisturizer from Solv Wellness, visit via4her.com for 30% off your first purchase of any product, automatically applied at checkout. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From GORPCORE, to NOCTOURISM, the LadyGang discusses all the biggest trends in fashion, lifestyle and Vaginal microbiomes for 2025. A hilarious look at what we all have to look forward to for this new year!