Yoga | Birth | Babies

The term “core” is thrown around a lot in the fitness and yoga world. But what does it really mean? What muscles are involved and how does someone prepare for pregnancy and postpartum?  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with licensed physical therapist and author, Patricia Ladis. Patricia explains what we mean when we say “core” and how the breath plays an intricate role in the core optimally functioning to promote a healthy pelvic floor. She also discusses how new parents can self assess for diastisis recti. Support Our Sponsors: About 1 in 8 mothers have PPD and it can affect not only the mother but also the whole family. The Skylark Clinical trial is studying a potential medicine for women with PPD. For more information about the study and to see if you or a loved one might be eligible visit www.skylarkppdstudy.com Join the conversation about National Birth Defects Prevention Month by following hashtag #Best4YouBest4Baby on social media and by visitingMarch of Dimes at marchofdimes.org/Yoga

The reality of birth inequities in the US is not merely an opinion; it is a fact. Women of color are dying at higher rates than their white counterparts, and in some parts of the country that rate is up to 12 times higher. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with Rhea Williams, Certified Nurse Midwife and Director of Professional Education and Programing for Spinning Babies® about birth inequities in the US. Rhea shares insight into how the mistreatment of black slaves, the targeted manipulation of birth control, and the inequality of respect and treatment of black people has led to a deep distrust of the current healthcare system within the black community. These societal failures have resulted in women of color, regardless of education and income, receiving poorer quality of care and being more likely to die in childbirth. Rhea provides tangible steps that individuals and communities can take to better support black birthing people.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes

Birth defects, defined by the March of Dimes, are structural changes that affect one or more parts of the body (e.g. heart, brain, foot). While some birth defects are completely unavoidable and unpreventable, certain behaviors and social and environmental factors can impact the risk for birth defects.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes and Senior Vice President, Rahul Gupta, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP, offers insight on birth defects and shares which personal choices can increase your chances of having a healthy, full-term pregnancy and baby. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what’s in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Join the conversation about N

Many pregnant people envision the early days of parenthood snuggled close with their new cooing baby. But, what happens when the dream-like vision collides with brutal reality of a constantly crying baby? One in four babies suffer from a condition called, colic. The baby cries for long stretches of time with little break and no obvious reason as to what is wrong. You can imagine the stress, frustration and sense of helplessness this puts on new parents.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with Licensed Mental Health Counselor and mother of a colicky baby, Jackie DelVecchio. Jackie shares her story of having a colicky baby and what she learned about herself as a new parent. As a social worker, Jackie specializes in Perinatal Mental Health and draws on her experiences to support other parents living through life with a colicky baby. She offers solids tips for coping through this challenging and transient time.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources a

Community has always been a central part of the PYC methodology. We come together as a community to support one another through pregnancy and parenthood. Hearing the stories from friends, family, and community members can help dispel fears, normalize the variation of birth experiences, and create confidence in the process of childbirth.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, I speak with yoga teacher, doula and my friend, Cat Acquaviva, about the birth of her second child. After a challenging first birth, Cat took a very different approach to preparing for her second and deeply committed to the Hypnobabies methodology. Cat openly and candidly shares how she faced her most difficult moments during birth and how she conquered them.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know

If you haven't spent a lot of time around a newborn some of their behaviors and habits may seem bizarre or even scary to you as a new parent.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, board-certified Pediatrician and IBCLC, Dr. Tracey Agnese demystifies the behavior of your newborn baby. She talks about everything from baby poop to irregular breathing patterns to signs that something is really wrong and you should consult your doctor. Dr. Agnese’s calm and friendly demeanor will help put any new parent’s worries at ease.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what's in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better slee

Frequently students return to class and express how blindsided they felt by the demands of the first few weeks of life with a newborn baby. Much time had been spent preparing for labor and birth but many felt unprepared for the reality of this transition. In this episode of Yoga|Birth| Babies, we pull back the curtain and dig into the nitty-gritty of what to expect in the first week as a new parent. Long time postpartum doula and Certified Lactation Counselor, Meema Spadola lovingly shares her vast knowledge about this challenging and precious time of transition. She covers everything from birth recovery to how much sleep new parents really get to handling demanding visitors. Whether you are a new parent, expectant person or someone offering support to new families, Meema will give you solid advice. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and re

Birth has so many unknowns including not fully knowing the scenario and care provider you will be encountering upon entering a hospital or birth center. Common situations are bound to arise that may derail the laboring person’s birth flow/physiology. It is important to have tools to help combat this predicament. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with certified Advanced Birth Doula (DONA International), a postpartum educator, a healthy sleep consultant and eco-maternity consultant, and host of the Birthful Podcast, Adriana Lozada. She and I enjoy a lively and informative conversation about how to help empower the birthing person, bring ownership to the them and help break the cycle of looking for external validations for a process that is happening inside them. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babie

Due dates, that looming day etched in your mind when your journey through pregnancy will come to an abrupt ending. But how accurate are these given dates and what happens if that day comes and goes?  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies I speak with board-certified, practicing OB/GYN, Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins. Nicole shares an open and honest discussion on the pros and cons of waiting for labor to start on its own, labor induction, and what’s considered “full term”. We also discuss if a “big baby” or a schedule really is a medically indicated reason to induce labor? Find out in this podcast!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: You deserve to know what's in your multivitamin. Get 10% off your first 3 moths of Ritual at ritual.com/ybb to start you ritual today! Over 85 million pe

In a world that often categorizes people and events in a binary manner, those who fall beyond the binary often face unseen challenges. Family planning, reproductive care, and birth are no exceptions. In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with doula, childbirth educator and board-certified music therapist, Beth Hardy about supporting Queer, Trans, Non-Binary Folks in Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum. Beth discusses why some queer, trans, and non-binary folks may avoid seeking medical assistance during the process of getting pregnant, throughout their pregnancy, and birth. Beth also talks about the importance of finding the right birth team, including how to help hospital staff keep the birthing space feeling safe and supportive for a laboring person. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our S

Cesarean sections rank among the top surgical procedures given in the US. Currently, one third of American babies are born in this manner. Because it’s such a common procedure, it can be easy to forget that a cesarean is major abdominal surgery. New parents are sent home with the daunting task of caring for a newborn and healing from surgery often with little support.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with two doctors of Physical Therapy and board certified Specialists in Women's Health Sara Reardon and Jessica Reale. Sara and Jessica offer tips and advice for healing after a cesarean including how and why to do scar mobilization. They also explain how the pelvic floor is affected postpartum even if someone had a cesarean. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 mil

In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies we dive into the topics I love most, yoga, birth and babies! Renowned yoga teacher, podcast host and yoga business strategist, Mado Hesselink shares her journey from her early 20s having her first child and to her late 30’s when having her second child. Mado also discusses how she balances being a yoga practitioner, teacher, and a parent. This powerful episode really has something for everyone... Expectant parents, New parents, yoga teachers, and yoga practitioners. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take care of their minds and get better sleep. For listeners of Yoga| Birth |Babies, Calm is offering a special limited time promotion of 40% off a Calm Premium subscription at ​CALM.COM/YBB Orgai

Why do so many mothers suffer from mom guilt, martyr-mode, and perfectionism? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, I speak with board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Gemma ((the first digital education platform dedicated exclusively to women's mental health) Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, MD, about the pressure many mothers feel to fulfill unrealistic expectations put on them by themselves and society. Dr. Lakshmin offers solid take aways to break the habits and mentality of mom guilt, martyr-mode, and perfectionism as well as learning to say no and set boundaries. This conversation can help break the strain and stress often felt by new mothers allowing for an easier transition into parenthood. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: Over 85 million people around the world use Calm to take

Did you know there are 90,000 chemicals that we are surrounded by, on a daily basis, that may impact your health, pregnancy and baby? Many of these chemicals are commonly used in beauty products, house cleaning items, and even the clothes we wear.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with board certified rheumatologist, integrative medicine specialist, and environmental health expert Dr. Aly Cohen about environmental health and pregnancy. Dr. Cohen talks about the importance of considering the impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on the normal function of hormones and how people can make choices to avoid them. She also offers very solid advice on foods and personal care products to avoid will pregnant and breastfeeding.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: I finally found t

When Catalina reached out to share her birth story, I was struck by the powerful words she used to describe her birth, “I was able to make empowered decisions without shame.” Immediately, I knew there was a story to explore and wanted her as a guest on the podcast. With no time wasted, Catalina responded that as a woman of color and in a same-sex relationship, she loves sharing her story of both how she got pregnant and about her amazing pregnancy and birth. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, new parent, Catalina Restrepo, shares her story. She explains that even though we, as a society, have “advanced” so much, people are still so puzzled about same sex couples having children.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Sponsors: I finally found the best clean products to help to stay healthy and main

How much time have you put into learning about a cesarean birth? What are factors that play a role in having a cesarean birth or way to decrease the chances of a cesarean birth?  With the national average for cesarean rates hovers around 30%, time spent on understanding cesareans births may serve to be very valuable.  In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with board-certified OB-GYN and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at WashU School of Medicine, Dr. Marta Perez. Marta covers the gamut about everything from preparing for a scheduled cesarean to understanding the difference between an emergency cesarean and an unplanned cesarean. Marta also discusses the importance of finding closure in understanding why an unplanned cesarean occurred.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies Support Our Spon

Birth in many respects is an ordeal for your body and mind. How much thought have you put into the healing process hours and days after your baby? Often times, once the baby is introduced into the world and family, the birthing person’s needs fall by the side as the focus shifts to caring for this new life.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth|Babies, we turn the attention back to the new parent and the path to healing both mind and body from a vaginal birth. (Don’t worry- there’s an episode dedicated to healing from a cesarean birth!) I speak with Morgan Michalowski, a certified nurse midwife, women’s health nurse practitioner, international board certified lactation consultant, doula, and mother about the road to recovery after a vaginal birth, including what is “normal” and when to seek help, healing from a tear, how much bleeding is to be expected and surprises that can happen in the shower!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: p

The transition into pregnancy, birth, and postpartum often comes with a steep learning curve. Many people come out the other side of parenthood saying, Why did nobody tell me this?  That sentiment was the inspiration for the book, WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS?: THE DOULAS’ HONEST GUIDE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS. In this episode of Yoga|Birth|Babies, I speak with birth doulas and co-authors of the book WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS?: THE DOULAS’ HONEST GUIDE FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS Ash Spivak and Natalia Hailes. Ash and Natalia discuss doulas and what they bring to the birth experience as well as what they discovered to be people’s the biggest surprises of pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Youtube:

Did you know, the psoas major (there are two of them, one on each side of your spine and pelvis) are the only muscles that connect your spine to your legs? These important muscles play a major role in your posture, nervous system, and even how your baby cascades into your pelvis.  In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we take a deep dive into talking about one of my favorite muscles the psoas, with licensed Physical Therapist and Certified Yoga Therapist, Libby Hinsley. We explore how the psoas affects the ever changing pregnant spine as well as how it can influence fetal positioning. Libby also offers some important insight about the needs of the muscles, do you stretch or release them? For the curious student and yoga teacher, this conversation will be enlightening!  Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies 

It’s no surprise that with the amount of responsibilities and pressure mothers endure day after day that emotions may rise to the level of rage. However, a raging outburst can often leave a parent (particularly a mom) feeling remorseful, shameful, and guilt-ridden.  In this episode of Yoga| Birth | Babies, I speak with writer and speaker, Minna Dubin. Minna has explored (and experienced) “mom rage” and written several pieces about this very topic for The New York Times and has been featured in Parents Magazine among others. In our conversation, Minna explains what feeds into this rage, the fear of judgment many mothers have, how common this experience is, and ways to alleviate the rage. Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:  instagram & facebook: @prenatalyogacenter Yo