Podcasts about vaginal

Ian Kerner, nationally recognized sex therapist and author, joins Dr. Rena Malik to discuss the essentials of a fulfilling sex life, including communication, sexual scripts, psychological arousal, and the importance of both novelty and familiarity in intimate relationships. The conversation covers strategies for reigniting desire and maintaining the spark in long-term partnerships, practical tips for pleasuring partners, overcoming sexual shame and avoidance, using fantasy and psychological stimulation, and introducing topics like pornography or non-monogamy. Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content: renamalik.supercast.com Schedule an appointment with me: https://www.renamalikmd.com/appointments ▶️Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:51 Menopause Definitions00:02:54 Estrogen and Skin00:07:05 Estrogen and Brain Health00:11:11 Estrogen and Weight Gain00:12:54 Bone Health and Osteoporosis00:18:53 Joint Health and Pain00:24:30 Mood and Depression00:28:28 Cardiovascular Health00:32:36 Vasomotor Symptoms00:36:04 Pelvic Floor, Vaginal, and Urinary Changes Stay connected with Dr. Ian Kerner on social media for daily insights and updates. Don't miss out—follow him now and check out these links! INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/iankernerlmft/ https://amzn.to/44btgKo Let's Connect!: WEBSITE: http://www.renamalikmd.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@RenaMalikMD INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/RenaMalikMD TWITTER: http://twitter.com/RenaMalikMD FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RenaMalikMD/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renadmalik PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/renamalikmd/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/RenaMalikMD ------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is purely educational and does not constitute medical advice. The content of this podcast is my personal opinion, and not that of my employer(s). Use of this information is at your own risk. Rena Malik, M.D. will not assume any liability for any direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Information on perimenopause and menopause has finally started to flood the public sphere since the past few years. That being said, one area that isn't talked about a lot is how perimenopause/menopause can cause vaginal and sex symptoms. In this episode, we talk about how the changing levels of hormones for women in peri/menopause affects the vagina and vulva, which then can lead to certain conditions during sex, such as abrasions and affecting orgasm. We also talk about certain approaches to help alleviate these symptoms. I am joined with my co-host and good friend, Touseef Mirza.

Y'all, today's episode is not about theory. It is about action. I'm walking you through what it really takes to transition from using vaginal dilators to having pain-free, pleasurable sex. We're talking consistency, mindset, muscle recovery, and how to stop making dilation feel clinical and start making it feel sensual. Whether you're single, partnered, or just tired of feeling stuck, this episode is your roadmap to taking control of your body and your pleasure. Let's get to work because buttery, juicy sex is possible for you.Vaginismus 2 VAGLICIOUS 3 Day Master course, July 1-3rd click HERETo sign up for our 8 Week Pain Free Sex Program, schedule a call with me to make sure we're a fit & get you onboarded! It's time for you to be free, fearless & experiencing buttery sex! Click here to book your call with me today: https://www.vaginarehabdoctor.com/our-services/ Join our private Vaginismus Strategy & Support Group on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/groups/274014645123366/ Follow me on Instagram @vaginarehabdoctor Leave a 5 star review if you are learning from and loving this podcast! Email us with any questions about working with us: support@vaginarehabdoctor.com Produced by Light On Creative Productions

Hysterectomy and dehiscence.

Everyone thinks hormone therapy is finally getting attention but no one's really talking about the fact that estrogen can be life-saving. The data is right there: lower mortality, fewer hospitalizations, less sepsis. So why is it still being overlooked?In my practice, I see patients every day who are silently suffering dealing with UTIs, vaginal dryness, painful sex, and bladder issues they think are just part of aging. But these symptoms often point to something much bigger: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. And what's worse, it's still widely misunderstood or ignored.A recent study with new data stopped me in my tracks. Over 11 million patient records showed that vaginal estrogen doesn't just improve quality of life it dramatically reduces serious outcomes like sepsis and even death. That kind of impact should be front-page news in every medical journal, yet here we are… still debating whether it's “necessary.”We also talked about the brand new AUA guidelines, which now make it clear: local estrogen is first-line therapy. It's safe, even for many patients who were once told they couldn't use hormones. These guidelines finally reflect what we've known clinically for years that low-dose vaginal estrogen isn't just symptom relief. It's prevention.There's still a lot of confusion about systemic absorption, cancer risk, and when to refer out. So in this episode, I'm breaking down what's new, what's misunderstood, and what every patient and provider needs to know. I'm also sharing how I approach treatment options from estrogen and DHEA to pelvic floor therapy and even energy-based devices (yes, we go there).If you've ever been told this is just part of aging, or you're not sure what your options are, I hope this gives you clarity—and maybe a little validation, too. Highlights:Why vaginal estrogen can lower mortality, sepsis, and hospital stays.What the AUA's 2025 GSM guidelines say—and why they matter.Clearing up myths about hormone absorption and cancer risk.When to consider DHEA, Ospemifene, or non-hormonal options.The role of pelvic floor therapy in managing GSM.Resources:AUA's GuidelinesGyno Girl-GSM VideoGet in Touch with Dr. Rahman:WebsiteInstagramYoutube

Dr. Anne Truong is a board-certified physician with over 20 years of clinical experience and a trailblazer in the field of regenerative medicine and men's sexual health. Known for her outside-the-box approach, she helps patients heal the cause of sexual dysfunction—not just mask the symptoms. Through her practice, Dr. Anne has helped countless individuals reclaim their vitality, confidence, and quality of life. Her patients, lovingly called “Vitality Warriors,” trust her integrative, patient-centered methods that blend cutting-edge regenerative therapies with nutrition, hormone balancing, lifestyle support, and deep education.

In this essential episode of the Sex with Emily podcast, Dr. Emily sits down with Dr. Ina Park, associate professor at UCSF School of Medicine and author of "Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in the Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STDs." From her early days as a peer educator dressed as a giant condom at UC Berkeley to becoming a leading expert in sexual health, Dr. Park brings both humor and expertise to one of the most stigmatized topics in sexual wellness. We dive deep into the myths and realities surrounding STIs, exploring why HPV is truly "the common cold of the genitals" that nearly everyone will encounter, how herpes stigma far outweighs its actual health impact, and why people who know their status are actually safer partners than those who don't. Dr. Park shares fascinating insights about everything from The Bachelor's problematic STI testing to the connection between pubic hair grooming and infection risk. This conversation tackles the shame and fear that keep us from having honest discussions about sexual health, while providing practical advice on testing, disclosure, and maintaining healthy relationships regardless of STI status. We also explore the vaginal microbiome, why some people are more susceptible to infections, and promising new treatments on the horizon. Key Topics Covered: HPV: Why it's unavoidable and how to think about it differently Herpes disclosure and reducing transmission risk The truth about oral sex and STI transmission Pubic hair, Brazilian waxes, and infection risk Vaginal health and the microbiome Why knowing your status makes you a safer partner Breaking down STI stigma and shame Dr. Park's refreshing approach reminds us that STIs are simply part of being sexually active humans, and that knowledge, communication, and compassion are our best tools for sexual wellness. Show Notes:  00:00:00 - Dr. Park's journey from condom costume to STI expert 07:00:00 - HPV: The common cold of the genitals 14:00:00 - Herpes myths, realities, and disclosure strategies 22:00:00 - Oral sex and STI transmission risks 26:00:00 - Pubic hair grooming and infection risk 31:00:00 - Vaginal microbiome and bacterial balance 36:00:00 - Listener Q&A: Real STI concerns answered 42:00:00 - Breaking stigma and having better conversations This episode emphasizes that sexual health is part of overall wellness, and that honest, shame-free conversations about STIs can transform how we approach intimate relationships. Join the SmartSX Membership : ⁠https://sexwithemily.com/smartsx ⁠ Access exclusive sex coaching, live expert sessions, community building, and tools to enhance your pleasure and relationships with Dr. Emily Morse. List & Other Sex With Emily Guides: ⁠https://sexwithemily.com/guides/ ⁠  Explore pleasure, deepen connections, and enhance intimacy using these Sex With Emily downloadable guides. SHOP WITH EMILY!:https://bit.ly/3rNSNcZ (free shipping on orders over $99) Want more? Visit the Sex With Emily Website: ⁠https://sexwithemily.com/ ⁠ Let's get social:  Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/sexwithemily/⁠  X ⁠https://twitter.com/sexwithemily⁠ Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/sexwithemily⁠ TikTok ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sexwithemily ⁠ Threads https:⁠//www.threads.net/@sexwithemily  ⁠ Let's text: Sign up here ⁠https://sexwithemily.com/text 

A bite-sized boost to your day! This mini is an excerpt from episode 403 with Dr. Kelly Casperson with a focus on the wide-ranging benefits of vaginal estrogen for women.

Vaginal oestrogen is safe at any age, including over 70, with regular review Use vaginal oestrogen cautiously in younger women; rule out other causes such like vulval dermatitis In breast cancer survivors, vaginal oestrogen is off-label; prefer estriol and involve oncology Vaginal DHEA (Intrarosa) is effective with minimal absorption; lacks long-term safety data; no washout needed when switching The questions answered in this podcast are listed below.They were compiled by GPs and health professionals around Australia who attended Healthed’s face-to-face seminars. What are the main symptoms for women with vaginal atrophy, and what is the general approach when a woman comes to talk about these symptoms? How long can women use vaginal oestrogen for? If you saw a woman over the age of 70, would you feel comfortable allowing her to continue using vaginal oestrogen? Is it safe to use vaginal oestrogen in a younger woman who might be breastfeeding or taking the combined oral contraceptive pill and experiencing vaginal dryness or discomfort? Do you need to take the same precautions for side effects as you would with systemic hormone therapy? For example, if there was a woman who was prone to venous thromboembolism (VTE), is it safe for her to use vaginal oestrogen? Is there any role for vaginal oestrogen in reducing the frequency of recurrent genital herpes outbreaks? Are there situations where you would use vaginal oestrogen in combination with a non-hormonal product for better results? Thoughts on laser treatments, microneedling, or PRP for vaginal or vulval symptoms? In women who present with urethral caruncles, is there a role for vaginal oestrogen as part of the treatment? How long would you try using vaginal oestrogen for that? What about the doses of oestrogen when treating someone who's had breast cancer? What do we have to be mindful of? What about women with a history of endometrial, cervical, or vulval cancer? Can we use vaginal oestrogen if they've got symptoms? Can DHEA (Intrarosa) be used safely in women with a history of cancer? For women without breast cancer, when would you use DHEA instead of oestrogen? Would you ever use both oestrogen and DHEA together? What about using DHEA in conjunction with systemic menopausal hormone therapy? Are there any thoughts around the improvements in libido with the use of DHEA? If you had tried someone on Ovestin (estriol) and wanted to switch to Intrarosa, is a washout period required before starting? Host: Dr Marita long | Total Time: 33 mins Expert: Dr Terri Foran, Sexual Health Physician Register for our fortnightly FREE WEBCASTSEvery second Tuesday | 7:00pm-9:00pm AEST Click here to register for the next oneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have covered menopause on this show on various occasions. That's fitting and non-surprising as we are a women's health education podcast! While vaginal dryness and hot flashes get most of the attention in menopause, and they should, less attention often is given to skin changes. Nonetheless, these dermal manifestations of perimenopause and menopause can be just as disturbing to those affected. Estrogen helps skin produce oil and hold onto water, so extremely dry skin during menopause is common. Plus, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, collagen production drops 30% in the first 5 years of menopause and approximately 2% each year for about the next 20 years. Collagen gives skin its plumpness and structure. The direct-to-consumer market is replete with a variety of over-the-counter estrogen containing products, formulated as facial creams, which are meant to fight the battle of skin aging. But is topical estrogen applied to the face effective? What are the data? You'd be surprised to learn that there is published data on this- even level I data. Are there any safety concerns? We will summarize it in this episode. PLUS, as a “two-for one” special, we will also briefly highlight a brand new publication in the journal JAMA Network Open regarding antenatal corticosteroid dose to delivery interval and fetal benefits.

Send us a textWe explore the five key factors beyond hormone imbalance that can cause vaginal irritation, infection, and microbiome disruptions that many women experience without clear explanations. This mini-episode provides practical detection strategies and solutions for identifying your specific triggers, with special focus on maintaining vaginal health while traveling.• Blood sugar spikes provide food for yeast and other microbes, especially when consuming sugar without protein, fiber or fat• Gut health imbalances and antibiotic use disturb both digestive and vaginal microbiomes• Estrogen levels affect glycogen availability and infection susceptibility when too high or too low• Vaginal pH can be disrupted by menstrual products, soaps, fragrances, menstrual blood, and semen• Compromised immune function from stress or illness decreases your body's ability to maintain microbiome balance• Choose breathable cotton underwear and appropriate menstrual products when traveling• Plan ahead for proper sleep, hydration, and nutrition when traveling to maintain immune function• Prepare protein and fat-forward snacks to stabilize blood sugar during tripsFuture you is going to love yourself for planning ahead, and you will feel so much better throughout the day, energy-wise, plus hopefully you won't have as much irritation.CONNECT WITH BRIDGET LinkedIn | Instagram | Website Book your free strategy call here | Sign up for weekly tips via email

Host: Danielle O'Laughlin, PA-C, MS Guest: Jenna Wygant, APRN, CNP, DNP In this episode, Jenna Wygant, APRN, CNP, DNP, walks listeners through the most common types of vaginitis, helping providers to confidently differentiate between them. We'll explore the definitions, causes, risk factors, signs and symptoms, as well as diagnostic methods and treatment options for each condition. Comparing the features of these common vaginitis conditions will be emphasized throughout the episode. By the end of this podcasts, listeners will be able to: Differentiate common vaginitis conditions. Understand the definition, causes/risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for common vaginitis conditions. Identify features that help compare common vaginitis conditions. Learn more about this series: Mayo Clinic Talks: Obstetric and Gynecologic Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development Connect and listen with Mayo Clinic Podcasts | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

Send us a textStill wondering how your hormones influence potential infections, and how you can get to the bottom of it all? Vaginal health is influenced by multiple factors beyond hormones, including blood sugar, gut health, estrogen levels, vaginal pH, and immune function. Understanding these connections can help address and prevent recurrent infections or irritations.Nixit Discount Code: 15% off your purchase• Blood sugar spikes provide food for yeast, making glucose stabilization key for preventing infections• Gut microbiome health mirrors vaginal microbiome health, making digestive issues important to address• Antibiotics can wipe out beneficial bacteria along with harmful ones, creating imbalances• Both high and low estrogen can increase infection risk through different mechanisms• Vaginal pH can be disrupted by menstrual blood, certain products, and sexual activities• Menstrual products and synthetic underwear can cause irritation and micro-tears• Stress compromises immune function, making infections more likely• Most immune function is housed in the digestive system, creating another gut-vaginal connectionCONNECT WITH BRIDGET LinkedIn | Instagram | Website Book your free strategy call here | Sign up for weekly tips via email

On today's Extra, Vaginal Vagabond, 23 & Me, & Josh Arnold Airlines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today I'm speaking with Pita Navarro from EVVY on the Longevity Optimization Podcast. In this conversation, we delve into the complexities of the vaginal microbiome and its crucial role in women's health. Pita discusses the prevalence of vaginitis, the impact of the vaginal microbiome on fertility, and the importance of understanding and optimizing vaginal health through advanced testing and treatment. We also explore lifestyle factors that influence vaginal health and highlight the urgent need for more research and education in this field. The episode looks ahead to the future of vaginal microbiome testing and how it can empower women to take control of their reproductive wellness.EVVY is a pioneering company dedicated to advancing women's health through innovative vaginal microbiome testing and personalized treatment solutions. By combining cutting-edge technology with scientific research, EVVY aims to provide women with accurate insights into their vaginal health, enabling early detection and effective management of conditions like vaginitis. The company focuses on empowering women with knowledge and tools to optimize their reproductive wellness and improve overall quality of life.Purchase an EVVY Test with my code:https://checkout.evvy.com/KAYLA10Let's be friends!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femalelongevityX: https://x.com/femalelongevityWebsite: https://kaylabarnes.comJoin Female Longevity Community: https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-memberFollow Evvy:Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/evvy/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@evvybioWebsite: https://www.evvy.com/Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Vaginal Microbiome03:09 Understanding Vaginitis and Its Impact05:56 The Role of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women's Health08:53 Testing and Treatment Innovations12:05 The Importance of Data in Women's Health15:03 Challenges in Current Medical Practices17:49 Future Directions in Vaginal Microbiome Research21:02 Lifestyle Factors Affecting Vaginal Health23:59 Community Engagement and Research Contributions27:09 Conclusion

In this episode of Perimenopause Simplified, Claudia dives deep into vaginal health during midlife, an often overlooked but essential part of overall well-being. Learn how hormonal shifts impact vaginal tissue, pH, and infection risk, and get practical, evidence-based solutions to support comfort, confidence, and intimacy. Whether you're experiencing dryness, odor, or recurring UTIs, this episode breaks down both hormonal and non-hormonal tools that can help you feel like yourself again.   In this episode, you'll learn: How declining estrogen affects vaginal tissue, moisture, and pH balance Why changes in pH can increase UTIs, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections The benefits and safety of vaginal estrogen for all women Non-hormonal options like DHEA, hyaluronic acid, and clean OTC products Key nutrients and supplements that support blood flow and tissue health How vaginal rejuvenation tools (like medical vibrators) improve circulation and elasticity   Links mentioned: Ep. 62: Perimenopause + Your Pelvic Floor: Fix Leaks, Pressure & Pain w/ Christina Walsh, PT Dr. Rachel Rubin  EWG Skin Deep Glow Below Nitric Oxide Foria Wellness Joylux Red Light Mv.health   Sources: Nitric Oxide Study  Vitamin E Study   To connect with Claudia Petrilli:  Instagram Facebook YouTube Website   FREE GIFT: Peri-What?! The Must-Have Guide for Women 40+ Navigating Hormone Changes FREE GIFT: Perimenopause Daily Checklist WORK WITH US: The Perimenopause Method BOOK A CLARITY SESSION: Perimenopause Clarity Session HRT COURSE: Perimenopause HRT Roadmap  QUESTIONS? EMAIL: claudia@claudiapetrilli.com Love the show? Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, review, and share, so that other women can find this podcast for guidance and support through their perimenopause journey!

Send Kiona a Text Message!Amanda dives deep into her true emotions about finding out she was pregnant so quickly after intentionally trying, and how that impacted her pregnancy and postpartum time with her first daughter, Aila. She also talks about how different each of her births unfolded because of how she prepared ahead of time. Furthermore, she dives into how being an active birth doula while pregnant and needing to birth during the height of COVID impacted her pregnancy care and birth choices and overall experience with her third child, Haiden.birthasweknowitpodcast.com/85Disclaimer: 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.  Want to hear another birth story from a birth worker who is also a mother of three? Check out 58-Kayla Tschumper-3 Vaginal Births-Kennedy, Claire & Emelia-My Birth ChoicesResources:Amanda Clarke-Ray (Birth Doula) : https://amandaclarke-raydoula.com/ Katie Rohs (Birth Doula) : https://katierohs.com/ Catherine Fenner, IBCLC: http://nurturenewlife.com/about-seattle-ibclc/ Perinatal Support of Washington: https://perinatalsupport.org/ Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.netBucal, Lip & Tongue Tie Info: https://www.firstfoodforbaby.com/tongue-lip--buccal-ties.html Definitions:Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (DMER)Two Vessel Umbilical Cord Paced Bottle FeedingSupplemental Nursing System Split NightsSupport 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!

Is the human microbiome an endangered species? Dr. Martin Blaser, author of "Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics Is Fueling Our Modern Plagues," has also been featured in a documentary, The Invisible Extinction, that explores the dire consequences of our depleted microbiomes. Antibiotic overuse, C-sections, lack of breast-feeding, ultra-processed food, lack of exposure to nature, and chlorinated water conspire to deplete our bodies of beneficial bacteria; these imbalances in intestinal flora have profound, far-reaching effects, not just on digestive disorders, but on immunity, metabolism, and brain function. Conditions like insulin resistance, obesity, Parkinson's Disease, depression and anxiety, and many more have been linked to microbiome deficits. What lessons do stool samples from indigenous peoples offer us? There may be a transgenerational effect of microbiome depletion. Dr. Blaser has gone so far as to advocate a Microbiome Vault to preserve our bacterial heritage. Are fecal transplants and poop pills the answer? “Vaginal seeding”? What role do high-fiber diets play? Are fermented foods beneficial? What about probiotics? Dr. Blaser describes measures we need to take now to recover our microbial diversity.

Send us a textIn this episode, Ebony shares the story of her first birth — a journey that began with a planned homebirth and unfolded in unexpected ways. After a long labour and signs of possible malposition, her care team discovered meconium in the waters and an elevated heart rate in her baby. At that point, Ebony made the decision to transfer to hospital via ambulance.At the hospital, doctors attempted a manual rotation and three vacuum-assisted birth attempts before her baby was born by caesarean. Ebony speaks openly about the intensity of the experience, the breastfeeding challenges she faced in the early weeks, and how she worked through the emotional impact of the transfer with support from a psychologist.Links:Mothers & Babies Report - Instrumental BirthVacuum Extraction InfoForceps Delivery InfoQLD Clinical Guidelines - Instrumental Vaginal BirthSupport the show@homebirthstoriesaustralia Support the show by buying us a coffee! Please be advised that this podcast may contain explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.The information, statistics, and research presented in this podcast are for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. All information discussed can be found online and is provided in the links in the show notes. It is always recommended to conduct your own research and make informed decisions. We advise you to discuss any topics or concerns with your healthcare provider. While we strive to incorporate the most up-to-date research in our episodes, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information discussed on the show.

In this episode, Dr. Berlin shares his personal journey from childhood aspirations in healthcare to becoming a chiropractor, massage therapist, and birth advocate. He discusses combining chiropractic care, bodywork, and birth advocacy to support women in having informed pregnancies. Dr. Berlin explains the importance of collaborative care, the benefits of chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy, and the significance of the Webster Technique. The conversation also delves into the complexities of fetal positioning, specifically addressing breach and asynclitic babies, and the broader implications for childbirth. The episode underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare providers for optimal maternal and fetal outcomes. 03:33 Introducing Dr. Elliot Berlin 08:13 Dr. Berlin's Inspiring Journey 17:38 The Power of Chiropractic Care 31:09 Understanding the Webster Technique 36:09 Chiropractic Care for Breech and Asynclitic Babies 37:20 Understanding Breech Baby Statistics 38:39 Structural and Functional Reasons for Breech Babies 40:54 Chiropractic Techniques for Breech Babies 42:46 Mother's Day Special: Cozy Bamboo PJs 44:34 Discussion on Breech Birth Choices 47:50 The Term Breech Trial and Its Impact 54:54 The ARRIVE Trial and Its Implications 56:26 Chiropractic Care for Posterior Babies 01:00:59 The Role of Doulas in Birth 01:02:35 Fetal Positioning in Traditional Medical Models 01:06:36 Informed Pregnancy Media and Resources 01:08:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Guest Bio: Dr. Elliot Berlin is an award-winning prenatal chiropractor, childbirth educator, labor support bodyworker, filmmaker, co-founder of Berlin Wellness Group in Los Angeles, California and the host of the Informed Pregnancy Podcast. Dr. Berlin graduated Summa Cum Laude from Life University of Chiropractic in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Atlanta School of Massage.     Dr. Berlin's Informed Pregnancy® Project aims to utilize multiple forms of media (podcasts, YouTube series, documentaries, and online workshops) to compile and deliver unbiased information about pregnancy and childbirth to empower new and expectant parents to make informed choices regarding their pregnancy and parenting journey.     Dr. Berlin lives in Los Angeles with his wife, perinatal psychologist Dr. Alyssa Berlin, and their four fantastic kids. INSTAGRAM: Connect with HeHe on IG  Connect with HeHe on YouTube Connect with Dr. Elliot Berlin on IG    BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience!   Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone!   LINKS MENTIONED: Informed Pregnancy Podcast   One way or a Mother Podcast    Heads Up, the Disappearing Art of Vaginal breech Delivery Documentary   Trial of Labor Documentary   

Could a breakthrough in women's health change the way we manage sexual health after cancer? In this episode, I sit down with Jo Bailey, a consultant gynaecologist surgeon, specialising in gynaecological cancers, to explore an exciting and emerging treatment—vaginal probiotics.Many cancer survivors struggle with menopause symptoms, including vaginal dryness, discomfort, and pain during intimacy. With traditional treatments like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) not always being an option, the search for safe and effective solutions continues. Jo explains how the vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in post-menopausal health and how vaginal probiotics could be a game-changer for improving symptoms and restoring comfort.We discuss:- Why the vaginal microbiome matters for post-cancer care.- How vaginal probiotics are showing promise as a non-hormonal treatment.- The current research gaps and why more studies are needed.- The importance of patient-centred care in sexual health post-cancer.While more research is needed, the early signs are promising—and for many survivors, this could be the breakthrough they've been waiting for.Episode Highlights:00:00 Intro05:05 Gynaecological Cancer and Menopause Treatment17:22 Empowering Women's Health Choices18:21 Exploring Non-Hormonal Gynaecological Treatments22:53 "Vaginal Probiotics for Menopausal Health"28:40 Ultimate V & Health ProductsThe probiotics mentioned can be found here: https://pelvicrelief.co.uk/ This episode is proudly sponsored by Pelvic Relief, a company dedicated to improving women's pelvic health with science-backed solutions. They offer a curated range of products, including the vaginal probiotics we'll discuss today—plus lubes, moisturisers, the Ohnut, and more to support pelvic pain, menopause symptoms, and post-cancer recovery. Check them out here https://pelvicrelief.co.uk/Connect with us:For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancerJoin our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub

The ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) concept was initially developed for colorectal surgery in 1997 to standardize surgical protocols. The ERAS Society then first published a guideline for cesarean section (ERAC) in 2018-2019. Now, as of April 28, 2025, the ERAS Society has released a NEW UPDATE for ERAS-CS. In this episode we will focus on 2 main areas: 1. Vaginal prep at CS, and 2.Extended antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with obesity! Medicine moves fast, and this data exemplifies that. PLUS, we will relate these 2 points back to the ACOG PB 199 which focused on prophylactic antibiotics at cesarean section.

Today I'm speaking with Ara Katz, the co-founder of Seed, on the Longevity Optimization Podcast. In this episode, Ara shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind founding Seed. She emphasizes the vital role of the microbiome in human health and explains how nutrition shapes gut health from early life through adulthood. Our conversation explores what exactly constitutes a microbiome, how it develops (the “seeding” process), and why a diverse diet is essential for maintaining a healthy gut. Seed Probiotics is an innovative company dedicated to advancing microbiome science and optimizing human health through next-generation probiotics. Their flagship product, DS-01, is formulated using clinically-studied probiotic strains designed to support digestive health, immune function, and overall well-being. Seed also focuses on education around probiotics versus prebiotics and symbiotics—helping consumers understand their unique roles in gut health. The company leads research into women's health topics such as the gut-vaginal axis and develops products that address hormonal changes across different life stages.Save 25% on Seedhttps://seed.com/daily-synbiotic?utm_source=ambassador&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=kaylabarnes&utm_term=25p&promo_code=KAYLABARNES25 Let's be friends!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylabarnes/?hl=enTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@femalelongevityX: https://x.com/femalelongevityWebsite: https://kaylabarnes.comJoin Female Longevity Community: https://kayla-barnes-lentz.circle.so/checkout/become-a-memberFollow SeedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/seedX: https://twitter.com/seedhealthWebsite: https://seed.comTimestamps00:00 Introduction to Seed Probiotics and Personal Journey07:12 Understanding the Microbiome: Definition and Importance15:27 The Seeding Process: How Microbiomes Develop18:17 The Role of Nutrition in Shaping the Microbiome27:47 Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Symbiotics: Definitions and Differences32:10 Understanding Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Postbiotics34:25 The Development Journey of SEED35:40 Function Over Composition in Probiotics41:43 The Importance of Gut Health44:49 The Gut and Women's Health46:26 Exploring the Gut-Vaginal Axis52:33 The Vaginal Microbiome: Basics and Optimization58:33 Innovations in Vaginal Health Products

EP. 209 - In this episode, I'm joined by Kim Voss—better known as the Vagina Coach—and author of Your Pelvic Floor. As a personal trainer and restorative exercise specialist, Kim brings a wealth of knowledge about pelvic health, particularly for those navigating fitness, childbirth recovery, and aging. We cover pelvic floor dysfunction, with a focus on urinary incontinence during strength training—something many experience but few talk about. Kim shares science-backed insights, practical tools, and empowering advice for anyone looking to build strength without sacrificing pelvic health. Topics Discussed:  How can you prevent urinary incontinence during strength training? What are the best exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor after childbirth? Can pelvic floor therapy help with recurring UTIs and bladder issues? What role does estrogen play in vaginal and pelvic floor health? How does strength training impact pelvic floor dysfunction or vaginal prolapse? On This Episode We Cover: 00:00:00 – Introduction  00:02:51 – Kim's background  00:09:02 – Urination and pelvic floor health 00:11:59 – The final pee 00:14:48 – Nervous bladders & tracking habits 00:18:44 – Interstitial cystitis 00:20:41 – Constant UTIs 00:25:20 – Allergy to your partner 00:29:28 – Men's uterine health 00:33:36 – Vaginal estrogen 00:40:52 – Putting yourself first 00:44:48 – Stem cells & vaginal health 00:47:44 – Hysterectomies 00:52:25 – Pelvic floor PT 00:54:42 – Birth control 00:57:33 – Strength training and uterine health 01:05:46 – Vaginal prolapse 01:11:01 – Glute training 01:12:24 – Where to find Kim Further Listening:  Strength Training Playlist Sponsored By: 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. Lumen | Go to lumen.me/DRTYNA to get 20% off your Lumen. Qualia | Go to qualialife.com/DRTYNA for up to 50% off your purchase and use code DRTYNA for an additional 15% LVLUP | Head over to LVLUPHealth.com and use code DRTYNA at checkout to get 20% off your order sitewide. Liver Love | Go to https://store.drtyna.com/products/liverlove Use code LIVER20 for 20% off  Check Out Kim: Website Youtube  Instagram  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.

Routine Vaginal Examinations were never a part of traditional midwifery accross various ethnicities around the word. It was used sparingly as it was also considered an intervention.In this episode, you will learn about Vaginal Examination in Late PregnancyVaginal Examination during LaborBenefits and Downsides of it along the wayDonate to support this podcast - https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#donateThis is the voluntary support that keeps the podcast going. Support the showSign up for Childbirth Preparation Programs! visit www.birthagni.com/birthclasses This episode is supported and made possible by podcast recording and hosting tool Zencastr, it is impeccably made! Use my link : https://zen.ai/vxmuJUgYKKGTF3JuTuFQ0g to sign up and record flawless remote podcast , USE my code : BIRTHAGNI Support the show:Donations (India) - https://birthagni.com/birthagnipodcast#podcast-listDonations (world) - buymeacoffee.com/birthagni If you like what you hear, leave us a rating on Spotify app and answer the question at each episode! a review on Apple podcasts. Share on Whatsapp/Insta/FB Share on Instagram and tag us @divyakapoorvox Support the production by making a donation at ...

Join Howard and Janeen Arbuckle for this discussion of pediatric and adolescent gynecology essentials. Pediatric and adolescent gynecology is a newer discipline bringing specialized care to young women with unique gynecologic needs, with a focus on counseling, education, and age-appropriate interventions. • Abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents is rarely caused by structural problems (unlike in adults) and typically relates to immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis• Hematologic workup should be considered for adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding as this may be the first time their clotting system is challenged• Hormonal therapies are safe to use once menarche has occurred, with no impact on bone growth• Long-acting reversible contraceptives offer superior pregnancy prevention (1 in 10,000 for implants vs 8 in 100 for typical pill use) but require thoughtful counseling• Private interviews with adolescent patients create trust while preparing them for independent healthcare navigation• Tranexamic acid is effective for heavy menstrual bleeding in adolescents but pill size and frequency can limit compliance• Most ovarian cysts in adolescents represent normal physiologic function and rarely require intervention• Preservation of reproductive organs should be prioritized in adolescent surgery, including leaving ovaries after torsion when possible• Vaginal bleeding in pre-pubertal girls requires assessment for secondary sexual characteristics to distinguish precocious puberty from other causes00:00:00 Introduction to Pediatric Gynecology00:07:20 Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Adolescents00:19:36 Contraception Choices for Young Patients00:29:40 Managing Difficult Patient-Parent Conversations00:38:04 Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis00:46:58 Adnexal Pathology and Ovarian Issues00:50:51 Congenital Anomalies and Vaginal BleedingFollow us on Instagram @thinkingaboutobgyn.

Dr. Rochelle Joly delves into the revolutionary technique known as vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES). She explains the advantages that this minimally invasive method offers patients; including less pain, faster recovery, and fewer visible scars.  To schedule with Rochelle Joly, MD 

Routine vaginal examinations can cause more harm than good. Sometimes they are needed but most of the time they are not. Vaginal examinations are offered as routine surveillance during most births, but you have a choice. Know that if you don't want one, that's ok, because there is no evidence that shows that routine vaginal examinations improve outcomes - in fact, it's more likely to be the opposite. Some complementary episodes that go with this topic include: Ep.88 what if I have to push before I am fully dilated Ep.143 - declining medical recommendations Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife or watch this podcast on Youtube here If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by donating to support the ongoing work of this podcast. Disclaimer The information and resources provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. Instead, all information provided is intended for education, with its application intended for discussion between yourself and your care provider and/or workplace if you are a health professional. The Great Birth Rebellion podcast reserves the right to supplement, edit, change, or delete any information at any time. Whilst we have tried to maintain the accuracy and completeness of information, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or currency of the information. The podcast accepts no liability for any loss, damage or unfavourable outcomes howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content. This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care. The below transcript was created with AI and may contain errors.

When Lauren was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in her 30s, she was told she'd be managing it with medication for the rest of her life. Instead, she turned to fermented foods, diet, and lifestyle changes—and has now been in remission for 12 years.Her healing journey led her to create Fermenting Fairy, a company built around the practices that helped her recover. In this episode, she shares exactly what she did to heal her gut and how others can begin exploring similar paths.Topics Discussed:How can fermented foods help with gut health and inflammation?What natural approaches can support healing from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)?What lifestyle changes are effective for managing Crohn's disease symptoms?What is the story behind Fermenting Fairy and how did it start?Go to https://fermentingfairy.com/ and Use Discount Code SarahKTimestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:23 - Excess sugar in kombucha 00:08:40 - Lauren's experience with Crohn's 00:12:51 - Crohn's medication 00:14:41 - Trying fermented foods 00:17:11 - Healing gut inflamaion 00:18:53 - Home fementation 00:20:30 - Dangers of labeling illnesses 00:24:19 - Medication & manifestation 00:28:12 - Reprogramming & western medicine 00:33:06 - Medical tyranny & trusting your body 00:40:30 - Dangers of supplementation 00:42:10 - Managing hot flashes & lifestyle change 00:45:54 - Weight loss & toxic overload00:49:20 - Hormonal health 00:51:17 - Lauren's dietary changes 00:55:05 - Raw vs femernted veggies 00:58:46 - Vaginal births and fermented foods 01:03:25 - Intolerance of fermented foods Show Links: Go to https://fermentingfairy.com/ and Use Discount Code SarahKSponsored By: Viva Rays | Go to vivarays.com & use code: YOGI to save 15%Black Lotus Shilajit | Visit: www.blacklotusshilajit.com and Use Code: SARAHK for 15% the entire site!Bon Charge | Click here & use code for SARAHKLEINER for 15% off storewide.Check Out Fermenting Fairy: InstagramGo to https://fermentingfairy.com/ and Use Discount Code SarahKThis video is not medical advice & as a supporter to you and your health journey - I encourage you to monitor your labs and work with a professional!________________________________________Get all my free guides and product recommendations to get started on your journey!https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/all-free-resourcesCheck out all my courses to understand how to improve your mitochondrial health & experience long lasting health! (Use code PODCAST to save 10%) -  https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/coursesSign up for my newsletter to get special offers in the future! -https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/contactFree Guide to Building your perfect quantum day (start here) -https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/opt-in-9d5f6918-77a8-40d7-bedf-93ca2ec8387fMy free product guide with all product recommendations and discount codes:https://www.sarahkleinerwellness.com/resource_redirect/downloads/file-uploads/sites/2147573344/themes/2150788813/downloads/84c82fa-f201-42eb-5466-0524b41f6b18_2024_SKW_Affiliate_Guide_1_.pdfMy Circadian App - AppleMy Circadian App - AndroidMy Circadian App - Youtube

How do you actually know if you're dealing with a hormone issue? Is it something you just “deal with” because you've been told it's normal, or is your body waving a big flag for help? I get this question all the time — and honestly, most of us aren't sure what a “normal” cycle is supposed to look or feel like anymore. That's why I'm here to break it down for you. Common Symptoms That Could Mean Your Hormones Are Out of Whack: Fatigue, anxiety, trouble sleeping Could be thyroid, cortisol, melatonin — or a combo. Acne, hair thinning on your scalp, increased facial or body hair Could be androgens (like testosterone) or even cortisol, thyroid, or gut issues. Vaginal dryness + low libido Often connected to androgens and cortisol. Heavy periods, clots, mood swings, breast tenderness, fibroids Hello, estrogen dominance (when estrogen's too high compared to progesterone). Hot flashes, night sweats, cycle-related bloating Also hormone-related, even if you're not menopausal. The tricky part? These symptoms often overlap — and it's never just one thing. Your body is incredibly interconnected, and often when one hormone is off, others get pulled out of line too. That's why band-aid fixes don't work, and why so many women feel frustrated chasing symptoms without seeing real changes. So Where Do You Start? With a system that supports your hormones across the board. That's exactly why I created the 14 Day Hormone Reset — a micro-program designed to give you a clear, supportive, and effective starting point. We're covering everything from: How to build a hormone-supportive lifestyle What to eat (and when) to support your cycle Morning & nighttime routines that actually move the needle A live coaching call to get your questions answered Personalized voice-note support based on your symptoms And yes — it works. I've had women message me saying they didn't even realize their period had arrived because their usual PMS mood swings, bloating, and cramps were gone. Your body is designed to regulate your hormones. It just needs the right support — and that's what we're going to do together. Join us here: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/14-day-hormone-reset

In this episode, Dr. Rena Malik, MD, and Dr. Karen Tang discuss essential concerns related to women's gynecologic health and sexual well-being. They explore topics such as the risk factors for vaginal injuries during sexual encounters and the unexpected hazards of water sports. Additionally, they shed light on the issue of foreign objects getting stuck in the vagina and the myths surrounding the impact of multiple sexual partners on vaginal health. Both doctors emphasize the importance of open communication, proper hygiene, and debunking health misconceptions.  Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content: renamalik.supercast.com Schedule an appointment with me: https://www.renamalikmd.com/appointments ▶️Chapters: 00:00 Risk factors during sex 01:30 Vaginal injuries from water slides 02:55 Foreign bodies in vagina 04:06 Myths about vaginal health 07:08 Post-sex hygiene 08:12 Open communication and support Stay connected with Dr. Tang on social media for daily insights and updates. Don't miss out—follow her now and check out these links! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karentangmd/?hl=en TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@karentangmd?lang=en YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/karentangmd Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/karentangmd/ Website - http://karentangmd.com/ Thrive Gynecology - https://thrivegyn.com/ Let's Connect!: WEBSITE: http://www.renamalikmd.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@RenaMalikMD INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/RenaMalikMD TWITTER: http://twitter.com/RenaMalikMD FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/RenaMalikMD/ LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renadmalik PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/renamalikmd/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/RenaMalikMD ------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER: This podcast is purely educational and does not constitute medical advice. The content of this podcast is my personal opinion, and not that of my employer(s). Use of this information is at your own risk. Rena Malik, M.D. will not assume any liability for any direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this podcast including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prolific podcaster (Nobody’s Listening Right & Nobody’s News), world champion Tetris contender & mahjong killer, Elizabeth Laime finally joins the pod. We talk about her game changers, mahjong as a source of income and naturally, why breast milk really jumped the shark. Please note, Add To Cart contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. To see all products mentioned in this episode, head to @addtocartpod on Instagram. To purchase any of the products, see below. Bring in that money smell with Liz’s candle. God level Tetris if you dare. Enter your lavender era with this planner. The perfect lip tint. The perfect mocktail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to women's health, advances in microbiome testing in the reproductive tract have given us a whole new way to assess vaginal health. A bit like gut microbiome testing, results can reveal overt or subclinical infections, opportunistic pathogens, and whether or not we have enough good microflora to maintain optimal pH and health. In this episode we chat about when we would order a test like this for a client, and the big red flags that suggest getting this test done for yourself might also be a good idea.SEND US A QUESTION:https://www.speakpipe.com/theholistichealthpodcast  FIND NAT BELOW: Website - https://nataliekdouglas.com/  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/natalie.k.douglas  Book a Free Assessment Call - https://calendly.com/nataliekdouglas/thyroid-discovery-call EndoNourish - Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Guide - https://nataliekdouglas.com/endonourish-holistic-endometriosis-adenomyoisis-care-guide/   SacredSeeds - Preconception Care Guidehttps://nataliekdouglas.com/preconception-care-guide/  PCOS Wellness Guidehttps://nataliekdouglas.com/pcos-holistic-guide/  Thyroid Rescue - Self guided programhttps://nataliekdouglas.com/thyroid-rescue/  Coming Off The Pill/IUD Holistic Guidehttps://nataliekdouglas.com/coming-off-the-pill-mini-course/  Become a one-to-one clienthttps://nataliekdouglas.com/1-1-naturopathic-nutrition-consultations/  FIND AMIE BELOW: Book a Free Discovery Call: https://p.bttr.to/3yBdmu3   Book Yourself In: https://l.bttr.to/ZDxWO   Website - https://whatthenaturopathsaid.com   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thatnaturopath   Join the mailing list - https://elysium-clinic-of-natural-medicine.ck.page/69663ce14a   

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

Dr. Corinne Menn, a board-certified OB-GYN and 20-year breast cancer survivor, specializes in menopause management and the unique healthcare needs of female cancer survivors. This episode covers topics like the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study, breast cancer risk, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), vaginal estrogen, and the genital urinary syndrome of menopause. Dr. Menn shares her experience to dispel misconceptions, dispel fear around hormone therapy, and provide actionable insights for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate):(0:00) Intro/Teaser(6:00) Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Misconceptions(13:00) Hormone Therapy Myths and Truths(23:00) Menopause, Breast Cancer, and Hormone Therapy(36:00) Navigating Menopause After Breast Cancer(41:00) Navigating Hormone Therapy Post-Breast Cancer(55:00) Hormone Therapy Myths and Truths(1:04:00) Effects of Estrogen Decline on Women(1:17:00) Improving Clinician Education on Menopause(1:30:00) Empowering Women in Menopause Conversations(1:31:00) After Party - Takeaways from Dr. StephanieResources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep412/We are grateful to our sponsors:BEAM MINERALS - Replenish essential minerals your body needs to help with fatigue, muscle cramping, hair loss, anxiety, and imbalances with your adrenals, hormones, and blood sugar. Visit https://beamminerals.com/better for 20% off of the entire store. The discount is auto-applied at checkout.ONESKIN - Get to the root of hair loss and thinning with OneSkin's new peptide scalp serum, OS1 Hair. Save 15% at https://oneskin.co/better with code BETTER.TIMELINE - Improve energy at the cellular level with Mitopure. Save 10% at https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER.JASPR - Protect your health with quality air purification. Visit https://jaspr.co/ESTIMA and use code ESTIMA for an exclusive deal.

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

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

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

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/

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

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.

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