Yoga | Birth | Babies

Many times, I hear my prenatal students express feeling disconnected from their care provider or uneasy about hospital policies. However, they’ve hired a doula in hopes that that will help them navigate and achieve the birth experience they want. Today, we’re diving into how and why birth preparation goes beyond simply hiring a doula. To have this conversation with me today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Bec Conant. Bec is a respected figure in Boston and New England for her expertise in prenatal care and yoga instruction spanning over two decades. Through her Om Births program, she empowers expecting individuals, guiding them through childbirth and easing their transition into parenthood. Bec is also the author of The Om Births Approach, which explores using yoga to prepare the body, mind, and spirit for birth. In this episode, Bec and I discuss the importance of investigation and education in childbirth. We both believe that true childbirth education and preparation starts with understanding your own birth d

Today, we’re diving into the relationship between birth and the pelvic floor. First, we’ll cover the basics: What is the pelvic floor? What is its function? How does one even connect with their pelvic floor? We usually aren’t taught about the pelvic floor growing up, and lack an awareness of it, in part because it’s a group of muscles we do not see. However this mysterious group of muscles doesn’t have to be so mysterious… So let’s talk about it! To have this conversation with me today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Millie Schweky DPT, CPT. Millie is a pelvic floor PT on a mission to help folks feel safe & empowered in their bodies. Located in Ra'anana Israel, she works out of her private practice and sees patients virtually around the world. She is also mom of 2 toddlers. Millie and I discuss the role of the pelvic floor in birth, and how tension or disfunction can disrupt the flow of your birth. Additionally, we debunk some myths about the pelvic floor because- let’s face it- there’s some really incorrect in

Today, we’re diving into our current parenting culture- does it support or hinder parents and kids? To have this conversation with me today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Emily Edlynn, PhD. Emily is a licensed clinical psychologist, international speaker, co-host of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast, and award-winning author of Autonomy-Supportive Parenting: Reduce Parental Burnout and Raise Competent, Confident Children. Emily’s writing has appeared in outlets such as the Washington Post, Parents, Scary Mommy, Good Housekeeping, Motherly, and Psychology Today and she writes regularly for her Substack, Parent Smarter, Not Harder. Emily and I take a deep dive into modern parenting culture, examining its impact on both parents and children. We get honest about where there might be some downfalls, and how those downfalls especially affect mothers. Lastly, we explore the topics of intensive-parenting or over-parenting, vs. “Autonomy-Supportive Parenting.” Any parent of a child, no matter how old, can learn f

Having a baby is expensive! So, how can we prepare for the expected and unexpected costs that come with having a child? In this episode of Yoga| Birth| Babies I speak with financial educator and founder of Smart Money Mamas Chelsea Brennan. From getting a clear picture of your current financial state, to understanding how to prioritize and prepare for baby expenses, Chelsea gives simple exercises that will help you understand your family money values, how to choose a money mantra, and how to prepare for the many expenses that come along with parenthood. I suggest you grab something to take notes with when you listen to this episode, I know I did! Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!

Today, we have a very special community birth story. I love when I get to hear the birth stories of not only our student community, but also of our teaching community. Today, we have a story of the latter! Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Meredith Witte. Meredith Witte is a functional strength coach and a yoga instructor with a Master’s in Exercise Physiology. She is the founder and owner of The Playground. She got her start in the world of prenatal movement back in 2018 when she took the PYC teacher training, and had the pleasure of teaching a weekly class at PYC for 2 years. She now lives with her husband Carson and her 7 month old daughter Murphy in Nyack, New York where they love spending time outdoors, hiking, and cooking meals together as a family of 3. It’s so evident by the way Meredith tells her story that she has an incredible bond with her partner, and how that assisted her in birth. The story that unfolds is one of trust, believing in the body’s ability, mental preparation, and partnership in b

Today, we're diving into the topic of VBACs—Vaginal Birth After Cesareans. We'll explore the most common reasons for cesarean births, as well as the risks and benefits of choosing a VBAC. Additionally, we'll discuss factors that might make someone risk out of a VBAC, and compare those risks to those of a repeat cesarean. To have this conversation today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Meagan Heaton. Meagan co-founded the VBAC Link in 2018. Although she always felt called to the baby world, she really found her love for birth in 2014 after her second C-Section. Through these two birth experiences, her love and passion grew around VBAC. She wanted to help people feel supported and loved. She had two C-sections and then went on to have a VBA2C, and has now supported over 350 families through their birthing journeys as a birth doula. In addition to sharing her personal VBAC experiences, Meagan and I discuss key questions to ask a care provider to determine if they are truly VBAC-supportive. This is such an important

The other day I overheard some students discussing whether to hire a doula for their birth, or rely on the support of labor and delivery staff. As L&D nurse experiences vary from hospital to hospital, I felt this was an important topic to explore. In this episode, we’ll dive into the role of a labor and delivery nurse, what to expect, and some insider tips—straight from an L&D nurse herself! Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Caitlin Jeanmougin. Caitlin is a registered nurse with 21 years of experience caring for childbearing families. She has a master's degree in Nursing Education as well as a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. She spent 17 years providing inpatient care in Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, High-Risk Antepartum, and the Special Care Nursery and currently is employed as a full-time professor in an undergraduate nursing program teaching Maternal/Newborn Nursing. Caitlin is an E-RYT200 with over 14 years of experience, an RPYT with 6 years of experience, and a Certified Spinning Babies Parent Educator.

If you could choose between a functional efficient labor or a dysfunctional and inefficient labor, I’m guessing you would choose functional and efficient labor. I have been to many births as a doula and I’ve had 2 kids of my own. While the body may need time to open to let the baby descend and rotate, it can be a lot on the parents and support team to go through the experience of a long labor! Today on Yoga| Birth| Babies I have midwife Gail Tully of Spinning Babies back on the podcast. This is her 3rd episode with us and I have to say I absolutely adore speaking with Gail. Today, we talk about how to use Spinning Babies for a smoother, more balanced, more efficient birth. Gail offers us techniques and methodologies to help babies navigate more seamlessly through the pelvis. She talks a lot about the different parts of the pelvis and different techniques to utilize to help the baby through, depending on where the baby is in the pelvis.  You’re going to get so much out of this conversation, Gail’s a delight

Today we have a remarkable and empowering community birth story. Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Amber Hogue. Amber is a proud mom of two boys, Finn and Wally, and lives in the Bay Area with her family. She works in clinical research with a focus on patient engagement, leveraging her expertise to create meaningful connections and improve healthcare outcomes. A yoga teacher for over 10 years, Amber has spent the last 3 years specializing in prenatal yoga, blending childbirth education with mindful movement, and is a graduate of the PYC teacher training! As you listen to this episode, it will become clear how Amber took ownership of her birth and advocated for herself, her wants, and her needs. I hope you enjoy listening to her story as much as I did. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE  If you love what

A few months ago, before teaching my postnatal class, my students were sitting in a circle sharing their experiences about postpartum and all the surprises this phase brought. In other words, they were discussing all the things no one had told them about postpartum.  Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Tina Goldstein. Tina facilitates the New Parent Support Group at PYC, and is a postpartum doula, certified breastfeeding counselor and pediatric sleep consultant. Tina provides one-on-one care and education to new parents during the 4th trimester (and beyond), supporting each family’s choices without judgement. She has also taught perinatal yoga for the last 11 years helping birthing people connect to their breath, strengthen their physical bodies, and heal from or prepare for labor.  In this episode, we speak on hormonal changes, night sweats, hair loss, breastfeeding, feeding schedules, sleep schedules, and more. My hope is that this conversation leaves you feeling more informed and empowered to seek support

Today, we’re diving into a book titled Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser. This collection of essays captures the journey of being the go-to person for everyone’s needs while quietly struggling. It explores the idea of being “happy to help”… even when you shouldn’t be. The essays are hilariously relatable, and what I love most is the author’s raw vulnerability and personal storytelling. Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have the author of this book, Amy Wilson. Amy is the author of the memoir When Did I Get Like This? and her latest book, Happy to Help. Since 2016 she has been the co-host of the Webby-honored podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood. Amy is also an actor who appeared on Broadway and as a series regular on TV sitcoms. She lives with her family in New York City, and also happens to be a PYC alum! It was such a joy to chat with Amy about her book and a topic so many of us can relate to. We explore people-pleasing, productivity, multitasking, and so much more. I hope yo

Many parents experience significant pressure and responsibility when it comes to feeding their new child, particularly around breastfeeding. This is especially true for the individual providing nourishment and nutrition through breastfeeding. Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I have Chana Topek Diamond. Chana is a licensed clinical social worker, doula, lactation/feeding counselor and childbirth educator. She earned Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University and worked for many years in both clinical and administrative roles at NY’s largest health and human service agency. Chana works with Helping Hands Psychotherapy, a group psychotherapy practice based on Long Island that specializes in working with folks in the perinatal community. With her multifaceted background in social work, lactation consulting, and doula services, Chana brings a unique and holistic perspective to this conversation. Her insights, affirmations, and empathy are incredibly valuable for anyone navigating the challenges of feeding a new ba

If you’re a parent, or have simply spent time around children, you know the how hard it can be to stay calm when a child is whining. I’m almost 14 years into parenthood and still, I find myself hungrily looking for expert advice on this issue! In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Dr. Laura Markham on this valuable subject. Dr. Laura Markham is the author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How To Stop Yelling and Start Connecting, Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How To Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life, and now her latest book, The Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook: Using mindfulness and connection to raise resilient, joyful children and rediscover your love of parenting. Dr. Laura earned her PhD in clinical psychology at Columbia University and has worked as a parenting coach with countless families across the world. Her aspiration is to change the world, one child at a time, by supporting parents. The proud mother of two thriving young adults who were raised with her peaceful pare

Community birth stories are, for me, some of the most important episodes to share on this podcast. Oftentimes, we’re overwhelmed with negative birth narratives, which can impact one’s confidence in their ability to birth. I feel passionate about hearing, and sharing, stories where individuals acknowledge their birthing anxieties but ultimately overcome them. Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Jessie Valentine. Jessie is a registered dietitian who specializes in fertility and perinatal nutrition, a registered prenatal yoga teacher (and PYC teacher training grad!), and a postpartum doula servicing Nassau and Suffolk counties of NY. She is now a mom of two (a two year old son and 4 month old daughter)! During her time studying at PYC for teacher training, Jessie became pregnant and started taking classes as a student. After her birth, she shared with me how she achieved the VBAC she had desired so deeply, dedicating time and effort into preparing for it. I’m honored that she agreed to come on the podcast a

Today, we're talking all about prenatal chiropractic work and how it can help you have a smoother birth and more comfortable pregnancy. I love the idea of chiropractics because it all goes back to alignment. And as a studio owner, yoga teacher and former doula, I am confident in saying that when the pregnant body is aligned, it not only feels better for the pregnant person but also helps their birth! Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Robert Shire. Dr. Shire became a chiropractor in 1999 after graduating cum laude from Life University in Georgia. He also completed a fellowship with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) and became certified in the Webster Technique. Although Dr. Shire cares for patients of all ages, he has a particular interest in prenatal chiropractic to help parents-to-be experience the healthy and happy pregnancy they deserve. If you are interested in understanding the nervous system and the function of your body during pregnancy, this episode is for you. Add

Today, we're exploring a topic that has impacted so many people around the world, including some of my closest friends and students. I'll admit that I didn't know much about IVF, as I haven’t had personal experience with it, so I set out to learn more. Interestingly, my cousin is an expert on the subject, and one day shared with me about the the history of IVF and the globalization and the technology behind it. From that point on, I knew I had to have her on the podcast! Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Donna J. Drucker. Donna is the assistant director of scholarship and research development at the Columbia University School of Nursing. She has a master of library science degree and a PhD in history, both from Indiana University. She is the author of four books and many articles and shorter publications, and has a fifth book on abortion under contract. While many of us know the outcome that we're hoping for with IVF, and perhaps a bit about the procedures involved, Donna shares insight on aspects

For many sex is a very different experience while pregnant and newly postpartum. From wondering if you might hurt your baby to the physical discomfort one may experience, a lot of questions come to mind. Today we're going to talk about sex during pregnancy and after baby. I gathered some of the students together from the prenatal and postnatal classes and asked what their questions were. Questions I heard included: concerns about sex during pregnancy and will it hurt the baby? If the vagina changes forever after birth? How postpartum hormones change sex? And what can you do if sex hurts? So to have this conversation today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Dr. Sabrina Baxter, a doctor of physical therapy specializing in Pelvic Floor dysfunction. I love that she talks about individualized treatment because, while we're answering these questions in somewhat broad strokes, it is such an individualized experience what is going on with your body. I hope this just gives you some insight into your body and some curio

Today we are going to talk about SLEEP: your sleep, your baby’s sleep, and how to help your baby get good sleep. We dive into the topic of sleep deprivation, its impact on maternal mental health and bonding with baby, and also the different types of sleep training methods.  Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Liza Kaplan Montanino. Liza is a dual-certified pediatric and special needs sleep consultant through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management and Institute for Pediatric Sleep & Parenting, respectively. She is also a graduate of the Sleep Health Intelligence Program, cofounder of the Westchester Mama & Child Wellness Expo, and sleep expert in The Indy Lab’s Parenting Center. She is also a sleep instructor with Virtual Village Parenting, a newborn care professional, and lactation educator. It was a true pleasure having Liza on the show to talk about sleep. She’s an incredible resource filled with valuable insights! Not only will improving your own sleep enhance your wellbeing, but there are numerous

Today, we have a community birth story. I look at these stories as a wonderful chance to hear firsthand about the incredible experience of birth from someone in our very own community—an experience that deeply influences so much of what we do here at PYC! Today on Yoga | Birth | Babies, I have Fiamma. Fiamma was born in NYC grew up as a competitive equestrian show jumper where she would travel between Europe, the US and South America. She was also a competitive downhill skier. She took a break from competing and and teaching and spent time in Brazil all of 2023, right before getting pregnant. She currently lives on 180 acres in a 350 year old farmhouse in Virginia, and has been there for almost a year now with her 2 dogs and now perfect baby! In this episode, Fiamma shares about her health challenges pre-pregnancy, her birth story, and the obstacles she faced during both her birth and postpartum journey… All with remarkable wisdom, grace, and vulnerability. Happy listening! Get the most out of each episo

If you are a new and expectant parent, I know that childcare is a subject that has crossed your mind before. Whether you’re going back to work full-time, or just need some assistance throughout the day, remember that you don't have to do it all on your own! As the saying goes, “It takes a village.” The right choice for your family will depend on your individual priorities, so let’s explore the options. To have this conversation with me today on Yoga | Birth | Babies is Elizabeth Narins. Elizabeth is a freelance writer who has previously held staff positions at Cosmo and Women's Health. Her work has appeared in Scary Mommy, What to Expect, The Bump, Parents, and many more! Currently, she is in the process of launching a parenting Substack, More than Mom, that explores identity, career, body image, along with all of the child-rearing questions that keep new parents up at night. Elizabeth is a mother of two. In this episode, we’ll explore the main differences between daycare and hiring a nanny, how to spot pot